WiFi routers generally last for 4-5 years, that’s why I always suggest my readers to get the devices that perform well. However, high-performance routers are expensive and not everyone needs them. If you’re looking for a cheap budget router that’s inexpensive and performs well, you’ve come to the right place.
Since this article is titled as “best-cheap routers”, you won’t find the routers that are cheap but not good. I surfed the specifications and reviews of over 43 different wireless routers to make this list of 7 best options in 2024.
The tests were performed across several parameters, including speeds from distances, WiFi coverage, security features, and more.
7 Best Cheap Routers in 2024
Despite being cheaper, routers in this list have been checked and vetted for reliable network performance. They’ve been used for different purposes, such as online studies, gaming, working from home, web browsing, streaming, etc.
1. Best Overall: TP-Link Archer AX55
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 800 Mbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps
- Number of devices supported: 35
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
- Processor: 1GHz Qualcomm-Atheros IPQ5018
- RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 128MB
- App Support: Yes
Rehauling the hardware unit of its predecessor equips the Archer AX55 to handle various household requirements. Wi-Fi 6 allows you to future-proof your home with the latest gadgets. Tether’s intuitive interface & remote management capabilities make it the best affordable WiFi router on the market.
Why is it a suitable choice?
The router can support a total bandwidth of 3 Gbps, operating on dual bands. The bandwidth translates to individual speeds as follows:
| 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps | 5 GHz: 2402 Mbps |
Hooked to my 500 Mbps Spectrum internet, I could put the latest features like MU-MIMO and OFDMA to test with multiple devices.
On the 5 GHz, the download speeds touched 468 Mbps, while the uploads maxed at capped 19 Mbps, 20 feet away from the router. A couple of rooms away, my downloads were clocking 351 Mbps, and the uploads were 12 Mbps.
On the 2.4 GHz, the download & upload speeds were 487 Mbps and 19 Mbps close to the router. My phone clocked 35 Mbps and 5 Mbps at the farthest end.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
Four external beamforming, high-power antennas justified the coverage claim of covering a 2,500 Sq Ft house by blanketing my 2,200 Sq Ft old house, leaving no dead zones.
With 15 devices hogging the internet, Archer AX55 was pushed to its limits with console gaming. You take gaming out, the TP-Link device will easily handle 20 devices, including TVs, PC, and mobiles.
Security Features
With this router, you’ll have access to the WPA 3 encryption standards, SPI firewall, access controls, reports, basic parental controls, multiple profiles, and scheduled access.
Suppose you have a bunch of IoTs at home. In that case, it makes sense to upgrade to HomeShield Pro, which offers you additional protection from intrusion, malicious sites, and DDOS attacks with extensive parental controls and reports. A lot of value for $5.99 a month.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an all-around Wi-Fi 6 router on a budget, Archer AX55 is your best bet. It comes with great hardware, features, and usability. You can use it for gaming, streaming, or any other tasks. Its remote monitoring and friendly interface of the Tether App make it stand out at the top of my list.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Excellent throughput
- Decent WiFi coverage
- Handles multiple devices
- Good security features
Cons
- No major con
2. Best For Gaming: ASUS RT-AX1800S
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,000 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 1 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1201 Mbps
- Number of devices supported: 15
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN
- Processor: 880MHz Dual-Core MediaTek MT7621AT
- RAM & NAND Memory: 256MB + 128MB
- App Support: Yes
A slightly changed version of its predecessor ASUS RT-AX55, the AX1800S settles down with a dual-core processor to accommodate the pricing.
Nonetheless, it brings all the latest features of Wi-Fi 6 standards and additional network security of AiProtection Classic, and you don’t have to shell out a monthly subscription.
Why is it a suitable choice?
The Asus router provides 1.8 Gbps of bandwidth with dual-band operation. The individual band speeds translate into:
| 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps | 5 GHz: 1201 Mbps |
While it can support connections up to 1 Gbps, Verizon FiOS 500 Mbps speeds for its hardware capacity seemed adequate.
On the 5 GHz, my downloads raced to 452 Mbps, while the uploads clocked 202 Mbps. At approx. 50 ft away, my iPad was recording 189 Mbps in downloads and 65 Mbps in uploads.
The speeds on the 2.4 GHz were 469 Mbps and 92 Mbps, respectively. Outside the front door, I could play games without latency and stream them on Twitch without hassle.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
Four external beamforming antennas are crucial to cover its range of 2,000 square feet. While the placement turned out to be a game of trial and error, it covered most part of my 2,200-square-foot duplex home.
Owing to its limited hardware capacity, it would be sensible to limit devices to a maximum of 15. When I had two smart TVs prioritized with QoS, a desktop, and a few mobiles hooked onto the internet, the Asus device cruised through it.
Security Features
With the latest WPA3 encryption, your data remains protected. You also get built-in VPN support, parental controls, a MAC-based device filter, and an access scheduler. The AiProtection Classic will keep your network safe from infected and malicious devices at no additional cost.
Conclusion
The latest wireless standards and their features can significantly affect the speeds and performance. And the mesh compatibility and AiProtection Classic are the features that make it one of the budget routers for gaming.
Pros
- Wi-Fi 6 Standards
- AiMesh support
- AiProtection Classic security
- Good WiFi range
- Cheap router with VPN support
Cons
- No USB port
3. Best For Students: D-Link DIR-882-US
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- WiFi Range: Up to 1,800 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 500 Mbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 800 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1733 Mbps
- Number of devices supported: 15
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0 + 1 x USB 2.0
- Processor: 880MHz Dual-Core MediaTek MT7621AT
- RAM & NAND Memory: 128MB + 16MB
- App Support: No
The confluence of 2.6 Gbps bandwidth, MU-MIMO, makes this D-Link DIR-882 a cheap yet good Wi-Fi 5 router. The wired connectivity options, along with two USB ports, make this router stand out from the other devices featured in the list.
Why is it a suitable choice?
With 2600 Mbps of bandwidth at your disposal, you will get a lot of capacity for devices connected to your home network. The individual band speeds top at:
| 2.4 GHz: 800 Mbps | 5 GHz: 1733 Mbps |
At the helm of AT&T’s 300Mbps plan, my Samsung Galaxy Tab clocked 245 Mbps on downloads and 175 Mbps on uploads on the 5 GHz band. A couple of rooms away, my downloads were consistently crossing 100 Mbps in downloads and 35 Mbps in uploads.
The speeds on 2.4 GHz were impressive when downloads topped 200 Mbps, and uploads soared above 95 Mbps, closest to the router. Even at the farthest point, in my backyard, the speeds touched 25 Mbps in downloads, and 2 Mbps in uploads.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
The four flexible beamforming antennas are crucial to covering 1,800 square feet of area. D-Link’s router had no trouble covering my 1,500 sq ft home office with three big rooms. I could stream HD videos on my TV, even when I have already connected several tablets and mobile gadgets to the network.
With QoS to prioritize the connection, one cannot rule gaming out of its purview. But its limited memory would stress out in the event of multiple data-intense activities. This can be a great value buy for households with 10-15 devices at home.
Security Features
One area where DIR-882 falls short is with nothing but the basic security features it offers. Yet, your home network will remain safe with WPA2-encrypted passwords. You’ll also have a guest network to keep unknown devices from affecting your home devices. Users can rely on the built-in VPN to keep their data confidential.
Conclusion
While the additional capacity can be a force to reckon with, the limited hardware demands a little prudence. If you have printers and hard drives to share within the household, you’ll bag the D-Link-882-US as it’s one of the few cheaper routers that come with 2 USB ports.
Pros
- Good bandwidth capacity
- Has 2 USB Ports
- QoS for prioritization
- Enough coverage for small homes
Cons
- Limited memory
- Lack of advanced security
4. Best for Work From Home: Linksys EA7300
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- WiFi Range: Up to 1,500 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 300 Mbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 300 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1404 Mbps
- Number of devices supported: 10
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
- Processor: 880MHz Dual-Core MediaTek MT7621AT
- RAM & NAND Memory: 256MB + 128MB
- App Support: Yes
If you are looking for a good inexpensive router for working from home, the wired connectivity option, fast USB port, maximum speeds, and adequate coverage of Linksys EA7300 will be great value addition.
Why is it a suitable choice?
Banking on the Wi-Fi 5 standards and dual-band operations, the device supports a total bandwidth of 1750 Mbps. This splits into individual top speeds:
| 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps | 5 GHz: 1405 Mbps |
Working with a 300 Mbps AT&T FiOS connection, I could get top speeds for my smart TV and work PC, thanks to the MU-MIMO technology and three spatial streams. On the 5GHz, my PC clocked downloads of 276 Mbps and uploads of 171 Mbps closest to the router.
Two walls away, I registered 65 Mbps of downloads and 18 Mbps of uploads on my iPhone. Switching to the 2.4 GHz band, at the farthest distance, approximately 45 feet away, I could make video calls with no hassles. My phone was clocking 18 Mbps of downloads and 3 Mbps of uploads.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
It wasn’t difficult to cover my 1,500 sq ft home with 3 external antennas and 1 internal antenna equipped with beamforming. An HD smart TV, a PC, a couple of tablets, a CCTV camera, and mobile phones were hooked to the internet.
The Linksys EA7300 breezed through activities. I only noticed the router being pushed to its limits during simultaneous streaming and PC gaming sessions.
Security Features
Just like it secures its position on my list of cheap WiFi routers, it also makes it to this department. WPA2 encryption standards and the ability to set up guest networks prevent any external infections at bay.
Schedule internet access, block websites, and limit access using parental controls, either in the comfort of your phone or via the portal.
Conclusion
Easy app controls, quick setup, management, and all-around performance, make Linksys EA7300 a good priced router to stream videos and work from home. The wired connectivity allows you to connect multiple streaming devices, desktops, and wireless gadgets while retaining speeds.
Pros
- MU-MIMO
- Beamforming
- Mesh Compatibility
- Device prioritization
- Parental controls
Cons
- Limited customization & security
5. Best for Home Use: TP-Link Archer A7
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 300 Mbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 450 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1300 Mbps
- Number of devices supported: 10
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 2.0
- Processor: 750MHz Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563
- RAM & NAND Memory: 128MB + 16MB
- App Support: Yes
Popular for its reliable performance, the TP-Link Archer A7 is one of the best low-cost routers to lay your hands on. While it doesn’t have the latest features to boast about, this brings an uncomplicated setup, & app-based management with it.
On top of the capacity, the wired connectivity fit for a small household comes either as a standalone or a part of a mesh network offering seamless connectivity, warranting its inclusion on my list.
Why is it a suitable choice?
The router supports the Wi-Fi 5 standards and operates on simultaneous dual bands with a total bandwidth of 1750 Mbps. It translates to individual band speeds of:
| 2.4 GHz: 450 Mbps | 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps |
It’s ideal to work with plans ranging from 100 to 200 Mbps. I tested it with my Xfinity’s 200 Mbps connection. My OnePlus 11R clocked 150 Mbps of downloads within the same room as the router and topped out at 10 Mbps uploads. I could still get 85 Mbps of downloads and 8 Mbps of uploads in the adjoining room.
Switching to the 2.4 GHz at the farthest end of my house, my phone registered downloads at 25 Mbps and uploads at 1 Mbps. As I closed in on the router, the speeds soared to 100 Mbps while uploads maxed out at 10 Mbps.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
The lack of the latest beamforming technology puts this router at a slight disadvantage compared to the other models in the list. With 3 high-performance antennas, the device makes the ground & covers 2,000 Sq ft if you get the router placement right.
My house, spanning 1,800 square feet, had no dead spots, although the connections were spotty in the farthest washroom. With my primary gadgets like TV, Laptop wired to the ethernet, I had 10 wireless devices connected to the router.
There were no hassles with surfing, video calling, or playing mobile games over the internet with devices prioritized by QoS.
Security Features
Archer A7 has WPA 2 encryption keeping your network safe from unauthorized access. This model comes with Built-in SPI firewalls, URL and time-based parental controls, & VPN support to keep more control of your home network.
Conclusion
Despite lacking advanced features, this is one of the best home WiFi routers under $100 for a small family with limited devices. In the event of future upgrades, you can use this as your primary router or as part of a mesh network.
If we limit household activities to surfing, working, and mobile gaming, you could hardly go wrong with the Archer A7. For more details, read my detailed review of the Archer A7.
Pros
- WiFi-5 standards
- High-performance antennas
- Tether App
- Easy setup
- OneMesh supported
Cons
- No advanced features
6. Best for Long Coverage: ASUS RT-AC65
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 200 Mbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 450 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1300 Mbps
- Number of devices supported: 30
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
- Processor: 1.25GHz Dual-core MediaTek MT7629BA
- RAM & NAND Memory: 128MB + 128MB
- App Support: Yes
Its capacity to cover large surface areas makes this an interesting choice. The ASUS router outperforms its peers in overall performance, including advanced features such as MU-MIMO and beamforming, making it the best bang for your buck router on this list.
Why is it a suitable choice?
At the helm of Wi-Fi 5 standards, the router operates on dual bands with a total capacity of 1750 Mbps. The individual capacity is as distributed as below:
| 2.4 GHz: 450 Mbps | 5 GHz: 1300 Mbps |
With a Spectrum 200 Mbps plan at my home, the router held its ground as one of the most reliable performers and delivered top speeds to my essential gadgets, thanks to the effectiveness of MU-MIMO.
My downloads on the 5GHz were over 185 Mbps, and uploads were 10 Mbps in the same room as the device. On the balcony on the furthest end of the house, the downloads were at 35 Mbps, while the uploads dropped to 1 Mbps.
On the 2.4 GHz frequency, the downloads averaged 110Mbps, close to the router, and uploads at 10 Mbps. Behind a wall, it clocked 68 Mbps of downloads and 7 Mbps of uploads.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
The RT-AC65 has three external adjustable beamforming antennas to cover 3,000 square feet house. The freedom to adjust angles was useful in getting my 2,400 sq ft home under coverage. Even with multiple video streaming, the device performed well with over 15 devices on the network.
Security Features
Limited security options dull the value the Asus RT-AC65 offers. WPA2 encryption standards, a guest network, and limited parental controls are a part of its basic security setup.
Conclusion
Don’t let the absence of advanced security features keep you away from this routing unit. This is an ideal piece of equipment for a large home with a bunch of devices to stream videos, play mobile games, surf, and remain active on social media.
Pros
- Dual-Core Processor
- MU-MIMO
- AiRadar Beamforming
- Parental controls
- Asus router App
Cons
- Limited security settings
7. Cheapest Option: Wavlink WN531G3
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- WiFi Range: Up to 1,500 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 100 Mbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 300 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 867 Mbps
- Number of devices supported: 15
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 2.0
- Processor: Unknown
- RAM & NAND Memory: Unknown
- App Support: Yes
Being the cheapest wireless router on the list, capable of operating on dual-band with sufficient coverage for small homes. It comes with wired connectivity options, USB ports, and app-based management for less than $30, an absolute steal of a deal.
Why is it a suitable choice?
Supporting Wi-Fi 5, the device can operate on dual bands and deliver a total capacity of 1200 Mbps. This translates to speeds of:
| 2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps | 5 GHz: 867 Mbps |
On the 5 GHz, my downloads were hitting 95 Mbps downloads and 25 Mbps uploads with my AT&T internet. Separated by a couple of walls, my downloads were still recording 30 Mbps, with uploads touching the double digits at 11 Mbps.
On the 2.4 GHz, in the same room as the router, I got over 75 Mbps of downloads and 18 Mbps of uploads. Even on my balcony, approx. 40 ft away, my downloads stayed at 20 Mbps, while my uploads dropped to 5 Mbps.
WiFi Coverage & Devices Support
The four beamforming antennas come in handy to cover 1,500 square feet. The flexible positioning of antennas played a role in covering the entirety of my 1,400-square-foot house, including a small basement.
Even with 10 devices connected to the router to stream videos on mobile, surfing, and social media, I had adequate speeds to make video calls. Limit the number of devices to 10-15 and get the most out of this router. Wiring your TV, desktop, or laptop will afford you more freedom to connect wireless devices.
Security Features
This Wavlink router comes with basic security features only. With WPA2 encrypted passwords, your network remains less vulnerable to any data thefts.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a router with basic features at a budget-friendly price, there is hardly anything to go wrong with the WAVlink WN531G3. A touch-based setup and a convenient app to manage the settings make it even easy for you.
For a small household with limited streaming, mobile gaming, and surfing activities, there is hardly anything to lose with the Wavlink router.
Pros
- Budget Friendly
- Beamforming
- One touch connect
- Wavlink smart App
- Easy installation
Cons
- Limited security options
Frequently Asked Questions
The best option depends on the requirements and the preferences. TP-Link Archer AX55 is one of the best wireless routers under $150 that doesn’t compromise and brings notable features like Wi-Fi 6, 2,500 Sq Ft range, good security, and more.
Depending on the price range, you’ll look at routers with limited hardware capacity. Most OEMs accommodate features like MU-MIMO and beamforming, even in their budget models. Keep your expectations in check for security features and device management.
You can connect 5-10 devices to the budget router depending on the activities. If the device has a dual-core process, you can extend its capacity up to 15 devices. With budget routers, limiting heavy streaming and gaming activities is imperative.
Yes, you can still stream 4K videos on low-cost routers. Streaming a single device in 4K requires a minimum of 20 Mbps download speeds. Contingent on the internet speeds and the router’s memory capacity, you can stream 1 4K device on a dual-band router or push it to a maximum of 2 on a tri-band router.
Verdict
The router you choose is just one aspect of the puzzle. When your preferences are out of sync, even the best value router may appear to be a waste of money. It gets more complicated when you are working under a strict budget.
I’ve listed some scenarios and recommendations:
- TP-Link Archer AX55 is your best overall choice if you have the latest gadgets and smart home devices.
- Asus’ RT-AX1800S is the cheapest Wi-Fi 6 router with decent coverage, security, and other features.
- D-Link DIR-882 US is my budget recommendation if you want good wired connectivity options and USB ports to share a printer and a hard drive in your home.
- The TP-Link Archer A7 is most recommended if you are looking for an easy setup, user-friendly app-based management, and mesh compatibility.
That’s all for now!
