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If you plan to do heavy gaming regularly, you will need more than a fast computer and a high-quality display. You need to ensure that your internet connection is fast and stable, especially if you are fond of online games. Your internet plan should come with fast speeds, but you should also invest in a powerful gaming router to take it a step further. Such routers are designed to keep your internet connection stable even when other people are connected to the same network. These gaming routers can also prioritize your bandwidth when playing games. They can significantly decrease network lag. Users will also get to customize more settings with a gaming router than they would with a standard router. Gamers usually use a wired connection to get the best network signal when using their computers, but getting a gaming router allows them to achieve the same signal strength wirelessly. Once you have a trustworthy gaming router for your home, you can forget about unexpectedly losing in games due to a bad or interrupted connection. Here are some of the best gaming routers in 2022.
You can’t go wrong with the Asus RT-AX86U because it is powerful enough for gaming and looks fantastic. It features WiFi 6, so you can expect a maximum speed of 5,700 Mbps and 160 MHz channels. WiFi 6 also promises a more extended range, lower latency, and less power usage. The router’s wired port delivers 2.5 Gbps, while its WAN connections promise 2 Gbps. It comes with a dedicated gaming port that will automatically prioritize, giving the best connection to whichever device is connected to the port through a LAN cable. The router works with NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW, so you can have an even more convenient time accessing high-quality games. Users with the router are advised to download the ASUS Router app because it will allow you to check network diagnostics, analyze traffic, and create a guest WiFi. The app also offers Mobile Game Mode, quickly decreasing latency and lag for better gaming on your phones or tablets. It’s easy to forget about having dead spots at your home because the router is ASUS AiMesh compatible. This feature uses a mesh-networking technology to establish a stable network throughout your house using different ASUS AiMesh-compatible routers.
Fantastic securityMany customizable settingsWiFi 6 with a maximum speed of 5,700 Mbps and 160 MHz channelsNVIDIA GeForce NOW supportASUS AiMesh compatible
Needs tools like ping heat map and geofencing
The Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 is an excellent gaming router for people who live in large homes and plan to connect a ton of devices because its WiFi 6 Dual-Band speed can reach up to 25 devices simultaneously and cover a total of 2,500 square feet of living space. The router won’t let you miss out on any action because it can achieve up to 5.4 Gbps speeds. It features an outstanding triple-core 1.5 GHz processor, so it’s powerful enough to handle heavy tasks like 4K streaming and VR gaming. The router runs on DumaOS 3.0, which was made for gamers, so you can achieve lag-free gameplay, reduced ping rates, and smooth streaming. The router has four LAN ports at the back that offer a speed of 1 Gbps. It won’t only work with computers but with gaming consoles and other LAN-ready devices. Users will have maximum control of the router because its Application QoS feature allows you to select the bandwidth priority of a particular device or application. You can minimize lag spikes because you can set the maximum download and upload speeds. The Nighthawk XR1000 also has a geofencing tool to filter and choose the best servers available. The router will also keep you safe from her cyber-attacks because it has data protection technology, anti-malware, NETGEAR Armor anti-virus, Traffic Controller firewall, and WPA3 encryption.
WiFi 6 supportCan control network congestionRuns on DumaOS 3.0
Ethernet ports are limited to four
It’s easy to tell that the TP-Link Archer GX90 WiFi 6 router was built for gamers because of its entire aesthetic. This high-speed router with a 1.5 GHz Quad-Core CPU has a Tri-Band structure that guarantees a combined speed of 6,579 Mbps and 4.8 Gbps Game Band exclusive to any of your gaming rigs. It has a Game Accelerator feature that will automatically calibrate gaming streams to get the fastest and most immersive experience possible. The router can provide a network connection to a home of up to four bedrooms thanks to its beamforming, 4T4R, high-power FEM, and detachable high-performance antennas. The router can distribute its connection to up to 100 devices, and you will have less lag because of its OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology. Your system and account will stay protected 24/7 because the Archer GX90 comes with WPA3 with WiFi encryption and the HomeCare security system. The router has three Gigabit LAN ports, one 1 Gbps WAN/LAN port, and one 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port. Along with the router, users will get a free RJ45 ethernet cable.
Fast speeds with impressive rangeHas USB ports and 5 LAN portsWiFi 6 that reaches 6,579 Mbps4.8 Gbps Game Band exclusive
Bulky
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 might be one of the more expensive gaming routers, but you undoubtedly get what you pay for. This tri-band router features WiFi 6, and it stands out because of its maximum WiFi speed of 11,000 Mbps. One band out of the three in the router dedicate 5 GHz solely for gaming. The router will give your various wireless devices more bandwidth because it unlocks 15 channels in the 5 GHz band with the least congestion. It promises top-notch performance because of its powerful 2.5G-Base T port and 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU. The router comes with triple-level game acceleration that does a fantastic job of increasing your game traffic speed. It also has a Game Radar feature that allows you to check up on servers’ ping times before you start gaming. The Rapture GT-AX11000 is also packed with superb network security features that can neutralize any threat before it even lands on your network. The router has OFDMA technology that can simultaneously share data with different devices while decreasing latency. Since the router has smaller sub-channels, you will also get broader coverage over farther distances. Additionally, the Rapture GT-AX11000 comes with a useful VPN Fusion function that lets you run an ordinary internet connection and VPN simultaneously.
Maximum WiFi speed of 11,000 Mbps2.5Gbps wired connectionCustomizableImpressive performance at far distances
BulkyPricey
The Asus AX5400 gaming router comes with a futuristic design, and it supports WiFi 6. It reaches speeds up to 5,400 Mbps and has 160 MHz channels. The router has four LAN ports, but one is dedicated to gaming and will automatically prioritize it. Sadly, some have reported that the gaming port only has a minimal effect. The router was built for gamers, and it has a Mobile Game Mode that improves latency and lag to have the best mobile gaming experience possible. It also has fully customizable RGB lighting, which will blend well with your gaming setup. Since the AX5400 is AiMesh compatible, you can get better coverage and minimize dead zones in your entire home. The router has Adaptive Quality of Service that can prioritize network traffic, resulting in a smoother performance of your network. The AX5400 guarantees lifetime protection because it comes with the latest WPA3 security protocol and AiProtection Pro. You can also use its advanced parental controls to enable kid-safe presets, schedule block times, add content filters, and view internet activity dashboards. The Asus Router app makes management of the AX5400 convenient, and you will get to run diagnostics, analyze traffic, and create a guest WiFi.
WiFi 6 supportFantastic security and parental controlsCustomizable RGB lightingAiMesh compatibleLifetime AiProtection ProAdaptive Quality of Service
Gaming port doesn't have a significant effectCould use more Ethernet and USB ports
The TP-Link Archer AX6000 is yet another gaming router that supports WiFi 6 and comes with a reasonable price tag. It promises a maximum wireless speed of 5,952 Mbps: 1,148 Mbps at 2.4 GHz, and 4,804 Mbps at 5 GHz. The router has eight high-gain external antennas that keep your signal strong in any part of your house, and its BSS color technology gets rid of any signal interference from other homes around you. It also has Range Boost and Beamforming features that give your network wider coverage. You can connect more devices to your WiFi network because OFDMA technology enhances your average throughput. The AX6000 guarantees a stable performance with no latency thanks to its two co-processors and 1.8 GHz Quad-Core CPU. In terms of connectivity, the router has eight Gigabit LAN ports, one 2.5 Gbps WAN port, and USB Type-A/C ports. Customers will get a lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare for free upon purchase. It will give you parental controls, QoS, and next-level antivirus protection. The router is compatible with OneMesh, so you can easily create a Mesh network to have better coverage in your house. Setting up the router will be easy and quick through the Tether app.
Affordable WiFi 6 routerEasy setup using the Tether app8 Gigabit LAN ports8 high-gain external antennas
Software isn't as advanced as competitorsLacks WiFi 6ELimited to Dual-Band
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