devolo dLAN 1200+ WiFi ac Powerline Networking Review

1. Introduction2. devolo dLAN 1200+ WiFi ac3. devolo dLAN 1200+ WiFi ac Administration Interface4. devolo dLAN 1200+ WiFi ac Analysis5. Closing Thoughts6. View All Pages

The devolo dLAN 1200+ WiFi ac isn't quite the panacea for weak WiFi that it claims. The big weakness is that its raw 802.11ac throughput at close range isn't a patch on a standalone WiFi router or mesh option. However, that doesn't quite mean we don't recommend you consider it at all. Powerline is very handy for providing wired networking for desktops all over your house – so your kids can have desktop gaming PCs in their bedrooms, for example.

The most useful feature the devolo dLAN 1200+ WiFi ac has to offer is the ease with which you can clone an existing WiFi network, and then use the WLAN-enabled units to extend that (and the wired network) to parts of your house your main router doesn't reach well. It still doesn't do this as well as the best mesh WiFi kit such as the NETGEAR Orbi RBK50, although it is quite a bit cheaper.

Overall, then, the devolo dLAN 1200+ WiFi ac has its uses, but it's not the perfect option for providing fast WiFi throughout a large premises. Instead, it's good value, easy to set up, and worth considering as a means to extend an existing network's reach to every recess of your home, or perhaps down the garden, power plug locations permitting.

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You can buy the starter kit from Amazon for £139.99 and additional WiFi units for £90.

Pros:

• Reasonable price.
• Easily clones existing WiFi.
• Basic setup just takes pushing a couple of buttons.
• Extends LAN and WiFi to wherever there is a power socket (on the same wiring).
• Comprehensive configuration via Web interface.
• Decent 802.11n performance.
• Easy to add extra units.

Cons:

• Raw 802.11ac performance is way behind many routers and mesh WiFi systems.
• Smartphone apps no longer work with latest operating systems.

Kitguru Says: The devolo dLAN 1200+ WiFi ac is easy to set up, can clone your existing WiFi with a couple of button presses, and it's not that expensive. But the poor 802.11ac performance limits its use to extending your existing WLAN to areas it doesn't currently reach.

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