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Best Budget Routers for 2024

We tested a batch of budget-friendly routers to find the best bang for your buck.

  • Best overall
    TP-Link Archer A10
    • $45.00*
    • Good stream count
    • Free basic parental controls
    • No USB connectivity
  • Best for gamers
    Front view of NETGEAR R6700AX router
    NETGEAR R6700AX
    • $89.99*
    • Good speeds for the price
    • Built-in VPN client
    • Subscription requirements
  • Best for long range
    Reyee RG-E5
    • $119.99*
    • Best speeds at long range
    • Free cloud management
    • No built-in VPN tools
  • Best for under $100
    Front of TP-Link Archer AX20 router
    TP-Link Archer AX20
    • $87.98*
    • Great low price
    • Built-in VPN client
    • Lackluster parental controls
  • Best for mesh
    TP-Link Deco X55
    TP-Link Deco X55
    • $79.99*
    • Solid performance
    • Native Google Assistant support
    • No multi-gig support

Our pick: Which budget router is best?

Picking the best budget router was a hard choice. In the end, we chose the Archer A10. We also love the Archer AX20, but we already chose it as our favorite for under $100. The A10 is a great deal if all you need is the bare minimum at a low price, so we chose it as our best overall pick. Seriously, you can’t go wrong with either one.

How we test routers

We vigorously test routers to see how well they stack up against the competition in speed and range. We also evaluate the setup process and dig into the web and mobile apps to see if they’re easy or difficult to use. Check out our methodology section for more information.

The 5 best budget routers

Compare router speeds and prices

ModelMax throughputTested speed
@ 40 ft.†
Price*Order online
Best overallTP-Link Archer A102,600Mbps483Mbps$45.00View on Amazon
Best for gamersNETGEAR R6700AX1,800Mbps434Mbps$89.00View on Amazon
Best for long rangeReyee RG-E53,200Mbps636Mbps$119.99View on Amazon
Best for under $100TP-Link Archer AX201,800Mbps470Mbps$87.98View on Amazon
Best for meshTP-Link Deco X553,000Mbps339Mbps$79.99View on Amazon

What should you look for in a budget router?

You shouldn’t expect a lot for under $150. Our normal recommendations for more expensive routers don’t apply here. But you should start with Wi-Fi 6 (even though our top choice uses Wi-Fi 5). It’s the newer standard with slightly faster speeds, better security, and better battery life on compatible wireless devices. Keep an eye out for the little things too, like parental controls and media sharing if they’re important to you.

Do you have an affordable plan to go with your budget router?

If not, be sure to enter your zip code below to see what options are available to you.

Best overall—TP-Link Archer A10

Best overall

Front shot of TP-Link Archer A10
Kevin Parrish | HighSpeedInternet.com

A decent pick for Wi-Fi 5 devices

Score:

3.7

out of 5

The Archer A10 is a good pick if you’re still rocking Wi-Fi 5 devices. It has decent speeds even at 120 feet, and its four streams per band give your devices more room to breathe.
   Pros    Cons
  • Free basic parental controls
  • Built-in VPN server
  • No USB connectivity
  • No standout security features

$45.00*

 

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Category Score* Summary
Performance 4 Maintains decent Wi-Fi speeds even at 120 feet.
Features 3 Lacks a VPN client but includes free basic parental controls.
Design 3 Lacks a USB port and link aggregation.
Setup 3 Needs a more streamlined process for faster setups.
Ease of use 4 Offers a clean, easy-to-use web interface and app.

* out of 5 points

 

What we like about it: The good news is you can get decent speeds at 120 feet—on the 5 GHz band, at that. It’s not the fastest we’ve tested due to Wi-Fi 5, but it’s a good, affordable long-range pick. Amazon Alexa support, free basic parental controls, and the built-in VPN server are definitely a plus.

What we wish it did better: We wish it included at least one USB port to share files and stream media locally from a USB storage device. A built-in VPN client would be handy too, so your subscription protects all your devices, not only the ones with VPN software installed.

Why do we recommend it? There are a few things we wished this router had. But it’s still a good recommendation for the money due to its higher-than-expected stream count. Plus, it gives you decent speeds over a long range at an affordable price.

 

Tested speeds at a glance

5 GHz max speed 2 feet 40 feet 120 feet
866 657 483 146

* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.

 

Wi-Fi specs Wired specs
  • Standard: Wi-Fi 5
  • Max throughput: 2,600Mbps
  • Antennas: 3 (external), 1 (internal)
  • Streams: 8
  • Bands: 2
  • WAN: 1
  • LAN ports: 4
  • Max internet speed supported: ~940Mbps

Best for gamers—NETGEAR R6700AX

Best for gamers

Front view of NETGEAR R6700AX router
Kevin Parrish | HighSpeedInternet.com

A value-priced router for gamers on a budget

Score:

3.5

out of 5

The NETGEAR R6700AX has good Wi-Fi 6 speeds at close range. It’s a steal if you need a low-cost router with a built-in VPN server and client.

 

   Pros    Cons
  • Decent range
  • Built-in VPN server and client
  • Subscription security
  • Subscription parental controls

$89.99*

 

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Category Score* Summary
Performance 4 Performs better than the AX20 in our tests (but not by much).
Features 3 Includes a built-in VPN server and client, but that’s it.
Design 3 Lacks the USB port and extra streams found on other routers.
Setup 3 Has issues when setting up using the web interface.
Ease of use 3 Provides a clean but ugly web interface and a decent app.

* out of 5 points

 

What we like about it: You can get decent speeds at 120 feet, but the tested average wasn’t that much faster than the Archer A10, a slower Wi-Fi 5 model. It has better speeds at close range, plus it includes a VPN server and client, the latter of which the Archer A10 does not.

What we wish it did better: We’re not keen on the required subscriptions, which you need for the parental controls and security features. This router could use a USB port too, so you can share files and stream media from a USB-connected storage device. Printer sharing would also be handy.

Why do we recommend it? Sure, the R6700AX doesn’t have any gaming tools like the more expensive Nighthawk routers, but it has a cheap price tag and good Wi-Fi 6 speeds at close range for the money. The VPN server and client are a bonus.

 

Tested speeds at a glance

5 GHz max speed 2 feet 40 feet 120 feet
1,200 837 434 203

* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.

 

Wi-Fi specs Wired specs
  • Standard: Wi-Fi 6
  • Max throughput: 1,800Mbps
  • Antennas: 3
  • Streams: 4
  • Bands: 2
  • WAN ports: 1
  • LAN ports: 4
  • Max internet speed supported: ~940Mbps

Best for long range—Reyee RG-E5

Best for long range

Kevin Parrish | HighSpeedInternet.com

A business-class router you can use at home

Score:

3.8

out of 5

The Reyee RG-E5 is a business-first router, but it’s also an affordable solution for homes. It has great speeds at long range plus free access to a cloud management platform.

 

   Pros    Cons
  • Free cloud management
  • Great long range
  • No USB connectivity
  • No built-in VPN tools

$119.99*

 

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Category Score* Summary
Performance 4 Has the best long-range speeds for under $150.
Features 3 Provides an ARP Guard and free Ruijie Cloud account.
Design 3 Lacks USB ports, multi-gig internet support, and VPN tools.
Setup 4 Has one of the fastest setups we’ve tested to date.
Ease of use 4 Requires the web interface and mobile app to use fully.

* out of 5 points

 

What we like about it: Of the routers on this list, the RG-E5 has the best speeds at long range. Moreover, it has amazing speed consistency, meaning you don’t see a dramatic speed dropoff as you move away from the router.

What we wish it did better: The RG-E5 is the only Wi-Fi 6 router we have in-house that doesn’t support the latest security standard, WPA3. Plus, it’s lacking in other areas like VPN and USB connectivity.

Why do we recommend it? The Reyee RG-E5 is a high-performance router you should get if you’re willing to spend $150. It lacks in some areas, sure, but if consistent speed is what you need across a long range, this is the router for you.

 

Tested speeds at a glance

5 GHz max speed 2 feet 40 feet 120 feet
1,200 843 636 330

* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.

 

Wi-Fi specs Wired specs
  • Standard: Wi-Fi 6
  • Max throughput: 3,200Mbps
  • Antennas: 8
  • Streams: 8
  • Bands: 2
  • WAN ports: 1
  • LAN ports: 4
  • Max internet speed supported: ~940Mbps

Best for under $100—TP-Link Archer AX20

Best for under $100

Front of TP-Link Archer AX20 router
Kevin Parrish | HighSpeedInternet.com

Great speeds at a great price

Score:

3.8

out of 5

We love the Archer AX20. It’s affordable, packed with features, and fast at a long range.

 

   Pros    Cons
  • Good long-range speeds
  • Built-in VPN tools
  • Low stream count
  • Lackluster parental controls

$87.98*

 

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Category Score* Summary
Performance 4 Provides decent speeds even at a long range.
Features 4 Includes VPN tools and basic parental controls.
Design 3 Needs more streams on the 5 GHz band.
Setup 3 Needs a faster, more streamlined process.
Ease of use 4 Includes a decent web interface, but the Tether app is better.

* out of 5 points

 

What we like about it: The Archer AX20 has decent Wi-Fi 6 speeds at close range, but you don’t get the slow speed dropoff as seen with the Reyee model. Still, its recorded long-range speed ranks second on this list. Plus, other features like USB connectivity and VPN tools make this router a steal.

What we wish it did better: The parental controls could be better—they’re basic at best. Printer sharing would be nice too, since we have a USB port on hand. That would eliminate any Wi-Fi conflicts between your printer and the router.

Why do we recommend it? There’s a lot to love with the Archer AX20: USB connectivity, VPN tools, and good speeds at a long range. It could use a few extra features to really pack a punch, sure, but you can’t beat what you get here for a measly $80.

 

Tested speeds at a glance

5 GHz max speed 2 feet 40 feet 120 feet
1,200 809 470 244

* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.

 

Wi-Fi specs Wired specs
  • Standard: Wi-Fi 6
  • Max throughput: 1,800Mbps
  • Antennas: 4
  • Streams: 4
  • Bands: 2
  • WAN ports: 1
  • LAN ports: 4
  • USB 2.0 ports: 1
  • Max internet speed supported: ~940Mbps

Best for mesh—TP-Link Deco X55

Best for mesh

TP-Link Deco X55
Kevin Parrish | HighSpeedInternet.com

An affordable mesh system you can build over time

Score:

3.8

out of 5

The Deco X55 is a great value if you’re looking for an inexpensive whole-home Wi-Fi solution. It’s cheaper than many competing systems with the same speeds, but expect to pay extra for everything it has to offer.

 

   Pros    Cons
  • Decent Wi-Fi 6 speeds
  • Basic parental controls
  • No multi-gig support
  • Subscription-locked features

$79.99*†

 

View on Amazon

Read Our Full Review

Expand for product details and ratings

Category Score* Summary
Performance 4 Performs slower than the Amazon Eero Pro 6 in our tests, but costs far less, too.
Features 3 Locks some parental and security controls behind a paywall.
Design 4 Includes three Ethernet ports, one of which you can use for fast Deco-to-Deco communication.
Setup 3 Requires a TP-Link ID cloud account to install and use.
Ease of use 4 Presents a great network management experience in the most recent Deco app.

* out of 5 points

 

What we like about it: The Deco X55 is a good megabits-per-dollar value. The tested speeds weren’t bad, and you can get better speeds from each Deco unit by wiring them together with Ethernet. You get some free parental controls, too, which is nice if you have kids.

What we wish it did better:  The Deco X55 supports 160 MHz channels, but it doesn’t have a 2.5Gbps WAN port to support those speeds. Plus, it doesn’t have a third Wi-Fi band dedicated router-to-satellite communication, so your speeds will be slower compared to competing systems that do—unless you use Ethernet.

Why do we recommend it?  The Deco X55 is a decent kit for the money. You can’t expect tons of speed from this system, but there should be plenty for a few devices connecting simultaneously. The extra Ethernet ports come in handy, especially if you want better speeds throughout your home.

 

Tested speeds at a glance

5 GHz max speed 2 feet 40 feet 120 feet
1,200 739 339 Not tested

* Speeds in megabits per second (Mbps) using a Wi-Fi 6 client and an 80 MHz channel.

 

Wi-Fi specs Wired specs
  • Standard: Wi-Fi 5
  • Max throughput: 3,000Mbps
  • Antennas: 2 (internal)
  • Streams: 4
  • Bands: 2
  • WAN/LAN ports: 3
  • Max internet speed supported: ~940Mbps

Budget router specs and features

You won’t find a ton of features on a budget router. Manufacturing costs must stay low to sell products at highly affordable prices. But there are some standout features you should keep an eye on when you shop for a value-priced router.

Wi-Fi 6

We list a few Wi-Fi 5 routers on our list, but we prefer Wi-Fi 6. It’s a newer standard that pushes a bit more speed than Wi-Fi 5. Plus you get the benefits of OFDMA, which routes low-level traffic through a different channel. Wi-Fi 6 also preserves battery life on wireless devices that support it.

Max throughput

This number tells you how much data a router can transmit to your devices at one time. Manufacturers combine the maximum throughput of all bands and list a single number, so 2,200Mbps with Google Nest Wifi actually means a 450Mbps max on the 2.4 GHz band and 1,732Mbps on the 5 GHz band.

Stream count

Wi-Fi broadcasts in streams. Generally, Wi-Fi devices support two incoming and two outgoing (2×2)—some desktops and adapters can support more. You want a router with more than two streams per band to reduce latency and congestion, but you may be hard-pressed to find a budget router with more than two streams per band due to manufacturing costs.

Our verdict

We said it before and we’ll say it again: this was a tough decision to make. We like the TP-Link Archer A10 and the Archer AX20. You can’t go wrong with either one. The Archer A10 has slower speeds, but it has a few standouts like more streams and Amazon Alexa support. The cheaper Archer AX20 has slightly faster speeds and a few more features than its older sibling. The comparison really boils down to capacity (A10) versus speed (AX20). It’s up to you to decide which one is best for your home or office.

Methodology

We test router speed by setting up each router in an office and connecting it to a local test server. Then, we transmit test data between our wireless devices and the server, taking numerous measurements to account for fluctuations in Wi-Fi speeds.

The first tests occur close to the router, without obstructions—so the Wi-Fi is as strong and fast as it’s gonna get. We repeat the process straight out at 10, 20, and 30 feet, with only a glass door obstructing our view of the router. The same glass door and an exterior door blocks our path when we test outside at 40 and 50 feet.

We also run tests in a hallway to the left of the TV room and office—where there’s a glass door, three walls, and an air handler unit blocking our view of the router. The dining room, another testing point, sits to the right of the kitchen, TV room, and office—two walls and a glass door block the path in this test.

To test video streaming, we connect a fast storage device to the router and stream a 4K video to six wireless devices simultaneously—two phones, three tablets, and a laptop—connected to the same wireless band.

Client devices used in testing

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
Wi-Fi specificationWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5
Stream configuration2 x 22 x 2
Max 5 GHz speed (AX)1,200Mbps
Max 5 GHz speed (AC)866Mbps866Mbps
Max 2.4 GHz speed (AX)195Mbps
Max 2.4 GHz speed (N)144Mbps144Mbps
Wi-Fi specification
iPhone 12 Pro MaxWi-Fi 6
Google Pixel 3Wi-Fi 5
Stream configuration
iPhone 12 Pro Max2 x 2
Google Pixel 32 x 2
Max 5 GHz speed (AX)
iPhone 12 Pro Max1,200Mbps
Google Pixel 3
Max 5 GHz speed (AC)
iPhone 12 Pro Max866Mbps
Google Pixel 3866Mbps
Max 2.4 GHz speed (AX)
iPhone 12 Pro Max195Mbps
Google Pixel 3
Max 2.4 GHz speed (N)
iPhone 12 Pro Max144Mbps
Google Pixel 3144Mbps

Router benchmarks

Here are the average 5 GHz speeds recorded for each router. Wi-Fi speeds fluctuate significantly, so these numbers reflect at least three tests taken at each 10-foot interval.

TP-Link Archer A10

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
2 feet657655
10 feet633622
20 feet597575
30 feet523515
40 feet (porch)483436
120 feet (across street)146144
2 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max657
Google Pixel 3655
10 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max633
Google Pixel 3622
20 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max597
Google Pixel 3575
30 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max523
Google Pixel 3515
40 feet (porch)
iPhone 12 Pro Max483
Google Pixel 3436
120 feet (across street)
iPhone 12 Pro Max146
Google Pixel 3144

NETGEAR R6700AX

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
2 feet837689
10 feet747605
20 feet678502
30 feet560369
40 feet (porch)434234
120 feet (across street)20391
2 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max837
Google Pixel 3689
10 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max747
Google Pixel 3605
20 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max678
Google Pixel 3502
30 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max560
Google Pixel 3369
40 feet (porch)
iPhone 12 Pro Max434
Google Pixel 3234
120 feet (across street)
iPhone 12 Pro Max203
Google Pixel 391

Reyee RG-E5

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
2 feet843695
10 feet842692
20 feet789656
30 feet725646
40 feet (porch)636445
120 feet (across street)330143
2 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max843
Google Pixel 3695
10 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max842
Google Pixel 3692
20 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max789
Google Pixel 3656
30 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max725
Google Pixel 3646
40 feet (porch)
iPhone 12 Pro Max636
Google Pixel 3445
120 feet (across street)
iPhone 12 Pro Max330
Google Pixel 3143

TP-Link Archer AX20

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
2 feet809620
10 feet741540
20 feet653415
30 feet542327
40 feet (porch)470200
120 feet (across street)24492
2 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max809
Google Pixel 3620
10 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max741
Google Pixel 3540
20 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max653
Google Pixel 3415
30 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max542
Google Pixel 3327
40 feet (porch)
iPhone 12 Pro Max470
Google Pixel 3200
120 feet (across street)
iPhone 12 Pro Max244
Google Pixel 392

TP-Link Deco X55

iPhone 12 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 3
2 feet739611
10 feet680573
20 feet613509
30 feet565443
40 feet (porch)339262
120 feet (across street)Not testedNot tested
20 feet (dining room)373396
2 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max739
Google Pixel 3611
10 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max680
Google Pixel 3573
20 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max613
Google Pixel 3509
30 feet
iPhone 12 Pro Max565
Google Pixel 3443
40 feet (porch)
iPhone 12 Pro Max339
Google Pixel 3262
120 feet (across street)
iPhone 12 Pro MaxNot tested
Google Pixel 3Not tested
20 feet (dining room)
iPhone 12 Pro Max373
Google Pixel 3396

Other routers we tested

Of all the standalone routers and mesh kits we’ve tested to date, we pulled aside the ones priced under $160 and compared the results. Here are the tested models we do and don’t recommend.

Other routers we recommend for budgets

ModelSummaryPrice*Shop online
Linksys EA8300Includes a third band to help alleviate congestion and a USB port for sharing files$62.50View on Amazon
Google Nest WifiHas decent Wi-Fi 5 speeds and easy network management for the money.$57.87View on Amazon

Other routers we don’t recommend for budgets

ModelSummaryPrice*More details
Amazon Eero Pro 6Has great speeds, but one unit alone is expensive compared to the Deco X55.$199.99View on Amazon
NETGEAR Nighthawk XR1000Provides good speeds for the money, but you need a subscription to get the most out of it.$275.95View on Amazon

FAQ about budget routers

What subscriptions do you need for the R6700AX?

NETGEAR Armor Powered by Bitdefender costs $99.99 annually. NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls is $7.99 per month or $69.99 annually. The built-in VPN client supports PureVPN only, which costs $10.95 per month.

What does NETGEAR Armor Powered by Bitdefender include?

The suite extends to your devices, so the complete list of features depends on the devices you use: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Here’s a brief list:

  • URL blacklist
  • Vulnerability assessment
  • Device security management
  • Bitdefender VPN
  • Sensitive data protection
  • Anomaly detection
  • Brute force protection
  • DoS and DDoS protection
  • Exploit prevention

Check with Bitdefender to see what’s available to you.

What do NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls include?

You can get a complete list of features from NETGEAR, but here is a brief list:

  • Profiles
  • Usage insights
  • Content filters
  • Quick internet pause
  • Time limits
  • Custom bedtimes
  • Custom Off times (dinner etc.)
  • Rewards

Why do more streams matter?

Nearly all wireless devices support two transmit streams and two receive streams. So, if a router supports two streams each way per band (2×2), you can have two wireless devices use their full link speed—one device per band. Speed halves when you add another device to each band. Latency becomes an issue too when you add even more devices to a single band. That all said, the more streams per band you have, the better.

Why are VPN tools important?

Mainstream VPN use is more commonplace now than in years past, but VPNs are more of a convenience than necessity. If you subscribe to a VPN service, you can use a built-in client to protect every device on your network, even the ones that don’t support VPN software. You don’t need a subscription to use a built-in VPN server.

Disclaimer

Amazon.com Prices as of 8/4/23 08:27 MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Highspeedinternet.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Author -

Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.

Editor - Rebecca Lee Armstrong

Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of experience writing about tech and the internet, with a specialty in hands-on testing. She started writing tech product and service reviews while finishing her BFA in creative writing at the University of Evansville and has found her niche writing about home networking, routers, and internet access at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has also been featured on Top Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Central, Android Central, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.

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