10 Best Powerline Adapters for Gaming [2023 Version]

Imagine you are just a couple of kills away from winning the match. You know you have what it takes to get your team to victory. The precise aim refined through spending hours in the practice area and the calm nerves under pressure almost guarantee you a win. You can feel it!

Exuding confidence, and rightfully so, you charge toward the enemies, and “BAM!”, you are dead because of a ping spike. Unfortunately, a few m/s of delay at the wrong time can be the difference between snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and losing a winnable war. And that happens more frequently than you might think!

If you’re an avid gamer and want to ensure the best possible gaming experience, having a reliable internet connection is an absolute must. Ethernet cable is not accessible everywhere, and Wi-Fi just won’t do the trick. You need the best powerline adapter for gaming to compete at the top level. 

Not sure which powerline adapter is best for gaming? Read our buyer’s guide. 

Table of Contents

TL;DR – Top Gaming Powerline Adapters

Here is a quick overview of our top picks for the best gaming powerline adapters:

  • Netgear Powerline 2000 – Writer’s Choice. Comes equipped with a BCM50500 chipset, supporting up to 2000 Mbps. Ensures reliable connection. WiFi enabled. Plug and play!
  • Netgear Powerline 1000 – Best cheap adapter on the market. Offer speed support of up to 1000 Mbps, strong encryption, no WiFi connectivity. 
  • Zyxel PLA6456BB Powerline Adapter Kit – One of the fastest solutions, with speed support of up to 2400 Mbps. Comes with an integrated passthrough outlet. Top of the line energy saving features!
  • Asus AV2 1200 – Powerline adapter for dual gaming setup. Supports up to 1200 Mbps, good signal range, and offers advanced noise filtering technology.
  • D-link Powerline AV2 1000 – Value for money powerline adapter. Supports up to 1000 Mbps, 128-bit AES encryption, works with all devices, can reduce power consumption by up to 85%.
  • TP-Link Powerline Adapter AV1000 Starter Kit – Built for PC gaming. Decent speed support, safe and private, no Wi-Fi connectivity though. Passthrough outlet available!
  • D-Link Powerline AV2000 – Best powerline adapter for playing games on PS5. Offers speed support of up to 2000 Mbps, one-touch operations, energy-efficient, and Wi-Fi enabled. 
  • Devolo Magic 2 WiFi 6 – Mesh powerline adapter. Excellent range, delivers high speed internet, WPA3-encrypted. Comes equipped with a passthrough outlet.
  • TP-Link AV2000 – Best non-WiFi gaming powerline adapter. 2×2 MIMO-enabled, decent speed support, works with PC, Xbox, and PS5.   
  • TP-Link AV1300 – For people who care about looks. Minimal and sleek design, comes with a passthrough socket, WiFi enabled. 

Are Powerline Adapters Good for Gaming?

Powerline adapters are excellent for gaming. Using ethernet over a powerline, you can minimize the network latency while playing games on your computer or console. Network latency (also called lag) is an expression of delays in communication over a network. Low latency indicates a reliable and strong network connection.

Powerline adapters can deliver top speeds of 2,000 Mbps and sometimes even more. Anything between 50 to 200 Mbps range is an excellent speed for online gaming, particularly competitive gaming where every millisecond matters, so you can rest assured that you can compete at the top level. 

Powerline adapters provide fast and lag-free network access into hard-to-reach areas, where running an ethernet cable isn’t practical — that too, without compromising on speed.  

Best Powerline Network Adapters for Gaming in 2022

To help you pick the best powerline adapter for gaming, we tested over 20 powerline adapters top-rated across the web. We checked each adapter for several performance metrics, including their speed and connectivity support as well as design factors such as passthrough socket. 

Finally, we compiled a list of the best powerline network adapters for gaming for 2022, so you spend less time scraping through YouTube reviews and more time doing what you enjoy the most—gaming! 

1. Netgear Powerline 2000 – Best Powerline Adapter for Gaming Overall 

Netgear Powerline 2000 (also called NETGEAR PLP2000) is our pick for the best powerline adapter for gaming overall. Built around Broadcom’s BCM60500 chipset, it is equipped with Multiple In, Multiple Out (MIMO) to ensure peak gaming and streaming performance simultaneously.

Supporting up to 2000 Mbps speed, the NETGEAR PLP2000 is the perfect powerline adapter for connecting your gaming devices, including PC and consoles. During our real-life speed tests, Netgear Powerline 2000 led the way in terms of performance. It showed a maximum speed of 130 Mbps, which is incredible for a powerline adapter. 

Not to forget the ping performance was also excellent (as low as the ethernet). Given we used the adapters on different floors, it was good to see a stable, uninterrupted connection, which is essential for an enjoyable and smooth gaming experience.  

The pass-through plug works great. It gives you an outlet to replace the one it covers. It also improves network performance by adding a noise filter on your AC outlet, so you don’t have to worry about interference interrupting your network’s reliability or speed. 

Overall, Netgear 200 is a high-performance, plug-and-play device that you can easily set up in minutes without requiring any additional configuration or software installation.

9.4
NETGEAR Powerline adapter Kit, 2000 Mbps Wall-plug
  • Use your existing electrical wiring to extend your Internet access to any room in your house.
  • Homeplug AV2 technology supports Gigabit speeds through your electrical outlets for improved coverage
  • Extremely fast Powerline adapter for Gigabit speeds
  • Extra plug with our noise filtered power outlet built into the adapter to ensure the performance
  • Multiple data streams (MIMO) with Beamforming technology to offer improved coverage by directing the signal where you need it

2. Netgear Powerline 1000 – Best Budget Powerline Gaming Adapter

The Netgear Powerline 1000 adapter is our top budget pick for lag-free gaming. It’s perfect for connecting your PC and game consoles to high-speed internet, supporting up to 1,000 Mbps speed. In our real-world wired speed tests, it performed well, achieving 95 Mbps in different rooms, which is an excellent speed for gaming. 

The budget powerline adapter has excellent security features, allowing you to encrypt network connections with the touch of a button. Again, you can never be too safe in the digital space and having an extra layer of security is always a great option to protect your gaming and streaming activities. 

Netgear Powerline 1000 comes with several bells and whistles that you won’t see in other budget powerline adapters. It’s a plug-and-play device that’s easy to set up and allows you to instantly connect to the internet. Also, it automatically powers down when not in use.

Furthermore, Netgear 1000 boasts a pass-through socket to prevent interference from other devices plugged into the same socket. A downside is that it comes with a bulky case that might cover up other free outlets. But if you have a decent number of those or use an extension cord, that shouldn’t be a problem. 

As far as the connectivity options go, the device doesn’t allow you to set up a WiFi hotspot to strengthen your Wi-Fi network and only supports Ethernet connection. But considering the price point, it’s understandable. Overall, it’s one of the best budget powerline gaming adapters currently available in the market. 

9.4
NETGEAR Powerline adapter Kit, 1000 Mbps Wall-plug
  • Deliver high-speed wired and wireless internet to every room in your home using existing electrical wiring for all your gaming and streaming activities
  • Very Fast speeds-up to 1000Mbps
  • Perfect for connecting smart TVs, streaming players & game consoles
  • Ideal for 4K HD streaming & lag-free gaming
  • Connect multiple adapters to expand your wired network reliably

3. Zyxel PLA6456BB Kit – Fastest Powerline Adapter for Gaming

Zyxel PLA6456BB Kit is the fastest powerline adapter for gaming and streaming that supports speeds of up to 2,400 Mbps. It’s an excellent choice for getting the most out of your internet connection. We’re not just talking about the gameplay experience here, but fast download speeds too. 

Modern games are getting massive in size due to high-resolution textures. Take Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, for example, you need to download 250 GB of game files. So, if you frequently download the latest triple-A titles and don’t like waiting, Zyxel PLA6456BB Kit might be the perfect option for you.

Our speed performance test results on 400 Mbps showed a maximum speed of 162 Mbps, which is excellent considering the ethernet-to-router speed topped 257 Mbps. The ping also remained consistent at 10ms, so you can expect a smooth gaming experience.  

Like Netgear powerline 1000, Zyxel PLA6456BB Kit comes with an integrated passthrough outlet that filters out unwanted noise to prevent intermittent interference. This ensures seamless network connectivity. It also automatically goes into standby mode when not in use, which reduces power consumption by up to 90%.

Along with these benefits, the Zyxel powerline adapter also shares one drawback with the Netgear adapter in that it blocks the outlet above, rendering it unusable. Just a heads up in case you’re particular about the availability of your outlets. 

9.4
Zyxel 1300 Mbps Powerline Ethernet Adapter
  • Multiple data streams (MIMO) with beamforming technology provide better coverage and more stable networks
  • Speeds of up to 1300 Mbps using home Plug AV2 MIMO technology make it ideal for activities like 4K video streaming
  • Transform your power outlets into Fast wired connections
  • Plug-and-play for simple and easy to create Powerline network

4. Asus AV2 1200 – Best Powerline Adapter for Dual Gaming Setup 

If you have a dual gaming setup (one for gaming and the other for streaming) and a console to play exclusive titles, you’ll need more than two ethernet LAN ports. That’s where the Asus AV2 1200 comes into the equation. Supporting up to 1200 Mbps, it can provide fast internet to all your gaming and streaming devices. 

In the real-life performance test, it scored a respectable 105 Mbps, slightly higher than the Netgear Powerline 1000, but lower than Zyxel PLA6456BB Kit (almost by 33%). Though this speed is no way near the documented 1,200 Mbps, it’s decent for a wired connection not directly connected to the main router. 

When it comes to wireless speed, the Asus AV2 1200 put up impressive results as it reached 57 Mbps. Other powerline adapters offer faster speed on a wireless connection, but this speed is more than sufficient to handle gaming requirements. Unlike regular Wi-Fi, we didn’t experience any fluctuation in ping. 

Moreover, the external antennae offer a greater signal range, so you get reliable wireless internet in areas where Wi-Fi doesn’t perform well. It’s particularly useful when you play cross-platform games like Genshin Impact.

If you’re tired and want to continue your adventure, you don’t have to sit in front of your computer or even stay in the same room. You can switch to your mobile phone and continue your journey uninterrupted in any other room where the Asus AV2 1200 adapter is plugged in.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a pass-through socket but has advanced noise filtering technology to guarantee smooth and stable gaming performance.

D-Link Powerline AV2 1000 is the best value powerline adapter for gaming. These adapters are durable and very well made. As a mid-range powerline adapter, D-Link surprised us by racking up 102 Mbps, which is great considering it is a 1000 Mbps value powerline adapter.

The AV2 MIMO technology provides a higher data transfer rate, so you can enjoy gaming, live streaming, and HD content simultaneously. The pass-through socket with a noise filter gets rid of any electrical signal noise that can affect the connection’s reliability to ensure powerful transmission performance.

D-Link Powerline AV2 1000 comes with two Gigabit ethernet ports, so you can plug in multiple gaming devices with ease. Offering 128-bit AES encryption, it’s an easy set-up, plug-and-use device that provides a seamless connection to several different devices, from PC and consoles to smart TVs and other gaming machines. 

The energy-saving mode is useful and automatically turns off the adapter when not in use, which reduces power consumption by up to 85%. Whether you live in an apartment or multi-story home, you can enjoy a reliable and fast-speed internet connection using D-Link Powerline AV2 1000. 

9.4
TP-Link AV1000 Powerline Ethernet Adapter(TL-PA7017P KIT)
  • HomePlug AV2 Standard - high-speed data transfer rates of up to 1000 Mbps, supporting all your online needs¹
  • Gigabit Port - provides secure wired networks for desktops, smart TVs or games consoles
  • Plug and Play - allows setup of your powerline network in minutes, so you can enjoy fast wired connections right away
  • Integrated Power Socket - ensures no power outlet goes to waste
  • Patented Power-Saving Mode - automatically reduces power consumption by up to 85%²

The TP-Link AV1000 series is among the array of best powerline adapters for PC gamers. If you need a fast and reliable internet connection for your gaming PC in your bedroom without running a long ethernet cord all the way from your router, then this powerline adapter might be your perfect companion. 

TP-Link AV1000 adapters support up to 1000 Mbps internet speed. When we ran a test, placing the device two floors above the main router, it clocked a maximum speed of 118 Mbps with a 10ms ping (ethernet to router 197 Mbps/10ms ping). 

In addition to the fast speed, the 128-bit AES data encryption ensures your network is safe and private. The power saving feature automatically puts the adapter in standby mode, minimizing power consumption by up to 80%.

Unlike most powerline adapter manufacturers, TP-Link has really focused on the design aspect. In addition, to provide good ventilation, the device looks visually appealing. The beautiful white finish seamlessly blends in with the monochromatic palette and gives good contrast in darker shades. 

The best part? AV1000 doesn’t block the adjacent or top electrical outlets, so you can easily plug in your adapter, gaming PC, and monitor at the same time without any hassle. TP-Link backs their powerline adapters with a 2-year warranty and offers free 24/7 technical support.

9.4
TP-Link AV1000 Powerline Ethernet Adapter(TL-PA7017P KIT)
  • HomePlug AV2 Standard - high-speed data transfer rates of up to 1000 Mbps, supporting all your online needs¹
  • Gigabit Port - provides secure wired networks for desktops, smart TVs or games consoles
  • Plug and Play - allows setup of your powerline network in minutes, so you can enjoy fast wired connections right away
  • Integrated Power Socket - ensures no power outlet goes to waste
  • Patented Power-Saving Mode - automatically reduces power consumption by up to 85%²

Offering both wired and Wi-Fi connectivity, D-Link PowerLine AV2 2000 is the best powerline adapter for gaming on your PlayStation 5 (PS5). Equipped with advanced HomePlug AV2 technology, it’s an ideal powerline adapter for bandwidth-intensive tasks like 4K streaming and online gaming. 

D-Link PowerLine AV2 2000 supports up to 2000 Mbps. It clocked one of the best high internet speeds, recording 112 Mbps with zero spikes in latency, during our real world tests. So, whether you want to play Fortnite and get to victory royale or enjoy Spider-man exclusives on your PS5, you can rely on these adapters to deliver excellent performance. 

The pass-through socket with a built-in noise filter eliminates electrical signal noise to ensure powerful transmission performance. The one-touch, simple plug-and-play setup means you don’t have to waste time setting up the network. You can get started right away with just the push of a button. 

D-Link Powerline AV2000 is also one of the most energy-efficient power adapters on the market. The power saving mode automatically puts the adapter in sleep mode during inactivity, minimizing power usage by more than 85%. Overall, it’s an ideal pick for your PS5.

9.4
D-Link Powerline Adapter Starter Kit Ethernet Over Power
  • Stream, game, and more: Great companion for Smart TVs, game consoles, media players, and etc. Perfect for 4K/HD video streaming and gaming
  • Gigabit Ethernet port: High speed Gigabit Ethernet port for Ultra-fast wired connection
  • Expand your network: Connect multiple adapters to expand wired network throughout your home
  • Plug and Play

8. Devolo Magic 2 WiFi 6 – Best Mesh Wi-Fi Powerline Adapter for Gaming

Packing a near-to-ideal combination of powerline and Wi-Fi connectivity, Devolo Magic 2 WiFi 6 is a perfect solution to ensure seamless internet connectivity in homes with thick walls. It’s among the top-of-the-range powerline adapters serving a niche market of gamers interested in advanced Mesh Wi-Fi features.

The hybrid powerline/Wi-Fi adaptor supports Wi-Fi 6, which is the fastest consumer Wi-Fi out there right now. It can boost your Wi-Fi network speeds by up to 50%. If your home has thick walls restricting the range of your Wi-Fi signal, you can rely on Devolo Magic 2 WiFi 6 to deliver high-speed internet to your gaming device.

The speed tests results showed a speed of 104 Mbps on Wi-Fi, which is as good as the wired connection speed offered by most power adapters. The mesh Wi-Fi adapter not only delivers in the wireless front but also provides excellent wired connectivity, clocking 115 Mbps internet speed.

Devolo Magic 2 WiFi 6 offers high security through encryption standard WPA3. It’s one of the most up-to-date wireless encryption protocols to ensure your private data remains protected. It also offers 128-bit AES encryption for the powerline connection.

Like other powerline adapter companies, Devolo also added an auto-turn-off feature to save energy. Equipped with PowerSave Technology, the adapter automatically turns off to conserve energy. Moreover, Devolo offers a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The Starter Kit comes with a Devolo Magic 2 LAN adapter, WiFi 6 adapter, 2-meter ethernet cable, and an installation guide. The Multiroom Kit has an extra WiFi 6 adapter, and you can always order more to create a large network of Mesh Wi-Fi for gaming — whether on a PC, console, smartphone, or tablet.

9.4
devolo Magic 2 LAN triple Powerline Starter Kit
  • Provide your home with Gigabit networking in no time (2 adapters, 4x Gb LAN Ports [3+1], G.hn), 2000 Mbps*
  • Uses latest G.hn powerline technology for a reliable signal directly over electrical wiring
  • No more need for a switch: Three Gigabit LAN ports provide easy connectivity for your most important multimedia devices.
  • Connects previously unreachable rooms: Ideal for distances up to 1,600 feet

Equipped with 2×2 MIMO with beamforming technology, TP-Link AV2000 allows you to create a fast, high-performance internet connection to support your favorite gaming devices, including PC, PS5, Xbox, and more. We were impressed by its performance in the real-world test results. 

In fact, TL-PA9020P is one of the fastest powerline adapters we’ve come across during our testing. In our first test, we checked speeds when both adapters were 25 meters apart, and it scored 122 Mbps. That isn’t quite near 2000 Mbps, but still fast for a powerline adapter.

When placing your order, make sure you select the right variant as there are two versions of the TP-Link AV2000 Starter Kit. The TL-PA9020P KIT version features a pass-through socket on each adapter, while the cheaper TL-PA9020 comes without them. 

Of course, we’d recommend the first version to save your valuable wall power sockets and ensure a reliable connection. Both TP-Link AV2000 Starter Kit versions don’t provide a Wi-Fi hotspot function. If you need Wi-Fi connectivity, you’d be better off with the AV2000 Gigabit Powerline AC Wi-Fi Kit.

9.4
TP-Link AV2000 Powerline Adapter -
  • Power line adapter provides up to 2000Mbps Ethernet over Power; Ideal to be Ethernet extender who can easily go over the walls
  • As network adapters support Home Plug AV2, Easy to add multiple adapters and works under 110 240V; The best powering: 'the best power line networking kit' the wire cutter
  • Gigabit port, give you Full speed of Your internet; Transmission speeds: Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps, range 300 meters In house
  • Power saving mode automatically reduces power consumption by up to 85 percent
  • Plug & Play

To professional gamers who live stream their sessions and create content for YouTube, an aesthetic and clean gaming room is their sanctuary. TP-Link AV1300 with passthrough socket is one of the few powerline adapters that come with a minimal and sleek design to up your decor game. 

Recording around 102 Mbps in real-life speed tests, it is only slightly slower than the other TP-Link powerlines featuring on our list. The ping results were also consistent with ethernet connection results. It shares the same design as TP-Link AV2000 but comes with a lower price tag.

You can choose from several variants of TP-Link AV1300 powerline adapter that differ in terms of ports and Wi-Fi compatibility. We’d recommend the 3-port Gigabit variant if you have a console or dual PC setup to ensure you can provide a network to all your gaming and streaming devices that demand fast internet connections. 

Wi-Fi compatibility is always nice to have, but if your existing Wi-Fi already provides good internet signals, then you may skip it. Overall, it’s a solid—and aesthetically appealing—option that provides excellent speed, matching its rivals.

9.4
TP-Link AV1300 Powerline WiFi Extender(TL-WPA8631P KIT)
  • WiFi powerline adapter provides powerline transfer speeds up to 1300Mbps, up to dual band 1200Mbps
  • 2 × 2 MIMO - Establishes multiple simultaneous connections for you to enjoy higher powerline speeds and greater stability
  • One-Touch Wi-Fi Configuration 
  • Extra Power Socket - Get power from the outlet for your other devices with the integrated power socket
  • 3 × Gigabit Ports - Provide secure wired networks for desktops, smart TVs or games consoles

Comparing Top Powerline Adapters for Gaming

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Best Overall
NETGEAR Powerline adapter Kit, 2000

NETGEAR Powerline adapter Kit, 2000

8.4
Check Price
Best Value
D-Link Powerline Adapter Starter Kit

D-Link Powerline Adapter Starter Kit

8.3
Check Price
Fastest Powerline Adapter
Zyxel G.hn 2400 Wave 2 Powerline Kit

Zyxel G.hn 2400 Wave 2 Powerline Kit

8.2
Check Price
Best for PS5
D-Link Powerline Adapter Starter Kit

D-Link Powerline Adapter Starter Kit

8.2
Check Price
Best Design
TP-Link AV1300 Powerline WiFi Extender

TP-Link AV1300 Powerline WiFi Extender

8.2
Check Price
Best Budget
NETGEAR Powerline adapter Kit, 1000

NETGEAR Powerline adapter Kit, 1000

8.1
Check Price
Best Mesh Wi-Fi
devolo Magic 2 LAN triple Powerline Starter Kit

devolo Magic 2 LAN triple Powerline Starter Kit

7.8
Check Price
Best for PC Gamers
TP-Link Powerline Ethernet Adapter Starter Kit

TP-Link Powerline Ethernet Adapter Starter Kit

7.7
Check Price
Best for Dual Gaming
Asus PL-AC56 KIT 1200MBPS AV2 120

Asus PL-AC56 KIT 1200MBPS AV2 120

7.6
Check Price
Best Non-Wi-Fi
TP-Link AV2000 Powerline Adapter

TP-Link AV2000 Powerline Adapter

7.2
Check Price

What is a Powerline Adapter?

A powerline adapter is simple to install digital home technology that uses the electrical wiring in your home to connect to your network. It’s an excellent alternative to running costly in-wall ethernet cables or relying on Wi-Fi that are prone to network clash and occasional slowdowns. With a powerline adaptor, you can enjoy fast-speed internet signals in every room and hard-to-reach areas of your home.

How does a powerline adapter work?

Powerline adapters send data signals over your home’s electrical wiring. Like the frequency of a Wi-Fi band, AC power flowing in the copper wiring of your electrical system has its waveform between 50 hertz to 60 hertz. The powerline adapters send signals through these wiring in different frequencies in the 2 megahertz range to provide high-speed internet connectivity. 

Does Powerline Help Ping?

Yes. In fact, powerline adapters do a really good job in ensuring low ping. Latency (measured as ping time) matters the most to ensure a lag-free gaming experience. Powerline adapters have lower latency than Wi-Fi, so you’re unlikely to face ping spikes or choppy gameplay.

Is Powerline or Wi-Fi Better for Gaming?

Powerline is a better choice for gaming than Wi-Fi. To elaborate, powerline adapters minimize the risk of ping spikes. In most of our performance tests, we saw powerline adapters providing ping results closer to ethernet.

Is Powerline as Fast as Ethernet?

While powerline offers fast-speed internet connectivity and stable ping for gaming, it will not deliver the internet speed as fast as ethernet. However, the speed difference can be minimal in many cases. Assuming you have installed the adapters correctly and the wiring of your home is in good condition, you can get around 75% to 95% of the speeds that you’d get from an ethernet cable directly plugged into your main router.

So technically speaking, powerline adapters will do a great job for gamers who want access to high-speed internet for fast download speed and a lag-free gaming experience.

Which is more reliable, powerline or ethernet?

Compared to a powerline adapter, an ethernet cable offers a faster and slightly more stable internet connection. However, there are several disadvantages of ethernet. Firstly, the number of connections per ethernet cable is restricted to a single device. To connect to multiple devices, you need additional cables. So, if you’ve got more than one gaming device, such as a PC and a console, you’ll need to run extra cables from your router. 

In addition to that, the mobility of an ethernet cable is also quite limited as it is intended for shorter distances. This can create a hassle to reorganize wiring when rearranging your room’s furniture. Finally, ethernet cables are not compatible with handheld gaming devices, including smartphones and tablets, so you might need to buy an extra Wi-Fi router to support them. 

Do Powerline Adapters Increase Electric Bill?

Powerline adapters don’t consume a lot of electricity. Even if you keep them on 24/7, they will consume an almost negligible amount of power to run. Most devices consume between 2 watts to 3 watts, so each powerline adapter is likely to cost you less than a couple of dollars every year. 

Moreover, some powerline adapters come with an energy-saving mode, so they automatically shut down when not in use.  You can always leave them plugged into the mains without fearing that your electricity usage will skyrocket and result in higher energy bills.

Why Do Powerline Adapters Fail?

Like every electronic device, powerline adapters can malfunction. There are many reasons why a powerline adapter might fail. For example, connecting it to extension cords, power strips, or surge protectors instead of an electrical outlet can increase the chances of the devices not working properly.

Old fuse boxes or worn wiring may also affect the performance of powerline adapters. They can suddenly freeze or stop working. In that case, you might need to perform a power cycle on your devices, i.e., turning off the power source and switching it back on after 5 seconds.

How does Intermittent Interference Affect Powerline Adapters?

Powerline adapters are susceptible to interference when the circuit is continuously emitting a signal. You might see a difference in speed when there is intermittent interference that occurs when heavy load appliances run continuously on the same power system. 

However, the interference can easily be avoided by using these adapters away from devices with high electricity consumption, such as fridges, dryers, and washers. Another solution is plugging them directly into the wall rather than into a power extension. 

You can always use a powerline with passthrough to ensure zero interference. Most modern devices come with a passthrough, so you can avoid intermittent interference affecting your gaming experience.

How Much Do Powerline Adapters Cost on Average?

Powerline adapters typically cost between $50 and $120 on average. The high-end adapters that come with extra features, like a mesh networking kit, come with a heftier price tag, costing $300 or even more. These devices are an affordable choice to get high-speed internet coverage across your home.

What Mbps Powerline Adapter is Best for Gaming?

Any powerline adapter that supports more than 10 Mbps internet speed is good enough to ensure a smooth gaming experience. Online gaming does not require extremely high internet speed but a lag-free connection. With powerline adapters, you can ensure lower latency and thereby excellent gaming performance.

How fast can powerline adapters go?

Powerline adapters come with hugely exaggerated speed claims. Technically speaking, they can deliver these speeds, but several factors affect the actual results. The main reason is signal degradation due to old wiring or a significantly large distance between two adapters. 

We’ve tested numerous powerline adapters. Theoretically speaking, powerline adapters can support 2 Gbits/s, but the real-world performance is a maximum of around 150 to 200 Mbps. However, this is fast enough for a consistent, lag-free, and smooth gaming experience.

How Far Do Powerline Adapters Work?

Theoretically, the distance between powerline adapters should not be more than 984 ft (300 meters), which is quite a generous range and usually not an issue. Ideally, the distance between powerline adapters should be less than 200 meters to ensure the best results. 

Are Powerline Adapters Good for PS5?

Yes, powerline adapters work equally good with a PS5, just like they do with a PC. Using a powerline adapter, you can enjoy seamless internet connectivity during your gaming sessions on PS5 due to fast internet connectivity and low latency.  

How to Set Up a Powerline Adapter Network for Gaming?

Here’s how you set up powerline adapters for gaming:

  1. Make sure you have two powerline adapters and two ethernet cables with enough length to reach your main router and gaming device.
  2. Plug the first powerline adapter into an electric socket near the main router. Connect one end of your ethernet cable to the adapter and the other end to an open port on your main router. 
  3. Plug the second powerline adapter into an electric socket near your gaming device. Connect one end of your ethernet cable to the adapter and the other end to the gaming device.

Turn on both power adapters and you’re done. Follow the instruction manual that comes with your powerline adapter. Within a few minutes, the internet connection will establish from the router to your gaming device.

Conclusion

This concludes our list of the best powerline adapters for gamers. We spent several hours testing dozens of powerline routers to give you the top recommendations you can trust. All these devices will give you fast internet speed and low ping to ensure a smooth gaming experience without running ethernet cables from your main router to your gaming device. 

Happy gaming!

Asen's first contact with gaming was GTA Vice City back when he was a long way from PEGI 18. Years later, after completing countless story modes, pulling more all-nighters than he can count, and spending more time on FIFA than he'd like to confess, gaming is still a big passion of his. Not only that, but he's also fascinated by hardware and gaming peripherals. So much so, that he's become something of a walking encyclopedia about all things audio.

1 thought on “10 Best Powerline Adapters for Gaming [2023 Version]”

  1. I think you have been misinformed regarding the TP-Link WPA9610 Kit (AV2000) being a non-wifi Ethernet adapter.

    As well as it having a 2GB transfer rate over Ethernet, it does also provide high-speed dual band Wi-Fi of up to 1.2Gbps. You can either use the 300Mbps 2.4GHz band for general surfing, or switch to the 867Mbps 5GHz band for 4K streaming and lag-free gaming on multiple devices at the same time.

    Knowing this, I would say this adapter is probably the best on your list in my opinion!

    Reply

Leave a Comment