Head-to-head · Best Powerline Network Adapters

NETGEAR PLP2000 vs TP-Link AV2000 (TL-PA9020P)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

NETGEAR PLP2000 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about buyers who want maximum powerline throughput and range and will pay a premium for the fastest, most reliable kit — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Powerline Network Adapters

NETGEAR PLP2000

4.6

$119.99as of Jun 7

The NETGEAR PLP2000 is the best powerline adapter overall, Tom's Guide's top pick thanks to throughput that often more than doubled every competitor in testing and class-leading range. It pairs AV2000-class speed with two Gigabit ports, a pass-through outlet, and an extra AC socket. The downsides are a high price, only 90 days of support, and no configuration interface.

Strengths

— Highest measured throughput in head-to-head testing
— Superb range — still leads competitors at 100 feet
— Two Gigabit Ethernet ports per adapter

Watch-outs

— Among the most expensive powerline kits available
— Only 90 days of included support
— No app or web interface to monitor or configure

$119.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #2 in Best Powerline Network Adapters

TP-Link AV2000 (TL-PA9020P)

4.5

$89.99as of Jun 7

The TP-Link AV2000 (TL-PA9020P) is the fastest-class pick for value: it carries the same AV2000 speed ceiling as the Netgear flagship with two Gigabit ports, and Tech Advisor said its real-world performance 'scored as high as we've seen in tests.' TechRadar rates it the fastest powerline adapter at up to 2000 Mbps. The main miss versus its kit-mates is the lack of a pass-through outlet.

Strengths

— Top-tier AV2000 speed rating, up to 2000 Mbps
— Two Gigabit Ethernet ports per adapter
— Real-world performance among the best tested

Watch-outs

— No pass-through outlet — occupies the whole wall socket
— Bulky adapters
— Real-world speed depends heavily on home wiring quality

$89.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

NETGEAR PLP2000

The performance leader. It matches the AV2000-class speed of the TP-Link AV2000 (TL-PA9020P) but, per Tom's Guide testing, posts higher real-world throughput and better range than any competitor — well ahead of the AV1000 TP-Link TL-PA7017P and TL-WPA7617 and the value-focused TRENDnet TPL-423E2K. The trade is that it's the priciest kit here.

TP-Link AV2000 (TL-PA9020P)

The fast-and-value alternative to the NETGEAR PLP2000. It matches the PLP2000's AV2000 speed and dual Gigabit ports at a lower price, though Tom's Guide gave the Netgear the throughput edge. It's faster than the AV1000-class TP-Link TL-PA7017P and TL-WPA7617 and the TRENDnet TPL-423E2K, but unlike the TL-PA7017P it lacks a pass-through outlet.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	NETGEAR PLP2000	TP-Link AV2000 (TL-PA9020P)
Speed Rating	AV2000 (up to 2000 Mbps)	AV2000 (up to 2000 Mbps)
Ethernet Ports	2x Gigabit per adapter	2x Gigabit per adapter
Pass-through Outlet	Yes (+ extra AC outlet)	No
Standard	HomePlug AV2 / MIMO	HomePlug AV2 / MIMO
Adapters in Kit	2	2
Setup	Plug-and-play	Plug-and-play
Encryption	128-bit AES	128-bit AES
Warranty	1-year (90-day support)	—
Wi-Fi	—	No (wired only)

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