NetComm NF20MESH modem-router review: Meddling, middling mesh

Nathan Lawrence - Freelance Contributor

Last updated 07 April 2025

NetComm NF20MESH

Our verdict

The NetComm NF20MESH is a modem-router that, on paper, has appeal to more than just FTTN and FTTB homes, thanks to straightforward mesh expansion. Initial speed tests are great, and it’s a mostly good ’net companion… until it isn’t. There’s no companion app for initial setup or ongoing tweaking, it struggles with WiFi dead spots, and the longer you leave it on, the less reliable it gets.

From $169.90 RRP

What we love

Compatible with all NBN technologies
No-frills everyday performer
Expansion potential

What could be improved

No companion app
Struggles with WiFi dead spots
Reliability concerns over time

The essentials

Setup

There’s no companion app, so you’ll need to know your way around a web portal, which may be less of a concern if your NF20MESH comes preconfigured.

Ports

A healthy selection of ports, with four gigabit Ethernet, one USB 3.0 port for storage, and two VoIP ports for a home phone.

Performance

Initial speed tests mostly impress but there are some serious concerns with WiFi reliability, particularly the longer you use the NF20MESH.

Versatility

That missing companion app notwithstanding, the NF20MESH’s versatility comes from straightforward mesh expansion via CloudMesh Satellites.

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Modem-router used to be such a dirty word: a networking device that does the job of modem and router but is master of neither. Nowadays, for those living in FTTB and FTTN homes, a modem router is essential for getting online with NBN. Those connected to the NBN via other technologies, though, can use a modem-router. As someone living in an FTTC abode, I was keen to take the popular NetComm NF20MESH for a spin to see if the ageing modem-router could live up to its popularity. Spoilers: It couldn’t, but there is at least some room for hope under the right conditions.

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Network testing conditions

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 NetComm NF20MESH

The NetComm NF20MESH is a no-nonsense modem-router that has unfortunately, rare bragging rights to offering straightforward mesh expandability. While somewhat trickier to secure at retail, the NF20MESH has the added benefit of being available as an NBN plan add-on from More, Tangerine, Aussie Broadband and SkyMesh, listed from cheapest to priciest. The NF20MESH isn’t the cheapest modem-router, but given the features, it is reasonably priced.

Assuming those NBN providers deliver the NF20MESH preconfigured, you can avoid some of the potential hurdles of configuring via web portal. In terms of the physical connection parts that everyone has to manage, the NF20MESH is a breeze. I’m a big fan of the device’s vertical design, the clearly marked LED activity indicators on the front, physical buttons tucked off to the side, and a full selection of colour-coded ports on the back.

Just connect the power cable to the only place it goes, then the red-tipped Ethernet cable from the red WAN port on the NF20MESH to your NBN-provided modem. If you live in an FTTB or FTTN home, you can use that Ethernet cable as a spare and just connect to the DSL port next to the USB 3.0 port. That USB port can be used to connect a compatible hard drive so your NF20MESH’s able to share its contents with other devices on your home network.

During my initial speed tests, the NF20MESH offered reliably low latency inside and outside my apartment. It also did a mostly great job of offering reliable download and upload speeds. For Ethernet-connected devices, expect a reliable experience, and an initially solid one on WiFi devices, too. The basic Quality of Service (QoS) feature also did its job of preserving buffering and latency-sensitive online tasks while otherwise downloading larger files in most instances (at least initially). For those who buy the NF20MESH outright, performing a firmware update to the latest version makes the user interface a lot clearer and speeds up the time it takes to save changes to the settings, too.

Networking gear compatibility

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 NetComm NF20MESH

Despite a mostly strong start, there were some early Ls for the NetComm NF20MESH. The first is the complete lack of a companion app, meaning those without preconfigured versions will be reliant on a browser-based web portal for initial configuration and ongoing troubleshooting. The NF20MESH I bought from Amazon had default firmware, which is an ugly and convoluted way to interact with even the most basic settings.

Additionally, every tweak you make—even if that’s just changing a WiFi password—necessitates a 30-second wait to save the changes. Per setting. Yikes. I quickly investigated updating the firmware, but as an older bit of networking kit, there are no automated updates. Instead, you have to manually seek out, download, and then upload the firmware to get it to the latest version, something which those with preconfigured versions are advised against if they want to maintain simplified troubleshooting with their provider.

That firmware update mercifully brings the user interface into the modern age, but it also seemingly abolished band steering. I couldn’t reliably test whether it was activated between firmware updates; after all, I had gone out of my way to activate it initially from its default disabled state. But it did seem more likely that I was stuck with separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi bands, instead of a unified one that the NF20MESH intuitively shifted between as wireless devices moved in and out of range.

Worse was the realisation after a couple of weeks of testing that the 5GHz band had disappeared completely. My internet research suggests this isn’t an isolated incident, with some users even claiming that dual bands should be disabled to improve overall network stability. While a straightforward power cycle restored the 5GHz band, it didn’t restore my faith in the wireless reliability of the NF20MESH.

My partner reported sporadic problems with both farther-reaching 2.4GHz and faster 5GHz bands, which admittedly, may be down to reported connectivity issues with the Google Pixel 8 Pro. My Pixel 7 Pro had some issues, most noticeably in the wirelessly problematic back part of my apartment. Ultimately, while power cycles are typically the great equaliser when it comes to networking woes, I’ve never lost a band in the dozens of routers I’ve tested, and it doesn’t feel right to expect everyday users to notice the band disappearing, let alone the reliance on a restart to restore it.

NetComm NF20MESH – Final Thoughts

For most of my time testing, the NetComm NF20MESH felt like a bare-bolts modem-router that was keeping up with every basic online task I threw at it. But as time went on, it felt like that reliability was disappearing in a way that felt akin to the issues of software performance deteriorating because of a memory leak on a computer. The longer I used the NF20MESH, the more minor (and some major) cracks appeared. Sure, a restart felt like it reset the clock on those issues, but given I’m running the latest firmware, it’s concerning those kinks haven’t been ironed out.

Ultimately, while it’s admirable to find a modem-router with straightforward mesh expansion at a reasonable price, homes that need a modem-router are better off investing in a networking solution that’ll offer the kind of zero-disclaimer set-and-forget reliability that should be the norm these days.

How we review modems and routers

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.

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Nathan Lawrence

Freelance Contributor

Nathan Lawrence is a freelance writer with over 11 years of experience. He has contributed to publications including WhistleOut Australia, Review.org/au, IGN, STACK, Fandom, Red Bull, and AusGamers. Nathan specialises in researching, writing, and editing content around technology, telecommunications, and gaming.

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