Home > Consumer Reviews > Netgear Powerline Ethernet Adapter (XE602)

As an IT professional, I was skeptical like everyone else about this technology. We have a big problem with Wireless reception in the house (especially when using the cordless telephone) so I bought a pair of the Netgear XE602's to extend the DSL access downstairs.

I bought the Netgear over the Linksys after reading a review online showing the performance of a Netgear-to-Netgear powerline network runs circles around one that uses Linksys products.

Well I plugged it in, and it just started working. There is no configuration required-- there are no switches, buttons, knobs, software, or drivers required to make it work. No configuration screens, no clumsy web interfaces, no serial cables. You plug it in to the wall outlet, then plug it into your PC or hub, and that's it. We are getting multi-megabit speeds in a house where Wireless just wasn't reliable.

There is a lot of debate online about household devices that cause interference with Powerline networking. We have four computers, several TV's, air conditioning, etc. and have noticed no problems at all.

The Netgear is bundled with some security software that I haven't looked at. There is a concern that your Powerline network may bleed into your neighbor's house. I'm not too concerned and don't want the complexity anyway.

This is a very attractive alternative to Wireless if you don't need the roaming capability. The Netgear product is stylish, simple, and effective.

I struggled for months with an Intel AnyPoint wireless setup, and read about the new Powerline techology recently. I just had to try it, after only being successful less than one in four times to get a good internet connection with my previous setup using a wireless card. This product allows using ANY standard electrical outlet in the house to get an internet connection. PC or Apple. The setup was flawless, and tech support was wonderful. In fact, the only reason I needed tech support was to set up the NetGear router, which is necesary to interface between the DSL/Cable modem and the system. I highly recommend this product, and cannot say enough about it's simplicity and reliability. Good company-good concept-good product!

Okay so I've have a reasonably large house and lots of 2.4Ghz phones floating about. Now I don't know if it was the distance or the phones or sunspots, but wireless networking was a nightmare for me. I picked up the Linksys Ethernet Bridge (WET11), marginal at best, I tried getting another access point other than my Linksys WAP11, no success. So I picked up a pair of XE602s on a whim thinking that they should be able to make things work better - and right out of the box, the worked flawlessly. There isn't much to get wrong, no channels to choose, no software to install, just plug the ethernet cable into a DSL router and plug the power into the wall. On the other end plug the ethernet cable into *anything* that wants ethernet access (like an XBox) and plug the powercable into the wall. Presto - nice high speed connectivity with no pain, no extra searches for 10dbi antennas, no funky encryption to stop WAR drivers (they will need physical access to the power grid, and if they know to get that for your house, you're hosed anyways) - though it does have 56bit DES encryption that can be installed using the softwaer. It just worked.

Design wise its actually good to look at. It sits nicely in with other furniture or can easily be hidden behind a shelf without worrying about adding extra interference to the signal. In a word I love mine and I will be replacing the other WET11s in the house with them. Best $$$ bucks I've spent yet, and the wireless equivalents of these cost a lot more.

Definitely a worth purchase from a company that I have come to use more and more. Now to order that FVS-318N :)

I have three Netgear XE602 adapters; one as the main hub off an Internet broadband router in one room and the other two in other rooms. There's no configuration required. They work right out of the box.

There's an Encryption software included in the package, but it's not necessary. I tried it and it worked well at first. But somewhere down the line, the adapters stopped recognizing each other. So, I uninstalled the Encryption tools and it worked fine since then.

I've used the XE602's to connect two Xbox's located in two separate rooms to play System Linked games. It's much easier than getting two large TV's into one room. Ever played Halo with 8 players? Now you can without cramming 8 screaming people into one room.

The XE602's also work well with broadband Internet gaming. Whenever we had guests, I would move the Playstation 2 and an XE602 downstairs and let them play Socom Navy Seals online. When they left, I simply packed everything up and moved them back upstairs. Quick and easy.

I bought this product recently because i wanted the computer in my basement to have internet access from my cable modem on my second floor. Putting a wire between floors wasn't very practical and wireless networkinf wouldn't work either so when I saw this I was happy but a little skeptical but after buying I realized that it worked great. It's not as fast as a wired network but it gives me speeds of up to 170 k per second downloading. So I can't complain. It was also super easy to hook up you literally just have to plug it in and it works. I have no complaints about this Product it is wonderful. The only thing is that each of the adapter is $ and one is needed for each computer. But I strongly suggest buying this if you need a networking solution.