TP-Link AV500 Vs AV1200 – Goodbye Internet Dead Zones!

Desiring to resolve your in-some-places-unreliable internet but not sure of the best cost-effective solution? This TP-Link AV500 Vs AV1200 review is sure to pointyou in the right direction!

Powerline adapters are perfect for extending network to areas the Wi-Fi or Ethernet doesn’t reach and connecting devices that are not Wi-Fi supported. Adapters use electrical wiring to transmit data. Generally, their network is not as fast as Ethernet internet, but it is faster than Wi-Fi. Apart from speed, there are other features that determine a good adapter. These include transmission technology, size, coverage distance/range, network security etc.

Adapters are in their thousands in the market. It therefore makes sense to research which one would best address one’s needs, before making the purchase.  That’s the reason we are confident this TP-Link AV500 Vs AV1200discussion will help you make that informed decision.TP-Linkprovides reliable networking devices and accessories across the globe. Its AV series of adapters are amongst the very mostpopularpowerline adapter.

What are the Differences Between TP LINK AV500 and AV1200?

Model
TP LINK AV500
TP LINK AV1200
Maximum Theoretical  Speeds
Up to 500Mbps
Up to 1200Mbps
Connection Components
One TL-PA4010 and one TL-PA4020 adapters

2 x 10/100Mbps Ethernet Ports

 2 TL-PA8030Padapters

1 Gigabit Ethernet Ports

Circuits
Same panel
Can support different circuits
Set up
Easy, Plug-and-play.
Easy, Plug-and-play.
Security
AES encryption (128-bit)
128-bit AES Network Security
Size
100mm tall/40mm thick and 130mm tall/70mm wide
131×72×42mm
Distance/Range
300 Meters (1000 Ft)
300 Meters (1000 Ft)
Other Features
Power Saving mode- reduces consumption up to 85%

 

Ethernet status, power, and Powerline displayed by LED indicators, Compatible with all other AV adapters.

Power Saving mode- reduces consumption up to 85%; HomePlug AV2, MIMO & Beamforming

 

Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Cloning, Pass through socket

TP LINK AV500 and AV1200 – How do they compare?

Speeds

The AV500 and AV 1200 come with touted maximum speeds of 500Mbps and 1200Mbps. The sad reality however is that none will ever achieve these speeds because of interferences like construction,network traffic, noise on electrical wires, distance and quality of electrical installation.

For this reason, it is important to establish the adapters’ actual speeds. There are many tests that one can undertake for this. One common one is the throughput test, which measures the number of transactions a device handles per second. Since no 2 homes have the same configuration, adapters may not give exact figures in different houses. Relative performance is therefore a more important measure than the specific numbers.

The throughput speeds for the AV1200 at 10ft (same room) was found to be 285Mbps.Though this is much lower than the promised 1200Mbps, this speed is still pretty high. Actually, most adapters only realize 40% of the promised theoretical maximum speeds.At 30ft distance and having the adapters on different circuits, the speed dropped to 25Mbps. For the AV500 at 10ft, the speed was 72Mbps. This adapter does not support devices on different circuits.

In another series of speed tests, the following results were obtained:

Download
Upload
Ping
AV500
48.38Mbps
3.02Mbps
12ms
AV1200
76Mbps
12Mbps
12ms

 

Undoubtedly, the AV1200 offers much higher speeds than the AV500, and is even able to support devices on different circuits.

Connections

The adapters under review starter kits contain a pack of two adapters. One is for plugging in a power socket and connecting to the existing internet source using an Ethernet cable. The other connects to the device that needs connection to the powerline network and to the second socket.

Though some adapters have a pass-through socket which offers an extra power socket, both the AV500 and AV1200 adapters do not have thispass through feature. This is a disadvantage in a room with few sockets. It is not a wonder then that newer versions of the two models have incorporated this feature.

The AV500 is equipped with 2 Ethernet ports. This is very advantageous. It makes it possible to connect more than one device to the network, at the same time, without having to use another adapter. The AV1200 unfortunately only has one port, although the fact that this one port is a Gigabit Ethernet port, more than makes up for the omission of another port. A Gigabit port ensures faster speeds.Nevertheless, since we usually have more than one smart gadget that we want connected to the internet at a time, one may be forced to buy an Ethernet switch, which has about 5 ports. In the same light,the AV1200’s PA8030P version even has 3 Gigabit ports which offer better security for game consoles, Smart TVs and even desktops

The truth about Gigabit Ethernet ports on adapters is that they only make a difference if the computer and router are also Gigabit enabled.  Though the Gigabit port can be used with slower systems (since they are backwards compatible), this offers no speed benefit. What this means in essence is that if you use 10/100 Ethernet with a Gigabit system the slower protocol speed is adopted.

The AV500 is only able to transmit from within the same circuit.  The AV1200 however, due to its high frequency signals is able to cross from one circuit to another.

Setting up and Security

Both the AV500 and AV1200 are simply plug-and-play, when it comes to installation. There is no configuring or installing some software.All you have to do is plug them in the socket and using the Ethernet cable connect them to your router. Next you plug in the other adapter and also connect it to the device needing internet, using another Ethernet cable.

Both the AV500 and AV1200 have AES encryption, activated by the touch of a button.Even though powerline adapters’ signal may not be ‘pick-able’ outside your home, there is that slim chance that neighbors in apartment houses can pick your signal. Many adapters come with security features that support encryption.

Distance and Size

The distance between powerline adapters many times influences speed. Though both adapters under review come with a theoretical distance limit of 1000 feet, which is quite far, some users complain of slow speeds or random disconnects beyond 650ft.Connecting adapters directly into wall sockets give better performance than using extensions.

Size may sound vain, but it plays an important role in adapters. It is aesthetically disgruntling to have a bulky, ugly beast sticking out of your living room’s socket, unless you intend to hide it! Moreover, you may also need to use the adjacent socket, which large adapters obstruct.

The AV500 adapters are small compact units that don’t block the adjacent socket. The AV1200 on the other hand are so large that they block adjacent sockets. This is a disadvantage especially when there aren’t enough sockets in the room. The network seems to make up for this by supporting its extension up to a maximum of 16 adapters. All the same AV1200’s newer version, PA8030P, has the pass through feature.

Other features

If you are wondering about the performance gap between the AV500 and the AV1200, you don’t have to look further than the following amazing features which the AV500 lacks:

HomePlug AV2

HomePlug AV2 is dubbed the next generation connectivity. It is a very fast way of carrying data, including video and audio, over standard electrical cables. HomePlug AV2 works with MIMO

MIMO and Beamforming

AS HomePlug AV2 transfers data rapidly through the electrical wiring the 2X2 Multi Input Multi Output simultaneously establishes faster and stronger signal transmission by separating the data into 2 streams, to efficiently handle high data demands. It is akin to creating 2 lanes on a road.

Beamforming focusses the signal towards the adapter, forming more reliable connections thus boosting the performance further. In this way, sharp HD resolution gaming and streaming on multiple devices is made possible without slowing down the signal speed.

The TP LINK AV500 Vs AV1200 – A Comparison Overview

The TP LINK AV500

TP-Link AV500 2-Port Powerline Starter Kit, Up to 500Mbps (TL-PA4026 KIT)
  • Expands your home network by establishing a Powerline connection with one TL-PA4010 and one TL-PA4020...
  • 300-meter range over electrical circuitry for better performance through walls and floors

The TP LINK AV500 is HomePlug AV standard compliant and the plugs are small enough to not block any adjacent sockets, though one sticks out of the socket more. The plugs have a cool two-tone color and they work straight out of the box.

Located at their front are the pair button, and the LED lights showing power, connection to the Ethernet and connection to the powerline network. The adapter has a mains filter which makes the powerline communication performance better.

Instead of exponentially increasing power consumption the adapters automatically it cuts down by up to 85%, when the adapter is not in use. This is thanks to the patented Power Saving Mode. Due to the AES encryption (128-bit), the network is secured by a simple button press on the paired device.

These adapters come with two 100Mb Ethernet ports, making it possible to connect it to more than one device. (Newer models like PA 551, have Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a pass through feature).The adapters also have sufficiently high speeds to support HD video streaming even across different floors in the house. The only downside with using multiple devices on the powerline at the same time is that all the bandwidth would have to first flow through the ‘source’ plug before catering for the multiple HD streams. This is why it is said to optimize IPTV streaming. This doesn’t make a big difference in the larger scheme of gaming and streaming, however.

Pros

  • Fast speeds
  • 2 Ethernet ports
  • 5ft Ethernet cables
  • Small, unobtrusive size
  • Fairly priced

Cons

  • No Wi-Fi
  • No pass through socket feature

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The TP LINK AV1200

TP-Link AV1200 Powerline Ethernet Adapter - Gigabit Port, Plug&Play, Power Saving(TL-PA8010 KIT)
  • Powerline adapter provides up to 1000Mbps Ethernet over power. Ideal to be Ethernet extender who can...
  • As network adapters supporting HomePlug AV2, easy to add multiple adapters and works under 110 240V

The TP LINK AV1200adapter comes in a compact white design that easily blends in with your home’s decor. It is large in size, an unsatisfactory feature since it can obstruct adjacent power sockets. But not to worry, the network can be extended by up to 16 adapters.

Each adapter is equipped with one gigabit port. This is a challenge because many times we have more than one device we need connected to the internet. The adapter also has a power saving mode that automatically closes down when the adapter is not in use.  The device boasts of an intelligent signal indicator in which the LED light turns red when it experience a weak signal and green when the signal is strong. This saves the user having to troubleshoot.

The HomePlug AV2, MIMO and beamforming features work together to enhance the  extremely fast speeds taking gaming, HD video screening to new levels, through reliable connection to smart TVs, laptops and game consoles.

Pros

  • Easy set up
  • Extremely fast speeds
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • Supports extension up to 16 adapters
  • HomePlug AV2
  • MIMO and beamforming

Cons

  • Only 40% of boasted speeds
  • Bulky
  • No pass-through socket
  • Continuous connection drops
  • Don’t work in buildings with old wiring

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Conclusion

Both the TP-Link AV500 and the TP-Link AV1200 bring such amazing features on the table. The AV500 for example, is decently fast, has 2 Ethernet ports so more than one device can be connected to the network at the same time. It is able to support gaming and streaming. If therefore your need for the internet is for basic streaming and gaming, then this adapter is sufficient. You will even save yourself a few bucks.

The TP-Link AV1200 on the other hand has extremely fast speeds, thanks to the Gigabit port, HomePlug AV2, MIMO and Beamforming technology. This makes it suitable for very heavy gaming and streaming. If this is what you are looking for, then the adapter to go for is the AV1200.

So, allow me to ask, what is yourTP-Link AV500 Vs TP-Link AV1200 decision?

Verdict: So which is better? The TP-Link AV500 or the TP-Link AV1200?

Though the AV 500 is a good adapter, the TP-Link AV1200 beats it hands down with its very fast speeds, which covers all its inadequacies, like obstructing the adjacent socket for example. This would be the better adapter of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What do the lights mean on a TP Link

Ans: TP Link powerline adapters usually have 3 LED lights. The first for Power, the next for Powerline connection and the last for Ethernet connection

Q2: How long do TP links last?

Ans: This largely depends on the model and use. Generally, with continuous use, plugs can last up to 2 years.

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