Solwise Piggy6 Homeplug networking device

Homeplug allows users to create home networks without stringing network cables all over the house.

It uses the existing mains power wiring to connect computers together – plug a computer, games console or other network device into a Homeplug adapter, and the router into another, and you have a network.

The trouble is that these adapters themselves take up an extra mains socket. Solwise last year released its Piggy product, which includes a mains socket on the back so that another device can be plugged into it. Now it's taken the concept further with the Piggy6, a six-socket mains extension lead that also has three Homeplug sockets.

We plugged a computer, games console and router into both the network and power sockets, with another three non-networked devices in the remaining power sockets and it worked very well indeed. It comes with a software CD that can enable encryption so no-one else can access your Homeplug network.

The power sockets aren't protected against power surges but apart from that the Piggy6 is excellent value if you are creating a Homeplug network and are running out of mains sockets in the house.