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You can get a wired network connection in another room without installing a new Ethernet cable by using wiring already in your home. If coax outlets in the two rooms share a connected path, MoCA adapters are often the best fit. If coax is unavailable, powerline adapters may work over the electrical wiring, depending on the circuit and home layout. Mesh Wi-Fi or a range extender is a better match when your goal is broader wireless coverage rather than a wired connection for a device.
Which option fits your home?
| Option | Existing wiring or signal needed | Best fit | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| MoCA adapters | Coax outlets connected along an in-home path | A wired device connection or wired backhaul where coax reaches both locations | Check coax continuity, gateway support, and splitter requirements before buying. |
| Powerline adapters | Electrical outlets on a compatible shared circuit | A possible alternative when usable coax is unavailable | Results depend on the home’s wiring; TP-Link says both adapters must be on the same electrical circuit. |
| Mesh Wi-Fi | A usable wireless connection between mesh nodes | Improving wireless coverage across rooms | It does not inherently create a dedicated wired path like MoCA or Ethernet. A mesh node may use wired backhaul if you can provide an appropriate wired connection. |
| Range extender | A usable router Wi-Fi signal in the extender’s location | Extending wireless coverage in a limited area | It repeats Wi-Fi; it does not itself create an Ethernet cable run. |
Choose based on what you need at the far end. For Ethernet to a computer, console, or access point, first check for coax in both rooms. For Wi-Fi coverage across more of the home, mesh or an extender addresses the wireless problem more directly. TP-Link notes that the choice among range extender, powerline, and mesh depends on home layout, construction, and network needs (TP-Link’s comparison).
How to use coax outlets for Ethernet with MoCA
MoCA carries network traffic over coax—the same general type of wiring used for cable TV—and makes a network connection available at another coax outlet. A typical setup uses one adapter near the router or gateway and another near the device in the remote room. Verizon describes its adapter as supporting bonded MoCA 2.5 and being backward compatible with earlier MoCA versions; the other equipment on the network determines which protocol is used (Verizon’s adapter information).
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- Locate the coax outlet near the router or gateway and the outlet in the destination room.
- Confirm that both outlets are connected to the same in-home coax path. The presence of an outlet in each room does not establish that they connect to one another.
- Inspect the coax splitters along the path and check their specifications against the adapter manufacturer’s requirements. Motorola’s illustrated coax guidance discusses splitter frequency requirements for its topology (Motorola’s MoCA setup guide).
- Check whether your router or provider gateway supports MoCA. Built-in support can affect how many adapters you need and how to connect them; do not assume every gateway or provider configuration is compatible.
- Connect the router-side equipment and remote-room adapter according to their manuals, then connect the remote adapter’s Ethernet port to your computer, console, or other wired device.
MoCA Home 2.5 specifies a 2.5 Gbps MAC rate and less than 2.5 ms average one-way latency (MoCA Alliance’s MoCA Home 2.5 specification). These are technology specifications, not a promise of the throughput or latency you will see in a particular home. Wiring, connected equipment, and network traffic can affect actual results.
#1 Best Overall
- 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 - This device is meant for for areas where thick walls block Ethernet connections, where routers or range extenders do not work. Compatible with all TP-Link powerline adapters.
- 𝐀𝐕𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐔𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝟕𝟓𝟎 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐭 - Powered by HomePlug AV2, delivers AV1000 powerline speeds through existing electrical wiring. Speeds cannot exceed your internet plan's limit and may be lower due to wiring quality, distance, and interference.
- Ideal for multi-story homes, basements, attics, and garages.
- 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐲 - Adapters must be plugged directly into wall outlets on the same electrical circuit. Does not work with power strips, surge protectors, or extension cords. Place away from large appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
- 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 - Performance may be limited or blocked in homes with AFCI breakers, which are standard in many homes built after 2000. Powerline may also not work with routers or gateways using modified, open-source (e.g., DD-WRT), or non-standard firmware.
When powerline is worth trying
Powerline adapters send network traffic over a home’s electrical wiring. They can be an alternative when coax does not provide a usable path, but the result depends on the home’s electrical layout and wiring. TP-Link’s guidance says both adapters must be on the same electrical circuit (TP-Link’s comparison of range extenders, powerline, and mesh).
- Confirm the outlets you plan to use meet the manufacturer’s requirements, including the same-circuit condition in TP-Link’s guidance.
- Test the connection in the actual rooms and with the devices you intend to use. Do not assume a particular speed based on the adapter’s headline rating.
- If the link is unsuitable in your layout, reassess whether a connected coax path or a wireless coverage solution better fits the need.
If you need better Wi-Fi rather than Ethernet
A mesh system or range extender can improve wireless coverage, but neither automatically gives a remote wired device the same kind of dedicated path as MoCA. A mesh node can benefit from wired backhaul when a suitable wired connection is available—for example, a MoCA link between rooms can provide a path for a compatible access point or mesh node.
Rank #2
- EXTEND YOUR ETHERNET CONNECTION THROUGH YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - This device is meant for individuals that are not able to extend their Ethernet connections where routers or range extenders do not work. Speed cannot exceed your internet plan’s limit.
- HOMEPLUG AV2 - Delivers AV2000 powerline speeds over existing electrical wiring, extending home network wired connectivity by up to 750ft through thick walls and other barriers. Ideal for multi-story homes, basements, attics, and garages.
- CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY - Adapters must be plugged directly into wall outlets on the same electrical circuit. Does not work with power strips, surge protectors, or extension cords. Place away from large appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
- ADVISORY - Performance may be limited or blocked in homes with AFCI breakers, which are standard in many homes built after 2000. Powerline may also not work with routers or gateways using modified, open-source (e.g., DD-WRT), or non-standard firmware.
- 2 GIGABIT PORTS - Provides a secure wired network for connected devices, such as desktops, smart TVs, game consoles, and more. Ethernet cables are included. Tip: Expand connections with an Ethernet switch (sold separately).
MoCA Alliance’s April 19, 2017 release reported that its field tests of MoCA 2.0 Bonded extenders found 800 Mbps or better downlink Wi-Fi performance in all homes tested, while Orbi reached at least 300 Mbps downlink in 50% of homes in that reported test. Those are historical results reported by the organization promoting MoCA technology, not a current comparison or a prediction for another home (MoCA Alliance’s 2017 field-test release). In that release, MoCA President Charles Cerino said, “Whole home coverage and sustained performance in the home go hand-in-hand but can be difficult to achieve without a wired backhaul.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Use your existing household electrical wiring to extend your existing Internet service to any room in your house..Standards: IEEE 1901 compliant. IEEE 802.3 compliant, this is not a Wi-Fi device
- Homeplug AV2 technology supports Gigabit speeds through your electrical outlets for improved coverage
- Extremely fast Powerline adapter for Gigabit speeds, perfect for connecting your existing internet access to smart TVs, streaming players & game consoles with 4K HD streaming and lag-free gaming through household electrical wiring, this is not a WiFI device
- Extra plug with our noise filtered power outlet built into the adapter to ensure top performance
- Multiple data streams (MIMO) with Beamforming technology to offer improved coverage by directing the signal where you need it through existing household electrical wiring, this is not a Wi-Fi device
Rank #4
- EXTEND YOUR ETHERNET CONNECTION THROUGH YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - This device is meant for areas where thick walls block Ethernet connections, where routers or range extenders do not work. Compatible with all TP-Link powerline adapters.
- AV600 SPEEDS UP TO 750 FEET - Delivers AV600 powerline speeds through existing electrical wiring. Speeds cannot exceed your internet plan's limit and may be lower due to wiring quality, distance, and interference.
- Ideal for multi-story homes, basements, attics, and garages.
- CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY - Adapters must be plugged directly into wall outlets on the same electrical circuit. Does not work with power strips, surge protectors, or extension cords. Place away from large appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
- ADVISORY - Performance may be limited or blocked in homes with AFCI breakers, which are standard in many homes built after 2000. Powerline may also not work with routers or gateways using modified, open-source (e.g., DD-WRT), or non-standard firmware.
Rank #3
- 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 - This device is meant for individuals that are not able to extend their Ethernet connections where routers or range extenders do not work. Speeds cannot exceed your internet plan’s limit.
- 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐠 𝐀𝐕𝟐 - Delivers AV1000 powerline speeds over existing electrical wiring, extending home network wired connectivity through thick walls and other barriers. Ideal for multi-story homes, basements, attics, and garages.
- 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐲 - Adapters must be plugged directly into wall outlets on the same electrical circuit. Does not work with power strips, surge protectors, or extension cords. Place away from large appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
- 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 - Performance may be limited or blocked in homes with AFCI breakers, which are standard in many homes built after 2000. Powerline may also not work with routers or gateways using modified, open-source (e.g., DD-WRT), or non-standard firmware.
- 𝐆𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 - provides secure wired networks for desktops, smart TVs or games consoles. Ethernet cables are included.
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