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It really depends on what you're planning to do. If you only want to break an edge or cut a hole now and then, you don't need a high-quality router - a cheap one will do. But if you do woodworking regularly and want precise results, a better machine is definitely worth it. A good router is just more manageable, more precise with depth adjustment, and way less tiring to use than some cheap piece of junk.
The biggest advantage of a better router for me is the accuracy and stability. With a cheap machine, it wobbles more often, and you need more force to keep it under control - that's exhausting and dangerous. A high-quality router has better bearings, more stable guides, and that just makes the work safer and more pleasant. Plus, a machine like that lasts longer if you take care of it properly.
My rule of thumb: invest in a good machine if you're going to use it at least a couple times a month. If it's only twice a year, I'd save the money. And here's the thing - good accessories like bits and a proper dust collection system cost money too, so factor that in before you decide.
Don't buy a cheap router and then expect it to still be working a year later - that's the biggest trap. The cheap stuff from the hardware store vibrates like crazy, the collets don't hold properly, and if you want to cut grooves with it or need anything more precise, that thing will ruin your workpieces.
What a lot of people overlook: you don't need the most expensive machine, but a solid mid-range router with at least 1200 watts really pays off. Those things just last longer, cut cleaner, and you save yourself the rework later. If you're using it regularly - whether it's breaking edges, doing routings, tabletop installation - you notice the difference on every single project. A good machine will be with you for years, a cheap one you'll probably buy twice.
A decent router can easily run you 300-500 euros, and whether it's worth it really depends on how often you'll actually use it - if it's just sitting in the basement for 2-3 years, that's money down the drain. But if you're regularly working on projects, the investment pays off because cheap models start vibrating after a short while and the results just get frustrating.
I got myself a decent router a couple years ago and I keep realizing: the thing not only lasts longer, but the work is just way more fun because it doesn't constantly start vibrating and shaking you around. But what I didn't know before - a lot of hobbyists underestimate how important the right accessories are. A good machine without halfway decent bits or a proper guide rail doesn't get you very far, and that quickly costs another 100-150 euros extra. If you're really going to use it regularly, the investment pays off, but honestly: start small and borrow one from a friend or rent one from a tool rental place before you throw the money away.
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