What are the best wifi routers under $100? List best wifi routers under $100 in 2021

1. Netgear R6700AX 

It would be a shame when discussing best wifi routers under $100 and not mentioning the Netgear R6700AX. This efficient product from Netgear is one of the most satisfying affordable routers you can find on the market at the moment, with a myriad of cool features that are guaranteed to enhance your experience.

To begin with, the Netgear R6700AX is a WiFi-6 router, using the most advanced technology to provide you with fast connection. You can easily stream music, movies, games, video calls or even transfer files at the same time with a rapid wifi speed of 1.8Gbps. Being a WiFi-6 model, it can work well with all the WiFi 6 devices. Another bonus is its high compatibility with different internet providers including cable, satellite, fiber, DSL and so forth.

Have you ever found yourself in the situation where you find yourself interested in a piece of techware but the thought of installment immediately discourages you? If you have then this product should be your top priority because it takes little to no expert to set up. All you need to do is to connect it to your cable model with the help of the Nighthawk app, and after a few minutes you’re ready to go. The app also allows you to manage your wifi settings at both device and network levels, test internet speed and adjust your data usage. 

Regarding security, the R6700AX is a real workhorse. You can get advanced cyber threat protection with Netgear Armor, which is powered by BitDefender, for free in 30 days, and after that trial phase ends you yourself can decide whether you want to buy it or not. In addition, this model has 4 wired 1G ethernet ports so you can plug in various computers, streaming players, game consoles and other wired devices of choice simultaneously. 

On a more technical note, the Netgear R6700AX is packed with cutting-edge technologies that are 1.5GHz quad-core processor, OFDMA, 1024-QAM, Beamforming technologies and Amazon Alexa as well as Google Assistant Voice Control. It also supports WPA2/WP3 wireless security protocols. Honestly is there anything the R6700AX cannot do? 

2. Netgear Nighthawk AC1750

Another strong product from Netgear has made it way onto the list of best wifi routers under $100! This amazing model can ensure stable video streaming, gaming and internet surfing for up to 25 devices, and it can even connect smart home devices. With 4 Ethernet ports (1 gigabit), you can plug in your PCs, game consoles, and so on. 

If you dig deeper into the technical side of the Nighthawk AC1750, you’ll surely be blown away by its impressive details. This product is packed with extraordinary features such as a 1GHz dual core processor, 3 amplified antennas, Beamforming plus, Dynamic QoS, Smart Connect, etc. It also thrives in security as it supports WPA2 wireless security protocols and includes Guest Wi-Fi access, DOS, Firewall, VPN, and more. Netgear Armor, which you can try out through a 30-day free trial, will safely protect not only your network but also your connected devices from potential threats from the internet, offering supreme anti-virus, anti-malware and data protection. 

When it comes to USB connections, the Netgear Nighthawk AC1750 also proves to be a smart choice as it allows you to share a storage drive or printer with any connected device. You can also create a personal cloud storage for easy access with one 3.0 USB port.

To use this model, there are some certain system requirements. You need to have Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista, XP, 2000, Mac OS, Unix, or Linux; but that actually covers all every common system so basically the Netgear Nighthawk AC1750 can be used by anyone.

3. TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router (Archer A7)

The TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi has always been loved by consumers worldwide for its excellent functionality. This router is made for wireless internet, it’s compatible with Alexa and all WiFi devices, regardless of them being 802.11ac or older. 

This model is a dual band router, with the speeds being 450Mbps for 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps for 5GHz, so all in all you are upgraded to 1750Mbps. But what do these numbers mean exactly? To put it simply, the AC1750 from TP-Link will give you high speed internet that is ideal for 4K streaming and the buffering rate is reduced to minimal, so you will have phenomenal internet connection.

When it comes to coverage, this model lives up to all the good reviews with the capacity of covering up to 2500 square feet and more than 25 devices. How does it do this, you may ask. Well, TP-Link has had everything calculated by implementing 3 external antennas into their product so it could provide users with long range WiFi. 

For connection ports, the AC1750 has 4 Gigabit LAN ports, making it suitable for gaming and able to access quickly to multiple connected devices. The integrated USB port can also act as a media server, thus you’ll have no difficulty sharing your USB drive content.

TP-Link also takes all the hardships that normally come with setting up a router away by introducing TP-Link tether app which will guide you through the installing process and give you full control over your home network even when you’re far away. The 2-year warranty policy is a nice addition, lessening your worries over unwanted accidents and mishaps. 

4. Asus AC1700 RT-ACRH17

The concurrent Dual band (2.4GHz and 5 GHz) on the Asus AC1700 RT-ACRH17, paired with the most recent 802.11ac MU MIMO (4T4R) technology allows for extraordinary data transfer speed of up to 1700 Mbps. The quad core processor with 256MB RAM is integrated for optimal network traffic and connectivity speeds, therefore when you connect from the USB 3.0 or 3 Gigabit LAN ports you can be confident that you receive the best results.  

The MU MIMO (3x3) helps consumers achieve full speed even when there are multiple devices connected since it focuses on boosting the speed of each compatible device to the maximum separately. The AiRadar Beamforming technology in combination with 4 fixed antennas generates stronger wireless coverage, so even when you’re living in a large house you still manage to get immaculate internet connection. 

This router also comes with the Asus router app that aids customers in setting up their network and managing usage as well as parental controls. This app is really helpful because it even notifies you when there are important network based events, so you won’t need to be afraid of missing out on anything. 

At this point into the article, you may start to wonder: How can I know what the best budget wifi router is? To answer this, we want to remind you that the best wifi router under $100 should be the one that suits you the most, and to find it it’s better if you know what to look for.

In this section we will talk to you about some of the key elements that play a pivotal role in determining whether a router is suitable for you. Hopefully afterwards you’ll have a clearer idea and your selecting process will be less of a challenge.

1. Single vs Dual vs Tri band

The terms single, dual and tri band are used to discuss the number of frequencies at which connection between a router and the connected devices is established, single for one, dual for two and tri for three. 

Generally speaking, the best under $100 wifi routers tend to fall in the category of dual-band, because single is often too weak to accommodate a medium to large number of devices, and tri is just too expensive. Meanwhile, a dual-band router can perform perfectly fine, delivering decent performances while being budget-friendly so that any household could get their hands on it. 

If you’re looking for a dual-band wifi router under $100 to buy, we highly recommend the Linksys EA6350 AC1200 Dual-Band WiFi Router. With this powerful router, you can get reliable access to the internet anywhere within your house without any dead spot.

2. Coverage

Coverage refers to the furthest distance at which a router can still provide stable connection. Most under $100 wifi routers can’t go over 1800 to 2000 square feet in range, but we think that’s enough for common usage. 

If you want to increase the range you can always add another router. For instance, the Medialink AC1200 can cover up to 2000 square feet on its own, but when you buy one more router it goes up to 3500 square feet. Or you could also choose one single router that covers a larger area, but keep in mind that more coverage means more money, so you need to think carefully to know what you need and if the investment is worth it before making your final decision.

3. Advanced Features

Some features that you may encounter on a regular basis are MU MIMO and Beamforming. We will explain what they mean to you so you won’t be confused the next time you see them, and know what you need.

MU MIMO is an abbreviation for “Multiple User Multiple Input Multiple Output”. By preventing devices from having to share the same signal with each other, MU MIMO speeds things up and allows separate devices to each have their own smooth connection.

Beamforming, on the other hand, places great emphasis on directing connections towards specific devices and strengthening them. So instead of wasting your resources across several devices, beamforming helps you with exactly what you need.

Any one of these two would enhance your entire experience, but having both of them would take it all to a whole new level. However, it could also cost you more money. So our suggestion is that you sit down and identify your needs, then act accordingly.

1. What does a wifi router do?

A wifi router is an electronic device that receives data from an internet cable then forwards it to other devices. So in simple words, a router allows you to share a common internet connection among various devices so each can have their own stable connection.

2. What is QoS?

Quality of Service (QoS), or Media Prioritization, is an advanced functionality that enables traffic prioritization. With QoS, you'll no longer have to worry whether the appropriate bandwidth is assigned to each of your devices or not, because it’s gonna take care of that matter for you. 

if you still find it hard to fully understand, imagine it like this: you’re playing games, and you choose to prioritize gaming. Consequently, in the meantime if someone does another task like streaming music or sharing files your gaming won’t face any problem because you’ve chosen to prioritize it. 

3. How long does a wifi router usually last?

Normally a wifi router would last for about 5 years. After this period of time it’s better if you upgrade it. However, the lifespan of a router also depends on the quality of the router itself, as well as the way you use and maintain it.

For optimal router’s lifespan, make sure you choose a good router and use it properly.

4. Will a new router increase my internet speed?

It’s difficult to give an all-rounded answer to this question. In fact, it all comes down to the product that you choose. If you opt for a single-band, chances are that little to nothing is improved, and it still falls short in the process of satisfying your needs. 

Moreover, if the problem belongs to some factors other than your router, let’s say the signal is slow from the provider already, a new, improved router won’t help.

Nonetheless, if you’ve eliminated all the external factors and made sure you have the best of them but your connection is still more or less off, a better router is what you need. 

5. Would a wifi router under $100 be enough?

Many people think that you need to splurge on a wifi router for great performance, but that couldn’t be further away from the truth. There are different groups of customers in the market, and suppliers have done their best trying to tailor to the demands of these groups. 

Thus, of course there will be remarkable routers for those who are shopping on a budget. All the models we’ve mentioned so far are the best wifi routers under $100, and they’re proof that affordable yet premium-quality wifi routers do exist.

To conclude our article on the best under $100 wifi routers, below is a list of all the superior products. Note that we also added the aspects at which they exceed others, so make sure you check them all instead of just looking at the names.

• Best Overall: Netgear R6700AX 

• Runner-Up: Netgear Nighthawk AC1750

• Best For Office: Asus AC1700 RT-ACRH17

• Best For Streaming: Netgear R6230 AC1200

• Best Data Transfer Speed: TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router (Archer A7)

• Best Parental Control: Medialink AC1200 

• Best Coverage: Asus AC1300 (RT-ACRH13) 

This is the end of our best budget wifi routers article. Hopefully we’ve done a good job giving you the information that you needed, and good luck finding the most suitable wifi router under $100!