Introduction

When it comes to gaming routers, it is all about speed and reliability. No gamer wants to experience lag during a crucial online ranked match, that's pretty much the worst-case scenario for any online player out there. While your current "couple of years old" router can still deliver substantial gaming experience, the newer games in the market today are starting to be quite demanding when it comes to required network speed.

Current gen and upcoming gaming routers are ratcheting up their performance to mind-blowing levels. To help point you in the right direction, we have compiled 10 of the best gaming routers for either PC or console players. It is dangerous to go alone in a competitive online match, so take any of these routers with you on your way to victory.

The 10 Best Gaming Routers for PC and Console Gaming

TP-Link Archer C5400 v2

The TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 is quite an unassuming router with its rather conservative design. But don't let that old-school vibe fool you, underneath its hood is a cutting-edge and blisteringly fast dual-band chipset that can clock in 2,167Mbs (802.11ac) and 1,000Mbps (802.11n).

Its traditional design is not just for aesthetic reasons only as the Archer C5400 v2 is relatively easy to set up while also providing advanced users more freedom to tweak their network to their liking. As a bonus, the TP-Link Archer also comes with Alexa support that further enhances convenience for the user – this is a helpful feature when you find yourself in a tense online match.

Asus RT-AC86U

If you are looking for a comprehensive gaming router that packed with features to cover all bases, then you should check what the Asus RT-AC86U has to offer. The Asus RT-AC86U is definitely among the upper echelon of gaming routers in the market today with its excellent network speed and lag-free performance.

This router is also extremely easy to operate while still providing an interface that comes with all the necessary options to optimize your gaming experience. We do want to point out its somewhat eccentric design which is something that might not suit everyone's style. That being said, this is as complete a router as you can get with its Quality of Service setting and MU-MIMO compatibility supplemented by dependable dual-and speeds and reasonable price tag.

TP-Link Archer C5400X

We can't help but add the TP-Link Archer C5400X here as well along with the C5400 v2. Think of the C5400X as what happens when the C5400 v2 is on steroids. Of course, this massive boost in performance also equates to jump in the price tag, that being said, it is a good gaming router to look for if you have the cash to spare.

The C5400X comes with an astonishing eight Gigabit Ethernet port and utilizes Tri-band network for maximum speeds without getting snagged by lag. Also, this router comes with MU-MIMO support and beamforming technology to further improve Wi-Fi range, speed, and stability. This means you will get optimum possible network speeds no matter where you plan to play in your home.

Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500

Any router that has the words "Pro Gaming" definitely needs to deliver in terms of performance. Well, the Netgear Nighthawk series is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to gaming, so it is no surprise that one of their routers manages to appear in this list. Truth be told, it is almost given that a couple of Netgear's routers will crack the top 10 of any listings in this category. The Nighthawk Pro Gamer XR500 is an apt moniker for this router thanks to its excellent 2.2Gbps speeds and top-notch MU-MIMO support. Another outstanding feature that is included here is with its QoS and location-based connection filtering to provide lag-free gaming sessions. If you play competitive online games, the Nighthawk Pro Wifi for Gaming XR500 is something you should consider.

Linksys WRT32X Wi-Fi Gaming Router

One of the biggest draws of the Linksys WRT32X router is with its top of the line Killer Network Prioritization engine. What this feature adds is the ability to prioritize specific devices with maximum bandwidth allocation. So, if you put your PS4, Xbox One, or PC at the top of the KNP list, you can expect blisteringly fast network speeds that prevent any sort of lag from ruining your gaming experience.

Some of the other noteworthy features that the Linksys WRT32X comes with include MU-MIMO support, breakneck file transfer speeds, speedy 2.4GHz throughput, and a user-friendly interface and automated installation process. TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router As a tri-band router, the TP-Link Archer A20 AC4000 is one that you can trust to deliver optimum network speeds without any hitch. As expected, TP-Link comes out with guns blazing in regards to the A20's features.
This router delivers all-around high throughput with its 2.4GHz band. We do notice that the 5GHz range is somewhat lacking but other than the signal range, everything is fine and dandy. We also like to note the excellent parental control option and security protocols that are pre-installed in this router. The A20 is a robust, affordable, well-rounded router that performs amicably well on all fronts and is as reliable as they come.

Linksys Max-Stream AC4000 EA9300 MU-MIMO Router

The Linksys Max-Stream is another excellent feature-rich router that is designed mainly for online gaming. Those without prior knowledge on setting up their router need not worry as the Max-Stream is intended for beginners with an emphasis on features found in more advanced routers. This is a tri-band router that is developed to provide excellent performance in online streaming, whether you are streaming videos or online gaming – the Linksys Max-Stream has you covered. Some of its notable features include Alexa voice and MU-MIMO support, as well as beamforming technology to optimize range and stability of your Wi-Fi.

Razer Sila Router

What's gaming-related top 10 list without mentioning Razer, right? The Razer Sila is an ergonomic and sleek router that looks the part of a gaming-focused router. As with most of Razer's products, the Sila is incredibly easy to install and set up thanks to its user-friendly interface. It also has mesh network support, but we recommend you stick to using it as is.

The reason being that configuring it into a mesh Wi-Fi system can be a bit complicated and expensive. The Sila features a broad selection of gaming-centric options that lets users optimize their settings to their online gaming needs.

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Router

If you have your ears firmly on the ground when it comes to technological advancements, then you have probably already heard about Wi-Fi 6 technology. This wireless technology is touted to deliver up to 6Gbps network speeds but is still relatively new in the market. Experts are already pointing to this as the next standard when it comes to Wi-Fi routers so why not get a head start with the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000?

The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is a beast with its max data transfer speed of 11Gbps. This is as future-proof as they come with its next-generation Wi-Fi technology that is designed to cover all your gaming needs. For serious gamers with money to burn, you can't go wrong with the Asus ROG Rapture. It is on a league of its own, and most of its competitors are still a year or two away.

Portal Mesh Wi-Fi Router

The Portal Mesh Wi-Fi Router is designed for gamers who live within a particularly spacious residence. This is an excellent gaming router for those who prefer to play on portable gaming consoles, particularly the Nintendo Switch. The Portal Mesh Wi-Fi Router can cover up to 6,000 square feet with just its two satellite nodes. As for network speeds, the Portal can provide up to 1.73Gbps with its 5GHz band frequency. Operating the Portal Mesh Router is also made simple with its partner mobile app which lets you check your network and monitor overall speed, as well.

Conclusion

Gaming can be quite an expensive hobby. As you can see from the routers above, prices can vary, and with the right know-how, you can narrow down your choices to the most practical option. Hopefully, our list of the top gaming routers above has helped point you towards the best option that suits your gaming needs and budget.