Best Routers under $200 – our top picks

A budget of $200 for a router is more than decent, and you can easily see yourself getting a WiFi 6-supported router in this range. On top of that, most routers you’ll come across will be dual-band, meaning they will offer support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. However, you can also find tri-band routers, which come with an additional 5GHz band, or even the new 6 GHz band. Other than that, you can also get mesh systems in this price range, which are ideal for large homes and offices with multiple floors. Some of the best router mesh networks come with three to four extenders, but naturally adding extra units can push the price up.

As the market is filled with routers, it can be difficult to choose the right one. To help you kick off your search in the best possible way, we’ve selected a few options we think are the best routers under 200 dollars, making sure to keep price to performance ratio at the heart of our search. So, let’s jump straight in.

Products at a glance

How we picked

During our research, we looked closely at the extent of a router’s coverage and speed. We consider ease of use highly important in this price range, so set-up difficulty and user interface were important factors we looked at when deciding what the best routers under $200 were. At the time of selection, all of the products on this list were priced below $200, and we’ll endeavour to refresh this list as needed – our team is also constantly exploring the market for new options, so make sure to check back here for an updated lineup.

Our top picks

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TP-Link Archer AX80

Specifications

• Standard: Wi-Fi 6
• Frequency bands: 2.4 Ghz, 5.0 Ghz
• Max speed: 2.5 Gbps
• LAN ports: 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN

Reasons to Buy

• Great coverage, and dual-band with WiFi 6 connectivity
• Sleek design with 8 antennas for optimum performance
• 2.5G Multi-Gigabit port

Reasons to Avoid

• Not recommended for slow internet connections
• Definitely more suited for homes that have really high internet consumption

• Shop on Amazon

If you want to get the best router under $200 that ticks all the boxes of a great router, we’d recommend the TP-Link Archer AX80.

To begin with, the TP-Link Archer AX80 features WiFi 6, which is the sixth and latest generation of WiFi. This one offers better speeds, better safety protocols, and less bandwidth congestion than what you get with WiFi 5. On top of that, as it is a dual-band router, the AX80 supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The speeds are also extremely high, as it supports up to 1148Mbps on 2.4GHz and up to 4804Mbps on 5GHz.

The TP-Link Archer AX80 is a long-range router and is ideal for large homes or offices. You can also extend its range by using a OneMesh-supported Range Extender. When it comes to ISP compatibility, the router works with most of the internet service providers, including Starlink, Comcast, and Frontier.

For wired connectivity, the router comes with a 2.5G Multi-Gigabit port. Such ports support speeds anywhere from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps, so you can expect the router to provide a fast and stable connection. The router also has a standard Gigabit port next to it. There are also eight high-performance antennas, which should help with making the WiFi signal reach everywhere in the house or office.

Other than that, the TP-Link Archer AX80 comes with some additional features, like Parental Control, which allows you to restrict certain websites, and QoS, through which you can choose the device that should get the fastest connection. Overall, the TP-Link Archer AX80 is one of the best routers that you can get for under 200 dollars.

What users say

Overall, users on Amazon have good things to say about the quality of the TP-Link Archer AX80. One highly praising reviewer commented “This thing is incredible. It can easily handle the entire house full of devices with just this one router”, and another goes further to say that “the range is excellent, and the wifi speed is just about as fast as direct ethernet connection”. That said, opinions are mixed on performance, with some users saying that the signal isn’t always stable.

WiFi 6 might no longer be the latest generation of WiFi, but now that it’s been around for a while it’s become far more accessible – so you’ve now got the chance to opt for a router that comes with it. For this, we recommend the Nightwak RAX43 router from Netgear, which we think deserves to be one of the best WiFi 6 routers.

Just like our top pick, this one is also a long-range router, as it gives a coverage of up to 2,500 sqft. On top of that, the router can handle up to 25 devices at the same time. As it is a dual-band router with support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks and has a 1.5 GHz tri-core processor, it should deliver smooth performance even if multiple devices are connected to it simultaneously.

On the back of the router, you’ll find four Gigabit ports through which you can connect your PC, console, or other devices using an ethernet cable. In addition, there’s a USB 3.0 port. You can connect your printer or external hard drive through it to share files over the network.

There’s also a Nighthawk app which you can download on your mobile devices. It is available for both Android and iOS, and you can use it to access different features, such as Parental Control. Through it, you can block certain websites that you might think are inappropriate or are a threat to your privacy.

Overall, the Netgear Nighthawk RAX43 is the best WiFi 6 router you can get today. Its long range, high speeds, and support for up to 25 devices at the same time make it worth every single penny.

What users say

As expected for one of the best routers under $200, users on Amazon were impressed with the quality of the Nightwak RAX43, especially for its price point, with one review simply stating that the “speed is exceptional”. Another user describes it as somewhat of a triple threat, saying “It was easy to set up, the app is useful, and the wifi signal is incredible”. However, there has been some criticism surrounding the fact that you’re required to download an app to complete your router installation.

If you have a large home or office with multiple floors, you’ll be better off with a mesh system instead of a regular router. For this, we recommend the Linksys Hydra Pro 6.

As mentioned above, one of the main benefits of this router is its use of the new 6 GHz frequency band. Not only is a dual-band router far more reliable than a single-band one in the first place, but the new 6 GHz Wi-Fi spectrum is 1200 MHz wide – this is more than double the size of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrums. Having access to these higher bandwidth limits can let you harness the true power and speed of WiFi 6 technology.

Moving on to coverage, this is where the Linksys Hydra Pro 6 being a mesh router really shines. What’s good about mesh networks is the lack of dead spots, especially in larger homes and offices, and according to Linksys, you should get coverage up to 2700 sq. ft. You’re also benefitting from adjustable antennas and beamforming technology that enables up to 35 devices to connect to the WiFi throughout this space, putting it on par with some of the best routers for multiple devices. Plus, as this is a mesh system, it connects to other routers with Linksys Intelligent Mesh, meaning you should be able to extend your wifi coverage easily if you feel the need.

Finally, as you’d expect from stretching your router budget up to $200, you get a whole range of additional features by pairing your router with the Linksys companion app. This app lets you adjust settings, grant access to devices, set device prioritization, use parental controls, 2-step verification, and much more.

What users say

When it comes to what reviews on Amazon have to say about the Linksys Hydra Pro 6, the ease of setup and strength of signal were two highly praised features. One user puts it simply, stating that it was “really easy to install and the WiFi signal is excellent”, and another review goes on to say “The instructions make the setup process simple…my wi-fi is much better with the new router!”. It’s worth noting that there have been some mentions of the app being too basic.

Gaming routers are generally expensive due to their high performance and other features, but TP-Link has managed to create one for under $200 in the form of the Archer GX90. We think that it is the best gaming router for under 200 dollars because of the value for money it offers.

The TP-Link Archer GX90 is a tri-band router. In fact, it is the only tri-band router on our list. This means that it features a single 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands. As there are two radio freeways for the 5GHz data to travel on, you can expect to see less signal interference compared to what you see in dual-band routers. The router also supports ultrafast speeds of up to 4804Mbps. In addition, there’s a 1.5GHz quad-core processor packed inside it to ensure smooth transmission of data even under heavy loads.

When it comes to connectivity, the TP-Link Archer GX90 comes with one 2.5G Multi-Gigabit port, 1 Gigabit WAN/LAN port, and three Gigabit LAN ports. On top of that, there are two USB ports, which can be used to connect your printer or external storage devices. There are also eight detachable antennas for wide coverage, with TP-Link claiming it to perform smoothly in a 4-bedroom house.

The router also comes with a built-in game accelerator, thanks to which it automatically detects and optimizes the gaming streams so you don’t face any lags. If there are multiple devices connected to the router, you can use QoS to select the device, such as your PC or console, that should get the fastest connection.

To set up the router, you can use the TP-Link Tether app, which also gives you access to other features, such as HomeCare, Game Accelerator, LED control, and more. Overall, the TP-Link Archer GX90 packs a punch in the performance department, which makes it a great choice for gamers. We think that it is a strong contender for one of the best routers for gaming.

What users say

As expected for a router that’s targeted specifically at an audience of gamers, reviews of the TP-Link Archer GX90 commend its overall performance. Its gaming prowess is highlighted by one user in particular, who mentions that “Online games run faster, and the upload and download run faster as well”. Beyond gaming performance, another review comments that “TVs are streaming 4K without any lag. Lots of speed at a nice price”. So, for WiFi 6 speeds not just for gaming, but any online entertainment, the Archer GX90 should certainly be a router to consider.

How to pick the best router under $200

Finding the right router is tricky, as the market is filled with hundreds of them. Here are a few things you should look for in a router.

WiFi generation

WiFi 6 is currently the latest generation of WiFi, and it is around 40% fast than WiFi 5. Therefore, you’d want to go for a router that supports WiFi 6. On top of that, make sure to go for a dual-band router so that it supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections. You can even find some tri-band routers under $200, which come with a single 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands.

Coverage

You need to pick a router that can distribute WiFi signals evenly across your home or office. If you’re getting a router for a small house or apartment, the range won’t matter a lot. But for large homes or offices, we recommend getting a router that has a coverage of up to 2,500 sqft. It will be even better to invest in a mesh system, as they come with extenders that can help increase the range of the signals. In case you want something that offers a great range, check out our top picks for the best routers for WiFi range.

Features

Most routers under 200 USD come with additional features these days, including security features. Make sure that the router you’re getting comes with an app that lets you access these features. For instance, the TP-Link Tether app lets you access Parental Controls, which can help with restricting certain websites. Other than that, the app allows users to manage everything about their router from anywhere.

Are routers under $200 good for gaming?

Most standard routers are more suitable for most online gaming, and many routers on this list perform this function particularly well. It all depends on the type of gaming you wish to take part in. However, if high-quality gaming is your priority, we recommend going that little bit further and investing in a gaming router.

Are routers under $200 worth it?

Spending up to $200 on a router is more than adequate for standard internet use, and more often than not, certain routers under $200 can be surprisingly good at more demanding tasks. Specifically in regard to bandwidth and gigabit internet speeds. Furthermore, routers designed for standard home and office use often feature clear user interfaces (online or through apps) that are designed to be easy to use.