Best Powerline Adapters 2024: Improve your home network speeds

There are two models of the speedy TP-Link AV1300 Gigabit Powerline Starter Kit, each containing two adapters.

The TL-WPA8631P KIT features one Gigabit Ethernet port on the base adapter (actually a unit called the TL-PA8010P) that connects to your router and a generous three Gigabit Ethernet ports on the second-room adapter.

This is an excellent choice if you want to boost the speeds of multiple network devices (such as smart TV, games console, Sky/Tivo box, laptop, etc) with a fast, stable wired connection. Other Powerline adapters have just one or two Ethernet ports, to which you could add an Ethernet Switch for extra wired ports, but this is a much neater solution.

Handily both adapters feature passthrough sockets to save you from losing one at the wall socket when the adapters are plugged in.

This top-end value-for-money AV1300 Powerline Starter Kit includes the ability to add a new, fast Wi-Fi hotspot in the second room, which is a great help if your home Wi-Fi signal gets weaker the further you are away from the room that your router is set up in. This should significantly increase wireless speeds for your smartphones, laptops, tablets and other devices.

The Ethernet ports are at the top of the adapter, which is handy if your power sockets are close to the floor line.

Make sure you are buying the two-adapter Starter Kit (TL-WPA8631P KIT) and not just the single-adapter TL-WPA8631P.

Available in the US, UK and EU with appropriate plugs.

Read our full review of the TP-Link AV1300 Powerline range.

TP-Links AV1000 family has many different models of Powerline adapter, and the entry-level TL-PA7017 KIT is perfect if all you require is one smart device wired up for stable and speedy Internet and network access in a second room far from your router.

It’s a no-frills starter kit of two tiny Powerline adapters. One connects to your router via the included Ethernet cable, and the other in a second room to the device that requires a fast download connection.

There’s no passthrough socket on either adapter so it will take up a wall socket in each room. 

If your home wireless signal is weak instead consider a Powerline adapter that can add an extra Wi-Fi hotspot, such as the TL-WPA8631P KIT reviewed above.

Available in the US, UK and EU with appropriate plugs.

Read our full review of the TP-Link AV1000 Powerline range.

The Devolo Magic 2 Powerline & Mesh Wi-Fi 6 kit offers the best of both worlds in terms of home networking. Using the latest G.hn network standard, it has the potential to blow away other Powerline adapters, and with advanced Mesh capabilities (Fast Roaming, Access Point Steering, MU-MIMO, Band Steering, Config Sync, and Airtime Fairness) it should excel in larger homes that require more than one extra Wi-Fi hotspot.

WiFi 6 boosts potential wireless speeds by 50% to 1,800Mbps, compared to 1,200Mbps for WiFi 5. It also adds a bunch more benefits, such as bi-directional MU-MIMO and OFDMA that enable simultaneous bidirectional communication between an access point and end-users. Target Wait Time helps devices conserve power, and prevents channel contention. And Basic Service Set (BSS) Coloring reduces interference due to congestion, ensuring consistent service to multiple connected devices in high-density environments.

The Magic 2 is rated at 2,400Mbps for wired speed, and can be purchased either as LAN only (no Wi-Fi) or with a Wi-Fi 5 or 6 hotspot built-in, but here we recommend the top-end WiFi 6 model.

With Powerline, Mesh, passthrough sockets and two Ethernet ports, the Magic 2 Wi-Fi 6 is loaded with features and is the best choice for larger homes that need some devices hard-wired for the best download speeds plus a sophisticated Mesh-based wireless system.

Speeds are fast, but you’re paying for Powerline and Mesh so this is best suited to homes that require more than one extra Wi-Fi hotspot. If you’re after a fast Mesh system this one really delivers.

The Magic 2 WiFi 6 Starter Kit still relies on your router’s wireless signal, but the ultimate model (Magic 2 WiFi 6 Mesh) can take over from the router with a full Wi-Fi 6 wireless network. Each adapter in this two- or three-pack starter kit features two Ethernet ports and a WiFi hotspot—whereas the standard Magic 2 WiFi 6 Starter Kit features a one-Ethernet-port, non-WiFi adapter as the base unit. Available in the UK and EU but not yet in the US. 

The more affordable Magic 2 WiFi 5 Mesh Starter Kit has two Gigabit Ethernet ports and WiFi 5 hotspot, doesn’t boast the fastest wireless speeds but is still an impressive Powerline and Mesh combination. This is available in the US, UK and EU.

Again, check you are buying the two-adapter Starter Kit rather than just a single adapter.

The Tenda PH5 AV1000 Wi-Fi is an able performer and extremely well-priced for its two Ethernet ports and Wi-Fi function.

We’d have appreciated pass-through power sockets on each adapter, but at this price, it’s a great starter Powerline kit that offers a new Wi-Fi hotspot in a second room.

The entry-level PH3 lacks the Wi-Fi and one of the Gigabit Ethernet ports, but is even more affordable.

If you need to have wired Ethernet connections to multiple devices (smart TV, Sky/Tivo box, games console, and so on), then having multiple Ethernet ports on the second adapter is super helpful.

The AV1300 TL-PA8033P boasts three Gigabit Ethernet ports on its second-room adapter, and both adapters have passthrough power sockets.

If your Wi-Fi signal is acceptable and you can live without a new hotspot, and the TL-PA8033P represents great Powerline value.

Read our full TP-Link AV1300 Gigabit Powerline Adapter review.

The TP-Link TL-PA7017 KIT is our favourite budget Powerline starter kit, but if you want to save a couple of your home’s wall power sockets, consider upgrading to the TP-Link TL-PA7017P KIT that boasts a passthrough socket on both of the adapters.

Although it bears the same 7017 title, the TP-Link TL-PA7017P KIT looks very different because of the need for a larger adapter case to host the passthrough power socket.

That said, the adapters are still pretty dinky and won’t dominate your room, and the speed is just as admirable.

There’s no extra Wi-Fi hotspot but this kit will suit homes with decent-enough WiFi but who need a fast wired connection for devices such as smart TV, laptop or games console.

TP-Link’s TL-WPA7617 KIT features the same base adapter as the PA7017P but includes a Wi-Fi adapter for the second room, although that unit doesn’t include a passthrough socket.

Read our full review of the TP-Link AV1000 family of Powerline adapters.

We were impressed by the real-world performance of the TP-Link AV2000, which scored as high as we’ve seen in our tests.

The inclusion of pass-through sockets on the TL-PA9020P KIT version and two Gigabit Ethernet ports per adapter (on both the TL-PA9020P KIT and TL-PA9020 KIT) are also welcomed.

There’s no extra Wi-Fi hotspot function but if your house Wi-Fi is acceptable this isn’t the worst omission.

If you want a fast Powerline starter kit with more than one Ethernet port plus pass-through this is highly recommended, and is at a decent price too.

The Netgear Powerline PLP1000 is rather limited by its no-frills features: one Ethernet port per adapter and lack of wireless. But we do give points for the pass-through sockets.

While found lacking in features, it will still make a huge difference to your home network and PC or entertainment download speeds.

The Trendnet WiFi Everywhere Powerline 1200 AV2 Wireless Kit (TPL-430APK) has a long name and a very large second adapter with prominent antennae to signal its Wi-Fi functionality.

This starter kit is actually two different adapters, the TPL-421E in Trendnet’s other non-wireless starter kit and a TPL-430AP adapter that builds you a new Wi-Fi hotspot in the second room.

Performance is impressive, but we were slightly put off by the giant adapter and its lack of pass-through power socket.

It does boast three Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connecting of multiple devices, but we find the TP-Link TL-WPA8630PKIT a more affordable option for three LAN ports and a Wi-Fi connection.