Netgear Powerline 200
Score: 58/100
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 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 | | |
|---|---|---|
200 Mbps | 1,000 Mbpsbest | |
200 Mbps | 1,000 Mbpsbest | |
1best | 1best | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 4 Wbest |
— | 300 mbest | |
1 years | 2 yearsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.635 kg | 0.408 kgbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Network Standards | HomePlug AV1, IEEE 802.3 | HomePlug AV2, IEEE 1901, HomePlug AV |
Performance(2) | ||
Powerline Speed (Mbps) | 200 Mbps | 1000 Mbps |
Maximum Data Rate (Mbps) | 200 Mbps | 1000 Mbps |
Power & Energy(1) | ||
Power Source | Mains | AC |
General(1) | ||
Warranty Period (years) | 1 years | 2 years |
Design(1) | ||
Device Weight (kg) | 0.635 kg | 0.408 kg |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
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of installation, small size and energy-saving features, but repeatedly mention that the 200 Mbps speed ceiling feels outdated for modern broadband and that the lack of Wi-Fi is a disappointment.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 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.
“"perfect for connecting HDTVs, Blu-ray players, DVRs, PCs and game consoles"”
“Reliable speeds up to 300+ Mbps in tests, good noise handling.”
“Easy plug-and-play with QoS for streaming/gaming.”
