Best router for wireless bridge or Powerline AV2000?

[elias4444]

I have never been able to run ethernet across my house due to the way it's constructed, so I'm stuck with either wireless or powerline adapters to get my network connected to where my home theater is.

For a while, I used a couple of Linksys AV500 adapters and they worked "ok." Then I got a Chromecast 2 and noticed that it was much faster if I just connected it to my Asus RT-AC68U router via 5ghz. (I would still rather use my Roku however, which is unfortunately stuck on 2ghz without an ethernet jack plugged into it).

I'm debating on whether to buy another wireless router to create a wireless bridge, or if I should just get the newer AV2000 spec powerline adapters (the TP-Link ones are on sale right now). I can't find any benchmarks comparing 5ghz wifi to AV2000 powerline speeds however. I'd like to future proof this for the next few years.

Has anyone done some testing in this area? Which way would offer the better bandwidth?

 

[pege63]

The powerline adapters must be on the same electric phase to work optimally.

If it was me i would by Netgear EX7000 or EX6150 and run it in FastLane mode 5GHz to your Router and use the 2.4 GHz band to connect to the WiFi devices.
With FastLane technology the extender connects to your router using one band and connects to your devices using another band.

Or you can by another Asus RT-AC68U router or a AP like the Ubiquiti Unifi AP AC LR/PRO , that would fixed your problem.

 

[elias4444]

Thanks. Looks like I should stick with wifi then. Not sure I'd want to use the fastlane mode if it means the clients are stuck on 2.4ghz, but another router acting as a bridge (and then wired to the clients) sounds doable.

 

[pege63]

Thanks. Looks like I should stick with wifi then. Not sure I'd want to use the fastlane mode if it means the clients are stuck on 2.4ghz, but another router acting as a bridge (and then wired to the clients) sounds doable.

FastLane mode its the most optimal, you can choose if you want to use the 5GHz or the 2.4GHz as the backhaul to you router.

 

[sfx2000]

The powerline adapters must be on the same electric phase to work optimally.

PLC's on AV2/G.hn work well enough - esp the MIMO ones - in a home, most homes are single phase, so it's not an issue - but installed outlets where hot/ground/neutral can be a problem - easily observed with an outlet checker (10 bucks or less at Harbor Freight)*...

Pic below... with newer Romex - Red/Blue are hot, but neutral is always white, and the ground is bare copper...

(FWIW - I had one PC that smoked three power supplies before checking the outlet and finding it was reversed... and just because there's three holes in the outlet, don't count on all three being connected if running into PLC issues)

Crossing circuits...

Crossing circuits does impact performance on PLC's. AV2/G.hn less than AV/oldschool, and these days, depending on area and age of the dwelling, circuit breaks and Ground Fault Interrupter outlets can be a problem - back in the day, GFI's were mostly in the bathroom and kitchen, but bedrooms were included on code updates a couple of years back... on the panel, some breakers for cross circuit work better than others - there's an article on the main site about this...

As an aside - Harbor Freight is cool for parental management of devices as well... much easier than SW, hardware always wins...

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-lb-hardwood-engineers-hammer-69013.html

The weight of the 3 lb. engineer's hammer makes it easier to drive heavy wedges, shape metal or break tough materials for demolition. This reliable engineer's hammer features a well-balanced head with ground and polished hardened faces. The 16 in. hardwood handle provides a firm, comfortable grip.​

 

[pege63]

Best is when the powerline adapter is on the same power line group fuse (Swedish electrical power socket).
To see whats on the same power line groupe, pull out a fuse and then you see which electrical sockets will stop working.
Some powerline dapters use MIMO 2 electrical lines to transfer data.

 

[thiggins]

Has anyone done some testing in this area? Which way would offer the better bandwidth?

https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/charts/powerline/view

https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wir...thawk-dst-router-dst-adapter-reviewed?start=3