When you complete your gaming set-up, the last thing you are likely to consider is the Best gaming Routers. After all, how different can a router be from one to the other? And is it really worth spending money on a new one? Our choice for the absolute best gaming router – the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 – is almost $400 from Amazon, so what difference does that make? What do you really get for your money?
The most important things to watch out for in the best game routers is QoS, which is Quality of Service. With a good router, you can regulate your internet bandwidth to prioritize certain activities and devices, such as gaming. So, if you live in a shared household, you can maintain a stable connection while playing Black Ops 4, even if your roommates or family are streaming HD movies or downloading things on their laptops. Moreover, you can give priority to most different types of use, giving you even more control over who gets what bandwidth.
Many gaming routers also have things that help to improve your connection, keep you safe and give you full control over devices that have access to your broadband. They have strong, reliable wireless connections and many ports for wired devices. And if you need them, here are our guides for the best gaming PC and the best gaming laptops you can buy now.
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300
- Speed: AC5300
- Processor: Quad-core 1.8Ghz
- Features: Network ping tracking, WTFast utilization, a suite of gaming-focused enhancements
For those who are looking for the Cadillac of game routers who have no trouble dropping some money (and are making serious room), the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 is an expensive but powerful option that is absolutely absurd. looks. With 8 antennas, a quad-core processor, USB 3.0 ports and 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections, it’s the luxury choice for the discerning gamer. This router offers incredible lag-free speeds, with a wide selection of gamer-centered features, such as network-tip tracking, a fleshy interface and excellent hardware that offers a veritable treasure trove of customization options. With almost $400 it is a splurge and is the best gaming router right now.
Pros:
- Lightning-fast speeds
- Lag-free experience
- Quad-core processor
Cons:
- Massive size
TP-Link Archer C5400X
- Speed: AC5400
- Processor: Quad-core 1.8Ghz
- Features: Intelligent Traffic Prioritization, Trend Micro Homecare, MIMO, and Airtime Fairness
The TP-Link Archer c5400X is a gaming version of the recent c5400 and it is a damn good gaming router. Although it does not quite match the ASUS Rapture because it does not have built-in technology to actually improve your gaming connection, the TP-Link gains ease of use. You can control everything via a simple menu and full of features that allow you to adjust your settings, including those important QoS options.
In terms of wireless performance, the C5400X manages very impressive speeds over the 5 GHz range – some of the best available today – but is only above average when it comes to 2.4 GHz. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you use most of your devices further from the router, you should consider one that performs better at 2.4 GHz, especially given the cost of this. If you are serious about gaming, however, you must be well (and elated) with the 5 GHz speeds you get. In general, this is a great piece of kit and is one of the best gaming routers.
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Very powerful
- Good security
Cons:
- No features to enhance speeds
Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500
- Speed: AC2600
- Processor: Dual-core 1.7GHz
- Features: Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), Netduma OS software, excellent optimization
Let’s face it: most users do not need the Rolls-Royce of gaming routers. But many will be on the market for the next best thing. That is by far the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 router. It is sleek, with a subdued appearance that requires much less space than the aforementioned ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300, but it still picks most of the punch. One of the most appealing features is the Netduma OS software, which allows a long list of settings that are perfectly matched to the box, with options to connect to the fastest and closest servers and dynamic frequency selection. help you to reduce any noise level or possible interruptions. This pick is excellent in itself and one of the best gaming routers that are certainly capable of getting you into a game.
Pros:
- Lightning fast speeds
- Netduma OS provides great customization
Cons:
- Fewer LAN ports for wired connections
Asus RT-AC88U Wireless-AC3100
- Speed: 2167Mbps/1000Mbps
- Processor: Dual-core 1.4GHz
- Features: NitroQAM, MU-MIMO, Gamers Private Network access
Sometimes you need the best speeds you can buy. If that is what you are most concerned with, the RT-AC88U router from Asus is one of the best gaming routers. With four antennas and a dual-core 1.4 GHz processor, it can match the performance of the big boys, but where it really shines, the blazing-fast wireless speeds are the highest of all other routers on this list. If you choose, you can buy a NitroQAM adapter to push it even further to its limit. Otherwise, this router with four antennas, a wide selection of management functions and advanced settings with which you can effortlessly install virtually any conceivable form of firmware is an absolutely fantastic choice. It is hardly the best option for anyone on a limited budget, but the utilitarian design and its nature should leave buyers looking for less flash performance and better performance.
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Pros:
- Extremely fast WiFi speeds
- Fantastic web interface
Cons:
- Requires NitroQAM adapter if faster speeds desired
Linksys WRT32X
- Speed: AC3200
- Processor: Dual-core 1.8GHz
- Features: Killer Prioritization Engine, MU-MIMO, detachable antennas
Linksys is a familiar name in the router’s ecosystem, but do not let the pedestrian’s reputation fool you – this is a formidable competitor in the field of gaming routers. The Killer Prioritization Engine of this specific model (for use with PCs with Killer network cards) is definitely a winner because this helps prioritize your own network traffic to and from the internet. Furthermore, this dual-band router is a small package with four gigabit LAN ports and four detachable antennas. The menu interface leaves a bit to be desired, but that is hardly a problem when it shakes a powerful 1.8GHz processor, beamforming and MU-MIMO. It is also one of the more affordable routers on this list, making it one of the best gaming routers with a limited budget.
Pros:
- Great 5GHz speed
- Ping stabilization
- Killer Mode
Cons:
- Somewhat simplistic interface
D-Link DIR-879 EXO
- Speed: AC1900
- Processor: Dual-core 1GHz
- Features: Glossy orange exterior, four antennas, budget price
Still think that the gaming routers should cost you an arm and a leg? You will quickly change your mind when it comes to the DIR-879 EXO from D-Link, which looks and feels like one of its premiere brothers. It certainly plays the role it can offer for its extremely low price tag and offers usable performance and a fantastic range of 5 GHz. Although there are no USB ports and you do not get the most formidable speeds from this particular model, you have to hand it over to D-Link: this router can put you on the map when you think of testing online gaming and streaming waters. It’s a great way to dip your toes in the water without losing the bank, and if you’re not a power user, it could even work as a reliable router in the coming months.
Pros:
- Attractive exterior
- Extremely cheap
Cons:
- Fewer bells and whistles
Conclusion
If you play the best PC games online as often as we do, you probably want one of the best game routers to ensure that your online gaming is never interrupted. The Best Gaming Routers will give priority to gaming network traffic, thanks to a handy little trick called Quality of Service (or QoS), so that your gaming is not interrupted. When you play online games, a wired connection is generally considered the best way to do this, and we should agree. So, the best gaming routers will have many GigaBit Ethernet ports.
