Best Budget Routers in 2023 – the top cheap picks available now
Finding the best budget router isn’t as simple as going for the cheapest, especially in 2023. Routers have come a long way, and while some of the best routers for gaming may tip the scales in terms of performance and price, nowadays you can get something high quality for much less than you’d expect…
We’ve selected what we think are some excellent budget options that should offer excellent connections, speeds, and usability without breaking the bank.
Let’s dive straight in!
Products at a Glance
When coming up with our list of the best budget routers, we paid close attention to several factors we thought were important for routers in lower price ranges. First of all, a simple user interface is incredibly important. We can assume that buyers in this price range are not necessarily networking enthusiasts, and are more probably interested in setting up their network instantly and with ease. As long as the routers were user-friendly enough, we were happy to include routers with more advanced features on the lists – we just wanted to make sure all entry-level bases were covered.
Best Budget Routers in 2023 – the top cheap picks available now
- Wifi 6
- Broad coverage
- Expensive Netgear Armor
Our top recommendation for the best budget routers is the Netgear R6700AX. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and a wealth of great features and excellent speeds, this router stretches those $100 to their limit. As a dual-band router, the Netgear R6700AX supports top speeds of 1200 megabits per second, making it one of the best wireless routers on this list. The back panel of the Netgear R6700AX features four-gigabit ethernet ports and a WAN port for a modem connection.
The Netgear R6700AX can be easily set up with the Nighthawk app – users should be able to get this router up and running in around 10 minutes. The Nighthawk app also lets users manage their Wifi settings, and monitor the connected devices on their network. The Netgear R6700AX is also compatible with Netgear’s unique Armor security system, which offers heavy protection over your network and its devices. However, unlike other security systems, the Netgear Armor is paid for and comes at a hefty $100 per year. Regardless the Netgear R6700AX is a fantastic router for the under $100 mark and sits comfortably on our list of the best routers under $100.
- MUMIMO
The TP-Link AX1500 is a great option for those of you who are Wifi 6 curious but are on a budget. As a two-band router, the TP-Link ax1500 delivers incredibly solid 5GHz performance. The TP-Link ax1500 also packs all the latest Wifi 6 features you’d expect from the latest Wi-Fi 6 routers – including beam-forming and MUMIMO, which all significantly increase WiFi capacity.
In regard to its design, the TP-Link AX1500 is sleek and inoffensive, with a sleek profile. This router also scores highly in terms of its usability. Router settings can be managed over on TP Link’s Tether app, or further modified on the web console for more in-depth management. QoS settings and parental controls are also available. Parents can create user profiles and block certain websites – as well as being able to set time limits on individual devices. The TP-Link ax1500 is a powerful Wifi 6 router that comes with more features than users can expect for a router under $100, and therefore sits comfortably on our list of best budget routers.
- Mesh system
- Easy setup
- Expensive additional modules
The TP-Link Deco Mesh Wifi system is an incredibly affordable router that makes great use of TP-Link’s leading mesh system. The TP-Link Deco Mesh is capable of coverage up to 4,500 square feet, providing your home with full coverage. As a dual-band network, the Deco Mesh is capable of providing high-speed wifi across multiple devices.
The TP-Link Deco Mesh also features robust security controls, including parental controls that can limit online time and block certain undesirable websites. The Deco Mesh is also incredibly user-friendly. Furthermore, setup is incredibly straightforward through the Deco app that’s there to walk you through all the necessary steps. The TP-Link Deco Meshis on our list of best budget routers as it’s packed with features usually seen in far higher price ranges.
- 4 Gigabit LAN ports
- Good app
- Wifi extender needed for larger spaces
The TP-Link AC1900 is an impressive router capable of Wifi speeds of up to 1900Mbps. With both 2.4GHz and 5GHz capabilities – the TP-Link AC1900 can handle simple tasks like web browsing on the 2.4GHz band, and more intensive tasks like 4k streaming over on the 6GHz band. This ensures lag-free performance during heavy usage periods, all whilst on a budget.
With beamforming technology, the TP-Link AC1900 can detect devices and concentrate signal strength towards them – ensuring the most ethernet-heavy devices get the reception they most need. Setting up the TP-Link AC1900 is incredibly straightforward and can be done via the TP-Link Tether app, or over on the Web interface. All in all the TP-Link AC1900 is a great budget router, that exceeds our expectations.
Security features
When you’re in the market for the best budget routers, it is important to make sure your security is not compromised. Parental Control is essential for many parents as this gives you full control over all devices connected to the router -and can stop your children from gaining access to adult sites.
Coverage
Coverage is important in ensuring a good WiFi signal is evenly distributed across your home. Factors like antennas and mesh systems play into the range of your wifi signal. However, router placement and the original strength signal are also important factors to consider.
What is the best router for fast internet?
The latest iterations of WiFi (Wifi 6 and 6E) are currently the fastest. To ensure you have the fastest internet speeds available you should make sure your home network setup has a Wi-Fi 6E router.
What is the best router for home use?
Routers with decent range are the best for home use, to ensure Wi-Fi signal can stretch far and wide. Mehs systems are the best at spreading consistent signals through your home
How much should I spend on a router?
Routers do vary a lot in price, with budget routers coming in at under $100 typically. Some of the most powerful routers can go way above $300 in many cases. Also, investing in a good router modem combo can ensure you get great value for your money.
Our Verdict
The Netgear R6700AX is our top choice for the best budget router, with Wifi 6 and a great interface!