Low-cost mesh networks versus powerline configurations.
Low-cost mesh networks versus powerline configurations.
I understand this topic will come up often. I wanted to share my situation. I have a wireless router on the ground floor with good coverage throughout the house, reaching up to 100Mb/s in most areas. The office upstairs is separated by a partition wall and a solid wall from the router. My internet speed drops to about 5-10Mb/s there. Unfortunately, running an Ethernet cable directly isn’t possible right now. I’m looking for advice on powerline or mesh systems that could provide a more stable connection. This is in a historic UK brick house built around 1968, with recent wiring upgrades. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
I’d consider using a powerline adapter. From my understanding, performance relies on the quality of the electrical circuit. With your newer wiring, it should work well. Mesh systems mean you get what you pay for—cheaper options may limit performance. Wireless mesh needs WiFi backhaul, while higher-end models have dedicated channels. Ethernet generally offers the most stability, especially in older homes.
You were concerned about performance with the mesh setup. To achieve good speed you'd need a pricier solution that fits your budget. I already have a long Ethernet cable, but I can't drill holes to run it through. It's long enough to work around obstacles like skirting boards. I'm weighing the pros and cons, but a proper connection seems safer. I received a powerline adapter from a friend for testing. It behaves oddly—slow Ethernet (10Mb/s) versus full Wi-Fi speed (100Mb/s). Both are reliable, yet the wireless connection feels unexpectedly fast. Why would it be faster than the wired one?
I'm currently not set up that way. I have one adapter linked straight to the router. The one upstairs uses powerline to connect, has an Ethernet port, and also broadcasts a wireless network. From what I know, the wireless signal comes from the powerline connection itself, not just a simple repeater.
With this configuration, plugging in the receiving adapter (the extender) via Ethernet (Cat5) delivers about 10Mb/s, while WiFi provides up to 100Mb/s.
It was my initial reaction too, but it clearly came down to Mb/s. Whatever it was, it seems to have... settled for now? My main idea is it might have been favoring one over the other or possibly entering a power-saving mode. That’s all I’ve managed to figure out so far. Not a solid explanation. The earlier tests happened almost instantly and consistently highlighted these variations. Still, it appears to be functioning adequately at the moment. Appreciate the guidance!
I specialize in powerline setups with solid hands-on experience across three different kits. I focus on simple, single-connection solutions—plugging a base directly into its wall outlet, leaving only the receiver plugged in. This minimizes interference. Using an AV1000/1200/2000 can deliver 150-175mbps download and comparable upload speeds when paired with a gigabit router or switch. While the numbers seem high, real-world performance drops to about 320-400mbps after accounting for typical conditions. This setup resembles a direct Ethernet link but offers better reliability than Wi-Fi. A mesh network backed by a wired connection is another strong alternative. Powerline technology is often overlooked but can be quite effective when used correctly. Another viable option is the MOCA 2, though it comes at a higher cost and only reaches roughly 1gbps.