Best Router For Gaming
For serious gamers, a router is an absolute necessity for enjoying the full capabilities of their gaming setup. A good router is capable of delivering greater speed, a stronger connection, and improved security compared to other options like Wi-Fi extenders and mesh systems.
Not only does this make online gaming more reliable and enjoyable, but gamers can also benefit from features such as improved parental control that allows them to place limits on children’s access to certain content.
Additionally, routers provide added convenience with easier configuration and remote access options. Whether it’s playing against opponents around the world or just competing against friends in local tournaments, routers make sure gamers have an edge every time they fire up their console or hit play on their PC.
Top 9 Best Router For Gaming
1. TP-Link Archer AX11000 Next-Gen Tri-Band Gaming Router
The TP-Link Archer AX11000 is a revolutionary next-generation gaming router. With its tri-band Wi-Fi system and 11,000Mbps connection speed, gamers have no issue keeping up with the competition.
Its AIMesh technology ensures a stable connection, and its Enhanced Parental Controls give users control over what their children are allowed to access. Have multiple devices connected at once? No problem! The range of this router is outstanding, allowing for ease of use throughout your house or small business.
The TP-Link Archer AX11000 gives you ultra-fast gaming performance with robust security tools for ultimate peace of mind.
The Archer AX11000 was chosen as the Editors’ Choice due to its excellent performance, user-friendly interface, and abundance of I/O ports (eight 1GbE LAN ports, one 2.5GbE WAN connection, and two USB ports).
It’s one of the best all-around gamer routers on the market, despite being a large, expensive tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router with a lot of capabilities and high-quality hardware.
You might consider getting the AX11000 if your present router is struggling to keep up with your intensive online gaming. While not cheap, it provides fast throughput and a number of features designed to improve gaming experiences, such as the ability to prioritize gaming traffic with a single click, a latency-reducing Game Accelerator, diagnostic tools for determining the cause of any network issues, and a dashboard for setting up parental controls and protecting the network from virus infections, phishing attacks, as well as other malicious content.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to install | Bulky |
| Lifetime malware protection | Expensive |
| Lots of gamer-friendly settings | |
| Multi-gig WAN. Link aggregation | |
| Numerous ports | |
| Solid parental controls |
2. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300
Asus’s ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 gaming router is the perfect device for gamers who take gaming seriously. It combines the latest networking technologies with intuitive design and sleek style, making it easy to use and stylish enough to fit into any living room.
This router features next-generation Wi-Fi speeds, 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports, tri-band configuration, and advanced software designed especially for gamers.
It has built-in game acceleration which automatically alters its settings to reduce lag time while playing online games, ensuring fast and smooth online gaming experiences. Additionally, it also comes with robust VPN support that gives you secure access to your favorite gaming services no matter where you are in the world.
Whether you are a hardcore gamer or just enjoy occasional entertainment on your console or PC, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 will help you reach new heights in your gaming experience.
As a high-powered Wi-Fi 5 router with blazing-fast throughput and a plethora of additional connections, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 was developed specifically with online gamers in mind.
It has link aggregation capability, dual USB 3.0 ports, and eight 1GbE LAN ports, two of which are assigned priority for use with gaming PCs and consoles. Game IPS, Game Boost, and Game Radar are just a few of the features designed to improve your gaming experience that can be found on the ROG Gaming Center interface.
The GT-AC5300 might help you get back in the game if network lag is ruining your online experience. The 802.11ac router may only support Wi-Fi 5, but if you’re not using Wi-Fi 6 clients and have no plans to do so, this huge router will keep your network running smoothly and safeguard it from malicious software.
| Pros | Cons |
| Eight LAN ports | Expensive |
| Lots of gamer-friendly features | Middling file-transfer speeds |
| Slick user interface | Huge footprint |
| Speedy throughput performance | |
| Works with Alexa voice commands and IFTTT applets |
3. TP-Link Archer AX50 (AX3000) Dual Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Router
The TP-Link Archer AX50 Dual Band Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router is an ideal way to revolutionize your home network.
Its high speed and top-level performance allow you to remain connected on multiple devices at the same time, providing a reliable connection for streaming media, playing online video games, and browsing the web with ease.
Equipped with advanced features such as WPA3 encryption technology and OFDMA support, the Archer AX50 provides you with secure wireless networking as well as smoother streaming and reduced lag times when connected with multiple devices.
With its tri-band support, this router guarantees a seamless gaming experience that leaves no room for buffering or lagging. Get ready to enjoy a secure, lag-free network that has the power to transform your home into a digital playground of endless possibilities.
The Archer AX50 is our Editor’s Choice budget gaming router due to its excellent throughput performance, extensive signal coverage, and feature package often seen in more costly devices.
With four LAN ports, a USB port, and support for high-speed networking via link aggregation, this Wi-Fi 6 router is a steal at around $100 if you know where to look.
If you’re ready to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 but don’t have a lot of money to spend, the Archer AX50 is a great option.
Unlike its more expensive stablemate, the Archer AX11000, it does not feature fancy gaming dashboards or optimization settings, but it does provide the kind of performance required to overcome network lag, the bane of online gaming. It has parental controls, quality of service, and anti-malware protection built in.
| Pros | Cons |
| Anti-malware protection | Middling file-transfer performance |
| Easy to install | Doesn’t support WPA3 |
| Link aggregation | |
| Solid throughput | |
| Good signal strength performance | |
| Strong parental controls |
4. Asus ROG Strix GS-AX5400
The Asus ROG Strix GS-AX5400 gaming router is a great choice for serious gamers looking to get the most out of their online gaming experience. With tri-band Wi-Fi speeds up to 5400 Mbps, this router offers some of the fastest gaming connections currently available.
The router also features Gamer Dashboard with game boosting and network protection tools to ensure seamless connection quality during intense gameplay periods.
Additionally, it comes with powerful hardware including dual-core Processor, Neurodynamic Network Acceleration technology, and AiMesh for whole-home connectivity.
It’s no wonder why so many gamers are making the switch–the Asus ROG Strix GS-AX5400 is a top-of-the-line product that will make your gaming experience faster and better than ever!
As a high-quality midrange Wi-Fi 6 router, the ROG Strix GS-AX5400 is made to improve your time spent playing games online. It performed well in our throughput testing and was simple to set up, but it doesn’t have the multi-gig connectivity of more expensive routers like the TP-Link Archer AX11000.
However, this particular Asus offers a specialized gaming LAN port that automatically allocates more network resources to gaming PCs and consoles, and it also enables link aggregation for blazing-fast connections between devices.
The Strix GS-AX5400 isn’t just fast, but it also comes with a suite of optimization options that gamers will find useful. For example, the Mobile Gaming Mode increases bandwidth and minimizes latency when playing games on your smartphone or tablet.
The web-based administration console and the sleek, game-inspired mobile app make it simple to set up and monitor QoS policies for individual applications, view traffic reports in real-time, and implement comprehensive parental controls.
| Pros | Cons |
| Dedicated gaming port | Only one USB port |
| Easy to install | Lacks multi-gig ports |
| Fast throughput performance | |
| Gamer-friendly optimization tools | |
| Strong anti-malware and parental control software |
5. TP-Link Archer GX-90 AX6600 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
The TP-Link Archer GX-90 AX6600 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router is the ultimate high-performance router for gamers. Featuring advanced tri-band technology, this router is capable of delivering unprecedented speeds and performance, ideal for serious gamers who need a reliable connection.
With superfast Wi-Fi 6 support, an impressive number of eight Gigabit LAN ports, and high-capacity data throughput settings to keep even the most demanding online games running smoothly, this is the perfect solution for a cutting-edge gaming setup.
For those seeking the highest level of gaming performance available in terms of speed, stability, and responsiveness, the TP-Link Archer GX-90 fits the bill perfectly!
The Archer GX-90 performed admirably in our throughput tests and provided reliable Wi-Fi connectivity across our test home thanks to its combination of Wi-Fi 6 hardware, a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, eight antennas, and three radio bands.
You can use the router to set up a OneMesh network, and it comes with a number of useful features, including a 1GbE LAN/WAN port, a 2.5GbE LAN/WAN port, three 1GbE LAN ports, as well as a pair of USB connections.
If you’re an online player who wants to cut down on latency, the Archer GX-90 is a wonderful choice. It has lightning-fast speeds and a simple gaming dashboard with optimization options like Game Accelerator to prioritize gaming traffic, Game Diagnostics to check your network’s stability, and Game Protector to safeguard your home network from malicious software with TP-HomeCare Link’s software.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to install | Non-adjustable antennas |
| Gamer-friendly settings | Pricey |
| Lifetime network security | |
| Multi-gig connectivity | |
| parental control software | |
| Strong signal performance | |
| Strong throughput |
6. Netgear Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router (RAXE500)
The Netgear Nighthawk Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Router (RAXE500) is an exceptional piece of technology with modern, cutting-edge features that make it a world-class Wi-Fi router.
It sports the latest 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) wireless standard to support speeds up to 10Gbps, providing excellent coverage and reception throughout large homes and buildings.
With simultaneous dual bands of 160MHz, 8 Patented Antennas, and 4-streams across both networks, their data throughput is greatly increased for smoother streaming and more reliable connections for your gaming consoles, desktops, or any mobile devices.
The RAXE500 also offers advanced parental control options like Geo Filtering to ensure families can stay connected without compromising on safety measures while they safely access the internet, anywhere in the house.
The Netgear RAXE500 has one 2.5GbE port and five 1GbE ports with link aggregation. Although its $600 price tag may deter some, this futuristically built tri-band router showed very fast throughput and outstanding signal range in our performance testing.
For high-end gamers that need blazing-fast speeds and want to prepare their network for the future, the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is an excellent option.
The RAXE500 is equipped with a quad-core CPU that has been tuned for 8K video streaming and is built to handle strong network loads. It also features fast file transfer performance and is simple to control via a web console or mobile app, while network security software is an additional cost.
| Pros | Cons |
| High file transfer performance | Expensive |
| Link aggregation | Limited parental controls |
| Multi-gig LAN/WAN | No QoS settings |
| Speedy throughput | Subscription for Netgear Armor protection |
| Supports 160MHz channel bandwidth | |
| Utilizes 6GHz radio band |
7. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 is the perfect gaming router for even the most serious of gamers. Supporting Wi-Fi 6 and offering speeds of up to 10.8 Gaps, this router provides incredibly fast gaming performance with low latency and minimizes lagging that can ruin a competitive game.
It also comes equipped with an ever-expanding lineup of third-party devices including gaming platforms, consoles, and more to give gamers access to an unbeatable range of devices and content.
With advanced AI Mesh Technology, this router offers maximum coverage throughout your home, so you can stay connected even when devices are at opposite ends of the house! Overall, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 gives gamers near lightning-speed performance, extensive device compatibility and extreme coverage – making it the ultimate gaming experience.
Among the most costly gaming routers we’ve encountered, the ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 is also among the most cutting-edge. The Rapture’s high-end components allowed it to achieve scorching throughput numbers in our performance tests and provide robust 2.4GHz Wi-Fi to every room in our test house.
These components include a 2GHz quad-core CPU, Wi-Fi 6E circuitry that lets it to operate on the 6GHz radio band, a 2.5GbE LAN connector, dual 10GbE WAN/LAN ports, and four 1GbE LAN ports.
The Rapture GT-AXE16000 is your best bet if you’re in the market for a powerful router that features cutting-edge features. Superior performance, many fast network interfaces, and Wi-Fi 6E with 6GHz capability will set you back $700.
In addition to a user-friendly design that caters to gamers, it has lifetime parental controls, advanced QoS options, and network security software.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes with network-security | Very expensive |
| Fast throughput speeds in our tests | Middling file transfer |
| Gamer-friendly settings | Huge footprint |
| parental-control software | |
| Support for Wi-Fi 6E | |
| Three multi-gigabit ports |
8. TP-Link AC4000 MU-MIMO Tri-Band WiFi Router (Archer A20)
The TP-Link AC4000 MU-MIMO Tri-Band WiFi (Archer A20) gaming router is a one-of-a-kind device for serious gamers who need the ultimate in convenience, performance, and efficiency.
Working with all modern networks, this router provides users with an 8-core processor and 4 simultaneous streams of data at speeds up to 1.8 Gbps to ensure lightning-fast smooth online gaming experiences.
From the TP-Link Smart Connect technology, users are able to automatically optimize their network performance depending on the number of connected devices and the type of activity they are engaged in, including gaming.
With built-in network security and parental control features, gamers can play without worrying about their internet security, as well as being able to keep track of what their family members are doing online. This is a must-have for any serious gamer looking for an edge over their rivals.
The Archer A20 performed well in our tests, and its throughput was impressive, despite its usage of the more dated 802.11ac wireless standard. And it performed admirably in our file transfer testing, so you can be assured that it can handle even the largest downloads.
The Quick Setup Wizard makes setting up the router a breeze, and the user-friendly web portal makes network administration a breeze.
With more than enough Wi-Fi 5 power for online gaming, the Archer A20 also includes three years of TP-HomeCare Link’s software, which combines Trend Micro’s age-based parental controls with cybersecurity capabilities to help keep your network and connected clients secure from malware and other dangerous content.
Solid performance at a fraction of the cost of alternatives like the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300, which offers features like fancy game optimization options and a plethora of networking connectors.
| Pros | Cons |
| Alexa voice control | Middling 5GHz range performance |
| Anti-malware tools | |
| Easy to install | |
| Strong parental controls | |
| Very fast file-transfer speeds |
9. TP-Link Archer C5400X AC5400 MU-MIMO Tri-Band Gaming Router
The TP-Link Archer C5400X AC5400 MU-MIMO Tri-Band Gaming Router is an impressive device. It offers gamers a high-performance connection with high speeds and eight powerful external antennas that reduce latency and widen the signal range. Six high-power amplifiers provide increased Wi-Fi coverage in all corners of the household.
The four dedicated gaming LAN ports make it ideal for game consoles that require wired connections for optimal performance.
Plus, a 1.8GHz 64bit quad-core processor delivers better connections rivaling those found in coffee shops and airports while intelligent routing technology boosts streaming content and gaming experiences. No matter the arena of battle, this router puts players at the top of their game!
The Archer C5400X, a tri-band Wi-Fi 5 router, performed admirably in our throughput testing at both 2.4 and 5 GHz. The many connectivity options include a 1GbE WAN port, eight 1GbE LAN ports (two of which can be aggregated for high-speed networking), and two USB 3.0 connections.
Although it lacks the gaming-specific options you get with routers like Asus’ ROG Rapture GT-AC5300, the router comes with TP-HomeCare Link’s software, which includes parental controls, anti-malware, and QoS features.
The Archer C5400X is a good option for gamers searching for a smart Wi-Fi 5 router due to its many ports, fast throughput, and compatibility with Alexa and IFTTT applets.
The guest network can be activated and the LED lights turned off with just a voice command to Alexa, and applets can be set up in If Then That to prioritize a device and send an alert if a new one connects to the network.
| Pros | Cons |
| Built-in malware and anti-virus tools | Expensive |
| Fast throughput performance | Slow file transfer speeds |
| Lots of LAN ports | |
| Works with Alexa and IFTTT |
How to choose the right Router For Gaming? (Guide)
There are a few things to consider when selecting the best gaming router:
Range
If you’re a keen gamer, investing in a router that offers the right type of range can make the difference between an enjoyable gaming experience or one riddled with frustrations. Not only should you look for a router with decent coverage, but one that is designed specifically to keep up with your needs while gaming.
Look at routers with dual-band capabilities and ones that have features like MU-MIMO support; these features guarantee both improved latencies and increased transfer speeds to make sure your gaming experience runs as smoothly as possible. With any luck, the router you choose can give you the best possible performance for an unbeatable price!
Connection Stability.
When gaming online, your internet connection can make or break your experience. Many gamers understand the importance of a reliable connection, but may not be aware of how their router contributes to stability.
Finding a router that offers strong stability is essential for gaming; this includes considering factors like signal strength, multiple bands and dual-band capability, the range of an antenna, and more.
By doing research and being aware of the necessary specs for a gaming router, you can be sure to enjoy optimal performance and uninterrupted play when it matters most.
Security
When it comes to gaming on a home network, security is paramount. Whether you game competitively or just casually, securing your router will ensure the safety of your account and data.
Strengthening passwords and encryption keys are essential to protect the device from unwanted access. Researching safe methods for port forwarding can also help keep unauthorized access at bay while allowing routing information to travel through specific ports.
Additionally, set up separate guest access networks when sharing your router with multiple users and configure your firewall settings wisely to keep malicious agents and threats out of your network.
With these simple steps in place, gamers can ensure their router remains secure and that their online gaming experience is as safe as possible.
Features
When trying to decide which router to choose for an optimal gaming experience, it’s important to consider several features. Look for extreme range and high-powered antennas that provide Wi-Fi coverage throughout the entire home.
Bandwidth is also essential, so make sure the router includes support for gigabit wired connections and wireless speeds up to 10Gbps. Setting up complex network connections is often required with gaming routers and dual-core processors are a must for ensuring fast and reliable performance.
Finally, make sure the router has enough LAN ports for all of the devices you want to hardwire, as well as supporting VPNs, QoS technology, and device prioritization options.
By considering these features when choosing a router for gaming, you can ensure uninterrupted playtime with minimal lag regardless of where you set up your station in the house.
Processor Speed and Memory.
When gaming, it is important to consider processor speed and memory for the router. These two factors can make a huge difference in terms of the type of online gaming experience you’ll have. A faster processor means the router will respond quicker which translates to less latency during gaming.
Also, having a higher amount of memory allows the router to support more simultaneous connections as well as deal with larger downloads faster.
It is also beneficial to go for routers that allow you to apply updates and security settings straight from the router itself; thereby giving you an extra layer of safety while gaming. So when choosing your next gaming router, do not overlook processor speed and memory capacity!
Wireless protocol
When debating what wireless protocol to use for a router that is specifically designed for gaming, 802.11n should be the primary choice due to its increased speeds and greater range compared to other options.
The higher transmission rate of up to 500 Mbps provided by 802.11n allows many users on multiple devices to access the network simultaneously without suffering from a significant decrease in performance.
It also uses two frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5GHz) which makes it easier for gamers with audio or video streaming services to maintain fast data transfers and avoid interference or lag from nearby networks.
Furthermore, 802.11n has better security measures such as WPA2 Enterprise that can protect gaming activities from malicious intrusions or attacks without sacrificing reliability or speed, making it the best wireless protocol for routers for gaming.
Ports
With the rising popularity of online gaming, having a good router is essential. This can be true even if you aren’t an avid gamer. When shopping for a gaming router, it’s important to consider both the number of ports offered and the type of ports available.
Having enough usable ports and the right connections will let you hook up multiple devices and multiple gamers all at once for truly immersive gaming experiences. The wrong ports and too few ports can severely limit your possibilities when it comes to connectivity and the number of players; this could be detrimental to your gaming experience.
Do your research before deciding on a router for your gaming setup to ensure you’re getting maximum enjoyment from each play session.
Internet Speed
When it comes to selecting a router for gaming, the Internet speed is one of the most important factors. Fast download and upload speeds are necessary for a fluid gaming experience, especially if multiple users will be connected to the network at once.
If a gaming router isn’t able to provide the speed which users need, then lag or dropouts might be common occurrences. It’s crucial to do research when considering Internet speed for routers for gaming, in order to make sure that users have top-quality performance and reliability.
Ultimately paying attention to the details of your online speeds can result in a much better overall gaming experience.
The Ease of Setup and Operation
When it comes to finding the perfect router for gaming, setup and operation ease is a key factors to consider. The right router will not only help you get up and running quickly but also maintain an ongoing connection with minimal disruptions or hiccups.
Fortunately, there are many routers on the market today that come with user-friendly installation guides, letting gamers set up their systems in no time.
In addition, these routers often include additional features such as parental control settings and quality of service mechanisms that enable users to customize their gaming experience even further.
With the availability of so many options today, it’s easier than ever to find a router that is both easy to install and use for your particular needs and gaming preferences.
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Conclusion
With the massive amount of multiplayer games being released every day, it’s no surprise that having a reliable router for gaming is becoming increasingly important.
Not only do lag and latency get in your way as you compete with other players, but when playing on secure networks, you’ll want strong encryption to ensure a stable connection and to stop malicious attacks.
A good router will also provide you with more quality of service control over your gaming traffic to minimize lag and keep your game connections running smoothly.
Additionally, having a router designated specifically for gaming can help optimize the performance of your other devices by taking the strain off their network resources. For maximum online gaming success, investing in a good router just makes sense.
TP-Link Archer AX11000 Next-Gen Tri-Band Gaming Router is the top selection to take gaming to the next level. It is designed to provide superfast speeds and minimize lag, even when multiple devices are connected.
This router makes game streaming smoother and faster than ever with its powerful quad-core processor and three Wi-Fi bands for an unbeatable connection
