The 8 Best Powerline Adapters in 2023 – Top Picks

It is almost useless to talk about the importance of having an Internet network at home, given how much we have become dependent on the Web in many aspects.

Among the best technologies to create a whole network in your apartment, the one that exploits the electrical system to offer you various connection possibilities stands out.

In this guide, we provide you with all the essential information to choose the adapters that best suit your needs so that we can decide for the best.

Here we had listed out the best powerline adapters that are present below.

What to Look for Before Buying Powerline Adapters?

How Does It Work?

Creating a network through power outlets and Powerline adapters is quite simple since it is sufficient to insert one of the devices into an electrical plug, preferably close to where you have placed the router.

This is because the router and adapter must be connected via an Ethernet cable, which will take care of data transmission.

The same procedure must be done with a second socket in which to insert another Powerline, from which to start an Ethernet cable to connect a computer or any other electronic device equipped with a Lan port.

The data transfer occurs because the two adapters can exploit a higher frequency of the electrical signal (which usually travels at 50 Hz) or between 60 kHz and 50 MHz.

Ultimately the two frequencies travel parallel without interfering with one with the other and ensuring the transmission of both light and Internet connection.

The two aforementioned adapters, which we can define as central, can possibly be joined by others, always inserted in the other sockets of the house, in order to further expand the size of the LAN network.

A smart choice, especially if you live in a multi-story apartment or if you work in a large office, where the wireless network may not guarantee adequate coverage.

The Advantages of Wi-Fi

Creating a Lan network of this type guarantees a series of advantages when compared to the wireless one, starting with the security of the data transmitted.

These travel through electrical cables and not in the ether and therefore cannot in any way be intercepted from the outside by some attacker. To further guarantee security, the latest adapters made by the best brands also allow you to create a password to protect the network.

By comparing the various data sheets and reading the reviews of the models on the market, you will also notice how the latest devices ensure excellent browsing speed, allowing you to enjoy the best possible Web experience.

The absence of radiation (which is instead generated by wireless routers) is an additional added value for Powerlines.

Matter of Speed

The performances guaranteed by the adapters in terms of speed are strictly connected to the state of the electrical system (discriminant, which ranks first in the ranking) as well as to the type of subscription you have subscribed to. It goes without saying that rather old cables will end up penalizing the quality of the connection.

The Powerline devices are distinguished from each other, as well as for the price, for the data transfer speed, indicated in Mbps and included in a range from a minimum of 200 for the models which, comparing the prices, are cheaper, up to 1,200 for the most recent and performing ones.

Our advice is to direct you to the latter or, if you want to save something, to those from 600 Mbps, in order to guarantee performance in line with the web browsing needs to which we are now accustomed.

Wi-Fi Clone

To quickly set up a Wi-Fi network in the room where the powerline is positioned, the model proposed by TP-Link puts on the plate a very useful and simple to use technology.

In fact, merely pressing the “Wi-Fi Clone” button on the device in the blink of an eye, the Wi-Fi network is expanded with the same name and password as that you have in the other rooms.

This technology is beneficial because, unlike other powerline models, a new network is not created to which to connect, you need to set a new password. In practice, moving between the various rooms, you will never lose the wireless signal for network change.

Double Lan

A powerline becomes very useful even when it is necessary to have an internet connection, and devices equipped with Wi-Fi technology are not used, provided that this offers at least an ethernet port with which, through a special cable, it is possible to connect the two devices.

The TP-Link powerline offers two LAN ports, thanks to which it is, therefore, possible to connect two devices (which necessarily have to be close), which could be a console and a TV.

In fact, not very recent models of televisions, despite being “Smart,” do not integrate a Wi-Fi connection, but almost certainly an ethernet port. The same goes for the consoles of a generation previous to those currently on sale.

Keep in mind that the powerline goes to occupy an electrical outlet and not being of the “pass-through” type, you must calculate this characteristic if you want to power the devices through the same socket.

Easy Installation

The TO-Link kit has two powerlines. The first one must be connected directly to the home router via an ethernet cable and is easily identifiable as there is only one LAN port.

The second powerline must be plugged into an electrical outlet where you need to bring the Wi-Fi connection or where there are devices without Wi-Fi to be connected via ethernet to the powerline. Once installed, just press the “Pair” button to connect the two devices.

After this, to have an expanded Wi-Fi network and an Internet connection via ethernet, you will need to press the Wi-Fi Clone button and the WPS button on the router.

Many users recommend inserting the two powerlines on the same home power line to avoid communication problems between the two devices. The kit settings can also be managed remotely using the HPLC app available for both smartphones and desktop computers.

How to Use a Powerline Adapter

An easy way to extend your home network is to use Wi-Fi powerline adapters. These small gadgets plug into electrical outlets and take advantage of the cables already installed in the walls of the apartment to exchange data or take advantage of the internet connection offered by a router connected to another device.

Home Network

Often we find ourselves having to exchange data between different PCs in the house, and hardly the apartment in which we live is wired and offers various ethernet ports scattered around the rooms.

An inexpensive solution to overcome this problem is the use of a Wi-Fi powerline adapter. This device, in a nutshell, uses electrical wiring to communicate remote devices in the house.

To create a home LAN naturally, you need at least two powerline adapters: one must be plugged into an electrical outlet near the home router (if you also need to share the internet connection), while the other will be installed in the room where you need to connect the PC or the notebook or even the TV that needs a data connection.

The technology used by these devices, as mentioned, takes advantage of the electrical cables already present in the apartment, transmitting data from one powerline to another at a frequency of 60 kHz, higher than the 50 kHz used by the electric current to reach the various sockets.

Basically, the two frequencies travel in parallel, not bothering each other when it is necessary to send data or electric current to the same socket.

Lan versus Wi-Fi

But why choose a powerline adapter over one Wi-Fi only? The reasons can be manifold. First of all, data that travels from a powerline to the connected device cannot be intercepted by attackers as could happen with those sent via Wi-Fi.

Secondly, if you have a considerable house, perhaps on two floors, this solution is more suitable than a Wi-Fi network that may not cover all areas of the home at best.

In addition, the data transmission speed is much higher, and therefore also surfing the internet is a better experience than that offered by a Wi-Fi connection.

Finally, there is no radiation for the home, which happens with Wi-Fi and, therefore, fewer disturbances in the reception of other signals such as FM or digital terrestrial.

To underline the fact that many of these powerline adapters are still equipped with Wi-Fi connection, useful in case there were problems with the LAN network just set up.

Transfer Rate

A proper powerline adapter also gets to transmit data at a speed of 600 Mbps, which in practice allows internet browsing and watching a movie on a NAS or another PC without any kind of shooting.

Most of the powerlines on the market guarantee a transfer speed of at least 500 Mbps, however excellent value for a smooth web browsing experience.

Obviously, much depends on the electrical network present in the house: if this were a little dated, it would not be automatic that the data transmission speeds will be in line with what is offered by the installed powerlines.