Motherboards
The Best Motherboards Under $250 of 2026, Ranked
7 motherboards under $250 — ranked by ORA Consensus Score. How we rank →
Scored on:
Value for MoneyBuild & ErgonomicsConnectivity & PortsCompatibility ExperienceStabilityUpgrade Potential
The ranking
// 7 ranked by ORA Score- 1 ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) Best Overall Owners praise this motherboard for its robust build, extensive features, and stable performance, though many encountered initial setup challenges with drivers and BIOS updates, especially for 14th Gen CPUs. 7.9
- 2 MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Motherboard (AM5) Best Value The MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Motherboard family offers a robust and feature-rich foundation for AM5 builds, praised for its strong value and ample connectivity. While delivering solid performance, some users report challenges with initial boot times and occasional Wi-Fi inconsistencies. 7.5
- 3 MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Motherboard The MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Motherboard series offers a robust foundation for high-performance AMD builds, praised for its premium construction and future-proofing features. However, some users encountered initial challenges with network drivers, BIOS stability, and specific USB port functionality. 7.5
- 4 GIGABYTE X870 Eagle WIFI7 Motherboard (AM5) The GIGABYTE X870 Eagle WIFI7 Motherboard offers a strong value proposition for the AM5 platform, lauded for its straightforward installation and robust build, though some users report significant stability and connectivity issues. 6.4
- 5 ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W Motherboard The ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W motherboard offers strong upgrade potential and good value for mid-range AM5 builds, but owners frequently report significant stability and troubleshooting challenges. 6.1
- 6 GIGABYTE B550 AORUS PRO AX Motherboards The GIGABYTE B550 AORUS PRO AX series offers a feature-rich and often affordable option for AMD Ryzen builds, particularly for small form factor systems, but is significantly hampered by widespread connectivity issues and inconvenient design choices. 5.6
- 7 ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WiFi (AM5) The ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WiFi motherboard family offers robust build quality and excellent upgrade potential for AMD AM5 systems, but many owners report significant challenges with WiFi/Bluetooth driver support and system stability. 5.3
How they compare
// scored 0–10 on each dimension| # | Product | ORA Score | Value for Money | Build & Ergonomics | Connectivity & Ports | Compatibility Experience | Stability | Upgrade Potential | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi Motherboard (LGA 1700, DDR5) | 7.9 | 9.2 | 8.8 | 7.8 | 6.0 | 8.5 | 8.8 | $225.00 |
| 2 | MSI MAG B650 Tomahawk WiFi Motherboard (AM5) | 7.5 | 8.8 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 7.2 | 8.5 | $175.99 |
| 3 | MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi Motherboard | 7.5 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 8.5 | $227.99 |
| 4 | GIGABYTE X870 Eagle WIFI7 Motherboard (AM5) | 6.4 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | $169.99 |
| 5 | ASUS B650E MAX Gaming WiFi W Motherboard | 6.1 | 8.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 4.0 | 8.5 | $164.99 |
| 6 | GIGABYTE B550 AORUS PRO AX Motherboards | 5.6 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 6.5 | 3.8 | 7.8 | $189.99 |
| 7 | ASUS TUF Gaming B850-PLUS WiFi (AM5) | 5.3 | 7.4 | 9.3 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 9.5 | $227.99 |