Actiontec Powerline 500
Score: 64/100
Zyxel G.hn 2400 Powerline
Score: 87/100Rankings
The Zyxel PLA6456 is a high-performance G.hn powerline adapter kit delivering up to 2400 Mbps and featuring a pass-through socket with noise filtering. Its primary drawback is incompatibility with older HomePlug AV/AV2 devices and the possibility of lower real-world speeds. Best suited for users with robust home wiring who need top-tier bandwidth for 8K streaming or lag-free gaming.
The Actiontec PWR511K01 provides a compact 500 Mbps HomePlug HD solution with easy plug-and-play setup and 128-bit AES security. Its 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port limits true gigabit performance and it lacks a pass-through outlet. Suitable for modest internet connections and devices that don't require gigabit speeds.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
500 Mbps | 2,400 Mbpsbest | |
500 Mbps | 1,000 Mbpsbest | |
1 | 2best | |
— | 500 mbest | |
— | 2 yearsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.181 kgbest | 0.368 kg |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(2) | ||
Ethernet Ports | 1 | 2 |
Network Standards | HomePlug HD | ITU-T G.hn G.9963, IEEE 1905.1, IEEE 802.3/u/ab, G.hn 100MHz MIMO |
Security(1) | ||
Encryption | 128-bit AES | AES-128 |
Performance(2) | ||
Powerline Speed (Mbps) | 500 Mbps | 2400 Mbps |
Maximum Data Rate (Mbps) | 500 Mbps | 1000 Mbps |
Design(1) | ||
Device Weight (kg) | 0.181 kg | 0.368 kg |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consider the PWR511K01 a solid, compact solution for extending basic Internet connectivity, highlighting its simplicity and reliability for streaming up to 20 Mbps. However, they criticize the misleading 500 Mbps advertising given the 100 Mbps Ethernet limitation and note that performance varies with home wiring, making it unsuitable for high-speed LAN tasks.
Everyday users appreciate the easy setup, stable performance for streaming and gaming, and the compact design that leaves room for other plugs. Common complaints focus on the gap between advertised and actual speeds, the lack of a pass-through outlet, and occasional premature failures of the units.
“rock solid for years”
“full speed delivery for modest connections”
“units may fail after weeks/months”
Professional reviewers praise the PLA6456 for delivering G.hn Wave 2 speeds up to 2400 Mbps and for its MIMO-based stability, making it suitable for 8K video and lag-free gaming. They also highlight the convenient pass-thru socket and strong AES-128 encryption, but caution that real-world throughput depends on home wiring and that the unit is not compatible with older HomePlug standards.
Everyday users value the quick sync setup, the ability to keep power outlets functional, and the reliable wired link for TVs and consoles. The most common criticism is that performance fluctuates with the quality of the house's electrical wiring, and some owners are frustrated by incompatibility with existing HomePlug devices.
