The best gaming routers on the market.
While there are plenty of Wi-Fi routers on the market, only some of them ensure a stable connection. Besides, some models support a limited number of devices, which makes them less suitable for people who have a large family. If you notice that loading games takes too long or face other connection issues, it might be a smart idea to purchase the best gaming router that supports a wireless connection.
It might be challenging to find a reliable Wi-Fi router with a high-speed connection and a sufficient range. While experienced users will cope with this task pretty quickly if they know what they are looking for, novice gamers might need to learn more about various models first. Manufacturers often use acronyms when describing the specifications of a router, which is why you need to know what they stand for.
The actual connection speed might differ from the estimated one so it’s better to learn more about various WiFi routers for gaming before making your choice. To facilitate this task, I have compiled a list of the best models available on the market now.
Speed: 1750 Mbps | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Features: Compact| Item Weight: 3.46 lbs
With the ROG Rapture GT-AC2900, you can enjoy an immersive gaming experience even when you play recent AAA titles. Thanks to a reliable Wi-Fi connection, this router is perfectly suitable for playing action-packed games. If you prioritize a good design, you will appreciate that this router supports Asus Aura lighting that can be easily customized depending on your preferences.
You can adjust various lighting effects and even synchronize them between different devices. If you don’t want to use a wired router for gaming, you can opt for this wireless model.
Speed: 1750 Mbps | Connectivity: wired and wireless | Features: Works with Alexa | Item Weight: 0.93 pounds
The AC1750 has a 3x faster Wi-Fi connection than other similar models and supports streaming in 4K. Thanks to Dual-Band Wi-Fi support, you can connect your 2000 dollar gaming PC and other devices to the Internet at the same time. Your connection will be secure as this router supports WPA/WPA2 wireless encryption.
Besides, it comes with handy parental control features and allows you to manage guest access rights. Since it supports Alexa, you can turn on/off guest Wi-Fi by using voice commands. To set up this wireless gaming router, make sure to use the Tether app that allows you to configure settings remotely.
Speed: 5334 Mbps | Connectivity: wireless | Features: Powered by Trend Micro | Item Weight: 7.06 pounds
The ASUS GT-AC5300 is a great router that will make you forget about any Wi-Fi connection issues. You can save money by buying different models from Asus and using their components as replacements. In this case, you won’t need to get rid of your old router after you replace it with a newer model.
The Asus GT-AC5300 runs on a 1.8GHz 64bit quad-core processor that can cope with even the most demanding tasks, which makes it the best gaming router at this price range. This router comes with VPN Fusion support, which allows you to use a VPN and regular Internet connection at the same time.
Speed: 2167Mbps | Connectivity: wireless | Features: WORKS WITH ALEXA | Item Weight: 3.00 lbs
The TP-Link Archer C5400 is a high-end three-band router that comes with 3 co-processors for handling one 2.4GHz band and two 5GHz bands. The maximum connection speeds for these channels reach from 1,000 to 2167 Mbps. All Ethernet ports (1 WAN and 4 LAN) are Gigabit ones. Besides, it’s fitted with two USB ports (2.0 and 3.0). The TP-Link Archer C5400 is pretty similar to the earlier version in terms of design. However, it has different dimensions (230x230x43 mm against 200x200x39 mm) and more high-performance antennas (8 against 6).
The antennas can be rotated 90 degrees. This home router for gaming has a rectangular shape and is made of durable matte plastic. As it has many vents, the device won’t overheat. Its height is small even if you place all the antennas straight upward. However, it’s better to find a special place for it since it will take up too much space on your table. You will find all the ports on the back panel. The front panel features status indicators and control buttons. It has the same hardware components as the Archer C3200.
Speed: 400Mbps | Connectivity: cable | Features: COMPATIBLE WITH ALL MAJOR CABLE| Item Weight: 4.39 pounds
With this router, you will enjoy a speedy connection thanks to Wi-Fi 6 support. It is fitted with a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem, which allows you to use an ultra-fast multi-Gigabit Internet connection. The router comes with a set of advanced features, such as link aggregation, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and multi-device support.
This next-generation solution is perfectly future-proof. With the connection speed reaching 2Gbps, you can play intense games and enjoy HD streaming.
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
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ASUS ROG
Our Choice
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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TP-Link AC1750
For gaming
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CHECK PRICE → | |
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ASUS GT-AC5300
Compact
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CHECK PRICE → |
Before selecting a router, you need to learn more about its specifications. High CPU speed allows your gaming router to transmit data more quickly and ensures that you won’t notice any performance lags after connecting your device. If you use a powerful processor and have a large amount of RAM, the connection quality will be at the top-notch level.
This notion refers to the time it takes for the data packet to reach the game server. For a more enjoyable gaming experience, network latency should be quite low.
It’s better to purchase a gaming router with its latency ranging from 20 to 30 ms. If it is more than 150 ms, you will experience lags when playing action-packed games. It might result in worse image quality, missing frames and slow response.
While there are plenty of impressive gaming routers available, your local ISP might offer you a decent alternative.
Some Internet provides offer its clients to rent or purchase a modern router. While renting might be pretty expensive in the long run, it’s a great option for those who need to quickly replace an old router with a new one.
When choosing a model, pay attention to its specs and pick a reliable gaming router that comes at an affordable price. There is no reason to shell out your money on expensive models. Think carefully about your budget as it will help you narrow down your choice.
You will need to spend at least $200 to purchase a good gaming modem that provides a reliable connection. If you find a more expensive model that is perfectly suitable for your needs, it’s better to buy it to avoid future upgrades.
It’s not necessary. While a high-speed router allows you to achieve a more stable connection, there are plenty of less expensive routers that offer Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection at a lower cost.
If you want to save money in the long run, then yes. You will need to pay for a rented router every month. While your Internet provider might offer you to rent an affordable model, you will still spend more in the end. This is why it’s better to purchase your own router.
High speed is a must for those who plan to stream games. It will guarantee that you won’t experience any lags. For more immersive gaming, you need to have upload speeds of 5 Mbps or more. Downloads speeds should be 50 Mbps or higher.
Yes. It will suffice to have10-15 Mbps for basic tasks, but you will need more for playing games, watching online videos or connecting to the Internet from multiple devices. You can purchase a router with 1000 Mbps Internet speed. Some routers have lower speeds that can occasionally drop to 3 Mbps.
You should consider the following factors when selecting a router:
Speed and Performance: Look for routers that offer high-speed performance, preferably with support for the latest Wi-Fi standards. This ensures faster data transfer rates and lower latency, which is crucial for gaming.
Dual-Band or Tri-Band: Opt for a router that supports dual-band or tri-band frequencies. This allows you to separate gaming traffic from other network traffic, reducing interference and improving gaming performance.
Quality of Service (QoS): QoS prioritizes gaming traffic over other network traffic, ensuring a consistent and stable connection for gaming. Look for routers with advanced QoS features that allow you to prioritize gaming packets.
Low Latency: Latency is the delay between your actions in the game and their execution. Choose a router that offers low latency, as this helps reduce lag and improves your gaming experience.
Range and Coverage: Consider the size of your gaming area and the router's range. Look for routers with good coverage and signal strength to ensure a stable connection throughout your gaming space.
