- User-friendly setup
- Eliminates WiFi dead spots
- Faithful web companion
- Single unit not worth it
- Inconsistent 2.4Ghz performance
- Only two gigabit Ethernet ports per device
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Networking terms are tricky. The term “modem” can refer to actual modems, routers, modem routers or mesh WiFi systems. Then there are deeper complications for each of those networking items. Take mesh WiFi, for instance. A single mesh unit can be used as a standalone router. Typically, they won’t be overly impressive. But they can also be expanded with identical units to create whole-home wireless coverage.
I’ve tested most of the Amazon eero range and have been frustrated with them when treating them as standalone routers, most notably with the eero Pro 6E and the eero Max 7. I was expecting to be similarly disappointed by the older dual-band WiFi 6 eero 6+, but it helped restore my faith in the eero line, albeit as a mesh WiFi system and not a standalone router.
The Amazon eero 6+ is available as a plan add-on from a handful of NBN providers in our database:
- AGL (one, two or three units)
- Buddy Telco (one, two or three units)
- More (one, two or three units)
- Origin Broadband (one unit)
- Southern Phone (one, two or three units)
- Superloop (one, two or three units)
- Tangerine Telecom (one, two or three units)
Check out popular NBN plans from providers that offer the eero 6+.
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#1
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Tangerine Telecom
FTTP, HFC
Speedy Max NBN 500/50
$59.90/mth
Min. cost $59.90
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#2
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Superloop
FTTP, HFC
Family Max nbn500/50
$74/mth
Min. cost $74
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#3
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More
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value Plus NBN
$100/mth
Min. cost $100
Link not supplied
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#4
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Origin Broadband
FTTP, HFC
Ultra Fast nbn® 1000
$114/mth
Min. cost $114
Link not supplied
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#5
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AGL
Fixed Wireless Fast
$110/mth
Min. cost $110
Link not supplied
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Home networking equipment is tested in a first-floor apartment with thick WiFi-interfering walls using an FTTC NBN 100/20 connection. The networking device is deliberately placed at one end of the apartment (instead of a central location) to test wireless range and penetration.
Basic speed tests are performed at multiple locations inside and outside the apartment, first with a Synology RT6600ax router and then with the networking device being reviewed for comparative results. Everyday internet tests are also performed with relevant results mentioned for streaming, web browsing, online gaming, video and voice calls, as well as downloading large files and transferring them across devices on the local network.
What we like about the eero 6+
There’s a lot to like about the Amazon eero 6+, and that appreciation starts with the price. At full RRP, you can snag a single eero 6+ for $249.99 or $599.99 for a three-pack. For comparison, that’s $100 cheaper for single and three-unit configurations compared to the Google Nest WiFi Pro. Individual costs are also $200 cheaper than the newer eero Pro 6E and a collect-your-jaw-off-the-floor $850 cheaper than the latest-gen eero Max 7.
Each eero 6+ unit boasts a sleek design that doesn’t take up much space. There aren’t any aerials to contend with, and there’s only a single operating light, which can be disabled with the eero companion app. The Ethernet ports are auto-sensing, meaning you can use either of them for your NBN connection box or a priority wired device, without having to worry about connecting the wrong one.
That user-friendliness carries over to setup. Whether you have one, three or more units, you’ll want to start with the eero app. Download it before you switch out your old networking gear. It’ll guide you through the hardware steps with helpful images and clear instructions. If everything goes right, expect to be online in under 10 minutes. It’s an equally simple process if you’re upgrading an existing eero network or adding compatible eero or Echo Dot devices to your home network. When you’re adding another eero 6+, the guided steps return and it only takes around two minutes to connect if you’ve put it in a good spot (the eero app will tell you).
You’ll likely be prompted to update the firmware, and I appreciate that you can set it to update later instead of forcing you to do it then and there. Firmware updates are always worth installing, though, and I only had to wait about five minutes per device for the latest firmware to install. Keep an eye on the eero app for the shift from ‘Updating’ to ‘Online’, and you’re ready to go.
If you live in a larger home or one prone to interference, you should start to notice improvements with two or more eero 6+ units, most notably with more consistent 5GHz coverage and consistent speeds inside the home. During my testing, I didn’t have any issues with any everyday internet tasks, from basics like browsing and social media through to video calls, streaming and online gaming. This is exactly what you want from a modern mesh WiFi system: a set-and-forget network that’s easily expandable and just works.
Routers, modem routers, and mesh WiFi systems are compatible with most NBN connections, including FTTP, HFC, FTTC, Fixed Wireless, and Sky Muster satellite. All of these NBN technologies use respective network termination devices (NTDs), which is a fancy term for “connection box” or “modem”. If you live in an FTTB or FTTN home, you’ll need a modem router to get online. You can still connect a router or mesh WiFi system to a modem router, but the modem router first needs to be in bridge mode so it can then connect to a router or mesh WiFi system.
What we dislike about the eero 6+
The compact design of the Amazon eero 6+ means port concessions. You’re restricted to two Ethernet ports per eero 6+ unit, and one of those is relegated to modem connection on the main unit. While you can use Ethernet backhaul for low-latency, high-speed connectivity between units, that wipes out more ports. It doesn’t help that the Ethernet ports only offer up to gigabit speeds, which feels a step behind in an internet landscape that’s moving towards NBN 2000 and beyond.
These concessions compound if you’re using the eero 6+ as a standalone router instead of a multi-unit mesh WiFi system. Not only are you dealing with one Ethernet port where four is the router standard – I was forced to connect my priority wired devices to a networking switch – it doesn’t offer whole-home WiFi coverage and can’t really compete with dedicated routers. Even with two or three eero 6+ units, the longer-range 2.4GHz band is noticeably slower even with good signal strength. Download speeds dropped by up to 85% in my tests and upload speeds by up to 94%.
There are also little dropouts that can happen when a device is shifting between eero 6+ units. By default, this is automated, which is what you want from a set-and-forget mesh WiFi system. But you may have hitches if you walk and talk around your home on a voice or video call or perform any other latency-sensitive tasks on the move.
You may encounter other oddities from setup through to everyday use. During initial configuration, I had to power cycle my FTTC connection box twice for the eero 6+ router to get an all-important IP address from my NBN provider, Exetel. This is a similar quirk I experienced with the eero Pro 6E. Speaking of IP addresses, the eero app is still bugged when trying to switch from the default automatic setting to a manual range for home devices. I use a manual IP address range for seamless access to my network-attached storage (NAS) drive, private game server hosting, remote access, and wake-on-LAN options for supported devices. All of these features require reconfiguration if I can’t manually switch the network IP range.
The biggest disappointment, though, is the paywalled features, which include full parental controls. Not long after completing setup, you’ll be prompted to sign up for eero Plus, the new name for Eero Secure. It costs $16.99 per month or $159.99 for a year, and there was a two-month free trial at the time of writing. If you want a fully featured eero 6+ experience, you’ll need that eero Plus sub, which includes features like content filters, ad blocking, as well as a VPN and a password manager. There is value to be found in subscription services like eero Plus; but it’s still an icky feeling to have it so prominently advertised in the eero app after a $250 to $600 hardware outlay.
I paid for the eero 6+ three-pack I used for this review. Before that, I’d been provided with a single eero 6+ device from a colleague who’d received it via an NBN provider. After hours of testing, resetting and troubleshooting, I couldn’t get that eero 6+ to get an external IP address, even when I tried to test its connectivity by adding it as a mesh expansion with the eero Pro 6E as the main router.
Effectively, it was busted. I spoke with eero technical support, who, after inputting the serial number, suggested it was locked to that initial NBN provider. But when I emailed a support representative from the NBN provider, they said the information from eero support was incorrect and the device wasn’t locked. Either way, I was still offline. I’ve found other reports online of second-hand eero units being locked to an internet provider.
With no definitive answer, I’d advise avoiding purchasing any second-hand eero 6+ units that may be from an internet provider. And if you’re shifting from one NBN provider to another with an eero 6+, check with your previous and new NBN provider that it will work.
eero 6+ – Final Thoughts
While they can be used as standalone routers, mesh WiFi systems operate at their best with two or more units as part of a unified network. The single-unit issues I had with the eero Pro 6E and eero Max 7 were eliminated by using two easy-to-expand eero 6+ devices. Things got even better when I added a third. While not as future-proofed as its younger siblings, most homes should get a good experience with eero 6+, as long as they opt for two or more.
We consider several factors when reviewing networking equipment, including:
- Type: Router, modem router or mesh WiFi system. Supported NBN technologies and plan speeds.
- Design: Size, weight and standing options. Internal or external antennae. Available ports, WiFi version, and single, dual or triband wireless.
- Setup: Plug-and-play configurations vs laborious setup. Companion apps and guided setups are a plus.
- Performance: Ethernet and WiFi speed tests for downloads, uploads and latency. Real-time latency test for online gaming, VoIP and/or video calls. Plus, everyday use like downloading, uploading, browsing and streaming.
- Versatility: Band steering (single SSID), quality of service and other features. Ease of configuration, plus mesh expansion.
These are the most popular NBN 50 plans with WhistleOut users this week:
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#1
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Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$57.99/mth
Min. cost $57.99
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#2
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amaysim
All Fixed Line nbn®
NBN50
$75/mth
Min. cost $75
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#3
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Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®
NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
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#4
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Tangerine Telecom
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value Plus NBN 50/20
$64.90/mth
Min. cost $64.90
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#5
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Superloop
All Fixed Line nbn®
Extra-value nbn50/20
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
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#6
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TPG
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$69.99/mth
Min. cost $69.99
Link not supplied
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#7
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iiNet
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Liimitless
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
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#8
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Kogan Internet
All Fixed Line nbn®
Silver Unlimited
$69.90/mth
Min. cost $69.90
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#9
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Flip
All Fixed Line nbn®
Unlimited Family nbn50
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
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#10
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Vodafone
All Fixed Line nbn®
Essential+ nbn®
$94/mth
Min. cost $94
Link not supplied
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Nathan Lawrence
Freelance Contributor
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