Best router under $150 in 2024 – our top picks
If you’re looking for the best router under $150, we’ve got you covered right here.
Whether working from home, gaming, or live streaming heavy content, you can get a solid WiFi router with blazing-fast speeds without breaking the bank. For under 150 dollars, you’ll find reliable routers running on the latest WiFi 6 technology for exceptional performance and even mesh WiFi options for larger homes or offices.
With so many options available, getting the right router that meets all your requirements can be overwhelming. Plus, these gadgets include advanced features like parental controls, additional security measures, Alexa compatibility, VPN support, and companion apps.
To help you kick off the search in the best way, we’ve compiled some of the best routers under $150 based on performance, coverage, extra features, and simple setup to ensure you get the best value for your money.
Products at a Glance
How we picked
For this guide, we have looked at several routers from different brands, compared them, and then selected the ones we thought were the best. The selection has been based on specs like speed, coverage, security features, and more. Plus, we are always looking for new products to add to our list, so check back here again for most updates.
Product Reviews
- 3000 Mbps speed
- OFDMA technology
- TP-Link HomeShield
- No multi-gig port
If you’re in the market for the best router under $150, you should check out the TP-Link AX3000 WiFi 6 router, which we think is one of the best TP-Link routers available.
To start with, you get dual-band WiFi 6 speeds with 574 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 2402 Mbps on 5GHz bands, which enables more simultaneous connections for streaming or faster downloads.
Further, the OFDMA technology on this router allows multiple clients or users to share the same band without latency or jittering, making it ideal for gaming, video streaming, or watching live feeds simultaneously.
As far as the coverage is concerned, the router utilizes 4 high-performance external antennas that boost WiFi signals throughout your home. Paired with beamforming technology, it offers extended WiFi coverage for everyone.
For additional security, you have TP-Link HomeShield, which offers secure web connections and basic parental controls for kids. Plus, it supports a VPN server and VPN client if you want to browse the web anonymously.
Overall, it’s one of the best routers on the market that works with most internet service providers. Plus, you can control the router using voice commands thanks to Alexa’s compatibility.
- 3000 Mbps speed
- OFDMA and MU-MIMO
- ASUS Instant Guard
- No multi-gig port
If you’re a gamer, the ASUS RT-AX57 WiFi 6 is the best router for gaming under $150 to stream single or multiplayer games online and enjoy a smoother gameplay experience.
As for the total speeds, you get 3000 Mbps from the dual bands, with 574 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 2402 Mbps on 5GHz. Plus, it uses the new-gen WiFi 6 technology for faster wireless connections.
Further, much like some of the best routers for multiple devices, this one also supports OFDMA and MU-MIMO technologies, which allow multiple devices to connect simultaneously. Plus, the BSS Coloring boosts WiFi connection efficiency, delivering sufficient bandwidth for gaming, streaming, or faster downloads.
When it comes to coverage, you can extend your network by pairing the router with another compatible AiMesh router to enjoy seamless roaming and other advanced features.
Regarding security features, you have AiProtection Classic, which should provide secure connections on your home network. Plus, you get an ASUS Instant Guard, which acts as a one-click secure VPN.
For easy control, you can download the latest ASUS router app to set up your router and other functions like advanced parental controls to make the internet a safer place for your kids.
- 1.8 Gbps speeds
- 3000 sq. ft. coverage
- Connections for 25+ devices
- Paid security service
If you want the best WiFi mesh under $150, you should definitely check out the NETGEAR Nighthawk AX1800 router.
For starters, you get 1.8Gbps WiFi 6 speeds from the dual-wired connectivity, which includes a router and one satellite extender. So, you can expect uninterrupted HD video gaming, streaming, and web conferencing.
Coming to WiFi coverage, the router can cover 3000 sq. ft. and allows simultaneous connections for 25+ devices, making it suitable for larger homes or offices. Plus, you can connect an existing modem if you have one.
As for the versatile wired connections, you have one Gigabit Ethernet LAN port and one Gigabit Ethernet WAN port on the router. Plus, the satellite extender has another Gigabit Ethernet LAN port. So, you can plug in your streaming players, game consoles, and computers simultaneously and get sufficient bandwidth.
On the inside, the router boasts a Quad-core 1.5GHz processor, 128MB flash memory, and 256MB RAM (even for the satellite), which should handle the load from multiple connected devices. Further, the router is compatible with any internet service provider with up to 1Gbps, like DSL, fiber, cable, and satellite.
Another notable feature is the Nighthawk app, which lets you set up the router in minutes, manage WiFi settings, monitor data usage, and test internet speeds. Plus, you get a 30-day free trial with NETGEAR Armor for secure family connections and NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls for providing a safer internet space for your kids.
How to pick the best router under $150
Here are a few things to consider before you get a new router –
WiFi technology
As you will be investing in a new router and using it for a good long while, you should go for a router that supports the latest WiFi standards. So you should be getting a WiFi 6 router, which is one of the latest and widely used WiFi standards. If you want to future-proof a little, you can look for WiFi 6E routers – just make sure your devices are compatible. With a $150 budget, you can get a bunch of good options, so this is not something to worry about.
Coverage
The goal here is to get a WiFi router that can deliver sufficient signal strength throughout your house and office and eliminate dead zones. The area that a router covers is usually mentioned in the product description, so you should get a better idea about the right router for your house. Plus, you can always extend your coverage with the mesh network; just make sure that the router is mesh-compatible.
Security
Most routers offer basic security features like regular scans, frequent reports, parental controls, guest networks, and more. However, advanced security settings are often “premium,” and you’d need to pay for the subscription. Depending on your usage and requirements, you can check the features and go for the free or the premium version.
Our Verdict
If you want a good router for under $150, then we think that the TP-Link AX3000 (ArcherAX55) might be a fit. The dual-band WiFi 6 router gives you around 3000 Mbps, which should be sufficient for gaming, streaming, and more. You also get decent coverage, and with OFDMA, you should be able to get stable connections on multiple devices. As far as security is concerned, you can use TP-Link HomeShield for basic security and parental controls. Plus, you also get VPN support for added privacy.