Websites are offering to cancel services on your behalf by sending templated letters, claiming to help customers unsubscribe from a range of services from streaming platforms and software to gym memberships and newspapers.

Netherlands-based Unsubby and Xpendy offer to send cancellation letters to a range of services available in Australia. The Xpendy website says companies are “legally required” to cancel subscriptions within 10 business days of receiving a letter.

Both websites charge $25–$30 per letter, and also offer their own subscription models where users can send multiple letters and track subscriptions across different platforms.

Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC) deputy CEO Chandni Gupta says using these third-party services can seem enticing given how difficult it can be to cancel a subscription.

“Being a consumer today is just as taxing as a full-time job, or at least a side hustle no one signed up for.” 

A 2024 report by CPRC found three in four Australians had trouble cancelling a subscription  and one in ten find it so difficult they give up and continue paying for a service they don’t want.

Can these services actually unsubscribe you?

While these subscription-cancelling services offer to make life easier, can they actually cancel, say, your Netflix subscription?

No, according to Netflix. A spokesperson told ĚÇĐÄVlog third-party letters are not an effective means of cancelling your Netflix membership.

“Our members shouldn’t be paying for these services when cancellation via Netflix is free and easy,” the spokesperson said.

Netflix has received notice indicating that some customers may be attempting to cancel their subscriptions through Unsubby under the mistaken belief that Unsubby is affiliated with Netflix.

Even Unsubby’s terms and conditions say the company cannot assure the successful cancellation of contracts and that it is the customer’s duty to ensure this is correctly executed, though it does say it offers a full refund to unsatisfied customers.

Telcos say no too

Xpendy and Unsubby also offer to cancel services with Australian telcos, however, both Optus and Telstra told ĚÇĐÄVlog they would not accept these templated letters to end customers’ services.

Professor of Law at the University of Melbourne Jeannie Paterson says subscription-cancelling services should not be making claims they cannot deliver on.

“You should not tell people that you, as a third party, are able to terminate subscriptions, and do it promptly, if that is not the case,” Paterson says.

While these companies are based in Europe where there are different laws, she says that is no excuse for misleading Australian customers.

Neither Unsubby nor Xpendy responded to ĚÇĐÄVlog’s questions.

However, Paterson says companies like Netflix who refuse to accept these letters are being unreasonable. “I cannot see why there is a problem with accepting a letter as a way of cancelling a contract,” she says.

Paterson says many older people, for example, may not be comfortable navigating online accounts, often set up by their children, and need to be given an accessible way to cancel subscriptions.

She says she cannot see a good reason for a letter not to be sufficient, and a subscription provider may just be avoiding extra work.

ĚÇĐÄVlog understands that Netflix does not wish to accept these letters due to the fact that it is a global company with customer service operations based overseas. 

In response to these letters, customers are being directed to their website to complete the cancellation process.

Both Telstra and Optus told ĚÇĐÄVlog they do not accept third-party cancellation letters due to privacy and security reasons.

“We have really strong protections in place to ensure we only deal directly with our customers or their properly authorised representatives,” Telstra customer service executive Amy Child says. 

“A letter that says it is being sent on their behalf isn’t enough.”

An Optus spokesperson told ĚÇĐÄVlog “we must verify the identity and authority of the person making the request before any account changes can be processed”.

Subscription traps

While there may be legitimate security concerns around cancelling services through a third party, making it difficult to cancel subscriptions is often used as a business strategy.

Chandni Gupta from CPRC says businesses use a series of so-called “dark patterns” on their websites to create subscription traps, making it hard to find the cancellation button, or using language to make customers feel guilty about unsubscribing.

While the 2024 CPRC report found unsubscribing from Netflix to be relatively easy, companies like Adobe lock customers into what looks like a monthly contract, but is actually annual, and imposes a cancellation fee if they want to cancel before the year is up. 

The report also found that Amazon Audible persuades customers who are looking to cancel to instead temporarily pause their subscription before it automatically resumes and HelloFresh was found to be bombarding former customers with frequent marketing emails after they unsubscribed. 

A spokesperson from consumer watchdog the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), says it has long been concerned by businesses implementing unnecessary friction and onerous requirements to deter people from cancelling subscriptions, which are not adequately covered by existing laws.

A new Unfair Trading Practices bill has just passed federal parliament, which the ACCC says introduces requirements for businesses to make cancelling subscriptions easier. 

These laws will come into effect in July 2027. However, Gupta says there is nothing stopping businesses from making their subscriptions easier to cancel right now. 

According to CPRC research, around 90% of Australians would happily re-engage with a business if cancelling a subscription was easy.

“So it’s not just good business practice, it actually makes good business sense,” Gupta says.

If you are having trouble cancelling a subscription

• Figure out where you signed up, as some subscriptions can only be managed where they were purchased. Other than the service itself, you may have signed up through a third-party app or an account such as Apple.
• Search your emails for an order confirmation, receipt or renewal notice that might give you instructions for cancelling your subscription.
• Beware of free trials and offers enticing you to stay when you try to cancel. Check the fine print – you may be locked in for longer than you expected.
• If you can’t find a cancellation option, contact customer support via phone, email or dedicated help page on a service’s website.

The post Do subscription-cancelling services actually work? appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

It probably won’t come as a surprise that four out of five Australians had at least one major problem with a digital services provider in the last financial year.

According to recent research commissioned by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO), issues such as unexplained loss of account access, being charged unexpected fees and experiencing a howling void where there should be customer service are costing us around $497 million a year.

One customer who has experienced these kinds of issues is Ben, who contacted us late last year about his difficulties with Meta. “Meta permanently disabled five of my accounts — both personal and business — with no warning, no clear explanation, and no real way to appeal,” Ben says.

“The official reason was a violation of community standards, but I genuinely haven’t done anything wrong. Just logged in one day and everything was gone. I’ve run my business through Meta platforms for over a decade, and now I can’t even access what I’ve paid for. The lack of support — especially when it’s clearly a mistake — has been deeply frustrating, both emotionally and financially.”

Even though Ben couldn’t get into his Meta business account, he was still paying for it.

“I can’t access it to pause or stop anything, but Meta is still billing my credit card every day. I’ve now been locked out for over three weeks, completely unable to manage or shut down the ads — and they just keep charging.”

“I’ve tried everything — appeals, ID submissions, support forms. I’ve even started tagging Meta staff on LinkedIn out of desperation.”

Ben’s ordeal was similar to experiences we documented in an earlier story. His services were eventually restored, but the process was a drawn-out ordeal.

Nowhere to turn

The worst part about these not-uncommon situations is that there’s no external dispute resolution body in Australia (such as an ombudsman scheme) to accept and act on complaints, though there is strong public support to create one. As it stands, digital leviathans such as Google, Meta, Apple and Microsoft run and rule their own fiefdoms, answerable only to themselves.

The TIO, which receives thousands of complaints a year about such platforms, is not in a position to do anything about them. Its remit only covers telcos such as Telstra and Optus, but it’s calling on the federal government to widen its jurisdiction to oversee the ever-expanding non-telco universe as well.

“This research confirms what we have been hearing from people and small businesses for a long time – digital and social media issues take time, cost money and create stress,” says Ombudsman Cynthia Gebert. “People rely on digital platforms to work, run small businesses and stay connected.”

The report, Someone to turn to, was produced by the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). Its author, CPRC deputy CEO and digital policy director Chandni Gupta, says “too many people are getting stuck in a complaints loop, unable to reach a real person, passed between automated systems, and left without resolution or closure”.

“This problem harms individuals, undermines trust in the digital economy and weakens the accountability needed to ensure markets work for people.”

Growing demand for telco compensation

At the same time that the TIO is calling for its remit to be expanded to cover digital platforms, the telco industry it oversees continues to deliver poor service in many cases.

Its latest complaints report, covering January through March 2026, reveals that telco customers are increasingly demanding compensation for service disruptions that cost them money. 

The TIO received 14,002 complaints over the three months, with customers asking for financial compensation in 32.7% more complaints than in the previous quarter. In a parallel finding, the number of customers reporting financial hardship problems rose by 25%.

“Outages or delays fixing a fault can contribute to lost income. People that need to get back online quickly may buy a temporary service, and others request refunds for monthly payments made for services they couldn’t use,” Gebert says.

More people are also asking for compensation (a 16% jump compared to the same period last year) not because of a financial loss but because their ongoing mobile phone or internet problem negatively impacted their mental health.

“Across complaints, we often see a single phone or internet problem turn into many. People might start with a connection problem and end up being unable to work,” Gebert says.

“We also hear from people who need a payment plan but can’t get one they can afford, ending up deeper in debt. By the time people reach us, a single setback could have turned into real financial stress.”

Combining telco and digital platform oversight

From the TIO’s standpoint, the need for an independent complaints body to push back on the digital platforms such as Google and Meta that most of us engage with every day is self-evident.

“People are asking for something simple: clear pathways to complain and access to human support when they need it. Right now, these basic expectations are not being met,” Gebert says.

“The TIO already provides a to resolve disputes and hold telco providers to account. This [CPRC] research shows there is a clear need to extend that model to digital services, so Australians can get help when it matters most.”

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The post Why are Google, Meta and Apple overseen by no one? appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

We rank NBN plans based on real-world performance – not just marketing claims – so you can see which ones actually deliver their advertised speeds.

Below is our shortlist of the top performing plans right now, using data from the ACCC’s Measuring Broadband Australia program. 

Note that our recommendations don’t factor in plan cost or customer service. For prices and full plan details, we’ve provided links through to the WhistleOut comparison site.

On this page:

• Best NBN plans for meeting claimed speed
• Which NBN plan speed do you need?
• How to change your internet provider
• How much NBN speed and data will you need?

Why we've partnered with WhistleOut

We've partnered with search engine WhistleOut to help you find and buy the right plan for you.  While we make money if you buy through WhistleOut, this doesn't influence our rankings. 100% of the money we make goes straight back into our nonprofit mission.

Best NBN plans for meeting claimed speed

We rank fixed-line fibre to the node (FTTN), fibre to the premises (FTTP) and cable (HFC) NBN plans on whether they’re meeting their claimed speed based on the ACCC’s broadband monitoring results. 

If your NBN connection technology isn’t represented here (such as FTTC, fixed wireless or Sky Muster satellite), that’s because the range of volunteers on the ACCC’s program doesn’t provide enough data on that NBN technology for us to confidently rank providers against each other. 

These are the best scorers from the most recent data for standard (NBN 50), fast (NBN 500) and super fast (NBN 750) home plans. All these plans have a ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating of 80% or more. This overall score is made up of download score and upload score performance, evenly weighted.  

Any tied results for each reporting period are represented by identical numbers in the first column. Where there are fewer than three results, this is because the ACCC’s data is limited for that plan type.

Each plan also indicates its upload speed, such as 100/20, where 100 is the maximum wholesale download speed (megabits per second) and 20 is the upload speed.

For results for all the plans we’ve scored, head to our full coverage of the ACCC’s broadband provider performance program.

Fibre to the Node (FTTN)

Data is not available for for FTTN fast (NBN 250) plans.

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

HFC (Cable)

Which type of NBN technology do you have?

If you aren’t sure what technology you have, to find out what connection type is available at your premises.

The points below describe the three fixed-line NBN technologies we have ACCC measuring data for: FTTP, FTTN and HFC.

We hope to add fibre to the curb, fixed wireless and satellite plans to this list as the ACCC expands its monitoring program.

Fibre to the premises (FTTP)

• Outside your premises: Fibre cable to a street cabinet, then more fibre to your house.
• Inside your premises: Usually one box installed on the outside of your house, two side-by-side wall-mounted boxes inside.
• Socket: Ethernet (doesn’t use the old phone wall sockets in your house).

Fibre to the node (FTTN)

• Outside your premises: Fibre to a street cabinet, then pre-existing copper lines to your house. The longer the copper portion of the connection, the less fast and reliable your connection may be. Copper is less effective for data transfer than fibre optic, and pre-existing copper cabling might be in bad shape, leading to further signal loss or unreliability. NBN Co is usually responsible for the copper cabling on public land.
• Inside your premises: Looks similar to an ADSL modem inside your house. You’re responsible for the copper cabling within your premises.
• Socket: Uses your home’s pre-existing phone wall sockets. The socket might be upgraded by an NBN technician during or after installation, but don’t count on it.

HFC (Cable)

• Outside your premises: Fibre to an HFC node near your premises, then coaxial cabling the rest of the way, like cable TV or a pre-NBN cable internet connection.
• Inside your premises: Needs a pre-existing coaxial cable (for the above) in your premises or a new installation if necessary. If you have Foxtel, the installing NBN technician should provide you with a signal splitter so that your NBN and cable TV connections connect to the same wall port. Don’t use this splitter if you don’t have a cable TV connection or need it for other purposes, as it can reportedly cause signal stability problems in some instances.
• Socket: The inside box is not wall mounted and doesn’t connect to old phone wall sockets. You’ll need to connect a separate router to this box, either supplied by your provider or by yourself, to connect multiple devices and create a Wi-Fi network.

Which NBN plan speed do you need?

NBN speed tiers

We only report on these speed tiers because the ACCC’s broadband monitoring program doesn’t provide enough data on other tiers for us to rank products against each other.

Below is the full list of fixed-line NBN speed tiers.

Note that you’ll only be eligible for certain plans if your connection meets the requirements (see below to find out the fastest NBN speed you can buy).

What’s the fastest NBN speed you can buy?

Here’s a general indication of the maximum speed a provider might consider selling to you, depending on your connection type.

• Fibre to the node (FTTN) – Home Fast, but some providers won’t go above Home Standard without testing your connection first, or at all.
• Fibre to the building (FTTB) – Home Fast.
• Fibre to the curb (FTTC) – Home Fast, but NBN Co hopes to increase it to Home Superfast or Ultrafast soon.
• Fibre to the premises (FTTP) – Home Ultrafast.
• Hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) – Home Ultrafast, but NBN Co states no more than 750Mbps sustained download speeds for HFC, with short bursts of up to nearly 1Gbps.

How to change your internet provider

If you’re not on a contract

If you’re not on a contract, changing providers should be as easy as contacting your new provider and signing up to an NBN plan. You can do this online, by phone, or sometimes instore, depending on which provider you’re signing up to.

Your new NBN provider will contact your old one and make the switch. Your old plan will be cancelled at the end of your current billing month and your new plan will start around the same time. 

There may be some overlap in billing periods between the two providers, but you should be notified of the date your new billing period will start. There are often additional charges when signing up to a new provider, such as an activation fee or hardware costs.

If you’re on a contract

If you’re still within the term of a broadband contract, you’ll need to ask your current provider what the cancellation process is. You may have to pay out all or part of your current contract and you may need to pay a termination fee.

Aside from this, it’s the same process as for those who are off contract.

How much NBN speed and data will you need?

NBN plans have two factors to consider: speed/bandwidth, which is measured in megabits per second (Mbps), and the amount of data you can download, measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB).

Speed

To get an idea of how much speed you need, think of how many devices in your house use the internet at the same time. If it’s just one or two screens streaming Netflix, then you could get by with a 50/20 (Home Standard) or possibly even a 25/10 (Home Basic 2) plan.

If you have multiple users, such as households with large families or share houses, you may need a 100/40 or 100/20 plan (Home Fast). 

Upload bandwidth is an important consideration for some people. If you or others in your home rely on cloud storage for large files or upload a lot of media, then 20Mbps is an advisable starting point, such as with a Home Standard or Home Fast plan.

ĚÇĐÄVlog tip: It’s usually easier to increase your plan’s speed than decrease it once you’ve signed up, so it might be a good idea to start low and go up if you need it. Check with a service representative before you sign up if you’ll incur additional fees for this. Or sign up to a no-contract plan, which should let you change your cap on a monthly basis as needed.

Data cap

Your current provider should offer a way to check your monthly download amounts online. Look over the last few months to get an idea of your maximum data usage per month.

Our advice? Go with something a little higher than your current usage, as it may fluctuate or increase over time, but you don’t necessarily need a 500GB or unlimited plan, even though these are fast becoming the norm.

The post Best NBN plans for speed appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

The internet is an essential service but the cost of entry can get pretty steep. A router alone can cost well over $500, depending on your home network needs.

What happens if you’re setting up a new house or replacing a router that’s reached the end of its life? Don’t bust out the second mortgage calculator just yet. There are some solid, affordable wireless routers available.

They may not be the fastest or have the best performance for data-hungry households, but these budget routers can still deliver good internet speeds and stability at an affordable price.

ĚÇĐÄVlog router reviews are free to read as part of a paid partnership with NBN Co. All ĚÇĐÄVlog testing and reviews are conducted independently by experts.

Bandwidth vs speed in budget routers

Bandwidth is one of the main limitations that you’ll probably encounter with a budget router. It’s important to understand what it means as this may affect your home network performance.

When internet service providers (ISPs) and the National Broadband Network (NBN) talk about internet speeds, they really mean download speeds and bandwidth. Using a 500Mbps plan as an example, this means:

• Speed: A single device (e.g. a laptop) can reach download speeds of 500Mbps if nothing else is connected and active on the network.
• Bandwidth: 500Mbps worth of data to be shared between all of the devices that are connected and active at the same.

So, if four devices are connected to your 500Mbps network at the same time, each one can access 125Mbps download speed. The ins and outs are a bit more complex but that’s the gist.

Modern budget routers are usually quite good at delivering a fast, stable connection to a single device (assuming you have a high-speed plan). Bandwidth can become a bit of an issue when you start connecting a lot of devices.

Most have enough bandwidth requirements for a handful of devices used by a typical family, like smart TVs, phones laptops and maybe a few smart appliances including cameras and smart lights.

But these routers start to struggle under the weight of a busy network with lots of devices demanding high-speed connections at the same time. We’re talking multiple devices streaming 4K video, lots of online gamers and people transferring large files while working from home.

Our performance test includes a multi-client assessment for scenarios like these. So, if you live in a bandwidth-heavy household, check these results in our review.

Budget router limitations

Budget routers tend to limit the bells and whistles in order to keep costs down, which can impact performance, depending on your needs. For example, they don’t tend to perform very well over long distances or through obstructions like walls, floors and other objects around the house.

Features and functions are usually pretty limited compared to more expensive models and most don’t have tri-band support. This means budget routers are limited to the 2.4 and 5GHz networks, while higher-end options can connect to the superfast 6Ghz wireless band.

The best wireless routers on a budget revealed

These Wi-Fi 7 wireless routers offer the best bang for your buck. Note that all three fell just short of earning a ĚÇĐÄVlog recommendation.

TP-Link Archer BE230

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 71%
• Price: $197
• Performance score: 66%
• Parental controls score: 80%

TP-Link’s Archer BE230 isn’t exactly the fastest kid on the block. But you’d be hard pressed to find another router that performs this well for less than $200.

This “little router that could” is more than capable of handling typical day-to-day tasks for smaller households of about two to four people. Video streaming, online gaming, general web browsing and so on shouldn’t cause any problems.

Speeds and stability are consistently good (74%) when multiple devices are connected and active. You can jump on Fortnite while someone else is streaming 4K video on the TV and another person is doom-scrolling TikTok without issues like lag, dropouts or buffering.

But it’s not that great at maintaining a strong signal through obstructions (45%). Things like walls, windows, floors and other objects will impact speed and stability, so this may not be the best wireless router for larger homes.

Read the full TP-Link Archer BE230 review.

TP-Link Archer BE400

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 71%
• Price: $299
• Performance score: 69%
• Parental controls score: 80%

Need a little more speed without breaking the bank? If TP-Link’s Archer BE230 doesn’t have quite enough grunt for your needs, take a look at its big brother – the BE400.

Specifications and performance results are almost identical to the BE230, but the extra $100 does deliver a decent performance boost on the 5GHz band. It claims to be twice as fast as the BE230, and it did indeed deliver better results during our single device data transfer test.

It also maintains a much stronger signal through obstructions (54%) and should be a good option for medium-sized households working on a budget. Though it’s still worth looking into a simple mesh network or Wi-Fi repeater if this router can’t quite broadcast to every corner of the house.

Read the full TP-Link Archer BE400 review.

Asus RT-BE58U

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 69%
• Price: $299
• Performance score: 63%
• Parental controls score: 80%

As far as performance goes, this Asus router falls a little short of the TP-Link models above. However, it’s still a solid performer that may be worth picking up during a decent sale.

Speeds are OK across the board and it does a good job of retaining a stable connection when multiple devices are online (73%). Though performance really takes a hit when the Wi-Fi signal encounters obstructions (45%), limiting its usefulness to apartments or small properties, rather than large homes.

Built-in support for Asus’s proprietary mesh network technology, AiMesh, may also be useful if you’re setting up a mesh system using Asus equipment. Home networks are easier to configure if you stay in a brand’s ecosystem.

But in that case, you’re better off saving a little more money for the far superior Asus RT-BE88U. It earned a ĚÇĐÄVlog recommendation but with a recommended retail price of $599, it’s not what you’d call budget.

Read the full Asus RT-BE58U review.

Why we've partnered with WhistleOut

We've partnered with search engine WhistleOut to help you find and buy the right plan for you.  While we make money if you buy through WhistleOut, this doesn't influence our rankings. 100% of the money we make goes straight back into our nonprofit mission.

The post Best budget wireless routers in our test appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

Think about how many devices connect to the internet at home. Your phone, TV and laptop, not to mention smart appliances including lightbulbs, security cameras and maybe even a washing machine. There are a lot of links in the networking chain that can cause problems which don’t involve the NBN or your ISP whatsoever.

Our home networking expert Elias Plastiras has some quick tips that can help troubleshoot issues and improve Wi-Fi speeds at home. Give these a try before getting in touch with your ISP.

• Understanding your home network
• How to check internet issues at home
• Troubleshooting tips for your home network

Understanding your home network

A typical home uses a modem and router to connect to the internet.

• Modem: bridges the connection between the outside internet line and your home via a wall socket, not unlike a landline phone.
• Router: broadcasts and distributes the internet throughout your home via wired (ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi) signals.

You can also use all-in-one units called modem-routers.

These days, many NBN connections use a Network Termination Device (NTD – sometimes called an NBN connection box or NBN connection device), which replaces the modem. This is supplied by NBN Co. for free and though the appearance can vary depending on your connection type, functionality is the same.

A standalone router is still needed if your home uses an NTD.

How to check internet issues at home

Outages aren’t always the problem, but they do happen. Ask yourself these questions and run through the troubleshooting steps before you dive into your home network.

Is it a peak period?

Because there’s only so much internet to go around, speeds fluctuate based on network traffic in your area. They decrease as more homes come online and increase when people log off.

Peak periods are windows when the largest number of users are online at home. These are typically a few hours before and after a standard work day (9am to 5pm).

During these times, your network will fall a bit below the advertised download speeds. ISPs call these “typical evening speeds” and they’re not indicative of an internet issue, they’re simply the natural result of increased demand.

For example, you may have an NBN plan that promises 100 megabit per second (Mbps) download speeds, with typical evening speeds around 85Mbps. So, there’s nothing to worry about when your internet is a bit slower from around 6–9pm, annoying as it may be.

Is there an outage?

A full internet blackout may be the result of an outage in your area. You can check the network status by entering your address at your ISP’s website or the .

Most households have at least one mobile device capable of connecting to a 4G or 5G network, which you can use to check your network status. Alternatively, ask a neighbour or contact a family member who may be able to look for you.

The NBN checker won’t work if you’re using another internet service, such as Starlink.

Is it a problem at the other end?

There’s always a chance that your internet connection isn’t to blame. Websites and online services can run into problems as well and when they do, things can slow down or stop working entirely at your end.

 â€œA speed test can help identify whether it’s an issue with your network or theirs,” Elias explains. “It’s a simple way to check your download and upload speeds at home and whether they’re performing as advertised.”

To run a Wi-Fi speed test on a laptop or smartphone:

1. Disconnect all other active devices from the network. Make sure no one is secretly streaming in another room.
2. Move your phone or laptop as close as possible to your wireless router to ensure a clear line of sight.
3. Connect to the fastest band, which will be 5 or 6GHz (you can switch networks in the device’s network settings).
4. Go to in the device’s web browser and click ‘Go’ to run the test. When it’s finished, note the download and upload speeds and compare them to those advertised on your plan.

Repeat this test on a handful of smartphones, tablets and computers connected to your home network. Don’t worry about other smart devices such as your TV, lightbulbs and cameras.

If the results are within about 10Mbps of your plan’s advertised speeds then the service provider is probably experiencing issues, not you. But if your speeds are falling well below that point, e.g. 60Mbps on a 100Mbps plan, and you’re outside a peak traffic window, then you may have a problem at home.

“There could be problems with the NBN or your ISP,” says Elias. “But it’s more than likely an issue with your equipment – probably an older router that lacks the hardware to deliver faster speeds.”

Troubleshooting tips for your home network

If you’ve ruled out other causes and the signs seem to be pointing to a potential problem at home, try Elias’s troubleshooting tips.

Turn it off and on again

“This is a classic tip for a reason, it really can work,” explains Elias. “Modems, NTDs and routers are usually turned on 24 hours a day, seven days a week and sometimes they just need a quick nap.”

Turn off your modem, router, modem-router and NTD (the exact devices will vary depending on your network setup) for five to ten minutes then turn them back on. This triggers a full power cycle which should clear out lingering issues that are slowing down the network.

Reposition your router

“Think of your router like a radio,” says Elias. “you probably wouldn’t shove it under a desk or in a cupboard because the broadcast would start to cut out and sound bad.”

“A wireless router needs to be in a nice open space with as clear a line of sight as possible to get the best coverage. Tucking it away in an inconspicuous spot can really reduce the broadcast range.”

Connect to a better band

Wi-Fi is broadcast on up to three bands, which are measured in gigahertz (GHz). These are 2.4, 5 and 6GHz. Bands at the lower end of the spectrum have slower speeds/less bandwidth but greater range (meaning they can reach further distances), which inverts as bands move up the spectrum.

Wireless routers will usually assign the most appropriate band to each device on your network, to deliver the best performance. But you can rotate through them in the network settings of your devices which may improve performance.

Elias says that this can also relieve network congestion. “When lots of devices are connected to one band, there’s less data to go around which will slow things down. Spreading them across all available bands on your network can help clear things up.”

Update your equipment

Older wireless routers don’t have the firmware or hardware that you need for high-speed/high-bandwidth plans. This mostly comes down to the Wi-Fi version, which is basically the firmware that keeps your router running. It’s also a good way to gauge the age of your router.

Older wireless routers could be suitable for smaller households, but may not be able to handle multiple concurrent users. Larger households, and those with lots of smart appliances, should consider a router that can effectively distribute data to many devices at the same time.

“Families and share houses can really benefit from a high-speed plan with plenty of bandwidth to go around, and a wireless router to match” says Elias. “Look for routers that score well in the multi-client part of our performance test, because they don’t struggle with lots of network traffic.”

“It’s best to upgrade to a Wi-Fi 6, 6E or 7 router if you’re on a high-speed plan” he adds. “Not only are they suitable for the fastest NBN plans available to consumers, they are also more likely to have the hardware to match your high-speed networking needs.”

“For example,a Wi-Fi 7 router will more than likely have connection ports capable of transferring the substantial amount of data required for gigabit internet.”

“You can probably get away with using a Wi-Fi 5 router if you’re on a slower plan and don’t need a lot of bandwidth,” he adds. “But older equipment like this introduces security risks as manufacturers stop rolling out security patches after a while, which can leave your network vulnerable.”

Double check your devices

Wi-Fi versions are a two-way street. Your phone, laptop, TV and other devices need to be running a Wi-Fi version that matches (or exceeds) your router’s speeds for the best performance.

 â€œLike your router, the Wi-Fi version in your device plays a key role in determining its peak download speeds,” he says. “You’re not going to get superfast download speeds on a laptop that was built before ISPs made these plans available to consumers. A model from the Wi-Fi 3 era probably wasn’t built with gigabit plans in mind.”

Check the product specifications to find out the Wi-Fi version. Anything running Wi-Fi 4 or older can’t tap into the high-speed plans and should be upgraded to a device with Wi-Fi 6 or better.

Upgrade your plan

Maybe your internet plan is just slow? Or maybe you have more devices and concurrent users than your current plan can handle? In either case, a speed/bandwidth upgrade may just be the ticket, according to Elias.

 â€œYour bandwidth needs are probably greater than you realise, especially if more than two people are streaming video or playing games online at the same time, for example,” he says.

If things feel slow, video streaming quality keeps dipping or devices keep dropping out, consider upgrading to the next fastest plan. This costs a bit more but it’ll save you some major headaches.”

Just make sure you have an NBN connection that supports the increased speeds. You may need to apply for a fibre upgrade if your home still uses the old copper network.

Install repeaters/set up a mesh network

“Internet speeds and bandwidth decrease as you move further away from your router,” explains Elias. “You need to be on the 5 or 6GHz band and positioned as close as possible to get the best speeds.”

So what happens if you’re trying to get online on the other side of the house or upstairs, through thick walls and floors? That’s where Wi-Fi repeaters and mesh networks come into play.

Repeaters are relay points that boost a weak signal in the immediate vicinity. They’re handy for improving a Wi-Fi connection in a single room but may not be practical to cover a whole house.

Mesh networks use a series of nodes to build a Wi-Fi dome of sorts around the home. They can be an easy solution for improving performance in every corner of the property. But they’re a bit harder to set up and usually cost more than one or two repeaters.

Tweak the settings

Your last port of call is to adjust your router’s settings. There are plenty of features that can automatically improve speed and stability and some more advanced options open to people who aren’t afraid to dig a little deeper into the tech.

• Quality of service: Automatically allocates bandwidth based on the device and its needs at the time. A TV streaming video in 4K will get more bandwidth than a phone watching the same content in high-definition, for example. This is a very common feature.
• Bandwidth throttling/management: Allows you to manually set a bandwidth limit for each device on the network. Not quite as common as quality of service and may be a bit tricky for novices.
• Band steering: The router will automatically identify and allocate the optimal band for the connected device based on bandwidth requirements and network congestion. Similar to quality of service but the router shifts bands rather than adjusting bandwidth specifically.
• MU-MIMO: Stand for “multi-user multiple-input multiple-output”. This function automatically allocates individual data streams (bandwidth) to multiple active devices in parallel, rather than connecting each to a single Wi-Fi broadcast on each band. This helps improve performance and stability and relieves congestion as devices aren’t “competing” for bandwidth on a single band.
• Multi-link operation (MLO): Allows supported MLO devices to use all available bands on the network at the same time to improve stability. Requires Wi-Fi 7.
• Channel width adjustment: Measured in megahertz (MHz), this is a granular approach to avoiding network congestion. Manually adjusting the frequency range (channel width) within each band can help improve stability and performance depending on the device. It’s an advanced setting that you’ll only find on some mid- to high-end routers.

Why we've partnered with WhistleOut

We've partnered with search engine WhistleOut to help you find and buy the right plan for you.  While we make money if you buy through WhistleOut, this doesn't influence our rankings. 100% of the money we make goes straight back into our nonprofit mission.

The post Common Wi-Fi problems and how to fix them appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

There’s probably a smart TV, a phone or two and maybe a laptop or an ipad. And then there may be smart lights and security cameras that need to be online 24/7 to function. 

Homes are getting pretty bandwidth-hungry these days and they need the equipment to match. There are plenty of high-speed wireless routers on the market but they’re not all equipped to handle a home network with lots of traffic.

So, we’ve picked three routers best-suited to these environments. This includes one that has very good long-range signal stability for two-storey homes, or those that are simply very large.

We’ll start with some explainers on speed and bandwidth. If you already know all about that, skip to our list of the best routers for families and share houses.

ĚÇĐÄVlog router reviews are free to read as part of a paid partnership with NBN Co. All ĚÇĐÄVlog testing and reviews are conducted independently by experts.

• Bandwidth vs speed on the NBN
• Understanding bands
• Tools to help busy networks
• The best routers for families and share houses

Bandwidth vs speed on the NBN

Router manufacturers and internet service providers (ISPs) love to advertise download speeds. But bandwidth rarely gets the coverage it deserves, even though it’s just as important, especially for families and sharehouses.

But what exactly is bandwidth and why is it essential for bigger households?

When a single device, like a laptop or smartphone, is online, it can access all of the available bandwidth, which in turn allows it to have the highest possible download speeds. As more devices connect, your network automatically shares out the available data across the devices.

ISPs advertise speeds in megabits per second (Mbps). The higher the number, the greater the download speed and bandwidth. For example, 500/50 equals 500Mbps download and 50Mbps upload.

So, let’s say you have a 500Mbps download plan on the National Broadband Network (NBN), as well as a wireless router and devices that can access those speeds. If one device, like a laptop, is connected, it can tap into the maximum available bandwidth for the best possible speeds which is 500Mbps in this case.

But the router needs to distribute the available data as more devices come online. Everyone gets a piece of the bandwidth at reduced download speeds across the board.

So if, for example, four devices connect to the 500Mbps plan, each can access 125Mbps download speed. It’s a little more complicated than that and bandwidth isn’t usually distributed this cleanly, but you get the idea.

This is why larger households can really benefit from a high speed plan with a wireless router to match. The good news is most NBN plans have enough bandwidth for the average household, but there are slower plans that may not be suitable. This is when issues like lag, buffering and drop-outs can occur.

Understand the band (not just the bandwidth)

Bandwidth isn’t the only important link in the chain. Wi-Fi signals are transmitted on specific frequencies called bands, not unlike a radio. Yes, bands, but not bandwidth. They’re two different things with similar names – nice and confusing.

Bands are measured in gigahertz (GHz). Lower bands have slower speeds but greater range (broadcast distance). Speeds increase and range reduces as bands increase. Consumer-grade home Wi-Fi equipment uses the 2.4, 5 and 6GHz spectrums, with 6GHz having the best performance (fastest speeds) but shortest range.

But not all routers and devices can access the 6GHz band as it’s a relatively recent development in consumer equipment. There are two types of router available:

• Dual-band: uses 2.4 and 5GHz
• Tri-band: uses 2.4, 5 and 6GHz

A dual-band router cannot broadcast on the 6GHz frequency.

Any Wi-Fi-enabled device, including TVs, laptops and smart lights, can connect to the 2.4GHz band. Most devices also work with 5GHz, while 6GHz compatibility isn’t as common.

Devices on the network can slow down, stutter or drop out if there’s too much traffic on a particular band. You can switch between them in the device’s network settings as routers treat each band as its own network.

For example, smart appliances and similar devices like bulbs, security cameras and washing machines typically prefer the 2.4GHz band as they don’t require the higher bandwidth or speeds that 5 and 6GHz provide. But this means the 2.4GHz band can get quite congested if you’re living in a particularly tech-heavy place, so it’s best to connect phones, laptops and TVs to the 5 or 6GHz bands.

This is where tri-band routers are handy for families or sharehouses. You can connect supported devices to the 6GHz network, freeing up space on the other two bands, which improves overall performance and stability.

Tools to help busy networks

The default settings on most modern routers should be able to handle a busy network in a typical home. But you should still understand the tools and settings that can help optimise and stabilise your Wi-Fi network.

While some of these features operate automatically, you may need to turn them on in the settings. Others are a bit more advanced and require manual input.

• Quality of service: This feature automatically allocates bandwidth based on the device and its needs at the time. A TV streaming video in 4K will get more bandwidth than a phone watching the same content in high-definition, for example. This is a very common feature.
• Band steering: The router can automatically identify and allocate the optimal band for the connected device based on bandwidth requirements and network congestion. Similar to quality of service but the router shifts bands rather than adjusting bandwidth specifically.
• MU-MIMO: stand for “multi-user multiple-input multiple-output”. This feature automatically allocates individual data streams (bandwidth) to multiple active devices in parallel, rather than connecting each to a single Wi-Fi broadcast on each band. This helps improve performance and stability and relieves congestion as devices aren’t “competing” for bandwidth on a single band.
• Multi-link operation (MLO): allows supported MLO devices to use all available bands on the network at the same time to improve stability. Requires Wi-Fi 7.

Advanced settings for the techy types include:

• Bandwidth throttling/management: Allows you to manually set a bandwidth limit for each device on the network. Not quite as common as quality of service and may be a bit tricky for novices.
• Channel width adjustment: measured in megahertz (MHz). This is a granular approach to avoiding network congestion. Manually adjusting the frequency range (channel width) within each band can help improve stability and performance depending on the device. It’s an advanced setting that you’ll only find on some mid- to high-end routers.

The best routers for families and share houses

These routers will give you the best performance for busy networks. We’ve picked the top model for multiple users, the router with the best range for larger properties and the ideal option for homes looking for great performance on a budget.

TP-Link Archer BE550 – Best for busy networks

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 81%
• Price: $499
• Single and multi-client performance scores: 90/96%
• Obstructed range score: 61%
• Parental controls score: 80%

Keen to kick back and stream Stranger Things in 4K? Go for it. Does your partner want to watch Heated Rivalry on their laptop in the next room at the same time? No problem. Is everyone else gaming online while security cameras and smart doorbells keep an eye on things out the front? That’s all fine if you’ve got this router.

Why? Because the Archer BE550 blew every other wireless router out of the water in our multi-client (user) test. Performance in this area is excellent (96%), with no signs of slow-down, buffering, dropouts and other annoying internet issues.

It’s got all the fixings to help manage network congestion and allocate bandwidth for better performance on certain devices. There’s tri-band broadcasting, MU-MIMO and MLO support to improve stability and good old band steering.

Now this may sound a bit techy and intimidating, but TP-Link has made a fairly user-friendly router. Settings are easy to navigate, including parental controls which help to keep harmful or mature content away from younger eyes.

The only real drawback is its performance over long range or through obstructions like walls, windows and floors. Speeds and stability can dip a bit (61%) in these situations, which isn’t uncommon, but still worth keeping in mind if you regularly have more than four people on the internet at the same time.

Read the full TP-Link Archer BE550 review.

Netgear RS600 – Best long-range performance

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 74%
• Price: $799
• Single and multi-client performance scores: 95/97%
• Obstructed range score: 82%
• Parental controls score: 32%

Most routers in our test earned poor to OK results in our long-distance testing – but not the RS600. Netgear’s router is very good (82%) at keeping a stable connection from one end of the house to the other, even when passing through walls, doors and up to the second floor.

Though multi-user speeds don’t quite match the superfast Archer BE550 above, the RS600 is still fast and capable of concurrent video streaming, gaming and browsing. It’s really worth considering if you live in a medium- to large-sized property.

However, it’s not the easiest router to use and neither is it entirely family friendly. The app is fairly limited and pretty glitchy, and most of the useful security and parental controls are locked behind a monthly paywall.

It’s a shame, because there’s a lot to like about this router. But adding a monthly fee to an already expensive router feels a tad greedy, so just be aware that you’ll have to pay extra to get the most out of this router.

Read the full Netgear RS600 review.

TP-Link Archer BE230 – Best bang for your buck

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 71%
• Price: $197
• Single and multi-client performance scores: 75/74%
• Obstructed range score: 45%
• Parental controls score: 80%

Families and sharehouses will get a lot of mileage out of the Archer BE230. It may not sit among the top performers in our test, but it’s far and away the best value for money.

Wi-Fi 7 support and a 2.5 gigabit WAN port can supply plenty of bandwidth across multiple users and fast download speeds for a single device. Performance remains remarkably consistent whether one or more users are connected and active at the same time, with good results (75% and 74%) in these tests.

The Archer BE230 is a novice-friendly router as well and though some features and settings come with a bit of a learning curve, the average user shouldn’t have much trouble navigating the interface. Parental controls are among the best in our test (80%) and they’re pretty easy to set up and navigate.

But the budget price tag does bring some limitations. Speeds and stability can get a bit spotty over longer distances and through obstructions like walls, floors and windows. It doesn’t support the fastest 6GHz band either, which may also cause some congestion issues in particularly packed households.

Read the full TP-Link Archer BE230 review.

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The post The best wireless routers for families and share houses appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

According to research released by Roy Morgan in early March, the telecommunications sector is Australia’s least trusted, and Optus is the least trusted telco.

At the heart of the issue is the fact that the telco sector regulates itself. It writes the Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) Code, which is then reviewed and approved by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

In the view of many consumer advocates, this is basically a rubber stamp, and we continue to be poorly served by the consumer services sector we arguably depend on the most.

Selling customers services they don’t need and probably can’t use is one major longstanding issue, and it’s one that is only getting worse according to the Fair Call Coalition, an alliance of 23 consumer and community organisations (including ĚÇĐÄVlog).

Unconscionable conduct

In 2024, ĚÇĐÄVlog reported on one particularly egregious case, in which Optus pressured around 429 consumers into paying for telco services that were grossly unsuitable for their circumstances, both financially and technologically. Many were First Nations Australians from regional and remote areas or people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Optus paid a $100 million penalty for the conduct in a case brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. An ACCC case arising from similarly unconscionable practices resulted in a $50 million penalty for Telstra in 2021. ACMA rarely takes action on TCP Code violations, and simply reminds telcos to follow the code when it does.

ACMA agrees to replace industry code

Recent research from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) – which leads the Fair Call Coalition – reveals that one in five Australians have felt pressured to purchase a more expensive plan than they wanted, and over one in three have experienced unexpected changes to their contracts around terms and conditions. (The data comes from Wave 3 of , which was based on nationally representative survey responses taken between 13 February and 2 March 2026.)

For ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett, the results are further evidence that ACMA should scrap the TCP Code and directly regulate the sector, especially in problem areas such as sales practices, credit assessments, disconnections and coverage information. It’s a move that the Fair Call Coalition has repeatedly called for.

On 27 March, ACMA acceded to this longstanding demand and announced that it would replace the code with enforceable industry standards.

The change comes none too soon. The latest research “has reinforced that trust in this sector is in the doldrums and consumer wellbeing is at threat. Consumers feeling unprotected plays no small part in this result,” Bennett says.

Telcos have not learned their lessons

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s 2024–25 annual report revealed that hardship complaints to the ombudsman went up 46% compared to the previous 12 months. Many of these complaints would have stemmed from a gaping hole in the TCP Code around sales and credit assessment practices. The industry-written code lacks enforceable standards in these areas. Whether ACMA’s new enforceable standards will improve matters remains to be seen.

Managing director of Bush Money Mob Alan Gray says ACCAN’s consumer sentiment data “aligns exactly with what our remote Aboriginal clients are experiencing around the Outback. Remote financial counsellors know that large telcos simply have not learned the lessons [from the Optus and Telstra cases].”

Jillian Williams, advocacy manager at the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network, says the advocacy group “has been supporting hundreds of people who have experienced significant loss and stress as a result of telco misconduct that was allowed to occur over many years”.

“A strong and enforceable code, delivering stronger consumer protections, could have prevented much of the harm our service has seen,” she adds.

ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin says the regulator already enforces industry standards for complaint handling, financial hardship obligations and protections for people experiencing domestic and family violence.

But the TCP Code, which will remain in effect until it formally retired at a date yet to be determined, leaves too much room for harm.

“Now is the time to move the remaining consumer protections into direct regulation so that expectations are consistent, obligations are clear and are backed by stronger and more immediately available enforcement powers for the regulator,” O’Loughlin says.

“Telco consumers must have confidence that selling practices are fair and that they will not be sold services they cannot afford, do not deliver the service for which they paid or the coverage they have been promised.”

The post Telco upselling and mis-selling going from bad to worse appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

Wireless router manufacturers make all sorts of claims about speed, stability and general performance but these don’t always stack up in the real world. They’re technically accurate, sure, but not entirely reflective of what you’ll get from a typical home setup.

Some models are very good at maintaining a high-speed connection on a single device but struggle when multiple people get online. Others are fine for smaller properties but struggle over long distances with obstructions like walls, windows and floors across multiple stories.

Then there are the routers that perform brilliantly but may be overkill for the average family. Though these are great, your home network might not require a router that costs over $500.

To help you make the right decision, ĚÇĐÄVlog experts tested twelve wireless routers that range from $200 to $600. These are the top performing and most affordable models that aren’t likely to drop out when you’re “working from home” and watching Married at First Sight on the toilet.

ĚÇĐÄVlog router reviews are free to read as part of a paid partnership with NBN Co. All ĚÇĐÄVlog testing and reviews are conducted independently by experts.

How does Wi-Fi work?

Wi-Fi is pretty complicated when you really get into the weeds, but most of us only need to understand two things when shopping around for a router: Wi-Fi bands and Wi-Fi versions.

Wi-Fi bands

This one is pretty straightforward. Bands are frequencies used to distribute a Wi-Fi signal, measured in gigahertz (GHz), not unlike radio waves.

Bands at the lower end of the spectrum have slower speeds/less bandwidth but greater range, which inverts as bands move up the spectrum. The three main bands on consumer-grade routers are 2.4, 5 and 6GHz.

The 2.4Ghz band is slower and has less bandwidth but greater range. 5GHz is much faster but can’t travel as far and may have trouble with obstructions such as walls or doors. Dual-band routers can connect to 2.4 and 5GHz bands while tri-band can also access 6GHz for maximum performance.

Wi-Fi versions

Wireless routers use firmware that adheres to the global Wi-Fi standard. This standard specifies how Wi-Fi-enabled devices perform, connect to the internet and talk to each other. Things would be a mess without this standard as it more or less ensures that consumer-grade devices can work together without issue.

Every few years, the standard is updated to improve speeds/bandwidth, security and overall performance as new routers are released. When the update is complete, a new version of Wi-Fi is released to manufacturers who install it in their Wi-Fi-enabled devices, including routers. Versions are bound to the hardware, so you can’t upgrade your router to a newer Wi-Fi version at home.

The latest version is WiFi 7 (2024) which succeeds Wi-Fi 5 (2013), Wi-Fi 6 (2019) and Wi-Fi 6E (2021). New releases are backwards compatible with devices running older Wi-Fi versions so you’re not going to get kicked offline when using a Wi-Fi 5 laptop on a Wi-Fi 7 network, for example.

Why is this important? Maximum data transfer speeds (download and uploads) have increased with each version. Older routers running Wi-Fi 5 or earlier can’t reach the maximum speeds currently available to consumers on the NBN.

This is because routers can only send and receive a certain amount of data at a time. This data is measured in megabits pers second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps) once the total number of megabits exceeds 1000 (1000 Mbps equals 1 Gbps).

That’s why you need a router with a Wi-Fi version that matches or exceeds your NBN plan’s maximum speeds, especially if you’re eligible for a free speed upgrade. Without one, you may be paying for a plan that you can’t completely utilise.

All of the routers in this article support Wi-Fi 7 and can access the maximum NBN speeds currently available to consumers on the most expensive plans, which is 2000Mbps download (aka 2Gbps or gigabit internet).

The best wireless routers from our test

TP-Link Archer BE550

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 81%
• Price: $499
• Performance score: 83%
• Parental controls score: 80%

If you’re prepared to splash some serious cash on a wireless router, consider the Archer BE550. Not only is it the top performer in almost every aspect of our test, it’ll future-proof your home network for years to come.

Single device download speeds are excellent (90%) and our multi-device test delivered results that were unmatched by quite a large margin (96%) compared to the next best router (85%) in this part of the test.

That makes this router an ideal option for larger households with multiple users on a high-bandwidth plan. You can simultaneously stream video in 4K to your heart’s content, provided you’re not too far away from the router, as it can have trouble with walls and floors in two-storey houses, even on the 2.4GHz band.

It’s also quite easy to use with a robust set of parental controls that are easy to set up in the associated app. There’s really nothing in our results to suggest that this router can’t suit the needs of all but the most speed/bandwidth hungry households.

Read the full TP-Link Archer BE550 review.

Asus RT-BE88U

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 75%
• Price: $599
• Performance score: 73%
• Parental controls score: 80%

Our home networking expert described this router’s design in two words – “physically imposing”. Aesthetics don’t factor into our test but it’s still worth noting that the RT-BE88U wouldn’t look out of place in Blade Runner.

But this isn’t a case of style over substance, because beneath its eye-catching exterior are the guts to match. Asus has built a high-performance router that can help drive a busy network with ease, even though it doesn’t support the 6GHz band. But like most of the routers we looked at, it’s not great at dealing with obstructions (57%).

Just to be clear, it does support Wi-Fi 7 so users on gigabit NBN plans can access the speeds they paid for. But it’s limited to two signal bands – 2.4 and 5GHz – whereas most other high-end routers support the third 6GHz band.

In its place is a dedicated Internet of Things (IoT) network designed for smart appliances and similar devices such as lights, security cameras and washing machines. This frees up the other bands for work and entertainment so you’re far less likely to encounter congestion issues on your phone, laptop, smart TV and so on.

Configuration options run deep, well beyond the needs of the average user if you’re into that sort of thing. You don’t need an IT degree to use this router mind you – you can still get great performance using the recommended settings.

Read the full Asus RT-BE88U review.

The best budget wireless router in our test

TP-Link Archer BE230

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 71%
• Price: $197
• Performance score: 66%
• Parental controls score: 80%

TP-Link’s Archer BE230 is the best bang-for-your-buck router in our test – in fact, it’s the cheapest. Despite its low cost, it can maintain good speeds and stability while multiple users are online, making it suitable for families or smaller share houses shopping on a budget.

Though it can’t beat the blazing speeds of the fastest routers in our test, the Archer BE230  shouldn’t have any trouble with typical video streaming, online gaming, general web browsing and so on. Performance even remained fairly stable during our multiple user test, which is pretty impressive given the price point.

Harmful content and URL filters are very good, among the best in our test in fact (80%). Settings are extensive and easy to navigate, so even non-techy parents shouldn’t have much trouble setting up online safety controls.

But range, once again, is pretty poor (45%) when there are walls, windows and other obstructions. It should still work well in an apartment setting or small- to medium-sized homes. Larger properties may want to consider another model with better range results.

Read the full TP-Link Archer BE230 review.

Wireless routers to avoid

While we didn’t come across any obviously terrible routers in our test, these average performers took out the bottom two places. Generally speaking, you can find better alternatives for similar prices.

Eero 7

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 63%
• Price: $300
• Performance score: 62%
• Parental controls score: 39%

The Eero 7 (and other Eero routers) can connect to a mesh network out of the box which may be pretty appealing for non-techy types looking to improve internet coverage at home. But other features aren’t easily accessible and its performance isn’t worth the asking price.

Download and upload speeds are good (70%) when the Eero 7 is connected to a single active device. But it dips down to the slowest router in our test when multiple users jump online.

Signal range is pretty average as well (48%), among the worst in our test. You wouldn’t want to use the Eero 7 in a multi-story property or older house with thick, double-brick walls.

But the most egregious issue with this router is its paywalled security features and parental controls. While the Eero 7 provides some basic options for free, the full range of functions requires a monthly fee. Granted, Eero isn’t the only manufacturer to do this, but in our opinion, you shouldn’t have to pay extra for safe browsing tools after shelling out $300.

Read the full Eero 7 review.

Why we've partnered with WhistleOut

We've partnered with search engine WhistleOut to help you find and buy the right plan for you.  While we make money if you buy through WhistleOut, this doesn't influence our rankings. 100% of the money we make goes straight back into our nonprofit mission.

D-Link DIR-BE3602

• ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert Rating: 65%
• Price: $250
• Performance score: 66%
• Parental controls score: 58%

Yet another router that doesn’t really rise above mediocrity in all aspects of our tests. Single client (one device) speeds are among the lowest in our test and performance drops even further when multiple devices connect.

Speeds are still OK for downloads (69%) and uploads (68%). But homes with more than two users will probably encounter connection issues if around four or more people are video streaming or gaming at the same time.

Our experts found some settings a bit fiddly to navigate as well. Like the Eero 7, this router also defaults to Wi-Fi 6, so you need to manually switch on Wi-Fi 7 to get the best performance, which is frustrating.

Parental controls are quite limited and often unclear in the settings section of the app. They mostly focus on social media restrictions and aren’t the easiest tools to use for novices.

Read the full D-Link DIR-BE3602 review.

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On this page:

• How we choose what we test
• How we test wireless routers
• How we test wireless mesh router kits

How we choose what we test

We look for dual-band and tri-band wireless routers and mesh router systems that:

• Are readily available
• Support the latest NBN gateways
• Support the latest Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7 standards with testing carried out with the router and an additional node unit to create a wireless mesh system.

How we test wireless routers

Our routers are tested in a typical office environment using an internal line. The busiest band is 2.4GHz, with the 5GHz and 6GHz bands being relatively free.

This environment, where there are lots of internet-capable devices such as smartphones, laptops, and smart TVs within range allows us to replicate real-world performance, where the wireless router may be installed in a house, apartment or neighbourhood with plenty of competing devices and wireless networks.

All routers are tested as close to their default configuration as possible, except in cases where the default settings would put the router at an unfair disadvantage (for example, if a router defaulted to Wi-Fi 6 out of the box, we changed it to Wi-Fi 7 to make results comparable, though we note the inappropriate default settings in the bad points). Band-steering (one single network name for all bands) is used in all tests if it’s the default setting for that router.

Our test covers three key areas:

• Performance (data transfer speed/stability)
• Ease of use
• Parental controls

We also performance test older and new smart devices that support Internet of Things (IoT), such as smart bulbs, security cameras and robot vacuums. We conduct this test because all wireless routers have band-steering enabled, which may cause issues when trying to connect to their preferred Wi-Fi band, such as 2.4GHz.

This aspect of the test isn’t scored. Instead, we make a note in the bad points if there were any hindrances when installing and connecting IoT devices.

Performance

We conduct three performance assessments; a single-client close range test, a multi-client close range test, and single-client obstructed range test (a “client” is an internet-capable device). Each test sends four parallel streams of data for a duration of one minute and is repeated five times.

The single-client close range test uses a Wi-Fi 7 laptop to assess speed (data transfer) performance. The test sends four parallel streams of data with no obstructions (walls, doors etc), for a duration of one minute at a distance of four metres. The average speed is an indication of how fast the router can send data to one client when no other network activity is present.

The multi-client close range test assesses speed (data transfer) performance to two Wi-Fi 7 laptops at a distance of five metres. This takes place while multiple entertainment, security and IoT devices are active on the same network.

The average speed is an indication of how fast the router can send data to one client when other network activity is present. We also record whether disruptions occur in any other devices on the same network while the test is active.

The single-client obstructed range test uses a Wi-Fi 7 laptop to assess speed (data transfer) performance. The laptop is positioned 15 metres away from the router with typical housing obstructions in between. The average speed is an indication of how fast the router can send data to one client in tough network conditions.

Note: wireless routers that only have one available ethernet port are scored using only one laptop.

Ease of use

Specific test areas are:

• Physical and software setup
• Admin security
• Updating firmware
• User interface clarity and ease of navigation
• Network customisation
• Guest and Internet of Things (IoT) setup and customisation
• Ease of identifying devices connected to the network.

Parental controls

Assesses the range of parental controls, their effectiveness, ease of use when enabling and adjusting content filtering and whether parental controls are free or behind a paywall. We look for the following settings and assess their ease of use for the average user.

• Manual filtering of content
• Age-appropriate filtering
• Scheduling internet access
• Speed limiting of devices
• Manually pausing internet access
• Scheduling Wi-Fi on and off times

Power consumption

Based on the router being active for 10 hours and idle for 14 hours. Active power consumption is recorded with multiple clients streaming content on the network, and a Wi-Fi 7 laptop transferring data from obstructed range approximately 15m away. Annual power consumption costs are calculated at a rate of 40 cents per kilowatt hour.

How we score wireless routers

The ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert rating is made up of:

• Performance (60%)
• Ease of use (25%)
• Parental controls (15%)

We recommend wireless routers with a ĚÇĐÄVlog expert rating of 75% or more.

How we test wireless mesh router kits

Performance 

For wireless mesh routers, the following tests make up the total performance score.

Speed at close range test: we transfer our data from the NAS to the client over a line-of-sight distance of four metres (considered a best-case scenario). The main node of the mesh kit resides in the lounge room where the NBN connection is fed, and the client sits four metres away.

Speed at long range test: we transfer our data from the NAS to the client over a non-line-of-sight distance of 10m. The main node resides in one room where the NBN connection is fed, and the client sits 10m away in another room with brick walls and windows as obstacles to the signal. 

A baseline test is conducted from the client to the main mesh kit’s node, and then we switch on the extending node to note the difference in performance. The tester ensures the laptop is restarted and reconnected to the network after the mesh unit has been enabled to make sure a connection is made to the extending node.

Speed at extended range test: we transfer data from a NAS device to the client over a line-of-sight distance of 40m. For products that only support smart switching or band steering, we must force the client adapter to use the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands manually when connecting to these products. If there’s an improvement in performance with this setting, we use this figure for the 5GHz test, as we want to make sure we’re assessing the router’s best capable performance.

We also conduct a test with a mesh node placed halfway between the main node and the client, in order to see if there’s a boost in performance when the mesh kit is working as intended. This is the figure that’s used for assessment in the long-distance test.

Ease of use 

Ease of use includes:

• Initial set-up: how easy it is to set up each mesh kit using the supplied instructions
• Extender node set-up: the process for setting up each node (and how easy it is)
• Firmware update: whether this needs to be done manually or is automatic once you’ve set up the kit
• Changing settings: how easy it is to access and change settings, such as wireless network names
• Smart device installation: how easy it is to add and set up smart devices on the network.

Power consumption

We measure idle consumption only (24 hours). We repeat the process for the extending nodes, making sure that the main node is powered on to establish the mesh network, and add the figures.

How we score wireless mesh router kits

The ĚÇĐÄVlog Expert rating is made up of:

• Performance (60%)
• Ease of use (40%)

We recommend wireless routers with a ĚÇĐÄVlog expert rating of 75% or more.

The post How we test wireless and mesh routers appeared first on ĚÇĐÄVlog.

The Wi-Fi standard (basically the firmware that makes Wi-Fi work) is updated every few years. The updates broadly improve performance and security which means faster speeds at home for the average user.

Your router or modem-router needs to support one of the latest versions to access the best speeds delivered by the NBN. These are Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7. Networking equipment that’s running older versions will work, but it may create a bandwidth bottleneck and you could be paying for a plan that you can’t actually use.

That’s why a Wi-Fi 6, 6E or 7 router is the way to go. But it’s worth noting that each version is different and the best option depends on your NBN plan, download/upload needs and the number of people in your home.

• What is a Wi-Fi version?
• How Wi-Fi versions affect speed and performance
• How Wi-Fi versions affect bandwidth
• How to check the Wi-Fi version at home
• Do I need a Wi-Fi 6, 6E or 7 router?
• Wi-Fi 7 device compatibility

If you’re not across how modems, routers and modem-routers connect your home to the NBN (and other internet options), check out our modems and routers guide. Note that references to routers also cover modem-routers even though most homes don’t need these to connect to the NBN.

What is a Wi-Fi version?

Like your computer, smartphone and TV, your Wi-Fi needs firmware to function. A group of organisations quietly maintain and update this firmware to match improvements in networking hardware (router, mesh networks etc) and internet speeds.

The latest version is Wi-Fi 7 (released in 2024), so called because it’s the seventh generation of the Wi-Fi standard. This succeeds Wi-Fi 5 (2013), Wi-Fi 6 (2019) and Wi-Fi 6E (2021).

These Wi-F- versions are bound to the hardware, so you can’t upgrade your router to a newer Wi-Fi version at home. If you want the benefits of a newer version, you have to buy new equipment.

How Wi-Fi versions affect speed and performance

Routers can only send and receive a certain amount of data at a time. This data is measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps) once the total number of megabits exceeds 1000 (1Gbps = 1000 Mbps).

Your router’s Wi-Fi version is one of the key factors that determines data transfer speeds. The peak speeds supported by older versions is much lower than the speeds supported by Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7, which means that older versions can experience a performance bottleneck.

Say you’re signed up to an NBN plan with 500Mbps download speeds (e.g. 500/100) that connects to your home using a Wi-Fi 4 router. Wi-Fi 4 has a maximum speed of 100Mbps so even though your plan can reach up to 500Mbps, your home network is limited to one fifth of that. See the problem?

That’s why you need a router with a Wi-Fi version that matches or exceeds your NBN plan’s maximum speeds. This is particularly important after the NBN’s recent free speed upgrades – your older router may have worked just fine when you were on a 100/40 plan, but the 500/100 speed boost could exceed its capabilities.

How Wi-Fi versions affect bandwidth

The data transfer rate also affects bandwidth, which is just as important as speed. Bandwidth basically determines how many devices can access the network at the same time without causing lag, buffering and other general performance problems.

For example, if you have four people streaming 4K video on your 1000/100Mbps plan at the same time, they can access up to 250Mbps worth of data each. This is more than enough bandwidth to supply the speeds required for video streaming.

This is where a Wi-Fi 6, 6E or 7 router comes in handy. Older Wi-Fi versions may not have enough bandwidth to go around, such as Wi-Fi 4 which caps at 100Mbps leaving each person with 25Mbps for streaming.

Reducing latency

Wi-Fi 7 also improves and reduces latency between devices, which is a fancy way of saying there’s less lag. You probably won’t notice much difference doing day-to-day activities, but less latency is a big tick for anyone who plays fast-paced games online.

How to check the Wi-Fi version at home

An upgrade may be required if you’re running anything older than Wi-Fi 5. The first thing to do is check the Wi-Fi version on your router by flipping it over and looking through the information printed on the base, checking the manual or searching the model number online.

Note that your router may list the technical name for the Wi-Fi version instead of the consumer alternative. These are:

• Wi-Fi 7: 802.11be
• Wi-Fi 6/6E: 802.11.ax
• Wi-Fi 5: 802.11ac
• Wi-Fi 4: 802.11n

We haven’t included Wi-Fi 1 to 3 due to their age and performance limitations in 2026.

You can probably get away with holding onto a Wi-Fi 5 router for now, as this version is capable of running NBN plans with a maximum download speed of 500Mbps. Wi-Fi 4 will not typically exceed 100Mbps and though there are plans at (and below) this speed, using older equipment is risky.

Wi-Fi 6E is an ‘extended’ version of Wi-Fi 6. It adds a 6GHz band for supported routers which can help relieve network congestion when lots of devices are online at the same time. It can also exceed the 1000Mbps Wi-Fi 6 limit with a bit of technical knowhow.

Security concerns

Routers running Wi-Fi 5 (and earlier) are getting very long in the tooth and may have reached end of life. That means manufacturers may have stopped rolling out essential security updates which leaves your network extremely vulnerable to attack.

After all, Wi-Fi 5 is almost 13 years old while Wi-Fi 4 is about to turn 17. Smartphone and laptop operating systems aren’t supported for that long and your router probably isn’t either.

Do I need a Wi-Fi 6, 6E or 7 router?

This mostly comes down to the maximum download speeds on your NBN plan. Wi-Fi 6 and 7 routers support the fastest NBN plans currently available to consumers and they futureproof your network for potential speed upgrades down the line.

A Wi-Fi 7-enabled router is the best option as these typically deliver speeds around 2000Mbps. Wi-Fi 6 caps out at 1000Mbps, but this is still suitable for the vast majority of consumers signed up to plans that deliver 1000Mbps or less.

How to buy the right router

The advertised Wi-Fi version is the best indicator of how your modem-router or router will perform on the NBN. Ignore the maximum bandwidth and download speeds being advertised by Internet Service Providers. They’re not inaccurate, but they’re a bit misleading.

On paper, Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7 can achieve maximum speeds that go well beyond consumer-grade NBN plans. You think 1000Mbps download is fast? Try 9.6Gbps on Wi-Fi 6! Manufacturers love to advertise these figures and you’d be forgiven for thinking that a Wi-Fi 6 router can reach Wi-Fi 7 speeds.

So why can’t Wi-Fi 6 routers hit anything faster than 1000Mbps? Hardware, particularly the Wide Area Network (WAN) port. The WAN is a part of the chain that connects your home network to the outside line and it has a data limit as well, just like Wi-Fi versions.

Back when Wi-Fi 6 was the norm, pretty much every consumer-grade router and modem-router used a 1Gbps (1000Mbps) WAN port, creating a bottleneck. WAN hardware has since improved which is why Wi-Fi 6E and 7 routers can reach greater maximum speeds.

Wi-Fi 7 device compatibility

The last piece in the networking puzzle is device computability. Will your phone, laptop, TV, games console, smart lightbulbs, doorbell, baby monitor and everything else work with Wi-Fi 7?

Yes, with a caveat. In order for Wi-Fi 7 to reach its full potential, your devices will need to be able to support the maximum speeds as well. But Wi-Fi 7 is still fairly new and many older laptops, phones, tablets and so on won’t support it.

Your devices will still connect because Wi-Fi 7 is backwards compatible with older versions. You just won’t get the same blistering speeds as you would with a compatible device.

There’s no need to worry about buying into a technology that isn’t widely supported just yet. It’s only a matter of time before Wi-Fi 7 replaces Wi-Fi 6 as the new normal for devices.

Why we've partnered with WhistleOut

We've partnered with search engine WhistleOut to help you find and buy the right plan for you.  While we make money if you buy through WhistleOut, this doesn't influence our rankings. 100% of the money we make goes straight back into our nonprofit mission.

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