TRENDnet Powerline AV 500
Score: 73/100
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 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.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
500 Mbps | 2,400 Mbpsbest | |
500 Mbps | 1,000 Mbpsbest | |
1 | 2best | |
| ↓ lower better | 5 Wbest | — |
300 m | 500 mbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.72 Wbest | — |
3 yearsbest | 2 years | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.186 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 | IEEE 1901, HomePlug AV | ITU-T G.hn G.9963, IEEE 1905.1, IEEE 802.3/u/ab, G.hn 100MHz MIMO |
Performance(4) | ||
Powerline Speed (Mbps) | 500 Mbps | 2400 Mbps |
Maximum Data Rate (Mbps) | 500 Mbps | 1000 Mbps |
Effective Range (m) | 300 m | 500 m |
Modulation Technology | OFDM | OFDM, QAM, QPSK, BPSK |
Power & Energy(1) | ||
Power Source | AC outlet | AC mains |
General(1) | ||
Warranty Period (years) | 3 years | 2 years |
Design(1) | ||
Device Weight (kg) | 0.186 kg | 0.368 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.
“"100% kickass" - 3DGameman YouTube”
“"Easy plug-and-play installation with no configuration needed for basic use." - User review (source 9)”
“Provides up to 2400 Mbps powerline speeds for 8K streaming and high-bandwidth gaming.”
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.
