8 best gaming routers to boost your multiplayer experience
Gaming has come a long way, and certain accessories like gaming routers have become synonymous with a good experience. Having a good speedy router not only allows for super fast downloads, calls, and movie streaming, but also for lag-free and uninterrupted online gameplay.
Most titles these days are online and use cloud services, so having low latency, large bandwidth, and of course, a fast download speed goes a long way. But there are a multitude of options around, which can make the whole ordeal of choosing the right router rather confusing.
In this article, we'll be looking into the best gaming routers that can help boost your multiplayer gaming experience.
The best gaming routers you need to check out
1) TP-Link AX11000
Price: $349.99
First on our list of the best gaming routers is the TP-Link AX11000, which is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 gaming router, reaching combined speeds of up to 10 Gbps. This is achieved through its 12-stream capability, which includes dual 5 GHz bands and a 2.4 GHz band. The high throughput ensures minimal lag and smooth gameplay even with multiple devices connected.
The Game Accelerator feature automatically detects and optimizes gaming streams, while the Game Protector provides robust security for gaming accounts and devices. Additionally, the router is equipped with a powerful 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU that enhances processing efficiency, reducing latency during intense gaming sessions.
Here are the specifications of the router:
- WiFi version: Wi-Fi 6
- Speeds: 10 Gbps
- Bands: 5 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
- WiFi Encryption: WPA, WPA2, WPA3, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise
- Ethernet Ports: 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN, 8x Gigabit LAN
- USB Ports: 1x USB-C 3.0, 1x USB-A 3.0
2) Nighthawk WiFi 7 Router RS600
Price: $449.99
The Nighthawk RS600 is a solid alternative to the TP-link gaming router mentioned earlier. It represents a significant leap forward in wireless technology with its support for WiFi 7, reaching speeds of up to 18 Gbps. It has a huge area coverage of up to 3300 sq. ft. The wider channels on the RS600 reach bandwidths of up to 320 MHz, which significantly reduces latency and improves overall network performance in congested environments.
You should easily be able to have smooth online game sessions, stream 4K/8K videos, and have stutter-free video conferences. You can connect up to 150 devices concurrently, making it ideal for households with numerous devices competing for bandwidth.
Here are the specifications of the router:
- WiFi version: WiFi 7
- Speeds: 18 Gbps
- Bands: 6 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4GHz
- WiFi Encryption: WPA, WPA2, WPA3 with 128-bit AES encryption
- Ethernet Ports: 1x 10 Gbps LAN port, 3x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit LAN ports
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.0
3) Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000
Price: $599.99
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 is an excellent WiFi 6E router featuring speeds over 15 Gbps with its quad-band setup. Its gaming-specific 6GHz band minimizes interference from other devices and optimizes performance for high-demand applications like online gaming. It features quite a few port configs, allowing all the connected wired devices to have massive bandwidth.
Its triple-level game acceleration allows for super smooth, stutter, and jitter-free gaming sessions. The router also supports AiProtection Pro and features WPA3 security providing comprehensive security to safeguard your network from potential threats.
Here are the specifications of the router:
- WiFi version: WiFi 6E, WiFi 6
- Speeds: Over 15 Gbps
- Bands: 6 GHz, 5 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
- WiFi Encryption: WPA, WPA2, WPA3
- Ethernet Ports: 1x 2.5 Gigabit WAN, 2x 10 Gigabit WAN/LAN, 4x Gigabit LAN
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 2.0
4) TP-Link Archer GX90 (AX6600)
Price: $199.99
The TP-Link Archer GX90 is a budget-friendly WiFi 6 gaming router capable of reaching speeds of over 6.5 Gbps. Its tri-band configuration features 4T4R and HE160 technology, allowing for high network speeds without interference. Moreover, it is also equipped with OFDMA, which increases average throughput while reducing latency, making it suitable for households with several active gamers.
One of the router's standout features would be its Game Accelerator, which optimizes gaming streams automatically to ensure an immersive experience. Additionally, it has robust parental controls and security features, making it not only a great choice for gamers but also safe for family use.
Here are the specifications of the router:
- WiFi version: WiFi 6
- Speeds: Over 6.5 Gbps
- Bands: 5 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
- WiFi Encryption: WPA, WPA2, WPA3, WPA/WPA2-Enterprise
- Ethernet Ports: 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1x Gigabit WAN/LAN, 3x Gigabit LAN
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0
5) Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000
Price: $399.99
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 is one of the first tri-band WiFi 6E to reach speeds of up to 11 Gbps. The inclusion of a dedicated 6 GHz band allows for reduced congestion and improved performance in environments with many connected devices. It provides up to seven extra 160MHz channels, allowing for super stable multi-gigabit speeds.
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 features the Gaming Dashboard, which provides real-time statistics on your network's performance. It comes with an excellent heat dissipation setup, increasing the overall airflow. Additionally, it integrates with Asus' AiMesh technology, enabling users to create a mesh network by connecting multiple Asus routers for extended coverage throughout larger homes.
Here are the specifications of the router:
- WiFi version: WiFi 6E, WiFi 6
- Speeds: 11 Gbps
- Bands: 6 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
- WiFi Encryption: WPA, WPA2, WPA3
- Ethernet Ports: 1x RJ45 Gigabits BaseT for WAN, 4x RJ45 Gigabits BaseT for LAN, 1x RJ45 2.5G BaseT for WAN/LAN
- USB Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1
6) Asus AX5400 Dual Band (RT-AX82U)
Price: $199.99
The Asus AX5400 is another affordable WiFi 6 gaming router you should check out. It reaches speeds of up to 5.4 Gbps with its dual-band setup. Despite being a relatively less equipped router, the AX5400 is more than enough for super smooth gaming, 4K streaming, and high-quality video calls. It even features a Mobile Game Mode that minimizes the lag and latency for mobile gaming.
One of its best features would be the Adaptive QoS, which allows users to prioritize bandwidth allocation based on specific applications or devices. It also supports ASUS AiMesh, allowing you to pair multiple routers in your house for seamless WiFi roaming.
Here are the specifications of the router:
- WiFi version: WiFi 6
- Speeds: 5.4 Gbps
- Bands: 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
- WiFi Encryption: WPA, WPA2, WPA3
- Ethernet Ports: 1x RJ45 for Gigabits BaseT for WAN, 4x RJ45 for Gigabits BaseT for LAN
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1
7) Nighthawk Tri-Band AXE11000 (RAXE500)
Price: $599.99
Next on our list is the Nighthawk Tri-Band AXE11000 which is a feature-packed WiFi 6E gaming router capable of reaching speeds of up to 10.8 Gbps. This tri-band router includes a dedicated 6 GHz band that significantly reduces interference from other devices. The router also has an impressive coverage of up to 3500 sq. ft.
One of its standout features would be the Smart Connect feature, which automatically assigns devices to the optimal band based on their needs. It also features NETGEAR Armor and Smart Parental Controls, which offer top-of-the-line protection for your home network and all your connected devices.
Here are the specifications of the router:
- WiFi version: WiFi 6E
- Speeds: 10.5 Gbps
- Bands: 6 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
- WiFi Encryption: WPA, WPA2, WPA3
- Ethernet Ports: 5x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN & 4 LAN), 1x 2.5G/1Gbps Multi-Gig port
- USB Ports: 2x USB 3.0
8) Asus ROG Rapture GT6
Price: $249.99
Lastly, we have the Asus ROG Rapture GT6, which offers one of the best WiFi 6 mesh setups. This tri-band setup is capable of reaching speeds of up to 10 Gbps. The router utilizes AiMesh technology to create a seamless network throughout your living space. It allows you to have up to three extra 160 MHz channels for lower interreference and much more stable speeds.
One of its standout features would be the ASUS RangeBoost Plus technology, which increases range to up to 5800 sq. ft. The mesh system works seamlessly regardless of the layout of your house thanks to the additional Smart Antenna.
Here are the specifications of the router:
- WiFi version: WiFi 6
- Speeds: Over 10 Gbps
- Bands: 5 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz
- WiFi Encryption: WPA, WPA2, WPA3
- Ethernet Ports: 1x 2.5 Gigabit WAN, 3x Gigabit LAN
- USB Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1x1
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