WiFi repeaters and PLCs: What they are, differences, and which are the best.

In many homes, the Wi-Fi is far from where you have your computer or the Internet megabytes you have contracted are simply few, so you have to deal with a slow connection every day. That is why in this article we will talk about the wifi repeaters and PLCs, since both fulfill the function of bringing Internet to any area of ​​the house.

What is a PLC?

Un PLC It is a device whose main function is to process all the data to be able to bring the Internet from one area of ​​the house to another room without the need for electrical renovation.

The operation of PLCs is very simple, they are made up of two devices, one of them is the receiver and the other is the emitter. And, these devices take advantage of the electrical layout of your home to achieve a good Internet connection anywhere in the home. The PLC emitter is the one that is connected to the power and later linked to the router using an Ethernet cable. Meanwhile, the receiver is plugged into the room of the house where you want a better connection.

Asus PL-AC56: the best PLC of 2020

When buying any Asus product you are betting on quality, and this time it was not going to be different. And, the Asus PL-AC56 is one of the best PLCs of 2020, due to the following characteristics:

• AV1200 class, which means that we can enjoy up to 1.200Mbps speed.
• WiFi access point. This device, apart from being able to connect via Ethernet, offers the possibility of making a connection via Wi-Fi.
• Three Gigabit Ethernet ports. Most low-end PLCs usually only have one port, while the Asus PL-AC56 offers us three ports of 10, 100 and 1000 Mbps.
• Two Cat5e network cables. The Asus PL-AC56 comes with the necessary cables to carry out the installation, so you will not have any more expenses after purchasing it.

This PLC has a price of €165, which is a more than affordable value, since you will get a quality connection along with great durability of the device.

What is a wifi repeater?

At a glance, the wifi repeaters It is similar to a PLC, since it is also a device that takes advantage of the electrical installation, allowing you to extend the range of the Internet connection wirelessly.

The operation is as simple as that of PLCs, since you must connect the repeater to the power (halfway between the room where you want a good connection to reach and the router) and it will receive the signals from the router, so It works as if you had two routers.

TP-Link RE650: the best Wifi repeater of 2020

Currently, there are a large number of wifi repeaters, but without a doubt, the best is the TP-Link RE650, and this device belongs to TP-Link's high-end, so it will be a good purchase no matter where you look at it. The most notable features of this device are:

• Compliant with IEEE 802.11ac/n/g/b standards. This is a very important factor when buying a Wifi repeater, since, if they have this standard, it means that it will work on any type of router.
• MU-MIMO technology. This type of technology allows you to connect up to four devices at the same time.
• Simple setup. The installation and configuration of the TP-Link RE650 is extremely simple, since you only have to plug it into the power, and make the settings from the TP-Link Tether App.
• Double band. It has a speed of 800Mbps with a frequency of 2.4 GHz, and on the other hand, with 1733Mbps at 5 GHz, so the data flow is extremely good.

This WiFi repeater has a price of €100, making it extremely affordable, as it will improve the connection in your home instantly.

What are the differences between WiFi repeaters and PLCs?

Although they are very similar, the difference between the wifi repeaters and PLCs They are notable, since each one fulfills a specific function. The main differences are the following:

• The signal. This is one of the main differences, and it is that, if you have a poor quality connection in your home, it is better that you opt for a PLC, since you will have a cable connection, and it will be more fluid than the wifi repeaters, since these work wirelessly.
• Installation. Repeaters are easier to put into operation, since you will only have to plug it into the power and perform a minimal configuration. While with PLCs you will need two devices, and two Ethernet cables.
• The size. This characteristic is associated with the signal, since if your home is large or the room where you want a better connection to reach is very far from the router, the best option will be to use a PLC, since thanks to the wiring you will be able to get it to reach a good connection to the room you want.
• The price. Wi-Fi repeaters are cheaper than PLC's, since the latter offer more functionalities.