Budget routers provide a relatively inexpensive way to bring wireless networking to your home, but as is usually the case, saving money comes with sacrifices. You won't get the same performance as you do from a more powerful (and more expensive) model like the Linksys EA7500 Max-Stream AC1900...

Affordable; Solid dual-band performance; Plenty of management settings

Non-removable antennas; USB port is 2.0

As the affordable 802.11ac router market becomes more crowded, a device like Netgear's R6220 ($93.89) stands out with the right mix of performance and features. In addition to having a USB port for networking your printer or hard drive, the R6220 offers parental controls for filtering objectionable...

Good performance; USB port for hard drive or printer; On/off wireless switch; Parental controls for restricting web surfing; Low price tag

USB ports use slower; 2.0 spec; Can't change antennas; Lacks the latest performance-boosting technology

Took very little time to get up and running. Hardest part was getting Spectrum to send the proper signal, but that was soon alleviated.

Fast and easy to set up.

Have just upgraded my home WiFi network from 2.4GHz by installing R6220 as a dual band Wireless Access Point downstream of my existing cable modem. WiFi is now giving me up to 115 Mbps speed and excellent range throughout the house, effectively matching the performance I am getting at the cable...

Excellent reception for a 2 bedroom apartment for a 50/20 Mbps NBN connection

None till now