Rankings
The TRENDnet TPL-402E delivers up to 500 Mbps powerline speed, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a built-in pass-through outlet, offering solid performance for streaming and gaming. Its performance can suffer in noisy electrical environments and it only provides a single Ethernet port per unit. Ideal for users who want a compact, feature-rich adapter with Windows utility support.
The TL-PA4010 is an ultra-compact powerline adapter delivering up to 500 Mbps over existing wiring with a single 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port. Its older HomePlug AV standard and limited Ethernet speed reduce suitability for high-bandwidth tasks. Ideal for budget-conscious users needing a simple wired link in small homes.
The Brite-View BVP-5100D is a tiny HomePlug AV powerline kit offering up to 500 Mbps and solid security features. Its speed is limited by the older standard and it struggles on power strips or older wiring. Best for small apartments where modest bandwidth and space savings are priorities.
The Netgear XAV2001 is a compact powerline adapter delivering up to 200 Mbps Ethernet over HomePlug AV wiring, ideal for simple wired extensions. Its limited speed, lack of Wi-Fi, and outlet-blocking design constrain its usefulness for high-bandwidth or multi-device scenarios. Best suited for low-cost, single-device connections in small homes.
| Attribute | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
500 Mbpsbest | 500 Mbpsbest | 200 Mbps | 500 Mbpsbest | |
500 Mbpsbest | 500 Mbpsbest | 200 Mbps | 500 Mbpsbest | |
1best | 1best | 1best | 1best | |
| ↓ lower better | 2.3 Wbest | 5 W | — | 2.4 W |
300 mbest | 300 mbest | — | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.44 Wbest | 0.72 W | — | 0.5 W |
2 years | 3 yearsbest | 1 years | 1 years | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.272 kg | 0.186 kgbest | 0.635 kg | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||||
Network Standards | HomePlug AV, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u | IEEE 1901, HomePlug AV | HomePlug AV1, IEEE 802.3 | HomePlug AV |
Performance(2) | ||||
Powerline Speed (Mbps) | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | 200 Mbps | 500 Mbps |
Maximum Data Rate (Mbps) | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | 200 Mbps | 500 Mbps |
Power & Energy(3) | ||||
Active Power Consumption (W) | 2.3 W | 5 W | — | 2.4 W |
Standby Power Consumption (W) | 0.44 W | 0.72 W | — | 0.5 W |
Power Source | Mains | AC outlet | Mains | AC |
General(1) | ||||
Warranty Period (years) | 2 years | 3 years | 1 years | 1 years |
Design(2) | ||||
Plug Type | US | Type A/B, C, E, UK | — | — |
Device Weight (kg) | 0.272 kg | 0.186 kg | 0.635 kg | — |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the TL-4010 for its discreet nano form factor and straightforward plug-and-play setup, noting reliable HD streaming up to 300 m. However, they criticize the limited real-world speeds-often under 100 Mbps-due to the 100 Mbps Ethernet limit and older HomePlug AV standard, and they point out that newer AV2/Gigabit kits offer superior performance.
Everyday users appreciate the adapter's tiny size and instant, hassle-free installation, reporting satisfactory speeds for streaming and gaming in apartments. Common complaints revolve around speed drops on older wiring, occasional pairing hiccups, the single-port limitation, and incompatibility with surge protectors or GFCI outlets.
“"blends completely into the outlet"”
“"plug in and works instantly"”
“"100% kickass" - 3DGameman YouTube”
Professional reviewers commend the TPL-402E's compact footprint, integrated pass-through outlet and the inclusion of a Gigabit Ethernet port, which sets it apart from many 100 Mbps rivals. They highlight the effortless plug-and-play setup and the robust build quality, while noting the lack of macOS/Linux utilities as a minor drawback.
Everyday users appreciate the straightforward plug-in experience, the retained wall socket, and the reliable wired speeds for streaming and large file transfers. Common complaints focus on reduced performance in noisy electrical environments, occasional drop-outs across circuits, and limited scalability for very large homes.
Professional reviewers highlight the XAV2001's simplicity, compact form factor and eco-friendly packaging, noting it works well for connecting single entertainment devices via Ethernet. The main criticism from editors is the absence of any Wi-Fi capability, which limits its appeal for users expecting a wireless solution.
Everyday users generally praise the ease of installation, small size and energy-saving features, but repeatedly mention that the 200 Mbps speed ceiling feels outdated for modern broadband and that the lack of Wi-Fi is a disappointment.
Professional reviewers note that the Brite-View kit is extremely small and easy to install, with QoS and encryption adding value for basic streaming and VoIP. However, they caution that the HomePlug AV standard limits achievable speeds and that performance suffers on power strips or older wiring, making it less suitable for demanding or future-proof networks.
Consumers who have tried similar 500 Mbps kits appreciate the plug-and-play convenience and compact form factor, finding it adequate for everyday tasks like HD streaming. Recurring complaints focus on lower-than-advertised speeds and instability when the adapters are not plugged directly into wall outlets.
