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Powerline adapters may not be seen as a critical component within a home network, but they can be incredibly useful nonetheless.

They use the existing electrical wiring found within your home to offer some of the benefits of a wired connection instead of always having to rely on Wi-Fi. They also mean you don’t have the hassle of having to run wires across your home.

I’ve done research into several different powerline adapters to find the best ones that can make a great addition to a home network and help improve network speeds.

Recommended Powerline Adapters

D-Link DHP-P701AV – These powerline adapters offer the best speeds and built-in noise filtering whilst remaining very easy to setup.

TP-Link TL-WPA4220 – The powerline adapters I personally use myself and have found great success with. Very quick and easy to get set up with speeds that will be perfect for most people. 

TRENDnet TPL-407E2K – This is your budget option that includes two powerline adapters in a bundle and has useful features such as a power-saving mode.

Why I Picked the D-Link DHP-P701AV

There are a few reasons for me picking the D-Link DHP-P701AV as the recommended powerline adapters.

• Pair of adapters included in the price
• Offers speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps
• Built-in noise filter to help eliminate electrical interference
• MIMO technology is used
• Integrated Gigabit Ethernet port and a passthrough outlet
• Simple Connection button makes them easy to set up and start using
• Power saving mode to reduce power consumption by around 85%

What to Consider When Buying Powerline Adapters

• Product name – Pay attention to the product name when shopping for a powerline adapter. A powerline adapter will only allow devices to connect using an Ethernet cable, whereas a powerline Wi-Fi adapters also supports the use of wireless
• Coverage – This will depend on the quality of the powerline adapter and the electrical wiring that runs throughout your home. You could see a range of up to 400 meters when your wiring is in good condition and you are using a top-quality powerline adapter
• Wi-Fi standard – For the best possible speeds, make sure the adapter is IEEE 802.11AC compliant as this is the most up-to-date standard. I wouldn’t settle for anything less, to be honest
• Speed – Purchase the fastest powerline adapter you can that it is within your budget. Also, try and get one that uses Gigabit Ethernet ports wherever possible
• Compatability – Not all powerline adapters play nicely with each other. To ensure complete compatibility, make sure to buy the same make and model. You may find adapters still work with each other despite being different models if you meet the same specifications. The two most common in powerline technology are HomePlug and G.hn
• Passthrough outlet – A powerline adapter will take up a valuable mains outlet, but those with a passthrough outlet on the front allow you to plug a device into it and continue to make use of the outlet
• Additional connections and features – Some adapters will come with the ability to act as a Wi-Fi hotspot or have more than one Ethernet port available
• Pack size – A single powerline adapter on its own is useless; you need at least two to set up a powerline network. Thankfully most come as part of a kit and include two adapters in the price