If you play a lot of multiplayer games, then making sure you have the best gaming router is essential.These routers have been specially designed to prioritise network traffic from games, a feature known as Quality of Service (QoS), so your gameplay won't be affected if other people are streaming Netflix or browsing the web.A lot of gamers feel that a wired connection is best for online gaming and streaming via services such as Steam In-Home streaming, and wed have to agree.
The best gaming routers should have a plethora of Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting your gaming devices to the internet or for playing local LAN games.Having a wired connection isn't always possible, so gaming routers need to have the latest - and fastest - Wi-Fi technology as well, which is currently 802.11ac.
Having external antennae which can be moved to direct the Wi-Fi signal to certain areas of your house is also handy to have.With the particular needs of gamers in mind, then, here are the very best gaming routers you can buy.
1.
Asus RT-AC86UThe value-packed saving grace for gaming routersSpeed: 802.11ac: 1,734Mbps; 802.11n: 450Mbps | Connectivity: 4 x Ethernet, 1 x WAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 | Features: MU-MIMO, AiDisk, Adaptive QoS, WTFast Gamers Private NetworkSuper fast transfersLong rangePriceyFeature overkill for mostUnless youre an unbelievably hardcore gamer, the Asus RT-AC86U is probably overkill.
However, thats not to say it doesnt have its appeal it features blazing fast speeds at a low price tag.
On top of our benchmarks that prove its a beast, this thing has a bunch of nice features.
Maybe you dont need MU-MIMO, which allows for intense online gaming by more than one PC at a time, but it doesnt hurt to include it.
That said, its not cheap.The Asus RT-AC68U is expensive for a router, but compared to the gaming PC or console youre likely using it with, the price tag shouldnt turn you off.
Plus, with AiDisk at the helm, its optimized for DLNA and FTP streaming.
This means, if youre interested, you could watch movies and shows stored on your computer across a wide array of other devices found in your house at a lossless, uncompressed bit rate and resolution.Read the full review:Asus RT-AC86U2.
Asus RT-AC5300Speed: 802.11ac: 2,167Mbps, 802.11n: 600Mbps | Connectivity: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x WAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 | Features: MU-MIMO support, Link Aggregation, traffic analyzer, WPS, 512MB RAM, 8 external antennaGreat Wi-Fi coveragePowerful gaming featuresLargeSingle USB 3.0 portThe Asus RT-AC5300 is an excellent high-end gaming router that comes with a number of advanced features for making online and network gaming as lag and frustration free as possible.This includes an easy-to-use yet powerful interface, as well as comprehensive QoS settings.
The spider-like design won't be to everyone's tastes, but the eight antennae serve a purpose, as they can be used to direct your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, giving this router an excellent range.Read the full review: Asus RT-AC5300 Tri-band Gigabit Router3.
Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600 An extraterrestrial gaming router that covers all basesSpeed: 802.11ac: 2,167Mbps, 802.11n: 800Mbps | Connectivity: 4 x Gigabit Ethernet, 1 x WAN, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.0 | Features: MU-MIMO support, StreamBoost, dual-core 1.7GHz processor, 512GB RAM, Zyxel One Touch app-based setupGood MU-MIMO wireless speedsExcellent traffic analysis softwareFew current devices use quad-stream 802.11acAverage USB port speedsIt may appear as though it would abduct a close friend or family member, but we assure you, the Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600 isnt as alien in function as it is in looks.
Equipped with MU-MIMO support, which improves speeds when multiple devices are connected to the same network, the Armor Z2 AC2600 prides itself on its performance capabilities.
Paired with StreamBoost, Zyxel has devised a router that can not only handle ample traffic, but it can actually prioritize bandwidth based on the needs of each device connected to it.Read the full review: Zyxel Armor Z2 AC26004.
Asus RT-AC88U4x4 and 1024-QAM deliver the best possible wireless performance Speed: 802.11ac: 2167Mbps 802.11n: 1000 Mbps | Connectivity: 9x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 2.0 1x USB 3.0 | Features: 1024-QAM, MU-MIMO, WTFast Gamers Private Network, Asus AiProtection, AsusWRT SoftwareFastest wireless speedsComprehensive software UIExpensiveRequires special hardware for fastest speedsThe Asus RT-AC88U justifies its above-average pricing with unrivalled record-breaking next-generation 802.11ac wireless performance.
With four antennas and NitroQAM technology, which pushes speeds further still, this router enables wireless performance that can break the 1GB/sec limit.
There's a minor catch - you'll need to invest in a NitroQAM wireless adapter, such as the Asus PCE-AC88, to see those faster speeds.
It's worth it, though, because this router is a champion cheaper than its Asus RT-AC5300 Tri-band gigabit rival.5.
Netgear Nighthawk X4S VDSL/ADSL Modem Router D7800Built-in VDSL modem and 4x4 wireless speeds make this a great all-rounder Speed: 802.11ac: 1733Mbps, 802.11n: 800 Mbps | Connectivity: 5x Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0, 1x eSATA | Features: VDSL 2 modemGreat wireless performanceVDSL 2 modemLacks 1024-QAMRequires special hardware for fastest speedsIf routers had a fashion contest, Netgears D7800 would be among the top contenders.
Its solid black finish is complemented by a quartet of antennas.
Plus its damn fast and bettered by its inclusion of a duo of USB ports paired with an eSATA connector.
The real centerpiece, though, is the VDSL 2 modem built into the Nighthawk X4S D7800, negating the need to buy or lease one separately.
The outfitted software isnt too shoddy either; a simple Dynamic QOS system makes it a breeze to govern a multitude of devices on a single home network.6.
D-link DIR-885L/RSpeed: 802.11ac | Connectivity: 4x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0 | Features: MU-MIMO, Advanced Wireless AC beamforming, SmartConnectGood selection of featuresGood performancePriceyIf you're looking for a dependable mid-range router that combines speed with a great Wi-Fi range and features aimed at games, then you'll definitely want to consider the D-link DIR-885L/R.
It has a good selection of ports, and the user interface for setting up and configuring the router is nicely designed and easy to use.
It also supports DD-WRT open-source firmware, which makes this a flexible and powerful gaming router.053652f29f909cc64da62f7a8a09c01b.jpg#