AVM Fritz!Powerline 1220E set in test: adapter with integrated socket

Network throughout the house! This is what many users want. However, it is often not that easy to network devices across several floors. Powerline comes into play as an alternative to WLAN. The Fritz Powerline 1220E with integrated socket sets up a network connection via the home power line in no time at all. You can then use the two gigabit LAN ports to connect printers, televisions and game consoles to the network without WiFi.

View the Fritz Powerline 1220E set on Amazon

design & processing

That

Fritz Powerline 1220E set

consists of two identical adapters as transmitter and receiver. On the front they have a socket for the common plug type F and three status LEDs for power, LAN connection and powerline security. So you can see at a glance whether the adapter has a network connection. Then all three LEDs light up. On the underside there are two gigabit LAN ports for the hard-wired connection to the router (transmitter) and end devices such as Smart TV, NAS and game consoles (receiver). Good: The integrated socket on the Powerline adapter has a mains filter. In this way, several electrical devices can be connected to the socket via a multiple plug strip without overloading the circuit or triggering the fuse in the distribution box.

Here is a detailed comparison test of the Powerline adapters

The adapters are robust and stand out with their size of 5.9 x 13.2 x 4.1 cm (W x H x D). Does that bother you? Then tuck the adapter into a less visible outlet. There is a note circulating that a Powerline adapter should not be plugged into a power strip. In our test, however, this did not cause any problems.

Definitely worth mentioning: AVM supplies two network cables, each 1.80 meters long. So you can get started right away and connect devices to the remote powerline adapter.

software and compatibility

To control and manage its Powerline adapters, AVM provides the free Fritz Powerline software, which you can download here. That

Fritz Powerline 1220E set

is basically compatible with powerline adapters of the 1200, 500 and 200 Mbit/s class, provided they support the IEEE P1901 standard and Homeplug AV2. This also means that you can also use older or other Powerline adapters in combination with the 1220E models.

setup and configuration

Setting up the powerline set is quick and easy. Plug the 1220E adapter into a socket and connect the device to the Fritzbox using a network cable. Plug the second powerline adapter into a socket near the Fritzbox and wait until the indicator next to “Powerline” lights up green continuously.

If the automatic setup does not work, proceed as follows: Install the Fritz Powerline software. The first adapter should be found. Then click “Add Device” and type in the device password from the back of the second powerline adapter. Plug it back into an outlet within two minutes and the connection between the two adapters will be established.

If an update is available, you will receive a notification. Then click Update Available and follow the instructions. At the time of testing, the firmware version is 2.12.0.1-37. After the update is complete, the powerline adapter restarts. After that, the two 1220E are ready to go and you can place the second adapter in a socket that is further away and connect devices via LAN cable.

Enlarge

The powerline adapter is configured and ready for operation.

Note: The AVM Powerline adapters sold as a set are already preconfigured at the factory. This means that the network is automatically set up and encrypted over the power line so that third parties cannot eavesdrop on the data traffic.

By the way: According to AVM, the adapters are particularly energy-efficient. You only use around one watt in stand-by and around three watts in operation.

Performance in the practical test

An extensive test in different environments at two locations (an apartment in an old building and a house with three floors) gives a good impression of what the

Fritz Powerline 1220E set

are actually able to achieve in terms of speed. Of the theoretically possible 1,200 MBit/s with the Fritz Powerline 1220E set we used, slightly less than 230 MBit/s reached the apartment over a distance of around ten meters. In the house from the first to the third floor it was a little over 60 Mbit/s. With such transfer rates, video streams from a NAS to a smart TV or media receiver are easily possible.

Conclusion

Where hard-wired network installations and WLAN are not an alternative, Powerline is an option. That

Fritz Powerline 1220E set

convinces in the test. The setup is quick and easy, even for beginners. The data rates achieved in the test are satisfactory. In our experience, the actual speed depends heavily on the structural conditions and other electrical devices in the power grid.

specifications