With a price tag that won’t break your budget and offering everything you’d want from a router, it’s no surprise that the C7 boasts one of the highest star ratings on Amazon. It is also a best-seller thanks to its affordable price, incredible range, and cutting-edge speed. If you want a good, cheap Wi-Fi router that can stand toe to toe with a $200 router, look no further. And if you’re looking to add additional range to your router, then check out our list of the best Wi-Fi extenders you should own.
Why we chose these particular Wi-Fi Routers
One of the main reasons we chose the TP-LINK Archer C7 is for its total available bandwidth of 1.75Gps and six powerful antennas. This allows your devices to run at amazing speeds while on a smooth and stable connection. Other great features on the C7 that you’ll only see on the best Wi-Fi routers include: Dual USB ports for sharing files and media, secure Wi-Fi access via Guest Network Access, IP-based bandwidth control, and more.
And while it is missing a few things you’ll find on expensive Wi-Fi routers, most people would never even notice. We’re talking about advanced features like an iTunes server, VPN server, and Quality of Service (QoS) technology. The user interface could also be more user friendly but it isn’t a problem since the average user will only need to use it during the fast, painless setup process.
If you’re not interested in the C7 but still want a good Wi-Fi router under $100, we recommend our first runner-up choice: the TP-LINK N300. It’s our second pick because it can handle all the basic online tasks you’d expect a router to perform and the price is very inexpensive. Wireless N speed up of up to 300Mbps will let you browse the net, stream video, play online games, and more without a problem.
If you’re not convinced, consider that the TP-LINK N300 is one of the best selling routers on Amazon and boasts more high rated customer reviews than any other. Satisfied buyers regard it as one of the best Wi-Fi routers under $100 for its greats speeds, easy setup, IP-based bandwidth control, and other neat features you wouldn’t expect from such an affordable device.
Keep reading to see why the TP-LINK Archer C7 is one of the top Wi-Fi routers on the market that won’t leave a huge dent in your wallet. You’ll also see all there is to know about our runner-ups as well as a few other cheap Wi-Fi routers that people all over the world are ordering for their homes, office, and more.
Our Top Pick for Wi-Fi Routers under $100
TP-LINK Archer C7 AC1750 Router
Four Gigabit ports guarantee that your speed remains as fast as possible, with the max being 1,750 Mbps. The convenience of two USB ports is also irreplaceable, especially when they support USB 2.0 technology. In terms of wireless, a whopping total of six antennas (3 external, 3 internal) make sure you receive a stable, strong connecting at very far ranges.
The fast 2.0 speeds also come in handy if you plan to stream media via the built-in DLNA media server. This means that you’ll experience little to no lag or performance issues while streaming from a USB device to your TV, set-top-box, video game consoles etc. User accounts are also available if you don’t want just anyone to check out your files.
The C7 also boasts some pretty sophisticated security and use features for its price. Not only can you add one guest network for each wireless band but you can also limit exactly how much bandwidth they use and when they can use it. The router itself also has a WPS button for adding new devices to your network as well as a switch to turn Wi-Fi off completely.
It only takes one look at other routers twice the price to see why the C7 is one of the best wireless routers under $100. But don’t take our word for it: simply check out the numerous positive reviews this device has on Amazon if you need further convincing.
Features
- 450Mbps/2.4GHz + 1300Mbps/5GHz = 1.75Gbps total available bandwidth
- Supports cutting-edge 802.11ac technology
- Dual USB 2.0 ports for sharing media, printers, and files
- Guest Network Access for extra privacy
- Easier bandwidth management via IP-based bandwidth control
- Physical WPS button for easy wireless security encryption
- Multi-language setup assistant for easy installation
- 2-Year warranty + unlimited technical support
Reasons to buy
The TP-LINK Archer C7 Router is a good investment if you’re not afraid of a non-intuitive user interface and don’t mind that it lacks a few advanced features. These include an iTunes server, Quality of Service (QoS), and the latest in USB technology– USB 3.0. Even without these, the C7 still stands as one of the best Wi-Fi routers you can pick up for less than one hundred dollars.
TP-LINK TL-WR841N N300 Wireless Router
For less than $20 you’re getting a router that’s perfect for a home office networking or family space. Speeds of 300Mbps allow you to do Skype video chats, stream audio and video, upload large files, and more without a problem. The N300 doesn’t match the speeds and range of the C7 but you have to take into account that it’s also nearly four times cheaper.
What QoS does is allow you to set how much bandwidth each application can use. The benefit comes from being able to make sure Netflix or your online game session goes uninterrupted if someone on another device tries doing some that requires a lot of bandwidth. Unexpected network performance issues are a thing of the past with the N300.
This router is also very easy to get running within minutes of unboxing. A utility CD is included that helps you setup the router, modify your wireless network settings, and configure any security options you wish to have. The addition of backwards compatibility with 802.11b/g devices and two powerful 5dBi antennas help make the TP-link N300 one of the best routers under $50, let alone $100.
However, it is a cheap router and thus you can count out a few features that are normally available on devices between $100-200. So if you have your heart set on Gigabit ports, guest networking, or USb ports, you’re out of luck with this particular router. It also may not offer as good of an online gaming experience as routers with more Mbps and comes with an older Internet Protocol version (the most recent is IPv6). So this isn’t the best option out there, but it’s decent for what it is and what it provides. At this low price, you can’t really complain.
Features
- Up to 300Mbps of Wireless N speed
- Dual 5dBi antennas for superior wireless range and stability
- Utility CD for easy setup + settings and security configuration
- Parental control support + IP-based bandwidth control
- WPS button for quick WPA/WPA2 encrypted secure connection setup
- Also supports older 802.11b/g devices
- Live 24/7 Technical Support from TP-LINK
- 1 Year warranty
Reasons to buy
The TP-LINK TL-WR841N N300 Wireless Router earned the second spot on our list of best Wi-Fi routers under $100 for its affordability and convenience. If you need a router for individual use or a small family with a few devices, this handy device will get the job done. Unless you plan on having several people streaming shows and playing online games at the same time, the N300 is hands down one of the top routers we’d recommend to anyone.
NETGEAR N750 Dual Band Wi-Fi Gigabit Router
If you plan on having a lot of devices on your network, speeds of 300 and 450 Mbps will more than do the trick. Simultaneous dual band technology allows for a max of 750 Mbps while virtually eliminating the chance of interference. This means that your Wi-Fi speeds and connections will remain fast and stable even with several devices doing bandwidth-heavy tasks at the same time.
The N900 is also perfect for homes that require a good size Wi-Fi range so no one has to sit in the corner of their room to connect to your network. Gigabit technology also ensures that your online HD gaming on PlayStation 4, Wii U, and Xbox One goes smoothly no matter where you spend your gaming sessions. It’s still a great option for up and coming consoles such as the Xbox One X and PlayStation 5.
The 900 includes Quality of Service so your favorite devices always get the necessary bandwidth to run at optimum performance. Sharing features include DLNA support, Readyshare USB access via two USB 2.0 ports, Readyshare Printer support, and Time Machine. You also get great security features like parental controls, guest networking, WPA/WPA2 security, and VPN support.
Last but not least, this excellent router comes with NETGEAR’s genie App. Genie helps make installation pretty much effortless while also allowing you to keep an eye on things. Simply download the app on your iOS, Android, Mac, or PC device to connect, monitor, and control your home network.
Features
- Impressive 900 Mbps of total available bandwidth
- Longer Wi-Fi range for larger homes
- Simultaneous dual band for less interference
- Two fast USB 2.0 ports
- ReadySHARE USB and printer access
- Apple Time Machine compatible
- NETGEAR genie App support
- Gigabit wired for online HD gaming and video
- Advanced QoS support
- Guest Network, VPN, and WPA/WPA2
- IPv6 compatible
Reasons to buy
You can’t go wrong with NETGEAR’s N900 if you’ve got $100 to spend on a shiny new router but don’t feel the C7 is the choice for you. For under $100 you’re getting incredible Wi-Fi speeds and stability as well as a host of advanced features most other routers lack altogether. And like the rest on this list, the N900 has one of the best customer review ratings on Amazon. In other words, thousands of people were left satisfied with their purchase.
Honorable mentions for inexpensive Wi-Fi Routers
TP-LINK Archer C5 AC1200 Gigabit Router
Two USB 2.0 ports allow you to share files, printers, and media with different devices while the four Gigabit ethernet ports offer speeds ten times faster than the standard. Other features worth mentioning are IPv6 and guest network support along with a handy Tether app for managing Android and iOS devices.
So what is the best Wi-Fi router between the C7 and C5 and why, you ask? The main reason the C7 is higher on our list for its higher available bandwidth (1.75Gbps vs 1.2Gbps) and superior range via three external 5dBi antenna and three internal antenna. The C5 only has 2 external detachable antennas.
Features
- 300 Mbps/2.4GHz + 867Mbps/5GHz = 1.2Gbps total available bandwidth
- Supports the latest 802.11ac technology
- Two USB 2.0 ports for sharing media, printers, files and more
- Guest Network Access for more privacy
- IP-based bandwidth control
- WPS button for instant wireless security encryption
- Multi-language setup assistant for extremely easy installation
- 2-Year warranty + unlimited technical support
Reasons to buy
We obviously recommend the C7 over the C5, especially since it’s usually only $10-15 more. Of course, the C5 is still a good Wi-Fi router that delivers amazing speeds and range as well as a good number of advanced features. You honestly can’t go wrong with either if you want a powerful router that can handle plenty of devices.
NETGEAR N600 Dual Band Wi-Fi Router (WNDR3400)
For the low price, the N600 offers fast speeds of 600Mbps– 300 + 300 Mbps between its 2.4 and 5GHz bands. The dual bands also work simultaneously to make sure your connection remains stable no matter jumps on with their smartphone or computer.
Other notable features includes Advanced Quality of Service, ReadySHARE USB, genie App support, and two buttons for easy connections and on/off scheduling. Security is also covered via live parental controls, guest network access, and WPA/WPA2 wireless security.
Features
- 600 Mbps of total available bandwidth
- Great Wi-Fi range for medium and large homes
- Simultaneous dual band for reliable connections
- Dual USB 2.0 ports
- ReadySHARE USB support
- NETGEAR genie App support
- Advanced QoS support
- Guest Network and WPA/WPA2
- Live Parental Control
Reasons to buy
Although it is cheaper, there’s a reason why the N600 can’t stand toe to toe with the N750 listed higher on this list. Simply put, the N750 has newer technology which means more features, faster speeds, and better range. That being said, the N600 is still one of the best routers under $100 and well worth your hard-earned cash.
Cheap Wi-Fi Routers still provide great performance
Not everyone needs speeds of 2000 Mbps, several USB 3.0 ports, Beamforming, and other technology you’ll usually only find on routers around $200 and above. Fortunately the leading router companies know this thus have put out plenty of good Wi-Fi routers that have enough to satisfy our smartphone, video streaming, and online gaming needs.
Of course,one of the best Wi-Fi router under $100 you can buy is TP-LINK’s Archer C7. For around $90 you’re getting 1.7g Gpbs of total available bandwidth as well as the latest in 802.11ac technology. Two USB 2.0 ports, several security and sharing features, and the many other additions we’ve already mentioned are icing on the cake. You also won’t find many other routers less than $100 that also boast six total antennas: three inside and three outside.
But if the C7 isn’t for you, perhaps one of our runner-ups or other recommendations were what you were looking for. We made sure to base our selections not on price, features, and performance but customer review ratings as well. That way this is more than just our Affordable list of top Wi-fi routers under $100– it’s also a list of the bestselling routers that meets the needs of almost every purchaser, especially those who are looking for a budget Wi-fi router.
Whether you just need something able to perform basic online tasks or prefer a device with great features and performance, we hope our list of top Wi-Fi routers under $100 helped.