Best budget 5GHz routers for faster speeds

If you’re someone who wants the fastest speeds possible and in one room alone then a 5GHz Wi-Fi router is recommended. You get a higher data range without interference. But this also means that the coverage for other rooms will be narrow with this router. It’s still the option to go for if only one person is going to use it or only within one room.

So here’s a list of the best budget 5GHz routers you can buy.

How we do our research

Our ranking criteria

We consider each Wi-Fi router’s features, including maximum speed, number of ports for connectivity and number of antennas.

Things to consider before buying Wi-Fi routers

Security features

Security is an important issue to consider when a Wi-Fi router as the wireless network can be very insecure.

When buying a 5GHz router, make sure it at least uses WPA2 (the second implementation of the Wi-Fi Protected Access protocol). Other than this, look for a router with extra capabilities such as monitoring devices, blocking unwanted users from the network, and seeing the number of people using your wireless network.

Routers with MU-MIMO

Today, many routers come with a facility called MU-MIMO. Routers with MU-MIMO can deliver higher-speed data. This type of router becomes essential when several people are using a single wireless network.

USB ports

Routers with USB ports allow you to plug an HDD or flash storage drive and share that data with any device on the network. You can also use it to create a networked media hub for streaming movies, music or television shows you own locally.

But, if your main purpose is to access the Wi-Fi network then USB ports on a router aren’t something you should be worried about.

Features comparison

RoutersFeaturesFrequencyProduct linkASUS RT-AC59U V2Remote Access, USB 2.0 port, ASUSWRT dashboard Dual-Band

Buy On

TP-Link AC1200 Archer A6Qualcomm chipset, Boosted coverageDual-Band

Buy On

D-Link DIR-825 5 Gigabit Port, 4 External AntennaDual-Band

Buy On

Netgear R6120-100INS300 to 900Mbps speedDual-Band

Buy On

Tenda AC10 AC1200 MU-MIMO technologyDual-Band

Buy On

ASUS RT-AC59U

The ASUS RT-AC59U Wi-Fi router that offers 867Mpbs speed at 5GHz frequency, and 600Mbps at 2.4GHz frequency. It has four external antennas, and features four Gigabit LAN ports along with one USB 2.0 port. This Wi-Fi router also supports AiMesh to connect with other compatible ASUS routers for a more powerful Wi-Fi network at home. This Wi-Fi router is recommended for medium-sized homes, and it can support up to 20 devices. It also has a smartphone app for parental controls, guest networking, firewall and more.

The ASUS RT-AC59U Wi-Fi router is a highly recommended 5GHz Wi-Fi router.

TP-Link AC1200 Archer A6

This is another dual-band Wi-Fi router from TP-Link. The 5GHz band offers 867Mpbs speed while the 2.4GHz band offers 300Mbps speed. The Wi-Fi router has MU-MIMO technology that simultaneously transfers data to multiple devices. It is equipped with four external antennas for a wide coverage. The Wi-Fi router also has access point mode that transforms your wired connection into a wireless network, and OneMesh that helps eliminate Wi-Fi dead zones. There’s also a TP-Link Tether app that lets you easily set up the Wi-Fi network.

The TP-Link AC1200 Archer A6 Wi-Fi router is another option that you can go for a 5GHz Wi-Fi router.

D-Link DIR-825

The D-Link DIR-825 features a compact design with four antennas and two bands. You get 867Mbps speed on the 5GHz band and 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz. It is equipped with one Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports. This Wi-Fi router also has multiple operating modes including router mode, access point mode and repeater mode. It comes with a USB 2.0 port so you can connect external devices and access files.

The D-Link DIR-825 5GHz Wi-Fi router is recommended for those who want something compact and looks sleek.

Netgear R6120-100INS

The Netgear R6120-100INS is another 5GHz Wi-Fi router that you can consider. You can get maximum speeds of up to 867Mbps on the 5GHz band and 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. It comes with two external antennas and it provides coverage for large homes. The Wi-Fi router can be used for streaming, gaming and connected smart home devices as well. It supports all major and local internet service providers.

The Netgear R6120-100INS is another option to consider if you’re looking for a 5GHz Wi-Fi router.

Tenda AC10 AC1200

The Tenda AC10 AC1200 is a dual-band Wi-Fi router featuring four omni directional antennas. The Wi-Fi router offers 5GHz 867Mbps speed and 2.4GHz 300Mbps speed. It comes with features such as remote app management, universal repeater, signal power adjustment, and beamforming. It also supports VPN servers and has Wi-Fi scheduling. The Wi-Fi router is also equipped with one WAN port and three LAN ports.

The Tenda AC10 AC1200 can also be considered if you’re looking for a 5GHz Wi-Fi router.

You may have opted for a super fast internet speed but if you don’t have the right router then you won’t get the best experience. There are Wi-Fi routers of different frequency bands depending on the kind of internet speed you want.If you’re someone who wants the fastest speeds possible and in one room alone then a 5GHz Wi-Fi router is recommended. You get a higher data range without interference. But this also means that the coverage for other rooms will be narrow with this router. It’s still the option to go for if only one person is going to use it or only within one room.So here’s a list of the best budget 5GHz routers you can buy.We consider each Wi-Fi router’s features, including maximum speed, number of ports for connectivity and number of antennas.Security is an important issue to consider when a Wi-Fi router as the wireless network can be very insecure.When buying a 5GHz router, make sure it at least uses WPA2 (the second implementation of the Wi-Fi Protected Access protocol). Other than this, look for a router with extra capabilities such as monitoring devices, blocking unwanted users from the network, and seeing the number of people using your wireless network.Today, many routers come with a facility called MU-MIMO. Routers with MU-MIMO can deliver higher-speed data. This type of router becomes essential when several people are using a single wireless network.Routers with USB ports allow you to plug an HDD or flash storage drive and share that data with any device on the network. You can also use it to create a networked media hub for streaming movies, music or television shows you own locally.But, if your main purpose is to access the Wi-Fi network then USB ports on a router aren’t something you should be worried about.