4 best wireless router for gaming

A wireless router for gaming is a crucial component for online gaming enthusiasts, as it can significantly impact your gaming experience. These routers are designed to prioritize gaming traffic, reduce latency, and provide a stable and high-speed connection. Here are some key features and considerations for a gaming-focused wireless router:

Low Latency: Gaming routers prioritize low latency, which is crucial for online gaming. They use Quality of Service (QoS) settings to ensure that gaming data gets top priority over other internet traffic in your home network.
High-Speed Wi-Fi: Look for routers that support the latest Wi-Fi standards, such as Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which offer faster speeds and improved performance, especially in crowded networks.
Dual-Band or Tri-Band: Dual-band routers use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, while tri-band routers add an extra 5GHz band. Tri-band routers are excellent for homes with many connected devices.
Beamforming: This technology focuses the Wi-Fi signal towards your gaming device, providing a more stable and reliable connection.
MU-MIMO: Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) allows the router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, reducing lag and improving overall network performance.
Gaming QoS Profiles: Some gaming routers come with pre-configured QoS profiles for popular games, ensuring optimized network settings for specific titles.
Gaming VPN Support: If you need to use a VPN for gaming, look for routers that support VPN passthrough or have built-in VPN capabilities.
Customizable Firmware: Some gaming routers allow you to install custom firmware like DD-WRT or OpenWRT, giving you more control over your network settings.
Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Wired connections are often preferred for gaming to reduce latency. Make sure the router has enough Gigabit Ethernet ports for your gaming devices.
Security Features: A good gaming router should also offer robust security features, such as firewall protection, WPA3 encryption, and automatic firmware updates.
Price and Budget: Gaming routers can vary widely in price.Consider your budget and how important gaming performance is to you when making a decision.
Brand Reputation: Research and choose a reputable brand known for producing reliable networking products.
User Interface: An intuitive and user-friendly interface for router settings is important for easy customization.
Mesh Compatibility: If you have a larger home, consider a gaming router that's compatible with mesh systems to ensure strong Wi-Fi coverage throughout your space.
Reviews and Recommendations: Check online reviews and seek recommendations from fellow gamers to find a router that suits your specific gaming needs.

In conclusion, a wireless router designed for gaming can greatly enhance your online gaming experience by reducing lag, ensuring a stable connection, and prioritizing gaming traffic. Consider your specific requirements and budget when choosing the best gaming router for your setup.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best wireless router for gaming on the market

TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router (Archer A7) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router for Home, Works with Alexa, VPN Server, Parental Control and QoS

TP-Link

Based on 39 reviews Check latest price

Product description

AC1750 wifi router/wireless router. One of routers for wireless internet, wireless routers for home. Dual band router and gigabit router. Ideal as internet router also gaming router. Long range coverage with high speed. Compatible with all 802.11ac devices and below. 5ghz router/5g router Frequency Range: 2.4GHz and 5GHz; Interface Available: 4 x 10/100/1000Mbps LAN Ports, 1 10/100/1000Mbps WAN Port, 1 USB 2.0 Ports; Protocols Supported: Supports IPv4 and IPv6; System Requirement: Microsoft Windows 98SE NT 2000 XP Vista, or Windows 7 Windows 8/8.1/10, MAC OS NetWare UNIX or Linux; Wireless Standards: IEEE 802.11ac/n/a 5GHz, IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz.

JD Power Award ---Highest in customer satisfaction for wireless routers 2017 and 2019
Router for wireless internet, works with Alexa, compatible with all Wi-Fi devices, 802.11ac and older
Dual band router upgrades to 1750 Mbps high speed internet(450mbps for 2.4GHz, 1300Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K streaming
3 external antennas for long range Wi-Fi
Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, fast access to multiple connected wired devices, Ideal as a gaming router
Integrated USB port acts as a media Server, easily share your USB drive content
TP-Link tether app easily set up and remotely manage your home network
Industry leading 2 year and Free 24-7 technical Support

Product features

The WiFi Router That Fits Most Families

With more devices in homes today, you need a solid router to keep up with WiFi demands. AC1750 routers pack the speed and range most families need at an affordable pric e. The Archer A7 provides the best value for your dollar, delivering the perfect mix of performance and features for most homes.

ASUS AX5400 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX82U) - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Internet Router, AURA RGB, Gaming & Streaming, AiMesh Compatible, Free Lifetime Internet Security

ASUS

Based on 213 reviews Check latest price

Product description

ASUS RT-AX82U is the only choice for Mobile Gaming. Enjoy the fastest, smoothest WiFi gaming connections ever with the ASUS RT-AX82U dual-band WiFi 6 router. It delivers ultrafast WiFi speeds up to 5400 Mbps, and is packed with advanced technology, including Mobile Game Mode for a lag-free, low-latency mobile gaming experience, Lifetime Free Internet Security, and AURA RGB effect for your custom lighting needs.

New-generation WiFi 6 - Enjoy ultrafast speeds up to 5400 Mbps with the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and 160MHz channels
Mobile Game Mode - Minimize lag and latency for mobile gaming with just a tap on the ASUS Router app
Choose your lighting vibe - Feature ASUS Aura RGB lighting effects that you can choose from a variety of lighting effects and customize lighting to align with specific modes.
ASUS AiMesh support – Create a flexible, seamless whole-home mesh network with AiMesh-compatible routers
Commercial-grade home network security – Lifetime free ASUS AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro, with WPA3 and advanced Parental Controls to protect your home

User questions & answers

Question:	Do u need a modem with this router
Answer:	Yes, our routers are designed for quick and easy setup, and can be installed using the TP-Link Tether app on a smartphone. Regards, TP-Link Support
Question:	Can you use this with an imac
Answer:	I can only comment on the 1900. For my needs it's perfect. I needed a router with long range, my house is apprx 3000sq with multiple floors. Certain areas of the house fell out of the range of my old Linksys. With the 1900 all my devices generate a full signal anywhere in the house and even outside in the back yard. The 1900 appears to handle multiple devices with no degradation of signal or speed. Since you didn't say what your needs are I can't comment further.
Question:	What’s the range of 5G on this
Answer:	the Archer C90 is a new edition of Archer C1900, and the software functions of the 2 routers are the same while the sales channel may be different. for example, A9 is available for the online stores only, like Amazon or so. Archer C90 supports fat32、ntfs、exfat、hfs+, A9 supports NTFS,FAT32 only.
Question:	Are the lights on the front customizable
Answer:	WiFi coverage range will vary depending on your environment and which WiFi band you are connecting to. For optimal coverage, we always recommend installing the router in a central location within your home.

Product features

RT-AX82U

AX5400 Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router, WiFi 6 802.11ax, Mobile Game Mode, ASUS AURA RGB, Lifetime Free Internet Security, Mesh WiFi support, Gear Accelerator, Gaming Port, Adaptive QoS, Port Forwarding

Ultra powerful WiFi 6

RT-AX82U brings you all the benefits of WiFi 6 (802.11ax), and works perfectly with all your existing WiFi devices!

Lower latency
Faster speeds
Energy efficient
Longer range

Boost Your Mobile Gaming

Minimize lag and latency for mobile gaming with just a tap on the ASUS Router app.

Prioritize via Gaming Port

The dedicated gaming port on RT-AX82U automatically prioritizes any wired device connected to it. No complex configuration is needed, just connect your gaming PC or console to the special LAN port to give you a fast, stable connection that's always at the head of the queue.

Remove Network Bottlenecks

Adaptive QoS (Quality of Service) lets you keep your network running smoothly by prioritizing network traffic. You can prioritize applications such as streaming video or web surfing, as well as gaming. It's the perfect ally for delivering low-latency WiFi anywhere in your home.

Whole-Home Gaming

Does your router leave you with WiFi dead spots? RT-AX82U supports ASUS AiMesh, a unique mesh networking technology that creates a whole-home network using multiple ASUS routers. With easy central control and seamless roaming, even non-experts can set it up with any AiMesh-capable routers you own. Say goodbye to WiFi dead zones!

Commercial-grade Security for Your Home

Home network security is crucial when you have multiple connected devices, and even more so when there are devices without anti-virus capabilities such as IoT devices. RTAX82U includes lifetime free AiProtection Pro, including the latest WPA3 security protocol and advanced Parental Controls. Every device is protected with RT-AX82U, and you can keep an eye on everything that's happening on your network via the handy mobile app.

Fortified Frontline Network Security

RT-AX82U features AiProtection Pro powered by Trend Micro to defend your network from external attacks, with automatic and regular updates. Working with WPA3, the latest WiFi security protocol, AiProtection Pro keeps out security threats before they can reach your devices, including devices that cannot install anti-virus software — such as smartphones and game consoles.

Advanced Parental Controls

Internet Activity Dashboards
Kid-Safe Presets
Schedule Block Times
Content Filters

Easy Management Via Mobile App

Traffic Analyzers
Network Diagnostics
Guest WiFi

NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router, R6700 - AC1750 Wireless Speed Up to 1750 Mbps | Up to 1500 Sq Ft Coverage & 25 Devices | 4 x 1G Ethernet and 1 x 3.0 USB Ports | Armor Security

NETGEAR

Based on 68 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router delivers extreme Wi-Fi speed for gaming up to 1750Mbps. The Dual Core 1GHz processor boosts wireless & wired performance. High-powered amplifiers and external antennas increase range for whole-home mobility, while Beamforming+ boosts speed for mobile devices, up to 100% faster.

Recommended for up to 25 devices: Reliably stream videos, play games, surf the internet, and connect smart home devices
Wired Ethernet ports: Plug in computers, game consoles, streaming players, and other nearby wired devices with 4 x 1 gigabit Ethernet ports
Loaded with advanced technology: Designed with a 1GHz dual core processor, 3 amplified antennas, Beamforming plus, Dynamic QoS, Smart Connect, and more
USB connections: Share a storage drive or printer with any connected device or create a personal cloud storage to access from anywhere, using the 1 x 3.0 USB port
Safe & secure: Supports WPA2 wireless security protocols. Includes Guest Wi-Fi access, DOS, Firewall, VPN, and more.
Netgear Armor protects your network and connected devices from Internet threats; Get peace of mind knowing you have the best in class anti virus, anti malware, and data protection for all your smart devices, smartphones, and computers with a 30 day free trial
Safe & secure: Supports WPA2 wireless security protocols. Includes Guest Wi-Fi access, DOS, Firewall, VPN, and more. System requirements: Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 10, Vista, XP, 2000, Mac OS, UNIX, or Linux. Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, Firefox 2.0, Safari 1.4, or Google Chrome 11.0 browsers or higher

Product features

Better Wi-Fi? We’ve got you covered.

Up to 1,500 sq. ft of powerful WiFi coverage

Easily upgrade your Wi-Fi experience and coverage with the Nighthawk R6700. Range-boosting Beamforming+ antennas and Dual Band streaming deliver fast, reliable Wi-Fi to every corner of your home.

Built for Serious Streaming

Up to 1750Mbps wireless speed for demanding activities like HD streaming and online gaming.

Seamless WiFi for up to 25 Devices

Intelligently selects between dual bands to minimize interference and maximize speed for your many smart wireless devices.

NETGEAR Armor: Powered by BitDefender

The world’s leading cybersecurity software protects all your home devices from virus, malware, and data theft with a 30-day free trial.

Circle Smart Parental Control

The Circle App lets you easily manage internet content access and device screen time. Use the app to set usage time limits, device schedules, filter websites and more for every connected device in your home.

Easy 5-Minute Setup with App

The Nighthawk App makes it a snap to set up your router. Just connect your internet Ethernet cable to the router and the app will walk you through simple setup steps. Connect your devices to the network and you’re done.

Four High-Speed 1G Wired Connections

Gigabit Ports give you fast wired connections to your computer, game box and other devices. One USB port lets you share a storage drive or printer across your network.

Speedefy AC2100 Smart WiFi Router - Dual Band Gigabit Wireless Router for Home & Gaming, 4x4 MU-MIMO, 7x6dBi External Antennas for Strong Signal, Parental Control, Support IPv6 (Model K7)

Speedefy

Based on 3 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Speedefy K7 AC2100 Smart WiFi router is built to achieve high bandwidth, low latency internet connection, to activate full potential of your network in your online activities.

Fast Speed and Flexible Band Switch

Speedefy K7 smart wireless router deliver you dual band gigabit WiFi up to 2100Mbps. Long range coverage with high speed, It is free for you to select your preferred bands to keep your devices connected at top and solid speed.

Go Faster on Streaming/Mobile/Gaming

7*6dBi external antennas and 4*4 MU-MIMO advanced connection technology, make you enjoy incredible gaming and video streaming experience.

Simple Management with Smart System

Speedefy K7 provides you two methods to manage your internet, It is easy for everyone to finish one-key setup in few minutes and achieve individualized requirement via web interface or Speedy WiFi App.

Secure and Reliable

Speedefy home WiFi router K7 detects your system healthy situation automictically or manually, removes uncertain risks, filters unhealthy website, creates isolated guest WiFi zone, protects your connections from hack and attacking, safeguard your data and privacy in the best level.

Tech Specs:

Flexible Dual-band WiFi switch

On 5GHz: 802.11ac Up to 1733Mbps

On 2.4GHz: 802.11n/g/b Up to 300Mbps

7*6dBi external antennas/4*4 MU-MIMO

Secure WiFi Connection: WPA/WPA2-PSK Encryption

1x shared Gigabit WAN Port / 3x Gigabit LAN Port

Supports PPPOE, DHCP, Static IP, VPN, IPV6, WPS

Speedy WiFi App System Requirements:

Above iOS 9/Android 4.4

Web Interface/ Windows/MAC OS NetWare UNIX or Linux

In the Box:

1× Speedefy WiFi router

1× Power Adapter

1× Ethernet Cable

1× Quick Start Guide

Outstanding Wireless Speed: Speedefy K7 smart wireless router supports 2100M (1733Mbps/5GHz + 300Mbps/2.4GHz) dual band gigabit WiFi. Dual cores CPU reduces buffering and provides high speed web browsing, video streaming and gaming.
Excellent and Powerful Signal: Cutting-edge 7*6dBi external Antennas, 4*4 MU-MIMO, delivers powerful signal, eliminate dead spot in your rooms.
Simple Setup, Easy Management: One-Stop installation is easily achieved in 5 mins. App or web interface management brings more convenience for preference setting.
Safeguard Security of Your Internet: Complete WPA2 protocols ensure internet security, detect and prevent risks from internet in real time, keep your WiFi stable and healthy.
Various Advanced Features: Parental control manages your kids' internet access; Accelerate WiFi helps to quickly optimize your internet; Guest network separates own information from others’.

User questions & answers

Question:	Will this work with an xfinity gateway for better speeds
Answer:	Yes, the router is compatible with all operating systems that support industry standard networking protocols, including Windows 10.
Question:	can you update the firmware
Answer:	I believe so, but not sure. Google it to be sure
Question:	Does this only work with the speedyfy app
Answer:	Yes, you can use it in Access Point Mode, with your Verizon gateway as the primary router.
Question:	What is the max wireless speed
Answer:	Yes

Product features

Excellent and Powerful

Speedefy K7 smart wireless router deliver you dual band gigabit WiFi up to 2100Mbps. Long range coverage with high speed. It is free for you to select your preferred bands to keep your devices connected at top and solid speed.

Outstanding Wireless Speed

Dual cores CPU reduces buffering and provides high speed web browsing , video streaming and gaming.

Secure and Reliable

Detects your system healthy situation automatically or manually, removes uncertain risks, protects your connections from hack and attacking, safeguard your data and privacy in the best level.

Go Faster on Streaming/Gaming

With 4*4 MU-MIMO Technology, It can perfectly proceed your favorite activities like gaming online, watching 4K movies, or sharing large files without any lag.