Does Powerline 1200 get better range than Powerline 1000 even if not achieving max speeds?

Question

I got a pair of the 1000 Powerline adapters to get internet to another property with a separate electrical service but on the same transformer, and surprisingly it works quite well; however, the light is usually yellow or red (I _did_ get green sometimes) and I want to maximize the signal quality and speed. My question is, will the more expensive PL1200 get better signal and speed even though it won't get anywhere near as fast as the rated maximum speed? Is it stronger and handles interference better? Or does the PL1200 only allow a higher maximum speed but be the same as PL1000 if the actual speed is not near it?

michaelkenward · Answer

Powerline performance depends on the quality of the local mains circuit.
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The speed difference is down to the communication over the mains. Faster plugs will be faster, so long as the mains circuit is "clean" enough.
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I would not expect to see a&nbsp;lot of difference&nbsp;between 1000 and 1200.
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adfgdsfgsfhg · Answer

Yeah I am stretching the PL1000 to the limit. I get around 10Mbps. So you're saying that with the low signal quality, a more expensive model won't make much or any difference? Is that based on your experience? If the PL1200 will even just get a few more Mbps I think it would be worth it...

michaelkenward · Answer

adfgdsfgsfhg&nbsp;wrote:
Yeah I am stretching the PL1000 to the limit. I get around 10Mbps. 
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That doesn't sound good. 
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I have PL1000s on my network. They are a lot faster than that.
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I use them to feed an Orbi in access point mode. This speedtests at 45 Mbps wifi on 60Mbps Internet.
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adfgdsfgsfhg&nbsp;wrote:
So you're saying that with the low signal quality, a more expensive model won't make much or any difference? Is that based on your experience? 
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That sounds right. I have 500 Mbps plugs that run faster than you experience.

adfgdsfgsfhg · Answer

michaelkenward&nbsp;wrote:That doesn't sound good.&nbsp;I have PL1000s on my network. They are a lot faster than that.&nbsp;I use them to feed an Orbi in access point mode. This speedtests at 45 Mbps wifi on 60Mbps Internet.Yeah but do yours operate with green lights or yellow/red?The fact that I can get at least 5Mbps reliably is still impressive for this application, considering it's going through a meter, probably hundreds of feet of overhead service lines (I'm not really sure but it's a long way) with the transformer in between, and through another meter. I didn't think it would work but I got a green light the first time I plugged them in! But router and other stuff makes it yellow or red; I did get alternating yellow/green when plugged into a separate RV outlet and I think I might've seen 20Mbps. (Also the signal quality is surprisingly similar on either phase; I had a hard time figuing out which phase the other end was on.) So I will install a dedicated outlet to minimize interference. But in an effort to maximize results I'm wondering if getting a different model would help while there still is time to return.&nbsp;&nbsp;&gt;&nbsp;That sounds right. I have 500 Mbps plugs that run faster than you experience.&nbsp;But with a better connection? It would be interesting to see the difference in speed between a PL1000 and PL1200 and that cheaper 500 one when tested at the same locations that makes the light yellow or red on the 1000. Unfortunately there does not seem to be such information out there so that leaves only one way to find out...I've seen some people say that the more expensive adapters will always be faster but others say not because the faster adapters use higher frequencies which don't go as far. It would be very interesting if the cheaper adapters actually get better speeds, but they'd be a bit more difficult for me to get to find out...&nbsp;BTW, what are some other ways to minimize interference and maximize speed? Would ferrite RF filters on the other circuits help?&nbsp;

adfgdsfgsfhg · Answer

Ok I found something interesting; PL1200 has the following feature:

Wide Coverage

Multiple data streams (MIMO) with beamforming technology offer improved coverage throughout the home.

While the PL1000 does not.

However the "Typical coverage" value is the same (500m2) :\

But maybe that doesn't mean anything and the MIMO/beamforming technology will mean it will get better results.

So I think I will get the PL1200 and find out.

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Does Powerline 1200 get better range than Powerline 1000 even if not achieving max speeds?

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