While it is common to assume that routers are pretty expensive, you don’t need to spend a considerable chunk of money to get a good high-performance router. With dozens of options available in the market, there is a router that fits everyone’s needs and budget.
Unfortunately, finding the best router requires time unless you know what you need and establish a clear budget. If you are under budget, you can buy a router under $200 that you can use to stream Netflix to TV, work from home, or even run your small business.
To make your shopping experience less stressful and straightforward, we researched the best high-performance routers to narrow down to the best router under $200. These are our top picks:
TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router – most popular
TP-Link AX3000 Smart WiFi Router- best budget
TP-Link Deco Mesh WiFi System – best value
Best Router Under 200 Review
1. TP-Link AX3000 Smart WiFi Router
It’s one of the most affordable routers that support WiFi 6 technology, making it an excellent investment if you need a futuristic router. Archer AX50 is designed with beamforming technology that works with frequency bands and the four high-performing external antennas simultaneously to offer excellent coverage throughout a large home.
The dual-band router delivers a combined speed of about 3000Mbps. OFDMA and four streams allow Archer AX50 to support multiple devices simultaneously.
As your kids enjoy watching videos or watching videos online, make sure they stay safe using the router’s robust parental controls. You can also create a customized profile for each user and establish a time limit for internet usage.
Archer AX50 utilizes high-power FEM to reinforce signal coverage. It has a dual-core processor, one WAN, four LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a fast 3.0 USB port that supports all partition formats like FAT32, NTFS, HFS+, and exFAT.
I don’t like that its app has limited network management options and doesn’t have an account for default admin.
Pros
- Compatible with every Windows OS and iOS devices
- Customized parental controls
- Easy setup and management
- Excellent coverage
- WiFi 6
Cons
- Limited network management options.
2. TP-Link Deco Mesh WiFi System
With up to 5500 sq. ft. of coverage and 1300Mbps download speeds, TP-Link Deco is quite a bargain. This futuristic-designed, aesthetically appealing router can support up to 100 devices. However, you cannot connect it to many internet devices.
Consider it if you want a home WiFi system rather than a traditional router. After all, it ranked highest in 2016 and 2019 JD Power Award’s customer satisfaction for wireless routers.
TP-Link Deco comprises three units that work together to develop a mesh network that provides a reliable connection with no dead zones. TP-Link’s Adaptive routing tech automatically selects the fastest path for each device and facilitates a flexible placement instead of a satellite system.
It also comes with a TP-Link HomeCare lifetime subscription at no cost. It features QoS, parental controls, and Next-level Antivirus. These components help you create a secure network.
Setting up TP-Link Deco is pretty straightforward. Once you download the Deco application, you only need to follow the setup instructions, and it will be up and running within a few minutes.
Pros
- 6 Gigabit WAN and LAN ports
- Customizable parental controls
- Alexa-compatible
Cons
- It doesn’t support multiple internet intense gadgets
3. TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router
Archer A7 is one of the best routers for individuals on a budget as it has a surprisingly large number of features than competing routers and delivers impeccable 802.11ac performance. Besides its solid performance, it is equipped with functional parental controls and an easy setup.
It’s a dual-band router that delivers 1300Mbps and 450Mbps on the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands, respectively. It has one WAN Gigabit Ethernet port and four LAN ports.
You can control and monitor your network from anywhere using the app. Although it is not packed with customization tools, it offers QoS and parental control software.
It’s discreet and small, so you can stash it on a bookshelf, table or let it hang on the wall using the mounting cutouts. It also runs cool; hence you should not worry about it overheating.
Its hardware components include a 750MHz processor, Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563, 16MB flash storage, and 128MB RAM.
Archer A7 covers the basics but has limitations like the fact that it doesn’t support the WPA3 wireless encryption standard. It doesn’t have Beamforming as well.
Pros
- Great 5GHz performance
- Affordable
- Easy setup and use
Cons
- 802.11ac only
- No extensive customization options.
4. Linksys AC2200 Smart Mesh WiFi Router
Linksys AC2200 is an affordable router that comes with outstanding speed and range, allowing you to enjoy a reliable network at all times. Its speeds of up to 2200Mbps support intensive activities such as streaming games or a 4K movie.
The tri-band router offers 867Mbps on the 5GHz bands and 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz. It offers up to 2200 sq. ft. of coverage, supporting more than 20 devices simultaneously. MU-MIMO technology ensures that every connected device gets the best connection.
It’s designed with 4 Ethernet (Gigabit) ports for wired connections. It also has a USB for devices such as flash drives, printers, among others. It integrates seamlessly Velop Mesh technology which enhances the WiFi coverage capacity without lowering the speed.
The high-powered amplifiers and three antennas ensure a stable connection and wide coverage. I support OpenVPN and PPTP VPN, which makes it easier to establish a secure connection between the internet and your private network.
Installing and managing Linksys AC2200 is also quite effortless using the Linksys app. It is iOS and Android devices-compatible and permits device prioritization.
Pros
- Good performance at close range
- It’s reasonably priced
- Easy installation and management
Cons
- USB 2.0.
FAQs about Routers Under $200
What Should Consider When Shopping For The Best Router Under 200?
You should base your final choice on the performance and features. The key factors to consider are size, coverage, number of antennas, MU-MIMO, Beamforming, dual or tri-band, and QoS.
Why Is My Router Running Slow?
Many things can affect the performance and speed of a router. The common ones are the router has a short range, which affects coverage, or the router is outdated.
How Long Does A Router Last?
A router can last between 5 and 10 years on average, depending on maintenance and quality.
Conclusion
Obscure technological standards and complex networking jargon can make router shopping intimidating. However, you can find the best gadget even with limited knowledge in tech. You can select the router of your choice from the options above.