Best Routers Under $100

Finding the best routers under $100 is not as hard as you might expect. These days, many manufacturers deliver quality routers for competitive prices. Whether you want something to power your home office or scale up a business, there’s a router that matches your budget.

Routers need to have the right specifications to work under certain types of environments, and you need to ensure you know the basics of what to look for in the best routers under $100. With this list, you’ll get a good mix of routers that are made for different kinds of network setup.

The TP-Link Archer AX21 is a dual band WiFi 6 router that is made for smart homes, with Alexa being its built-in AI system. It connects devices seamlessly with its Beamforming technology and supports WiFi speeds up to 1.8 Gbps (1200 Mbps on 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz band).

With this router’s build and processor, you don’t have to worry about network speed issues when connecting multiple devices to your router. The Archer AX21 is powered by a Quad-Core front-end module chipset (FEM) and four high-gain antennas to provide smooth transmission and zero lag, whether you’re downloading, gaming, or streaming.

For its price point, the Archer AX21 holds its own compared with other pricier competitors. For less than $100, you can achieve a reliable and stable home network.

Pros

• Great value
• Fast performance
• Sleek design

Cons

• Software has basic functions
• Not ideal for big homes or offices

Specification

• Price $89.99
• Wireless Type 802.11n, 802.11ax, 802.11b, 802.11ac, 802.11g
• Security Protocol WPA3, WPA/WPA2, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise (802.1x)
• Data Transfer Rate 1200 Mb per second
• Item Dimensions 10.28 x 5.3 x 1.61 inches
• Item Weight 1.10 lbs

The Netgear R6700AX is a great way to upgrade to a WiFi 6 router while using your existing network devices. While it doesn’t have the most advanced features, it’s affordable and provides decent network speed. The R6700AX is one of the best routers under $100 for people who want to enjoy the next generation of 802.11 connectivity without breaking the bank.

For its price, this router gives basic but essential functions that every router should have. Netgear claims this router can cover up to 1,500 square feet and connect a maximum of 20 devices. Running on a 1.5GHz processor, the R6700AX delivers speeds are comparable to higher-end models. This router also supports WPA3, which is the newest standard for network security, and a built-in VPN to boot. 

Another great reason to purchase the R6700AX is its user-friendly Nighthawk app. With this app, setting up your network can take as little as 10 minutes. The software lets you monitor data usage, set parental controls, and change other WiFi settings with ease. 

Pros

• Compatible with older modems and routers
• Superb speed and low latency
• Built-in VPN
• Easy setup with Nighthawk app

Cons

• Ads showing up on app

Specification

• Price $99.99
• Wireless Type 802.11ax
• Security Protocol WPA2-PSK
• Data Transfer Rate WPA2/WPA3
• Item Dimensions ‎10.75 x 8 x 4.5 inches
• Item Weight 1.1 lbs.

Get next-generation WiFi speed with one of the best routers under $100. The Asus AX1800 can level up your network’s speed and lessen latency with its OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) and MU-MIMO (multi-user, multi-input, and multi-output) technology, giving you four times your network’s speed even with multiple devices connected.

The Asus AX1800 also comes with Trend Micro Smart Home Network, which protects your network and devices from viruses and other security threats even if those devices don’t have their own antivirus software.

This router is great for people who want an unobtrusive device that is compact and simple in design. The AX1800 has an all-black, matte exterior, with one antenna on each side and two in the middle. The router has air vents on the bottom and sides to keep the temperature at a normal level. At the back of the router, there are three LAN ports, 2 USB ports, and an RJ45 Ethernet WAN port. 

Pros

• Compact design
• Built-in antivirus
• Easy setup

Cons

• Antivirus requires user data access

Specification

• Price $99.99
• Wireless Type 802.11ax, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11ac,
• Security Protocol WPA2-ENT, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK
• Data Transfer Rate 1 Gb Per Second
• Item Dimensions 9.06 x 5.28 x 2.2 inches
• Item Weight 0.82 lbs

The Amazon eero mesh WiFi router is easily one of the best routers under $100 for people who are already using Amazon’s smart home devices. It supports internet speeds up to 550 Mbps and uses its TrueMesh technology to speed up data transmission and lessen congestion. The eero mesh can be used as a standalone router covering up to 1,500 square feet or set up as a part of an eero WiFi system to cover wider areas. Additionally, the eero mesh works with Apple HomeKit.

The eero mesh is a small router, so it doesn’t take up a lot of space, making it easy to place around your home. Setting up this router is as simple as downloading the eero app and following the setup instructions. Once you’re connected, you can check your network status, change settings, and monitor data usage.

Because of its miniature size, the eero mesh only has two Ethernet ports, which should not be a problem if you are not planning on connecting multiple wired devices on this router. 

Pros

• Small and compact
• Apple HomeKit and Alexa support
• Easy setup with eero WiFi app

Cons

• Only two Ethernet ports
• No WiFi 6 support

Specification

• Price $69.00
• Wireless Type 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
• Security Protocol WPA2
• Data Transfer Rate 550 Mbps
• Item Dimensions 3.86 x 3.86 x 2.36 inches
• Item Weight 0.82 lbs

The Meshforce M1 system provides three routers for less than $100, which makes it one of the best routers under $100. The system covers an entire house up to 4,500 square feet, with spreads up to 1200 Mbps. It can also connect up to 60 devices and eliminate dead spots in a five or six-bedroom house.

Setting up the system involves plugging in the main wireless router to the modem. The other two smaller routers or dots then connect automatically to the main router to complete the dual-band WiFi system. You need to download the My Mesh app to set up the WiFi, create and change the password, add guests, and change the network name. Parental controls also allow you to manage your children’s internet access at any time.

For anyone wanting to get wide coverage without spending too much, the Meshforce M1 is a great option. It’s powerful, has great connectivity, and, most of all, affordable. 

Pros

• Affordable mesh system
• Wide coverage
• Aesthetically pleasing

Cons

• No WiFi 6 support

Specification

• Price $89.99
• Wireless Type 802.11n, 802.11ac
• Security Protocol WPA2-PSK
• Data Transfer Rate 100 Megabits Per Second
• Item Dimensions 4 x 4 x 3.6 inches
• Item Weight 2.79 pounds

This router is a good entry-level device for anyone wanting to set up a mesh system on a budget. If WiFi 6 is a primary requirement for you, but you don’t want to compromise on performance, then the Linksys Mesh WiFi 6 Router is a great choice. With a fast processor that provides over 1.8 Gbps speed, this router can connect over 25 devices and cover 1,700 square feet.

Built with simplicity and function, the Linksys Mesh router is a black box with two antennas on each side that are non-removable. In front is an LED display to show the connection status of the router, and at the back are 4 LAN ports, one WAN port, and one USB 3.0 port.

The Linksys Mesh is future-proof and expandable because you can add more devices from the Linksys Mesh system for wider coverage. Installation is also a breeze with the Linksys app, and you can integrate Alexa to use voice commands when changing the WiFi settings. 

Pros

• Inexpensive mesh system router
• Wide coverage up to 1,700 sq. ft.
• User-friendly app

Cons

• No multi-gig LAN port

Specification

• Price $89.99
• Wireless Type 802.11ax
• Security Protocol WPA2-PSK
• Data Transfer Rate 1.5 Gbps
• Item Dimensions 5.9 x 8.07 x 5.4 inches
• Item Weight 2.00 lbs

If you want something that’s more affordable and you don’t necessarily need WiFi 6, then the TP-Link AC1750 is a frugal but wise choice. It has all the essential makings of a reliable router but with one of the lowest price points in the market so far. 

This dual band gigabit wireless router received the JD Power Award for highest customer satisfaction in wireless routers in 2017 and 2019. It works with Alexa and other WiFi devices that are 802.11ac and older. Streaming in 4K will be a breeze, as this router delivers up to 1750 Mbps.

The router has three amplifier antennas to provide a strong WiFi range up to 2,500 sq. ft. and supports up to 50 connected devices. The back of the router has four gigabit LAN ports, one WAN port, and one USB port. 

This router works with the TP-Link OneMesh system and can be connected to other compatible devices to expand your network. The Tether app allows you to set up your home or office network and manage it from the app or from the cloud. 

Pros

• Up to 2,500 sq. ft. of coverage
• User-friendly WiFi management app
• Great price

Cons

• No WiFi 6 support

Specification

• Price $53.99
• Wireless Type 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11ac, 802.11g
• Security Protocol WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK
• Data Transfer Rate 1750 Megabits Per Second
• Item Dimensions 9.59 x 6.32 x 1.29 inches
• Item Weight 0.93 lbs