Are you in quest of a reliable gaming router? It doesn’t matter what your needs are, whether you want a device that supports high-end streaming or want a low-latency modem/router combo, or you just want a device that can help you play games on console gaming devices like PS4, PS5. This article shall help you find one.
“If you’re a professional gamer, a gaming rig with a powerful processor, ample RAM, the fastest SSDs, and the best graphics card or the latest gaming console is a must. But, despite all these, a slow network or outdated router can negatively impact your online gaming experience.“
PROFESSIONAL GAMER
That’s why you need a good quality gaming router. As per my experience, a router that can handle gaming smoothly can do most of the tasks without any trouble. Some of the top-notch devices ingrain features like dual QoS, dedicated gaming port, and software-based acceleration. Besides, some include a customized OS like Duma OS, which add up to deliver a next-level gaming experience.
But the thing is, thousand of router options exist in the market, and many manufacturers advertise their products as “gaming routers” as a marketing gimmick, which makes the pick even more difficult.
Contents
- Best Routers for Gaming in 2023
- 1. Best Gaming Router: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000
- 2. Best For Streaming: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
- 3. Best Modem Router Combo: ARRIS Surfboard G36 (DOCSIS 3.1)
- 4. Best WiFi 6 Router: TP-Link Archer GX90
- 5. Best Budget Router: Linksys MR9610
- 6. Best Mesh: TP-Link Deco XE75
- 7. Best for PS5/PS4 Gaming: ASUS RT-AX82U
- 8. Cheap Yet Best: D-Link EXO (WiFi 6)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Verdict
Best Routers for Gaming in 2023
Before making this list, I contacted 17 professional gamers and asked them the routers they use. Which means, pick any device from this list based on your budget and use-case and you’ll not regret!
I understand a minor setback or lag midway through an online match can be so aggravating, and therefore while testing, I made sure the routers passed with flying colors in every respect. Be it speeds, coverage, consistency, or efficiency, you won’t get any better choice than my listed models.
So, go through the provided recommendations, and select one that best suits your needs and budget.
1. Best Gaming Router: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000
Quad-band WiFi, WiFi 6E, 150+ Device support, Speeds upto 5Gbps, and amazing port management. Everything packed sophisticatedly, isn’t it like a dream come true? It’s a paradise for gamers! For people who don’t have budget constraints and want the best!
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,500 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 5 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 1148 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 4804 + 4804 Mbps
- 6GHz Speeds: 4804 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 150+
- Ports: 1 x 2.5G WAN + 2 x 10 Gig LAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 2 x USB 3.2 + 1 x USB 2.0
- Processor: 2.0GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: 256MB + 256MB
- App Support: Yes
Topping my list is probably the best wireless router for gaming on this planet, with some gaming-related features and innovations, ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000. Upgrade to GT-AXE11000, it has features like quad-band WiFi 6E support, 16000 Mbps max theoretical speed, multiple multi-gig ports, and others that get you a performance beyond expectations.
Why is it suited for gaming?
Looking at the specs, GT-AXE16000 certainly does pull all stops. Bolstering a quad-band WiFi 6E support is a big story, which harmoniously works with its powerful 2.0GHz quad-core processor to offer limitless opportunities to the users. Wireless technologies like OFDMA, beamforming, 160MHz bandwidth channels, and 1024-QAM to boost gaming performance further.
And if these aren’t enough to satiate the hunger of your gaming devices, there’s a 10 Gig and a 2.5G gaming port. The former can even deliver download speeds of up to 5.11 Gbps with a 5 Gbps plan.
To find out how well these features translate in real life, I paired 12 gaming consoles simultaneously and hosted a Fifa 23 tournament with my friends. During the course of the 6-hour tournament, not once a miss pass happened due to signal loss, and my friends and I were elated with the overall experience.
It was not surprising, considering the game ran at 115fps and a ping value of 2ms. And over the 10 Gig port, the numbers leapt to 120fps and 1ms, respectively.
Speeds and WiFi coverage
The quad-band WiFi 6E setup of GT-AXE16000 has pushed its maximum throughput capacity to 16000 Mbps, with band-wise speed distribution as follows:
6 GHz: 4804 Mbps 5 GHz (1): 4804 Mbps 5 GHz (2): 4804 Mbps 2.4 GHz: 1174 Mbps |
Considering such a massive throughput capacity, I paired the highest speed plan available with it, i.e., the 5 Gbps Xfinity plan, and the results equaled my expectations. Over the nearest band (6GHz), the downloads took place at 4.67 Gbps, while upload speeds were around 1.8 Gbps. While respective speeds for the 5GHz band fared at 4.42 Gbps and 1.65 Gbps.
At the same time, the speeds on the 2.4GHz band were recorded at 1.12 Gbps and 547 Mbps. Such speeds can easily accommodate any of your internet-bound tasks like 8K video streaming, attending zoom calls, sending emails, and many others.
Now coming to the coverage, the eight highly amplified antennas of the gaming wireless router do the trick. It, combined with beamforming technology, can transmit signals to an area of up to 3300 Sq Ft, the size of a three-bedroom apartment. You can connect up to 70 devices spread out across your house to the network at once without experiencing any throttles or inconsistencies.
Security Features
Aside from the other departments mentioned above, this Asus gaming router gets almost ten-pointers in this one as well. The routing device comes with AiProtection Pro with advanced features like malware elimination, intrusion blocking, and detecting malicious websites, along with basic features like WPA3, guest access, VPN, and auto-firmware update for all-around protection.
Other than that, there are smart parental controls like age-based filters, scheduled network pausing, profile creation, and tracking online activities. It’s especially helpful for digital mothers who need to keep a check on their kids and ensure they aren’t exposed to anything dangerous or inappropriate online.
Conclusion
Such advanced networking capabilities aren’t on the checklist of many, and spending around $700 stays out of the question. But, if you are in the other group who is engaged in high-bandwidth intensive tasks on multiple devices, needs multiple multi-gig ports and advanced security features, this gaming router won’t disappoint.
- Quad-band WiFi 6E support
- Multiple multi-gig ports
- Lifetime free AiProtection pro
- Gamer-friendly settings
- Great coverage
- Very expensive
Alternative Product Suggestion
If $700 is a very steep ask, then I recommend investing in its preceding model, Asus ROG GT-AX11000. Its tri-band WiFi 6E setup, 1.8GHz quad-core processor, multi-gig port, and gaming-related features come at half the price and also get you a powerful performance whether you are engaged in heavy gaming or other tasks online.
2. Best For Streaming: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,500 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 2 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 1200 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 4800 Mbps
- 6GHz Speeds: 4800 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 60
- Ports: 1 x 2.5G WAN + 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 2 x USB 3.0
- Processor: 1.8GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: 1GB + 512MB
- App Support: Yes
Next on my list is a thing that you can categorize as a good router for gaming, courtesy of WiFi 6E support with an additional 6GHz band, and a dedicated gaming port, alongside technologies like MU-MIMO, beamforming, 1024-QAM, and others. Although there aren’t many changes compared to RAXE450 featurewise, a considerable improvement can be seen in stability, signal strength, and consistency.
Why is it suited for gaming?
Suitability with gaming comes from the additional 6GHz band for WiFi 6E devices. The 12 simultaneous wireless streams ensure everyone in your family has an uninterrupted gaming experience. Added to it are features like MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and beamforming that further strengthen the signals for seamless multi-device gaming or streaming.
There’s also a dedicated gaming multi-gig port and Gigabit Ethernet ports with Link aggregation support for your most demanding devices or consoles that are running games like COD: Warzone, Destiny 2, and similar games.
Courtesy of the features mentioned earlier, this router’s gaming performance was fantastic. The games on my standalone Xbox 360 ran at 107fps while over 12 devices simultaneously, it dropped to 98fps, but the bandwidth was still enough to run without any lags or latencies. Besides, the ping value over the devices stayed between 3-5ms.
Speeds and WiFi coverage
Speed is the area where you won’t get wrong with this router, with its maximum capacity of 11000 Mbps. Its band-wise speed distribution is as follows:
6 GHz: 4.8 Gbps | 5 GHz: 4.8 Gbps | 2.4 GHz: 1.2 Gbps |
So, the test results with the Xfinity 2 Gbps plan were unsurprisingly great. Over the 6GHz band, the respective speed values for downloads and uploads were around 1.87 Gbps and 974 Mbps, while for 5GHz, it was 1.68 Gbps and 847 Mbps. At the same time, the respective speeds for the 2.4GHz band were around 1.07 Gbps and 547 Mbps.
Now getting to the coverage, its eight-antenna setup can impart signals to an area as high as 3000 Sq Ft, and you can connect up to 40 devices without experiencing any lags or latencies. That’s only possible with technologies like MU-MIMO, beamforming, and OFDMA that increase the reach of signals over multiple devices.
Security Features
This high-performance router by Netgear folds in a few basic yet functional security features for free. These are guest access, VPN, access control, WPA3, auto-firmware update, and others, which works together to extend basic security to your home network and client devices. Besides, free parental control features are network pausing and tracking online time.
Conclusion
To conclude, features like high-bandwidth availability, decent coverage, a dedicated gaming port, and technologies like MU-MIMO and OFDMA qualify as the best Nighthawk router for gaming. Its price might be a concern for many, but its features and performance make it worth every penny, and it is amongst the top gaming routers.
- Excellent speeds
- Great coverage
- Dedicated gaming port and link aggregation support
- Decent security feature
- Advanced security features need a subscription
3. Best Modem Router Combo: ARRIS Surfboard G36 (DOCSIS 3.1)
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- DOCSIS version: 3.1
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: 1 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 2401 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 40+
- Ports: 1 x 2.5G LAN + 4 x Gig LAN
- Processor: N/A
- RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 256MB
- App Support: Yes
If you are out here searching for modem-router combos, then give a look at this Arris Surfboard G36. An upgrade to its popular variant, Arris G34, brings along a plethora of updates like WiFi 6 dual-band support, a dedicated gaming port, ports with link aggregation support, and others, which qualifies it as the best router modem combo for gaming. Let’s discuss how these features translate in real life.
Why is it suited for gaming?
COMPATIBILITY NOTE:
The Arris G36 is compatible with popular internet providers like Xfinity, Cox, Spectrum, RCN, Midco, Sparklight, WOW Internet. However, you’ll need to make sure that the device is compatible with your internet provider before you purchase it or else it won’t work
Starting with its wireless capability, it has got dual-band WiFi 6 support alongside technologies like MU-MIMO and beamforming to deliver stable signals to your client devices. Besides, it has got a dedicated 2.5G gaming port and gigabit ports with link aggregation to provide you access to multi-gig speeds throughout the day.
These technologies, combined with a powerful processor (although undisclosed), these technologies could run heavy online games like Valorant and Apex legends at 95fps. Even hosting an online tournament with 25 connected devices didn’t disappoint me a tad.
Speeds and WiFi coverage
With a WiFi 6 dual-band support, Arris Surfboard S36 boasts a maximum throughput capacity of 3000 Mbps and is distributed between bands as:
5 GHz: 2402 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
Despite boasting speeds much lesser than my previous recommendation, the results were fine with my Xfinity 1 Gbps plan. Over the near band (5GHz), downloads took place at 974 Mbps, while the value was 427 Mbps for uploads. While the download and upload speed over the farther band fared at 524 Mbps and 214 Mbps.
The best thing about it was the speeds were consistent and stable, and my friends didn’t experience any lags while playing games connected over the bandwidth.
Traditionally, modem router combos aren’t very high performers in terms of coverage, but with Arris G36, it’s not true. Its high-performance antennas could encase a 2100 Sq Ft area, the size of a mid-sized apartment or a small workspace. And MU-MIMO and beamforming enabled me to connect up to 25 devices at a time.
Security Features
Security is the area where this modem router combo doesn’t shine. It although has a few features like guest access, auto-firmware update, an SPI firewall, and WPA3 encryption, which offers basic security to your networking ecosystem. But there aren’t any premium security features on offer, so you need to invest in a third-party antivirus if you need advanced security.
Conclusion
Arris G36 is a versatile device that packs powerful features like dual-band WiFi 6 connectivity, a multi-gig port, and link aggregation support to deliver reliable performance when you’re gaming or engaged in any other heavy tasks. It might be much inferior in results compared to my previous recommendations, but it offers the highest stability standard on your multi-device setup.
Want to learn more about the Arris G36? Read my in-depth review
- Decent speeds
- Great stability and consistency
- Multi-gig gaming port
- Link aggregation support
- No advanced security features are available
Alternative Product Suggestion
If you need a toned-down version of G36, go for its predecessor, Arris Surfboard G34. Although speeds and coverage are much lesser than the former, it ingrains a multi-gig gaming port to leave you with a powerful gaming experience. And at almost half the cost, you get your money’s worth.
4. Best WiFi 6 Router: TP-Link Archer GX90
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 2 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 4804 + 1201 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 100+
- Ports: 1 x 2.5G WAN/LAN + 1 x Gig WAN/LAN + 3 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.0 + 1 x USB 2.0
- Processor: 1.5GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: 256MB + 128MB
- App Support: Yes
Any list of best routers is incomplete without any TP-Link router, so let me present you their offering in the gaming router segment, TP-Link Archer GX90. Aside from its tri-band WiFi 6 setup, the router has got a dedicated gaming port, a powerful quad-core processor, ample RAM, and others to qualify as a reliable device.
And compared to my previous recommendation, it stays leaps and bound ahead of router performance.
Why is it suited for gaming?
Tagged as a “gaming device,” this TP-Link router combines a powerful quad-core processor with great wireless technologies to deliver a powerful gaming performance. Other technologies like MU-MIMO, QoS, and beamforming work harmoniously with them to make sure you have a similar gaming experience on multiple devices at once.
Besides, there’s a dedicated 2.5G port to deliver high bandwidth to your gaming devices. However, there isn’t any link aggregation support, as with my previously recommended options. There’s although four separate Gig ethernet ports to give out a decent performance.
Also, to enhance your gaming experience, there’re a few dedicated features like a game accelerator, specific gaming-related settings, and game statistics.
Connected wireless or wired, the gaming devices gave out an excellent performance. Over the 5GHz band, my 54 gamer friends and I played Valorant and Destiny 2 on my gaming consoles at 95fps, while with the multi-gig port, the value rocketed to 110 fps.
Speeds and WiFi coverage
Archer GX90 boasts a maximum throughput capacity of 6600 Mbps, with speeds for respective bands as follows:
5 GHz (1): 4804 Mbps | 5 GHz (2): 1201 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
In my tests, I measured download and upload speeds on all three bands paired with Xfinity 2 Gbps plan. Over the additional 5GHz band, the respective speed values fared out at 1.75 Gbps and 874 Mbps, while for the other 5GHz band, it was around 1.1 Gbps and 547 Mbps. At the same time, the speeds recorded on the faraway band (2.4GHz) were 524 Mbps and 204 Mbps.
Now coming to the coverage, promising a theoretical range of 3000 Sq Ft, the router had a range of 2500 Sq Ft in my tests. Besides, courtesy of networking technologies like MU-MIMO and beamforming, signals could reach up to 55 devices without weakening.
Security Features
In terms of security, Archer GX90 doesn’t offer much for free. Out of the box with HomeShield Basic, there are features like a malicious site checker, QoS, and weekly scanning. Other than that, its data remains encrypted and secured with the WPA3 encryption standard. The router although has smart parental controls like monitoring online activities, scheduling internet time, and manual website blocking.
Conclusion
To sum up, placed in the mid-range price bracket, TP-Link Archer GX90 is one of the most reliable and efficient gaming wireless routers, courtesy of advanced wireless and hardware setup. Its coverage is decent enough to easily cover your three-bedroom apartment and impart strong signals to most devices spread across the area.
But weaker performance with fewer features than my previous recommendation has pushed it down to the fourth position.
- Easy to install
- Strong signal performance and throughput
- Multi-gig connectivity
- Gamer-related settings
- Some security features are paid
5. Best Budget Router: Linksys MR9610
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 1 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 4804 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1147 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 40+
- Ports: 1 x Gig WAN + 4 x Gig LAN + 2 x USB 3.0
- Processor: 1.8GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: N/A
- App Support: Yes
As I have reached halfway of my list, let me present you a budget Linksys router for gaming, Linksys MR9610. So what qualifies its inclusion in the list is Its powerful quadcore processor, gigabit ports, dual-band WiFi support, and other technologies, which are an upgrade to its older model, Linksys MR9600. Besides, its throughput capacity is high enough to satiate the hunger of most devices.
Why is it suited for gaming?
To be the best WiFi 6 gaming router, it’s important to have multiple LAN ports for wired connections, and with five Gigabit LAN/WAN ports of MR9610, you’ll never run short of it. Although it lacks a dedicated gaming multi-gig port, these ports should deliver download speeds up to 1.05 Gbps with the Xfinity 1 Gbps plan.
Other than that, the router excels in wireless performance with dual-band WiFi 6 connectivity, MU-MIMO, beamforming, and QoS, which works harmoniously with the cutting-edge processing setup. Looking at the specs, this router should fulfill most of your gaming needs, no questions asked.
Now judging by its real-life performance, along with gaming on 20 devices, people streamed 4K videos on eight devices and attended video calls on 4-5 laptops/computers, but there weren’t many visible instances of lags of buffering. So, it’s safe to say that you can game all you want with this budget gaming router.
Speeds and WiFi coverage
Now coming to the speeds, this dual-band WiFi 6 has a maximum theoretical cap of 6000 Mbps, distributed over bands as:
5 GHz: 4804 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 1201 Mbps |
In my tests with the Xfinity 1 Gbps plan, the respective downloads and uploads came to be around 947 Mbps and 414 Mbps over the 5GHz band. While 527 Mbps and 254 Mbps are over the 2.4GHz band. So talk about any internet-bound tasks, and this router has got it covered without stressing much.
The Linksys MR9610 also achieves a decent performance when it comes to coverage. Its four-antennas setup can easily cut through most obstructions and cover an area of up to 2900 Sq Ft, a tad higher than my previous recommendation. Besides, I could connect up to 30 devices with the network bandwidth without dropping speeds by much.
Security Features
Linksys routers have a decent range of security features but remain void of advanced ones like malware elimination, intrusion blocking, and malicious website detection. But there are free-to-use features available in most routers, like guest access, VPN, network access, and auto-firmware update. Although these features are sufficient for household setups, they don’t suit any bigger ecosystem than that.
Conclusion
Overall, Linksys MR9610 is a budget-range gaming router that has some quality features to support any online game without much stress. Its throughput capacity, along with the coverage, is decent, which means you can enjoy your games sitting anywhere in your large home and haven’t had to face any lags.
However, lesser speeds than the previous options and lack of multi-gig ports have pushed it down to this position.
- Decent throughput performance
- Great coverage
- Four Ethernet ports
- Great gaming performance
- Lack of multi-gig port
6. Best Mesh: TP-Link Deco XE75
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 7,200 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: 1 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHZ Speeds: 2402 Mbps
- 6GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 200+
- Ports: 3 x 1 Gig LAN on Each Unit
- Processor: 1.7GHz Quad-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: N/A
- App Support: Yes
If you are in here for a mesh router, then there are not many better options than TP-Link Deco XE75. With a max theoretical coverage of 7200 Sq Ft, you won’t run out of network anywhere in your house. Besides, it comes with WiFi 6E support that offers extra bandwidth to work with and get clearer as well as faster signals on your devices.
Why is it suited for gaming?
WiFi 6E and an additional 6GHz band make the mesh system more than capable of taking over high-bandwidth tasks, including gaming, streaming, and others. While technologies like MU-MIMO and QoS establish stability in signals that are dissipated over multiple devices at a time. Its cutting-edge processor further assists the process by avoiding any lags.
But I was disappointed by the fact that there aren’t any dedicated gaming ports and ingrains only three Ethernet ports on its rear panel. Despite its limited wired connectivity, you can expect a stable connection on your gaming consoles or other devices.
Now it comes to the real-time performance, and the results were pretty impressive. Courtesy of the 6GHz band, the signals over my devices were pretty stable, and games like Fortnite and Valorant ran at a decent 90fps, while the value was 75fps for heavy games like Call of Duty: Warzone. The wired connections were also decent, with fps values around 85fps.
Speeds and WiFi coverage
This WiFi 6E router has a maximum throughput capacity of 5400 Mbps, with respective band-wise speeds as follows:
6 GHz: 2402 Mbps | 5 GHz: 2402 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
In my speed tests, the router almost equaled my expectations. The 6GHz band could churn out download speeds of 927 Mbps with Xfinity 1 Gbps plan, while upload speeds fared at 438 Mbps. Similarly, downloads over the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands transpired at 878 Mbps and 521 Mbps, while upload speeds for respective bands were valued at 387 Mbps and 175 Mbps.
The speed tests over a 50-feet distance were excellent courtesy of the powerful antennas it encases. Signals imparted by the mesh system traveled up to 5500 Mbps, which allowed people one block away to access the internet until I set a password.
The presence of MU-MIMO and QoS further boosted its signal-imparting ability, and I could connect to up to 54 available devices. Best part is the network stays stable even after connecting so many devices at once.
Security Features
TP-Link is always concerned about the security of its devices, and there’s something for everyone, basic or advanced. Its HomeShield basic caters to residential setups with features like guest access, access control, WPA3, VPN, and auto-firmware updates. And similar to its sibling model, it has got some advanced parental controls like an age-based filter, network pausing, and tracking online time.
Conclusion
TP-Link XE75, priced at around $250, is one of the most value-added mesh systems I have encountered so far. Features like vast coverage, decent throughput courtesy of an additional 6GHz band, excellent gaming performance, and decent security make it the best router for gaming in a large home.
But limited wired connectivity and a few paid security features have pushed it down the list.
- User-friendly app
- Great coverage
- Decent mesh performance
- Minimalistic design
- Fewer ports
Alternative Product Suggestion
If you prefer Netgear mesh systems over TP-Link ones, then its flagship model, Orbi RBK752, placed in a similar price bracket, should be an ideal pick. Besides, there are 5 Ethernet ports in total, which opens up more possibilities for wired connectivity.
In case you’re looking for some more gaming mesh system suggestions, you can consider checking out my post on the Best Gaming Mesh Systems of 2023.
7. Best for PS5/PS4 Gaming: ASUS RT-AX82U
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,000 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: Up to 1 Gbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 4804 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 30+
- Ports: 1 x WAN+ 4 x Gig LAN + 1 x USB 3.1
- Processor: 1.5GHz Tri-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 256MB
- App Support: Yes
If you are a fan of Asus routers but can’t afford its ROG series of gaming routers, then have a look at their budget offering, Asus RT-AX82U. Its design resembles an extraterrestrial spaceship, with its antennas being the weapons. Aside from design, it ingrains a few high-end features like a tri-core processor, decent throughput capacity, and ample storage to become an ideal router for PS4 gaming.
Why is it suited for gaming?
Aside from a WiFi 6 dual-band support and networking technologies like MU-MIMO and QoS to make sure the signals transmitted over multiple devices are stable. The features that make it a standout amongst others include a mobile game mode that minimizes latency and lag for mobile gaming with just a tap.
Besides, there’s a dedicated gaming port, not a multi-gig, but it automatically prioritizes any wired devices connected to it. So going by the claims, I tested its performance across 25 devices by playing games like Valorant, Destiny 2, and Red dead redemption 2. The games ran at 80fps and at a ping value of 7ms, and everyone had a slick experience.
Speeds and WiFi coverage
Talking about the speeds, the dual-band WiFi 6 router has a maximum theoretical cap of 5400 Mbps, with band-wise distribution as follows:
5 GHz: 4804 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps |
In a real-life scenario, connected over my Xbox 360 with a 1 Gbps Xfinity internet plan, the download speeds over the 5GHz band recorded at 857 Mbps, while the upload speed value was around 348 Mbps. Similarly, measuring respective speeds over the 2.4GHz band, I got values of 357 Mbps and 120 Mbps.
Next, the coverage of the Asus RT-AX82U was decent, courtesy of its highly amplified antennas. At max, the range it could cover was 1500 Sq Ft, the size of a two-bedroom apartment. However, with AiMesh technology, you can extend its coverage by a thousand square feet by pairing another compatible router.
Security Features
Similar to its big brother, Asus ROG GT-AXE160000, it comes with AiProtection Pro, which instills some advanced security features like malware protection, intrusion blocking, detecting malicious websites, and others to offer all-around security.
Aside from that, there are some advanced parental controls like kid-safe presets, schedule block times, internet activity dashboards, and content filters.
Conclusion
To conclude, Asus RT-AX82U, with features like a game boost, gaming port, and decent performance, qualifies it as the best affordable gaming router. Its coverage is decent enough to cover your two-bedroom space, but its AiMesh technology allows you to pair another router and extend its coverage by thousand square feet.
But inferior features and lesser speeds than my previous recommendations have ranked it in the penultimate position. In case you’re focused on playing on PS4/PS5, then you can also check out my dedicated list of routers for PS gaming.
- Features like game boost
- Dedicated gaming port
- Excellent design
- Decent throughput
- AiMesh support
- Lesser coverage
- No 2.5Gig port
8. Cheap Yet Best: D-Link EXO (WiFi 6)
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- WiFi Range: Up to 2,000 Sq Ft
- Supported Internet Plan: 500 Mbps
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 600 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 4800 Mbps
- Number of Devices Supported: 30+
- Ports: 4 x Gig LAN + 1 USB 3.0 + 1 x USB 2.0
- Processor: 1.5GHz Triple-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: N/A
- App Support: Yes
Last but not least is a cheap gaming router, D-Link EXO. Priced at around $100, it has got a maximum throughput cap of 5400 Mbps, a six-antenna setup, a decent arrangement of ports, and a decent hardware setup making it the best-value gaming router. Besides, it brings a lot of upgrades over its older model, D-Link EXO AX1800, in terms of speeds, coverage, and in turn, overall performance.
Why is it suited for gaming?
D-Link EXO AX5400 embeds a number of features that facilitates your gaming experience. To start with, it has got dual-band WiFi 6 support, alongside features like MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and QoS, to deliver a stable gaming experience to all your connected devices. And although there’s no dedicated gaming port but enough Ethernet ports to connect your devices and wallow in.
And the experience almost equaled my expectations. The games played out at 70-75fps, depending on the type and bandwidth it exploits. Its potential setback is, however, connection capacity, as despite claiming to connect more than 30 devices, it managed only 15. However, my friends didn’t complain of major lags or setbacks over the connections.
Speeds and WiFi coverage
Boasting dual-band WiFi 6 support, the maximum throughput cap of D-Link EXO is placed at 5400 Mbps, with distribution for respective bands as follows:
5 GHz: 4800 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps |
In my tests over Xfinity 500 Mbps, downloading a 50GB file took around 12-13 minutes at rates of 487 Mbps, while uploads raked at 97 Mbps over the 5GHz band. At the same time, the farther band (2.4GHz) valued respective speeds at 235 Mbps and 41 Mbps. Such speeds were enough to satiate the bandwidth needs of my smart TVs, gaming consoles, laptops, PCs, and others.
Moving on, despite its six-antenna setup, its range could extend only up to 1200-1300 Sq Ft. However, the signals stayed stable on 15 devices I could connect at a time, courtesy of MU-MIMO and OFDMA.
Security Features
Security isn’t the area where this router shines, as there aren’t any advanced security features on offer, free or paid. There are some standard features like WPA3 encryption, VPN, and guest access tailored specifically for your home network. Aside from that, its parental controls are pretty basic, with features like pausing WiFi manually and monitoring online time.
Conclusion
The D-Link EXO ticks many boxes from buyers who are in the market for affordable WiFi 6 options. The networking technologies it instills and the performance it delivers qualify it to be the best router for gaming under 100 dollars. However, it lacks majorly in many departments, including coverage and security, and therefore ranked at the bottom.
- Decent speeds
- MU-MIMO and OFDMA
- Easy to use with a user-friendly app
- Triple-core 1.5GHz processor
- No dedicated gaming port
- Sub-par connections capacity
Frequently Asked Questions
The router especially designed for gaming, should instill features like a dual QoS, dedicated gaming port, and software-based acceleration, alongside networking technologies like MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and QoS. The router you pick must also boast a decent throughput capacity to fulfill the bandwidth needs of most of your devices.
Ethernet is easily far superior when it comes to getting stable and best speeds when gaming online. Lack of interferences and obstructions with a wired connection makes it a better option than a wireless one. However, with WiFi, you can connect multiple devices, which is limited to Ethernet.
5GHz band is best suited for high-bandwidth activities or devices like streaming and gaming compared to 2.4GHz, which works well for sending signals far away.
As far as my tests go, the cheapest gaming router can handle up to 15 devices, which increases if you are increasing your budget.
If you are a professional gamer with a large setup, you wouldn’t want a cheaper router with inferior features and get a below-average gaming performance, which is where expensive routers come in. It can handle more than 50 devices and ensures frame rates of your games don’t drop below 95. However, if you’re a casual gamer, there’s no point spending large on these.
Verdict
You’ll find a rundown of some of my favorite gaming routers below. Go through the list, and select a device that works best with your needs, so here I go:
- For professional gamers whose budget isn’t a limit and who desire the most powerful gaming router ever to exist, Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 is the best option for them.
- If you have a limited budget but still looking for a reliable router to satiate all your professional gaming needs, TP-Link Archer GX90 is the best you can get.
- Lastly, opt for D-Link EXO if you need a budget router for your casual gaming.
Saying that, I’d like to wrap up my guide to the best router for gaming. Let me know in the comments below which model you have opted for. With that, goodbye and take care!
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