8 Best Mesh WiFi for Gaming in 2023 [No Lags / Frame Drops]

Are you a professional gamer seeking low-latency gaming at every corner of your large house? Are Powerline and MOCA not effective options for you? The best solution, in this case, is getting a mesh WiFi system that’s suitable for gaming. But which one?

Well, I was in a similar situation when I shifted to a new home. It is quite big (4,700 Sq Ft, to be precise), and 2 of my family members are into high-end gaming. The standalone router in the living room couldn’t cover even half the place, and ethernet wasn’t an option because the wires needed to go down the stairs.

This is when I thought to establish a mesh network. To zero in on the best, I conducted thorough research for 5 days, checking every gaming-friendly mesh router on the market. I considered several factors like QoS, wireless standards, throughput, and game-improving features.

Based on the analysis, I got a total of 17 mesh setups and tested each with a gaming PC and PlayStations, and kept track of the scores for each. After in-depth testing, I finally handpicked the top 8 options that provide a lag-free gaming experience.

8 Best Mesh WiFi Systems for Gaming in 2023

The list includes a range of choices that cater to different types of gamers and internet needs beyond gaming. You can be sure that there is at least one option that will fulfill your specific requirements and fit your budget.

1. Best WiFi 7 Mesh: TP-Link Deco BE85

TP-Link Deco BE85 is probably the first WiFi 7 mesh system. Coming at a huge upgrade over WiFi 6 and 6E routers, it has everything and even more than a gamer aspires for. Some of its notable features include a powerhouse Quad-Core processor, two 10 Gig ports, massive throughput, range, and more.

Note: Wi-Fi 7 compatible devices are not yet mainstream. This means that WiFi 7 routers can’t be utilized to their full potential just yet. However, they’re worth it if you want to future-proof your home network.

Speeds & Gaming Performance

The newly launched Deco BE85 WiFi 7 mesh comes at a speed rating of BE22000, which is split between its bands as follows:

6 GHz: 11520 Mbps

5 GHz: 8640 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 1376 Mbps

To exploit its wireless capabilities, I’d recommend pairing any multi-gig internet plan. I had AT&T 5 Gbps plan to test it out.

And connected to the 320 MHz channel, the speeds at 30 feet maxed out at 4.65 Gbps and 2.14 Gbps, respectively, for downloads and uploads. While separating the source and testing device by 60 feet, BE85 delivered 3.46 Gbps and 1.68 Gbps of data. While at 90 feet, its speed of 1.84 Gbps and 765 Gbps was exceptional.

Gaming, however, is not just about speed but consistency, which is filled to the brim with the mesh system. Added to it, activating the QoS by device feature got my Overwatch running at 8ms ping and 107 FPS with multiple videos streaming in the background.

Ports & Wired Gaming

The white cylindrical towers of BE85 have three Ethernet ports (two 10G & one 2.5G) and a USB 3.0 port in its rear panel. That’s one of the best you’ve got, and a maximum of 4.89 Gbps download speed with the 5 Gbps plan says it all.

The no-nonsense network I’ve procured via the wired connection establishes a high ceiling when it comes to gaming.

On my PlayStation 5, Overwatch got a boost over wireless connections with a 3ms ping and 125 frames per second. The one-hour gaming experience with the mesh system was beyond comparison.

Coverage & Devices Capacity

Coverage is the premier trait of mesh systems, and the number of the two-unit BE85 mesh maxes out at 5,500 Sq Ft. It’s not much of an improvement over existing WiFi systems, but you can expect it to cover a 5,200 Sq Ft space with ease.

To maintain signal stability over space and distribute equivalent signals to the devices, the antennas further add in beamforming, MU-MIMO, and OFDMA. With these, I could establish up to 123 lag-free connections at a time.

Conclusion

In short, TP-Link Deco BE85 is the best mesh WiFi you can get for gaming. Despite being the first WiFi 7 router in the market, it feels refined and delivers an unmatched performance throughout the day. But it costs a whopping $1000, probably the most expensive mesh router I have used & tested so far.

For more details, consider checking out the dedicated, Deco BE85 WiFi 7 mesh review.

2. Best with WiFi 6E: Linksys MX8502

By using Wi-Fi 6E and its 6 GHz band to its fullest, Linksys MX8502 makes it to the second spot of the gaming mesh WiFi systems. A 5 Gbps Ethernet port, a beefy processor, and features like QoS are sure to boost your gaming experience.

And compared to its predecessor, Linksys MX8501, it upgrades in terms of range and device handling ability and, in turn, overall performance.

Speeds & Gaming Performance

The tri-band Wi-Fi 6E setup of Linksys MX8502 has a speed rating of AXE8400, and the respective speed on each band is as follows:

6 GHz: 4804 Mbps

5 GHz: 2402 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 1147 Mbps

Over the course of using the mesh system for a week, it performed well and was a reliable data companion. Using the Ookla speed test app and my trusted iPhone 13 to measure performance, MX8502 blasted through its competitors at close range. For context, I used the AT&T 2 Gbps plan for the test.

At 30 feet, the test device could receive up to 1.64 Gbps and 654 Mbps of data, respectively, for downloads and uploads. And at about 50 feet, the mesh system takes the lead over others, with its respective ability standing at 964 Mbps and 421 Mbps. Even at 90 feet, respective speeds clocked at 302 Mbps and 89 Mbps.

To test the gaming performance, I start by playing Overwatch and streaming videos on up to 6 devices at once. At 22ms ping and 91fps, the performance can be adjourned as above average, and there weren’t any jitters.

Then I turned on the QoS for gaming with a similar setup, with respective values upsurging to 15ms and 110 FPS, respectively.

Ports & Wired Gaming

Compared to Deco BE85, the Linksys MX8502’s Ethernet port comes at half the capacity (5 Gbps), but there are four additional 1 Gbps ports for more uninterrupted wired gaming.

With my PS5 plugged in, the respective downloads moved at the rate of 1.87 Gbps, and eventually, a boost in gaming performance with values at 6ms and 118fps. This can be attributed to the beefy 2.2GHz quad-core processor paired with 1GB RAM.

Coverage & Devices Capacity

The two units of MX8502 edge ahead of BE85 with a stipulated range of 6,000 Sq Ft, compared to the former’s 5,500 Sq Ft.

With the main unit kept in the basement and the other unit on the second floor, my entire 4,700 Sq Ft house was encased with strong signals. Besides, the intelligent mesh technology allows you to stay connected even when you’re moving.

Paired with it, the MU-MIMO and OFDMA tech work wonders. As revealed on my WiFi mapper app, signal density was almost constant over the space, and none among the 103 devices experienced a lag or latency.

Conclusion

Overall, Linksys MX8502 is readily one of the top mesh systems for online gaming. Its powerful antennas, coupled with a high 6 GHz band, send strong signals through walls and ensure you aren’t locked up with a task forever. But despite its lower throughput and inferior WiFi standard than BE85, it costs almost identical.

3. Best for Alexa Ecosystem: Eero Pro 6E

If you prefer reliability and ease of setup over the outright WiFi speed, Eero Pro 6E by Amazon is a way to fill your large house with powerful signals. It might not be the fastest mesh WiFi for gaming but the 2-pack kit should be enough to take care of your bandwidth-hogging devices, especially gaming consoles.

Few weeks back, I compared the ever-so-popular Eero Pro 6 and 6 Plus and found that Pro 6E is better than both.

Speeds & Gaming Performance

The Eero Pro 6E system can reach a top theoretical speed of 5,400 Mbps, and the capacity of each band is as follows:

6 GHz: 2402 Mbps

5 GHz: 2402 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps

With the AT&T Fiber 2 Gbps connection, the WiFi system turned in high scores in my throughput tests. The router node’s score of 1.61 Gbps for downloads and 503 Mbps for uploads on the close proximity test (30 feet) is great for any intensive tasks.

At a distance of 50 feet, the router managed respective throughput of 784 Mbps and 267 Mbps.

Now talking about the gaming performance, I expected good things from this mesh system with its 1GHz processor paired with 1GB RAM and 4GB flash memory.

With my family members streaming movies, surfing the web, and attending video calls, I played Valorant on my PS5. And with yielded 20ms and 89 frame rate per sec, the overall experience was unmatched.

To check the signal consistency, I used the WiFi analyzer app, and the results were more or less positive, courtesy of its automatic optimization software to reduce congestion. So gaming performance throughout the property was more than decent.

Ports & Wired Gaming

These white wedge-shaped boxes come with two Ethernet ports on its rear panel (one 2.5G and the other 1 gig). That’s a step down from my previous picks. But still, my gaming console plugged into the 2.5G port extracted around 1.87 Gbps download speed.

The gaming performance also surged a bit with respective ping values and frame rates of 15ms and 97.

Coverage & Devices Capacity

Theoretically, the two-pack units of Eero Pro 6E can cover an area of up to 4,000 Sq Ft, which, although stays behind many similar-priced routers with long range, is adequate for any large house.

I installed the mesh system at my 3,700 Sq Ft mansion-style home, and the amplified beamforming antennas of 6E encased the entirety of space with powerful signals.

Moving on, trusting the claims made by the manufacturer, I brought in 83 devices to connect, and to my surprise, none missed the signals. That’s primarily because of its 4GB flash memory alongside MU-MIMO and OFDMA.

Conclusion

The Eero Pro 6E might not be the fastest or longest-reaching WiFi 6E mesh router, but it’s powerful enough to fill your large home with strong signals.

Its combination of 2.5 Gbps input and 6 GHz transfers high-gigabit speeds, and with its automatic optimization software and powerful processing setup, gaming performance was excellent.

4. Best for PS5 Gaming: ASUS ZenWiFi XT8

ASUS routers are known for good gaming performance, and I present to you ZenWiFi XT8 which is no exception. It’s a whole home Wi-Fi 6 tri-band system. Its 2.5G port makes way for a speedy and low-ping gaming experience.

It, compared to Asus ZenWiFi XD6, comes with multiple upgrades, which in turn results in elevated performance.

Speeds & Gaming Performance

The XT8 uses an Wi-Fi 6 with a speed rating of AX6600, meaning it can reach maximum data rates of 6600 Mbps. Here, are the respective speed on each band:

5 GHz (1): 4804 Mbps

5 GHz (2): 1201 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps

Despite a superior speed cap on the 5 GHz band than Eero Pro 6E, the speed output with the 2 Gbps AT&T plan was almost comparable.

The XT8 router node recorded a score of 1.63 Gbps and 509 Mbps for downloads and uploads in close proximity (30 feet). Meanwhile, moving the test device by 50 feet showed a 48% speed drop, with respective values of 782 Mbps and 260 Mbps.

There’s, however, a simple “QoS” option that let me prioritize bandwidth for gaming. With four videos running in the background, Destiny 2 on my PS5 managed a ping value of 18ms and a frame rate of 90.

While QoS turned off, the respective values stayed at around 26ms and 70, which still is decent.

Ports & Wired Gaming

Asus XT8 also takes a lead to my previous recommendation in this respect with one 2.5G WAN port and three Gigabit LAN ports. I plugged my gaming console into the multi-gig port, and the download speed maxed out at 1.87 Gbps.

Besides, the gaming performance was excellent, with Overwatch running at 11ms ping and a frame rate of 102.

Coverage & Devices Capacity

Barring ethernet ports, XT8 takes a massive lead ahead of Eero Pro 6E with a stipulated range of 7,500 Sq Ft.

The figure seems exorbitant, but its six beamforming antennas do a great job of encasing around 7,200 Sq Ft of your space with strong signals. My WiFi mapper app showed almost an identical spread of signals throughout the area.

The mesh system, however, claims a device handling capacity of 75, and in my test, a single connection beyond 68 wasn’t possible. That’s still more than decent for any mid-sized workspace.

Conclusion

Overall, Asus ZenWiFi ET8 is a highly recommended mesh WiFi for your gaming needs. It establishes connections for your devices through an extra 5 GHz band, providing you with a faster and consistently stable throughput experience.

Although it supersedes Eero Pro 6E in terms of range and port setup, nothing much changes where it matters, i.e., gaming performance. But the lack of a 6 GHz band has ranked it in the fourth spot.

Read the full review of the ASUS ZenWiFi XT8 to learn more.

5. Best Value for Money: TP-Link Deco XE75

Next on my list is a Wi-Fi 6E mesh, TP-Link Deco XE75 that presents many reasons to justify its inclusion in the list of the high-performance mesh routers for gaming.

Compared to my previous pick, it brings in many upgrades, like a much beefier processor, better device handling ability, and more usable speeds courtesy of an additional 6 GHz band.

Speeds & Gaming Performance

Deco XE75 is an AXE5400 system, which means it can reach theoretical data rates of up to 5400 Mbps, split between its three bands as follows:

6 GHz: 2402 Mbps

5 GHz: 2402 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps

As soon as I had my hands on the mesh system, I installed the main router in the basement and the other on the second floor. And I used the AT&T Fiber 2 Gbps plan to keep the playing field the same.

The XE75 turned in respectable results in my throughput performance tests. The router’s scores of 1.62 Gbps and 497 Mbps in 30 feet test and 785 Mbps and 261 Mbps in 50 feet test for downloads and uploads, respectively, are levels with my previous recommendation.

And such speeds make way for fast downloads and the progression of any tasks in a lag-free manner. Albeit similar speeds, XE75 lacks a QoS tech for bandwidth prioritization.

Nevertheless, the gaming performance with most like Destiny 2, Valorant, and RDR 2 are decent. In context, the average ping value and frame rate were around 21ms and 78, respectively.

Ports & Wired Gaming

The rear panel holds a 2.5GbE WAN port, a useful feature for gamers. Other than that, there are two auto-sensing 1 Gig LAN ports for added connectivity options.

Over the multi-gig port, the downloads and uploads are recorded at 1.88 Gbps and 641 Mbps, respectively. Not only high speeds but the no-nonsense connection paired with a quad-core processor also causes games to run at 13ms and 105fps.

Coverage & Devices Capacity

Inside, each node of Deco XE75 contains four antennas that work together to cover a maximum area of 7,200 Sq Ft. With the two nodes installed (one in the basement and the other on the 2nd floor), the signals could travel over 6,800 Sq Ft area with ease.

And courtesy of the beamforming and seamless roaming tech, signals don’t drop if I move from one floor to another. The mesh system further includes MU-MIMO and OFDMA support to handle up to 125 smart devices, including computers, laptops, smartphones, smart lights, and others.

Conclusion

If you seek to board a 6 GHz bandwagon without emptying your bank account, then TP-Link Deco XE75 is the best option. Aside from more usable speeds, the mesh system guarantees stable signals throughout your large office buildings or properties.

But it lacks a USB port for seamless file transfers and a QoS feature, particularly helpful for gamers and streamers. Read the full review.

6. Best for Streaming: Netgear Orbi RBK752

Netgear Orbi RBK752 is one of the better mesh WiFi for gaming and streaming. It delivers a stable connection and doesn’t drop its speed even with several devices connected simultaneously.

This version is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, Orbi RBS750, which comes with dual bands and lesser coverage.

Speeds & Gaming Performance

With an AX4200 speed rating, Orbi can stream any high-end game without lag or latency. Below are the band-wise speeds:

5 GHz: 2400 Mbps

5 GHz: 1200 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps

When I tested this mesh setup for gaming with my PlayStation 5, the speeds for the three bands were 250 Mbps, 400 Mbps, and 700 Mbps, respectively. So, I could stream my games on Twitch and Facebook without lags.

Although the speeds dropped by almost 50 Mbps for each band when gaming on the first floor, it still delivers a seamless gaming experience. Additionally, integrated with MU-MIMO, the mesh can deliver data on simultaneous devices at similar rates.

Ports & Wired Gaming

The mesh has three Gigabit Ethernet ports and one Gigabit WAN port, where one is used to connect with the modem, while you can connect the other two directly to your gaming console.

This way, the internet speeds can double as the signal is sent and received directly through a mesh system rather than a satellite. So, you can stream your games even at 120 FPS.

Coverage & Devices Capacity

The Orbi RBK752 contains six antennas inside that can cover a space of up to 3750 sq. ft. These antennas can beamform and focuses the wireless signal on a single receiving device rather than spreading it in all directions.

In simpler words, the WiFi signals are focused on a single device, resulting in a faster connection than traditional antennas.

Conclusion

The netgear mesh seems suitable for those who need a solid mesh WiFi that can handle gaming and streaming simultaneously. Although its speeds are lesser than the above-listed options, it’s still a viable choice for gamers and streamers. And its consistent performance makes it stand out from the rest.

If you want to know more about this system, check out my RBK752 review here.

7. Best Budget Option: Tenda Nova MX12

With three-pack version, Tenda Nova MX12 has the power to fill any mid to large-sized corporate space or home with stable WiFi, but its speeds won’t set records.

Coming at almost $100 less compared to my previous recommendations, its quad-core processor, excellent range, and other networking technologies make it a contender to one of the most reliable systems.

Speeds & Gaming Performance

The Wi-Fi 6-enabled mesh has a maximum speed cap of 3000 Mbps, which is split between two bands as follows:

5 GHz: 2401 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps

To gauge its raw speeds, I used my ever-so-reliable AT&T 1 Gbps plan, and the overall performance was above average. It yielded 879 Mbps and 310 Mbps of throughput for download and upload with the main node and testing device separated by 30 feet.

With distance increased to 50 feet, the router managed respective scores of 467 Mbps and 175 Mbps. It did well in the gaming test, where I played Valorant on my PS5 for three hours without a lag. There were no stoppages or breakups.

Also, the performance was decent on the informal saturation test, where I streamed YouTube Premium live channels on four devices at once. The credit is attributed to the 1.7GHz quad-core processor and 256MB RAM.

Ports & Wired Gaming

Tenda Nova MX12 boasts three ports on its rear panel with a maximum of 1 Gbps speed capacity. Yes, it lacks a multi-gig port, but the available ports had a maximum speed output of 987 Mbps, more than suitable for gaming or other bandwidth-hogging activities. The games ran fine without any lags or latencies.

Coverage & Devices Capacity

Coverage-wise, the three units of MX12 come at a stipulated value of 7,000 Sq Ft, keeping up close with many high-end mesh systems out there.

To test it out, I went to my friend’s three-story corporate establishment, and the transmitted signals managed to explore each nook and crook. In numbers, its range can be put out at 6,500 Sq Ft, although it’s a variable.

Aside from the four powerful antennas, there’re OFDMA, MU-MIMO, and beamforming technologies for fostering fast connections on multiple devices. At once, I could connect up to 79 devices with ease.

Conclusion

By combining excellent range, easy setup, and low price, Tenda has created a basic three-unit system for first-time networkers anxious about getting something wrong.

It serves as a great mesh system for gamers despite lacking any specialized technologies like QoS or a multi-gig port. Also, it never set any throughput records but turned out reliable.

8. Cheap Yet Good: D-Link Eagle Pro AI M32-2

Last but not least, it’s time I present you the most pocket-friendly option, D-Link Eagle Pro AI. But when you look at it as a standalone device, it has got almost everything, like Wi-Fi 6 support, great range, and MU-MIMO to withstand online activities on multiple devices at once.

Besides, compared to its predecessor, it has got a boost in terms of throughput and signal range.

Speeds & Gaming Performance

D-Link Eagle Pro AI entails the 802.11ax standard with a maximum speed cap of 3200 Mbps, and the band-wise split is as follows:

5 GHz: 2402 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 800 Mbps

The mesh system had an overall average performance with my AT&T Fiber 1 Gbps plan in my home setup. At 30 feet away, the download and upload speeds were recorded at 875 Mbps and 307 Mbps, respectively.

Meanwhile, moving 50 feet from the mesh system, the respective values stayed at 445 Mbps and 181 Mbps. That’s a slight boost over my previous recommendation.

The available speeds make way for faster downloads, 4K streaming, video conferencing, and other basic ones like web surfing, sending emails, and others.

Now when it comes to gaming performance, it did a great job. Although it lacks QoS tech and hardware specs aren’t revealed as such, running games like Destiny 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, Valorant, and others seem like child’s play.

Ports & Wired Gaming

In this regard, D-Link Eagle Pro AI instills four Ethernet ports with a maximum Gigabit speed capacity. So the wired speeds wouldn’t be as great as ones with multi-gig ports, but I could attain maximum download speeds of 984 Mbps.

And with almost zero network interferences on the way, Valorant was playable at 28ms and 72fps rates. That’s still great.

Coverage & Devices Capacity

As per the manufacturer, the two units of D-Link mesh can easily fill your 5,500 Sq Ft area with powerful signals. The numbers vary in a real-time scenario, but the signals were accessible in the nooks of my client’s 5,000 Sq Ft establishment. And as obtained on the WiFi mapper app, the consistency was there throughout.

Besides, you have those staple features like MU-MIMO and OFDMA to let you connect up to 74 devices at once. These include laptops, computers, smartphones, and others.

Conclusion

To conclude, D-Link Eagle Pro AI might not stand a chance besides the top-rated gaming mesh WiFi systems I’ve reviewed above, but it establishes a balance between cost and performance.

Its speeds, range, and device-handling ability stand ahead of many mesh systems in the price range. And most games out there should run through issue-free.

Things To Consider When Choosing a Gaming Mesh WiFi

• The overall price of a mesh WiFi system depends primarily on its technology and the area it covers. So, consider the size of your residence/office when looking for the best mesh WiFi routers.
• It is viable to opt only for a high-speed networking system since the sole purpose of your mesh router is gaming. In layman’s terms, check for the highest speeds offered by your mesh system and choose accordingly.
• Next, check for the number of ports in your WiFi system. Unlike me, if you have an option for wired connectivity, look for a mesh WiFi with 3 LAN ports. You will achieve faster pings if the router is connected directly to your gaming console.
• Also, check for the security features like WPA3, anti-ransomware, anti-malware, and others to keep your system safe from unwanted third-party attacks.
• Lastly, don’t forget to look for the hardware and tech it integrates. Many mesh routers come with technologies like MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and QoS that strengthen the network and ensure faster connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

I have enlisted the top gaming mesh setups in this review-based guide. Now, it’s up to you to get your shopping glasses on and get one according to your needs. But, if you’re still unsure, let me tell you some of my favorites:

• If you’re looking for a future-proof WiFi 7 gaming mesh WiFi, TP-Link Deco BE85, with top-tier specs and performance, should be your ideal choice. It has everything you would want to boost your gaming experience.
• Now, if you’re looking for a mid-tier mesh solution for your gaming and streaming needs, I’d recommend Netgear Orbi RBK752.
• And, if you’re new to mesh networks and looking for an entry-level option, go for Tenda Nova MX12.

Hopefully, you were able to pick a suitable gaming-friendly mesh router from the list and reviews above.