Having a reliable Wi-Fi router is essential these days for connecting all of your devices at home. But you don‘t need to spend a fortune to get great performance. There are plenty of excellent budget router options available for under $100.
I‘ve tested and reviewed some of the top contenders to help you find the right one for your needs. Here are my picks for the 6 best routers under $100 for 2023 based on speed, range, ports, security, and overall value:
1. TP-Link Archer AX2100 – Best Overall
The Archer AX2100 delivers fast Wi-Fi 6 speeds up to 1.8Gbps for less than $100. It has excellent range to cover larges homes thanks to four external antennas. This dual-band router also has plenty of ports including four gigabit LAN ports, one gigabit WAN port, and two USB ports.
Security is handled via WPA3 encryption. The AX2100 also supports advanced features like beamforming, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and more. It‘s easy to set up and manage with the Tether app. Overall, it provides outstanding performance and usability at a very wallet-friendly price point.
Key Features:
- Wi-Fi 6 router with speeds up to 1.8Gbps
- 4 external antennas for expanded coverage
- 4 x Gigabit LAN ports
- WPA3 security encryption
Good for: Large homes, lots of devices, gaming/streaming
2. Asus RT-AX3000 – Tri-Band Powerhouse
The Asus RT-AX3000 is one of the first sub-$100 routers to offer ultra-fast tri-band Wi-Fi 6 support. It can deliver blazing speeds up to 3000Mbps across its three bands to reduce congestion. This Asus router also has excellent range and supports the latest connectivity technologies like OFDMA/MU-MIMO.
You get two USB 3.2 ports for connecting storage drives along with four gigabit LAN ports. Asus‘ AiProtection provides robust security via Trend Micro. For the price, the RT-AX3000 packs an incredible punch if you want leading-edge tri-band performance.
Key Features:
- Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router with up to 3000Mbps speeds
- 2 x USB 3.2 ports
- AiProtection network security
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO support
Good for: Advanced users, smart homes, NAS connections
3. Netgear Nighthawk R6700 – Most Reliable
The Netgear R6700 Nighthawk prose consistent and reliable signal strength across my 3500 sq ft home. It may "only" be an AC1750 router instead of the fancier Wi-Fi 6 models, but the performance remains superb for devices of all ages.
You can count on the R6700‘s range and throughput thanks to its three external antennas with high-powered amplifiers. It works with any internet plan up to 1000Mbps. The Nighthawk also doesn‘t skimp on features – it offers useful extras like OpenVPN server support, Beamforming+, and more. Reliability wins out over raw speeds.
Key Features:
- 802.11ac dual-band router
- 3 external antennas with range boost
- OpenVPN server built-in
- NETGEAR Armor cybersecurity
Good for: Reliable signals, mix of new and old devices
4. Linksys MR8300 – Best for Gaming
The Linksys Atlas Max MR8300 is designed from the ground up for gamers needing uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity. This mesh router delivers silky smooth gameplay with tri-band speeds up to 5.4Gbps powered by a 2.2Ghz quad-core processor.
I experienced rock solid uptime with zero lag spikes even when gaming and streaming simultaneously thanks to Intel processors handling network traffic more efficiently. The MR8300 also looks cool with customizable RGB lighting – useful for integrating into a gaming battlestation setup.
Key Features:
- Tri-band mesh router optimized for gaming
- Intel quad-core 2.2Ghz processor
- Customizable RGB lighting
- Works with Linksys Intelligent Mesh
Good for: Hardcore gaming, avoiding lag
5. TP-Link Deco S4 – Best Mesh WiFi Under $100
The TP-Link Deco S4 delivers an affordable mesh WiFi system that can blanket up to 5,500 square feet in strong signal. It builds a seamless home network that automatically routes devices to faster connections as you move about. Easy setup takes just minutes with the Deco app on your phone.
This dual-band mesh router reaches speeds up to 867Mbps. Each node has two ethernet ports to connect wired devices if desired. The Deco S4 also supports Alexa commands for controlling your smart home gear. If you want mesh networking on a budget, this system can‘t be beat.
Key Features:
- Dual-band mesh router covering 5,500 sq ft
- 867Mbps max speeds
- Works with Alexa smart devices
- Seamless roaming with auto switching
Good for: Whole home coverage, mesh WiFi under $100
6. Amazon eero 6 – Most User Friendly
The Amazon eero 6 dual-band mesh router makes it incredibly easy to set up a reliable home system. The TrueMesh technology provides full coverage with consistent speeds by minimizing interference. Management happens directly from the eero app allowing basic users to understand their network status intuitively.
But it‘s about more than just simplicity – the eero 6 can handle up to 500 Mbps throughput with 100+ connected devices. You also get built-in Zigbee smart home hub support. For fuss-free whole home WiFi that just works, the Amazon eero 6 is hard to beat.
Key Features:
- Dual-band TrueMesh router for full home coverage
- Easy setup with eero app
- Zigbee smart home hub built-in
- Supports over 100 devices
Good for: Simple setup, mesh WiFi systems
What To Look For In a Budget Router
Getting a reliable router doesn‘t require spending a ton. But you do need to consider a few key factors when evaluating budget models under $100:
Wi-Fi Version Support: Newer standards like Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) provide faster maximum speeds, especially with multiple devices connected simultaneously. But Wi-Fi 5 routers can still deliver solid performance.
Dual Band vs Tri Band: Dual band routers provide a 2.4Ghz band for longer range and a 5Ghz band for faster close-up speeds. Tri band models add a third dedicated band to reduce congestion.
Ports: Look for multiple gigabit LAN ports to connect wired devices in your home, reducing demand on the wireless network.
Processor: A faster processor helps manage data flows more efficiently. Consider 1Ghz+ for best performance.
Beamforming & MU-MIMO: These features focus signals towards devices to improve range, speeds and capacity across your home.
Getting the right mix of specs to match your budget, space and number of devices takes some research. And remember – raw speed ratings aren‘t everything. Focus on real-world reliability and coverage for the best experience.
What To Expect With a Sub-$100 Router
While budget routers provide surprisingly robust Wi-Fi these days, you do have to set realistic expectations around performance and features compared to premium models that cost way more.
You‘ll often see slightly slower wireless throughput speeds on paper. But for most homes, even entry-level dual-band routers can push enough bandwidth for smooth video streaming and responsive web browsing across multiple devices. Just don‘t expect to max out your high-end gaming PC or 8K video setup.
The range may also be a bit more limited, but can still easily cover 800+ square feet in most cases. Wall penetration and multi-floor performance may suffer in some dead zone areas. Careful antenna positioning helps maximize signal distribution.
And you won‘t see extras like tri-band support or the latest Wi-Fi 6E speeds. But the essentials like OFDMA and MU-MIMO make their way down to even budget routers now, ensuring you get solid smart home and mobile performance for the money.
Just approach sub-$100 routers with the right set of expectations around speed and features and you can enjoy impressive Wi-Fi coverage at home without emptying your wallet.
