Actiontec Powerline 500
Score: 64/100
Zyxel Powerline AV2
Score: 75/100Rankings
The ZyXEL PLA5206KIT is a HomePlug AV2 powerline kit offering up to 1000 Mbps theoretical speed with advanced QoS and 128-bit AES encryption. In practice, throughput averages around 300 Mbps and the single-port design lacks a pass-through outlet. Best suited for budget-conscious households needing a simple gigabit extension for a few devices.
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 | 1,000 Mbpsbest | |
500 Mbps | 1,000 Mbpsbest | |
1best | 1best | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 4 Wbest |
— | 300 mbest | |
— | 2 yearsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.181 kgbest | 0.408 kg |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Network Standards | HomePlug HD | HomePlug AV2, IEEE 1901, HomePlug AV |
Performance(2) | ||
Powerline Speed (Mbps) | 500 Mbps | 1000 Mbps |
Maximum Data Rate (Mbps) | 500 Mbps | 1000 Mbps |
Design(1) | ||
Device Weight (kg) | 0.181 kg | 0.408 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 consider the PLA5206 a competent entry-level powerline adapter that reliably delivers 300+ Mbps and offers solid security and QoS features, but they caution that its SISO design and reliance on wiring quality prevent it from matching the higher speeds of MIMO-based competitors.
Consumers appreciate the ease of installation, the security button, and the ability to stream HD content without new cabling, yet many express frustration with inconsistent speeds and occasional dropouts on older wiring, noting that the device rarely reaches its advertised 1000 Mbps rate.
