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Like all HomePlug AV devices, the PWR500 and TPL-406E2K ship with 128 bit AES encryption enabled, using the same default key so you can just plug and play. They also both have buttons that can be used to set a different security code. Setting the code works like setting up a Wi-Fi WPS connection. You press the button on one device until a LED starts blinking. You then have two minutes to press the button on a second adapter to complete the setting.

You can also usually change the security code using a utility program. Actiontec doesn't include one, but TRENDnet includes the same Windows-based utility it provides on its other 200 Mbps and 500 Mbps HomePlug adapters.

Figure 5: TRENDnet powerline utility

Performance

We tested all the adapters at three locations in the SNB home using the standard powerline procedure. Figure 6 shows average uplink throughput for all three test locations and Figure 7 shows downlink. The performance charts have been filtered to show only 500 Mbps adapters.

Figure 6: Average uplink throughput

When looking at average throughput (which includes all locations), both adapters have numbers lower in uplink compared to other 500 Mbps adapters. Part of this could probably be blamed on their 10/100 Ethernet port vs the Gigabit ports of the others, although all results (excluding the NETGEAR XAVB5101) are well within the limits of a half duplex 10/100 connection.

Throughput numbers seem a little closer in downlink, with the two adapters actually besting the now-discontinued NETGEAR XAVB5001.

Figure 7: Average downlink throughput

The four-stream test is where the two new 500 Mbps adapters really have lower numbers, however. Figure 8 below shows how they compare to the other 500 Mbps adapters running two sets of simultaneous up/downlink tests in Location A (same outlet). Remember that a 100 Mbps port has 200 Mbps of total throughput in Full Duplex mode.

Figure 8: Four stream simultaneous througput in the same room

The results look worse than they probably are in real-world use, because they are taken with both adapters plugged into the same outlet—hardly what would happen in actual use. But what do results look like when the adapters get some distance between them?

The throughput vs. location plots in Figures 9 and 10, which include the TRENDnet TPL-401E2K and the NETGEAR XAVB5101 for comparison, show that as the adapters move apart, throughput differences decrease dramatically.

Figure 9: Uplink throughput vs. location

Location C uplink shows the Gigabit-ported adapter do a bit better than the Actiontec and TRENDNet adapters. But Location E downlink shows the opposite result.

Figure 10: Downlink throughput vs. location

You can use the customizable Powerline Charts to explore further.

Closing Thoughts

If you are going to plug either of these adapters into the same outlet (or perhaps different outlets in the same room), you might not get throughput as high as you could get from 500 Mbps powerline AV adapters using Gigabit Ethernet ports. Because of the way powerline works, however, you might have to be running multiple network activities, like copying large files and streaming HD video, to get actually get the benefit of the higher throughput.

However, the tiny 10/100 Mbps-ported adapters start to shine once you get some distance between them. In many cases, you may not be able to see any appreciable difference, except in your wallet. At around $50 for the Actiontec and $71 for the TRENDnet these two diminutive adapters are the most economical powerline kits you can buy. And remember, those prices both get you two adapters.