In 2024, a reliable and efficient WiFi router is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a gamer, a strong internet connection is crucial to stay productive and entertained. However, not everyone has the budget for high-end routers. That’s why we’ve scoured the market to bring you the best affordable WiFi routers under $100 in 2024.
Related: What is the difference between a router and a modem?
How to Choose the Best Budget Routers in 2024
Selecting the best budget router requires a few key factors you should keep in mind to ensure you make an informed decision. These factors will help you strike the right balance between affordability and performance. Let’s break them down.
- Speed: Speed is crucial for smooth browsing, streaming, and downloading. When choosing a router, it’s essential to look for models that offer fast speeds.
- Ports: Multiple ethernet ports on your router is crucial because they allow you to connect devices directly to your network for a more stable and secure connection.
- Area: The size and layout of your home or office space play a significant role in determining the appropriate router for your needs. Some routers are better suited for smaller spaces, while others, are designed to provide whole-home coverage. Always consider the range and coverage of a router to ensure that all areas of your space receive a strong and uninterrupted signal.
- App: Managing and setting up your router can sometimes be challenging, especially if you are not tech-savvy. However, routers with user-friendly apps are easy to configure and also provide extra features to manage and monitor your network.
Related: Best WiFi Routers for Gaming in 2024
Best Affordable WiFi Routers Under $100
1. ASUS RT-AX55 (AX1800) | Available at $89
The ASUS RT-AX55 (AX1800) is a high-performance WiFi 6 router designed for large homes and demanding users. With its advanced features and powerful hardware, the RT-AX55 delivers blazing-fast speeds, increased capacity, and enhanced security for all your devices.
Key Features:
- Next-Gen WiFi 6 Standard:Â Experience the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) technology, which offers significantly fast speed and reduced network congestion.
- Ultra-Fast WiFi Speed: With support for 80MHz bandwidth and 1024-QAM, the RT-AX55 delivers blazing-fast wireless connections. Enjoy total networking speeds of up to 1800 Mbps—574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1201 Mbps on the 5 GHz band.
- Increased Capacity and Efficiency: The RT-AX55 supports not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technology. This means multiple devices can connect to your network without sacrificing speed or stability.
- Commercial-Grade Security:Â Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. This robust security solution provides real-time protection against cyber threats, including malware, viruses, and unauthorized access.
- NitroQAM (1024-QAM) Technology: NitroQAM (1024-QAM) technology enables a 25% increase in data rate compared to the older standard, which is limited to 256-QAM. This results in faster and more efficient data transfers.
Additional Details:
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.9 x 1.4 inches
- Data transfer rate: Up to 1.8 gigabytes per second
- Frequency bands supported: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
- Maximum coverage area: Up to 3,000 square feet
- Number of devices supported: Supports multiple simultaneous connections
- Connectivity technology:Â WiFi, Ethernet
2. TP-Link AX1800 | Available at $74
The TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21) is a game-changer in home networking, offering blazing-fast speeds and increased capacity. Let’s delve into its features and capabilities.
Key Features:
- WiFi 6 Technology: The Archer AX21 utilizes the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) technology for high speed and low network congestion.
- Dual-Band Connectivity: This router operates on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, providing flexibility and allowing you to connect devices to the most suitable band for optimal performance.
- Next-Gen Speeds: With speeds of up to 1.8 Gbps (1200 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band), you can enjoy the best streaming, gaming, and downloading experiences.
- Connectivity and Ports: The Archer AX21 is equipped with multiple ethernet ports to connect wired devices directly to the router. This ensures a stable and secure connection for gaming consoles or desktop computers.
- Beamforming Technology: The router focuses its signal strength on connected devices by using beamforming technology for strong and reliable WiFi coverage.
- Easy Mesh Compatibility: The Archer AX21 supports Easy Mesh, which means you can easily expand your WiFi coverage by adding compatible TP-Link devices to create a seamless mesh network.
- Alexa Compatibility: This router is certified for humans and works with Alexa, allowing you to control certain router functions using voice commands when combined with an Alexa device.
- VPN Server Support: The Archer AX21 supports both Open VPN Server and PPTP VPN Server for enhanced security and privacy on your network.
Additional Details:
- Dimensions: 10.28 x 5.3 x 1.61 inches
- Data transfer rate: Up to 1.8 gigabytes per second
- Frequency bands supported: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
- Maximum coverage area: Up to 1,500 square feet
- Number of devices supported: Supports multiple simultaneous connections
- Connectivity technology: WiFi, Ethernet
3. NETGEAR 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router | Available at $89
The NETGEAR 4-Stream WiFi 6 Router (R6700AX) is an ideal choice for small homes and apartments. Despite its compact size, this router packs a punch with its advanced features and capabilities.
Key Features:
- Compact Design: The R6700AX is designed to be compact and space-saving.
- Fast AX1800 Gigabit Speed: The router offers fast internet speeds of up to 1800 Mbps (1200 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band) for seamless streaming and gaming.
- WiFi 6 Technology: Equipped with the latest WiFi 6 technology, the R6700AX delivers high-speed performance and reduces network congestion.
- Wide Coverage: With coverage of up to 1,500 square feet, the R6700AX provides ample WiFi coverage for small to medium-sized homes.
- Multiple Connectivity Options: In addition to WiFi, the R6700AX features four Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing you to connect wired devices directly to the router for a secure and stable connection.
- Easy Setup and Management: Setting up the R6700AX is a breeze with the user-friendly Nighthawk app. You can easily manage your WiFi settings, test internet speed, and monitor data usage, all from the convenience of your smartphone.
- NETGEAR Armor Security: Protect your online activities with NETGEAR Armor, a comprehensive security solution for automatic protection against cyber threats across all your connected devices.
- Smart Parental Controls: Foster healthy internet habits and promote responsibility with the NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls. This feature allows you to set limits, manage screen time, and filter content.
Additional Details:
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.3 x 10.2 inches
- Data transfer rate: Up to 1.8 gigabytes per second
- Frequency bands supported: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
- Maximum coverage area: Up to 1,500 square feet
- Number of devices supported: Supports up to 20 devices
- Connectivity technology: WiFi, Ethernet
4. TP-Link Smart WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX10) | Available at $59
The TP-Link Smart WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX10) is another affordable and reliable option to upgrade your home network. With its advanced features and user-friendly design, the Archer AX10 is perfect for small homes and apartments.
Key Features:
- Affordable WiFi 6: The Archer AX10 offers blazing-fast speeds and improved efficiency at a budget-friendly price.
- Dual-Band Connectivity: This router operates on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, allowing you to connect devices to the most suitable band for optimal performance.
- Next-Gen Speeds: With speeds of up to 1201 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, you can enjoy smooth streaming, gaming, and downloading experiences.
- Connect More Devices: The Archer AX10 is incorporated with WiFi 6 technology to allow the router to communicate with more devices simultaneously without compromising speed or stability.
- Triple-Core Processing: The powerful 1.5 GHz triple-core processor ensures smooth and buffer-free communication between the router and all connected devices.
- Extensive Coverage: Equipped with Beamforming technology, the Archer AX10 focuses its signal strength on connected devices for fast WiFi connection.
- Backward Compatibility: The Archer AX10 supports all previous 802.11 standards and all WiFi devices, making it compatible with your existing devices.
- Universal Compatibility: The Archer AX10 works with all major internet service providers, including AT&T, Verizon, Xfinity, Spectrum, RCN, Cox, CenturyLink, and Frontier.
Additional Details:
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.9 x 1.4 inches
- Data transfer rate: Up to 1.5 gigabytes per second
- Frequency bands supported: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
- Maximum coverage area: Up to 1,500 square feet
- Number of devices supported: Supports multiple simultaneous connections
- Connectivity technology: WiFi, Ethernet
5. Asus RT-AC1200 | Available at $39
The Asus RT-AC1200 is a budget-friendly yet powerful dual-band WiFi router designed for home use. It offers a reliable and efficient internet connection for everyday activities like streaming, gaming, and browsing. Let’s explore its features and capabilities.
Features of the Asus RT-AC1200
- Dual-Band Connectivity: The RT-AC1200 operates on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, providing flexibility and allowing you to connect devices to the most suitable band for optimal performance.
- Fast Performance: With speeds of up to 1200 Mbps (300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 900 Mbps on the 5 GHz band), you can enjoy streaming, gaming, and downloading experiences.
- Wide Coverage: Equipped with four external antennas, the RT-AC1200 provides extended WiFi range and coverage for strong signals in your home.
- ASUSWRT Dashboard: The user-friendly ASUSWRT dashboard makes it easy to set up and manage your router. You can customize various settings, including parental controls, guest networks, and traffic management.
- Parental Controls: Protect your children by setting up parental controls to manage internet access, filter content, and set time limits for device usage.
- Multiple Connectivity Options: In addition to WiFi, the RT-AC1200 features multiple Ethernet ports for wired connections, allowing you to connect devices such as gaming consoles or desktop computers directly to the router.
- Compact Design: With its compact and sleek design, the RT-AC1200 can be easily placed on a shelf or desk without taking up too much space.
Additional Details
- Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
- Data transfer rate: Up to 1.2 gigabytes per second
- Frequency bands supported: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)
- Maximum coverage area: Up to 1,500 square feet
- Number of devices supported: Supports multiple simultaneous connections
- Connectivity technology: WiFi, Ethernet
Related: How to secure your home wireless network
Frequently Asked Questions
A good Wi-Fi router can range in price from around $30 to over $500, depending on the features and performance you need. The WiFi routers mentioned in this article all fall under $100, making them excellent budget options.
The lifespan of a router can vary depending on usage, environmental factors, and maintenance. Generally, routers can last up to 5 years before needing to be replaced.
Conclusion: Best Affordable WiFi Routers under $100
This article explains the best affordable routers to buy under $100. However, it is essential to conduct further research based on your specific requirements and compare prices across different retailers to find the best deal. Remember to carefully evaluate factors such as your speed requirements, coverage area, app preferences, and desired features before making a purchase to ensure a seamless and satisfying internet experience.
