The first is signal booster, like those seen on our best Wi-Fi extenders page, which captures and rebroadcasts wireless signal to boost the reach of your Wi-Fi router. There are two other options to consider when you want to get better connectivity in the furthest reaches of your home. But is a powerline extender right for you? Powerline extenders replace lengthy runs of Ethernet cable with the wiring that's already in your walls, making it a great option for anyone that wants to stretch their network connectivity to new rooms. Read our full Zyxel PLA5456 powerline extender review. Nonetheless, the design offers some convenience with it's added AC outlet, and sales prices could still make the Zyxel a smart buy. The shorter range and limited bandwidth are enough to support basic online activities like web browsing and social media, but are unimpressive compared to our top models.

Provided you don't need the better performance required for uses like streaming video or gaming, the Zyxel might be a good fit for homes with less-intensive data needs. It’s no bargain for the two devices, but the PLA5456 is for buyers looking for a powerline extender that quietly does its work behind the scenes. It will help push data throughout your home, but it's big, and delivers adequate (if unexceptional) performance and range.

The Zyxel PLA5456 is big and combines a pair of Ethernet ports with a useful monitoring utility and a handy AC passthrough outlet.

Trendnet powerline adapter utility