Best Cheap Wireless Router
Cheap routers tend to drop connections, not have very good range, and have a very limited selection of features. However, being on a budget doesn't mean you have to buy a "cheap" router. A good router should be able to route traffic effectively, maintain stability of a local network, and have good wireless performance and reception. This list will focus on routers that are inexpensive yet manage to maintain the standards of a good router at a fraction of the price.
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Why it's best:
The Linksys WRT54GL is a massively popular and extremely capable router that's essentially a WRT54G with additional onboard memory for third-party modifications. The WRT54GL is fundamentally similar to the early revisions of the WRT54G which came equipped with a lot of onboa...read full review
Price Range:
$59.99 - $79.99
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ShopLinksys $79.99
Newegg.com $59.99
Why it's a best pick:
Although it is a bit more expensive than other budget wireless routers, the D-Link DIR-625 provides solid 802.11 draft-N 300Mbps wireless that allots a good range boost in wireless reception, an invaluable improvement given the router's budget pricing. The DIR-625 also provi... read full review
NextWarehouse.com $79.84
Why it's a best pick:
The Netgear WGR614 is an inexpensive yet powerful router with good 802.11g reception and a small, low profile design. Its firmware package allows for stateful packet inspection (SPI), which permits an admin to throttle certain ports. This, however, is dependent upon bandwidt... read full review
$39.82 - $72.37
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Newegg.com $39.82
POSGlobal.com $72.37
Why it's a best pick:
Like the WRT54GL, the Asus WL-520gU was specifically built with lots of onboard memory for custom firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato. A standard 802.11g router if left untouched, the WL-520gU is also differentiated by its built-in printer server function. This function allows ne... read full review
Newegg.com $42.00
Why it's a best pick:
Trendnet has been known for their inexpensive yet relatively efficient networking products. Their TEW-652BRP reportedly has some of the best wireless-N reception ranges amongst any of the budget wireless-N routers, according to SmallNetBuilder's testing. Nevertheless, the TE... read full review
$34.99 - $49.62
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Newegg.com $34.99
NextWarehouse.com $49.62
