ZyXEL PL-100 Start Kit review

HomePlug, or powerline networking as it is better known, is a great idea for linking PCs together, particularly in houses where wireless doesn't work well.

With the launch of the 85Mbit/s standard, it should be able to give wireless and wired networks a run for their money.

Zyxel's PL-100 Start Kit and eConnect's HomePlug Turbo both use the HomePlug 85Mbit/s standard, which is backwards-compatible with the existing 14Mbit/s standard. Zyxel's kit comes with two adaptors, while eConnect provides two separate adaptors. However, the price of two HomePlug Turbos is less than the PL-100 Start Kit. We also prefer eConnect's design, which uses a single moulded power plug with an Ethernet port inside. Zyxel's PL-100 is an external box connected to the mains by a power cable, so it's a little unwieldy and adds to the spaghetti-like mess of wiring under your desk.

Setting up either product is incredibly easy. You just need to plug one adaptor and Ethernet cable into your router, and one adaptor and Ethernet cable into each PC or device you want to network and you've done it. You can even mix and match adaptors between suppliers; we created a network using eConnect and Zyxel adaptors together.

To prevent your neighbours from gaining access to your network, you can use the utility software provided to give each adaptor the same password, which encrypts all traffic on your network. The same utility, with different branding, is provided by eConnect and Zyxel. It's straightforward to use, and once you've configured your network you shouldn't have to touch it again.

Performance was good from both products, but eConnect's product just had the edge with throughputs close to that of MIMO wireless routers we've reviewed. Both products are fast enough to stream video and are much quicker than the old 14Mbit/s standard.

If you're having trouble with wireless or just want a simple way of networking, HomePlug provides a simple solution. Zyxel's product is a little expensive, though, so we'd go for eConnect's cheaper, faster and simpler HomePlug Turbo.