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Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 1:29 pm
by kazanova_Frankenstein
So i'm becoming increasingly frustrated with -

1) The wireless connection on my smart tv randomly disconnecting (not a range issue, it seems to be software, all updates have been done), and

b) The slow wifi chip on my Series X limiting download speeds to circa 200mb/s when I have 1Gb fibre.

I cannot move the router nearer the appliances to hard wire them due to the feed in to the house (its in a cupboard under the stairs). My only option other than wifi is a powerline adapter, but are they any good?

Most importantly are they reliable, and will I actually see good download speeds on my Series X, or do half of you have 1Gb broadband but only see around 300mb/s download speeds anyway (in which case I won't bother). The TV wifi issue is annoying, but not the end of the world.

I understand the issues around having to plug direct in to the socket (no power strip), being on the same electric ring (i think this is a potential issue) etc. I also know I will need one with 2 ports on each end and pass through sockets. Anything else I should be wary of?

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 1:36 pm
by Jenuall
They do work, but the end result will ultimately be dependant on factors like the quality / configuration of your wiring setup in the house.

They come in a variety of brands and configuration so make sure you get ones that are rated for the speeds you're looking for - many of the cheaper ones are limited to 200mpbs for example.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 1:39 pm
by Rex Kramer
What about a WiFi bridge instead of a powerline? Can't you get those with an additional ethernet port on it?

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 1:47 pm
by Victor Mildew
I use a tplink one to get wired speed from the router downstairs to the pc upstairs. It's really good.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 1:48 pm
by Memento Mori
I've got one next to my router downstairs and one by the TV in my bedroom putting out wifi. Works well.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 1:48 pm
by Octoroc
My experience with them - even in old houses with dodgy wiring - has been very good.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:00 pm
by Peter Crisp
I've had them for well over a decade and they work great.
I've gone from standard internet speeds to now having fancy pants full fibre and had no issues at all.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:23 pm
by kazanova_Frankenstein
Great to hear positive comments - thanks guys. How about average download speed on Xbox Live (or whatever it's called now)?

If you have a 1Gb Network connection, do you regularly see download speeds greater than say 400 Mbps? On wifi it tends to hover around 170 Mbps.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:42 pm
by jimbojango
One work of caution - I’ve found that performance is reduced if you plug them into multi adapters, they seem to prefer the actual sockets to work best.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:43 pm
by kazanova_Frankenstein
Cheers - I put this in my first post as I know it's a potential issue ;)

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:48 pm
by Peter Crisp
kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Great to hear positive comments - thanks guys. How about average download speed on Xbox Live (or whatever it's called now)?

If you have a 1Gb Network connection, do you regularly see download speeds greater than say 400 Mbps? On wifi it tends to hover around 170 Mbps.


I get about 250 with mine.
I have ok plugs but certainly not the most expensive.
TP link av1000

I agree about the adapters.
I have mine in the wall and they have passthough for power.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:53 pm
by Moggy
I hate it when you ask a question and then rather than answering people come up with other solutions.

But...have you thought of running Ethernet cables from the router to the TV/Xbox? It's probably far more hassle than you can be arsed with, especially if the router is far away from those rooms, but would be the way to get a fast wired connection.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:54 pm
by kazanova_Frankenstein
Peter Crisp wrote:
kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Great to hear positive comments - thanks guys. How about average download speed on Xbox Live (or whatever it's called now)?

If you have a 1Gb Network connection, do you regularly see download speeds greater than say 400 Mbps? On wifi it tends to hover around 170 Mbps.


I get about 250 with mine.
I have ok plugs but certainly not the most expensive.
TP link av1000

I agree about the adapters.
I have mine in the wall and they have passthough for power.


Those are the ones I am looking at. So 250 with 1 Gb connection? Hmmm, maybe it's not worth the investment for me then.

Thanks for the numbers.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 2:54 pm
by Victor Mildew

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 3:01 pm
by aayl1
I used them for a while. Not sure if you'll get faster than 200mbps with them, but they are more reliable. Excellent for plugging into a smart TV that's far from the router.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 3:06 pm
by kazanova_Frankenstein
Thanks again all. If they are really topping out at those kind of numbers on a 1Gb connection I think I might not bother. My actual WI-FI connection to my consoles is absolutely reliable (5ghz), I was just after a significant download speed bump. I guess it would still be worth it to bypass my flaky Wi-Fi chip in my smart TV though.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 3:10 pm
by Mommy Christmas
If you are lucky to have a WiFi 6 router there is capability to get fantastic speeds over WiFi. Like 500-600meg.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 3:17 pm
by kazanova_Frankenstein
Mommy wrote:If you are lucky to have a WiFi 6 router there is capability to get fantastic speeds over WiFi. Like 500-600meg.


I am, but the Series X does not support it.

My Phone gets about 850meg on the top floor of the (town) house (router is in a broom cupboard on ground floor). Annoyingly though non of my consoles (PS5, Series X, Switch, Steam Deck) can utilise it.

And no, I am not buying an OLED Steam Deck ;)

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 4:01 pm
by Peter Crisp
kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:Those are the ones I am looking at. So 250 with 1 Gb connection? Hmmm, maybe it's not worth the investment for me then.

Thanks for the numbers.


One thing I will advise if you do go for this is don't be afraid to use the used as new option on amazon as that'll save you a bit.
You get the normal guarentee and can send them back if they don't give the perfermance you want.

Re: Do powerline adapters work?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2023 4:03 pm
by Peter Crisp
kazanova_Frankenstein wrote:
Mommy wrote:If you are lucky to have a WiFi 6 router there is capability to get fantastic speeds over WiFi. Like 500-600meg.


I am, but the Series X does not support it.

My Phone gets about 850meg on the top floor of the (town) house (router is in a broom cupboard on ground floor). Annoyingly though non of my consoles (PS5, Series X, Switch, Steam Deck) can utilise it.

And no, I am not buying an OLED Steam Deck ;)


Ah, waiting for the Steam Deck 2 then.
Sensible.