Want a quick answer? Makita RT0701C is the best budget router under 100 dollars. Read on to find out why!
One of the most difficult things to balance with power tools is price vs functionality, especially if you are new to woodworking. Even experienced woodworkers looking to stock their shop with budget-friendly tools, like a cheap wood router, may not be sure what features they can go without.
The following guide discusses the benefits and limitations of budget routers and reviews some products, one of which may be the best wood router under 100 dollars for your shop.
The 6 Best Budget Routers Under $100:
1. Makita RT0701C Compact Router
- Variable speed control dial (10,000 to 30,000 RPM) enables user to match the speed to the application
- Smooth rack and pinion fine depth adjustment system for more precise settings
- Slim and ergonomically designed body for increased comfort and control
OVERVIEW
This compact design provides 6.5 amps of power that generates a maximum of 1.25 HP. That should allow you to do various profile cuts as well as guided work of shallow and medium depths without bogging down as you work.
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2. Bosch PR20EVS Palm Router
- PR20EVS Colt Palm Router features a 1.0 Horse Power 5.6 amp variable speed motor with speeds from 16,000 to 35,000 RPM
- CONVENIENT: Provides a straight edge guide to lead router along edges of work piece or up to 3-5/8 inch from edge; The wood router also features an angled cord exit to keep the cord out of the way...
- DURABLE: The rugged aluminum fixed base of the wood router is durable, solid and precise; The PR20EVS features unique finger support pockets for additional stability, especially when trimming edges
OVERVIEW
As the name indicates, this router is palm-sized and can be easily controlled with just one hand. This can be to your advantage, especially when working with smaller pieces that you will use on fine furniture projects that require a more delicate tool.
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3. PORTER-CABLE PCE6430 Router
- 4.5 AMP FIXED SPD 1/4IN LAMINATE TRIMMER
- 4.5 AMP FIXED SPD 1/4IN LAMINATE TRIMMER
- 4.5 AMP FIXED SPD 1/4IN LAMINATE TRIMMER
OVERVIEW
Porter-Cable offers plenty of power with this model at a good price. A 4.5 amp motor will help to generate up to 31,000 RPMs. This will get you through most of the woods that you will be using in entry- and intermediate-level projects.
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4. Ryobi P601 One+ 18V Cordless Router
- LED LIGHTING: A set of LED lights onboard this unit allow you to see your project clearly in less than optimal lighting conditions
- GRIPZONE OVERMOLD: Maintain a firm grip with the rubber coating that allows precision handling, even in slippery conditions
- DEPTH ADJUSTMENT KNOB: Don’t worry about having to use a tool; fine tune the depth of your cuts with the onboard, easy-to-use knob
OVERVIEW
The obvious advantage a cordless router offers is the ability to work anywhere. You are not only free from power outlets, but you are also able to reach materials that might not be easy to access with a corded unit.
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5. TACKLIFE PTR01A Compact Router Kit
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OVERVIEW
This is a kit in the true sense of the word. This product comes with the router as well as two collets, flex shaft, compass, guide, and auxiliary handle. A handful of bits, keys, and wrenches completes a decent list of extras that come out of the box.
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6. Ryobi 8.5 Amp 1-1/2 HP Fixed Base Router
- Three Different Length-Every package contains three iPhone cables in different lengths 3.3 ft,6.6ft and 10ft for various distances charging! Easy to carry, It suits every occasions, home, office, car...
- Nylon Braided - Cable Covered with braided-nylon fiber jacket and anodized aluminum shell which is durable and sturdier than the normal lightning cable but also flexible and tangle-free.Nylon braided...
- Fast Charging-Strong Charging Performance & Sync ensures 2.1 A output fast charging, faster than most of standard cables. Transfering data also up to 480 Mbits. The compact aluminum connector helps to...
OVERVIEW
If you are a green builder, the idea of getting a renewed power tool should fit into your lifestyle choices. This product has been inspected by professionals and will come with a money-back guarantee that lasts for 90-days after your purchase.
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Budget Router Buying Guide
I remember when I first got a wood router, my decision was based on affordability more than any other feature. As a beginning woodworker or someone who just may be new to these types of power tools, you will discover that you will not need to spend a lot of money to get a router that can match your needs. The key is to understand what a router can provide and decide what features are more important than the others.
Electric motor power
Most motors used for routers will draw between 3 and 15 amps. This will put the horsepower output at 1.5 to 3.5 HP. You will find that budget-friendly products often fall towards the lower end of the power range, which will be sufficient for many woodworking or DIY projects.
How many times the bit rotates each minute (RPMs) is also a statistic that many users apply to their power calculations. Variable speed motors can range between 8,000 and 26,000 RPMs, and you might be surprised to find that many of the best wood routers under 100 dollars are capable of these speeds.
Ergonomics
Weight is a factor for most hand-held routers, with heavy models creating more user fatigue. One advantage found with budget routers is that they are made from light materials and smaller motors, making them lightweight.
Ergonomic elements are added to some models and should not be overlooked. Padding and textured grips improve your ability to hold the router for longer periods of time. They may also help to reduce the vibration that will be transferred from the work to your hand.
Router bits
These power tools are measured in 1/4 and 1/2-inch collet sizes. The collet determines the size of the bit shank that the router can hold. Many of the cheaper router designs will use 1/4-inch bits.
That may limit the availability of larger bits you can use with one of these routers, but you should have an excellent range of bits for most beginner or intermediate woodworking projects.
Extras
Dust collection is something to think about, so look for adaptors that fit your shop vac hose. Also, soft start-ups will prevent the bits from jumping, and a brake circuit will save motor wear and speed up your workflow. A few battery-powered models are available for those looking to avoid depending on plugging into an outlet.
What Are The Trade-Offs?
Saving money does have its costs if that makes sense. What I mean is that you will have to trade in features that make work easier in order to save some money.
To begin with, many of the budget-friendly models are made from cheaper building materials that may not last as long. It won’t be an issue for casual users, but it might become a factor if you find yourself using your router a lot.
Motors will usually not generate lots of power. This may limit you later when you start to make deep cuts in harder woods, but you will be all right to start with.
You will be stuck with 1/4-inch router bits with most budget-friendly buys, but the torque needed for larger bits may be lacking with a smaller motor anyways.
Finally, the ergonomics might be lacking a bit, depending on the manufacturer.
Best Bang For Least Bucks
- Variable speed control dial (10,000 to 30,000 RPM) enables user to match the speed to the application
- Smooth rack and pinion fine depth adjustment system for more precise settings
- Slim and ergonomically designed body for increased comfort and control
You would not go wrong with any of the products reviewed here. That said, I do think that the cheap wood router I like the most is the Makita RT0701C Compact Router.
It might not have the largest motor, but the 1.25 HP should get through most edging and cut projects a new woodworker would need. You will still get a top RPM speed of 30,000, so smaller bits should cut smoothly as well.
It takes 1/4-inch router bits, a size that still offers plenty of selection while avoiding larger bits that the lower 10,000 RPMs might not work well with anyway.
A fixed base can be interchanged with additional base types that you can purchase separately. Finally, the bits can be changed quickly on this model, so you can keep a good workflow going without a lot of downtime.
If you need something more sophisticated, make sure to also check out the reviews of the best plunge routers and the best wood routers overall. I also have a review of the best router tables, so check that out also if you need one in your shop.
