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Online gaming is a beast that demands an unrelenting network connection. Lag, latency, and dropped frames can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Enter, the gaming router – a crucial component that can make or break your online gaming experience. So, in a quest to find the best gaming routers, we’ve conducted extensive research and analysis. Let’s dive in. Each router we cover can be found on Amazon as New and or Renewed, Refurbished or Used. They can sometimes be found on sale or with a discounted price.
The Essence of a Gaming Router
Typically, gaming routers boast aggressive designs accompanied by multiple antennas. But aesthetics are secondary. The real value lies within the hardware. Gaming routers offer elite internal hardware compared to budget counterparts, such as extra bands, faster CPUs, and more RAM to manage a larger device load.
Why Opt for a Gaming Router?
Gaming routers ensure better gaming experiences with less lag, especially when your home network and Internet bandwidth are shared among multiple users and devices. However, note that a gaming router won’t enhance your Internet speed beyond what you’re currently paying for, nor will it significantly improve your gaming skills.
Choosing the Best Gaming Router
Here are some considerations to make when in the market for a gaming router:
Wi-Fi Standards: 6/6E or 5?
Unless you’re opting for a budget router, Wi-Fi 6 is a good start, with Wi-Fi 6E being the absolute latest.
Wired Ports
While Wi-Fi is convenient, wired Ethernet remains the best for latency and reliability. Therefore, having multiple LAN ports in your router is a significant advantage.
Size and Composition of Home
The best router for you also depends on the size of your home. For larger spaces, consider a mesh router or a router that’s mesh-compatible.
Number of Bands
The number of bands you need largely depends on the number of devices connected to your network.
The Most Coveted Gaming Routers
After evaluating numerous options, here are our top picks for the best gaming routers:
1. Netgear Nighthawk XR1000
The Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 stands out as the best Wi-Fi 6 gaming router. Although it lacks RGB lights, it boasts DumaOS 3.0 for fine-tuning network traffic, along with Wi-Fi 6 with beamforming. 6 streams which provides more capacity so more devices can use WiFi at the same time without slowing down the network. Works with any wired Ethernet or wireless gaming device including PCs, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch consoles. This router can be purchased as New or Refurbished through Amazon.
2. Asus RT-AX82U
The Asus RT-AX82U is our choice for the best mid-range gaming router. It offers a good combination of Wi-Fi 6 throughput and gaming performance, all in an attractive, reasonably compact package. This router provides 5400 Megabits Per Second, Aura RGB lighting effects and has a 1.5 GHz tri-core processor and is easy to extend network coverage by adding any AiMesh-compatible router. You can also get this router as New and Renewed on Amazon.
3. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 WiFi 6E
If cost isn’t a concern, then the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 WiFi 6E is your router. It was the first Wi-Fi 6E router available, promising extremely speedy Wi-Fi throughput and integrated security. This router has a coverage area of up to 3,500 sqft, can support up to 60 devices and can operate at speeds up to 10.8 Gbps. With the 6GHz WiFi band dedicated to WiFi 6E devices including Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, you can enjoy 4K/8K video streaming, AR/VR gaming and HD.
4. TP-Link Archer AX6000
The TP-Link Archer AX6000 is a great non-gaming specific router with a lot to offer. If you’re looking for a general-purpose, mid-range router with decent overall gaming performance, this is your pick.
Gaming Routers and Pro Gamers
Professional gamers often prioritize performance over everything else. Therefore, they might opt for high-end gaming routers like the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000, which offers top-notch features and speeds.
Are Expensive Routers Worth It?
It depends on your needs. For a small home with few devices, a modest router may suffice. However, for larger homes with numerous devices, a router with advanced features could be a worthy investment.
Conclusion
Having the best gaming router is an essential aspect of online gaming. While the upfront investment may seem steep, the long-term benefits, such as smoother gameplay and less lag, are well worth it. The listed routers make online game play and cloud gaming an awesome experience. With cloud gaming on the rise, a high speed router make for a necessary accessory. So, equip yourself with the best and game on!
If you are into the Cloud Gaming community, check out this article on the Cloud Gaming vs. Console Gaming.