Need a WiFi router, mesh router system, or a WiFi extender? These options from Asus, TP-Link, and others deliver solid performance at a reasonable price.
Mesh routers use multiple units to eliminate WiFi dead spots.
By Nicholas De Leon
As you may have noticed, WiFi routers come in a wide range of prices. The models in our ratings sell for $45 to $1,100, for example. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay top dollar for a fast, reliable WiFi connection.
Whether you’re eyeing a traditional single-unit router or a mesh system that spreads coverage throughout your home, you’ll find plenty of models priced at $250 or less that ace the throughput tests in our labs. They may not support the latest WiFi standard or load you up with Ethernet ports, but they deliver dependable performance where it counts.
You don’t need WiFi 7, introduced in 2024, to check email, conduct Zoom calls, and browse the web. In fact, if your laptop, phone, and other gadgets aren’t WiFi 7-compatible, you won’t notice much difference with the new standard, not yet anyway. So go ahead and save yourself some money with a WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E router.
You can still find WiFi 5 models, too, but I think you’ll be happier with the upgraded performance of the level 6 options.
As for the mesh vs. single-unit router question, that largely depends on your living situation. For homes larger than 2,500 square feet, a mesh router system is probably the better bet. These feature multiple units—a hub and one or two satellites—that work together to spread WiFi throughout your dwelling.
On the other hand, if you live in a smaller home—mine is approximately 2,000 square feet—you may find that a traditional single-unit router is sufficient. And, many single-unit routers now include tech that transforms them into mesh router systems simply by adding other units. This flexibility is great for folks who don’t want to commit to a full mesh system up front.
What about a cheap WiFi extender? Those won’t blanket your whole home in WiFi like a mesh router system, but they can relay the signal from a single-unit router into a dead zone, like a back bedroom or an out-of-the-way office.
And so, at a time when many households (including my own) are looking to stretch every dollar, here are our top picks for the best low-cost mesh router systems, single-unit routers, and WiFi extenders, ranked in order of Overall Score. For more info, consult our buying guide and full router ratings (available to CR members), which now feature 126 models.
CR tests routers in our labs (and very long hallways) in Yonkers, N.Y.
Photo: Consumer Reports
Low-Cost Mesh Routers
Netgear Nighthawk AX3000 MK73S-200NAS (3-pack)
This three-piece WiFi 6 router system performs well across the board, offering fast speeds and reliable signal strength even at longer distances. Setup and management are handled through the Nighthawk app, which provides an easy-to-use interface for monitoring devices, pausing access, and adjusting settings. Each unit has a pair of Ethernet ports, giving you the flexibility to hardwire game consoles, streaming boxes, and other devices as needed. There are no USB ports, though.
TP-Link Deco AX5000 Mesh System (3-pack)
This three-piece WiFi 6 system delivers strong performance, scoring well for speed at near, midrange, and far distances, as well as ease of setup via the TP-Link app. The app helps you manage the entire system, handling things like parental controls, guest networks, and more. Note, however, that there are no built-in Ethernet or USB ports.
eero 6+ AX3000 R010211 (2-pack)
This two-unit WiFi 6 system offers solid performance and good range. Some consumers may appreciate the minimalist design, too. In our tests, the model delivers reliable speeds and stable connections throughout the home. Setup is handled through the Eero app, which is clean and simple. Each unit has two Ethernet ports, giving you the option to hardwire a few devices, but there are no USB ports.
Low-Cost Single-Unit Routers
Asus RT-AX5400
This is a powerful single-unit router that delivers fast speeds and strong performance in our testing. The Asus Router App makes setup and management of your WiFi network a breeze. And the model has four built-in Ethernet ports and one USB port, which can be useful for connecting an external storage device or a printer. It supports WiFi 6 and can later be expanded into a mesh router system.
Linksys AX1800 (E7350)
This no-frills, budget-friendly WiFi 6 router delivers impressive performance. If you’re looking to upgrade from an aging WiFi 5 model, it’s a smart place to start. In our tests, it delivers speed and stability, especially in smaller homes or apartments. Setup is handled through the Linksys app, which is simple and functional. The router includes four Ethernet ports and one USB port. It can also be expanded into a mesh router system.
TP-Link Archer BE3600
This entry-level WiFi 7 router offers a glimpse of next-gen wireless performance at a relatively modest price. In our testing, it delivers strong speeds and stable performance, though it doesn’t quite ace our long-distance tests. Setup is handled through the TP-Link app, which is pretty straightforward to use. The router has four built-in Ethernet ports and one built-in USB port.
Low-Cost WiFi Extenders
Netgear AX1800 (EAX15)
This is currently the top-rated WiFi extender in our ratings. It scores well in just about every one of our tests, most notably for speedy performance even when it’s placed far away from the router whose signal it’s repeating. It can be set up with either a smartphone app or a web browser and supports automatic firmware updates—common but not quite universal features. One notable miss is its lack of built-in USB ports, which may be useful to connect peripherals like printers.
It’s a dual-band extender, meaning that it works on the 2.4-gigahertz and 5GHz bands, and is compatible with the WiFi 6 standard.
TP-Link AX3000 (RE705X)
Another good pick, this TP-Link model is fast even at far distances, can be set up with either a smartphone app or a web browser, and supports automatic firmware updating. In those respects, it’s very similar to the top-ranked Netgear model. Likewise, it does not have any built-in USB ports.
It’s a dual-band extender that supports WiFi 6.
TP-Link AX1500 (RE505X)
This TP-Link model can be found for much less than $100—we’ve seen it as low as $35—making it a strong contender if you’re on a smaller budget (or simply don’t want to spend $100 or more just to improve your WiFi). Even at such a low price, this is still a top-notch extender, scoring well in most of our tests, including the all-important speed tests. There’s one built-in Ethernet port but no built-in USB ports.
And yup, you guessed it: This is a dual-band extender that supports WiFi 6.
How CR Tests WiFi Routers
Every model in our ratings is tested by the expert technicians in our labs in Yonkers, N.Y., where we try to simulate a typical home environment, measuring the throughput (which might be thought of as the router’s “speed”) at three distances: 8 feet, 20 feet, and 55 feet.
We also look at how easy it is to set up and manage the model (which nowadays is often done with a smartphone app), and whether it has useful features like built-in Ethernet ports, USB ports, and parental controls. We even evaluate the router’s privacy and security policies, including whether it offers automatic firmware updates, which can help keep you and your data safe.
WiFi Standards Explained
As laptops, phones, and other internet-connected devices proliferate in our homes, the WiFi standards employed by routers are routinely upgraded to make sure the devices keep pace with the traffic. Here’s a look at what the current options have to offer.
WiFi 6: Introduced in 2019, this standard improved transfer speeds and reduced latency.
WiFi 6E: Introduced in 2020, this standard greatly improved speeds in dense locations like apartment buildings by opening up a new part of the wireless spectrum known as the 6GHz band to WiFi devices.
WiFi 7: Introduced in 2024, this standard further improved data transfer speeds and latency by enabling devices to send data across multiple bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz) at the same time.
You may sometimes see these standards referred to by their more technical names: WiFi 6 as 802.11ax, WiFi 6E as 802.11axe, and WiFi 7 as 802.11be. We use these naming conventions in our ratings.
Keep in mind, though, that to take full advantage of a WiFi 7 router, you need to own devices that support WiFi 7, too. Right now, only a handful of newer smartphones, laptops, and smart home gadgets are compatible with the standard. If your devices are designed for WiFi 6 or 6E, you likely won’t see a major performance boost from upgrading your router alone.
That said, if you’re planning to replace your tech in the near future—or simply want to future-proof your home network—a WiFi 7 router could be a smart investment.
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