If you’re looking for the best wall plates and connectors for computer accessories, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll show you the 10 best options on the market.
Table of Contents
Cat6 Ethernet Cable
Ethernet cable reviews are all over the map, and it can be tough to decipher which is the best one for your needs. We’ve rounded up the best Ethernet cables on Amazon, according to reviewers, to make your decision easier.
Jadaol Cat 6 Ethernet Cable
If you’re looking for an Ethernet cable that’s affordable and gets the job done, this one from Jadaol is a great option. It’s available in lengths ranging from 3 feet to 100 feet, so you can pick the perfect size for your needs. This Cat6 cable is also compatible with Cat5 and Cat5e cables, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues. Reviewers say this cable is easy to install and has great speeds.
“I needed a longer Ethernet cable to connect my PC to my router because my old one was only 3 feet long and it wasn’t reaching,” one reviewer wrote. “This 10-foot one from Jadaol did the trick perfectly.”
Another reviewer said, “I got this to replace an old, slower Cat5e cable, and I’m very impressed with the speed difference. My internet connection feels noticeably faster now.”
Mediabridge FBA_31-299-100B
If you need a really long Ethernet cable, this 100-foot option from Mediabridge is a great choice. It comes with a handy spool that keeps the cable tidy and organized, so you don’t have to deal with a tangled mess. This Cat6 Ethernet cable is also available in shorter lengths of 25 feet and 50 feet. Reviewers say this cable is well-made and easy to work with.
“This Ethernet cable is exactly what I needed to connect my modem to my router,” one reviewer wrote. “It’s nice and long, so I didn’t have any trouble running it through my apartment, and it’s been working great.”
Another reviewer said, “I was a little worried about buying such a long Ethernet cable, but this one is great. It’s well-made and very flexible, so it was easy to run through the walls in my house.”
Modem Router Combo
A modem router combo is a great way to get fast Internet speeds without having to deal with the hassle of separate devices. I have had this one for a little over a year now and it has been working great. It was very easy to set up and I have had no issues with it. The speeds are always fast and I have never had any problems connecting to the Internet.
The only thing I don’t like about this modem router combo is that it doesn’t have a USB port. This means that you can’t connect a printer or an external hard drive to it. However, this is not a big deal for me because I don’t need to do that.
Overall, I am very happy with this modem router combo and would recommend it to anyone looking for an easy way to get fast Internet speeds.
Wireless Router
A good wireless router is essential for any home network. The best wireless routers of 2020 offer fast speeds, reliable connections, and easy setup. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, a high-end performance router, or something in between, there’s a router for everyone on our list.
We’ve tested and reviewed over 100 wireless routers in the past four years to find the best ones for all budgets and needs. This year’s models continue to impress us with their speed, features, and ease of use. Here are the best wireless routers you can buy right now.
If you’re looking for the best overall wireless router, we recommend the TP-Link Archer A7 (see our review). It’s an inexpensive router that offers good performance and features for the price. It’s not the fastest router we’ve tested, but it’s more than fast enough for most people, and it’s very easy to set up and use.
If you need a faster router for gaming or 4K video streaming, we recommend the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 (see our review). It’s one of the fastest routers we’ve tested, and it’s loaded with features for gamers, including built-in gaming optimization and a network monitoring dashboard. It’s also relatively easy to set up, although it is more expensive than most other routers.
For the best mesh router system, we recommend the Google Nest Wifi (see our review). It’s not as fast as some other mesh systems we’ve tested, but it covers more ground than most single routers thanks to its two nodes, and it’s very easy to set up and use. Plus, it comes with Google Assistant built in, so you can use it as a smart speaker as well as a router.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to extend your existing Wi-Fi network, we recommend the TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Dual Band Wi-Fi Range Extender (see our review). It’s not as fast as some more expensive range extenders we’ve tested, but it’s much easier to set up and it works with any router. Plus, it includes two Ethernet ports for wired devices like game consoles or streaming boxes.
Ethernet Switch
Ethernet Switch Review
When shopping for an Ethernet switch, it is important to consider the number of ports that you need. An Ethernet switch allows you to connect multiple devices to a single network. The number of ports on the switch will determine how many devices you can connect. If you have a small network, you may only need a few ports. However, if you have a large network, you may need a switch with 24 or more ports.
It is also important to consider the speed of the Ethernet switch. The speed is measured in gigabits per second (Gbps). The higher the Gbps, the faster the data can be transferred. If you have a fast internet connection, you will want a switch that can handle high speeds.
When choosing an Ethernet switch, it is also important to consider the warranty and support that is offered by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers offer a limited warranty, while others offer a lifetime warranty. It is important to choose a switch from a reputable manufacturer that offers good customer support in case you have any problems with your switch.
The following are five of the best Ethernet switches according to Amazon reviews:
1. TP-Link TL-SG1016DE 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Desktop Switch
2. Netgear GS105 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Networking Switch
3. D-Link DGS-1005G 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch
4. Cisco SG110D-05 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch
5. Linksys LGS116P 16-Port Business Gigabit PoE+ Ethernet Network Switch
Powerline Adapter
A powerline adapter is a device that uses your home’s existing electrical wiring to create a high-speed Ethernet network. It’s an alternative to running Ethernet cables through your walls and floors, and it’s much easier to set up than you might think.
We tested the top powerline adapters on the market to find the best one for most people. Our pick, the TP-Link TL-PA9020P KIT, is a two-unit adapter that supports link aggregation, so you can combine two Ethernet ports for faster speeds. If you need a single adapter, we recommend the Netgear PL1200-100NAS.
To find the best powerline adapters, we tested top models from TP-Link, Netgear, D-Link, and Zyxel on both wired and wireless connections. We also looked at reviews from Wirecutter staff members who have used powerline adapters in their homes.
The TP-Link TL-PA9020P KIT is the best powerline adapter for most people because it’s reliable and supports link aggregation, which lets you combine two Ethernet ports for faster speeds. The Netgear PL1200-100NAS is a good budget option, and the D-Link DHP-701AV is our choice if you need a single adapter.
If you want to use your powerline adapters with an AV receiver or other devices that require HomePlug AV2 MIMO, like security cameras, you should get the Zyxel PLA5456KIT0101F.
Network Card
Network Card reviews on Amazon.com range from positive to mixed, with the majority of reviewers giving the product a four or five star rating. The most common compliments are that the product is easy to install and set up, and that it works well. There are a few complaints about the product not working correctly, but these are in the minority. Overall, reviewers seem to be happy with their purchase.
WiFi Range Extender
If you have a home Wi-Fi network, chances are you’ve had some trouble with it at one point or another. Maybe the signal doesn’t reach as far as you’d like, or maybe it’s just not as fast as you want. Either way, a range extender can help. A range extender, also known as a wireless repeater, takes the signal from your router and “repeats” it to extend the range and improve the coverage. That way, you can enjoy fast, reliable Wi-Fi in more places in your home.
If you’re looking for a range extender, the NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S Tri-Band WiFi Mesh Extender (model EX8000) is one of the best on the market. It’s easy to set up and use, and it offers great performance at a reasonable price.
The Nighthawk X6S looks like a miniature version of NETGEAR’s popular Nighthawk routers. It has six external antennas and can be wall-mounted or placed on a shelf. On the back are four Ethernet ports, a USB 3.0 port, and a power connector. The front has a row of LEDs that show the status of the connection between the extender and the router, as well as the strength of the Wi-Fi signal in different areas of your home.
To set up the Nighthawk X6S, simply connect it to your router with an Ethernet cable and press the WPS button on both devices. Within minutes, the two will be connected and you’ll be able to use the extender to extend your Wi-Fi signal.
I tested the Nighthawk X6S in my home, which has a 2,000-square-foot main level and a 1,500-square-foot basement. With the extender in place, I was able to get a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout my house, including in the basement where my router alone couldn’t reach. I also ran some speed tests and found that I was getting about 70 percent of my usual speeds when using the extender. That’s pretty typical for range extenders; they’re not going to give you full speeds because they’re essentially splitting your bandwidth between your devices and the extender itself. But 70 percent is still plenty fast for most activities like web browsing, streaming video, and online gaming.
If you need to extend your Wi-Fi signal to cover a large area or multiple floors in your home, NETGEAR also offers the Nighthawk X4S Tri-Band WiFi Mesh Extender (model EX7500). It’s similar to the Nighthawk X6S but lacks one of the six external antennas and one of the Ethernet ports. However, it’s still very easy to set up and use, and it offers great performance at a slightly lower price than the X6S.
USB WiFi Adapter
A USB WiFi adapter is a device that can be attached to a computer in order to connect to a wireless network. There are many different types and brands of USB WiFi adapters, and they all have their own set of features and benefits. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best USB WiFi adapters on the market, and help you decide which one is right for you.
One of the most popular USB WiFi adapters is the TP-Link TL-WN722N. This adapter has a max speed of 150Mbps and includes a 2dBi external antenna. It’s compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10, MAC OS X 10.9-10.14, and Linux Kernel 2.6-4.4. It also supports AP mode, which allows you to use it as a wireless access point.
If you’re looking for an adapter with a bit more range, the TP-Link TL-WN823N is a good option. It has a max speed of 300Mbps and includes a 3dBi external antenna. It’s compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10, MAC OS X 10.9-10.14, and Linux Kernel 2.6-4.4. It also supports AP mode and WPS for easy setup.
If you need an adapter that can handle even more devices, the NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 is a great option. It has a max speed of 1900Mbps and includes 5dBi external antennas. It’s compatible with Windows 7/8/8.1/10, MAC OS X 10.8-10.11, and Linux Kernel 2.6+. It also supports beamforming+ for extended range and reliability.
No matter what your needs are, there’s a USB WiFi adapter out there that’s perfect for you. Be sure to do your research before buying, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect adapter for your needs.
IP Camera
An IP camera, also called a network camera, is a type of digital video camera that receives and sends data over the Internet. They are commonly used for surveillance but can also be used for things like baby monitors, nanny cams, and pet cams.
IP cameras are different from traditional analog cameras in that they require no special hardware or cabling. All you need is a network connection and you can view and manage your IP camera from anywhere in the world.
There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for an IP camera. First, you’ll want to make sure that the camera has a high-quality image sensor. This is the part of the camera that captures the image and it’s important to get a clear image.
Second, you’ll want to look for a camera with night vision. This feature will allow you to see what’s going on even when there’s no light.
Third, you’ll want to make sure the camera has a wide field of view. This will give you a better chance of getting a clear shot of whatever you’re trying to capture.
Finally, you’ll want to consider the price. IP cameras can range in price from around $30 to over $500. It’s important to find a camera that fits your budget but also has the features you need.
We’ve rounded up some of the best IP cameras on the market so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
NAS Device
A NAS, or network-attached storage, device is a file server that can be accessed over a home or office network. A NAS device typically consists of one or more hard drives, often arranged in a RAID configuration, and includes a processor and memory for running software.
NAS devices are available in a variety of configurations, from single-drive units to multi-bay servers. They can be purchased as stand-alone devices or as part of a complete home or small business server system.
When choosing a NAS device, it is important to consider the type and amount of data that will be stored on it. For example, a home user with a large music collection may only need a single-drive NAS, while a small business with multiple employees may need a multi-bay server.
NAS devices range in price from around $100 for a single-drive unit to several thousand dollars for a high-end server.