WiFi speed test: Devolo Access Point One
20.11.2019
Translation: machine translated
It doesn't have a router function, but despite its compact size, it's supposed to offer a WiFi connection throughout the house at a reasonable price. Devolo even calls the Access Point One a "WiFi monster". In this test, I'll see if that's true.
I know Devolo well. I've been using their Powerline products for over a decade. But now more than for the gaming PC in the office, as WiFi has slight latency issues in that room. By the way, in my Powerline comparison tests, Devolo was always the winner - even though the speeds were much lower than those achieved via WiFi.
But Devolo also brings the internet independently of the network via the powerline. I took the Access Point One. This is a compact device with no external antennae, which is advertised by the manufacturer as a "WiFi monster".
I'm pitting the Access point against the Asus ROG and Synology routers. Let's see if this little daddy lives up to his marketing reputation as a "WiFi monster".
The Access Point offers the following specifications on its datasheet:
- Antennas: 4 x 5 GHz band, 2 x 2.4 GHz band
- Ports: 1 x RJ45 WAN (Gigabit), 4 x RJ45 LAN (Gigabit)
- WLAN standards: 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, 802.3x, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
- Transmission rates: up to 1733 Mbps on 5 GHz, up to 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz
- Encryption: WPA/WPA2
- Operating modes: access point, repeater, bridge
- Dimensions: 150 x 140 x 30 mm (width x height x depth), 680 g
- Operation: pairing button, WPS button
Apartment floor plan and location
After my Wi-Fi tests, I was repeatedly told in emails that I hadn't chosen the ideal location for my router. The bathroom is usually a crucial point due to the many pipes installed, which in the current location limits WiFi performance in the office. It would be preferable to install a router or the access point slightly raised at staircase level.
Despite the advice, I won't be abandoning my current position. Firstly, because I have no desire to lay a network cable all the way up the spiral staircase, and secondly, because it would distort the comparability of my speed tests.
My 120 m² duplex flat is my playground. You can see the location of the access point in the living room on the following floor plan.
Installing the access point
The installation instructions for the access point are very minimalist. The images explain how to connect the power and network cables, where to find the sticker with the WiFi SSID and password on the product and how to press the WPS button for easy installation. There's also a brief explanation of how to set up a WiFi clone, where you can take over WiFi access data from another WiFi-enabled Devolo device at the touch of a button.
The device's web interface isn't referenced anywhere. Let alone how to access it. That's why, after commissioning, I start by looking up the IP address of the device. The quickest way to do this is with Windows and network recognition enabled. Simply open Explorer, click on 'Network', wait briefly, select the access point and right-click on the properties to look up the IP. You can also connect to your router and view the corresponding overview page with connected devices.
Once you've finally reached the web interface, configuration is intuitive. I set the desired SSID and password and start measuring the flat.
Speed and ping per room
Munit my notebook and the "LAN Speed Test" software I start measuring the new WiFi. To do this I upload and download a 1GB file from and to my NAS, which is in the living room, three times per measurement location. To determine latency, I ping my NAS using the DOS console.
| Lieu | Vitesse | Ping |
|---|---|---|
| Entrée | 284.70 Mbps | 4 ms |
| Salon | 402.52 Mbps | 2 ms |
| Salle à manger | 364.35 Mbps | 2 ms |
| Cuisine | 308.27 Mbps | 4 ms |
| Balcon | 285.28 Mbps | 4 ms |
| Réduit | 218.93 Mbps | 4 ms |
| Salle de bains | 316.88 Mbps | 4 ms |
| Bureau | 183.63 Mbps | 6 ms |
| Buanderie | 180.15 Mbps | 6 ms |
| Salle de bains (étage) | 191.35 Mbps | 4 ms |
| Chambre | 128.82 Mbps | 4 ms |
| Ø | 260.44 Mbps | 4 ms |
The new WiFi achieves an average of 260.44 Mbps with a latency of 4 ms.
Competitive comparison
If I compare it with the WiFi solutions tested to date, the access point ranks third in terms of data throughput. As for latency, it shares second place with the Synology router.
| Lieu | Synology RT2600ac | ROG Rapture GT-AC2900 | Devolo Magic 2 Wifi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrée | 484.1 Mbps, 4 ms | 283.0 Mbps, 3 ms | 31.9 Mbps, 13 ms |
| Salon | 551.2 Mbps, 2 ms | 553.6 Mbps, 2 ms | 76.5 Mbps, 10 ms |
| Salle à manger | 548.0 Mbps, 2 ms | 520.0 Mbps, 2 ms | 65.5 Mbps, 12 ms |
| Cuisine | 434.4 Mbps, 3 ms | 388.0 Mbps, 2 ms | 75.0 Mbps, 11 ms |
| Balcon | 391.2 Mbps, 3 ms | 284.0 Mbps, 3 ms | 24.9 Mbps, 15 ms |
| Réduit | 312.8 Mbps, 6 ms | 373.6 Mbps, 2 ms | 78.6 Mbps, 9 ms |
| Salle de bains | 549.3 Mbps, 4 ms | 523.2 Mbps, 2 ms | 88.4 Mbps, 8 ms |
| Bureau | 176.8 Mbps, 7 ms | 56.9 Mbps, 5 ms | 91.3 Mbps, 2 ms |
| Buanderie | 242.4 Mbps, 4 ms | 193.0 Mbps, 4 ms | 66.8 Mbps, 12 ms |
| Salle de bains (étage) | 297.6 Mbps, 6 ms | 269.0 Mbps, 3 ms | 71.4 Mbps, 10 ms |
| Chambre | 226.4 Mbps, 6 ms | 179.0 Mbps, 4 ms | 58.7 Mbps, 7 ms |
| Ø | 383.1 Mbps, 4 ms | 329.4 Mbps, 3 ms | 66.3 Mbps, 10 ms |
The fact that Devolos Access Point can't keep up with the competition without external antennas is obvious. But for its compact appearance, it does its job very well. Of all the products tested so far in the office, it offers the highest data throughput, which is quite surprising. But it falters in the bedroom. However, the speed never drops below 128.82 Mbps, so you can still watch five to six Netflix UHD streams in parallel. The ping never exceeds 6ms and, on average, I measure 4ms.
Result: enough speed for the whole flat at a moderate price**
If you look at the ranking of Wi-Fi products that have been tested so far, you'll immediately notice that the price of the Devolo access point stands out:
1. Synology RT2600ac with an average of 383.1 Mbps and 4 ms
2. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC2900 with an average of 329.4 Mbps and 3 ms
3. Devolo Access Point One with an average of 260.44 Mbps and 4 ms
4. Devolo Magic 2 Wifi with an average of 66.3 Mbps and 10 ms (is, first in line intended for Powerline)
The relatively low price is also what makes the access point attractive. If you can do without the router function and are happy with a slightly lower data rate, you can buy it with confidence. But you're certainly not going to get the ultimate in WiFi with this product. Or only if you have a lot of imagination and think it can do its job without external antennas.
Martin Jud
Senior Editor
martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.chI find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.