Krishi Chowdhary has half a decade of experience writing buying guides and product reviews for numerous leading technology websites. He spent two years writing for…
The best gaming routers assure you of the highest speeds and uninterrupted connectivity while you cruise through your favorite games. With the best router, you’ll be able to enjoy advanced QOS to prioritize gaming traffic, allocated bandwidth, and several customization options.
However, given the over-saturated market, finding a suitable gaming router can be time-consuming and challenging. That’s why we’ve researched and compiled a detailed review of the 7 best routers for gaming you can buy, based on criteria like pricing, speeds, bandwidth, number of ports, and customer support.
The ASUS RT-AX5400 VPN WiFi 6 is a top-shelf choice when looking for the best gaming router, owing to unmatchable features like AiProtection Pro, fast dual-band speeds, built-in VPN, and parental control. Here’s a quick look at all our top recommendations:
ASUS RT-AX5400 — The best overall gaming router with cutting-edge techs like “Mobile Game Booster” and “Game Device Prioritization,” ensuring efficient optimization of network resources.
NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE300 — A premium router for gaming consoles with superb speed and advanced WiFi 6E technology, meaning enhanced band extension. Ideal for large families and gaming hubs.
ASUS Zen ET8 2PK — A well-rounded and high-performance device that offers extensive coverage of up to 5500 square feet.
TP-Link Archer AX11000 — The fastest router with max speeds of up to 10Gbps. Also recommended for security-driven users for its malware protection.
WAVLINK AC1200 — The best budget Wi-Fi router that’s also next-gen and meets IEEE 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n standards, ensuring agility, performance, and reliability.
MSI Radix AXE6600 — A high-end and performance beast with top-notch motherboards, graphics cards, and an easy QoS setting for efficient network preference management.
TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro — A budget-friendly gaming router offering decent speeds. We recommend it for moderate gaming and household streaming.
Reviews of the Best WiFi Routers for Gamers
We’ll now discuss each of our top recommendations in detail, including their best features, pros, cons, and pricing, to help you make an apt choice as per your needs.
1. ASUS RT-AX5400 — Best Gaming WiFi Router for 2024
The ASUS RT-AX5400 VPN Wi-Fi 6 is the ultimate powerhouse designed for hardcore gamers. The device packs cutting-edge features like “Game Device Prioritization” and “Mobile Game Booster,” which efficiently optimize network resources for your gaming needs and further contribute to adrenaline-pumping, uninterrupted gaming sessions.
Its VPN software, on the other hand, allows you to enjoy enhanced online privacy and bypass geo-restrictions, meaning you can access content and games unavailable or banned by the government in your region.
Price
Band Class
Compatibility
Max Speeds
Dimensions
$179.99
Dual Band
Laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles
5400 Mbps
11.69 x 6.85 x 8.5 inches
For 360-degree device security, the ASUS RT-AX5400 is also equipped with AiProtection Pro, a commercial-grade security shield powered by TrendMicro, which rapidly detects and blocks malicious sites before you even click on them.
Its signal strength is notably robust, too. In fact, it effortlessly pervades the most formidable concrete walls, and despite the distance and physical barriers, the router maintains admirable bandwidth, ensuring a stable and dependable connection throughout.
The ASUS RT-AX5400 showcases impressive stability with respect to internet speed. It features a blazing Wi-Fi speed of up to 5400 Mbps which, though not the highest in the market, is high enough to ensure smooth gameplay and anti-lagging.
In addition, it comes with powerful WAN aggregation, which delivers bonded WAN speeds up to 2 Gbps. This is perfect for smart homes and small businesses, and of course, game consoles and PCs.
Note that the WAN aggregation and the device speed discussed earlier aren’t the same things. WAN speed refers to the speed of the network, while device speed refers to the device’s performance.
Along with advanced parental monitoring controls, the device also has a dual-band frequency that simultaneously supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for increased flexibility while using different devices.
Concluding, ASUS RT-AX5400 is a strong contender in the mid-range category with its high speed, specialized gaming features, and advanced parental controls.
2. NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE300 — Best WiFi Router for Gaming with WiFi 6E Technology
The NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE300 is a phenomenal home router engineered for superior performance and secure connectivity. It’s a premium product with advanced Wi-Fi 6E technology, providing higher speed and lower latency rates than Wi-Fi 6.
It surpasses our previous pick, the ASUS RT-AX5400, with its tri-band extension — an additional 5Hz band that increases the bandwidth for a better gaming experience and smooth 4K/8K video streaming.
This beast runs on a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, enabling the unit to deliver impressive Wi-Fi speeds up to 7.8Gbps. That’s a whopping 6.5x faster than Wi-Fi 5, so you’ll never need to worry about lag or buffering.
Price
Band Class
Compatibility
Max Speeds
Dimensions
$349.99
Tri-Band
Laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles
7.8Gbps
13.64 x 8.16 x 6.47 inches
When it comes to coverage, the router can serve a large area of up to 2,500 sq. ft., and it can run 40 devices simultaneously. This makes it ideal for large families and gaming stores.
Also, if you’re planning to swap your existing Wi-Fi router with the NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE300, the process will be a breeze. This versatile replacement is compatible with any Internet Service Provider plan up to 1 Gigabit. It can adapt to cable, satellite, fiber, DSL, and more, making it a flexible choice for varying home internet setups.
Beyond this, the router comes with a 30-day free trial of NETGEAR ARMOR, the manufacturer’s exclusive cybersecurity coverage, which provides advanced threat protection and real-time threat detection.
The only downside about the router is its paid parental controls. After a 30-day trial, you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription which adds up to the overall cost of the ownership. However, considering the features and performance of the NETGEAR RAXE300, you can easily overlook this little inconvenience.
Overall, the device brings robust speed, wide coverage, and cutting-edge precision to the table, making it a premium investment.
3. ASUS Zen ET8 2PK — Best WiFi Router for Long Range
The ASUS Zen ET8 2PK steps up as an exceptional contender in the premium router segment. It promises a comprehensive coverage of up to 5500 square feet, which is more than double the coverage of NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE300.
Beyond this, the router stands out with its impressive speed. Leveraging its tri-band network, the additional third band being 6 GHz, it peaks at 6600 Mbps. Moreover, this massive speed doesn’t come at the expense of stability.
Due to the 6 GHz band, it’s also interference-free, meaning it ensures a reliable backhaul connection between nodes for consistent performance. The router operates with wider channels and enhanced capacity — which translates into higher performance and lower latency, guaranteeing a seamless gaming and streaming experience.
Price
Band Class
Compatibility
Max Speed
Dimensions
$329.99
Tri-Band
Laptops, smartphones, gaming consoles
6600 Mbps
6.3 x 2.95 x 6.36 inches
Like the ASUS RT-AX5400, the Zen ET8 2PK, too, features TrendMicro-powered AiProtection Pro. In addition, it comes with the “Instant Guard” feature, which offers secure internet access with a simple click.
The mesh system allows connecting of multiple compatible ASUS routers, thereby creating a whole-home mesh Wi-Fi network. All devices in the mesh network enjoy features of the main router, including gaming features.
While the router is fitted with a generous number of ports, it isn’t as high as TP-Link AX11000. The ports include a 2.5Gbps WAN port, three 1Gbps LAN ports, and a USB 3.1 port, but what’s commendable is that it gives you the option for wired as well as wireless connectivity.
You can manage the router using the Asus router mobile app, which allows you to check connectivity, graphically monitor traffic, and customize settings with a simple click or tap. However, certain advanced settings, such as creating VPN profiles or configuring firewall settings, necessitate the use of the web console.
In a nutshell, if you’re looking for efficient yet powerful gaming Wi-Fi with extended coverage and you have the budget for it, the ASUS Zen ET8 2PK is a great option.
Pros
Suitable for big spaces with coverage of up to 5500 square feet
Superfast internet connectivity
One of the finest mesh routers with mesh back-haul
4. TP-Link Archer AX11000 — Fastest WiFi Router for Gaming
The TP-Link Archer AX11000 is an easy-to-install router that’s been designed with less tech-savvy users in mind. It delivers smooth performance on almost any game with its terrific speed of 10Gbps, the highest on our list.
Featuring a gamer-centric interface, this up-to-date router ensures fantastic control over your gaming bandwidth. It allows you to monitor real-time latency and resource utilization, and it even includes a game acceleration utility, a nifty tool that enhances your gaming experience.
Equipped with eight LAN ports and multi-gig WAN support, this router also offers extensive connectivity options. Plus, it features link aggregation, an attribute that greatly increases data transfer speed — particularly useful in demanding gaming environments.
Price
Band Class
Compatibility
Max Speed
Dimensions
$271.99
Tri-Band
PCs and gaming consoles
10 Gbps
11.3 x 11.3 x 7.2 inches
When it comes to security, the TP-Link AX11000 is right at the top with its lifetime malware protection. This feature acts as a consistent safeguard, protecting your network from potential threats and malicious sites.
Beyond this, the router flaunts a unique design element. It comes with eight non-adjustable, high-performance antennas coupled and an intuitive LED indicator system making it one of the bigger-sized routers on our list.
For network management, the router provides a ‘Game Center’ dashboard equipped with real-time monitoring tools. It displays upload and download activity, CPU and memory usage, and even the status of connected drives, allowing you to track multi-device connectivity for multiplayer games.
The Device Priority panel allows you to manage bandwidth allocation to connected devices with a simple click so that you can dedicate higher bandwidths for hard-core gaming.
On the downside, the device is relatively bulky — it’s going to eat up considerable space, so you’ll have to place it carefully. However, the device compensates for this downside with commendable speed, control, security, and user-friendliness.
Simply put, the TP-Link Archer AX11000 can be a stellar choice for gamers and high-demand network environments.
Pros
Unique design
Allows real-time monitoring of resource utilization
The WAVLINK AC1200 is a next-generation Wi-Fi router that meets IEEE 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers that dictate the reliability, speed, and range of your Wi-Fi network.
Designed to be an outdoor router, it can handle rigorous weather and boasts an IP65-rated weather-proof and heat-resistant case along with lightning protection, and its flexible installation methods make it easier to install it outdoors.
With dual-band capabilities like the ASUS RT-AX5400, the WAVLINK AC1200 delivers speeds of up to 867Mbps on 5GHz and 300Mbps on 2.4GHz. While this is a little underwhelming for hard-core gaming, it’s a fair deal for the router’s price point.
Price
Band Class
Compatibility
Max Speed
Dimensions
$118
Dual Band
PCs, smartphones, gaming consoles
867Mbps
7.08 x 1.9 x 1.9 inches
The WAVLINK AC1200 is also highly versatile when it comes to operational modes. You can choose between Router, Access Point, and Repeater. This allows the device to adapt to different connectivity requirements based on the intensity of the game you’re playing, which contributes to added efficiency and convenience.
This mid-ranged router also features integrated Power over Ethernet (PoE). This attribute offers a significant advantage in areas without readily available power outlets. Leveraging PoE, the router can combine power and network data into a single RJ-45 cable, which aids in simplified installation.
To facilitate high-speed data transfer, the device comes with dual Ethernet router ports — one 1000Mpbs WAN port and the other a 100Mpbs LAN port. Furthermore, the router’s high Power Amplifiers (PA) at 800mW ensure robust penetration and satisfactory coverage.
This makes it an ideal solution for larger houses or gaming hubs, and while the WAVLINK AC1200 isn’t as superior as some of our top recommendations, it offers decent performance. And what we love the most is that the provider excels in after-sales service.
Overall, it’s a reliable device from a customer-centric brand. The device ensures decent performance without asking you to break the bank.
6. MSI Radix AXE6600 — Best Wireless Router for Gaming
The MSI Radix AXE6600 is a flagship router with high-quality motherboards and graphics cards. It’s evident that the manufacturer wished to enter the fiercely competitive wireless router market with this product, going head-to-head with industry giants such as Netgear, Asus, and TP-Link.
The router has an AI QoS feature that lets you cycle through a range of presets to prioritize network traffic. This includes options for gaming, streaming, and productivity. Simply press the MSI button on top of the router for an efficient and straightforward approach to managing your network preferences.
With technological enhancements like OFDMA, beamforming, and MU-MIMO, the device also enhances its coverage of gaming networks to a large number of devices.
Price
Band Class
Compatibility
Max Speed
Dimensions
$349
Tri-Band
PCs, gaming consoles
6.6Gbps
13.3 x 8.8 x 7.8 inches
The MSI RadiX AX 6600 replicates the ASUS ZenWi-Fi ET8 with its 6600Mbps speed and tri-band coverage, the only difference being the former has a dedicated radio chip for each band which ensures lower interference and higher compatibility with gaming consoles and other devices.
Under its hood, the RadiX AXE6600 boasts a robust 1.8 GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor, complemented by a substantial heatsink and heat pipe arrangement. This setup effectively mitigates overheating, ensuring smooth operation and enhancing the router’s longevity for prolonged gaming sessions.
To push the boundaries of the conventional router aesthetic, the manufacturer has also extended the RGB support of the RadiX AXE6600 to its six antennas. This inclusion adds a dash of flamboyance and personalization to your setup.
Overall, the MSI RadiX is an impressive and reasonably-priced entry that showcases thoughtful features and design elements. Besides, it ensures seamless browsing, streaming, and gaming experience.
7. TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro — Affordable Gaming Router with Decent Speeds
The TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro is a budget-friendly solution tailored to meet the demands of household streaming and moderate gaming. Capitalizing on the power of Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, this router offers decent speed and reliability.
Most suited for small to medium-sized spaces, it has a decent connectivity range of around 90 feet. Moreover, OneMesh, the brand’s mesh capability, allows connection with extra satellites or routers for expanding the network range.
With data transmission speeds peaking at 2.5Gbps, the Archer AX55 Pro proves sufficient for multiplayer gaming. Its app, “Tether,” also allows management of the device’s QoS and makes setting it up pretty straightforward.
Price
Band Class
Compatibility
Max Speeds
Dimensions
$134
Dual Band
Personal Computers
2402 Mbps
10.28 x 5.31 x 1.61 inches
Beyond all this, parental controls and antivirus software are available under the HomeCare feature, but it’s a subscription-based service which is a little disappointing. However, features like WPA3 are offered irrespective of whether you subscribe to HomeCare.
The router is also pretty neat-looking, with a solid compact build and nice finishing. It has four Gigabit LAN ports, but there’s no multi-gig LAN port for devices requiring speeds of more than 1 Gbps.
For gaming enthusiasts seeking a more immersive experience, premium routers may provide additional benefits such as higher bandwidth, greater range, and faster speeds. However, the Archer AX55 Pro’s competitive price point makes it a valuable choice.
The absence of features prioritizing gaming traffic, typically found in pricier models, is unlikely to be an issue for casual gamers or standard home users. Despite its limitations, the Archer AX55 Pro’s four antennae ensure good coverage, enabling consistent connectivity in multiple areas of a typical home.
Overall, the TP-Link Archer AX55 Pro delivers stable performance for its price point and is a good choice for smaller spaces for its ease of setup and compact size.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Gaming Router
Wondering how we zeroed in on the best gaming router? Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a gaming router:
Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 routers: Key Differences
Wi-Fi technology has evolved over the years. The two prominent standards are Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). Understanding the differences between these standards is crucial for selecting the right router for your needs.
Wi-Fi 5, also known as 802.11ac, was the previous generation standard. Theoretically, it offered decent performance with a maximum speed of 6.9 Gbps, although real-time average speeds were around 200 Mbps. Wi-Fi 5 routers used four antennas for beamforming and supported MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technologies, allowing up to four simultaneous transmissions.
However, power consumption was higher compared to Wi-Fi 6, and it lacked advanced features like Target Wake Time (TWT) for power conservation. To summarize the differences, the table below highlights key features and specifications of Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 routers:
Key Differences
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Name of Wi-Fi Standard
IEEE 802.11ac
IEEE 802.11ax
Power Consumption
Higher power consumption
Lower power consumption with Target Wake Time (TWT) feature
Network Security
Supports WPA and WPA2 protocols
Supports WPA, WPA2, and WPA3 protocols with enhanced security features
Speed
Maximum speed up to 6.9 Gbps (real-life average around 200 Mbps)
Maximum speed up to 9.6 Gbps with better performance in congested networks
Beamforming
Uses four antennas for beamforming
Uses eight antennas for improved data rate and range
Uses Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) for increased efficiency and reduced latency
MU-MIMO
4×4 MU-MIMO capacity for up to four simultaneous transmissions
8×8 MU-MIMO capacity for up to eight simultaneous transmissions
Frequency Bands
Uses only the 5GHz band
Uses 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and in Wi-Fi 6e, the 6GHz band for better coverage and less interference
BSS Coloring
Not applicable
Utilizes BSS coloring to prevent overlapping signals
Latency
Higher latency
Lower latency for faster data transfer
Speed and Bandwidth
When it comes to gaming, a fast and stable internet connection is essential for seamless gameplay. Look for a router with high-speed capabilities, such as Wi-Fi 6 or AC3200 or higher specifications. These advanced routers provide faster data transfer rates, which directly translates to reduced latency and quick response times during gameplay.
Additionally, consider routers with dual or tri-band capabilities. These routers allocate separate bands for gaming traffic, minimizing interference from other devices on your network and optimizing bandwidth allocation for a smoother gaming experience. This ensures that your gaming sessions are uninterrupted by lag or slowdowns.
Quality of Service (QoS)
Quality of Service is a crucial feature that allows you to prioritize gaming traffic over other network activities. With QoS, you can allocate more bandwidth to gaming applications, ensuring they receive priority access to network resources. This helps reduce lag and provides a smoother gaming experience.
When selecting a gaming router, look for models that offer advanced QoS settings, such as customizable application prioritization or bandwidth allocation. These features allow you to fine-tune your network settings to optimize gaming performance according to your needs.
Low Latency and Ping
In online gaming, latency and ping are critical factors directly impacting responsiveness and real-time interactions with other players. Choose a gaming router with optimized firmware and advanced features to minimize delays and ensure smooth gameplay on the best gaming monitors or your console. Also, look for routers that offer dedicated gaming modes or gaming accelerators that prioritize gaming traffic.
These built-in features actively reduce latency and ping times by optimizing network settings and prioritizing gaming packets over other types of traffic. Investing in a router with these gaming-specific optimizations allows you to enjoy a more responsive and lag-free gaming experience, enhancing your competitive edge and overall gaming enjoyment.
Network Stability and Range
A stable and reliable network connection is crucial for uninterrupted gaming, regardless of the size of your home or the distance between your gaming desk or setup and the router. When choosing a gaming router, look for models with muscular signal strength and excellent range.
Ones with multiple antennas and beamforming technology can enhance the coverage by focusing the signal directly toward your gaming devices, minimizing signal loss and ensuring a more stable connection.
Additionally, consider routers with mesh networking capabilities. WiFi mesh systems use multiple nodes placed strategically throughout your home to extend the coverage and create a seamless network environment to ensure a stable and consistent connection.
Security Features
Security is paramount in online gaming, as it involves sharing personal information and connecting to gaming servers. Look for gaming routers that prioritize security and offer robust features to protect your network and personal data. Ensure that the router supports the latest security protocols, such as WPA3, which provides enhanced encryption and protection against unauthorized access.
Built-in firewalls also add an extra layer of security by monitoring and filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic. Beyond this, VPN support lets you establish a secure connection when gaming on public Wi-Fi networks. Additionally, consider routers with advanced parental controls that enable you to manage and restrict access to specific websites or set time limits, ensuring a safe and controlled gaming environment for younger players.
Ports
Consider the availability and type of ports when choosing a gaming router. An ample number of ports allows you to connect multiple devices directly to the router, such as gaming PCs, consoles, or streaming devices. Look for routers with Gigabit Ethernet ports, as they offer high-speed wired router connections for optimal gaming performance.
Additionally, having USB ports can be beneficial for connecting external storage devices or printers. Some advanced gaming routers may even offer dedicated or prioritized specific ports for gaming traffic, ensuring low latency and smooth gameplay.
Pricing
Price is an essential factor to consider when buying a gaming router. Determine your budget and look for routers with the best value. It’s essential to strike a balance between your budget and the features you require.
Consider your specific gaming needs and prioritize the factors that are most important to you, such as speed, range, and security. There are often options available at different prices, so research and compare various models to find the best gaming router that fits your budget without compromising essential features. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you might also check out our list of all-purpose WiFi routers.
Conclusion – What’s the Best Router to Buy for Gaming in 2024?
Our list of the best WiFi for gaming has something for all your gaming needs. Whether you’re looking for a budget option with limited speed and bandwidth requirements or need a high-speed, unlimited-bandwidth router — our list won’t disappoint you.
However, the ASUS RT-AX5400 VPN WiFi 6 is an all-season choice based on features like AiProtection Pro Network Security, the built-in VPN, Instant Guard, and high dual speeds. Get it now for a seamless gaming experience.
Gaming routers indeed make a significant difference in gaming. While standard routers can handle most online games, gaming routers elevate the gaming experience to another level. With faster speeds and optimized performance, they ensure smoother gameplay with reduced lag and faster response times.
What is the fastest gaming Wi-Fi?
The Asus TUF Gaming AX5400 is an excellent choice for gamers seeking the fastest Wi-Fi. With dual-band Wi-Fi 6 technology, the speeds can reach as high as 5.4Gbps, ideal for most home broadband services. Priced under $200, it also offers excellent value. It combines affordability, top speeds, and advanced features, making it a top contender for gamers.
What router speed do I need for gaming?
The router speed you need for gaming depends on the type of games you play and the number of players sharing the connection. For smooth online multiplayer gaming, a minimum download speed of 3 Mbps and an upload speed of 1 Mbps is recommended. However, to ensure optimal performance, especially in games with high resource requirements like first-person shooters, it’s advisable to have higher speeds.
Will a gaming router reduce lag?
A gaming router plays a crucial role in reducing lag during gameplay by optimizing network performance, minimizing delays, and improving responsiveness. They achieve this by selecting the most efficient server based on performance rather than proximity alone.
Are expensive gaming routers worth it?
Expensive gaming routers offer a range of advantages for those seeking the ultimate Wi-Fi experience. They provide unparalleled stability, significantly lower latencies, and notably higher speeds than standard routers. They’re specifically designed to optimize gaming performance, with features such as prioritized traffic, customizable settings, and enhanced network security.
What’s the best budget gaming router?
With its impressive capabilities, including dual-band Wi-Fi, fast speeds, and reliable connectivity, the ASUS TUF Gaming AX5400 is an excellent choice for gamers on a budget. Part of the acclaimed TUF lineup, it brings top-notch performance features similar to the more expensive ROG routers but at a fraction of the price.
Krishi Chowdhary has half a decade of experience writing buying guides and product reviews for numerous leading technology websites. He spent two years writing for Business2Community.com before joining Techopedia.com. He has a degree in Commerce and extensive experience in the technology industry. He's also the key driver behind TechReport.com's news content, delivering expertise insight into the latest tech and cybersecurity news daily.
