If your Wi-Fi is slow – or non-existent in certain areas – then your answer may lay in Powerline adapters so the loft, basement or garage may come into range and best of all not at a snail’s pace but at a speed suitable for those into gaming. Devolo have two solutions that can help, a starter kit (two units) or as reviewed here a whole home Wi-Fi kit.
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They are each 15x7.5x4.5cm in size. The plug part is near the base so even those of us with skirting board sockets can use them.
They should be plugged into a power socket and not into a surge strip or even a gang socket, you do not lose any sockets as what was plugged directly into that socket can now be plugged into the face of the unit.
On the top of each unit are two Ethernet ports on whichever unit you make the master the supplied Ethernet lead goes to your modem or modem router, on unit two – or three – you can plug whatever you need to connect and instead of having long Ethernet leads lying over the floor they can be connected to the nearest plug to your computer or printer etc. Even the notebook in the bedroom can have just a short Ethernet lead so no more trip hazards.
Even though the Installation booklet is in eight languages there is one thing per page so easy enough to follow even though the illustrations are for non UK units it’s easy to follow.
Like the majority of things today it defaults to work from an iOS or Android App, the connection is via ‘WPS’ so it will be handy to have a second pair of hands to link the second – or third – unit unless you are a very quick mover, technically you have two minutes but climbing a couple of flights of stairs ….
However it is possible not to use the App but as each step is automatic with the App then why not.
Mesh WiFi is a collaboration between Wi-Fi ac and Powerline to give good reception over the whole home even for those with strange shapes and solid walls. For most it can be possible to stop using Wi-Fi from your router altogether in some cases.
The one proviso is that all your sockets being used are on the same ring main.
In most cases a strong Mesh network with Gigabit Wi-Fi for maximum transfer speeds, apart from the Ethernet ports on each unit there is strong transferable Wi-Fi from each unit so if using your phone it automatically modes you seamlessly from one to another, see link three for good illustrations.
So if you plug the Devolo into a mains socket (no gang sockets) and then work out where to put the second or third Devolo units for best performance. If using the App that can also help you find the best points.
Remember each unit has two Ethernet ports.
The Devolo Mesh WiFi 2 Starter Kit (2 units) and Whole Home WiFi Kit (3 units) are available from the first two links below for £189.99 and £288.99.
devolo Mesh WiFi 2 Starter Kit – 2x adapters for mesh Wi-Fi coverage, 4k/ 8k UHD streaming & stable home
https://www.amazon.co.uk/devolo-Mesh-WiFi-2400-Whole/dp/B08R3Z9HPY
Powerline. Internet and Wi-Fi in any room | devolo AG
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