12 Best Routers for Gaming in 2019
- Supports one-click VPN for more privacy while gaming
- Monitoring options let you track usage by device and software
- Optimized for the needs of the biggest competitive shooters around
- The first gaming router with customizable RGB lighting
- Lets you dedicate an entire 5 GHz band to gaming traffic
- Simple three step port forwarding
- Offers exceptional speeds for the price
- Management software is clean and easy to use
- Allows monitoring through a free, dedicated mobile app
Gaming routers were unheard of just a few years ago, but they’re becoming an increasingly popular device for everyone from esports pros to more casual multiplayer gamers. As games become increasingly reliant on online play, and increasingly competitive, the quality of your wireless internet connection can increasingly come to have an impact on your play style. Lag can quite literally mean the difference between a win and a loss.
Whether you’re hearing about gaming routers for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro looking to upgrade from your existing model, we’re here to help. Not only have we identified twelve of the best gaming routers on the market; we’ve also created a thorough buying guide that can help you decipher those specs and shop smarter.
1. NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500
Resembling nothing less than alien technology, the XR500 cuts a boastful demeanor. And while the hardware packed into this Nighthawk gaming router isn't from another planet, it does manage to be one of the best routers you'll find anywhere by combining incredibly high performance speeds with remarkably low levels of latency.
The included quality of service software gives you a lot of control over how you want to balance your traffic, whether that means funneling all of your bandwidth to your gaming PC or console or sharing the wealth a little more evenly. Geo-filtering gives you an extra advantage by allowing you to painlessly connect to the servers closest to you.
A highlight is the presence of DumaOS software compatibility, which allows you to optimize your performance with just a few simple clicks or truly customize your experience due to its deep and complicated variety of configuration options.
Key Features
- Supports one-click VPN for more privacy while gaming
- Monitoring options let you track usage by device and software
- Optimized for the needs of the biggest competitive shooters around
- Highly customizable dashboard with real-time metrics
2. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
If the XR500 and the GT-AX11000 were anything to go by, you could reasonably be mistaken into believing that every wireless gaming router on the market sports a ludicrous design. This ASUS gaming router looks like it would better suit the Iron Throne than your PC desk, but it's fundamentally a top shelf gaming router that can give you a head start on the next generation of wireless gaming.
This is a router prepped to meet the demands of the recently released Wi-Fi 6 standard, and that helps justify its substantive price tag. For techies who want more control over their router performance, IFTT compatibility offers an impressive level of granular automation. For those looking for more convenience, the compatible mobile app lets you monitor your performance and configure your settings right through your phone. The VPN Fusion option allows you to more easily mask your internet activity.
Key Features
- The first gaming router with customizable RGB lighting
- Lets you dedicate an entire 5 GHz band to gaming traffic
- Simple three step port forwarding
- Makes use of AiMesh technology
3. TP-Link AC1900 Smart Wireless Router
Devices that market themselves explicitly as gaming routers often sport elaborate design and a price tag to match, but you don't need to invest hundreds of dollars to get a router that can suit your gaming demands. The Archer C9 is a refreshingly cheap gaming router that performs admirably. Despite its responsible price tag and unobtrusive design, it performs well outside its class in practically every important metric.
The configuration dashboard is equally as modest - presenting everything you need in a clean and streamlined interface but boasting all the important quality of service features you'd expect from a dedicated gaming router. But the best interface in the world won't mean much if there isn't any power under the hood. Fortunately, the Archer C9 excels on this front. It delivers remarkably high upload and download rates while also managing to produce results from long distances.
Key Features
- Offers exceptional speeds for the price
- Management software is clean and easy to use
- Allows monitoring through a free, dedicated mobile app
- Utilizes beamform technology
4. ASUS AC2900 WiFi Dual-band Router
The ASUS AC2900 may not sport the rock bottom price of the TP-Link, but it's a good gaming router that provides strong performance and some quality features catered to the specific needs of gamers at a relatively low budget price. In fact, it packs in about everything you could want not from just a gaming router but also for an all-around purposes. The security functionality is truly top shelf, and the USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports make printing and network storage a breeze.
But this isn't a list for the best general routers, so it should come as no surprise that the AC2900 comes with a number of great features with gaming in mind. The configuration menu is easy to use, and while it offers a whole bevy of customization features, they aren't mandatory. But the biggest boost comes in the form of its MU-MIMO compatibility.
Key Features
- One click LAN boost lets you easily prioritize your gaming experience
- Comes with support for NitroQAM technology
- Trend Micro offers 24/7 support from malicious external threats
- Two week trial of Gamers Private Network included
5. NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700
If you thought the Nighthawk XR500 was a powerful piece of equipment, then you'll be shocked by what its bigger brother has to offer. Despite sporting a less ostentatious design, the XR700 builds off the fundamentals that the lesser Nighthawk router built while bringing some noticeable boosts to performance. That includes double the processing power and an extra ethernet port for connecting more devices. The XR700 also sports an active antenna design that gives you a significantly greater range in your home. If connecting your gaming devices via ethernet isn't feasible, that can be a distinct advantage. It also has the advantage of supporting both AD and AC WiFi instead of just the latter.
All that said, the XR700 does cost about $200 more than the XR500. The improvements in quality are sizable, but whether that price increase is worth it is going to depend on your unique gaming demands.
Key Features
- All of the features of the XR500 with some noticeable improvements
- Real time monitoring of network and game ping
- Support for secure gaming VPNs
- Utilizes Quad Stream Wave2 WiFi
6. Linksys AC3200 Dual-Band Gaming Router
Linksys has a reputation for making phenomenal routers designed for the home user, and they manage to stick strongly to getting the fundamentals right with their entry to the gaming market. The AC3200 wears a relatively modest price tag, but its specs outperform its price significantly. File transfer speeds are lightning quick, so you won't have to spend days downloading the latest game (or deal with the increasingly overbearing updates that are now the standard), and each device on your network gets its own dedicated stream.
As an added perk, the AC3200 syncs with Killer-enabled PCs, so if you have the right equipment, the AC3200 can draw from some of the best network optimization technology around. It boasts that it can reduce peak ping in gaming by as much as 77% over the competitors. The software interface is also great, and it comes with useful remote management features as well.
Key Features
- Makes use of the powerful Killer network prioritization engine
- Fast and reliable speeds even while under pressure
- Support for MU-MIMO streaming
- File transfer speeds are blindingly fast
7. ASUS RT-AX88U WiFi Gaming Router
The RT-AC88U is positively a beast. This is a luxury router that sports incredibly speedy internet and a decent range, but its real strength comes in its cleverly designed quality of service features. The 1024-Qam technology lets you achieve up to 80% better speeds at 5 GHz, and the presence of eight ethernet hubs is well beyond the industry standard. If you have multiple devices that demand physical connections and can handle the logistics, this is the router for you.
The web interface is simply divine. Not only does it put all the tools you need to monitor your various devices and apps in one place, it also comes with both a dedicated VPN and all the tools you need to protect your internet connection from external threats. It also supports MU-MIMO, and massively multiplayer online gamers will surely appreciate the inclusion of Gamer Private Network compatibility.
Key Features
- All the power of the AC88U for the slight disadvantage of less ports
- Security in the form of built-in Trend Micro support
- Offers both a VPN and parental control options
- Adaptive QoS lets you more readily control your gaming bandwidth
8. TP-Link AC5400 Tri-Band Gaming Router
The Archer V5400 by TP-Link is another gaming router that sports a truly ostentatious design, but as is often the case with more garish models, this one knows how to throw a punch. The performance is what you'd expect from a gaming router in this price range, but it truly excels in terms of usability. If this is your first router and you're looking for an interface you can navigate easily, you'll find it here. More advanced users will find a highly customizable set of options resting underneath the hood.
This is also the top gaming router on our list if you're looking for smart home compatibility. An expansive list of Alexa commands allow you to accomplish all of the fundamental actions you'd need with voice commands alone, and the IFTTT integration allows you to both expand those commands and automate far more sophisticated calibrations if you have the knowledge.
Key Features
- One of the few gaming routers with smart home functionality
- Supports both Airtime Fairness and MU-MIMO
- Lets you double connection speeds via Link Aggregation
- Powerful antivirus tools built right in
9. Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600 Wireless Router
For the amount of features and quality service that the Armor Z2 offers, you won't find a more affordable options. The Wi-Fi hardware built into this device is truly powerful, and it can easily and wirelessly be set up with either a computer or mobile device. The output on a router of this class is bound to put off a lot of heat, but it's surprisingly compact and lightweight, and it contains a large number of vents to keep it in good repair even during times of peak internet usage.
The management interface is smartly designed as well. All of the basic functions like changing your password and setting options for guests is neatly displayed in the main tab, while a separate section provides you with a truly astounding number of metrics about your internet usage. It's there if you need it, but it shouldn't intimidate new users.
Key Features
- Antennas support both Beamform and StreamBoost
- Incredibly easy wireless setup
- Supports MU-MIMO technology
- Great balance of speed and range
10. ASUS RT-AC5300 Gaming Router
The RT-AC5300 is an imposing piece of equipment, both in terms of pricing and size, but it's also one of the most powerful routers to make our list. It offers exceptionally high speeds on the whole spectrum from 2.4 to 5GHz, and it offers enough range to ensure that you'll be able to make the most of that speed regardless of the size of your house. And while there's an incredibly diverse amount of configuration settings, the inclusion of NitroQAM technology means that everyone in your home can get access to solid internet without the need for excessive management.
Beamforming and Smart Connect are also supported to ensure the integrity of your connection even over longer distances. As is the case with many ASUS gaming routers, security and parental controls are both available in the form of its AiProtection technology.
Key Features
- Offers some of the best range you'll find anywhere
- Dense user interface accessible from browser or app
- Utilizes MU-MIMO to handle multiple connections with less slowdown
- Adaptive QoS lets you easily prioritize source devices
11. TP-Link Archer C5400 WiFi Gaming Router
The AC5400 by Archer has already made it onto our list, and for good reason. But if you're looking for similar features for a respectable decrease in price, the slightly downgraded C5400 may be the right choice for you. While it's not as powerful a device, it does offer the same variety of smart home features, and that's a rarity in the business. IFTTT is also included, so you don't need to sacrifice that level of deep customization for the sake of your budget.
The gaming specific options packed in here are pretty stacked as well. HomeCare provides you with quality of service, antivirus, and parental control options for every single device on your network, and the MU-MIMO protocol lets you boost the performance of those many devices across three channel bands. The antennas are designed to broadcast a strong signal even in larger environments.
Key Features
- TP-Link Tether gives you full network management through your phone
- Comes with a host of Alexa skills and IFTTT support
- Offers multiple presets for network prioritization
- Three co-processor greatly reduce the threat of lag
12. NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S Smart WiFi Router
Netgear's Nighthawk series occupies a disproportionate amount of space in our list, and that's because they represent the full gamut of pricing while consistently performing above the standards for their class. The X4S is no different, and this Netgear gaming router is positioned squarely on the lower end of pricing for high-end AC routers. It's one of the faster 5GHz routers available, and it also offers exceptionally high file transfer speeds. The Quad Stream Wave 2 WiFi only boosts the range, making it a good choice for larger households, especially those with multiple gamers.
Surprisingly for a router of this price, the X4S comes with Alexa compatibility. That's something otherwise only seen on this list in some of the TP-Link models. While it may seem like a gimmicky addition to some users, it's sure to only become more useful as smart devices become more fully integrated into our homes.
Key Features
- Offers double bandwidth and increased range for mobile devices
- MU-MIMO compatibility facilitates streaming from multiple devices
- Strong and cleanly laid out quality of service
- Eminently affordable considering its power and functionality
Best Gaming Routers Buyer’s Guide
Understanding the Specs
A lot of craftsmanship goes into constructing a solid router, but a handful of hardware considerations stand above all else in distinguishing a cut rate modem from an exceptional model. We’ve listed these specs for each model above, but we’re providing a deeper analysis of what they mean here.
WiFi Speed
There’s no more direct comparison of a router’s raw power than its internet speed. This is measured in either megabits per second of gigabits per second. In the latter case, you can convert it easily to Mbps by multiplying the number by a thousand. This tells you how much data the router can transfer to a WiFi device in the matter of a second, and that determines everything from how quickly you can download information to how smoothly video streams and how effectively a game can run without slowdown. In fast paced multiplayer games like Call of Duty, your internet speed can have a significant difference on your effectiveness.
It should be noted that these internet speeds are a little more complicated than what the advertisers put on their packaging. Once you reach the range of a gaming router, there’s little to no chance that any one device will use your entire bandwidth. Instead, this bandwidth is shared, and if you’re really looking for a deep analysis of what you need, you should consider how much bandwidth you use at peak hours. The maximum internet speed listed is also a theoretical number that’s rarely the same in practice. The model of your modem and the quality of your ISP connection can both have a significant effect on your internet speed as well, and the distance of a device can impact the quality of the wireless connection it receives in a pretty major way.
Antennas
Fortunately, the degradation of a wireless internet signal over long distances can be mitigated to some extent. That’s where antennas come in. Each antenna creates separate streams for sharing data, and the more antenna your router possesses, the less multiple devices will be having to share the same bandwidth.
That said, you may have noticed that some of the routers with only three or four antennas are listed comparably to those with six or eight. That’s because more isn’t always better. While the number of antennas is sometimes a good indicator of quality, it’s also important to examine reviews so that you can gauge the quality of these antennas. Some manufacturers will pack in as many low quality antennas as possible to convince buyers of the quality of their equipment (but suffice to say, these routers were excluded from our list with prejudice).
And there are a number of other factors that can have an even greater impact on your bandwidth channels than another antenna or two tacked on. These include StreamBoost, Beamforming, and MU-MIMO protocols, which we’ll evaluate in more detail below. Long story short, more antennas are generally better, but you have to evaluate more than just the number of them if you want to make a truly informed decision.
CPU Processor
The processor is essentially the nerve center of your router, and as these devices have become more sophisticated, many of them make use of the same sort of powerful CPUs that you’d find in your gaming rig. This is another case where bigger is better. The more GHz packed into your gaming router, the better the router will serve you around the board, and the difference between a quad-core rather than dual-core processor is more sizable still.
But what are the tangible effects of a processor on your gaming experience? There are four fundamental considerations to weigh. The first is that stronger processors offer support for a wider selection of devices (and that’s another reason why the number of antennas alone can’t help you judge your bandwidth potential). The processor assists with multitasking and prevents devices stuttering even when there’s enough raw bandwidth to support the needs of all the devices on your network. The processor is also a factor in preventing bottlenecking. That’s to say that it makes sure that all the data your ISP promises to deliver you reaches its destination at the speed you expect.
Most high-end gaming modems come with both an expansive number of features catered to the needs of gamers (such as VPN, QoS, and Smart Connect) and with advanced capabilities (like the ability to service that huge number of USB and ethernet ports built in). The more of these features and functionalities that your router options, the stronger the processor needs to be to run them.
Connectivity
As far as routers are concerned, a wireless signal is never going to be as strong as one delivered via an ethernet cable, and that has to do with more than distance. While devices further away receive weaker wireless signals, ethernet cables simply deliver faster internet with less degradation across the board. All of the ethernet outlets on our list support 1Gbps internet. It’s important to distinguish that’s the raw power that can be delivered to a single device rather than the maximum bandwidth by which internet signals are judged.
That means that whenever possible, you want to make sure that your high priority and high data usage devices are connected directly to your router so you can get maximum speeds. In practice, that’s not so easily accomplished. Clustering all of your important connected devices into a small space is rarely practical, so you’re going to want to consider the logistics of your home to determine how many ethernet ports you need. Being able to connect eight devices to a single hub may sound great on paper, but it’s a little more difficult in practice.
RAM
In personal computers, RAM (or Random Access Memory) is space dedicated to holding data that is accessed regularly. It’s essentially the short term memory of your machine, and it can speed up functionality in a meaningful way. And given that routers are basically tiny computers assigned to a few very specific tasks, RAM serves the same role. It’s a useful aid to your processor, allowing it to accomplish more without having to dig deep.
So how much should RAM affect your purchasing decision? Not that much honestly. While RAM can have some effect on the speed of your router connection, it’s so minor in comparison to other factors that it shouldn’t be a major consideration for any but the most tech-oriented consumers.
Features to Look For
The base hardware alone isn’t the only factor in a router’s quality, and many come with special functionalities built in that improve the performance in a myriad of ways. You can treat this section as a glossary for some of the recurring technologies and protocol that appear on our list.
AiMesh
Despite being a technology only available in ASUS routers, AiMesh can be exceedingly practical for power users. It allows you to connect multiple routers together into a single network. Routers often have blind spots in performance, and construction materials and furniture can further degrade signals. If you want to link together multiple routers, AiMesh is the best option available, but just keep in mind that you’ll have to buy in completely to the ASUS ecosystem.
Airtime Fairness
Airtime Fairness can give a small boost to your most prioritized devices, but it likely won’t have a huge effect. Available on a lot of routers, Airtime Fairness slightly degrades the speed of your slowest device and reroutes it to more high priority devices.
Beamforming
Also very common for gaming routers is the presence of beamforming. Rather than direct the signal evenly across all 360 degrees, beamforming directs signals directly to each device, ensuring clearer signals even at longer distances.
IFTTT
While the QoS functionality in gaming routers gives you a lot more control over where your bandwidth is allocated, every configuration tool is going to have its natural limitations. That’s where If This Then That comes in. Inspired by the if-then statements that drive much of computer programming logic, IFTTT lets you establish highly precise and circumstantial commands for your router and can automate a lot of a router’s common features. It can be especially useful for routers with smart home functionality, since IFTTT functions can be created as voice activation commands. While IFTTT can require some technical knowledge to execute properly, its applications are practically limitless.
MU-MIMO
If you’re looking to get the ultimate gaming experience without lag, the number of devices on your network is just as important as the raw signal of your router, and this can be especially difficult when you have multiple gamers in your household. Smartphones, gaming PCs, gaming laptops, tablets, streaming sticks, and even WiFi-enabled smart home monitoring systems can all be consuming valuable data at once. Traditional routers prioritize devices based on which starts transmitting first, and even traditional QoS decides which device gets first priority. In a traditional model, that means that a lower priority device doesn’t receive transmitted data until all the higher priority devices do.
MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) reduces the necessity that each device needs to wait their turn. Instead, it separates the bandwidth into individual streams, so you’ll receive a constant signal on all devices without throttling. It’s an egalitarian solution for households with high levels of internet usage.
NitroQAM
Quadrature amplification modulation is a process by which signals are delivered wirelessly over a network. Wireless signals aren’t delivered in a straight line but rather in a wave pattern. By adjusting the amplitude of these wave patterns, different forms of QAM can improve the quality of the signal being produced and provide a not insignificant boost to speeds. This can deliver more raw power up close and even juice up devices that may suffer slowdown due to their distance from the router. So what’s NitroQAM then? It’s simply an industry buzzword for the latest implementation of QAM protocol. It’s currently the best iteration of QAM on the market, and it can deliver as much as a 25% boost to your wireless signal.
Quality of Service
Quality of Service, or QoS, refers to one of the most important features in gaming routers. A normal router will determine where to distribute bandwidth on a first come first serve basis, but QoS functions allow you to designate how much bandwidth goes to each device or piece of software. Better routers tend to offer more detailed and intricate QoS options. Quality of Service is usually handled through the configuration section of your router’s web client or mobile app (if one is available).
StreamBoost
StreamBoost is marketed as a bold alternative to Quality of Service, but in actual fact, it’s more an iteration of QoS’ core principles. In short, it automates the process of distributing bandwidth. By drawing off some core variables and analyzing crowdsourced data from users around the world, StreamBoost analyzes how much data an app or device is using, determines how much it needs to complete its task, and prioritizes devices accordingly. How useful it will be to you will be contingent on how much micromanaging you like to do. Fortunately, StreamBoost is just established as a default, and it can be overwritten if you’d like to establish your own presets and configurations.
VPN
Many routers come with support for a virtual private network, either in the form of limited trials, perpetually free options, or interfaces designed to coordinate with paid options. A VPN allows you to mask your internet activity by channeling your data through a remote server. Those trying to spy on your data will instead be stopped at a remote access point. It’s become one of the most effective security tools around, and while it’s a convenient option to have bundled with a router, you don’t need a VPN-enabled router to make use of such technology.
Some routers also come with access to Gamers Private Network. While it functions on the same principles as VPN, it’s a little different in practice. Rather than mask your IP connection, it makes use of remote servers to provide you with the best connection available. And while GPN is optimized for use with MMOs, it can be a useful tool for online gamers of any type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Specific Router For Console Gaming?
Whether you’re a console gamer, a PC gamer, or both, you won’t need to make a separate purchase to get access to top shelf internet performance. There’s no separate router for XBox One or gaming router for PS4. Instead, you can use the same router for all of your gaming and non-gaming experience and prioritize which devices get prioritized bandwidth through the router’s software interface.
Are Gaming Routers Good For Non-Gaming Purposes?
The two most basic distinguishing features of a gaming router are their power and the ability to prioritize the devices and apps on your network through their Quality of Service functionality. Most of the fancier features of gaming routers are designed to either boost performance, range, or the capacity for multiple streams to run concurrently without signal degradation.
Power is an obvious advantage for everything from streaming 4K video, downloading media and video capture. But the QoS can be incredibly useful as well, particularly for larger households. The granular controls ensure that no one is able to hog a disproportionate amount of bandwidth and allows people who work from home to adjust their priorities according to their needs. QoS also often offers network security, VPN, and parental controls that can benefit a variety of different users.
Do I Need Advanced Technological Knowledge to Use a Gaming Router?
Exactly how a router works is a mystery to a lot of people, even gamers. While most people recognize that a router takes the internet signal from a modem and translates it into a wireless format, the technical details can often be confusing. Fortunately, you don’t have to possess an advanced science degree to make the most of a gaming router.
Any gaming router worth its salt will come with dedicated management software, and they break down things into terms that are pretty digestible. Learning the interface is the hardest part, and once you learn to navigate it, you can easily identify the devices and apps used in your house and properly apportion your bandwidth to suit your needs.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a gaming router, but there’s no need to be intimidated. Any of the routers on our list can serve as an effective choice for a serious gamer, but if you want to dig a little deeper, we’ve provided you with all the resources you need. We wish you a happy shopping experience.