Best Routers under $200 – our top picks

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.

WiFi 6 is the latest generation of WiFi, so you should 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 s 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.

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 Amazon Eero 6+. 

The Eero 6+ comes in different packs, and you can choose the one that suits your needs. The version we selected comes with a total of three units, with one acting as a central router and the two being the extenders. You can place them at blank spots where the WiFi signals usually don’t reach. All three of them combined have a coverage of up to 4,500 sqft. If you think your place is small, you can opt for the version with one router and one extender.

The Eero 6+ features WiFi 6 and is a dual-band with support for 160MHz channel width. The best part about it is that it can connect with up to 75 devices at the same time, something that makes it on par with some of the best routers for multiple devices. On the back of each unit, you’ll find a USB-C power port and two Gigabit Ethernet ports in case you want to set up a wired connection. 

Although the setup looks complicated due to multiple devices, it is actually pretty easy, thanks to the Eero app. This app can also be used to adjust the settings and monitor the performance of the system. There’s also a paid version of the app available, which offers some additional features. Overall, the Amazon Eero 6+ is the best mesh router under $200. If you want more units, you’ll need to increase your budget significantly.

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.