For the most part, a gaming router is just a powerful router with enough speed and capacity to handle all the devices in your home without big latency spikes. Even so, gaming-specific routers add more value for gamers with customized quality of service (QoS) features and specialized hardware. For a competitive gamer, the overall goal is getting the lowest pings possible to the game server, but these days, gamers may also want the capacity to stream 1080p 60fps video to Twitch.
Reduce pings and improve speeds with a router designed for gaming
ASUS RT-AX88U Pro
- Brand
- ASUS
- Wi-Fi Bands
- 2.4GHz, 5GHz
- Ethernet Ports
- 4x 1Gbps, 2x 2.5Gbps
- USB Ports
- USB 3.0
- MU-MIMO
- 4x4
- Mesh Network Compatible
- AiMesh
If you're going to iterate on one of your own designs, you had better make sure it's a good one. ASUS has refreshed the RT-AX88U with the RT-AX88U Pro with a faster SoC, an updated switch with dual 2.5Gbps Ethernet, and one of its best software versions. With features like VPN Fusion, OpenNAT, and a solid QoS included for free, the RT-AX88U is an excellent gaming router.
- Dual 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports
- Fast AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 speeds
- Easy VPN management with VPN Fusion
- Rather large
- Only dual-band
- Lacks the RGB of ROG models
The ASUS RT-AX88U Pro is a very well-balanced Wi-Fi 6 router with more than ample wireless capacity for a family and features that help keep you in control of your network. At its core, this router has a dual-band AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 connection, two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports, and a CPU that's powerful enough to manage it all. You're first instinct as a gamer may have been to look at ASUS's gaming-focused brand, ROG, for a router, but you would be mainly paying more for RGB lighting and an aggressive design. If that's what you want, the ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 is an excellent router with nearly identical specs, but if you want something a little more grown-up, the AX88U Pro is the way to go.
On the back of the router, you'll find a USB 3.0 port that can be used for storage or USB-tethering, two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports for WAN or LAN, and four gigabit Ethernet ports. Flanking the router, four adjustable antennas deliver your wireless signal. On the bottom, there are mounting points, so you can hang your router on the wall to free up some space. Passive ventilation is sufficient to keep this router cool, even with a heavy load, thanks to openings on all sides.
On the software side, setup and management are handled by the ASUSWRT software. You can set this router up in just a few minutes with the ASUS router app or in a web browser. The app is easier for beginners and has everything the vast majority of users are looking for as far as settings. If you want to get into the advanced settings, connecting through web browsers gives you full access.
What really sets this router apart is the software. ASUSWRT has one of the best guest Wi-Fi features you'll find with multiple network types, including IoT and business-like splash screens. There's a QoS, so you can specify your preferred gaming devices, and a feature called OpenNAT makes creating profiles and opening ports for games a breeze. There's also a feature called VPN Fusion that lets you use up to two VPN servers are once and assign devices to it as needed. Importantly, VPN Fusion lets you keep your gaming machine off of a VPN for the best performance.
MSI RadiX AX6600
The MSI RadiX isn't breaking the mold, but it is a solid tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router with a good price. There's a single 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for a fast wired connection and dual 5GHz bands, so you can designate a band for all of your most important connections.
- Fast tri-band AX6600 speeds
- Robust software with an AI QoS
- A 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for WAN or LAN
- Only one 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- Gaming optimizations are light
The MSI RadiX AX6600 is one of MSI's first Wi-Fi routers, and while you can definitely tell, it's impressive just how much MSI has managed to get right. This router comes with a tri-band AX6600 connection which breaks down to 574Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, 1201Mbps on the lower 5GHz band and 4804Mbps on the higher 5GHz band. Tri-band routers are great for Wi-Fi gaming in a congested area since you can use the second 5GHz band exclusively for your most important devices.
On the back, there are four gigabit Ethernet ports and a single 2.5Gbps port. The faster port can be used for WAN or LAN, so you can either get connected to a multi-gig internet connection, or connect a fast PC or NAS at multi-gig speeds. Keep in mind that there's only one multi-gig port so if you need 2.5Gbps on multiple devices, this router won't be a good fit. Still, for most people, there's plenty of speed on tap for both wired and wireless devices.
You can set up and manage your MSI router using the MSI Router App or a web browser. If you've got other MSI tech or an MSI gaming PC, you can manage your router in the MSI Center installed on your PC. While many will prefer the app or browser for adjusting settings, it's nice to see a company making desktop software that can control a router again.
TP-Link Archer GX90
- Wi-Fi Bands
- 2.4GHz, 5GHz
- Speeds
- AX6600
The TP-Link Archer GX90 is a mid-range tri-band gaming router with a bit of an attitude. Its AX6600 connection is split such that its so-called “Game Band” has 4804Mbps of capacity at 5GHz with the remains 1201Mbps going to a general-use band and 574Mbps for 2.4GHz devices. With single 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, it even supports multi-gig internet connections.
- Fast AX66000 connection
- Dedicated Game Band keeps gaming traffic isolated
- Multi-gig internet support with 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- DFS spectrum isn't available for all
- Game Accelerator can reduce speeds
- Quite huge
The TP-Link Archer GX90 has a tri-band AX6600 connection with two of the bands set up for general use with the third band dedicated to gaming traffic. It’s like having an AX1800 Wi-Fi router for most of the devices in your home with another 4804Mbps available only to your gaming devices. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that this fast gaming band uses DFS spectrum which is shared with some radar systems. As a result, if the router detects a radar signal for even a second, it immediately vacates the spectrum. For most people, this is a nonissue and DFS spectrum offers a large chunk of open spectrum with very little congestion.
On the back of the router, there are five total Ethernet ports with three gigabit ports for LAN, one gigabit port for WAN or LAN, and a 2.5Gbps port for WAN or LAN. That means support for internet connection over 1Gbps or the use of a 2.5Gbps device like a newer gaming PC or NAS system. There are also two USB ports that can be used for network storage with support for Time Machine backups on Mac.
On the software side, TP-Link has leaned into the gamer aesthetic but keeps things functional with the ability to prioritize devices. It even has a mode to reduce latency with just a tap, with statistics for your average latency and usage. If your game is supported, it can even automatically detect gaming content for optimization. Finally, HomeShield is included for extra security powered by Trend Micro with parental controls features profiles and content blocking.
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro
The ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro from Asus is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router with two full-speed 5GHz bands. This model also has a 10Gbps Ethernet port, a 2.5Gbps port, and four gigabit ports for wired devices. This router has a ton of wireless capacity without needing to use 6GHz bands.
- Fast tri-band AX11000 setup with dual 160MHz support
- One 10Gbps Ethernet plus a 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- Includes ROG's gaming software
- No 6GHz support
- Only one 10Gbps port
The ROG RT-AX11000 Pro from Asus is an excellent pick for someone who wants the power and features of the top RT-AX88U but also needs a bit more wireless capacity. This router has a tri-band AX11000 connection meaning it's got two 5GHz bands with 4804Mbps of capacity each and a 2.4GHz band capable of 1148Mbps. Both of these bands use 5GHz frequencies, which generally have better wall penetration than 6Gz.
On the back, you get a single 10Gbps Ethernet port, a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, and four gigabit Ethernet ports. Helpfully, the 10Gbps port can be used as either WAN or LAN, so you can connect to a fast wired network if you already have one or even just connect a fast NAS drive. This router also comes with some of Asus' best software like VPN Fusion that lets you pick and choose which VPN service to use with your connections, or AiProtection Pro for extra security.
For gaming, you get Asus' adaptive QoS to keep you game traffic prioritized even if you've got multiple people using the network. There's also OpenNAT, which makes it easy to set rules for specific games, so you have the best possible matchmaking. And of course, AiMesh is supported if you want whole-home coverage without giving up your gaming features.
TP-Link Archer AXE300
- Wi-Fi Bands
- 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz
- Ethernet Ports
- 2x 10GbE, 1x 2.5GbE, 4x 1GbE
- USB Ports
- USB-A
- MU-MIMO
- Yes
- Mesh Network Compatible
- OneMesh Extenders
- Supported standards
- Wi-Fi 6E
The ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro from Asus is a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router with two full-speed 5GHz bands. This model also has a 10Gbps Ethernet port, a 2.5Gbps port, and four gigabit ports for wired devices. This router has a ton of wireless capacity without needing to use 6GHz bands.
- Ultra-fast AXE16000 connection
- Wi-Fi 6E supported
- Dual 10Gbps ports with SFP+
- Very large size
- Few gaming-specific enhancements
Wi-Fi 6E has several key benefits that can help keep Wi-Fi speeds high, but also has some disadvantages that will make your want to keep plenty of 5GHz capacity as well. For example, 6GHz Wi-Fi has poorer coverage than 5GHz, despite the fact that it has many more channels to choose from. Still, 6GHz Wi-Fi gives the Archer AXE3000 from TP-Link the best of both worlds.
This router isn't specifically a model made for gaming, but it has plenty of raw performance that it can keep up with just about any task you hit it with. It has a QoS to keep important traffic snappy if you've got simultaneous connections as well. You get two 10Gbps wired connections, a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, and four more gigabit ports. One of its 10Gbps ports can use SFP+, which is used with fiber connection for extra long wired runs, like to another building on your property.
Overall, this router has plenty of power for just about any task, including gaming. You'll also find plenty of power for local networking like streaming your own movies saved to a NAS, or sharing files between computers. With Steam features that allow you to share files locally, having a router that's up to the task can be a savior on LAN nights.
ASUS ROG Rapture GT6
ASUS has utilized newly available 5GHz spectrum to build the ultimate gaming mesh with a fast backhaul with little interference. The ROG Rapture GT6 is a tri-band AX10000 Wi-Fi 6 mesh system with all the gaming features we’ve come to expect from ROG routers.
- Fast tri-band AX10000 connection
- Strong 5GHz backhaul with 5.9GHz spectrum
- Support for 2.5Gbps Ethernet
- No Wi-Fi 6E support
- Quite expensive
Building a proper gaming mesh system involves a lot more than adding gaming QoS features to an existing fast mesh system. ASUS has done a lot to make sure its ROG Rapture GT6 gaming mesh has the speed it needs to keep gaming connections moving without tapping into 6GHz spectrum or DFS. This AX10000 tri-band mesh system uses newly available spectrum at 5.9GHz to offer dual 160MHz bands with relatively little congestion. That’s 574Mbps at 2.4GHz, 4804Mbps at 5.2GHz, and 4804Mbps at 5.9GHz. That means the mesh backhaul can use a full 160MHz connection with plenty of speed left over for the rest of your devices.
A powerful 1.7GHz tri-core CPU is able to keep traffic flowing through the mesh with prioritized traffic. Each node has a gaming Ethernet port on the back, so you can place the node right next to your PC or console to use Ethernet with the strong backhaul, keeping speeds high to the base router. Even if you’re using Wi-Fi, having a closer node can help with connection speeds, especially upload speeds, compared to connecting to a router across the house.
The design is everything we’ve come to expect from ROG with angular cutouts and a large RGB logo front and center. You can get it in either black or white to match the rest of your gaming setup. Each node has four Ethernet ports with one working as 2.5Gbps WAN or LAN.
On the software front, you get all of ROG’s best features including gaming optimizations. The app is easy to use and setup is quick. With AiMesh support, you can even expand your coverage with other ASUS routers. Keep in mind that, for the best results, you want to use GT6 nodes for expansion to keep access to that expanded 5GHz band. AiProtection Pro is also included with robust parental controls and extra security for your home network.
Arris W6B Surfboard Thruster
The Wi-Fi 6E Arris Surfboard Thruster W6B isn’t so much a router, but a wireless Ethernet link using Wi-Fi 6E to enable 2.5Gbps connections without needing to upgrade your PC. With a send and receiver, setup is as simple as plugging one into your router and the other into your gaming device.
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E connection
- Dedicated Wi-Fi connection for your device
- No need to upgrade your router
- Expensive
- Kind of ugly
- Each end requires a power outlet
If you’re looking to get fast internet speeds to your PC or console across the house without upgrading your router or running an Ethernet cable, the Arris Surfboard Thruster W6B could be the perfect solution. The W6B uses Wi-Fi 6E to establish a link between the sender and receiver to provide a fast Ethernet connection. Each unit has a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port so if you’ve got access to a multi-gig wired network, your speeds will stay high. Wi-Fi 6E uses largely vacant chunks of 6GHz spectrum, so speeds can stay high even when you live in an area with a lot of neighboring Wi-Fi access points.
The W6B is a two-piece kit with a sender, receiver, two Ethernet cables, and two power adapters in the box. To set it up, you simply plug the sender into your router using the Ethernet cable and plug it in to power. On the other end, you plug the receiver into you console or PC using Ethernet and connect it to power. The devices will automatically connect to one another and as far as your PC or console knows, it’s just using Ethernet to connect to your router.
This kit is rather expensive and not too far off the cost of a mid-range Wi-Fi 6E router, but you don’t need to upgrade your PC and router to get the benefits of Wi-Fi 6E. Also, you can place the receiver higher up or around a corner to improve your connection if you’ve got a few walls in the way. If your PC is on the floor, for example, there could be a lot of furniture between it and the router reducing signal. While it’s expensive, the Arris Surfboard Thruster W6B could be exactly what a gamer needs to improve network speeds without drilling holes or running a cable across the living room.
Get the right router to keep pings low and consistent
When it comes down to it, most of the best Wi-Fi routers will have no trouble handling modern gaming content. The problem is what happens when you start hitting the router with multiple simultaneous connections. The ASUS RT-AX88U Pro has plenty of capacity to handle all the traffic of a modern connected home, so even if someone is streaming 4K video on the TV, your games can still run without a hitch. As internet service providers are starting to roll out connections in excess of 1Gbps, it’s good that the router also comes with two 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports.
ASUS RT-AX88U Pro
- Brand
- ASUS
- Wi-Fi Bands
- 2.4GHz, 5GHz
- Ethernet Ports
- 4x 1Gbps, 2x 2.5Gbps
- USB Ports
- USB 3.0
- MU-MIMO
- 4x4
- Mesh Network Compatible
- AiMesh
If you're going to iterate on one of your own designs, you had better make sure it's a good one. ASUS has refreshed the RT-AX88U with the RT-AX88U Pro with a faster SoC, an updated switch with dual 2.5Gbps Ethernet, and one of its best software versions. With features like VPN Fusion, OpenNAT, and a solid QoS included for free, the RT-AX88U is an excellent gaming router.
While Wi-Fi 6E may seem like a given for gaming, its weaker coverage compared to Wi-Fi 6 at 5GHz means that it won’t be the best solution for everyone. If you live in a heavily congested area or want to make the most of one of the best gaming laptops, Wi-Fi 6E could be a worthwhile investment. That being said, a proper tri-band router with plenty of 5GHz capacity, like the ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro, could provide a better experience in a suburban home.
It’s also worth remembering that many of us, even the most competitive gamers, don’t need to worry about multi-gigabit connections. Sure, a 2.5Gbps connection sounds great, but there are no games that need that kind of speed, even if you’re streaming at the highest quality possible on Twitch at the same time. If you’re saving VODs from your latest stream in full quality on a NAS to edit later, a multi-gig connection can shave some time off, but most of us simply don’t need it yet.