Searching for the ultimate budget router on the internet but it only amplifies your confusion as you continue. When you skim through the multiple recommendations, you are bound to feel overwhelmed. Well, not anymore! In this article, you will first identify the type of best router under 100 you want. Once you are clear about it, you can go ahead with choosing one from the top 6 options!
You may already have a router, but is it technologically-updated to meet your current requirements? With the countless cutting-edge models in the market that are also budget-friendly, why bear with your dated router! Remember, the right router has a great deal of impact on your internet speed.
So, let us go ahead with finding a spot-on router under 100 for seamless connectivity!
In a hurry?
Choosing the Best Router Under 100
Do you think you will have to compromise on advanced features and technology to get inexpensive routers? Not really. The best affordable router has all the state-of-the-art factors you are looking for. Still, here are a few aspects you must ponder over to know what is the best wireless router under 100 for you!
Bandwith
The first thing you must look for in a fast router is dual bands—bandwidth with 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. Here, the 2.4GHz frequency delivers lower speed across a long distance while the latter provides higher speed within the room. Nevertheless, both the bands are equally important, so you must always choose dual-band routers or higher.
Ethernet
Smart devices like gaming consoles, TV, etc., require stronger internet access for a seamless experience. Therefore, these work better when connected to your router. You must choose a router depending upon the number of ethernet ports it has for wired devices. Make it a minimum of 3-4.
Security
With cybercrime at an all-time rise, network security is an essential aspect to consider in your latest router. More so, if you need a router for professional purposes, you must definitely look for a powerful router with a secure connection. That said, most budget routers offer basic WPA2 security, enough for use at home. Other security features that you can consider are guest networks, parental controls, etc.
Wi-Fi Standard
Wi-Fi standards basically reflect the internet speed and signal range that it covers. Most of the sub-$100 routers fall in the category of Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standards. These units offer modern technologies, support dual bands, and ensure a high-rated speed. However, you may also come across Wi-Fi 4(802.11n) and Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) that are the older and newer versions, respectively. While the former is relatively slower, the latter supports the latest feature—Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access to eliminate network congestion.
Advanced Technologies
You may have come across the MU-MIMO and Beamforming technologies. The MU-MIMO technology is all about multiple users, inputs, and outputs. Thus, you need this one if you want all your connected devices to communicate with the router without any disturbances. On the contrary, the beamforming technology focuses the wireless signals towards a single user or the active devices.
6 Best Wireless Routers Under 100
Now that you know exactly what you want, here are the 6 best wireless routers under 100. Whether you want a router with a faster speed for online games or streaming videos, these detailed reviews got you covered. Read on to find out about the bandwidth, wi-fi range, ethernet ports, antennas, and other cool features of these sub-$100 routers!
The Netgear Nighthawk R6700AX is downright the best router under 100. From speed and security to coverage and additional qualities—it has all the features you would expect in an excellent budget-class router. The unit offers a reliable connection for video streaming, a flawless online gaming experience, and more—all at an affordable price.
The best part about Netgear Ax1800 is this dual-band router features the Wi-Fi 6 standard and has 3 adjustable antennas. Plus, its combined speeds of 1800Mbps are backed with the OFDMA, Beamforming plus, and other technologies. So, you can enjoy HD streaming and gaming on all your mobile devices with minimum network traffic.
The Netgear Nighthawk R6700AX offers 4 streams, significantly increasing the number of wireless devices you can connect with. It has a coverage of about 1500 sq. ft., providing an excellent wi-fi range. Moreover, the router comes with four 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports so you can easily connect game consoles, computers, and other wired devices.
Another highlight of this dual-band wi-fi router is the Netgear Armor. It is a high-end cybersecurity software for all your smart home devices that comes with a 30-day free trial.
Pros
- Includes a parental control program and guest networking
- Easy to set up and control with the Nighthawk app
- Offers voice commands with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- 30-day free Netgear Armor security subscription
Cons
- Lacks USB ports
The Netgear R6700AX is the best overall router under $100.
The Speedefy K7 AC2100 is designed to fulfill all your requirements for a faster connection. Its 7 non-removable external antennas ensure excellent performance in every corner of your house. With an impressive speed of 2100Mbps, you get up to 1733Mbps on the 5GHz band and 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz.
It is one of those modern routers that offer the latest MU-MIMO, i.e., multi-user technology. So, you can easily connect numerous devices (over 25) and enjoy unparalleled wi-fi signals for wired and wireless connections alike. That is because it also has 4 ethernet ports, including 1 WAN port and 3 LAN ports. Now you can experience smooth file sharing, playing games, streaming 4K videos, and more!
You can quickly set up and manage the Speedefy K7 through its user-friendly app or web interface. It offers multiple other smart controls like the parental lock, guest networks, optimizing speed, and more. Additionally, it ensures complete network security with the WPA/WPA2-PSK protocols and enabled VPN connectivity.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 5 router features the MU-MIMO technology to eliminate dead spots
- 7 external antennas ensure excellent wi-fi range
- Solid throughput performance with maximum speeds of 2100Mbps
Cons
- Short adapter cable
The Speedefy K7 AC2100 is the best wireless router under 100 for exceptional speed.
Wavlink Wi-Fi Router AC3000
Though it may sound crazy, the Wavlink AC3000 comes with a total of 8 adjustable antennas for the ultimate signal strength. Plus, these are Omni-directional, so you can set them up according to your requirements. The router features three brands to amplify your wireless speeds, ensuring top-class performance for online games, file transfers, and much more.
The highlight of this excellent router is its one-touch connectivity. Just tap the WAVLINK logo to connect a guest wi-fi device without entering the password. Furthermore, this tri-band router has an excellent range that is further enhanced with the MU-MIMO technology. Thus, you can enjoy flawless speeds of up to 3000Mbps on multiple devices all at once.
The Wavlink AC3000 all take care of your wired connections. It offers 4+1 Ethernet ports and a 3.0 USB port for all your wired wi-fi devices. You get all the features of high-end routers at an affordable price range along with a 1-year warranty and 30-day money-back policy.
Pros
- One-touch connectivity for guest devices
- 8 antennas ensure unparalleled range and signal strength
- 4+1 Ethernet ports and a 3.0 USB port
Cons
- Relatively large and heavy
The Wavlink AC3000 is the best router under 100 for exceptional signal strength and bandwidth.
If you are looking for the best budget option in the sub-$100 range, the Netgear Nighthawk R6230 is a matchless option. It is one of those Wi-Fi 5 routers that offer all the basic features of a dual-band smart wi-fi wireless router. Despite its lower price range, you can enjoy a wireless network of up to 1200Mbps over 1200 sq. ft.
Another fantastic thing about this AC1200 wi-fi router is that it comes with 4 1-Gigabit Ethernet and 1 2.0 USB port. So, you can easily connect your consoles, players, TVs, and other wired devices. Plus, its wireless access extends up to 20 devices. Enjoy all this with advanced technologies of the 880MHz-core processor and Qos.
Apart from that, the Netgear R6230 offers smart features like parental controls, guest wi-fi access, and more. Additionally, it ensures network security with the Firewall, VPN, and WPA2 protocols.
Pros
- Wi-Fi range of up to 20 sq. ft. for 20 devices
- 4 ethernet ports and a USB port
- Includes parental and guest access controls
Cons
- Lacks the latest technologies
The Netgear Nighthawk R6230 is the best budget option in the sub-$100 category.
If you want a router with network standards of Wi-Fi 6, the TP-Link AX1800 is a perfectly reliable option. It is a dual-band gigabit router with a data transfer rate of 1200Mbps on the 5GHz band and 574Mbps on the 2.4GHz wireless bandwidth. Plus, this standalone router can form a mesh wi-fi network with your wi-fi extender, eliminating dead zones throughout the house.
It offers remarkable 1.8-gigabit speeds backed by the revolutionary OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology, allowing multiple device connections, streaming, gaming, etc. Additionally, its Beamforming and 4 high-gain non-removable antennas ensure even the devices placed far away enjoy exceptional signal strength.
What’s more? Its powerful 1.5GHz quad-core processor boosts the transfer speed and allows break-free buffering. The TP-Link Archer AX21 also offers a voice control option with Amazon Alexa for ease of access. You can use the TP-Link tether app to manage the router settings and also identify client devices. Rest assured that its latest WPA3 security protocol will maintain high-level cybersecurity for your entire network.
Pros
- MU-MIMO and OFDMA ensure maximum speed for multiple connections
- WPA3 protocol for advanced security
- Beamforming allows extended coverage
- OneMesh compatible
Cons
- Tricky firmware updates
The TP-Link AX1800 is the best streaming and gaming router under $100 as it offers flawless speeds.
The ASUS AC1300 is the best wireless router under 100 with an exceptional wi-fi range of up to 3000 sq. ft. It offers the latest 2*2 MU-MIMO technology, supporting over 20 devices simultaneously without any traffic congestion. Furthermore, its 4 5dBi antennas ensure you get the maximum coverage and solid performance for each of your devices.
You can use its intuitive ASUS Router app or use the web for a quick setup and convenient management. The router features dual bandwidth for faster wireless speeds, while its 4+1 Ethernet ports and a USB port allow wired connections.
To top it all, the ASUS AC1300 offers multiple smart controls like guest network setup, parental controls, etc. Additionally, it also ensures network security with its WPA protocols.
Pros
- Covers areas of up to 2000 sq. ft.
- MU-MIMO technology allows 20+ device connections
- Advanced security protocols
Cons
- Lacks beamforming technology
The ASUS AC1300 offers the best range and area coverage.
Best Router Under 100 Comparison Table
Confused about the best router under 100? Here is a quick overview and comparison of the top 6 wireless routers under 100.
| Best Router Under 100 | Speed | Technologies | Bandwith | Security | Controls | Wi-Fi Standard | Antennas | Ethernet Ports | USB Ports | Best For |
| Netgear R6700AX | 1800Mbps | 1.5Ghz Quad-core Processor, Beamforming Plus, OFDMA | Dual Band | Netgear Armor, Firewall, VPN | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Parental, Guest Network | Wi-Fi 6 | 3 | 4 | – | Overall |
| Speedefy AC2100 | 2100Mbps | Dual-core Processor, 4*4 MU-MIMO | Dual Band | WPA2, Security Check | Parental, Guest Access, Accelerate Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | 7 | 4 | – | Speed |
| Wavlink AC3000 | 3000Mbps | MU-MIMO | Tri-Band | Guest Access, Parental Controls | Wi-Fi 5 | 8 | 5 | 1 (3.0) | Signal Strength | |
| Netgear R6230 | 1200Mbps | Advanced QoS, 880Mhz Processor | Dual Band | WPA2, VPN, Firewall | Guest Access, Parental Controls | Wi-Fi 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 (2.0) | Budget |
| TP-Link AX1800 | 1800Mbps | 1.5GHz Quad-core Processor, Beamforming, Qos, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, Front End Module Chipset | Dual Band | WPA3 | Parental Control, Amazon Alexa | Wi-Fi 6 | 4 | 4+1 | 1 | Gaming |
| ASUS AC1300 | 1300Mbps | 2*2 MU-MIMO, QoS | Dual Band | WPA/
WPA2/ WEP/ WPS |
Parental Control, Amazon Alexa, Guest Access | Wi-Fi 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 (3.0) | Range |
Wrap Up
Whether you are a pro gamer or love streaming HD videos, a flawless router is as important as a high-speed internet connection. This device ensures you can utilize the internet speed to the maximum and enjoy a break-free network on all your smart devices.
So, what is the best router under 100? The Netgear R6700AX is the top wireless router in the sub-$100 category. Apart from a speed of 1.8GHz, it features the latest standard—Wi-Fi 6, allowing you to run multiple devices simultaneously.
The runner-up position goes to ASUS AC1300, which is also the best gaming router! Nevertheless, all the other options available on this list perform excellently, providing great value for the buck!