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Yes. An old or limited router can prevent your devices from getting the speed your NBN plan can deliver, especially over Wi-Fi. But slow Wi-Fi is not proof that the router is at fault: your device, the router’s ports, home layout, network congestion, plan and NBN connection type can all affect results. Compare a wired speed test with Wi-Fi tests beside the router and in the rooms you use before replacing anything.
How an old router can cap NBN speeds
Your internet connection passes through several links: the NBN network, your provider’s service, the router and its ports, and the device you use. A weak point anywhere along that path can limit the result. NBN Co notes that a Wi-Fi 4 router can limit even newer connected devices to up to 100 Mbps. That is a guide figure for the Wi-Fi generation, not a promise that every Wi-Fi 4 router or device will reach that speed. NBN Co’s router guidance also cautions that actual capabilities vary by device, provider and manufacturer.
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Wi-Fi generation can help you judge whether a router is old, but its headline maximum is not a real-world speed guarantee. NBN Co’s guide gives the following typical maximums and approximate release years:
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →| Wi-Fi generation | Standard | Approximate release year | Typical maximum in NBN Co’s guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 4 | 802.11n | 2009 | Up to 100 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi 5 | 802.11ac | 2013 | Up to 500 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11ax | 2019 | Up to 1 Gbps |
| Wi-Fi 7 | 802.11be | 2024 | Over 2 Gbps |
These are guide values, not speeds a household should expect from any particular router. The connected device must support the relevant Wi-Fi generation too, and the router’s WAN and LAN ports, cables and provider configuration must suit the service. NBN Co’s connected-device guidance explains that the router, devices, cables and ports all affect performance.
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- OneMesh Compatible Router - Form a seamless WiFi when work with TP-Link OneMesh WiFi Extenders
- Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 Technology – The Archer AX10 leverages advanced Wi-Fi 6 features like OFDMA and 1024-QAM to deliver improved efficiency across your entire network. Perfect for high-bandwidth activities like streaming, gaming, and smart home connectivity.
- Next-gen Dual Band router - 300 Mbps on 2. 4 GHz (802. 11n) plus 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz (802. 11ax)
- Connect more devices than ever before - Wi-Fi 6 technology simultaneously communicates more data to more devices using OFDMA and MU-MIMO while reducing lag dramatically
- Powerful Dual-Core 900MHz Processor – Handles multiple data streams simultaneously for reliable performance across your devices. Ensures smooth streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing without buffering or lag.
How to check whether the router is the problem
Compare results under similar conditions: use the same device and speed-test service, test close together in time, and note where the device is connected. NBN Co recommends comparing Ethernet, Wi-Fi near the router and Wi-Fi in the rooms where you need service. Its speed-testing guidance can help distinguish a home Wi-Fi issue from a broader service problem.
- Confirm the service. Ask your internet provider which plan you have, what speed it is meant to deliver, and whether your address is connected by FTTP, HFC, FTTN or FTTC.
- Test by Ethernet if possible. Connect a computer directly to the router with an Ethernet cable and run a speed test. Use a capable device, cable and router port; otherwise, those can create a separate bottleneck.
- Test Wi-Fi beside the router. Use the same device and test service. A large gap between a strong wired result and Wi-Fi beside the router points toward the wireless setup or device.
- Test the rooms that matter. If Wi-Fi is good near the router but falls off elsewhere, coverage, walls, distance or interference may be the main issue.
- Repeat at a comparable time. Record the results and conditions. Different devices, times or test setups make the comparison less useful.
If Ethernet is also well below the plan’s expected performance, contact the provider to investigate the service, line, plan or equipment rather than assuming a new Wi-Fi router will fix it.
Rank #2
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
What to check when Wi-Fi is slower than Ethernet
Router and device capabilities
Check the router model and the Wi-Fi generation supported by the device you tested. A modern router cannot make an older phone or laptop support a newer Wi-Fi standard. Also check whether the router’s WAN port—the connection to the NBN equipment or network—and LAN ports can handle the speed of your service. A cable or port with a lower capability can constrain a wired connection too.
Placement, obstructions and household activity
Place the router centrally and in an elevated, open position where practical. Walls, distance and interference can weaken Wi-Fi, while other devices sharing the connection can affect what is available to each one. NBN Co’s home-setup tips cover router placement, Ethernet and Cat 6 cabling, and the effects of concurrent device use.
Rank #3
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Coverage across rooms
A router can be fast in one spot but fail to cover the whole home well. If tests show a large room-to-room drop, better placement may help; for persistent dead zones, a mesh system or wired access point can extend coverage. Mesh improves how Wi-Fi reaches parts of the home, but it does not raise the speed supplied by your NBN plan.
When the NBN connection type may be the constraint
A slow result is not always a router problem. In ACCC measurements from May 2025, 100 Mbps services on FTTN averaged 88.2 Mbps, compared with 104.4 Mbps for FTTP and HFC services on the same plan. For 50 Mbps plans, the measured averages were 47.6 Mbps on FTTN, 52.1 Mbps on FTTP and 52.3 Mbps on HFC. The ACCC also reported that 86% of measured underperforming connections were FTTN services on 50 or 100 Mbps plans. These are findings from the ACCC’s measured connections, not a prediction for every household. The ACCC’s May 2025 release provides the results.
Rank #4
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
Plan availability and speed changes can also depend on connection type. In a release about September 2025 plan changes, the ACCC said selected speed increases applied to FTTP and HFC, while FTTN and FTTC did not receive those increases. Its reported average of 503.9 Mbps, with 80.5% of measured services exceeding 500 Mbps during weekday 7–11 pm busy hours, concerned upgraded NBN Home Fast services in the FTTP/HFC context—not all NBN customers. Check current plan availability and the service offered at your address with your provider. The ACCC’s release on those plan changes explains the scope.
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Should you replace the router?
Consider a replacement when tests show that Ethernet is performing well but Wi-Fi near the router remains substantially slower, and the router’s generation or ports are a clear limitation. Wi-Fi 6 is a reasonable contemporary baseline for many households, but choosing a newer standard alone does not guarantee faster service. Confirm that the router works with your NBN connection and provider configuration, that its WAN and LAN ports suit your plan, and that the devices you use can take advantage of its Wi-Fi capabilities. NBN Co advises customers to discuss router and plan compatibility with their provider.
Best Value
- 𝐆𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟖𝐊 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 – Up to 5400 Mbps WiFi for faster browsing, streaming, gaming and downloading, all at the same time. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, & obstacles such as walls.
- 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢 𝟔 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 – Equipped with 4T4R and HE160 technologies on the 5 GHz band to enable max 4.8 Gbps ultra-fast connections.Power:12 V 2.5 A
- 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 – Supports MU-MIMO and OFDMA to reduce congestion and 4X the average throughput
- 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. High-Power FEM, 6× Antennas, Beamforming, and 4T4R structures combine to adapt WiFi coverage to perfectly fit your home and concentrate signal strength towards your devices.
- 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 – Improved vented areas help unleash the full power of the router
If the tests point instead to weak room-to-room coverage, address placement or consider mesh or a wired access point. If a wired test is also slow, ask your provider to investigate before spending on Wi-Fi equipment. The right fix depends on where the measured bottleneck is—not just the age printed on the router.
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