Are you in search of a $100 gaming router? Well, a budget like this won’t get you the best possible gaming experience, but if that’s the maximum you want to spend and are looking for a reliable device, then this article will help you find one.
While you won’t get the best possible networking experience in this budget range, but routers in this range can surely handle some of the most network intensive games without any latency or packet dropping issues. Also, to ensure high security, I’ve tried to include 3-4 routers that support the Wi-Fi 6 standard.
In this article, I choose sub $100 gaming routers with high-speed internet support, credit to the latest wireless standards. Most of the routers bring the efficiency in transferring data to multiple devices at the helm of advanced features like OFDMA, MU-MIMO, and Beamforming, which is crucial to improving your gaming experience.
Best Gaming Routers Under $100 in 2023
Don’t let the budget limit impact your gaming experience. From an initial list of about 41 routers, I have narrowed it down to the top 7 routers offering the best value for your money and a commendable gaming experience.
The article begins with the best budget gaming routers offering the best value, latest Wi-Fi-6 standards, adequate Ethernet ports, and QoS. I have also included some of the best value for money choices that offer simultaneous tri-band operation and the best dual-band speeds. You’ll find the budget alternatives at the end of the list.
1. Best Overall: TP-Link Archer AX21
In Archer AX21, TP-Link retains the features of its predecessor AX20 at a much lower price tag, bringing the best value out of it. With the latest Wi-Fi-6 standards on the strength of a quad-core processing unit, TP-Link’s AX21 delivers a quality gaming performance.
Why is it suited for gaming?
With the latest technologies like Beamforming and the intelligent optimization of OFDMA, the router can reach top speeds of 574 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1201 Mbps on 5GHz. The router brings the capacity to cover areas spread in 2000 sq ft.
With the latest gaming console like PS5, and Apple devices supporting Wi-Fi 6 at your home, TP-Link Archer AX21 brings the efficiency of QoS by the device. It allows you to manage the bandwidth allocation and prioritize the gaming traffic.
Hardware & Performance
With a quad-core processing unit clocking at 1.5GHz in a Broadcom chipset, the synergy of 256MB operating memory and 128MB storage can handle up to 40 devices efficiently in a household.
The Archer AX21 is the perfect device for a small-medium household. Its ability to support high-end graphics games, simultaneous 4K media streaming, and the capacity to optimize your throughput, can be crucial to a seamless gaming experience.
Design & Ports
The highly improvised ventilated design on a sleek chassis weighs 1.1 pounds. TP-Link accommodates 4 external antennas on its rear side in a body measuring 10.2 x 5.3 x 1.5 inches.
Do you prefer wired connectivity for your devices? Archer comes with 4 Ethernet ports,1 WAN port, and a USB 2.0 port to share printers within the network.
Setup & App Support
With an intuitive user-friendly design, the tether application keeps the installation and network management simple. TP-link brings the comfort of remote monitoring and control to your mobile device.
Security & Other Features
The WPA3 latest encryption standards are vital to keeping unauthorized users away from your network. At the helm of firewalls, parental & access controls, and its inbuilt support to VPN, the router brings more control over the home network.
Conclusion
Archer AX21 makes the top of the list for its combination of the latest features and advanced technologies. A great value for money router to equip your home with gaming capabilities.
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Quad-core CPU
- WPA 3 encryption
- MU-MIMO & OFDMA
- Beamforming
- No USB 3.0 port
2. Best Runner Up: Netgear R6700AX
With R6700AX, overhauls its predecessor with upgrades to its hardware and features. If you want the advantage of Wi-Fi 6 standards for online gaming and other work-related activities for your small household, the Netgear R6700AX will slot perfectly into your requirements.
Why is it suited for gaming?
An aggregate speed of 1.8Gbps translates to 600 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1200 Mbps on 5GHz credit to the high data rate of 1024-QAM. Technologies like Beamforming & OFDMA bring sufficient optimization to handle multiple devices and cover 1500 sq ft.
The powerful processing unit, the high transfer speeds, and wired ethernet connectivity give an edge to its gaming performance through is dynamic QoS traffic optimization.
Hardware & Performance
Netgear puts together a robust hardware unit with a quad-core processor clocking at 1.5GHz, 512MB RAM, and a 256MB storage unit. The router can handle up to 20 devices easily.
The strength of the multi-core processing unit and its capable memory duo can handle the requirements of heavy media consumption including OTT streaming via Firestick, TV streaming, remote work solutions, and high-quality gaming activity.
Design & Ports
Netgear R6700AX weighs approximately 1.10 pounds, with a sleek body measuring up to 9.27 x 7.26 x 2.25 inches in dimensions.
The hexagonal-shaped black body finds room for 3 external antennas amidst the four Gigabit Ethernet ports and a WAN port.
Setup & App Support
The Nighthawk mobile application keeps the installation simple with minimal manual intervention. You can track internet usage, set up guest Wi-Fi access, and control your internet at the comfort of your mobile, even if you are away from home.
Security & Other Features
Netgear Armor gives the advantage of real-time network security but with the addition of a yearly subscription cost. With the parental controls and WPA3 encryption, and firewalls, the routers give you control over access and screen time for children.
Conclusion
The lack of a USB port in Netgear R6700AX puts it below Archer AX-21. Despite its limited range in comparison to its peers in the list, it is an excellent choice of router to future-proof your internet for smaller homes.
- Wi-Fi 6
- 1.5GHz Quad-core processor
- Netgear Armor security
- OFDMA
- Alexa compatible
- No USB port
3. Best Tri-Band Router: Linksys EA8300
The EA8300, a slightly changed version of its predecessor with slightly less operating memory. If you are looking for a dedicated band to allocate for your gaming activity, Linksys EA8300 offers you a simultaneous tri-band operation and a media prioritizing engine to take care of your gaming requirements.
Why is it suited for gaming?
The router can achieve speeds up to 400 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 867 Mbps on its dual 5GHz bands. Linksys brings MU-MIMO, Beamforming to its support in accommodating plenty of devices spread across 1500 Sq ft.
The media prioritization tool, smart connect band steering complemented by 3 offload processors makes sure the router is suitable for your gaming activities.
Hardware & Performance
Linksys puts together a quad-core processing unit clocking at 717MHz on a Qualcomm chipset, aided by the memory duo of 256MB each to support its simultaneous tri-band operation.
The hardware unit can pull off multiple instances of high-quality gaming, without compromising on the other essential activities, be it remote work solutions or business conferences.
Design & Ports
Sporting the classic Linksys design, the EA8300 comes in a highly ventilated chassis that weighs 1.34 pounds and measures 8.38 x 6.37 x 2.15inches.
With Link aggregation, you can afford an additional bandwidth putting your 4 Ethernet ports and 1 WAN port to use. The transfer speeds of USB 3.0 improve the network storage performance.
Setup & App Support
The combination of Linksys mobile application and the web interface offers control over customization of your network settings. The web-based setup is simple while offering features like smart connect Band steering to manage network congestion.
Security & Other Features
Linksys don’t compromise on the tenets of internet security. With dual firewalls, DoS protection, dedicated guest network access, and WPA 2 encryption offering a layer of security, the parental controls help to keep your kid’s internet consumption under check.
Conclusion
Linksys EA8300 brings the advantage of Link aggregation and Tri-band operation over its peers. Backed by a capable processing unit, the router pronounces itself as a capable routing unit for homes sharing the internet between plenty of devices.
- Tri-band operation
- Link Aggregation
- Smart Connect Band Steering
- 3-Offload co-processors
- MU-MIMO
- Beamforming
- Limited range
4. Best Speed Allocation: Motorola MR2600
In MR2600, Motorola improves the capacity of its processing unit and adds additional features with the high transfer speeds of a USB 3.0 port. Motorola brings the best dual-band speeds with an all-around overall utility to support your gaming activities in a medium-sized household.
Why is it suited for gaming?
MR2600 brings the advantage of high speeds of 800 Mbps on the 2.4GHz and 1733 Mbps on the 5GHz band to your gaming. Features like MU-MIMO, and Beamforming ensures transmission of signals to multiple devices, across your 2000 sq ft house.
With Smart QoS to prioritize your incoming traffic, the router can handle gaming activities with ease, owing to ample wired connectivity and an adequate hardware unit.
Hardware & Performance
The dual-core processor clocking at 880MHz on a MediaTek chipset offers the power to handle multiple instances of data-heavy activities. The memory duo of 128MB operating memory and 16MB storage keeps the multiple instances to minimal.
The hardware unit is capable of handling Twitch streaming, large file transfers, remote work solutions, and high-quality online gaming with games like PUBG, Fortnite, etc on a total of up to 20 devices.
Design & Ports
The router sports a simple design on a chequered black chassis, with 4 powerful external antennas attached to it. The routing device weighs approximately 1 pound and measures 7.06 x 12.0 x 7.12 inches in dimensions.
MR2600 offers 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 1 WAN port to keep your gaming consoles, TV wired to the router. The USB 3.0 enables media sharing through network storage devices within the home network.
Setup & App Support
The lack of support to mobile applications would be a let-off for people requiring remote network management. Otherwise, the web-based interface has a guided installation process to get your router up and running in few minutes.
Security & Other Features
Motorola offers features like double firewalls, protection from Denial of Service attacks, dedicated guest network access, WPA2 encryption. With parental controls and URL-based access filters, the router gives you control over the internet access and allows you to control exposure for your kids.
Conclusion
Don’t let the lack of mobile app downplay the utility of Motorola MR2600 offers in terms of overall utility and gaming experience with its high dual-band speeds, keeping it above its Netgear counterpart.
- Dual-Core processor
- Parental/Access controls
- MU-MIMO
- Beamforming
- No mobile application
- Front USB placement
5. Best for Large Homes: Netgear Nighthawk R7350
In Nighthawk R7350, Netgear brings a few compromises to its hardware unit to accommodate its aggressive pricing. If you are looking for a router that comes with an extended range and QoS to give you an upper hand with prioritized bandwidth allocation for gaming, the R7350 makes a convincing case for it.
Why is it suited for gaming?
Slightly slower than the MR2600, the router can support top speeds of 600 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1733 Mbps on 5GHz bands. MU-MIMO and Beamforming ensure the devices get the best quality signal and simultaneous communication across a 2500 sq ft house.
The QoS plays a crucial role in prioritizing your gaming traffic. The engine, in tandem with its dual-core processor, ensures a seamless gaming experience even with high graphics games like The Witcher, Red Dead redemption, etc.
Hardware & Performance
The Netgear router has dual cores working in tandem with a memory combination of 256MB RAM and 128MB flash storage, forming a potent processing unit.
It equips the device to offer the capacity to handle up to 25 devices with balance usage. Optimize your usage between gaming, Twitch streaming, 4K streaming, and work-from-home solutions.
Design & Ports
The black body with matte-finish carries adequate ventilation. On the rear side of the router, you will find 3 external antennas towering from it. The Netgear unit comes in a sleek demeanor measuring 11.22 x 7.26 x 1.97 inches and a total weight of 1.65 pounds.
With 4 Ethernet ports, 1 WAN port, and a USB 3.0 port, users can ensure high-speed wired connectivity and network storage performance.
Setup & App Support
Nighthawk mobile application is crucial for keeping the initial setup simple. The mobile app brings the comfort of network management to your palms, irrespective of your location.
Security & Other Features
A separate guest network access, WPA2 encryption keep the network safe from any unauthorized usage and external infections. The inbuilt support to VPN offers an additional layer of security to your home network.
Conclusion
Netgear R7350 stays above the Linksys router, owing to high throughput, its extended range, and the advantage of the QoS to power large homes with internet for gaming and other activities.
- Dual-core processor
- Beamforming
- Advanced QoS
- MU-MIMO
- Awkward USB placement
6. Best for Small Homes: Linksys E7350
The Linksys E7350 comes with a much affordable version of its predecessor, with some compromises in the throughput speed and the processing unit. The advantage of the latest wireless standards with an improved data rate makes this router a decent gaming router for smaller homes.
Why is it suited for gaming?
The high data rate of 1024-QAM, and the latest wireless standards are crucial in delivering 600 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1200 Mbps on 5GHz. MU-MIMO and Beamforming play a vital role in the seamless data transmission and internet blanketing for a 1500 sq ft home.
Keep your gaming devices wired to your router and offer the stability of wired high-speed internet connections.
Hardware & Performance
The Linksys router houses a dual-core processing unit clocking at 880 MHz on a Mediatek chipset. The memory duo of 256MB RAM and 256MB Flash offers the requisite capacity of data-laden activities.
The synergy of hardware brings sufficient power to handle high-quality games, and other activities including media streaming, video conferences, and other surfing activities.
Design & Ports
The shiny black body sports a narrow base and comes with aesthetics to blend seamlessly into any home environment. With 2 internal antennas, the router weighs close to 1.8 pounds, while measuring 6.14 x 3.03 x 8.66 inches.
An improvement over its previous model is a USB 3.0 port, that brings the advantage of fast data transfers while offering adequate wired connectivity with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 1 WAN port.
Setup & App Support
If you prefer web-interface-based installations and network management, Linksys E 7350 fits into your preferences. An uncomplicated setup gets the router configured and running in few minutes.
Security & Other Features
Linksys router comes with separate parents and child modes for easy network access and control. WPA3 encryption, guest Wi-Fi, Parental Controls, and easy mesh compatibility add more value to the router.
Conclusion
If you are looking to power your home with throughput speeds of Wi-Fi-6 standards to suit your gaming requirements, there are few lesser choices comparable to the Link E7350, earning its place rightfully on this list.
- Wi-Fi 6
- Dual-core processor
- Beamforming
- MU-MIMO
- WPA 3 encryption
- No mobile app support
7. Cheap Gaming Router: ASUS RT-ACRH18
Asus tone downs its predecessor with a dual-core processor and reduced RAM, to fit ASUS RT-ACRH18 within the budget. The high-speed throughput, the extended range, makes it an ideal router for a large household.
Why is it suited for gaming?
MU-MIMO, Beamforming brings the best out of its high speeds of 450 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1300 Mbps on 5GHz. This is one of the few routers that can cover a large house measuring 3000 sq ft.
The ethernet ports are crucial for offering the wired connectivity to gaming devices. Connect multiple gaming rigs on a gaming weekend and put the high internet throughput to test.
Hardware & Performance
Asus has dual cores clocking at 1.2GHz on a MediaTek chipset, working in synergy with a memory duo of 128MB RAM and 128MB storage.
The higher clock speeds of the processing unit bring the requisite capacity to handle multiple instances of gaming and data-intense activities like media streaming on TVs and mobile devices.
Design & Ports
A vertically standing sleek body comes in a mixed combination design in a matte-black chassis. Weighing a little over 1 pound, the router has 3 external antennas attached on top of it, while measuring 8.66 x 6.3 x 3.43 inches.
The router comes with 4 LAN ports, 1 WAN port, and 1 USB 3.0 port.
Setup & App Support
The ASUS router app is crucial to easy configuration and control. Web interface opens up room to customize your settings in terms of parental controls and port configurations.
Security & Other Features
With WPA 2 encryptions keeping you safe from unauthorized access, the router has a guest network, firewalls offering an additional layer of security.
Conclusion
A strong dual-core processor along with advanced technologies like MU-MIMO and Beamforming makes it the best affordable gaming router for large homes.
- AiRadar Beamforming
- Parental controls
- MU-MIMO
- Dual-core processor
- Extensive coverage
- Limited security features
Frequently Asked Questions
TP-Link Archer AX21 brings the advantage of the latest technology in Wi-Fi-6, OFDMA, combined with wired connectivity and supported by a solid processing unit to improve your gaming experience. AX-21 gives you the best value at a sub$100 price tag.
A gaming router is slightly different in the way that it is designed to identify your gaming traffic and attend to it with high priority. The router prioritizes its resources to handle the gaming data transmission.
Yes, they are. Gaming routers, despite not being fancy one can improve your gaming experience. It can optimize your incoming/outgoing gaming internet traffic, and prioritize gaming devices and minimize the loss in transmission, which is paramount to a seamless gaming experience.
A router cannot increase your internet speed. The speeds are dependent on the internet package from your ISP. Although, a capable gaming router can get the best out of your internet throughput by effectively utilizing the bandwidth and distributing it to multiple devices.
Verdict
While the routers under a budget of $100 may not offer you top-of-the-tier features required for professional gamers, they can offer features that support and optimize gaming traffic amongst other activities in your household.
- The TP-Link Archer AX21 is the best budget router for gaming offering excellent utility for gaming aficionados.
- The Netgear R6700AX gets the job done if you are looking for robust real-time internet security.
- The Linksys EA8300 brings the efficiency of a tri-band operation to support plenty of devices in a medium-sized household.
- The RT-ACRH18 is amongst the best budget choice with the requisite throughput and hardware capacity to handle gaming.
For Morton, reviewing a router is just like spending another day at the office. As BCCA’s senior copywriter, Morton believes is explaining every concept concerning routers, networking technologies, and additional routing specs. Also, Morton is our go-to man if we are looking to get the ISP-dependent internet plans tested across devices.