如果无法将以太网(Ethernet)电缆从路由器连接到 PC，则只能在两个弊端之间取舍——WiFi扩展器或电力线适配器。但是这些中哪一个是最好的？
这两种技术都有其优点和缺点，我们将同时研究这两种技术，以解释每个选项如何适合您。最终，它会归结为您的特定使用场景。更多关于确定下面的内容。
WiFi 扩展器(WiFi Extenders)和电力线适配器(Powerline Adapters)- 有什么区别(Difference)？
WiFi扩展器和电力线适配器是两种截然不同的技术，它们都旨在实现相同的目标——在更长的距离上提供更可靠的互联网连接。(Internet)
WiFi扩展器本质上就像一个小型集线器，可以物理地放置在路由器和 PC 之间，以从路由器获取WiFi信号并将其扩展到更长的距离。
电力线适配器需要两个插座，插入您家的电源。电力线适配器可以无线或有线连接到您的路由器，并通过您家中的电线发送网络数据，这使它可以走得更远，消除墙壁的限制。
哪个更好(Better)？电力线适配器(Powerline Adapter)或WiFi 扩展(WiFi Extender)器？
现在我们已经简要解释了电力线适配器和WiFi扩展器背后的技术，让我们来看看两者的性能。显然，这两款产品的目标都是让电脑获得更强的信号，通常是因为来自路由器的WiFi信号超出范围。
虽然WiFi扩展器可以扩展WiFi信号，但在使用此类产品时会出现明显的衰减。这是因为信号被传送到一个位置，然后传送到另一个位置。这会增加网络延迟并降低整体速度。通过所有这些，墙壁、家具或天花板仍然会妨碍您的信号传输。
另一方面，电力线适配器只需转换来自路由器的网络数据，并通过电线将其直接传送到您的 PC。就延迟而言，电力线适配器远远优于WiFi扩展器。
您使用电力线适配器获得的速度取决于您家中电线的质量。这意味着虽然电力线适配器通常是扩大网络范围的最合适的解决方案，但它并不适合所有人。
例如，我自己家的布线足够好，我可以非常接近网络的全速，进而非常接近以太网(Ethernet)电缆的速度。因此，我建议您先购买电力线适配器，如果速度较慢，请将其退回并尝试使用WiFi扩展器。
如何安装电力线适配器 - 重要提示(Powerline Adapter – Top Tips)
由于电力线适配器通过您家中的电线传输网络数据，因此许多人都害怕这项技术。人们普遍认为它们很难设置并且需要DIY技能。幸运的是，这根本不是真的，电力线适配器很容易设置。
整个过程可能因品牌而异，但通常您需要做的就是将电力线适配器插入两个空的墙壁插座，将它们连接到您的网络，然后按下配对(Pair)按钮。一些较新的将自动检测彼此，使设置过程更加容易。
例如，我的TP-Link AV600 mbps Nano 电力线适配器(TP-Link AV600 mbps Nano Powerline adapter)具有以下说明。
要创建安全的电力线网络：(To create a secure powerline network:)
- 将两个电源线适配器(Plug in the two powerline adapters)插入墙壁插座。
- 按下(Press the pair button)一个适配器上的配对按钮。
- 按下(Press the pair button)另一个适配器上的配对按钮。
电力线适配器的好处在于您可以将许多适配器添加到同一个网络中。这使您可以在所有房间内获得良好的互联网连接，而无需拖曳(Internet)以太网(Ethernet)电缆。如下所示，将新适配器添加到现有网络的说明非常相似。
要加入现有的电力线网络：(To join an existing powerline network:)
- 按下(Press the pair button)现有网络中任何适配器上的配对按钮。
- 按下(Press the pair button)新适配器上的配对按钮。
我们强烈建议购买包含以太网(Ethernet)电缆的电力线适配器。这将允许您将适配器直接连接到您的路由器和您的 PC，从而减少延迟和潜在的数据包丢失或连接中断的风险。
电力线适配器可以击败以太网电缆(Powerline Adapter Beat Ethernet Cable)吗？
即使您家中有出色的电线，电力线适配器也永远不会像以太网(Ethernet)电缆那样可靠。电力线适配器允许网络通过电线传输，它是您的 PC 和路由器之间的物理连接，但它仍然不如从路由器到 PC的直接以太网连接可靠。(Ethernet)
当然，使用 WiFi 连接也永远不会 100% 可靠——您可能会因为其他无线信号的干扰或家具或墙壁干扰信号而接收到信号丢失。电力线(Powerline)适配器可以显着降低干扰，但不会完全降低。
与典型的WiFi路由器非常相似，要考虑的另一件事是，如果电力线适配器过热，其性能可能会下降。另一方面，以太网(Ethernet)电缆永远不会有这个问题。
在大多数情况下，电力线适配器在最佳条件下可以达到接近或与(can)以太网(Ethernet)连接相同的速度，但您可能仍会偶尔遇到延迟或连接下降的情况。如果您需要依靠具有最小丢失的清晰连接，您绝对必须使用以太网(Ethernet)电缆。
概括
总结这个话题，电力线适配器几乎总是最好的选择。在极少数情况下，您自己家的电线可能不是最佳的，这意味着WiFi扩展器会更合适。
在所有情况下，以太网(Ethernet)电缆仍然是最合适的选择。您可以在Amazon上找到长度为 100 英尺或更长的以太网电缆(Ethernet cables that are 100 feet)，因此您永远不会遇到距离问题。享受！
WiFi Extenders vs Powerline Adapters – Which is the Best?
When running аn Ethernet cable from your router to your РC isn’t an oрtion, you’rе left picking between the lesser of two eνils – WiFi extenders or powerline adapters. But which of these is the best?
Both technologies have their pros and cons and we’ll be looking at both to explain how each option may be suitable for you. Ultimately though, it’ll come down to your specific usage scenario. More on determining that below.
WiFi Extenders and Powerline Adapters – What’s the Difference?
WiFi extenders and powerline adapters are two very different types of technology that are both designed to achieve the same goal – provide a more reliable Internet connection over a longer distance.
A WiFi extender is essentially like a small hub that can physically be placed in between both your router and your PC to take the WiFi signal from your router and extend it out to a longer distance.
A powerline adapter requires two outlets, plugged into the mains of your home. The powerline adapters can connect wirelessly or wired to your router and send the network data through the electric wiring of your home, which allows it to travel further and remove the restriction of walls.
Which is Better? A Powerline Adapter or WiFi Extender?
Now that we’ve briefly explained the technology behind powerline adapters and WiFi extenders, let’s take a look at the performance of both. Obviously, the goal for both products is to allow a computer to get a stronger signal, usually because the WiFi signal from the router is out of range.
While a WiFi extender can extend the WiFi signal, there is significant degradation when you use such a product. This is because the signal is beamed to one location, then beamed to another. This can add to the latency of your network and lower your overall speeds. Through all of this, walls, furniture, or ceilings can still get in the way of your signal, too.
Powerline adapters, on the other hand, simply convert the network data from your router and carry it directly to your PC through electrical wiring. As far as latency is concerned, powerline adapters are far superior to WiFi extenders.
The speeds you’ll get using a powerline adapter are dependent on the quality of your home’s electric wiring. This means that while a powerline adapter can generally be the most suitable solution to boosting your network range, it isn’t suitable for everybody.
For example, my own home’s wiring is good enough that I can get very close to my network’s full speeds, and in turn very close to the speed an Ethernet cable would give. As a result, I’d recommend purchasing a powerline adapter first and if you get slow speeds, return it and try a WiFi extender instead.
How to Install a Powerline Adapter – Top Tips
Because powerline adapters run network data through the electrical wiring in your home, many people are scared away from the technology. The common belief is that they are hard to set up and require DIY skills. Fortunately, this isn’t true at all and powerline adapters are very easy to set up.
The overall process may differ from brand to brand, but generally all you need to do is plug in your powerline adapters into two empty wall sockets, connect them to your network, and press the Pair buttons. Some of the newer ones will auto-detect each other, making the setup process even easier.
For example, my TP-Link AV600 mbps Nano Powerline adapter has the following instructions.
To create a secure powerline network:
- Plug in the two powerline adapters into wall sockets.
- Press the pair button on one adapter.
- Press the pair button on another adapter.
The great thing about powerline adapters is that you can add many to the same network. This allows you to get great Internet connection in all rooms, without trailing Ethernet cables around. As seen below, the instructions are very similar for adding new adapters to an existing network.
To join an existing powerline network:
- Press the pair button on any adapter in the existing network.
- Press the pair button on the new adapter.
We’d highly recommend purchasing a powerline adapter that includes an Ethernet cable. This will allow you to connect the adapters directly to your router and directly to your PC, reducing latency and the risk of potential packet loss or connection drop outs.
Can a Powerline Adapter Beat Ethernet Cable?
Even if you have excellent electrical wiring in your home, a powerline adapter can never be as reliable as an Ethernet cable. A powerline adapter lets network travel through electric wiring and it’s a physical connection between your PC and your router, but it’s still not as reliable as a direct Ethernet connection from your router to your PC.
Granted, using a WiFi connection can never be 100% reliable either – you can receive dropouts due to interference from other wireless signals or when furniture or walls interfere with the signal. Powerline adapters reduce the interference caused significantly, but never completely.
Much like a typical WiFi router, another thing to consider is that powerline adapters can drop in performance if they overheat. An Ethernet cable, on the other hand, will never have this problem.
In most cases, a powerline adapter can reach close to or the same speeds as an Ethernet connection in optimal conditions, but you may still experience the occasional drop in latency or connection. If you need to rely on crystal clear connection with minimum dropouts, you absolutely must use an Ethernet cable.
Summary
To summarize this topic, a powerline adapter is almost always the best option. In rare cases, your own home’s electrical wiring may not be optimal, which will mean a WiFi extender would be more suitable.
In all cases, an Ethernet cable is still the most suitable option. You can find Ethernet cables that are 100 feet in length or more on Amazon, so you should never have issue with distance. Enjoy!
