7 Best Router Under 100 Dollars – Drilled Down Comparison for You
We are all home these days under the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, so it is imperative for all us working from home to have a fast and uninterrupted internet connection. What is the best router under 100 that will solve this for us? Let’s check out the best budget router for these lock-down times.
Comparison Table
| PRODUCTS | FEATURES |
|---|---|
 Netgear Nighthawk Smat Wifi Router BUY NOW | - Speed 1750 Mbps - Range-1500 ft - Personal Cloud Storage - VPN - Guest Wifi Secure Access |
 TP-Link AC1750 BUY NOW | - Speed 1750 Mbps - Range-1500 ft - Works With Alexa - VPN Server - Parental Control (Archer A7) |
 Netgear Wifi Router (R6230) BUY NOW | - Speed 1200 Mbps - Range-1200 ft - Seamless Wi-Fi for upto 20 devices - WPA/WPA2 wireless security - Gigabit Ports - Parental Controls |
 ASUS AC1300 Super Wifi Router BUY NOW | - Speed 1267 Mbps - Range- 1200 ft - RT-Arch12 Antenna - Asus Router App - Asus WRT for Setup |
Here Are 7 Best Routers Under 100
One of the best wireless router under 100 dollars, this Netgear router is all a household needs for smooth and good coverage. The wifi can connect up to 25 devices at a time, and can run at speeds of up to 1750 MBPS. One of the best gaming router under 100 dollars, it is perfect for online gaming and HD video streaming. So all those Netflix shows you’ve been meaning to catch up on, this best wifi router under 100 will allow you to do that, uninterrupted and hassle free.
The wifi router comes with Netgear Armor antivirus security software, so you can be assured of complete cyber safety as you navigate through your work and conference calls. Apart from wifi connectivity, there are also four high-speed Gigabit ports that can connect to your computer, game box and other devices that require to be connected by cable.
Benefits
- One of the best router under 100 dollars that allows for a fast and easy connection.
- A total value for the money
- One of the best features of this router is the Circle Smart Parental Control, an app that lets you control and limits the time your child will be using the internet. It’s a simple app that lets you schedule the time connected for each device, and have more control
Drawbacks
While it is a value for money, and one of the best wireless routers under 100 dollars that we could find, this obviously doesn’t match up to the more expensive, high-speed routers that may be fit for a larger area and for more devices. So you might encounter some low speeds if too many devices are connected and running at the same time. The firmware is somewhat weak in the product.
Our Verdict
One of the best routers under 100 dollars for the family. Excellent for gaming and streaming. Gamers, go for this one.
This award-winning router fits perfectly into the price point we are looking for. The TP-Link Smart Wifi Router, with a Dual Band Gigabit, is perfect for the work-from-home situation. It offers 1750 MBPS speed. It received the JP Power Award for customer satisfaction amongst wireless routers. A good router for video streaming and ideal for 4K streaming, this is one of the industry leaders for the last 2 years, for basic home use, and was among the best router of 2019.
Benefits
- Good for home utility and videos. Best value for money. Perfect for a home with families streaming several videos at the same time, as the dual-band ensures reduced buffering and seamless streaming.
- One of the biggest positives is that the router works with Alexa, so it’s operational by voice control.
- For home wifi routers, this has a high data transfer rate and is highly appreciated by most families.
Drawbacks
- May not be the best choice for gaming or for a large number of devices.
- Best for home use, but perhaps will not work as well for heavy programming of working from home.
Our Verdict
This one is highly rated, with tons of positive reviews, but the feature that stands out is that it works with Alexa. Now that’s just cool, isn’t it?
Another Netgear product, this wireless router offers a speed of 1200 Mbps speed, with dual-band and can support up to 20 devices. This smart wifi router has a coverage of around 1,200 sq ft, which can deliver fast and efficient wifi throughout the house. The 4 IG wired connections are also a big advantage to connect to devices like the game box, desktop computer, and other devices.
Benefits
- The biggest positive of this best router under 100 dollars is that it can connect to up to 20 devices, and in these days of each person possessing over 4 devices, this works perfectly for a family home, with multiple members.
Drawbacks
- The product has been unreliable after the warranty period, and there have been complaints about irregular signals.
Our Verdict
A state of the art router, with the ability to connect to multiple devices. If you have to connect to 20 or more devices, please go for this.
Possessing the latest MU MIMO technology, which stands for multi-user, multi-input, multi-output, this latest and best wifi router under 100 dollars, is the steal. Monitor the device using a fairly intuitive app called ASUS Router, this best wireless router offers around 1267 Mbps speeds and has a wide range due to its 4 antennas.
Benefits
- The 4 external antennas are really good at extending the wifi range throughout the house.
- Easily supported by laptops, phones and tablets, it is the best for home use.
- Delivers seamless, uninterrupted connection, even while switching devices
Drawbacks
- Not for heavy-duty net usage, and does not have parental controls for each device.
- It offers high-speed wifi, but compared to other products of the same price range, it does not offer many features.
- It’s simple and effective, and may not satisfy customers looking for the latest features like parental controls, etc.
Our Verdict
The latest MU MIMO technology ensures multiple users can use the network simultaneously and smoothly. This is great for multiple device usage.
The winner of the JP Power Award for the Highest Customer Satisfaction in 2017 and 2019, this best router of 2019 is a dual-band smart wifi router, equipped with the latest MU-MIMO technology. The device supports Beamforming Technology, Guest wifi, and AP mode. The high speeds and technology enable high-speed internet surfing, gaming, and HD video streaming.
With 4 external antennas, there is plenty of wifi range around the house and is easy to access from anywhere you’re sitting. The MU-MIMO technology supports multiple users at the same time, so is good for a large number of devices. Parental controls ensure you can control and limit network time and makes ensure safe internet usage for your children.
Benefits
- One of the most unique features of the router is the ability to create a Guest Network, so you can easily share the wifi connection and not compromise on security. This is an excellent feature for homes that have guests or even run a small-time Airbnb type of service.
Drawbacks
- There are reviews of irregular speeds and incompatibility with devices. Antenna positioning is a problem, and it is said to have difficulty with MAC filtering.
Our Verdict
We recommend this for the Guest Network features, which lets you share the network with a guest, without compromising on your security. No sharing passwords, only happy guests.
This TP-Link wifi router under 100 dollars is one of the best routers under 100, it was also a one of the best routers of 2019. Equipped with the latest Wifi-6 technology, this router allows connectivity to multiple devices at once. Known for its strong network coverage, the router has a Triple Core processor with 1.5 GHz tri-core processor, which ensures buffer-free surfing and streaming. Up to 1.5 Gbps speeds allow for fast data transfer and a smooth wifi experience.
Benefits
- The triple-core processor ensures that this best wifi router under 100 is problem-free, and delivers strong network signals.
- The Gen-next Wifi 6 technology is excellent for connecting multiple devices with less congestion and higher speeds. 1.5 Gbps speeds are great for a high-speed internet experience.
- An efficient triple-core processor means lower power consumption and more savings.
Drawbacks
- It’s sometimes difficult to use, and figure out why there is a problem with the wifi connection. Only an indicative green or red light to tell the users about the wifi and internet signals.
- The setup also seems to be causing trouble for first-time users.
Our Verdict
The Triple Core processor makes for a smooth wifi experience. The router offers a smooth internet experience, and for anyone working from home these days, that’s a blessing!
Another TP link product, the Smart Wifi Router is a high-speed Wave 2 wireless router under 100 dollars, one of the best routers in 2019 and still continues to be in top 7 best routers of 2020. With boosted wireless routing and Beamforming technology that offers seamless communication and wifi delivery. The Archer A9 provides guest wifi, access control, parental control, WPA3, and a VPN server. This surely falls under the category of the best router under 100.
Benefits
- Connectivity with Alexa that allows for voice controls is the latest in technology and router features.
- High-speed internet access ensures unstoppable HD streaming, for a long-range. A 4K experience for simultaneous device usage and gaming.
Drawbacks
- Reports of not delivering high speeds, and has not performed well on some speed tests. The range has also been a cause for concern for some users.
Our Verdict
Alexa controls are pretty great, but the high-speed Wave 2 router is mostly super cool for its excellent Beamforming technology, making the connection seamless. It is surely one of the best router under 100 dollars for HD streaming.
Buying Guide For Best Router Under 100
Here’s a quick buying guide, identifying all the main aspects that you need to think about before buying a wireless router. The best routers are those that fit your needs perfectly and provide a seamless network experience without you having to fuss over connectivity all the time.
1. Speed
There is nothing more frustrating than spotty internet, and anyone who is working from home these days will vouch for that! You do not want to attend conference calls where you keep saying, “What? Sorry, I have a bad network”. It is embarrassing and irritating. You also don’t want your videos to buffer when there are multiple devices running at the same time.
So, before you pick up a wifi router for the home, do look at the speed at which data is transferred, and choose one which is appropriate for yours and your house members’ need.
2. Coverage
We’ve had routers that are perfect with all the latest technology and wifi speeds, but with a range that does not even cover half the house. Imagine how irritating to walk to one end of the house, and not have any signal there. So, make sure you get a wireless router that has enough range for the size of your house.
Also, it is advisable to place the router in the centre of the house to ensure maximum coverage. If the coverage is still not up to what you need, you need to go in for a booster, that extends the wifi signal to the parts of the house that were not receiving it.
3. Features you need
There are a thousand and one options of best routers under 100 dollars, but not all of them are what you need. Identify your need, and choose your features accordingly. If you don’t have more than 15 devices, don’t be excited about a router that can connect 30 devices, because it’ll cost more than you need to pay. If you need parental controls, make sure you choose a device that lets your control and limit your child’s wifi time. Before buying the best router under 100 dollars, make sure you think through what your utility is, and make the purchase accordingly.
4. Price
There are routers ranging from $50 to an upwards of $300-400, maybe more. When doing a price comparison, also look at the features that each router offers. Make sure that the features you desire in your wifi router fit the price point you are looking for. You don’t want to be going on a wild-goose chase. It is easy to compare prices of similar products online, and it is advisable to do a quick comparison of price vs. features before you purchase a router.
5. Compatibility
Perhaps the most common mistake that people make while purchasing the best wifi under $100 is that it isn’t compatible with all your devices. Online descriptions of the products specify the compatibility with the wireless network and devices, so please check that before purchasing a new router. Also, check the frequency bands which are supported by the router to ensure it fits your need.
Conclusion
The number of routers and options available in the market is mind-boggling. But do not get bogged down by all these fancy technology jargon, and only focus on what you need from a wifi router. Have a big house and need wifi everywhere? Go for one with a higher range and coverage. Need high speed for gaming? Choose one that supports high speed and gaming. Have to connect a number of devices simultaneously? Go for one with MU MIMO technology that allows you to do that. In short, these 7 best routers under 100 dollars have all the features that you may need, you just need to be sure about what you need more.