Trendnet Powerline 1200 Av2 Adapter Starter Kit Review

Homes increasingly require fast networks for smart TVs, DVRs such equally Sky+ and Tivo, games consoles and the residual. For many of the states our Wi-Fi just can't keep up, and and so we need a super-fast wired network to empower all our smart Cyberspace-set devices.

Powerline is a technology that's ridiculously like shooting fish in a barrel to set up, and creates a wired abode network in a matter of minutes. It uses your existing domicile electrical wiring to transmit information from your modem/router to the room where all your home-entertainment and digital devices live. See Powerline explained.

The latest, fastest variant of Powerline is labelled Gigabit i,200Mbps, superseding older 200Mbps and 500Mbps versions.

The Trendnet Powerline 1200 AV2 Adapter Kit (TPL-420E2K) is one of the fastest we Powerlines we've tested to date. And at its entry level information technology's inexpensive, likewise – check out the boxes below this review for the latest, cheapest prices.

First a alert. Forget virtually the claimed speeds on any Powerline, from whatsoever manufacturer. These 500Mbps or i,200Mbps speeds are theoretical maximums, and you'll exist lucky to reach over 100Mbps in most real-globe scenarios. See our favourites in our Best Powerline adapters round up.

Don't worry though, as even an average 500Mbps Powerline (apparently trudging at threescore-70Mbps) will greatly speed up your catch-up Television receiver or Internet download times.

Trendnet Powerline 1200 AV2: design, features and gear up

There are two versions: the basic Trendnet Powerline 1200 AV2 Adapter Kit (TPL-420E2K) is compact, and the cheaper of the two models. The Trendnet Powerline 1200 AV2 Adapter Kit (TPL-421E2K) is larger as information technology includes a pass-through power socket so you don't lose a valuable socket where you need it most – near all those Net-hungry devices.

Trendnet has kept these Powerline adapters (yous get the necessary two in the pack, along with ii Ethernet cables) reasonably small, and then they won't make your front room look similar a tech toy room. Every bit stated above, the 421E2K model is larger because of the handy pass-through socket.

But they both models lack features that you lot may desire. For instance, each adapter features merely the one Gigabit Ethernet port. If you have multiple devices (smart TV, Tivo, Sky+, games console) that one port is not going to connect everything to your network.

You tin can, of grade, bandy out the Ethernet to the device you need at the time, but this can exist a pain. Or you can invest an extra £xx or so on an extra multi-port Ethernet Switch, which is what I have done at home (although the Powerline currently installed does have two ports dissimilar these; I need four!).

Other Powerline adapters tin boast two or even 3 Ethernet ports on that second-room adapter, which you may want to consider instead. If you just demand the one then this is non a limitation that volition bother yous.

Set up, equally with all Powerlines, is a breeze: plug 1 adapter into a wall power socket virtually your modem/router, and connect with the supplied Ethernet cable. Then plug the second adapter in to a socket most the Goggle box or whatsoever device y'all want to hook up to your network, and connect via Ethernet. Task done.

Some other Powerline adapters boast a wireless role that creates a new Wi-Fi hotspot in that 2nd (or third or fourth) room. This is especially useful if y'all suffer a degraded wireless signal in different parts of the house. Neither model of the Trendnet Powerline 1200 AV2, notwithstanding, has this capacity.

If you are limited on power sockets y'all should go for the TPL-421E2K (above) with its pass-through socket – otherwise you volition effectively lose a power socket in each of the rooms you install into. Don't be tempted to plug it into an extension block as this will noticeably affect download speeds.

If your wall sockets are close to the footing you might prefer a Powerline adapter with the ports on the height; see our other Powerline reviews for the top models. Having the ports on the lesser of the adapter (equally here) is neater but not if the wall socket is shut to the floor.

Trendnet Powerline 1200 AV2: speed tests

Creating a perfect test environs for Powerlines is impossible as anybody'south business firm will have different circumstances; and fifty-fifty the aforementioned house surroundings volition behave differently at different times.

We e'er test in the same mode and aforementioned surround, and with the aforementioned test procedures to accomplish every bit close to consistent results as nosotros tin can manage.

The Trendnet Powerline 1200 AV2 scored excellently, hands surpassing 500Mbps-rated adapters and just shading ahead of some other 1,200Mbps Powerlines.

Our average real-world speed score for these latest adapters was 105Mbps – miles below the claimed one,200Mbps but enough to greatly improve on your home network if yous rely on standard Wi-Fi. The Trendnet adapters reached 110Mbps. You lot may well get even faster speeds. Information technology all depends on your home set up, electrical wiring, and whatever else you take plugged in. to the circuit. Battery chargers and microwaves, for example, will ruin your Powerline speeds when switched on.

We take got over 400Mbps with a one,200Mbps-rated Powerline simply in a less realistic situation with the two adapters next to each other on a wall socket. Once separated by a couple of floors and 15 metres or then the ecology limiting factors of a house set in. But even at a real-earth 100Mbps, Powerline volition dramatically improve your download times in the 2nd room.

Check out all our Powerline adapter reviews and also our grouping test of the best Powerline adapters we've tested. You tin get more information on Powerline including explanations of Powerline speed myths and lots of tips and fob in our feature What Is Powerline.

Specs

Trendnet Powerline 1200 AV2 Adapter Kit (TPL-420E2K, TPL-421E2K): Specs

• 1,200Mbps Powerline adapters x 2
• one Gigabit Ethernet port per adapter
• 128-Flake AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
• IEEE 1901/HomePlug AV2
• TPL-421 has pass-through power sockets on each adapter different the smaller TPL-420.

Tags:

• Network & Wi-fi
• Smart Domicile

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Source: https://www.techadvisor.com/review/trendnet-powerline-1200-av2-adapter-kit-review-3618683/

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