Best WiFi Routers for Gaming of 2026

Mike Davis Avatar
Mike Davis
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2026

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WiFi routers for gaming are essential for anyone who wants to have a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience. These routers are specifically designed to handle the demands of online gaming, such as high bandwidth and low latency. They offer advanced features like Quality of Service (QoS) and prioritization of gaming traffic to ensure that your games are given priority over other internet traffic. Some popular models include the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 and the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300. With these routers, gamers can enjoy faster internet speeds and a more stable connection, allowing for a more enjoyable gaming experience.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router Cover #TOP 1
TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router
ftb score rating icon 9.8
NETGEAR Nighthawk BE9300 WiFi 7 Router Cover #TOP 2
NETGEAR Nighthawk BE9300 WiFi 7 Router
ftb score rating icon 9.7
TP-Link Archer GE650 Wi-Fi 7 Router Cover #TOP 3
TP-Link Archer GE650 Wi-Fi 7 Router
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 WiFi Routers for Gaming

TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router

Archer AXE75
Black, White, Gray
TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router Cover
TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router (Archer AXE75), 2025 PCMag Editors' Choice, Gigabit Internet for Gaming & Streaming, New 6GHz Band, 160MHz, OneMesh, Quad-Core CPU, VPN & WPA3 Security

The TP-Link AXE5400 Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router (Archer AXE75) is a powerful router that offers up to 5400 Mbps WiFi for faster browsing, streaming, gaming and downloading. It features a 1.7 GHz Quad-Core CPU and 512 MB High-Speed Memory, and is equipped with OFDMA and OneMesh technology to increase capacity and create a seamless whole-home coverage. It also supports VPN Server and Client (OpenVPN/PPTP/L2TP) and TP-Link HomeShield for enhanced security. It is compatible with all internet service providers.

What We Like
Excellent coverage and range
Tri-band Wi-Fi performance
Handles many devices easily
Seamless setup and management
Strong signal through walls

NETGEAR Nighthawk BE9300 WiFi 7 Router

BE9300-1AZPAS
black
NETGEAR Nighthawk BE9300 WiFi 7 Router Cover
NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 7 Router (BE9300) – Router Only, 9.3Gbps Wireless Speed, 2.5 Gigabit Internet Port, Tri-Band for Gaming, Covers 2,500 sq. ft., 100 Devices, VPN – Free Expert Help

The NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi7 offers incredibly fast wireless speeds up to 9.3Gbps, making it perfect for gamers and anyone who streams or video conferences frequently. With WiFi 7 technology, you get more than double the speed of WiFi 6, ensuring all your devices perform better and stay connected smoothly. This router is designed without a built-in modem, so you'll need a separate modem to access the internet. Its sleek, compact design comes with powerful antennas that provide strong WiFi coverage across up to 2,500 square feet, keeping your whole home connected without dead zones.

What We Like
Ultra-fast WiFi 7 speeds
2.4x faster than WiFi 6
Compact design with strong antennas
Wide coverage up to 2,500 sq. ft.
#TOP 3

TP-Link Archer GE650 Wi-Fi 7 Router

Archer GE650
Black
TP-Link Archer GE650 Wi-Fi 7 Router Cover
TP-Link Tri-Band BE11000 Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router Archer GE650 | 6-Stream 11 Gbps supports 320MHz | 2×5G + 3×2.5G Ports USB 3.0 | Game Acceleration, Dedicated Gaming Port & Panel, RGB Lighting|HomeShield

The TP-Link Archer GE650 is designed to give you a powerful and smooth gaming experience. It offers ultra-fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds, with up to 5764 Mbps on the 6 GHz band, ensuring less lag and interference, especially when others in your home are streaming or browsing. The router uses Multi-Link Operation technology, which lets you connect across three frequency bands at the same time, making your internet connection more stable and efficient. Its new 6 GHz band adds extra channels and bandwidth, so you get faster data transfer and better performance. Plus, with multiple high-speed ports including 5 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps, you can connect wired devices for even quicker and more reliable gaming sessions.

What We Like
Ultra-fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds
Multi-Link Operation for stability
Innovative 6 GHz band
Multi-gigabit wired ports
#TOP 4

TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21)

Archer AX21
Black
TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21) Cover
TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21) – Dual Band Wireless Internet, Gigabit, Easy Mesh, Works with Alexa - A Certified for Humans Device, Free Expert Support

The TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21) is a dual-band wireless internet router with a USB port that works with Alexa. It offers next-gen 1.8 Gbps speeds, extensive coverage, and is certified for humans for easy setup. It is compatible with all internet service providers, and features VPN server and client, OFDMA technology, Beamforming technology, and 4 high-gain antennas.

What We Like
Strong WiFi signal
Easy setup process
Reliable performance
Advanced security controls
Wide coverage area

TP-Link Archer GXE75 Wi-Fi Router

Archer GXE75
Black
TP-Link Archer GXE75 Wi-Fi Router Cover
TP-Link Tri-Band AXE5400 Wi-Fi 6E Gaming Router Archer GXE75 | 6-Stream 5.4 Gbps | 1×2.5G + 4×1G Ports, USB 3.0 | Exclusive Acceleration, Gaming Port & Panel, RGB Lighting | EasyMesh, HomeShield

The TP-Link Gaming Router, Archer GXE75, offers a powerful Wi-Fi experience with speeds up to 5.4 Gbps, ideal for gaming on multiple devices like your PS5 or Xbox. The 2.5G WAN port ensures fast connections from your modem, making online gaming smoother. You can also take advantage of exclusive acceleration features that reduce lag and improve connections for your gaming gear. The dedicated game panel gives you real-time insights into your network status, allowing you to strategize effectively during intense gaming sessions.

What We Like
High-speed tri-band connectivity
2.5G WAN port for faster gaming
Exclusive game acceleration features
Real-time network insights

TP-Link Archer BE230 Wi-Fi 7 Router

Archer BE230
Black
Compact
TP-Link Archer BE230 Wi-Fi 7 Router Cover
TP-Link Dual-Band BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Router Archer BE230 | 4-Stream | 2×2.5G + 3×1G Ports, USB 3.0, 2.0 GHz Quad Core, 4 Antennas | VPN, EasyMesh, HomeShield, MLO, Private IOT | Free Expert Support

The TP-Link Wi-Fi 7 Router offers advanced features to enhance your home network. With Wi-Fi 7 technology, you can experience faster speeds and increased reliability, making streaming and gaming smoother than ever. The dual 2.5 Gbps ports allow you to maximize your internet speed, ensuring that your devices connect seamlessly. Powered by a quad-core processor, this router manages high data loads effortlessly, minimizing lag. Additionally, four high-performance antennas extend your Wi-Fi coverage, providing strong signals even in hard-to-reach areas of your home.

What We Like
Easy setup and management
Strong, reliable Wi-Fi coverage
Fast speeds, gigabit capable
Convenient mobile app
Good value for the price

ASUS AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX1800S)

RT-AX1800S
BLACK
ASUS AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX1800S) Cover
ASUS RT-AX1800S Dual Band WiFi 6 Extendable Router, Subscription-Free Network Security, Parental Control, Built-in VPN, AiMesh Compatible, Gaming & Streaming, Smart Home

The ASUS AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX1800S) is a dual-band gigabit router that offers ultra-fast WiFi speeds and increased capacity and efficiency. It features MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology, four Gigabit ports, AiProtection and Parental Controls, and WPS. It is compatible with 802.11ax, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11ac, and 802.11g devices, making it an ideal choice for home use.

What We Like
Stable and reliable performance
Good range coverage
Easy mesh setup
Cost-effective over time
Strong security features
#TOP 8

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 PRO Router

GT-BE98
BLACK
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 PRO Router Cover
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 PRO First Quad-Band WiFi 7 Gaming Router supports 320MHz, Dual 10G Port, Triple-level Game Acceleration, Mobile Game Mode, Subscription-Free Security, AiMesh, and VPN features

The ASUS ROG Router delivers lightning-fast WiFi 7 speeds, reaching up to 30 Gbps. This router utilizes new 320MHz channels in the 6 GHz band, allowing you to enjoy a high-capacity and efficient internet connection. With Multi-Link Operation, you can connect to multiple bands simultaneously, ensuring a stable online experience. Additionally, the external dual-feeding antennas greatly enhance coverage and signal strength, so you can stay connected even in larger spaces. For gamers, this router is a game-changer, as it accelerates your gaming traffic from your device to the game server, ensuring a smooth and lag-free gaming experience.

What We Like
Ultra-fast WiFi speeds
Stable multi-band connections
Enhanced coverage and signal
Optimized for gaming
#TOP 9

TP-Link Archer BE6500 Wi-Fi 7 Router

Archer BE400
Black
TP-Link Archer BE6500 Wi-Fi 7 Router Cover
TP-Link Archer BE6500 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 7 Router (Archer BE400) | Dual 2.5 Gbps Ports USB 3.0 | Covers up to 2,400 Sq. ft and 90 Devices | Quad-core CPU| HomeShield, Private IoT, Free Expert Support

The TP-Link Archer Router features the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, which means you can enjoy faster and more reliable connections on new devices like the iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. With dual-band support and six data streams, it delivers impressive speeds up to 6.5 Gbps, making it perfect for smooth 4K or 8K streaming and lag-free gaming. It also covers a large area of up to 2,400 square feet and can handle up to 90 devices at once, so everyone in your home can stay connected. Plus, with ultra-fast wired ports, you get speedy and stable connections for your high-demand devices, ideal for work or entertainment.

What We Like
Exceptional wireless speed improvements
Easy and intuitive setup
Excellent range and coverage
Strong build quality
App integration and management
#TOP 10

GL.iNet GL-MT6000 Flint 2 WiFi 6 Router

GL-MT6000
Black
GL.iNet GL-MT6000 Flint 2 WiFi 6 Router Cover
GL.iNet GL-MT6000 (Flint 2) WiFi 6 High Speed Gaming Routers for Wireless Internet, 2 x 2.5G Ethernet Ports for Fiber Optic Modem, Long Range Computer VPN WiFi Router, Home & Business

The GL.iNet Flint 2 Router offers fast WiFi 6 speeds up to 6 Gbps, making it perfect for smooth 4K streaming, gaming, and video calls without lag. It’s designed for gamers with 8-stream WiFi 6 technology, providing a stable and fast connection during intense online battles. You can also enjoy quick VPN connections with Wireguard and OpenVPN, allowing you to control your bandwidth for gaming, streaming, or work. The router supports AdGuard Home, which helps block unwanted ads and trackers, giving you a cleaner and safer online experience. Remember to update the firmware first for the best performance.

What We Like
Easy setup and configuration
Excellent WiFi range
Advanced OpenWRT support
Built-in AdGuard and VPN
Strong bufferbloat control
Buying Guide Image

Learn More About Purchasing the WiFi Routers for Gaming

Introduction

As the world becomes more connected, having a reliable and fast WiFi router has become a necessity for many households. For gamers, this is especially important as online gaming requires a stable connection to ensure a smooth and lag-free experience. Choosing the right WiFi router for gaming can be a daunting task, however, with so many options available on the market. In this article, we will explore the various factors to consider when selecting a WiFi router for gaming and provide some recommendations for routers that are well-suited for this purpose.

Factors to Consider

When choosing a WiFi router for gaming, there are a few key factors to consider:

  1. Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transmitted over a given period of time, measured in megabits per second (Mbps). A router with a high bandwidth can support multiple devices and bandwidth-intensive activities such as online gaming.
  2. Range: The distance over which the router can effectively transmit a signal. A router with a longer range is necessary if you have a large home or want to use your WiFi connection in multiple rooms.
  3. Frequency: WiFi routers operate on either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency bands. The 2.4 GHz band has a longer range but is more susceptible to interference from other devices, while the 5 GHz band has a shorter range but is less crowded and generally faster.
  4. Mesh Network: A mesh network is a type of WiFi system that uses multiple routers or "nodes" to create a single, seamless network. This can be useful for large homes or homes with multiple floors, as it allows for a stronger and more consistent signal throughout the home.
  5. Quality of Service (QoS): QoS is a feature that allows you to prioritize certain types of traffic, such as gaming, over other types of traffic, such as streaming video. This can help ensure that your gaming experience is not impacted by other activities occurring on your network.

Recommendations

There are many WiFi routers on the market that are suitable for gaming, but here are a few of our top picks:

  1. Netgear Nighthawk XR500: This router boasts a bandwidth of up to 2.6 Gbps and a range of up to 2,500 square feet, making it a strong choice for gamers with large homes or those who need to connect multiple devices. It also includes advanced features such as QoS and geofencing, which allows you to set limits on when and how your devices can access the internet.
  2. ASUS RT-AC5300: This router has a bandwidth of up to 5.3 Gbps and a range of up to 5,000 square feet, making it a powerful option for serious gamers. It also includes advanced features such as a built-in VPN server and support for the 5 GHz frequency band, which can provide faster and more stable connections.
  3. Google Nest WiFi: If you're looking for a mesh network solution, the Google Nest WiFi is a great option. It includes a router and one or more satellite "points" that can be placed throughout your home to create a seamless network. It has a bandwidth of up to 2.2 Gbps and a range of up to 2,200 square feet per node, making it suitable for homes of all sizes.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing a WiFi router for gaming, it's important to consider factors such as bandwidth, range, frequency, and QoS. By taking the time to research and select a router that meets your nee

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are gaming WiFi routers worth it?

So, Are Gaming Routers Worth It? Our honest opinion is that, no–gaming routers aren't worth the additional cost. If you are a gamer looking for a better connection so that you can keep getting headshots in Counter Strike, then we would have to simply recommend a wired ethernet connection.

2. Do routers make a difference for gaming?

Does a gaming router make a difference? Even if you aren't a gamer, the answer for most users is a resounding yes. QoS features improve user experience across the board, offering a more intuitive and hands-on way to manage WiFi signal, traffic, and your household bandwidth.

3. What router speed do I need for gaming?

The absolute minimum internet speed you can use for online gaming is 3 Mbps of download speed and 2 Mbps of upload speed—but we recommend way more than that for anyone who plays online games regularly. 25 Mbps or more of download speed per gamer will serve you much better if you can get it.

Editor's Notes

During our wifi router for gaming research, we found 24 wifi router for gaming products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 272,162 customer reviews through our big data system to write the wifi routers for gaming list. We found that most customers choose wifi routers for gaming with an average price of $132.16.

The wifi routers for gaming are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of wifi routers for gaming, including TP-Link, NETGEAR, ASUS, GL.iNet. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Mike Davis Avatar

Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.