I had similar reservations about powerline adapters initially, especially since my place was built in the early 70s and the wiring is... let's just say "quirky." I went through a similar cycle—Wi-Fi extenders were a constant headache, with dropped connections and buffering at the worst possible moments (usually halfway through a movie or important Zoom call). Eventually, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to give powerline adapters a try.
To my surprise, they've actually been pretty reliable. I won't say they're perfect—there are occasional hiccups, probably due to the older wiring—but overall, the connection has been more stable than Wi-Fi extenders ever were. One thing I learned is that placement matters a lot. Initially, I plugged mine into a power strip, and the performance was pretty disappointing. After some research, I realized they perform best when plugged directly into wall sockets. Once I did that, the difference was noticeable.
Also, something else to consider: certain appliances can cause interference. For example, whenever my microwave is running, I notice a slight dip in speed. It's not a dealbreaker for me, but it's good to be aware of these quirks. If you're planning to stream or game regularly, you might want to test different outlets around your home to find the best spot.
Funny you mentioned your "drawer of shame"—I definitely have one too. It's full of smart bulbs that didn't quite sync up, a voice assistant that misunderstood every other command, and a thermostat that was smarter than me (and knew it). But surprisingly, the powerline adapters haven't ended up there yet. They've earned their keep, at least for now.
Anyway, your experience might differ depending on your home's wiring, but given your frustration with Wi-Fi extenders, it might be worth giving powerline adapters a shot. Just keep your expectations realistic and be prepared for a bit of trial and error.
Good to hear they've been decent for you. I've been tempted by powerline adapters too, especially since my Wi-Fi extenders have a bad habit of dying exactly when Netflix hits the good part... But I'm still skeptical about my ancient wiring. Did you notice any big jump in your electric bill after using them? Budget's tight, so just wondering if they're power-hungry or pretty minimal.
I've been using powerline adapters for about a year now in an older property I renovated—think 1950s wiring—and honestly, haven't noticed any real spike in my electric bill. A few quick points from experience:
- Power consumption seems minimal; they're designed to be energy-efficient.
- Stability beats Wi-Fi extenders hands down, especially during streaming marathons (no more buffering at cliffhangers...).
- Older wiring can affect speed slightly, but still way better than spotty Wi-Fi.
Overall, I'd say it's worth giving them a shot—even with ancient wiring, the improvement's noticeable and budget-friendly.
"Older wiring can affect speed slightly, but still way better than spotty Wi-Fi."
Definitely agree about the stability, but I had a slightly different experience with powerline adapters in my older place. The wiring was from around the same era (mid-50s), and while it did give me a more stable connection, the speeds were noticeably lower than advertised. Streaming was fine most of the time, but gaming latency was pretty hit-or-miss—sometimes smooth, sometimes lag city.
Ended up switching to a mesh Wi-Fi system, and honestly, it's been a game changer. Coverage is solid throughout the house, even in those weird dead zones upstairs. Plus, setup was surprisingly painless. Might be worth considering if your wiring's ancient like mine was... just another perspective to keep in mind.
That's a good point about mesh systems—I had a similar issue with powerline adapters in an older rental property. Wiring from the 60s meant speeds were all over the place, especially during peak hours. Ended up installing a mesh setup too, and it was night and day difference. Older homes can be tricky, but once you find the right solution, it's pretty satisfying to finally get stable internet everywhere... Glad you found something that worked!
