Not one to pass over.
Another powerline kit today, and another dip of the toe back
into the product range of TP-Link. We’re fans of the ‘TP’ here at The Test Pit,
and not just because this article was uploaded to the internet via one of their
excellent routers (or because we’re also a TP as well). Going from strength to
strength over past few years, they’ve put out an impressively diverse range of
networking gadgets, which this comfortably falls into.
First up, we need to be clear what we’re reviewing here.
TP-Link has a big choice of Powerline kits up for grabs, and they all look
pretty much the same. This particular article is covering the evocatively named
TL-WPA8630P kit, comprising of a base unit (into which you plug your
internet-connected router), and a single receiver (which you plug into a socket
near to where you want to extend your WiFi into).
For the uninitiated, Powerline kits essentially use your
house’s existing electrical circuit as a wired network, sending data along the
copper wires within your walls and floors to boost your router’s range. Whereas
many Powerline kits merely act as a wired extender, requiring you to plug an
Ethernet cable into the ‘exit’ device, the AV1200 Passthrough Powerline Wi-Fi
TL-WPA8630P Kit (just rolls off the tongue, eh?) also projects another
localised WiFi network, essentially acting like a more reliable extender.
Both the base unit and the receiver are ‘passthrough’ which
means that although they take up an entire plug socket each, they feature
sockets themselves, so you can still plug some other device into them. This is
great, as it means that you don’t lose any sockets when using the device. It’s
almost like they aren’t there. Spooky.
What won’t spook you is how easy the system is to set up,
thanks in no small way to the Pair button on both devices. Once plugged in, and
with the router connected to the base unit, a quick press of that button meant
the two devices found each other immediately, and the WiFi network was already
working by the time we walked upstairs to the receiving unit. Once there we
were able to press the WiFi Clone button to copy both the original wireless
network’s name and password. Pretty seamless, guys.
The new network features dual band WiFi, coming with both
2.4GHz and 5GHz flavours. The 5GHz network can handle speeds of up to 867 megabytes
per second, and combined with the 2.4 version, the system will push 1200Mbps,
hence the name. This makes it perfect for streaming content and playing online
games, even in the farthest reaches of your house where WiFi is normally non-existent.
While you’re there, should you have something that doesn’t necessarily
need to connect via WiFi (or indeed something that is wired only), like a games
console or streaming box, you can plug it into one of the three available Ethernet
ports on the receiver. That’s a very handy thing, and allows older model
desktop computers, those without in-built WiFi, to connect to the internet
without having to run wires throughout your home.
The TP-Link AV1200 Passthrough Powerline Wi-Fi Kit also has
its own app (iOS and Android), which gives you full control of permissions,
speed checks, and also – crucially – being able to turn off the blinking green
LEDs on the receiver unit. One thing that has always put us off from having
routers and extenders in bedrooms is the incessant flashing lights these things
tend to feature. But with this, one flick of a smartphone switch, and they’re
gone. Another very handy feature.
By far the most versatile powerline kit we’ve ever tested,
this is a definite alternative to playing around with wireless extenders. After
all, you already have the electrical wiring running throughout your home… you might
as well put it to some good.
Around £120
Visit uk.tp-link.com