Allconnect is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.However, Allconnect is responsible for all content on this page.Compare gaming routers and modems ProductPriceFeaturesSpeedsBest for ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro$$$$Tri-band, triple-level gaming acceleration 11,000 MbpsBest overall gaming router ARRIS Surfboard S33$$DOCSIS 3.12,500 MbpsBest overall gaming modem ASUS RT-AX68U$$Wi-Fi 62,700 MbpsBudget and value ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000$$$$$Quad-band, Wi-Fi 6E16,000 MbpsSpeed When it comes to gaming, you need the right equipment to have the best experience.
The biggest issue that gamers face is latency, or lag between the gamer’s action and the server’s reaction. This is why gamers need gaming-specific equipment to handle their busy network.Luckily, there are routers and modems made specifically for gaming.We’ve listed our favorites below. Best overall gaming router: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro $$$$ | 11,000 Mbps 4.2 out of 4 stars, 71% give it 5 stars The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro is our pick for best overall gaming router because of its blazing fast speeds and gaming features. This is a tri-band gaming router with eight antennas that boasts speeds up to 11,000 Mbps, so it can handle hardcore gaming activity.
It also has triple-level game acceleration, which means that gaming gets network prioritization.The GT-AX11000 has one 2.5 G port and one 10 G port for an even faster connection. While this router is on the expensive side, most gaming routers are since they have to be able to handle heavy bandwidth and have more unique features than your everyday router.Shop now Best gaming modem overall: ARRIS Surfboard S33 multi-gig modem $$ | 2,500 Mbps 4.1 out of 5 stars; 67% give it 5 stars The ARRIS Surfboard S33 multi-gig modem isn’t technically branded as a gaming modem, but its multi-gig speeds make it perfect for gamers. It supports speeds up to 2,500 Mbps and has both a 1G and 2.5G Ethernet port, so it is perfect for multi-gig internet plans from 1 – 2 Gbps.
The ARRIS S33 also has DOCSIS 3.1 technology, which is the latest technology providing better security and reduces latency.While it has no unique gaming features that gaming routers usually have, the ARRIS S33 is still a great choice as a gaming modem. Shop now Best bang for your buck: Asus RT-AX68U $$ | 2,700 Mbps 4.3 out of 5 stars; 72% give it 5 stars If you’re after a fast connection, but don’t want to break the bank to get it, the ASUS RT-AX68U is the device for you.This gaming router provides top speeds of up to 2700 Mbps.
On top of that, it also supports the latest connection standard, WiFi 6.This will help the router handle multiple connections at once, meaning that having other people in your home who are connected to the internet won’t slow you down.While some gamers prefer their game systems to be hardwired for a more consistent connection, this router provides about as steady a connection as you could ask for out of a wireless network.
With Asus AiMesh support, you can create a flexible and seamless connectivity across your entire house by adding other AiMesh-compatible routers.Shop now Best for speed: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 $$$$$ | 16,000 Mbps 4.3 out of 5 stars; 73% give it 5 stars If cost is not an issue and you’re looking for the absolute fastest speeds for your gaming experience, then you can’t go wrong with the ASUS ROG-Rapture GT-AXE16000. This router is one of the first quad-band routers on the market, so it has the new 6 GHz frequency band which allows for wider channels, higher network capacity, lower latency and less interference.You can game seamlessly with speeds up to 16000 Mbps and triple-level game acceleration.
It also has dual 10G ports which provide even faster data transfer speeds. On the downside, it’s very expensive and is a Wi-Fi 6E router which isn’t fully compatible with other equipment yet.Shop now Should you rent or buy your equipment? When looking for equipment, you may be wondering if you should rent or buy your modem and router.Usually, your ISP will give you the option to rent a router for a small fee every month, and with this comes added tech support and usually upgrades to equipment.
Buying, on the other hand, allows for more autonomy in your choice of equipment, which is important when it comes to gaming.You need a modem and router that not only has fast speeds, but has gaming features and low latency as well.In this case, buying your own router is the best choice and you will even save money in the long run. What to look for in a modem and router for gaming Top speeds: When it comes to gaming, top speeds are important.
You’re going to want your modem and router to be able to handle large amounts of data, so look for top speeds and support for the latest Wi-Fi standards: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be).Wi-Fi 5 can also support online gaming, but it’s just an older Wi-Fi standard and most routers now support at least Wi-Fi 6. Traffic prioritization: Gamers need to make sure that their gaming experience is not going to be interrupted by others in the household using the internet at the same time.Look for routers and modems that have traffic prioritization features that make sure that a high-intensity activity like gaming is treated with priority over someone who is simply browsing the web.
Wi-Fi vs.Ethernet: Wireless internet is convenient and allows you to connect without being locked into a location, but wireless connections are almost always less steady than hard wiring via an Ethernet port.Consider if your home is a good situation for a wireless connection with a router or if you would rather be hard wired to your modem.
Equipment: While the type of console or PC that you use shouldn’t matter when you are considering what router or modem to buy, the amount of platforms that you use to game does matter.If you game on multiple platforms, you’ll want a router or modem with multiple channels or ports to stay connected across all your devices. How we chose the best router and modem for gaming To pick the best gaming routers and modems on the market, we looked at a number of factors that the typical gamer should consider.We scoured dozens of products on the market, considering the need for top-level performance, including high speeds, low latency and ping.
We considered traffic management and prioritization, which helps performance and can prevent lag when multiple devices are connected to the internet.We also took into account price and overall value, recognizing that the most expensive is not always the best.Here are some of the qualities that we considered when making our selection for the best gaming routers and modems available: Supported speeds Price and value Features Specific customer reviews What device it is best for Need a faster internet plan? While having a powerful modem and router can be the difference between a steady connection and spotty one and can help maximize your internet connection, it can’t speed up your internet.
If you find yourself in need of a faster internet connection, you will have to upgrade or switch your internet plan or provider. Gaming routers FAQs What is the best router for gaming? The best router for gaming depends on your specific internet needs, but our experts love the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Pro for a heavy-duty, gaming-optimized router, or the ASUS RT-AX68U for a budget-friendly option. What should I look for in a gaming router? When searching for a gaming router, look for gaming-specific features like network prioritization as well as Ethernet ports with high-data capacity for fast wired connection speeds.As always, remember to a.) get a router that can support your internet plan speeds and b.) not overpay for a heavy duty router if your internet plan can’t support its speed capacity.Why do I need a gaming router? You don’t necessarily need a gaming router to game, but they do offer an improved gaming experience for heavy-duty gamers who need the extra speed and features. What to read next Read more Featured Best gigabit modems of 2024 compared Camryn Smith — 5 min read Featured Best internet providers for gaming Camryn Smith — 8 min read Featured Survey: 36% of Americans don’t know their home internet speed Joe Supan — 4 min read Latest Thursday, February 26, 2026 Best modems and routers for gaming of 2026 Camryn Smith — 5 min read Thursday, February 26, 2026 Here’s how to program your RCA universal remote to your TV Camryn Smith — 4 min read Thursday, February 26, 2026 Americans are getting 306 Mbps in download speed, but are you? Robin Layton — 5 min read
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