When it comes to online gaming, we can all agree that we have one common enemy — lag.
Because of lags, most gamers prefer using their gigabit ethernet connection, while others are brave enough to search for the best budget router for gaming this year.
Finding a decent gaming router can be quite challenging for people with little knowledge about Wi-Fi 6 technology, network security, and other advanced features.
Make it your mission to experience gaming routers without the need to blow your savings.
In this Article
Unleash Wireless Freedom with The Best Budget Router for Gaming
If you’re still afraid of losing a competitive edge because of Wi-Fi signals, then let Wi-Fi 6 wireless technologies alleviate the concerns of yesterday’s protocols.
Experience uninterrupted gaming sessions wirelessly, whether on your console (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch), or gaming rig!
The best part of all, you don’t need to shell out wads of cash for a quality gaming router. In fact, we’re going to narrow down your options even further!
Yes, you heard it right! You can get these routers with decent performance for under 200 bucks!
Here’s what you should expect when you upgrade to one of the best budget routers for gaming:
| Features Expected for Budget Routers in 2023 |
| Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E Wireless Technologies |
| Dual-Band or Tri-Band Capabilities |
| Gigabit Ethernet and Gigabit WAN on all ports |
| Improved Network Security |
| Improved Signal Strength |
| Basic Quality of Service (QoS) Features |
Now that we have a general idea of what to expect, it’s now time to discuss the current bestselling options on Amazon.
Amazon’s Best Budget Routers for Gaming in 2023
Say goodbye to your old congested network and say hello to a more robust, intelligent, and reliable Wi-Fi network thanks to the best budget routers for gaming!
Here are the top 5 Wi-Fi network routers we highly recommend today:
TP-LINK Archer AX21
Key Features:
- Cheapest Wi-Fi 6 Router in the market
- Dual-Band Router
- Old but Gold
If you’re looking for an entry-level Wi-Fi router, then the Archer AX21 from TP-LINK is the best budget router for gaming, in our opinion.
For less than $75, you’re getting a dual-band router with a gigabit WAN and gigabit ethernet capabilities.
The only downside of buying TP-LINK Archer AX21 is the lack of Tri-Band functionality. However, if you’re not using plenty of devices in your household, dual-band is plenty enough.
Looking for something more without going over the budget? Then we highly recommend checking out the Archer AX55 instead.
NETGEAR R6700AX
Key Features:
- 1Gbps gigabit ethernet
- Coverage of up to 1,500 square feet
- Capable of connecting up to 20 devices
Another interesting offering below the $100 price point is the R6700X from NETGEAR. This dual-band router is capable of delivering excellent speeds, whether for wired or wireless devices with no compromise. It’s also powered by a quad-core CPU for seamless networking.
One of the biggest selling points of the Netgear R6700AX is the ability to use the Nighthawk mobile app to easily tinker with the advanced security features, plus other extra features at their disposal. The best part, you don’t need technical knowledge to find out what each function does!
If you’re looking for the best budget router for gaming that can almost perform like intelligent mesh network, you will definitely love the NETGEAR R6700X.
ASUS RT-AX3000
Key Features:
- Dual-band router with a powerful mesh system
- Mobile app support (AiMesh)
- Next-generation gaming consoles ready (Xbox Series and PlayStation 5)
The ASUS RT-AX3000 is a powerful mesh router that is capable of trading blows with more expensive, high-performance routers. With top-of-the-line QoS settings, plus AiMesh capabilities, this is one of the best future-proof routers out there.
While the RT-AX3000 is around the $150 price point, and it’s not as modern as new mesh routers, it’s still safe to say that you’re getting more than what you paid for.
Its capability to connect up to 30 devices with over 3,000 square feet of coverage is more than enough to consider this as the best budget router for gaming.
TP-LINK Deco X55
Key Features:
- Dual-band mesh router
- Coverage of up to 6,500 square feet
- Ai Mesh Technology
TP-Link routers usually offer the best of both worlds in terms of gaming traffic and general network usage. This dual-band mesh router comes with three router systems that operate simultaneously, giving you coverage of up to 6,500 square feet.
Another notable feature of the Deco X55 is its ability to connect up to 150 devices with ease! Eliminate dead spots from larger homes with this mesh router.
Plus, if you need to tinker with the router settings, the mobile app can help you fine-tune your device to your liking.
Simply put, if you’re hosting house LAN parties and you need multiple devices connected to your network, the TP-Link Deco X55 is a fantastic option.
Linksys Hydra Pro 6
Key Features:
- The most powerful dual-band mesh router
- Easy setup and control features
- One of the best security features in the business
There’s a reason why Linksys Hydra Pro 6 is one of the best dual-band routers in the market — it’s a beast of a mesh router.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Linksys provided Hydra Pro 6 an excellent range, quality performance, as well as top-of-the-line security features akin to AiProtection Pro.
While the Hydra Pro 6 is priced at around $200, what you will get in return is a capable mesh router that supports both wired and wireless connectivity with reliable connections from start to finish.
FAQs
We always get tons of questions when it comes to Wi-Fi routers, so we’ll do our best to update these questions and answer them for our community.
For this article, here are the most common questions we’ve received:
Why Do I Need Dual-Band Routers or Triple-Band Routers?
If you’re living in a household that has plenty of wireless devices, then there’s a big chance of interference happening between them.
The best solution for this is to segregate certain devices so they won’t clog up all the available channels. While cheap routers can provide access, reliable routers can provide additional routes.
Do I Really Need Mesh Routers?
People who use mesh networks primarily have issues getting consistent internet throughout their households. Even a budget mesh router can significantly improve the maximum throughput of your signal.
Simply put, if you want reliable connectivity all around your house, then you need a mesh router.
Should I Really Switch to a Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router from Wi-Fi 4?
If you are looking to ditch your ethernet ports, then we highly recommend switching to Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E as it gives you the freedom to use your connected devices – minus the wires!
While you’re going to miss out on advanced security features from dedicated Wi-Fi routers, it’s still worth getting especially if you’re planning to save some cash.
I Currently Use Wi-Fi 5. Should I Still Upgrade?
If you can afford a good wireless router with a 5GHz band and Wi-Fi 6 capability, then we highly recommend making the switch. However, if you’re still not willing to let go of your wired connections, then your non-Wi-Fi 6 router is good enough.
What Am I Missing Out on a Legit Gaming Router?
If you’ve never heard of the term “Gamer Tax,” then you’ve fallen victim to a marketing tactic aimed at consumers who know very little about the gaming industry. Don’t get us wrong, a legit gaming router is capable, but that doesn’t mean “non-gaming” routers can’t stand and bang.
Here’s why you should consider using the best budget router for gaming instead based on the table below:
| Usual Features and Settings | Expensive Routers (Gaming) | Best Budget Router for Gaming |
| Wi-Fi 6 Ready | Y | Y |
| Dual-Band Router | Y | Y |
| USB Port | Y | Y |
| Tri-Band Router | Y | Y |
| Compatibility with Smart Home Devices | Y | Y/N (Varies by product) |
| Advanced Quality of Service (QoS) Settings | Y | N |
| Additional Network Settings | Y | Y/N (Varies by product) |
| Advanced Features | Y | Y/N (Varies by product) |
| Extra Features | Y | N |
| Improved Network Traffic | Y | N |
| Faster Speeds via Local Network | Y | Y/N (Varies by product) |
Can a Gaming Router Help with my Internet Connection?
Your connection can only be as good as your internet service provider. If you’re experiencing connection dropouts, regardless if you’re on a gigabit ethernet or on Wi-Fi 6, your overall experience is very dependent on the internet you’re getting.
If you have bad internet, no router can fix that, unfortunately.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer the flashy, gamer-centric designs packed with extra features or budget routers that work well with your internet service provider, we hope that you’ll get the best budget gaming router from our list.
How about the folks that have already upgraded last year? Please share your thoughts about the router you bought and whether or not you’re satisfied with your purchase.
Do you feel like we missed a product? Let us know, and we’ll look into it.
We hope you had fun reading this roundup as much as we have enjoyed writing it! In the meantime, please have a look at our other posts:
- 5 of the Best WiFi 6 Mesh Routers with Tri Band
- 10 Best WiFi Gaming Routers for Large Homes
- 10 Best Router For Gaming and Streaming
- 10 Best WiFi 6 Mesh Router For Gaming: Next-Generation Performance
Last update on 2023-09-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API