by Are you looking for a good router for gaming? Regardless of whether you play on a computer, console or mobile, there are few things that are as boring as playing with lag and latency. In this article, we have therefore developed the best gaming router 2022 in different categories, with models that are suitable for both apartment and villa as well as for households with few or many devices connected.
What then really distinguishes between a “regular” router and a router that is adapted for gaming? One of the most important features found in gaming routers and most often missing in regular routers is QoS, Quality of Service. This means that you can prioritize which device or devices should get the most bandwidth and speed from the router. In this way, the gaming computer can be prioritized before a mobile that scrolls Instagram.
Other important details that you find in a good gaming router are a powerful processor, several antennas for good signal and frequency bands with many connection options. In this way, several devices can have a fast and stable connection with low latency (delay).
Below you will find a smooth overview of our top list of best gaming router 2022.
Overview
1. ASUS RT-AX88U
Best gaming router overall 2022
- Best router on the market for gaming
- Terribly fast with long range
- Prioritize your gaming traffic
- High security thanks to AiProtection Pro
- User-friendly software for computer / mobile
2. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000
Best router for serious gamers 2022
- Powerful router with quad-core processor
- Dual 2.5 Gbps ports
- RangeBoost Plus – Improves coverage
- Loaded with smart gaming features
- Aura RGB effects
3. ASUS RT-AC86U (AC2900)
Best budget gaming router 2022
- Fast router at a cheap price
- Excellent choice in apartment or smaller house
- Built-in game accelerator, reduces ping and lag
- Smooth handling via computer or mobile app
- Can be connected to other ASUS routers
4. TP-Link Deco X90 (2-pack)
Best mesh router for gaming 2022
- Optimal for gaming in a large villa
- Smart AI that optimizes the network
- 2.5 Gbit / s and 1 Gbit / s LAN ports
- 4 built-in antennas
- Stylish and discreet design
5. ASUS RT-AX82U
Most affordable gaming router 2022
- Excellent mix between price and performance
- Specific and prioritized LAN port for gaming
- Support for mesh networks
- Stylish and adjustable RGB lighting
- Controlled via user-friendly computer program / app
Choosing the right gaming router
When playing on a PC, console or for that matter mobile , it is important to have a fast and good connection to minimize lag and high ping. Today, there are many high-performance routers that are designed for gaming and that allow you to experience your games seamlessly.
When choosing a gaming router, there are a few things to consider. Is the router for a large house or a small apartment? How many devices will be connected to the router? How are the devices used at home? Will children use the internet at home?
For example, a large house requires one or more powerful routers in a mesh network to provide a good and comprehensive wireless network at home. If, on the other hand, you live with one or two people in a smaller apartment, a slightly cheaper gaming router may suffice.
In order for you to get an idea of what makes the difference between different routers and what makes them cheap and expensive, we will go through some important technical details in the guide below. Then we dive into our best in tests!
Router speed ?
Today, it is common for providers to offer speeds up to fast 1Gbit / s (1000 Mbit / s), some broadband providers, such as Bahnhof, even offer up to hyper-fast 10 Gbit / s (10,000 Mbit / s).
In order for you to be able to enjoy high speeds, your router also needs to be able to handle it. The manufacturers always set a theoretical maximum limit for how high a speed the router can deliver. The higher the speed the router can deliver, the more expensive they tend to be.
QoS (Quality of Service)
In a gaming router, QoS is an important and very useful feature. QoS means that you can prioritize specific devices or a specific type of traffic on the bandwidth. In other words, you can, for example, prioritize your gaming computer over mobiles and other devices in the home. In this way, you always ensure a good flow and that you get as close to 0 ping as possible in the games.
Wi-Fi 6 (Wifi, WiFi) ?
If you want to play wirelessly, it is important that the router is equipped with the latest and fastest Wi-Fi standard, which right now is Wi-Fi 6 . Today, Wi-Fi 6 can be found in many models on the market, both with the best gaming routers and also cheaper routers for simpler home use.
Beamforming
This is a technology that allows a wireless router to concentrate its signal and target it at one or more specific devices . It makes the signal stronger and more stable and provides a longer range with higher speed, a good feature that should be present in a gaming router.
The number of frequency bands
A good gaming router uses dual-band or tri-band . What does that mean? Well, that means they have two or three separate frequency bands to transmit the wireless internet signal. These frequency bands are called 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and become like two separate networks to connect to. This means that a computer or console connected to the 5 GHz band is not affected by devices connected to the 2.4 GHz band.
Tip: In a home with multiple devices, it is a good idea to connect mobiles and devices that will perform simpler things to the 2.4 GHz band, while a gaming computer or a TV that streams 4K should use the 5 GHz band.
MU-MIMO
Even if a router has dual-band or tri-band, it is not always enough today in our connected homes. We have many devices that will share the bandwidth. Therefore, the MU-MIMO technology has been developed, which stands for Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output.
A router can usually only talk to one device at a time. With MU-MIMO, however, a router can talk to several devices at the same time without significantly affecting speed and latency. It provides faster gaming experience , less buffering and shorter waiting times for downloads. Quite simply an overall better connected experience.
How does MU-MIMO work?
MU-MIMO divides the router’s signal into several data streams and the number of streams it can divide into is indicated by 2 × 2, 3 × 3, 4 × 4 in a router’s specification. A higher number means more data streams, which in turn means that more devices can use the network without it becoming tougher. This is provided that the receiving device also supports the same number of data streams.
Mesh network
Mesh networks have in recent years become popular in private homes, in the past this technology has been found mostly in companies with large offices. The purpose of a mesh network is to get good coverage of the wireless network throughout their home .
A mesh network usually consists of a router and one or more access points. The principle is the same as if you were to use one or more amplifiers / extenders. The difference is that in a mesh network, there will be a single network to which the units smoothly and seamlessly connect , if you use amplifiers / extenders, several different networks are created. In addition, it is usually much easier to manage a mesh network, as it can be controlled directly in the phone via an app.
Do I need a mesh network?
If you have an apartment or villa of a smaller size, you can usually manage on a router. However, a router rarely covers a completely large house and then a mesh network can be used to advantage.
Do you have to buy a ready-made package if you want a mesh network?
No, it is possible to connect separate routers as long as they support mesh networks, many routers in our best in test can for example be included in such a network. The manufacturers of routers call their mesh support for slightly different names and to know if a router has support for mesh networks, you need to look for these. Below are some examples of what the major manufacturers call their mesh support:
- Asus AiMesh
- TP-link Onemesh
- Netgear Orbi
Security ?
It is also important that a router offers a high level of security, especially for families with children and young people in the household who want to play on a computer or console. It can be good to check for functions such as parental control and the possibility of blocking apps.
Some models of routers also offer the ability to individually tailor what you can surf on.
So, now that we’ve reviewed the most important features and techniques, we’ll take a look at our best in testing routers for gaming 2022.
Best gaming router 2022
1. ASUS RT-AX88U
Best gaming router overall 2022
- Wireless speed: 6,000 Mbit / s
- Wi-Fi type: Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band, MU-MIMO 4 × 4
- QoS & Beamforming: Yes
- Antennas: 4
- Mesh network support: Yes
- Connections: 8 Gigabit LAN ports, 2 USB ports
ASUS is one of the largest manufacturers of routers and their model RT-AX88U is among the best ASUS has developed so far. This is a super fast and design-wise router, which is perfect for gaming . The RT-AX88U offers wireless speeds up to 6,000 Mbit / s, distributed over 1,148 Mbit / s on the 2.4GHz band and 4,804 Mbit / s on the 5GHz band. In addition, it has 8 gigabit LAN ports .
The router has many useful gaming features , such as customizable QoS, Beamforming and WTFast GPN. It gives you the conditions to get a stable and really fast connection in your gaming, regardless of whether you drive wirelessly or with cable.
With ASUS flexible software for computer and mobile, you get a good and easy-to-manage overview of all functions and can easily change and adjust to suit your home. Furthermore, the RT-AX88U comes with a high level of security through the built-in protection AiProtection Pro .
Thanks to ASUS AiMesh, the RT-AX88U can also be connected to more ASUS routers , to cover a larger home under the same network.
2. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000
Best router for serious gamers 2022
- Wireless speed: 5,952 Mbit / s
- MU-MIMO: Yes, 4 × 4
- QoS & Beamforming: Yes
- Antennas: 4 pcs
- Mesh network support: Yes
- Connections: 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 2 USB
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 is an incredibly fast and advanced router with a really cool design and built-in RGB lighting. This router delivers a long range and wireless speeds up to fast 5,952 Mbit / s , spread over two bands.
Like the other routers in our article, the GT-AX6000 is equipped with MU-MIMO technology, which provides additional data streams, which means that it is possible to connect many devices simultaneously to this router without compromising speed.
The ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 is packed with a range of lavish and great features such as QoS, Beamforming, support for voice assistants, traffic monitoring and built-in security software. In addition, the router has a powerful quad-core processor that helps to distribute traffic in a smart way.
If it tastes good, it costs, the ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 comes with a higher price tag than many other gaming routers, so we recommend it for gamers who play at a high level .
3. ASUS RT-AC86U (AC2900)
Best budget gaming router 2022
- Wireless speed: 2,917 Mbit / s
- MU-MIMO: Yes, 4 × 4
- QoS & Beamforming: Yes
- Antennas: 3 pcs
- Mesh network support: Yes
- Connections: 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 2 USB
Despite its cheap price , this sharp model from ASUS is a very competent router , which is excellent for use in gaming. It is above all a good and suitable router if you live in an apartment , but also fits in a smaller villa .
Among other things, the RT-AC86U supports mesh networks, so instead of buying a more expensive router, a good solution for many homes may be to buy two or three of this cheaper model. These can then be connected and set up in different places in the home to provide good coverage throughout the home.
In terms of speed, the RT-AC86U delivers wireless speeds up to almost 3000 Mbit / s, in addition there are four gigabit LAN ports for fast speeds via cable. Furthermore, the router has several good and specific features for gaming, such as a built-in game accelerator that helps reduce ping and latency. Of course, you can also prioritize traffic via with QoS.
The router is controlled securely and smoothly in the computer or via the ASUS mobile app , where it is possible to see traffic and easily diagnose the network.
4. TP-Link Deco X90 (2-pack)
Best mesh router for gaming 2022
- Wireless speed: 6,600 Mbit / s
- MU-MIMO: Yes, 4 × 4
- QoS & Beamforming: Yes
- Antennas: 4 built-in
- Mesh network support: Yes
- Connections: 2 pcs 2.5 Gbit / s, 2 pcs 1 Gbit / s
Deco X90 is a powerful top model from TP-Link that is perfect for you who have a larger home and want to ensure high speeds throughout the home . Thanks to triple frequency bands and support for MU-MIMO 4 × 4, it is possible to play on a computer or console without lag and latency, even in a household with many wireless devices .
The X90 is in many ways a future-proof router and will without problems also handle an increasingly demanding gaming and streaming with videos in 8K resolution, which is already available on a small scale.
Furthermore, this router comes with most smart features, including a built-in AI that learns how to use the network and optimizes it for your particular home. With the TP Home Shield security function , the network is protected and it is possible to set boundaries for children via parental control. The router is easily managed by the Deco app or voice-controlled with the Alexa voice assistant.
It should also be added that this 2-pack can be supplemented in the future if desired. The X90 is compatible with all Deco devices from TP-link, so it is possible to add more routers to provide better coverage in e.g. an inaccessible part of the house, a garage or a shed.
5. ASUS RT-AX82U
Most affordable gaming router 2022
- Wireless speed: 5,400 Mbit / s
- MU-MIMO: Yes, 4 × 4
- QoS & Beamforming: Yes
- Antennas: 4 pcs
- Mesh network support: Yes
- Connections: 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 1 USB
The cool model RT-AX82U from ASUS is a really affordable router and comes with several nice features for gaming . To begin with, there is a priority gaming LAN port , if you connect a gaming computer or game console to that port, it is prioritized before all other devices, which ensures a fast and very stable speed .
With the help of Gear Accelerator , you can also prioritize that computers and consoles should have first priority in the wireless network, so that you avoid high ping and lag in multiplayer games.
The RT-AX82U comes with support for ASUS AiMesh , which means that it can be connected to other routers from ASUS that also support AiMesh. This way you can get high speeds in a larger home and avoid dead zones without Wi-Fi coverage.
In terms of security, this router is equipped with AiProtection Pro, which provides excellent security and good parental control . With the help of the user-friendly app , the entire router is controlled, where you get an overview of what the traffic looks like, if there is a problem and can arrange priorities of devices.
Summary of best gaming router 2022
A good router for gaming offers a fast and stable signal thanks to features such as beamforming and MU-MIMO. Furthermore, the best gaming routers offer the opportunity to prioritize which devices will get the first thing on the network traffic. For example, you can choose to prioritize the gaming computer or Playstation console over a mobile.
Different routers are suitable for different types of households, for the smaller apartment a slightly cheaper gaming router can work excellently. While in a large house, a more powerful router is needed, alternatively several routers that are connected in a mesh network to increase the range.
