Work, play, entertainment… you name it, having good Wi-Fi is crucial to help you stay connected no matter day or night. Like any other tech devices, there are budget and high-end routers.
But let’s talk about the former, where you get good routers that support both wireless and wired a.k.a. Gigabit Ethernet connections.
And just because they are the budget and cheap varieties do not automatically means the routers’ quality are inferior. Depending on the brands and choices, some are capable of delivering reliable Wi-Fi speeds and performances with better wireless coverage or range. Those, in turn, are beneficial for the likes of streaming 4K contents and online gaming.
Some other routers even come with a combination of a modem, where you don’t have to buy them separately. So, if you are looking for some recommended ones, we have rounded up 9 of the best budget routers for your respective needs.
Here’s a value-for-money router made affordable for those on a tight budget: the D-Link AC2100, which features a cool-looking accentuated X-design on the top part. The overall embossed all-black chassis complements the look just nicely.
It also has ventilation holes to help disperse heat, which benefits those who place their router in a non-air-conditioned space.
Beyond that, the router supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz with max speeds up to 300 Mbps and 1,733 Mbps respectively. Some of the other highlights include 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports for a faster, wired connection, a WPA3 security feature and a parental control system.
Stretch your budget with this reasonably-priced router from TP-Link. This TP-Link Archer AX20 sports several goodies which include the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology for speedier connection and lower latency and a powerful 1.5GHz quad-core processor. The latter comes in handy to smooth out bandwidth-heavy activities, say HD or 4K streaming.
It also comes with four adjustable antennas for improving your Wi-Fi signal strength. Meanwhile, some of the personalised wireless settings, namely the Smart Connect feature can enhance the user experience. Said feature combines both 2.4GHz and 5GHz and automatically determine which bandwidth frequency works the best.
Yet another affordably-priced TP-Link router for home internet uses; the entry-level AX10 comes equipped with essential features. It has the likes of 1.5GHz triple-core CPU, a dual-band 2.4Ghz & 5GHz wireless up to 300Mbps and 1,201Mbps and OFDMA technology. For the latter, it allows multiple users to share the channel both simultaneously and efficiently in terms of bandwidth applications.
It has four external antennas for better Wi-Fi coverage but despite sporting Wi-Fi 6 technology, the AX10 doesn’t support the 160MHz channel width. Not to mention, the lack of added features like WPA3 encryption and USB connectivity.
Although it sports an elegant-looking white router, the TP-Link Archer C9’s upright design might be a turn-off for those who prefer to lay the device flat on the surface. Beyond that, this router packs solid dual-band capabilities of 2.4GHz and 5GHz at 600Mbps and 1,300 Mbps.
It has all the essential ports included too, namely four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections and two types of USB ports (2.0 & 3.0). There are three detachable external antennas for better Wi-Fi coverage. Moreover, there’s the 1GHz dual-core CPU which ensures fast and seamless processing regardless of online gaming or streaming high-definition contents.
Looking for a good Wi-Fi 6 router without paying a hefty price tag? Here’s one for you;- the D-Link DIR-X1560. It provides max speeds of up to 300Mbps and 1,200Mbps on the respective 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The router has four external antennas where you can adjust accordingly for better signal strength.
Among other key features worth noting include the use of OFDMA technology for simultaneous bandwidth-sharing connection minus the usual congestion and 1024-QAM that helps to enhance your Wi-Fi speeds up to 25% more for say, faster online gaming or even 4K streaming.
There are few benefits to using a mesh router, and one of them happens to be its capability of extending better Wi-Fi coverage to facilitate multiple devices in a single home. Among the reasonably-priced routers that you can find is the D-Link AX1800, which utilises the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology and has the combined speeds of 600Mbps (2.4GHz) and 1,200Mbps (5Ghz).
Highlights include the MU-MIMO and OFDMA for better data transmissions to multiple devices simultaneously with reduced latency. It has five Gigabit Ethernet ports (4 LAN & 1 WAN) for those who prefer wired connection while the WPA3 offers peace of mind for an added Wi-Fi security.
A modem router combo has its few advantages, namely, it’s easier to set up and takes less space. The TP-Link TL-MR6400 is among the 2-in-1 device that has the combination of both. Simply insert the SIM card into the designated slot on the back, enter the PIN code upon connecting the device and that’s it, you get a 4G LTE network!
As for the specs, it can deliver up to 150Mbps (4G LTE) and 300Mbps (Wi-Fi), whereby the latter’s dual external antennas come in handy for better wireless coverage. The router is also capable of supporting up to 32 wireless devices simultaneously.
Are you a heavy VPN user? Then investing in a VPN router would be beneficial in terms of online security, seamless multiple-device connection and bypass geo-restricted contents. Among the recommended ones are the Asus RT-AX55, which supports Wi-Fi 6 technology with added features like 1024-QAM, MU-MIMO and OFDMA for faster, yet less-latency connections across multiple devices.
Asus also included an AiProtection that protects your online privacy against common attacks while blocking access to malicious websites. You can adjust your signal strength with its four external antennas while the four Gigabit Ethernet ports are useful for wired connection.
Marketed as Huawei’s first WiFi 6+ router, this sleek-looking white device capable of delivering maximum wireless speeds up to 574 Mbps (2.4GHz) and 2,402 Mbps (5GHz). It has four high-gain antennas that can be folded downward in a flat position.
Specs-wise, it comes equipped with a powerful qual-core 1.4GHz CPU alongside 256MB of RAM and 128MB ROM that can support up to 128 devices simultaneously. The added OFDMA technology is beneficial for efficient multi-user connections.
3 Tips Of Choosing A Router
No matter if you are at home or office, having Wi-Fi is essential for your everyday needs. It can be anything for the likes of work or entertainment purposes. That means you need to get a router to support your wireless and/or wired connection. Below are the three tips on how to pick a router:
a) Get A Dual-Band Or Tri-Band Router
Stuck with the same old 2.4GHz band? Well, it’s time to upgrade since single-band routers are as obsolete as dinosaur extinction. Routers with dual-band connectivity allow you to alternate between 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Getting a tri-band router, in the meantime, provides a higher-speed, interference-free connection and is beneficial for those that’ll often stream 4K contents and heavy on online gaming.
b) Do Not Purchase A Router Below The “AC1200” Model
Upon shopping for a router, you will find each of them has its own specific model codes. And if you happen to see the words “AC” printed on the box, it’s best not to buy anything lower than AC1200 since you’ll be getting an older-generation router with outdated technology.
c) Try To Get A Router With Additional Features
If you are a heavy Wi-Fi user, say online gaming and high-definition streaming, look for the one with powerful hardware (e.g. CPU) and sufficient RAM capacity. You should also look into those with added features like WPA3 security, built-in VPN and parental controls.
For the former, try getting a router with at least a dual-core processor and 256MB (or more) of RAM.