The era that we live in is one that is greatly dependent upon networking. There are a number of devices that we rely upon to keep this networking alive, but one of the most important ones is a router.
Just because it is a vital device to have, that does not necessarily mean it will come with a heavy price tag. Here's your guide to picking the perfect router for under $100.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Routers Under $100
- OUR TOP PICK: Medialink AC1200 Wireless Gigabit Router
- TP-Link AC1750 Smart Router
- NETGEAR WiFi Router (R6230)
- TP-Link AC1900 Smart Router
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: NETGEAR WiFi Router (R6080)
Comparison Chart of the Best Routers Under $100
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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Our Top Pick |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews | |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews | |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews | |
Best Budget Option |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews | |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews | |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Can You Find a Quality Router For Less Than $100?
It is a generally accepted concept that better quality comes at a higher price. While that may be the case for a number of products, it is not entirely true all the time. You don't always have to spend a huge sum of money to ensure that you get the absolute best of what you want.
The same is the case with routers. You will find a huge number of products on the market with fancy labels and prices that are sky-high. While those devices probably do perform better than cheaper alternatives, one does not necessarily need to spend a similar amount to ensure a product of good or even great quality.
There are a number of manufacturers that focus on quality and affordability more than high prices and huge profits. These products, you will find, work just as good as any other fancy unit with all the features that you need, but without weighing heavy on your pocket. They ensure that the product fits into a smaller budget but without compromising on the performance of the router.
A hundred dollars itself is not a very small sum of money, but when compared to the price of high-end routers, it may not seem much. And one may think that getting a good quality router at such a comparatively cheaper rate might be a hard job, but it really isn't.
How to Choose a Router Under $100
When you are on a budget, you need to be extra careful about selecting your final product. You need to ensure that the unit that you decide on provides you with all the important features that one would look for. In case you are not familiar with routers, here are all the features that you need to consider.
Speed
Speed is perhaps the most important aspect that one needs to consider while shopping for a router. Some cheaper products may provide you with substandard speed, which can really affect your overall networking experience. In order to avoid that, make sure that the product you finally pick provides excellent speed.
LAN Ports
Another critical important aspect when it comes to routers is their degree of connectivity. A router needs to have enough LAN ports that would allow it to act as a hub. The more LAN ports a router can offer, the better hub it will be able to form, and that is how effective networking is done.
Range
Lastly, one of the most crucial aspects is the range that is offered by a router. Certain units are designed with a very short range for connection and can prove to be extremely frustrating. It is therefore very important for one to consider the range of the router before investing in it.
Quick Take - Best Routers Under $100
In a hurry? Below are the best routers under $100:
Review of the Best Routers Under $100
Now that we have the basics of choosing a good router out of the way, we can finally concentrate on the task of finding the perfect solution for your particular needs. To save you the time of going through every individual product on the market, here is a list of the best ones under $100 for you to choose from.
Best Overall:
Medialink AC1200 Wireless Gigabit Router
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to those who have recently purchased this unit, it is absolutely worth investing in. Users have reported being extremely surprised by how well the router worked, providing all the ideal features when it doesn't cost nearly as much as one would expect from a high-end product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are several reasons users love this router, but one particular feature that really stands out to us is the additional antenna that this router comes with. The two antennas not only greatly increase the throughput but also provide a more expansive range.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is perfectly designed for all sorts of use. Anyone looking for a high-quality router that doesn't require spending a huge sum of money would consider this to be ideal. It has everything one would need. With ample connectivity and fancy features for IT techs, this unit will in no way be a disappointment.
Bottom Line
The final verdict on this unit is that it is the absolute best. If you're looking at routers under $100, you won't find better than this. Be it just to set up your Wi-Fi connection or for VPN, port forwarding, or other advanced features, it will prove to be the best choice in all cases.
Runner-up:
TP-Link AC1750 Smart Router
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who have bought this unit have greatly commended it on its outstanding functioning. It has proven to be more functional than a number of pricey routers and most of the other cheaper ones. All those that have invested in the unit have found it to be absolutely worth the price.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are numerous things that would make this unit a fast favorite for many users. For us, the one feature that really stands out is its high-speed functioning. Especially at closer ranges, the unit provides speed that's remarkably faster than a number of other units.
Who Will Use This Most
With all the features of this unit, it can be used by just about anyone. But ideally, it will serve to be the perfect model for those who have extra knowledge about these devices and can dive into all the fancy features this unit provides, as well as those who look for good speed at a short range.
Bottom Line
This unit may rank second on this list, but it is only by a very small margin. If for any reason, you didn't find the top product to be one of your choices, then this one will definitely be worth looking at. It has all the basic as well as advanced features that one would look for, making it the perfect pick.
Best for the Money:
NETGEAR WiFi Router (R6230)
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
By the words of recent buyers, this unit is as close to perfection as one can get. It not only provides great quality and features but that too in a price range that is better than any other. And the users are all pleasantly surprised by how many features the manufacturers have managed to fit into this unit, even with the low price point.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We love this unit for a number of reasons, but one feature that really stands out to us is the Ethernet ports it comes with. Not all units at a budget price provide users with this feature. The Ethernet ports can make the unit even more useful in a number of ways.
Who Will Use This Most
This, with all its ideal features and the perfect price point, is ideal for someone that is looking for a new router, but doesn't have much technical knowledge. It is the perfect unit to provide all the features without spending extra money on the advanced features a new user wouldn't need.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for the router that is the best bargain for your money, then this is the product that you need to pick for yourself. All its features and qualities will prove to be worth the price that you pay for it. Invest in this unit, and you will surely not regret it.
Best Wireless Router Under $100:
TP-Link AC1900 Smart Router
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
If you had to go by the word of recent buyers, then this is the perfect wireless router for you. The reviews of this unit make it seem too good to be true, which is why all users recommend others to buy it for themselves and witness how well it works.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Out of the extensive repertoire of features that this unit has to offer, what really stands out to us is its performance over longer ranges. Standard wireless units do not usually provide good performance over longer ranges, but this product is definitely not like the others.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is designed with a number of features that make it appropriate for use for all those looking for a new router. But specifically, it is designed to be the perfect choice for all those that are looking for a wireless unit that performs well over short as well as longer ranges.
Bottom Line
If you are looking to invest in a wireless router, specifically one that is under $100, then look no further. This unit was made just for you. You will find that all of its features, the basic as well as advanced, work just as you would want them to.
Best Gaming Router Under $100:
NETGEAR WiFi Router (R6080)
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most of those who recently purchased this unit turn out to be gamers and all of them have been greatly pleased by this unit as a whole. According to users, it provides great functioning, speed, and efficiency; something that the users had been looking for all along.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit has given us many reasons to put it on this list, but the one that stands out the most is its easy usage through the app. The app control not only makes using this product considerably more convenient but also allows parents greater control over their children's internet access.
Who Will Use This Most
The design and features of this router have been ideally designed to make it the perfect product for all the gamers out there. It will provide them with all the right features to enhance their gaming experience. If there is a perfect router for all gamers, it is this one.
Bottom Line
Be it for gamers or those that need a simple router to use at home, this unit does not disappoint. It delivers the excellent quality that it promises in terms of all its features and the affordable price tag.
Best AC Router Under $100:
MOTOROLA AC1700 Dual-Band Router
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who have recently invested in this router have found nothing but good things to say about it. It performs exceptionally well given the price range that it offers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Of all the features that this unit can provide, what makes it stand apart is the two-year warranty that it comes with. Most routers lack such support from the manufacturer, but not this one. It provides all its users with great customer satisfaction for a period of two years.
Who Will Use This Most
For all those looking for an AC router that doesn't cost much, this will prove to be the perfect option. It has everything that such people are looking for. From the right features to the right price range, it will ensure complete satisfaction.
Bottom Line
All in all, this is a unit that one would never regret investing in. It has the perfect features of an AC router -- the right speed, efficient controls, and easy setup. It is designed to impress its users. And if you don't believe it, then you need to try for yourself.
Best Dual Band Router Under $100:
ASUS Dual-Band 2x2 AC1300
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Of all the dual-band routers that users have invested in, they found this one to be the best. Most users suggested that the router worked better than a number of more expensive dual-band routers, which says a lot about its high functionality.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This router's most impressive feature is the 3.0 USB port that it offers. It might seem like a simple feature, but it's one that makes sharing drives through the router considerably easier.
Who Will Use This Most
This device is designed specifically for those who see themselves making better use of a dual-band router. It is one of the best products that one can invest in when it comes to dual-band functioning, which is why it would be the perfect choice for those looking for a dual-band router under $100.
Bottom Line
If you think you have seen the best of routers under $100, you have seen nothing until you see this product. It is the epitome of functionality, providing users with all they want, especially with its dual-band connection.
Best DD-WRT Router Under $100:
NETGEAR Nighthawk (R6700)
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
After having invested in this device and figured out the setup, users report that it was everything they had expected it to be and more. It not only provided them with great features but also ensured that it worked considerably better than all other standard routers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One reason we love this router is the great number of devices it allows you to connect to it at once. A limited number of connections is one of the most common complaints of users, but not with this unit. With 25 connections, this unit will make sure to keep everyone happy.
Who Will Use This Most
Its long list of features makes it ideal for a number of users. But primarily, it is perfect for those who look for a router that can serve a greater number of people at once. It is the perfect choice in such cases, allowing more people to connect as compared to any other device.
Bottom Line
All in all, this router is one of the best units that you can purchase under $100. It provides great quality and functionality, accounting for the great trust it has earned among its users. It is one of those units that will simply not fail you.
Why Should I Get a New Router?
A router is a very important device when managing networks. It may seem like something that only those with technical knowledge would need, but that isn't true. It is one of those devices that we very commonly need at home, and here are a few reasons why:
● A router functions to prevent collisions between the transmitted data that may all be transmitted at once
● In a network, it acts as the default gateway for all the data that comes and goes, serving to make the transmission easier
● It ensures that the data being moved in-between a network takes the shortest route, thus ensuring great speed as well
● Since the shortest path is chosen, the data avoids a number of loops that could slow the connection between the networks.
Popular Types of Routers That Are Less Than $100
For someone who isn't very well familiar with these devices, they may all look the same; but rest assured, they aren't. Even if we restrict our products to those under $100, there are still a number of types that would be available.
Wired Routers
As the name suggests, these units come with a wired connection. Even though the setup with wires may be a hassle, they usually do provide better performance than other alternatives.
Wireless Routers
As opposed to wired routers, these units require no connection with wires. They feature an easy setup that can be done through phone or web applications. Once set up, they can also be controlled with these apps, providing extra convenience.
Dual-Band Routers
Dual-band routers are a little higher up on the ladder of technology. There are routers that transmit two wireless signals simultaneously. These routers are usually known to provide better speed and range than standard single-band routers.
Conclusion
Routers are not simple devices. They perform complex functions and there are of a number of types. In order to ensure that you pick the right one for yourself, you need to be keen. You need to determine what type of router you need first, and then take a closer look at the features. If you do both with enough consideration, then you will be sure to find the perfect set under $100.