The 7 Best Routers for Gaming Reviewed
A router is a necessity for every home these days with multiple devices, especially gamers. However, gamers need a better than average router to get the fastest speeds, like WiFi 6, which is fairly new to the market.
If you spent a ton of money to get the right gaming computer and monitor, it wouldn’t do you any good without the best router, modem, and internet plan. So while most people’s tech budget is stretched across everything from wireless cameras for their home to RV technology when they travel, one of the best bang for the buck purchases is a router.
Today, let’s focus on routers and the best options to give you the fastest speeds. Especially with so many people at home now using up more of the bandwidth, a good router will improve your connection to the internet.
Find the seven best options right here to get you online chatting, gaming, and enjoying life without technological hassles.
Best Routers for Gaming
1. ASUS RT-AX86U AX5700
Meet the future of routers with the ASUS AX5700 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX86U). Not only does it offer dual-band WiFi 6 but also lifetime free internet security. Gamers will love the mobile game mode and mesh WiFi support. It’s the router you need if you want ultrafast speeds, so your game never slows down.
With WiFi 6 (802.11ax), you get a router capable of speeds up to 5700 Mbps and 160MHz channels, as long as your computer or console is also capable of the same. With Mobile Game Mode, you can minimize lag and latency with the click of a button on the app. That’s right, the router includes an app for easy access to settings, including MU-MIMO settings.
Next, the router offers true 2Gbps wired and wireless speeds. The ASUS AiMesh support creates a flexible and seamless network for your entire house. It even comes with a commercial-grade home network security system with ASUS AiProtection Pro operated by Trend Micro. If you need to, you can use advanced parental controls too.
The router has won multiple awards for its best performance. Also, even if your devices don’t have WiFi 6, it’s backward compatible with WiFi 5 and others. Now you can game better by prioritizing via a gaming port, with a gear accelerator, and eliminate WiFi congestion and bottlenecks. The AX5700 is the ultimate gaming router, but of course, it comes with a high price to get all of the benefits.
For more information about this router, check out this video:
- New-generation WiFi 6 - Enjoy ultrafast speeds up to 5700 Mbps with the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and 160MHz channels.Power Supply : 19 V with max. 2.37 A current / 19.5 V with max. 2.31 A current. Antenna : External antenna x 3, Internal PCB antenna x 1.
- Mobile Game Mode - Minimize lag and latency for mobile gaming with just a tap on the ASUS Router app
- True 2 Gbps wired and wireless speeds - Aggregated 2 Gbps WAN connections, wired 2.5 Gbps port and WiFi 6
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click sharable secure VPN.
- Easy Extendable Network – Enjoy seamless roaming with rich, advanced features by adding any AiMesh-compatible router.
2. D-Link AX5400
With the D-Link WiFi 6 Router AX5400, you get an impressive router with voice control. If controlling your router with Alexa or Google Assistant, then you need this option. Yes, it’s pricey like the last option but comes with six antennas and impressive speeds. With WiFi 6 you get the fastest speeds possible and less network congestion.
The AX5400 is a little slower than the ASUS option above as it can only reach 4,800Mbps on the 5GHz band and 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. However, with the dual-band WiFi, you can have up to 6 simultaneous streams, including 4K, VR gaming, video chatting, and more. The router also includes OFDMA and MU-MIMO.
Furthermore, it’s designed to reduce interference in noisy WiFi environment for better efficiency. Get 4-gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and one-gigabit ethernet WAN ports too. It also has built-in USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports for shared storage. With Intelligent Quality of Service (QoS), you can prioritize network traffic too for an overly busy line.
Finally, the device is backward capable to ensure it works with all previous versions of WiFi. It’s a great option for people with a larger home as this router reaches further for better coverage. Get enhanced parental controls, too; all operated from the app on your tablet or smartphone. Use the app to test internet speeds using Ookla. All this and it still offers the latest security too for protection.
- Next-Gen Speed and Range: Combined speeds up to 5.4 Gbps. Get 5GHz band speeds up to 90% faster than the equivalent 2.4 GHz 11 each and up to 176% faster than the equivalent 5 GHz 11 Ac, for better 4K streaming, gaming and downloading.
- Exceptional Capacity: Connect more devices at faster speeds. Up to 4x greater capacity than 11 Ac, so more devices can connect at once.
- Made for the Smart Home: Better performance in device-dense environments. Up to 6 simultaneous streams deliver data to more devices with less latency.
- OFDMA: Combines multiple small packets into a single packet, so multiple devices can receive data simultaneously.
- Up to 6 Simultaneous Streams: Stream 4K content, game, and video chat to more devices at the same time without interruption.
3. TP-Link AC5400
The TP-Link AC5400 Tri-Band WiFi Gaming Router not only looks impressive with eight antenna’s on a square base but provides impressive features. It works with Alexa if you are looking to upgrade your house into a smart home. As it’s made with Gamers in mind, you can dominate the competition with powerful internet good enough for an entire house, including large families.
With the AC5400, you are battle-ready with a 1.8GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU, three co-processors, and 1GB of RAM. Also, you can connect multiple devices with speeds up to 5400Mbps on the 2.4GHz or two 5GHz bands. With Quality of Services (QoS), you can set the router to gaming mode to ensure a fast connection even with other people online.
The TP-Link router can multi-task, too, as it’s MU-MIMO and Airtime Fairness to serve multiple connections and evenly distribute WiFi for optimal performance. With a RangeBoost, you can strengthen reception and beamforming for targeted signals for your devices. Get double wired speeds and comprehensive security with powerful antivirus protection from cyber threats.
With Dynamic Optimization Engine, you can easily identify gaming traffic for a tactical advantage. It works with Geforce, too, for added stability. However, it’s lower on the list because it doesn’t work quite as well as advertised and customer service needs some improvement too. Lastly, it’s not WiFi 6, which is the current fastest available.
- JD Power Award- Highest in customer satisfaction for wireless routers 2017 and 2019
- Wi-Fi Router Made for Gamers: Leading edge 1.8 GHz 64 bit Quad-core CPU and 1G RAM accelerates loading
- 8 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN port, with Link Aggregation, you can team two ports to double connection speed
- AC5400 Tri-band Wi-Fi over one 2.4 GHz (1000Mbps) and two 5 GHz bands (2167Mbps), dedicate one band to gaming traffic.
- MU-MIMO and AirTime Fairness maximize total throughput and response rates.
4. NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro
The NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming 6-Stream WiFi 6 Router is a fantastic option with high ratings but, unfortunately, has an extremely high price. If you don’t mind paying and you love the NetGear brand, then definitely make this your number one option. Keep in mind, it does have some minor rebooting issues, which only happen for a small percentage of customers.
The big draw to this router is DumaOS 3.0 that has the ability to reduce ping rates up to 93 percent. With this option, you can reduce lag time to nothing for ultimate online gaming and smoother streaming. Not many routers come with an operating system designed specifically for gamers. Moreover, it’s ready to create the ultimate gaming experienced when paired with the PS5.
As the router provides lower latency and unparalleled speeds, you can get the full advantage of the WiFi 6 to destroy your competition. With wireless coverage at AX5400 dual-band, you get four times more speed than WiFi 5 devices. It’s backward compatible too and works with any gaming device you need too.
Add in advanced cybersecurity for supports with WPA2/WPA3 wireless security protocols. It also includes guest access, VPD, and NetGear Armor powered by BitDefender for full protection from viruses, malware, and data protection technology. Use the Nighthawk app to access all of your settings, including parental controls and much more.
- Powered by DumaOS 3.0. Reduce ping rates up to 93% and enjoy faster, lag-free online gaming and smoother streaming with this Router OS built especially for gamers
- Fast AX5400 dual-band WiFi 6 performance with up to 4x more device capacity than AC routers
- Works with any wired Ethernet or wireless gaming device including PCs, Xbox, PlayStation & Nintendo Switch consoles
- Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players and more with 4 x 1 G Ethernet ports
- Share a storage drive with any connected device using the 1 x 3.0 USB port
5. WAVLINK AC3200
If you need a budget option, pick the WAVLINK AC3200 Dual Band High Power Smart WiFi Router. It’s a fraction of the cost of the top three choices and a more uniform shape too. Despite the rectangular shape, the router still provides 8 antennas for superior range. Mind you, this is not a WiFi 6 router, but if your devices aren’t 802.11ax capable, it doesn’t matter.
The router does comply with 802.11ac WAVE2 standard for speeds up to 3167Mbps and one-gigabit ethernet for full speed. It also allows for more connected devices and a wider range of coverage. What makes this router special is it does beamforming efficiently to spread WiFi signals directly to the client instead of out in all directions to avoid multiple devices battling for connectivity.
Next, the router uses a built-in Broadcom 1.4GHz dual-core main processor making it great for both commercial and residential use and can work with co-processors for intelligent distribution. You get far-reaching WiFi coverage with this router, too ready to reach every corner of your home. Also, as an MU-MIMO router, more people can connect at the same time.
An LCD screen displays all the information you need to know, including a weather report along with device information. Use easy to access parental controls too. While the brand makes innovative products, their routers never quite work as well as advertised and often receive low ratings.
- 【Advanced Technology】MU-MIMO communicates with several devices at the same time to speed up connections. LED screen display at the top allows you to see the current network status at any time. Inserted dissipation board makes the router has a longer lifespan.
- 【Reliable Safe WIFI】Support PPTP and L2TP. Simple to build up safe Internet connection. Built-in DHCP server with automatic dynamic IP address distribution. Built-in firewall features IP and MAC filtering which flexibly controls online access and time. You can use the app to manage your guest WIFI, parental control and time control. WPA-PSK/ WPA2-PSK encryption.
- 【Super-Fast WIFI】Complies with the leading 802.11ac WAVE2 standard, this router provides WiFi speeds up to 3167Mbps (2.4GHz 1000Mbps + 5GHz 2167Mbps), allowing more devices connected in a wider coverage. Great for online gaming or 4K video streaming. NOTE: Not 3167Mbps at the same time.
- 【More Ports, More Connection】If you prefer a wired connection, this router boasts 1000Mbps LAN ports to provide a lightning-fast and lag-free experience. USB3.0 Port facilitates your sharing files & media with networked devices. It's recommended to use it as a router than repeater.
- 【What You Get】1 x 11AC Wireless Router, 1 x RJ-45 Networking Cable, 1 x Power Adapter, 1 x Quick Installation. We provide 12 months warranty and life-long technical support (by email) for this product.
6. Linksys AX1500
With the Linksys AX1500 MAX-STREAM Mesh WiFi 6 Router, you get a mesh option ready to expand with extra pieces so you can blanket your home in WiFi connectivity. It allows you to stream, game, and binge non-stop and adapt to your lifestyle instead of you adapting to your router. All this and includes an app for your smart device to control the settings.
Using WiFi 6, the router can provide speeds 4 times faster than WiFi 5 for up to 8k streaming. One router can support up to 1,700 square feet and over 25 different devices. Get gigabit WiFi speeds to every room in your house and even in the backyard. Moreover, with BSS (Basic Service Set) coloring technology, you can eliminate interference from your neighbor’s networks to strengthen your signal.
All of the controls are easy to set up, and you can access them from your phone. Even better, the software updates automatically, and you have access to features like parental controls, guest access, and more. Use Alexa to access your WiFi, too, without even opening your phone. It’s only lower on our list because the app isn’t as user-friendly as we would like, and it doesn’t come with any security measures, from what we can see.
- Covers up to 1700 sq. ft, handles 25plus Devices, and Speed up to 1.5 Gbps
- Powered by Intelligent Mesh Technology, easily expand full speed WiFi coverage
- Smarter Security with automatic updates, parental controls and guest mode
- Setup and control your network from anywhere with the Linksys App
- Share files and add external storage across your network with the USB 3.0 Port
7. NETGEAR AX1800
Save some money and still get WiFi 6 with the NETGEAR 4-Stream AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (R6700AX). It’s best for smaller homes or with a WiFi extender, though, as it can only cover 1,500 square feet. While it’s not the fastest option on this list, it provides more than enough for gaming, especially for those on a tight budget. Moreover, you can stream anything, including ultra HD, 4K, and even 8K. Upgrade your WiFi to first class without going into debt.
What we love about this option is it comes with advanced cyber threat protection for your home with NetGear Armor fueled by BitDefender. It also makes more bandwidth available for less congestion across all of your connected devices. All this, and it can transfer files, run games, stream movies, make video calls, and more at 1.8Gbps WiFi speeds.
Furthermore, the router is easy to set up to your modem and then to the Nighthawk app. Manage all of your settings, test internet speeds, and even monitor your data usage to make sure you stay in budget. You also get wired ethernet ports in case you want faster speeds for computers, gaming consoles, and streaming players. Get all the latest advanced technology, too, including a 1.5Hz quad-core processor, OFDMA, Beamforming tech, a firewall, and so much more.
Despite the low price, it doesn’t feel like you are sacrificing at all. You can even use Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control. However, customers had issues with customer support when they did encounter issues, which is more likely to happen with lower-end models such as this one.
- Coverage up to 1,500 sq. ft. for 20 devices.
- Fast AX1800 Gigabit speed with WiFi 6 technology for uninterrupted streaming, HD video gaming, and web conferencing
- Connects to your existing cable modem and replaces your WiFi router. Compatible with any internet service provider up to 1Gbps including cable, satellite, fiber, and DSL
- Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and more with 4 x 1G Ethernet ports
- NETGEAR Armor software provides an automatic shield of security for your WiFi and connected devices for real-time protection against hackers and added privacy with VPN. 30-day trial included
Buying Guide for Routers for Gaming
Take a look at some key features before picking which router is best for you.
WiFi 6 and WiFi 5
Surely as a gamer, you have seen the shift in computers, phones, tablets, more shifting to offering the newer and better WiFi 6. However, if you don’t own devices with 802.11ax capability, then you really only need to spend the money for a WiFi 5 router. Then again, upgrading to a WiFi 6 router now will save you in the long run when your electronics die and need replacing, and you ultimately end up with the new better WiFi 6 capable devices. As WiFi 6 is backward capable, why not just go straight to this better option? Just make sure you stay within budget as with time, the WiFi 6 options will go down in price.
Speed
As a gamer, you, of course, want the fastest router to keep up with your internet plan. More speed means you can game without lag time or disruptions. Even if you only have a couple of devices to connect to the internet, you are going to want a router capable of at least AC1500 (the AC stands for the WiFi and 1500 for the speed), but of course, an AX5400 is much much faster and ready to make all of your gaming dreams come true.
Range
Mesh routers are coming out now that can increase the range of your router and modem to every corner of your house. Not everyone needs a WiFi extender, but you do need to consider range before choosing a router. With WiFi 6 you get more range and better speeds without a lot of work. But before picking, figure out how many devices need to connect in different parts of the house to get the best speeds possible.
Questions About Routers for Gaming
What do MU-MIMO and OFDMA mean?
MU-MIMO is an acronym for multi-user, multiple inputs, multiple outputs. This is the evolution from single-user devices to multiple. It increases the number of antennas on a wireless router to receive and transmit for increased capability. You must have 802.11ac or 802.11ax protocol to support MU-MIMO. Essentially, it’s a new fancy way of saying multiple people can access the wireless network at the same time.
OFDMA is another acronym that stands for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access. It’s a fancy feature available with 802.11ax (WiFi 6) that allows for multiple users access points between multiple devices. It’s an upgrade to previous WiFi capability.
Should I get a dual router and modem combo?
Gamers need more flexibility than a combo router and modem combo offers. Getting separate routers and modems allows you more flexibility to upgrade as need and buy exactly what you need. Also, you get more control over settings when you purchase a separate router. However, a combination has a much lower cost, so if you don’t plan on getting technical with the settings, you can buy a combo router and modem to save money.
Do I need a smart router?
No, a smart router isn’t a necessity, but it sure is nice to have! Controlling the settings is much easier from a well-made app. Also, smarter routers make parental controls, guest access, and other settings easier to manage. Everything is more user-friendly on an app, which gives it a definite advantage. Furthermore, if you want to use voice control, then you will need a smart router to gain this feature. Before long, all routers will include an app as that’s the general shift in technology now, and we are happy to have the upgrade!
Conclusion
Gamers need a serious router ready to work with their modem and provide the best possible WiFi experience. If you already own WiFi 6 capable devices, it’s time to upgrade to the ASUS AX5700 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX86U). It’s the fastest option on the market, and the price is reasonable for what you get. Finally, it’s expandable too and comes with lifetime security protection making it the perfect router.