Devolo Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next: a combination powerline and Wi-Fi kit for tackling Wi-Fi deadspots | Tech Radar

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Devolo Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next: a combination powerline and Wi-Fi kit for tackling Wi-Fi deadspots

Fast, reliable network connection via your mains wiring

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The Devolo Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next is more expensive than a conventional range extender, but its Power Line technology is ideal for buildings with thick walls that can block your Wi-Fi signal. Its additional Wi-Fi features also provide extra convenience for computers and mobile devices that don’t have Ethernet ports.

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Devolo’s range of Magic Power Line adaptors is aptly named, as Power Line technology has always seemed like magic to me.

If your home or office has thick walls or other barriers that block the Wi-Fi signal then a set of powerline adaptors can be plugged into the mains power sockets in any room and can magically transmit your Internet connection over your existing mains electrical wiring.

That allows powerline adaptors to provide a wired network connection in rooms that a conventional Wi-Fi router or range extender might not be able to reach.

Devolo has long been a leader in powerline technology, but its current range of ‘Magic 2’ adaptors also throw in some extra Wi-Fi features as well. The adaptors use powerline to provide a wired connection in any room, but the Magic 2 adaptors can also transmit a Wi-Fi signal as well, allowing you to go wireless even in rooms that normally suffer from an annoying Wi-Fi ‘deadspot’.

The latest addition to Devolo’s range is the ‘Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next’. That’s a clumsy, clunky name, but it provides fast, reliable wired and wireless connections that may be perfect for many homes and offices – including the back office in my own building that my normal office router struggles to reach.

Devolo Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next review: Price & release date

Devolo’s product names can be a bit confusing, so it’s important to make sure you buy the correct model. There’s an older model still on sale called the Magic 2 Wi Fi next, which used Wi-Fi 5. The first model to adopt Wi-Fi 6 was called Magic 2 Wi Fi 6, and that’s still available as well. The new model that we review here also uses Wi-Fi 6 but is faster than its predecessor, so it’s called the ‘Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next’. So watch out for ‘Wi Fi 6 next’ if you want to buy the latest model.

There are also a number of different options available for the new Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next. There’s a Starter Kit that includes two Power Line adaptors, priced at £239.99, but we tested the Multiroom Kit that provides three adaptors for £409.99.

You can also buy a single add-on adaptor to extend an existing Devolo network for £179.99. That’s fairly expensive, as the Magic 2 range combines both Power Line and Wi-Fi connectivity, but if you do have some sort of Wi-Fi deadspot in your home or office, then it may be worth paying a bit extra to get a reliable network connection that extends throughout the whole building.

The bad news, though, is that the Germany-based Devolo focuses primarily on its home market in Europe. Its products are sometimes available from online retailers in other regions, but you’ll need to check that the product’s power supply is suitable for use in your particular region.

Magic LAN 1x Gigabit Ethernet; Magic Wi Fi – 2x Gigabit Ethernet

Magic LAN 1x Gigabit Ethernet; Magic Wi Fi – 2x Gigabit Ethernet

The Multiroom Kit that I review here includes three Magic 2 adaptors that look very similar, but they work in slightly different ways. All three adaptors are simple white, rectangular units that plug straight into a mains power socket (with two- or three-pin plugs available for most European countries).

Each adaptor also has an electrical ‘passthrough’ socket on the front, which allows you to plug other electrical devices into the Magic 2 adaptor so that you don’t lose the use of that power socket.

However, the first adaptor – referred to as the ‘Magic LAN’ – is slightly smaller than the other two, and has to be plugged into a mains power socket close to your existing broadband router. There’s a single Ethernet port on the top panel of this adaptor, which allows you to connect it to your broadband router using the Ethernet cable that is included in the box. This first adaptor simply provides the main powerline connection so that your network data can be transmitted over your mains wiring.

The other two adaptors – referred to as ‘Magic Wi Fi’ – can be plugged into a mains socket in any room that suffers from weak Wi-Fi. This allows them to receive network data over the mains wiring, and each of these adaptors has two Ethernet ports on the top to provide a wired connection for computers and other devices.

But, of course, many recent computers and mobile devices now lack an Ethernet port, so the Magic Wi Fi adaptors also house four internal antenna – hence their larger size – that can transmit a Wi-Fi signal as well. This allows you to connect computers or mobile devices to the Magic Wi Fi adaptors via Wi-Fi, and the adaptors can then transmit your network data to your broadband router using their powerline connection.

My only complaint here is that placing the Ethernet ports on the top of the adaptors looks a bit untidy, as it leaves you with Ethernet cables sticking straight up into the air. Placing the ports on the base instead would be tidier, allowing you to run the cables down onto the floor to keep them out of sight.

The Devolo Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next kit supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6 using the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, with a top speed of 3.0 Gbps, while the primary powerline connection over your mains network runs at 2.4 Gbps. And, as mentioned, the two larger adaptors also provide two Ethernet ports each to provide a wired connection when required.

Setting up the initial powerline connection is straightforward enough, as the Magic 2 adaptors automatically connect to each other over the mains network in order to provide a wired network connection.

However, using the Wi-Fi features of the two Magic 2 adaptors proved a little tricky – mainly because the text in Devolo’s app and Quick Start guide is poorly written and confusing.

When you’re getting started, for instance, the app repeatedly refers to ‘Unknown Wi Fi’ rather than simply telling you the default name of the new Wi-Fi network created by your adaptors.

I'm used to using powerline adaptors, so I was able to guess my way through the process of setting up the Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next in my back office.

However, new users who don’t have much experience of network settings and powerline adaptors could easily become confused here, so Devolo needs to clarify its instructions for first-time users.

But, thankfully, once that’s done the Magic 2 adaptors work well, and the app automatically combines the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands into a single network, and uses ‘bandsteering’ to automatically connect your computers and other devices to whichever band provides the best performance in that location.

Ookla Speed Test – Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5.0GHz (upload/download)

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150 Mbps/150 Mbps

Ookla Speed Test – Power Line/Ethernet (upload/download)

Within 30ft, three partition walls: 150 Mbps/150 Mbps

As I mentioned, the Power Line connection provided by the Magic 2 adaptors runs at 2.4 Gbps, while the Wi-Fi connection steps up to 3.6 Gbps. Those speeds are pretty modest compared to the latest Wi-Fi 7 routers and range extenders, but powerline products are primarily designed to provide a good, reliable network connection rather than focusing on pure speed.

That’s exactly what I need in my back office, where the poor Wi-Fi from my office router means that I already have to rely on powerline adaptors to provide a wired network connection.

Those adaptors are a few years old, though, and can only manage a speed of around 100 Mbps for both Steam downloads and the Ookla Speedtest. That’s adequate for email and web browsing in my office, but it’s still well below the maximum 150 Mbps available with my office broadband.

My old powerline adaptors don’t have the additional Wi-Fi features provided by the Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next either, so I was eager to find out if Devolo could give me a good Wi-Fi connection in that office as well.

Starting with a simple wired Ethernet connection, the Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next had no trouble hitting the full 150 Mbps for Steam downloads and the Ookla Speed Test. And, as I unplugged the Ethernet cables and switched to a Wi-Fi connection instead, I was pleased to find that those speeds remained stable, smoothly running at 150 Mbps and finally giving me a decent Wi-Fi connection in that office at long last.

Many people may find that a less expensive range extender helps to improve their Wi-Fi in a basement or upstairs bedroom. And, of course, there are less expensive Power Line kits available as well, which don’t have the additional Wi-Fi features of the Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next. But, if you need Power Line to fix an annoying Wi-Fi deadspot, and you want the extra convenience of a Wi-Fi connection as well, then a ‘best of both worlds’ powerline kit such as the Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next can really earn its keep.

The advantage of the Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next is that it combines deadspot-killing Power Line tech with additional Wi-Fi features for extra convenience.

The advantage of the Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next is that it combines deadspot-killing Power Line tech with additional Wi-Fi features for extra convenience.

Power Line is about reliability rather than sheer speed, but the Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next is more than fast enough for most home broadband services.

Power Line is about reliability rather than sheer speed, but the Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next is more than fast enough for most home broadband services.

The design of the Devolo Magic 2 adaptors are functional rather than elegant, and the top-mounted Ethernet ports are a bit of an eyesore.

The design of the Devolo Magic 2 adaptors are functional rather than elegant, and the top-mounted Ethernet ports are a bit of an eyesore.

It’s expensive, but the high-end Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next combines Power Line connectivity with additional Wi-Fi features.

It’s expensive, but the high-end Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next combines Power Line connectivity with additional Wi-Fi features.

You have thick walls Thick walls can block the Wi-Fi signal from conventional routers and range extenders, but Power Line technology bypasses these obstacles by transmitting data via existing electrical wiring.

You don’t have Ethernet Many modern computers and mobile devices lack Ethernet ports, so the additional Wi-Fi features provided by the Magic 2 adaptors will come in handy.

You do have Ethernet There are less expensive Power Line adaptors that simply use Ethernet to provide a wired connection, and these will work well with computers, games consoles and smart TVs that already have Ethernet.

You’re on a budget If you simply need to boost the speed of your existing network, then upgrading your router or buying an affordable range extender may be the best option.

Magic LAN 1x Gigabit Ethernet; Magic Wi Fi – 2x Gigabit Ethernet

Magic LAN 1x Gigabit Ethernet; Magic Wi Fi – 2x Gigabit Ethernet

Router – 1x 2.5 Gb Ethernet (WAN), 1x 2.5 Gb Ethernet (LAN); Satellites - 1x 2.5 Gb Ethernet (LAN)

Router – 1x 2.5 Gb Ethernet (WAN), 1x 2.5 Gb Ethernet (LAN); Satellites - 1x 2.5 Gb Ethernet (LAN)

Magic LAN – 130 x 65 x 40mm; Magic Wi Fi - 152mm x 76mm

Magic LAN – 130 x 65 x 40mm; Magic Wi Fi - 152mm x 76mm

Devolo Wi Fi 6 Repeater 3000 If you don’t need full Power Line features, then Devolo’s Repeater 3000 is a more conventional range extender. It’s competitively priced, and provides the same Wi-Fi speed as the Magic 2 products.

Netgear Orbi 373 Larger homes and offices may benefit from a mesh Wi-Fi system that uses multiple routers to create a wide-ranging network. The Orbi 373 is one of Netgear’s most affordable options, costing around $350.

Cliff Joseph is a former Editor of Mac User magazine, and a freelance technology writer with 30 year’s experience in the industry (and old enough to remember when Apple was close to going bust…).

His first job involved using Macs for magazine sub-editing and typesetting, which led to the realisation that these computer-thingies might actually turn out to be useful after all. After a few years specialising in the Mac side of the market, he went freelance and embraced the wide world of digital technology, including Windows PCs, digital audio and hi-fi, and networking. Somewhere along the line he also developed a bit of a gaming habit and has stubbornly waved the flag for Mac gaming for far too many years.

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Key Takeaways

• News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets

• Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

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• Devolo Magic 2 Wi Fi 6 next: a combination powerline and Wi-Fi kit for tackling Wi-Fi deadspots

• Fast, reliable network connection via your mains wiring