Modern life has us constantly connected. Wi-Fi is basically a necessity in most people’s daily lives.
Now, household demands for speedy wireless networks are at an all-time high thanks to gaming, smart gadgets, and 4K streaming.
If you think it’s about time to replace your old wireless router, then you’ve struck gold here with this list of the best routers under $100.
The ARRIS SURFboard tops the list, of course, because of its performance and features considering its price.
But if you want to give it a bit of thought, here are some more suggestions:
6 Best Routers Under $100 – 2023
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ARRIS SURFboard mAX WiFi Router, AC1750
The best router under $100, if you ask me, is this ARRIS SURFboard, which is the one I use.
This came with glowing recommendations from a number of friends.
Soon out of the box, the router was set up and ready to go. It can utilize up to eight channels for a max speed of 343 Mbps.
Though this number will not always be reached, it’s impressively fast when compared to the standard routers you get from wireless providers.
Also, it supports IPv6 too. The price is low and is only a one-time pay, so there are no monthly fees associated with this either.
This modem is well worth the price and works smoothly to deliver fast internet.
ASUS AC1300 WiFi Router (RT-ACRH13) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Router, 4 GB Ports, USB 3.0 Port, Gaming & Streaming, Easy Setup, Parental Control, MU-MIMO
If your household is getting more and more bandwidth hungry, this router will definitely help.
It has combined speeds up to 1267 Mbps. You can connect multiple devices to the router, including phones and tablets.
This Asus router is perfect for budget-strapped homes. Set up is basically effortless. I set it up in like 10 minutes.
The router comes with a smartphone app that helps users manage connections.
It has a USB port so you can connect external drivers.
The downside is that there are no parental controls available.
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Securifi Almond - (3 Minute Setup) Touchscreen Wireless Router/Range Extender
This is a wireless router perfect for those concerned about security.
Setting this up is easy, and this can be done under 3 minutes. But it will probably take like 10 minutes if you are not tech savvy.
The router comes with a wireless bridge as well. Controls are easy.
It has a touchscreen interface that allows users to set up parental controls, access points or manage devices.
You don’t have to connect the router to a computer to set it up like other devices.
The router also doubles as a range extender too. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa so you can activate it with a voice command.
TP-Link AC1200 Gigabit Smart WiFi Router - 5GHz Gigabit Dual Band Wireless Internet Router, Supports Guest WiFi, Black
This is one of the best routers for reliable coverage.
The router has high-gain antennas and amplifiers, which increases range and keeps internet connections fast and lag-free at homes and small buildings.
This router is powerful enough for streaming HD video without buffering issues.
More importantly, there are security features provided by a dual-active firewall. It’s also easy to set up.
Overall, an excellent purchase for personal use.
NETGEAR N750 Dual Band 4 Port Wi-Fi Gigabit Router (WNDR4300)
This is a faster Wi-Fi router that can achieve speeds up to 750 Mbps.
In my experience, the speed was usually 450 Mbps, which is speedy enough for pretty much everything.
Range can be adjusted to be suitable for larger homes. This router is IPv6 compatible.
It comes with the Netgear Genie app that can be used for monitoring and management of the network.
You can also provide wireless access to USB drives. You can connect this to wireless printers as well.
Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X Advanced Gigabit Ethernet Routers ER-X 256MB Storage 5 Gigabit RJ45 ports
This versatile ethernet router has PoE capability.
It connects in gigabites and offers 256MB of storage for network access data.
It’s a carrier class router with fairly high reliability. Ports are RJ45.
It has limited functionality but this is a great router considering the price.
Tips for Buying a Router with a $100 Budget
Shopping for a good router under $100? Then pay attention to these tips:
Keep in mind that the router can only do so much to improve internet speed around the house.
If the connection between your home and the ISP is slow, then the router will not be able to speed it up.
So, don’t think that routers with high speeds can magically improve video streaming.
Buy a router that offers secure encryption and password protection.
Routers are sometimes targets of hackers and internet connection thieves. So it’s very important that your router is safe.
If you have kids around the house, buying a router with parental controls will be helpful.
Some routers facilitate guest connections. If you have frequent guests around the house, buy a router with this feature.
Buy a router from a retailer that allows returns as even the best routers can perform in varying ways.