TRENDnet Powerline AV 500
Score: 73/100
Linksys Powerline AV
Score: 65/100Rankings
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 Linksys PLEK400 kit offers a straightforward plug-and-play solution with a built-in 4-port Ethernet hub and basic firewall protection. Its main limitation is the 200 Mbps ceiling imposed by the older HomePlug AV standard. Ideal for users with sub-gigabit internet who need simple wired connectivity for streaming and gaming.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
500 Mbpsbest | 200 Mbps | |
500 Mbpsbest | 200 Mbps | |
1 | 5best | |
| ↓ lower better | 5 Wbest | — |
300 mbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.72 Wbest | — |
3 yearsbest | 1 years | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.186 kgbest | 0.525 kg |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(2) | ||
Ethernet Ports | 1 | 5 |
Network Standards | IEEE 1901, HomePlug AV | HomePlug AV |
Performance(2) | ||
Powerline Speed (Mbps) | 500 Mbps | 200 Mbps |
Maximum Data Rate (Mbps) | 500 Mbps | 200 Mbps |
Power & Energy(1) | ||
Power Source | AC outlet | AC mains |
General(1) | ||
Warranty Period (years) | 3 years | 1 years |
Design(1) | ||
Device Weight (kg) | 0.186 kg | 0.525 kg |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
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 commend the PLEK400 for its straightforward plug-and-play setup, reliable HD streaming without buffering, and the convenience of a four-port hub. However, they caution that the older HomePlug AV standard caps real-world speeds well below modern gigabit expectations and that long-term reliability data is sparse.
Everyday users generally praise the kit's ease of installation and its ability to deliver smooth HD video streaming and multi-device connectivity without additional switches.
“"100% kickass" - 3DGameman YouTube”
“"Easy plug-and-play installation with no configuration needed for basic use." - User review (source 9)”
“Streaming video without issues, speed tests hitting 800 KB/s downloads (matching my internet).”
