If you want top-notch performance when playing online games, one of the finest gaming routers may be exactly what your gaming station or game room needs.
Online gaming requires a quick and steady connection whether you’re aiming to win the battle royale or are battling it out with buddies in a raid. For consistent gameplay even when other people and gadgets in your home are fighting for bandwidth, your router must always keep that connection open.
Gaming routers offer more than simply deliver constant speeds; they also reduce network lag so you can play uninterrupted by lag and lengthy load times.
Additionally, bandwidth prioritising ensures that your game won’t be hampered by a household member using Netflix or making a video call.
Additionally, gaming routers allow for more customization than the majority of consumer routers. To prevent malware from interfering with your upcoming gaming session, they even offer more robust security safeguards.
For more information on this robust router for streaming and our other top choices for the best router for gamers, continue reading below.
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20 Best Wi-Fi Routers For Gamers And Streamers In 2022
1. Asus RT-AX86U
First up is the first gaming router I’d generally suggest, and one I’d actually suggest to just about anyone. Our previous best router recommendation, the Asus RT-AC86U, has been replaced by the Asus RT-AX86U.
Because of its quick, consistent speeds, great array of features geared toward gamers, and strong performance in our latency testing, we enjoyed the previous model. The RT-AX86U, which debuted in 2020, offers identical features and adds support for Wi-Fi 6 for a stated price of $280. Although that’s hardly cheap, more glitzy gaming routers can cost $400 or more.
The RT-ability AX86U’s to manage latency is perhaps its greatest strength.
2. Netgear Nighthawk XR700
The Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 is an excellent upgrade from the XR500, which we found to be the fastest router we’d ever tested (opens in new tab). Both belong to the manufacturer’s “Nighthawk Pro Gaming” networking product range, however the XR700 is quicker than its forerunner.
With one WAN port, six LAN ports, link aggregation support(opens in new tab), and even a 10 Gigabit LAN SFP+ socket for absurd Ethernet capacity, the XR700 has a lot of the proper elements. Let’s get this over with.
3. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is intended to be the “best of the best” gaming router in its class, and judging by the technical specifications, it more than lives up to expectations. It offers a lot and builds on the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300, the previous router in its series, by using Wi-Fi 6 technology.
Although this router has four Gigabit LAN ports and a dedicated 2.5G Base-T port for better wired bandwidth, we prefer the eight ports that other Asus routers provide (opens in new tab).
This Wi-Fi 6 tri-band solution provides more than 10 gigabits of wireless bandwidth in addition to DFS bands to prevent interference.
4. TP-Link Archer C5400X
With new arrivals like the Netgear XR500 earlier this year and the Linksys WRT32X last year, gaming routers remain a significant market sector. While a conventional router may be adequate for some applications, lower-end equipment will inevitably falter when faced with the demands of high-quality video and gaming—especially when used concurrently.
A similar transition has occurred to mesh router packages, which provide better coverage for larger households, but none of them are (yet) specifically designed for the gaming sector. Among other advanced features, a higher-end gaming router can provide faster throughput rates, a better Quality of Service to sustain a video stream while keeping gaming latency low, and additional wired connections.
5. Netgear Nighthawk AX4
The Nighthawk AX4 is a great example of what Wi-Fi 6 can do, even on a more affordable router, as this specification spreads through product lines. The Nighthawk AX4 lacks the high-end gear’s bright colourful stripes and LEDs. It is horizontally oriented, features four Gigabit LAN connections, one USB connector, a row of green indication LEDs, and two external antennas.
The interface is handled by the Nighthawk app, though it can also be accessed through a web portal. The latter is more generic because it uses the more well-known Netgear OS rather than DumaOS. Additionally, there is QoS (which may be easily turned on or off) for gaming.
6. Netgear Nighthawk XR1000
With Wi-Fi 6 speeds, the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000 is a potent router that outperforms the majority of other gaming routers with exceptional speeds and top-tier gaming features. Also, with a wealth of customization choices and built-in security, the Netgear’s high-throughput, low-latency architecture offers both excellent Wi-Fi 6 performance and hacker protection.
Couple with a range of 105 feet, it’s also perfect for somewhat larger homes because it can easily cover the excess space that other routers couldn’t quite cover. The XR1000 is one of the best gaming routers we’ve ever seen, so if your existing router can’t keep up with your gaming skills, consider upgrading.
7. Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852)
A single router might not provide you with the necessary Wi-Fi coverage if your home is large. You need a mesh router in those situations, which connects multiple nodes to form a single, seamless network that can reach the biggest residences. However, mesh routers that are made expressly for gaming are rare.
The Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 (RBK852) is a fantastic mesh router that offers the best throughput in the mesh category, despite the fact that it might not have all of the unique features that dedicated gaming routers do. The Orbi mesh router is the one we suggest for gamers because of its simple setup and Wi-Fi 6 speeds.
8. Asus RT-AC86U
The RT-AC86U router from Asus may not be the best at short range, but its excellent range more than makes up for that. The RT-AC86U is an 802.11ac router that offers a fantastic balance of performance, security software, and gaming enhancements. It is unmatched in its class for both value and performance.
The dual-band gaming router features plenty of customization options, lifelong Trend Micro internet security, and some of the greatest performance you can find for less than $200. And even while other more expensive Wi-Fi 6 devices perform better, the RT-AC86U can give every member of the family a secure and moderately quick online experience.
9. TP-Link Archer AX6000
Our top pick for a cheap Wi-Fi 6 router is the TP-Link Archer AX6000 if you don’t believe that you need specialised gaming features but still need the performance required for online gaming.
The Archer AX6000 is the most cost-effective Wi-Fi 6 device of the first generation, costing about $100 less than other Wi-Fi 6 versions while providing excellent connectivity and good throughput thanks to eight LAN ports.
It won’t provide you with the comprehensive quality of service controls that a gaming router would, but it will still provide reliable gaming performance that easily outperforms that of earlier 802.11ac models. Additionally, the TP-Link Archer AX6000 has built-in security, providing performance and protection.
10. Asus RT-AC5300
The Asus RT-AC5300 first has an alien-like appearance because to its angular shape and eight antennas. Although it is a little bigger and bulkier than other wireless home routers, it is jam-packed with cutting-edge capabilities and offers excellent performance.
Due to the tri-band router’s two 5GHz bands and one 2.4GHz band, you can give various streaming devices the optimum speeds. You may stream from numerous devices simultaneously without any lag or interruption when you combine it with the Multi-User Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) capabilities of the Asus.
11. Netgear Nighthawk RAX200
Another futuristic wireless router with a tonne of cutting-edge features and capabilities is the Netgear Nighthawk RAX200. Instead of numerous adjustable antennae, this router’s design differs in that it has two sizable vertical fins. Despite the fact that the router is still larger than other options, this helps to streamline the design a little more and reduces the footprint. A multi-gig LAN port that offers connection speeds up to 2.5Gbps, four LAN ports for connecting numerous streaming devices, and two USB 3.0 connections are further remarkable design elements.
You would be hard pressed to find a wireless router with better performance. The Nighthawk RAX200 delivers both short and long ranges, as well as lightning-fast throughput.
12. TP-Link Archer A7
A dual-band wireless router, the TP-Link Archer A7 offers both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. While tri-band capabilities is preferable, this works just fine in smaller houses with fewer streaming devices. We advise reserving the 5GHz band for your streaming devices and the 2.4GHz band for all other devices in order to obtain the optimum performance.
For such a cheap alternative, the Archer A7 performs surprisingly well in terms of throughput speeds. You won’t have any trouble using this router to maintain your ISP’s high speeds if you have them. The internal user management options on the Archer A7 also caught our attention.
13. Netgear Nighthawk RAX40
Instead of adopting the futuristic design aesthetics that so many gaming devices do nowadays, the Netgear Nighthawk RAX40 offers a sleek, low-profile form factor that can easily fit in any room of your house. It has two sizable antennas, which are regrettably fixed and otherwise undetectable. Four gigabit LAN connections and one USB 3.0 port are located on the back of the router, which is the modern standard for routers. The router can also be mounted on the wall for extra versatility, and installation is simple.
Overall throughput and performance are where the Nighthawk RAX40 excels. This router supports the most recent advancements in wireless internet technology and is Wi-Fi 6 compliant.
14. D-Link DIR-882
Although it may not be the most glitzy or feature-rich option on the market right now, the D-Link DIR-882 Wi-Fi router for streaming provides quick and dependable performance in every situation. It is the finest router in our buying list for streaming 4K content because of this.
A dual-band router for streaming, the DIR-882 provides reliable performance on both its 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Both bands function best at close range, however the 5GHz band speeds start to drop at further distances. However, you won’t notice a performance difference while connecting several devices to the router thanks to beamforming and MU-MIMO capabilities.
It’s also important to note the D-Link DIR-882 router’s general style and physical factor.
15. TP-Link Archer A20
Large houses are the only ones for which the streaming TP-Link Archer A20 router was designed. This tri-band router has a tonne of cutting-edge capability to reliably distribute the signal throughout your entire home across a wide range of devices.
To begin with, the TP-Link provides you with two 5GHz bands, a 2.4GHz band, and MU-MIMO capability so you can easily connect a number of devices to your home network without worrying about congestion. Additionally, you may select which of those devices receives the quickest internet through the Quality of Service (QoS) options that are available. You can prioritise your streaming devices in this way to enjoy entertainment without any pauses.
16. Amazon eero Pro
The Amazon eero Pro is a mesh router that provides unbelievably quick speeds and superb all-encompassing coverage throughout your entire home, regardless of its size. The mesh router has three separate units that you may place all over your house and each of which emits a wireless signal. Additional devices can be added for more thorough coverage at an additional expense. The eero Pro even has Alexa compatibility so you can connect new devices using voice commands. Installation is incredibly simple.
The eero Pro features tri-band capabilities, which is fairly unusual among mesh routers in terms of speed and functionality. This eliminates lagging, buffering, and congestion so you can connect more devices.
17. Netgear Nighthawk R6900P
A strong wifi router for streaming that provides top-notch performance for several devices is the Nightgear Nighthawk R6900P. According to the manufacturer, the router can easily support up to 30 wireless devices connected at once. However, keep in mind that in order to do so without experiencing congestion, you’ll need need bandwidth from your ISP. Even over great distances, this dual-band router’s 5GHz band performance and throughput are the greatest. While the 2.4GHz frequency works fine, we advise sticking with the 5GHz spectrum for your streaming devices.
When it comes to MU-MIMO, beamforming, and Quality of Service characteristics, the R6900P really excels. When combined, these functionalities enable you to conveniently handle and control several network-connected devices at once.
18. Linksys EA7500
One of the less complicated and more economical solutions in this buying guide, the Linksys EA7500 wireless router has both advantages and disadvantages. The EA7500 stands out, though, for how user-friendly and simple to setup it is overall. You only need to plug in the router, connect it to your modem, and then connect to it using your computer to get started.
When you do that, the remainder of the installation instructions will appear on your computer screen. Additionally, you’ll receive good administration settings that are simple to use and customise. As soon as you’re up and running, you can effectively let the EA7500 take care of itself without having to bother about it again.
19. ASUS WiFi Gaming Router (RT-AC5300)
This best router for streaming will certainly produce high-quality broadcasts and meet the needs of heavy users who want to play multiplayer online games at the same time thanks to its eight antennas and tri-band gigabit technology. All users will obtain the bandwidth they need for the proper tasks thanks to its additional characteristics, such as adaptive Quality of Service (QoS), provided that their internet service provider upholds their end of the agreement.
To ensure that high bandwidth tasks have the best connection possible for their surroundings, Asus Smart Connection excels at bandwidth control, switching each connected IP address between 5Ghz and 2.5Ghz as necessary.
20. Linksys WRT32X AC3200
To improve speed and communication between the two devices, the Linksys WRT32X talks with PCs that support Killer. Based on the hardware being utilised, it detects and optimises gaming traffic automatically.
This router has four gigabit-capable ethernet ports and a maximum Wi-Fi throughput of 3.2 Gbps. The FCC’s approval of Dynamic frequency selection (DFS), which enables the WRT32X to use channels that are otherwise inaccessible to other routers, is another important feature.
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CONCLUSION
It’s essential that your wireless devices work with your wireless router because a wireless router is useless if your gadgets can’t connect to it. The same is true for speed, but only if your internet connection can support it. Range is also crucial, but how important it is depends on the size and layout of your home. Ultimately, choosing the wireless router that best suits your needs will depend on how carefully you take into account all of the above-mentioned criteria.