Are you replacing the ISP-rented gateway with your own wireless router that costs less than 150 dollars? You’re at the right place!
Whether you’re into gaming, streaming, or conferencing or need a good router to handle multiple devices at your home or office, you’ll find a suitable device for this budget.
But then, the availability of many options makes the selection dicey. That’s why I researched, took 16 wireless routers below $150, and tested each for a week or so.
After in-depth testing of several aspects, including speed, coverage, security features, etc., I’ve finalized my top picks for 2024:
- Best All-Around: TP-Link Archer AX73
- Best Gaming Router: ASUS GS-AX3000
- Best Parental Controls: Gryphon Tower
- Best Speeds & Coverage: Linksys MR9610
- Best For Streaming: Netgear RAX45
- Best Mesh WiFi Under $150: Google Nest WiFi
- Cheapest Good Option: D-Link EXO DIR-X5460
7 Best Routers Under $150 in 2024
Judging a product by its spec sheet can be tricky, and you become vulnerable to brands’ marketing gimmicks. Rest assured, the sub $150 routers in this list are tried & tested devices, and you’ll get a good value from them.
The list includes diverse options to cater to the various needs. It has a few top-tier models with high performance, some great at a particular aspect (and decent at others). Some at an even lower price, yet no compromise. So let’s get in!
1. Best Overall: TP-Link Archer AX73
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Suitable Internet Plan: 1 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 4804 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 200
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
- Processor: 1.5GHz Triple-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 256MB
- App Support: Yes
Kicking off my list with an all-around router with a range of optimal features that gets you top performance with a Gigabit internet.
An upgrade to Archer AX72, AX73 brings in top features like a 1.5GHz triple-core processor, complete port setup, a high throughput capacity, and a multi-device handling capacity. It costs just around $150 to fit perfectly in your budget cap.
Why is it a suitable choice?
This dual-band Wi-Fi 6 TP-Link Archer AX73 boasts an aggregated speed of 5400 Mbps, with its band-wise speeds as follows:
| 5 GHz: 4804 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
I paired it with an Xfinity Gigablast plan to measure its real-time speeds. Connecting the available devices with both bands, the results were fairly impressive.
First, I placed my laptop 10 feet away from the routing device, and the 5 GHz band had download and upload speeds of 938 Mbps and 36 Mbps, respectively. At the same time, 2.4 GHz frequency recorded 514 Mbps and 29 Mbps for downloads & uploads.
The achieved speeds are more than enough to undertake high-end tasks like streaming TVs and playing games and light tasks like sending emails, streaming music, and more.
Now placing the devices around 40 feet away from the router had a 25-28% drop in speeds, which still could easily manage most of your internet-bound tasks. It can be credited to MU-MIMO and OFDMA, which fosters streamlined flow of data sets.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
The six-antenna setup of TP-Link Archer AX73 claims to cover areas of up to 2,500 Sq Ft. But in real-world scenarios, it covered 2,100 Sq Ft area, which isn’t bad. This makes it one of the top router choices for 2,000 Sq Ft homes.
But if you have a much large space, there’s a possibility to link the router with a OneMesh extender. Unlike traditional extenders, you get features like band steering and seamless roaming.
Moving on, networking techs like MU-MIMO and OFDMA helped connect multiple devices without producing any lags or latencies. At a stretch, I could pair up to 60-70 devices without experiencing any jitters or inconsistencies.
Security Features
This router comes with TP-Link’s HomeShield suite for network security. Its features include WPA3 support, VPN, guest access, access control, and auto-firmware update to keep the data sets shared over the network safe.
Regarding parental controls, you get scheduled network pause, monitoring the total online time, etc. Such features should let digital nomads ensure their child isn’t overspending their time online.
Conclusion
Archer AX73 offers top-tier performance and is undoubtedly the best WiFi router for under 150 USD. Coupled with a powerful processor, it performs fairly well in all aspects.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Premium performance on a budget
- Reliable and stable firmware
- Decent security & parental controls
- Excellent device-handling capacity
Cons
- No major cons
2. Best Gaming Router: ASUS GS-AX3000
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,000 Sq Ft
- Suitable Internet Plan: 1 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 30+
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.2
- Processor: 1.5GHz Triple-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 256MB
- App Support: Yes
If you are a gamer needing a high-performance gaming router within $150, look at this monstrous ASUS ROG Strix GS-AX3000.
Its notable features include a 1.5GHz triple-core processor, port forwarding, and excellent throughput capacity, alongside gaming-centric features like VPN fusion, mobile game boost, and game accelerator.
Why is it a suitable choice?
Courtesy of its power processor, ample storage options, and dual-band support, ASUS GS-AX3000 boasts a maximum speed capacity of 3000 Mbps. Its two bands instill:
| 5 GHz: 2402 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
With such high speeds and advanced features, you can pair a Gigabit plan with any ISPs, and mine was from Xfinity.
The downloads and uploads over the closer band (5 GHz) clocked at 921 Mbps and 35 Mbps within 10 feet test. While the values for 2.4 GHz bands stayed at 507 Mbps and 26 Mbps, respectively. Such speeds are enough for top-tier tasks like gaming, streaming, etc.
Features like the game accelerator and boost help maximize the device’s performance by balancing throughput and latency. With its simple app dashboard, you can prioritize any devices remotely. Besides, a dedicated 1 Gig Ethernet port fosters interference-free gaming.
Moving the connected devices 40 feet from the router had around a 30% speed drop. Still, I could play games like Fortnite and League of Legends at 65 FPS and 14ms ping.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
Coverage-wise, ASUS claims to cover areas up to 2,000 Sq Ft. The four external antennas could impart signals over 1,700 Sq Ft. This makes it suitable for gaming studios and small to medium-sized apartments.
Furthermore, AiMesh support lets you pair a compatible router/extender to create a whole-home mesh system and transmit signals to a few square feet.
During my initial testing, I threw in as many devices as I had in my house simultaneously. The router could manage around 25 devices most of the time without breaking a sweat. It can be credited to networking technologies like beamforming, OFDMA, and MU-MIMO, which stabilize the signals transmitted to the client devices.
Security Features
Security is the strong aspect of this ASUS gaming router, as it offers many advanced features with AiProtection.
It entails a powerful firewall to prevent unauthorized agents like viruses, malware, and others from entering the network and creating harm. A router security assessment feature provides a detailed security report on the app.
Other than that, standard features like WPA3, VPN, guest access, access control, and auto-firmware update secures your network. Asus also entails a range of advanced parental controls like an internet dashboard to track the device’s online activities, customized internet schedules, age-based filters, and scheduling internet pauses.
Conclusion
To sum up, ASUS GS-AX3000 is a reliable gaming wireless router to buy for under $150. It comes with unique features and capabilities to boost your gaming performance. But its coverage is lesser than my previous recommendation.
Pros
- Decent throughput capacity
- Excellent security features
- Great parental controls
- Great device handling capacity
- Low ping gaming
Cons
- Middling WiFi coverage
3. Best Parental Controls: Gryphon Tower
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
- Suitable Internet Plan: 1 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 400 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1700 Mbps + 866 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 100
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 3 x Gig LAN
- Processor: Quad-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 4GB
- App Support: Yes
Next on my list is a tri-band Wi-Fi 5 mesh router named Gryphon Tower. Its standout feature is its comprehensive parental controls that don’t require paying a penny. And since it’s a mesh WiFi, you can expect seamless connectivity in 3,000 Sq Ft homes.
Why is it a suitable choice?
Courtesy of its tri-band setup, Qualcomm Quad-core CPU, ample RAM, and flash storage, Gryphon tower delivers an unequivocal performance. Its aggregated speeds are tagged at 3000 Mbps, with its band-wise speeds distributed as follows:
| 5 GHz (1): 1700 Mbps | 5 GHz (2): 866 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 400 Mbps |
In my throughput tests, Gryphon Tower records an excellent performance. The download speeds on three bands with Xfinity Gigabit clocked 912 Mbps, 765 Mbps, and 378 Mbps. At the same time, uploads valued at 32 Mbps, 28 Mbps, and 22 Mbps, respectively.
Note: All these results were recorded on a Dell laptop 10 feet away from the router.
Placing the laptop further away (40 feet) dropped speeds by 28-30%, which suggests its ability to transmit signals to a fair distance. Such obtained speeds (at any distance) should handle your internet-bound tasks like streaming, gaming, or video conferencing.
Aside from that, the device performed well in my stress test, where I streamed multiple HD movies over Netflix at once, and signals didn’t drop a tad.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
Coverage is a mesh router’s hero feature as the signals breeze through my 2,500 Sq Ft test center. You can add a few hundred Sq Ft by pairing another node with the main router. So, you no longer need to worry about weak or dead zones affecting your workflow.
Aside from that, the mesh system instills beamforming and MU-MIMO networking tech to further enhance your streaming or browsing experience. The signals are transmitted more efficiently, and you can pair several clients simultaneously.
Here the numbers maxed out at 45, more than what you have in your residential or small workspace.
Security Features
The device also stands out in security features and is one of the best WiFi routers for parental control. And the good thing is they don’t charge a penny for it.
You’ve full jurisdiction over your kids’ online activity, and it lets you ensure they aren’t accessing anything explicit or dangerous. Features like an internet dashboard, age-based filters, scheduled pause, bedtime, and remote controls are a few.
It also has an advanced firewall that blocks most unwanted elements and agents from accessing your network and devices, alongside basic features like WPA3, VPN, guest access, and auto-firmware update.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Gryphon Tower is a value-based tri-band mesh router that balances its performance speed, coverage, and price. Its stand-out features in terms of security and parental controls keep your kids and network safe from malicious agents, qualifying it as the best mesh WiFi system under $150.
But inferior WiFi standards than my previous suggestion pushed it down to the third position.
Pros
- Excellent parental controls
- Good throughput performance
- Great coverage
- Seamless tri-band operation
- Built-in advanced firewall
Cons
- Doesn’t come with Wi-Fi 6
4. Best Speeds & Coverage: Linksys MR9610
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
- Suitable Internet Plan: 1 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 4804 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1147 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 40+
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 2 x USB 3.0
- Processor: 1.8GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: N/A
- App Support: Yes
Next on my list is Linksys MR9610, a reliable wireless router in the $150 price range that stands out in speed and coverage. You can expect faster data transfer with dual-band Wi-Fi 6 support and additional channels than the Gryphon tower.
Other than that, this router entails two latest USB 3.0 ports for faster file transfer, which was a missing link in the previous model.
Why is it a suitable choice?
The dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router boasts an aggregated theoretical capacity of 6000 Mbps, distributed over its two bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 4804 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 1147 Mbps |
To test its real-time performance, I paired the router with an Xfinity 1 Gig plan to achieve a performance better than my previous recommendation. In proximity tests, the 5 GHz band recorded download and upload speeds at around 927 Mbps and 30 Mbps, respectively.
At the same time, respective values for the 2.4 GHz band were placed at 739 Mbps and 26 Mbps. The speeds were higher enough to run your mid-tier online games at around 18ms ping and 50-55 frames per second.
Theoretically, such speeds can stream UHD Netflix movies on 45 devices simultaneously. Other than that, the router performed decently in the 30-feet test, where speeds dropped only by 35%, which is on par with many top-tier routers available out there.
Such speeds can also let you stream HD movies, attend video calls, and other light internet-based tasks.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
Linksys MR9610 had a decent performance with respect to coverage, as it managed to encase my client’s 2,500 Sq Ft space with powerful signals. It just lags behind my previous recommendation but similar to the former, signals received by the devices were smooth and clear. There were no visible network jitters or bottlenecks.
Aside from that, there’s an MU-MIMO and beamforming technology that boosts the router’s device handling capacity. At a time, I could connect up to 35 devices without a drop in signal strength.
Security Features
Unlike Gryphon Tower, no advanced security or parental control features are available for free or at a cost. However, it inculcates some basic ones like WPA3, VPN, guest access, and auto-firmware update, with which you can keep your home network safe.
Aside from that, its scheduled network pausing and monitoring total online time lets you keep track of your kids’ total time spent online.
Conclusion
Linksys MR9610 is the best Wi-Fi 6 router costing less than 150 bucks. Its performance is strong enough to handle the majority of your network-intensive tasks. Because of this, it is appropriate for online learners and those who work from home.
Pros
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6
- Excellent WiFi range
- Versatile port setup
- Great speeds
- Pocket-friendly
Cons
- Middling security features
5. Best for Streaming: Netgear Nighthawk RAX45
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Suitable Internet Plan: 1 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 480 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 3840 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 30+
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN
- Processor: 1.5GHz Triple-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 256MB
- App Support: Yes
Netgear routers are great performers, and Nighthawk RAX45, with a 1.5GHz triple-core processor combined with ample storage and Wi-Fi 6 dual-band support, gets you an unmatched streaming experience. Besides, it brings along a plethora of upgrades with its new launch, compared to RAX43.
Why is it a suitable choice?
The Nighthawk RAX45 boasts an aggregated speed of 4400 Mbps, with band-wise distribution as follows:
| 5 GHz: 3840 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 480 Mbps |
I followed my router’s traditional testing procedure on the router using a Dell laptop equipped with a killer 802.11ax network adapter as my client and Xfinity 1 Gbps plan.
Its score of 901 Mbps for downloads and 25 Mbps on the 5GHz close proximity was slightly slower than previous recommendations. At the same time, the 2.4GHz band clocked speeds at 429 Mbps and 20 Mbps, respectively.
While at a 40 feet distance, RAX45’s score of 676 Mbps downloads is decent enough to pave the way for streaming your favorite shows and movies in high-definition. The connection was also buffer-free, courtesy of MU-MIMO and beamforming.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
Range-wise, Netgear RAX45 scored decently. As per the spec sheet, its four-antenna setup can extend up to 2,500 Sq Ft. But in my test, it is ideal for 2,000-2,200 Sq Ft homes.
Besides, the router entails MU-MIMO, QoS, and beamforming to keep the signals sent over multiple devices stable. In numbers, it can go up to 25, with HD streaming on 20 at once.
Security Features
RAX50 provides only basic security features. These include guest access, WPA3, VPN, and basic parental control. But upgrading to premium Netgear Armor provides you with various advanced security features. (Read Review)
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nighthawk RAX45 is the best Netgear router you can pick for around $150. It is powerful enough to cover most of your home internet & streaming needs without a sweat. But it stays aback to many routers in this space with few free-to-use security and parental control features.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Decent WiFi coverage
- Great speeds & throughput
- Powerful hardware
- Has MU-MIMO and QoS
Cons
- Basic security features
6. Best Mesh Router: Google Nest WiFi
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,800 Sq Ft
- Suitable Internet Plan: 500 Mbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 400 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1733 Mbps
- Number of Supported Devices: 100
- Ports: 3 x Gig LAN
- Processor: 1.4GHz Quad-Core 64-bit ARM
- RAM & NAND Memory: 1GB + 4GB
- App Support: Yes
Continuing our quest to find a good router below 150 dollars, I’ve reached a speedy yet simple mesh router suited for 2-story homes.
Google Nest WiFi is the first in the company’s Nest series of routers that brings along a plethora of upgrades like a powerful quad-core processor, ample storage space (4GB flash memory), and excellent range.
Why is it a suitable choice?
This dual-band WiFi 6 router boasts an aggregated throughput capacity of 2200 Mbps, which is distributed over its bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 1733 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 400 Mbps |
So to get an idea of how the mesh system performs in an actual home setting, I paired it with a Coz 500 Mbps plan and ran speed tests over two different spots in my house.
Over the 5GHz band, the downloads and uploads were carried out at a rate of 458 Mbps and 19 Mbps, respectively, while similar values for the 2.4GHz band were around 389 and 17 Mbps. So, it’s safe to claim that the device nearby to the router should feed on enough bandwidth to get any of your internet-bound tasks done.
Moving further away from the routing device (30 feet) has a 30% drop in speeds, quite expected from a mesh system. The values correlate with many top-tier routers on my list, but it lags behind a tad in terms of consistency.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
Being a mesh system and inculcating highly-amplified antennas, the Google WiFi Nest claims to cover a massive area of 3,800 Sq Ft. In reality, it manages to envelop around 3,200 Sq Ft, so any 2-story house should never run out of bandwidth or a stable network.
The antennas further entail beamforming and MU-MIMO, which assists in boosting the device’s signal strength. You can connect up to 65 devices at once, making it an ideal companion for any mid-tier business.
Security Features
Google is always concerned about the security of its users, and although you won’t have access to any state-of-the-art features, the available ones are handy enough to keep your mesh network safe.
These include TLS firewall, WPA3, and auto-firmware update. TLS firewall and WPA3 resonate with one another to keep the traveling data safe from any encroacher. However, this router gets only one and a half stars out of five in the parental controls department.
Only features like manual website blocking and website pausing features are available. If needed, install a third-party antivirus powered by Tenda Micro or Bitdefender.
Conclusion
With decent scores in most departments, Google Nest WiFi can be tagged as a good WiFi AC router in this price range. Its coverage and device-holding capacity are high enough to give you access to a stable network in any part of your space.
But, with the lack of Wi-Fi 6 and falling behind considerably in the parental controls department, it’s ranked in the penultimate position. Read the in-depth review.
Pros
- Excellent WiFi coverage
- Great device holding capacity
- Easy to install & manage
- Reliable speeds & performance
Cons
- Parental controls could be better
7. Cheapest Option: D-Link EXO DIR-X5460-US
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,000 Sq Ft
- Suitable Internet Plan: 500 Mbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 600 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 4800 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 30+
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0 + 1 x USB 2.0
- Processor: N/A
- RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 128MB
- App Support: Yes
If you are here for the cheapest router with top-notch features, then D-Link EXO DIR-X5460-US is the one to look into. Despite costing around $120, its Wi-Fi 6 support and theoretical speed cap of 6000 Mbps will do a decent enough job with any of your mid-tier plans.
Why is it a suitable choice?
The dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router boasts a 6000 Mbps speed distributed over its two bands as follows:
| 5 GHz: 4800 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps |
The router’s speed capacity seems fine at this price, as I paired a Cox 500 Mbps plan to determine its real-time speeds.
In the proximity test, the performance over the 5GHz was decent, with downloads and uploads clocking at 514 Mbps and 18 Mbps, respectively. On the 2.4GHz band, the respective speed values fared at 498 Mbps and 15 Mbps.
Aside from that, the distance tests with the routing device weren’t very fine. My laptop registered a 38% speed drop, which, paired with speed drops, made tasks like streaming and gaming much tougher. However, I experienced a signal drop at a few places.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
EXO DIR-X5460-US, despite being a budget option, boasts a six-antenna setup, but its coverage limits to 1,500 Sq Ft, a mid-sized apartment. Although there’s an MU-MIMO and beamforming tech installed within the antennas, the maximum number of devices you can connect is around 25.
There were minor lags, but it could soldier through all of them.
Security Features
Security-wise, I was disappointed with what this budget Wi-Fi 6 router offers. There aren’t any advanced features available with this device, freemium or paid. Nevertheless, basic features like auto-firmware updates, guest network access, AES encryption, and WPA2 personel should secure limited devices.
Besides, its parental controls are the same as it was in my previous recommendation, including network pausing and tracking a device’s total online time.
Conclusion
Overall, EXO DIR-X5460-US is a good sub $150 routing device with a decent range of features and performance. Its speed capacity and coverage are decent enough to easily satiate any mid-sized home. But, minor network drops and lack of adequate security features are major limitations of this device, thereby ranked at the bottom.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Exceptional throughput capacity
- Decent port arrangement
- Easy to install
Cons
- Occasional network drops
- Middling security features
Frequently Asked Questions
As far as my tests go, TP-Link Archer AX73 is the best option under the $150 price range. It has top-tier features like dual-band Wi-Fi 6 support, excellent coverage, and a plethora of features to easily get most of your internet-bound tasks.
You can’t expect some top-tier features like Wi-Fi 6E, tri-band or over-the-top coverage. But if you are investing such a decent sum, here are the features you must look for:
– Dual-band Wi-Fi 6
– Throughput capacity of around 3 Gbps
– Antennas with beamforming support
– Coverage range of 2,000 Sq Ft
– Decent security features
– Adequate number of ports
– Supports at least a 500 Mbps plans
Yes, it is possible. In fact, you can also get a gaming router for under a $150 budget. ASUS ROG GS-AX3000 is one of them. Its throughput capacity isn’t very high but entails a number of gaming-centric features like game boost, game accelerator, 1024-QAM, and others.
Although it varies from model to model, you can connect over 25-30 devices on average on a budget wireless router. For a better experience with multi-device connectivity, get a device with QoS, OFDMA, and MU-MIMO.
Verdict
That’s it for my thoughts on the wireless routers below 150 dollars. I hope this article helped you pick the right device for your needs.
If you still can’t make up your mind as to which one to get, here are my personal suggestions:
- The best in this price range is TP-Link Archer AX73. Its notable features include powerful hardware, massive throughput capacity, and coverage, translating into a top performance on your connected devices.
- If you need to save a few dollars but not compromise much on performance, Linksys MR9610 should be ideal. It does a decent enough job.
- Next, if you need budget mesh WiFi, go for Gryphon Tower, with excellent security features.
- Finally, if you want a cheap yet reliable option, go for D-Link EXO DIR-X5460-US. Its performance is below par with its feature sets, but it does the job.
With that, I’ll wrap up this article. Thanks for reading!
