TP-Link TL-PA4010 KIT AV600 Powerline network adapter (500Mbps, 1 port, energy saving, plug and play, compatible with other brand adapters, set of 2) white

The basic simplest 500Mbps TP-Link PA4010 Powerline kit works a treat; we didn’t need pass through sockets, nor extra wifi, nor gigabit speeds, just enough bandwidth for a Smart TV. Initially I plugged them into adjacent sockets, let them synchronise with the pairing buttons, and then moved the distant one to its new home and it all just worked. So simple. Wonderful.If one wishes to make the system more secure than the default, or to change the names or passwords on each unit, or to add more units into the power line, or to change the priority mapping, or to monitor QoS (Quality of Service) etc, then the mini-CD has a full pdf User Manual and a Management Utility that can run on the PC. This also allows one to upgrade the firmware etc in the devices if TP-Link produce updates.I wanted to connect my new Smart TV to the network, but the wifi from one side of the house to the other was not good enough, too much steel and masonry in the way, so while it was marginally OK for phone and tablet, the TV just sulked, and adding another Ethernet cable was going to be a nightmare. Hence this network extender.It matters that the pair are on the same ring main because the signal does not seem to pass at a high enough speed through the MCBs in the fuse box. The signal is also too slow through the surge protectors etc in the Belkin mains extension block that powers my core IT stuff. So the pair are using a couple of the normal 13A sockets on the upstairs ring main, full speed, no problems even though they are about forty feet of wire apart.I've not noticed any interference on any other equipment, nor has anything else interfered with this net connection - the pictures from BBC iPlayer HD are stunning. It was supplied with a CD with info and software, and some microscopic paper instructions, but these are not really necessary as the pair simply just worked. There are three LEDs on each unit; power, Powerline, Ethernet, and the steady on or off or blinking and colours are intuitive.Note that Az in their infinite wisdom has mixed up all the reviews for the five different types of TP-Link power-line adaptors, so don’t be surprised if some do not seem to be relevant to what you are looking for.One minor niggle I would never normally mention, but I ordered this from Az early on Monday morning as an 'In Stock' item and today late Friday evening it still has not been dispatched, whereas the identical item I am now using was bought over the counter at Maplins on Monday afternoon, because I only saw how long Az were going to take AFTER I had placed the order. I can still use the Az one when it eventually arrives next week so I did not cancel.Addendum. 30th August 2016The Az bits arrived today, and yes a third unit (and fourth) can be added to the ring main and work happily with the other two, just press the pairing button on an original member of the network and then the button on the additional one.Note that if a standard network switch is added to the distant Ethernet port then the power saving mode will not happen, because even if nothing is happening on the switch it will still be polled by the router and will keep the Powerline awake. I just added a third Powerline instead of the switch, and then all three can sleep when the connected devices are off.Addendum 2. 9th December 2016.I downloaded the TP-link PowerLineUtility (tpPLC.exe v2.1.2484 dated 24/10/2016) for these devices and also the 2016 firmware updates.The update has changed these PA4010 from nominal 500Mbps to 600Mbps, the version goes from v1.2 (as printed on the units) to v1.3The Utility shows that the data rate between them and also a PA4020 (where there had been two PA41010) with the master plugged into a Gigabit network is between 339Mbps (3 metres) and 313Mbps (14metres) depending on the distance (PC-router-PA4010-PA4010 etc). Note that the Utility on the TP-Link website for the PA4010 is newer than that for the PA4020 and it works perfectly well on both.Addendum 3. 26th March 2018.Be aware that these can overheat if anything blocks the ventilation. I had a problem where occasionally one shut down after about half an hour and discovered that it was only when some clothes were hanging next to it. Moving the TP-Link to an unobstructed place cured the problem.

Could be easier to setup. Plug in both, one to router, one to pc , laptop or sky q mini box ( yes it is possible and works far better than wifi ). Press pair on the router one and within two minutes press pair on the other one. 1 minute later they are paired and you can look forward to fast and reliable wired connection ( subject to your main power supply working well ). I bought two of these, so four in total. They all work together and have solved our wifi and sky problems.

Definitely a reliable piece of kit that translates to a piece of mind. However, in relality most people can utilise the 600mbps as the wiring within the household circuit limit the speed to around 100mbps. However is definitely a reliable product that says what it does well

I read hundreds so many reviews here with many stating that this kit was just a waste of time. But then I thought, hiw could this have 4 and a half stars with nearly 8k reviews, something must be good about. I really needed a wired output behind my TV to provide a fast and consistent wired internet to my many devices. I firstly sought confirmation as to whether a powerline adapter could be connected to a switch thereby providing extra ports to serve each device. Thus was duly confirmed so half way there. The next and most important question was whether these would provide the same speed as I was paying for which is 100mb from Virgin Media. From the many reviews I have read here it appeared that I was only going to get about a third of the speed which I would expect from a direct connection to my router. There were however a few reviews which stated that they have achieved excellent speeds with this TP-link poweline adapters. I took a gamble the current price of £29.99 thinking to myself that if they are worthless I’ll just return them, what could I possibly lose and I wouldn’t know unless I tried them out myself. Well what can I say about these beauties. They are so small and beautifully designed so that was a great start. Two 5e cat cables included in the box. Even better. Now for testing these. Plugged one behind my tv and the other two rooms away in my study where I have my router and connected this to one of the spare router ports. Pressed on the pair button and then walked to to my lounge and pressed on the the pair button of the second adapter. Bingo both paired up within a minute. This was really easy. Now to check the speed and find out if these really are the bees knees. Hooked up my laptop and did a speed test. Oh boy only 37mb per second download speed and the usual 9mb upload speed. Well that was disappointing. Ready to return them as they were no way near my download speed I get when hooked up directly to my router. Oh wait I thought to my self, I did read somewhere that if you connect to an extention lead then you will not get the best speed and the adapters should be plugged in directly to a wall socket. My router is connected to an extension lead and the adapter I plugged in was sitting right next to it on the same extension cord. I unplugged it, hooked the adapter to a longer cat5e cable and plugged it to a wall socket. Let’s check the speed again I thought. Did the speed test and WOW full 105mb download speed and 20 up. What can I say about these adapters they are absolutely brilliant. People say you get what you pay for, but I feel I literally paid peanuts for this excellent pair of powerline adapters. Who needs to get their homes hard wired with internet cables when these will do the same job using you wall AC cables to run internet through them. Genuine!

Needed these to access my elderly parents' TalkTalk apps on their TV which doesn't have wireless. Instructions simple to follow and worked like a dream.