Mesh Routers VS Powerline Adapters and Wi-Fi Extenders - Buyers Guide 2021
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
- Choosing Between Mesh Routers VS Powerline Adapters and Wi-Fi Extenders nascompares.com/2021/03/08/me...
Managing the wireless network of your home or business environment and making sure that internet connectivity is as good as possible can often be a great deal more complex than you anticipate. Even now in 2021, common barriers such as the thickness of walls and your distance from your router still make an enormous impact on the quality and performance of your hardware wirelessly connecting with the network. In recent years we have seen numerous innovations in wireless hardware to assist in combating these Wi-Fi issues and despite improvements in protocols, such as Wi-Fi 6 and 6e being announced, three main types of device are still the most popular way for wireless networks to be improved, mesh routers, powerline adaptors and Wi-Fi extenders. There is an element of crossover between each of these devices as their respective technology has improved over the last few years, but often you will find that the key to solving your poor Wi-Fi will be one or all of these devices. So today I want to explain what they each are and which one is best for your WiFi improvement needs in 2021
NAS Brands in 2021 - Which One Should You Choose? nascompares.com/2021/01/01/na...
If you have been considering purchasing a Synology NAS for home or business in 2020, then chances are that you fall into one of two categories. The first category is is is made up of those who are aware of what a NAS can do, as well as how much more you will have to send for a capable and reliable solution. The other party is made up of either first time buyers or those that invested in an entry-level NAS a few years ago and are looking to upgrade. Both of these parties have always been the target market for the Synology standard NAS 4-bay in their flagship plus series. Arriving with good mid-range hardware inside, as well as a solid base from which to protect and share the data, the Synology DS4xx+ NAS family has always been a popular choice. The brand new Synology DS420+ is the long-awaited follow up to the DS418play released back in autumn 2017 and has a lot to live up to in the eyes of new and established NAS owners alike. This new NAS has already been previewed HERE on the blog a few weeks ago and now we have the hardware here, so let's find out if the Synology DS420+ has been worth the wait, or has it arrived too little, too late? Let's find out
This description contains links to and Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's video.
Amazon NAS Solutions - amzn.to/37oX47P
NAS Solutions from -
Are you interested in all things data storage. Perhaps you are a Mac users and want to know if this NAS, DAS, Cable or Drive will work for you? That is where and Robbie can help. For over 20 years has been helping companies and individuals worldwide with their digital archive and storage needs. Alongside that Robbie (Robert Andrews if you want to be delightfully formal) has been spending the last few years keeping you up to date on all things data and won't shut up about it!
If you are as interested in data as we are, then you can find us in a number of ways. can be reached here - www.. However if you want to be kept up to date with new releases, news and keep your finger on the pulse of data storage, follow us below.
Find us on / dotcom
Follow us on our Twitter - / dotcom
Or follow and speak with Robbie directly on his Twitter - / robbieonthetube
Still not enough? Then why not visit and subscribe to our blog. Upddated regularly it gives you an far wordier version than TV as well as provide you with hints and tips on how to make the most of your hardware here www.NASCompares.com
Don't forget to visit them on Facebook to entry prize draws, giveaways and competitions, as well as hear about the latest news, NAS releases & offers - / nascompares This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's video. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. - Наука та технологія
You have a natural talent for speaking to non technical people. Your use of hand gestures, helpful terminology and comparisons are truly rare in this field. As a techie myself, you're a great teacher.
Cheers mate. Appreciate the kind words
Fantastic video. So much knowledge i feel like i earned a certificate by making it to the end!
I have tested MANY brands of powerline adapters for customers since they first appeared about twenty years ago. I have yet to see one work as advertised. Usually, I would rate performance below-fair to poor; and NEVER stable enough for streaming or Zoom/Skype video.
It might work in a test lab, but in a real home, you have appliances with high inductance motors and heating elements, and a gazillion little cheap switching power supplies for your phones, laptops, video games, smart speakers, etc. Every one of these interferes with the signal a little bit (some by a lot) and the cumulative effect makes the technology unusable in most household environments. The inductive "whomp" of an AC or fridge motor starting up is enough to break the link between the base and repeater so you have to wait for it to renegotiate the connection. Just having the signal cross breakers in the panel will cut your bandwidth in half or more.
I've tried Powerline, and Extenders both were TRASH! They worked for a little while, but eventually stopped working. Got fed up after a while. Then I got the Mesh Wifi and now i'm a happy man! I get great speeds in dead spots that were all over my house. The mesh network i've had for 3 years and it's been stable no issues with my wifi coverage nor speed. You gotta pay to play. I have no issue paying a few hundred dollars for a mesh system, because it does what it says it will do.
For how long did the extender work for you? I have been using mine for about a month now and no problems so far
Thank you, exactly the information I was looking for. Much appreciated.
Thank you for the wonderful content. Thumbs up
Excelent review man, thanks for all the useful info. Agree with you on PL extenders, specially to take your wired lan from router to other rooms game consoles, smart TVs, home theaters etc sustainable at about 100 mbps. If you get one with wifi make sure it has at least WPA2-AES128 and change the default login-password. Never tried the mesh thing but PLs work really well.
My current favourite solution (I appreciate that it may not be applicable to other situations) is using 3 Huawei AX3 Pro mesh routers (one downstairs, one upstairs and another in the garage), connected by ethernet back-haul.
They cost me around £150 for all 3 plus £30ish for CAT5e reel and some RJ45 connectors. Single SSID, WiFi 6, covers my entire property including the gardens with superb throughput everywhere.
Powerline/HomePlug - I like the idea, but I've never had much success with powerline adapters (I've spent a small fortune on Devolo dLan 550 and Solwise PL-600AV-SMT-PIGGY adapters in the past and had many other brands/types over the last 15 years or so) in either my previous new build house, or my current abode(which has recently had the electrics checked and certified).
Brilliant...I can only get poor standard broadband, even with a wired connection on my main PC. Might any of these options help with wifi in an upstairs room ?
BEST REVIEW EVER, CLEAR AND CONCISE, SPOT ON !
Hi. Excellent video. I've got the TP link AV1000 kit and have two units in the lounge that supply Internet access to my TV and Bose Soundtouch system. I have recently moved my PC to the office. Prior to this, the PC was in the lounge connected to the
TL-WPA7617 via RJ45 cable. Now, when I connected the TL-WPA7617 in the office, the speed test on PC was at best 4mbps compared to 38mbps in the lounge. 🤔 If the office at the rear of the bungalow is on a different ring main, would this cause the slower speeds or would it not work at all? My bungalow is 2 years old. Thank you.
Legend. Excellent Info !
Really good and in-depth comparison. Any thoughts on combining them E.G. plugging the base mesh into a powerline extender.
Some mesh systems also support wired backhaul, which circumvents some of the bandwidth issues, if you have a way to put a decently fast network connection between mesh devices/access points, that (imo) provides the best configuration.
Another point that should be made is that some mesh systems do allow running in access point mode with a discreet router device.
I know the TP-Link deco systems, and the Asus mesh systems do both of these things (wired backhaul and AP-mesh mode).
Thinking of a solution for our summer house place. We have two houses on the same area. They share the same power box and fuses. But both houses have their own fuses of course. Will it work with powerline adapters? Will it be the best? 4G router are located in one house and I want internet in the other house. With either a router or a AP.
Dont think a wireless extender will be the best. Signal must go through two hous walls and such.
Dig down a cable I dont like and are really a hassle if something happens with the cable.
Thanks very well explained , even for dummies like me on these things .i think the power line adapter would be what i need . one spot where wifi drops in and out constantly, my question is what do i plug into the LAN at the receiving end . i understand i can plug laptop to it but what about wifi for phone and google nest ? is there some sort of a receiver or something .
@nascompares What about MOCA 2.5 and 3.0 compaired to the options in this video?
Great content thanks.
I was going to buy a mesh system but you have helped me save some cash. I have decided to buy into the powerline technology.
Cheers
Very informative sir. Thank you
Thank you for this! :)
thanks man! i never considered a powerline adapter till now. going to buy one and test. other options i have tried but only the powerline remains obscure
There are products doing both the mesh and the powerline like TP-Link Deco P9 or Devolo Mesh WLAN 2.
Perfect, now I can shop
I use Powerline adapters (for networking and even IPTV) but not-UK users be aware, often the higher-speed Powerline adapters do require(!) the ground to be present in the mains socket (I know that is default the case in the UK)
Powerline adapters do offer speeds up to 1200Mbps. (provided ground is present and good mains wiring)
Higher speed powerline adapters are using ground to send their differentiated signal across the mains lines.
As for managing your powerline adapters, you are incorrect, some brands do offer desktop apps (incl. for Apple platform) and some internet-routers even recognise powerline adapters (such as Fritz! and dLAN)
BTW, you are INCORRECT, some modern-day powerline adapters do have encryption on board.
Such as dLAN offering 128-bit encryption.
I'm a bit surprised for somebody who supposedly likes this subject "..even more than NAS.." is missing some of the marks on being spot-on on several of the important details..?
I'm currently looking at putting my old router upstairs using a powerline , i've tried WiFi externders and they have always been poor
With the Mesh basically they come with one router and the rest called satelite, the router is connected through ethernet cable to the home modem (main router), you may not need to replace your service provided router/home router. That is what has been advertised with Mesh products.
Great stuff. I’m moving soon and the wife has insisted the NAS lives in the under stair cupboard when we do. I’m wondering whether a power adapter for this purpose would be a good idea. Thoughts?
If you have the right circuit for it, I almost ALWAYS recommend powerline adapters. Thanks for watching dude
@@nascompares cheers for the quick reply mate. Fingers crossed Synology release a new router soon, too.
@@nascompares actually, if you could plan another “best routers for Synology NAS” video that’d be great !
Can I ask.. if I have get a mesh network.. m5 probably, and connect to virgin router put into modem mode.. can I then also connect a tp powerline adapter to the first mesh unit and keep it in use as I already have this in use. I know I can use the mesh disc and connect via wires to the devices upstairs.. but I have a telly in the wall so it seems easier to keep the powerline device in use at it plugs in behind the tv. Cheers for any help and advice in advance.
As a general rule - Yes.
That is dependant on the mesh routers you buy - I can't recall seeing one that can't accomodate this (I'm sure there probably is though!).
FWIW, I have had a similar situation in the past, and I connected a powerline adapter into my primary Google WiFi (primary router) and used a powerline adapter in my loft to connect up my old surveilance NAS, as running proper cabling there was more hassle than it was worth at the time.
Currently, I have a Virgin Hub 3 (in modem mode), with a Huawei AX3 Pro connected to that as the primary router - I have a network switch connected to that with lots of devices(just like you'd do with your powerline adapter), I also have two more of the same router directly connected to the 1st(primary) by ethernet and each of those also has a network switch connected to it. FWIW, the virgin hubs - if/when you set it up/need to reboot, make sure your "new" router(s) are all up and running fully before you boot it up - they don't like it if things haven't started in the correct order (applies to both superhub 3 and 4).
@@JimacGTti cheers mate for the reply .. much appreciated. Will be doing this in a few months from now. So might be asking some more advice if I get stuck.
Is it possible to expand my existing 4G router to be a mesh wifi system.
Nice overview, thank you. I did try an extender once, it was a poor experience after several hours of trying to optimise. So I'm going for cable fed APs now, distributed around the house and garden on a long and thin plot.
Same here mate.. Repeaters are weak regardless of their specs and price.. Cable fed APs are the way to go.. However i do use a powerline adapter from tp link that gives me half of my available bandwidth which is good enuf for my use..
@@razergoliathus1185 @Razer Goliathus Glad it's not just me, those power lines do get you by eh.
@@bikerchrisukk guess i am lucky to receive the half the bandwidth available from my powerline though.. Coz i read some people actually get way less and the signal is unstable at times.. But when it is broken, i will definitely use a cable fed AP.. What AP did you install in your house?
@@razergoliathus1185 Yeah that's what I heard too, it can be really unreliable. I had a cheap TP Link, but that means having to SSIDs, and phone takes ages to switch to them. So I've got one unifi NanoHD and will buy another so house and garden after covered. Just built a home office at end of garden so might have one in there too.
So how do you pronounce rooter over there?
I got 3 Powerline TP-LINK wifi, and in Web setting it also has mesh feature, obviously my old Asus router had to not support. 😢
“Rooter” or “Rowter” (I’m aware of the correct spelling)
If driving to a destination I have multiple “rowts” I can take.
When working with wood I can cut “rowts” or channels into wood.
I live in Australia. A “root” is something a tree has or a slang word for a common activity consulting adults do.
A grouting tool is used for tile laying.
Groot is a marvel superhero that’s a tree.
Always childishly smile every time I hear different countries pronunciation of common things. Doesn’t really matter as long as we know what you are talking about at the end of the day.
PS. The English may invented the language however Australians “stra-yans” perfected it.
Have you looked at the Devolo Magic 2 WiFi Next, which is a combination of powerline a extender and uses mesh technology also?
Happy with my Netgear Orbi
You forget to mention that Powerline extenders even though are such as 1200 or 2400 the maximum you will ever get is about 300 to 500Mbps. In real life though it's about 100Mbps by the time you go about 2 or 3 rooms away. A fair few of the plus as well, even though rated at 600Mbps also only have 10/100Mbps ports so don't have the ability to go over 100. If you have a fast internet connection over say 300Mbps then you are going to have to run a Cat5/6 cable to the other room and then have a local gigabit switch or another gigabit router with wifi. I have 900Mbps and the other gigabit switch was the only way I could get a tidy connection in other rooms. Please don't be fooled by the 1200 or 2400Mbps ratings!
The problem will come with people who rent where running Ethernet cables around the property won't go down well with the landlord and where running cables without having them get in the way is impossible without violating your tenancy agreement.
It is a black rockspace wifi extender?
Yes - mainly used for demonstration here
Having a Synology mesh set up it's not as trouble free. For starters, if one has a main RT2600 router, it is a dual band thus will use the sole 5 Ghz band for both devices and communication with the sole "Meshable" router, the MR2200. (2 RT2600s cannot be meshed). Then, and many have this problem, when walking around the house the device, be it a phone or tablet, will not always jump to the nearest, even fastest point. Maddeningly, some stay connected to the furthest router so "hand-off" is not always done. Perhaps this is a Synology problem and TBH, I think they are not investing anymore into their router division; the main router being well over 3 years old and no upgrade in sight.
Rooter vs Router - Rooter is for clearing roots from drain pipes and a Router is the route traveled between addresses, at least in the USA 🙂
Especially on this channel I would have expected more focus on NAS-throughput over wifi.
On my main router I have transferspeeds over wifi of around 70MB/s but I have a really hard time finding a good solution with the same performance over wifi for other areas. Extenders half the speed, powerline adapters are slow and mesh-routers don't deliver up to their promise.
Everyone is focussed on internet-speed where 500Mbps is already good enough, but I am mainly looking for one roaming wifi network with speeds of minimum 867Mbps but preferably even better
I had the same issues (we have an old victorian house with thick walls). I tried extenders and Powerline but finally decided to overhaul my network with a udm pro and some UNIFI access points - works perfectly for my use case - I had as low as 1MB/s in some corners of the house, now I have a 650MB/s ethernet and 400MB/s WiFi all over the house. A very expensive solution compared to powerline of course, but so worth it over the last 12 months with the kids on 4K Netflix all day while I'm on Zoom. (the UDM Pro has a throughput of 3.5Gb/s but my ISP supply is only 650MB/s. good luck in finding a solution that works.
@@greigaitken8140 does that mean wiring is more efficient than wireless repeaters?
@@maryanne2002 hi - yes - in my experience a wired solution is optimal. I have a mix - wired into the rooms I could do easily and an Ethernet into the loft connected to a UNIFI wifi6 LR access point that gives Wi-Fi to the whole of the upstairs and most of downstairs. I find UNIFI easier than the alternatives to set up but networking is a bit complex so worth chatting to someone you can who is knowledgable about your usage needs and they can shape the right solution for you that is cost effective. Good luck.
Having just seen some specific reviews of powerline products I'm somewhat disappointed by the lack of actual tests to demonstrate the claimed speeds. Of course this is 2 years ago, so no surprise there.
You failed to mention that an extender requires changing the SSID.
The Powerline adapter does not have Wifi.
Mesh wifi as its name implies, is Wifi and you can maintain the same SSID throughout your place.
I am surprised that you don't know about the SSID feature.
There are powerline adapters that do have (also) Wifi being either as an Access Point or as a Repeater. Or even a bridge.
Extenders do not always require changing the SSID but it is a recommended practice. As some wifi device won't change to the stronger wifi if the same SSID is used (roaming is then not always triggered, thus not disconnecting from the weaker wifi until the connection drops or goes below a certain threshold...
@@InspectorGadget2014 Extenders are not mesh by design. I used to use the extender with the same SSID and the handoff while roaming within the house is not smooth at all. Sure if you have static devices then it works but as soon as you move then your device has problem choosing to connect with the router or the extender.
DLINK sells a mesh router with powerline backhaul.
@@maxwell9557 Correct, Extenders are indeed not mesh and, as the name implies, extend an existing network.
Read: the same SSID(s) is/are being used, trying to stretch your existing Wifi signal. It has no logic, routing/switching and is rather basic in that respect.
I agree with you that Extenders are so-so sometimes and often a hit-or-mis due to their basic functionalities.
The handoff of a network using Extender comes 100% from your Wifi device, the Extender does nothing else other then amplifying(!) your existing Wifi network.
I do not see Extenders being sold anymore, probably due to those same reasons.
But repeaters (which is a different thing but not always apparent considering neither is exclusive in their naming of products at times, depending on the vendor etc) often do offer (also) mesh-functionality. As it has all the intelligence (read: software) and capabilities (read: radio-chips, antenna's etc) to deal with different networks simultaneously.
Such as the aforementioned Fritz! (or to be more precise: AVM is the brand).
Where mesh-functionality is actually software-enablement of the radio-chips, antenna-selector etc.
I know because I do a lot of beta-testing for them, and they brought mesh-functionality in practically all their wifi products, including into their Repeaters.
Via a (free) software-upgrade.
It is incorrect thinking that Repeaters always require different SSID, as it is not. In fact, for the wifi itself, it is better to have same-SSID's to smooth the handovers.
It is often wifi kit connecting to the repeater (instead of the router) that sometimes can have an issue with that. (read: not discriminating quickly enough
Mesh, for all intents & purposes is a "natural" progression from the Repeater-area and in facts requires to use the same SSID's across the whole mesh.
And depending on your model, manufacturer, some Repeaters can be used into a Mesh-mode.
@@InspectorGadget2014 Mesh has the logic inside to do the handoff smoothly like cell phone towers. As you go further away from a tower or a mesh router or satellite, it will drop you and tell the closest to you to pick you up. Extenders do not have this kind of logic inside.
Mesh routers are getting so cheap now that there is no reason not to pick one. Either you buy a 3 band mesh router or buy a dual band with power line. I just buy a tri band mesh from TP link at Costco for $160 with 2 satellites and a router.
@@maxwell9557 Basically what I said.
Extenders are a no-go foir modern-day Wifi's (read: where almost every neighbour has also Wifi, almost every device)
And if we are plugging here, AVM's repeaters, costing 120 euro and less, can do mesh too.
Your home or business repeated often...Premises, Property(hmmm)?
MoCA adapters bear mentioning with rollout of 5G cellular solutions.
Low sound
after trying all, the best solution is still an ethernet connection
Rooter
I found all this talking too common and a bit misleading. Like for example powerline adapters work more or less only on a single circuit, never show the speed in the specifications and losing more than 50% of speed if on the different circuits.
When do a review like this need to test all three at the same time and show the speed tests results in real time. Otherwise all this speech is not supported with anything and in reality is another blah-blah-blah to get views. Though, can speak for sure. Have you ever tried acting or recording books on tapes?
too much talk, no real world test, no proof