Find The Best Router for Gaming (2025 Edition)
Ready to kick lag to the curb with the best routers for gaming? In 2025, a stellar Wi-Fi 6/6E (and even some Wi-Fi 7) router is your secret weapon. These routers offer blazing speeds, rock-solid wired Ethernet, and gamer-friendly QoS to keep your FPS and downloads flying. Whether you’re on a budget or craving top-shelf gear, we’ve rounded up the top picks – from value bargains to premium beasts. Get ready to level up your home network!
Budget Picks: Find the Best Router for Gaming Under $150
MSI RadiX AXE6600
The MSI RadiX AXE6600 brings Wi‑Fi 6E performance at a wallet-friendly price. Its glowing antennas aren’t just for show – they change color to indicate QoS mode (green for balanced, red for gaming, etc.). In testing, it hit over 1.4 Gbps at 15 feet on the 6GHz band, and still managed ~498 Mbps at 50 feet. You get a 6GHz band plus four Gigabit LAN ports (including a 2.5G multi-gig port) for consoles and PCs. For under $150, it’s a killer budget pick.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 6 GHz Wi‑Fi 6E band (super low latency for close-range) | Weaker at long range (6GHz range is limited) |
| Colorful light-up antennas for QoS status | No dual-band support – only tri-band (2.4/5/6GHz) |
| Fast setup and long 3-year warranty |
Standouts: 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E band, multi-gig Ethernet, striking antenna LEDs. Ideal for tight budgets but dedicated gaming at moderate distance.
ASUS RT-AX58U (AX3000) – Simple & Solid
If you’re on a tight budget, the ASUS RT-AX58U (AX3000) is a smart mid-tier choice. This dual-band Wi‑Fi 6 router delivers solid throughput on 5GHz and handles many devices at once. Setup is stupid easy via web or app, and it even has basic QoS, parental controls, and AiMesh compatibility for future expansion. It doesn’t have a fancy “gaming” name, but it keeps ping low and costs under $130.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong Wi‑Fi 6 performance for price | Dual-band only (no tri-band) |
| Easy setup with ASUS mobile app | Less flashy gaming features |
| Good security (AiProtection) and parental controls | No Wi-Fi 6E or multi-gig port |
Standouts: Great Wi‑Fi 6 speed in its price range, simple ASUS interface, AiMesh support. Not the flashiest, but a dependable low-latency router for budget-conscious gamers.
Mid-Range Gaming Routers: Sweet Spot Performers
Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000
The Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000 (Wi‑Fi 6) is a mid-tier legend for serious gamers. It “goes above and beyond” in Wi‑Fi 6 speeds and low-latency design. In practice it covered 105 feet in range and delivered excellent throughput, easily beating cheaper routers at mid-range distances. It includes DumaOS gaming software so you can throttle lag and inspect traffic per game. Four Gigabit LAN ports and a USB 3.0 port give you solid wired connectivity.
Standouts: Excellent 5GHz throughput, advanced gamer-focused QoS/Dashboard, plus malware protection. A great pick if you want robust Wi‑Fi 6 performance without the premium price.
ASUS RT-AX86U Pro – Performance Powerhouse
The Asus RT-AX86U Pro (Wi‑Fi 6) is a strong mid-range bet at ~$200. Reviewers rave about its “exceptional performance” and extra gamer features. It uses a quad-core CPU to push up to AX5700 combined Wi‑Fi speeds (4804 Mbps on 5GHz + 1148 Mbps on 2.4GHz). It has a game boost setting and adaptive QoS for consoles/PCs, plus built-in VPN and security. In real-world tests it shined in multi-story homes and heavy gaming usage. For a flat $200, this router gets you flagship speeds and features with only a modest hit in design flair (no RGB).
Standouts: Fast 5GHz Wi‑Fi, ASUS’s gamer-friendly QoS (game and network modes), plus 2.5G WAN/LAN port. A versatile router that’s great for competitive gamers and streamers alike.
TP-Link Archer GX90 – Tri-Band Gamer
The TP-Link Archer GX90 is a unique mid-range Wi‑Fi 6 router with a dedicated “Gaming Band.” It’s a tri-band AX6600 router where one 5GHz band is locked at 4.8 Gbps for gaming traffic. In testing all three bands (2.4, 5, and gaming 5) were speedy and rock solid. There’s plenty of raw speed (about 6.6 Gbps total) and four Gigabit LAN ports + a 2.5G WAN/LAN port for ultimate wired performance. Setup can be a bit fiddly, but once it’s dialed in, it’s a lag-killer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wi‑Fi 6 tri-band with a 4.8 Gbps dedicated gaming band | Setup quirks (initial configuration can be tricky) |
| 160 MHz channels on 5GHz bands (up to 6.6 Gbps total) | A bit large and heavy |
| Built-in AiProtection security (Trend Micro) | No Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz) |
| 2.5G WAN/LAN + 1Gb LAN ports for wired gaming |
Standouts: Dedicated high-speed gaming band and multi-gig Ethernet make this great for crowded LAN parties or heavy downloads. A gamer-focused router that really delivers on speed.
Premium Gaming Routers: Mega Lag-Slayers
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 is a true apex predator for gamers. This tri-band Wi‑Fi 6E router (11,000 Mbps class) achieved nearly 2.96 Gbps at 15 ft in tests, with coverage around 85 ft. It has eight antennas and seven new 160MHz channels to blast data on 2.4/5/6GHz. Beyond raw speed, it offers deep QoS customization and a built-in “gaming accelerator” that splits out your gaming device onto its own virtual sub-network. Security is top-notch with lifetime intrusion protection. Downsides? It’s expensive and you’ll only hit top speeds with Wi‑Fi 6E-compatible clients. But if you want the best gaming router with insane throughput, this ROG beast delivers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Blazing Wi‑Fi 6E throughput (up to ~3 Gbps) | Very expensive |
| Packed with features (gaming QoS, security, customization | Requires Wi-Fi 6E devices for max speed |
| Includes 2.5G WAN/LAN port and 4x Gigabit LAN | Bulky size |
| Lifetime network security (no subscription) |
Standouts: 6GHz Wi‑Fi, multi-gig Ethernet, ROG gaming tools and huge total bandwidth. A top pick for hardcore gamers and streamers who demand the absolute fastest speeds and lowest ping.
TP-Link Archer BE800
The TP-Link Archer BE800 (aka GE800) is a new Wi‑Fi 7 router built for ultra-fast multi-gigabit gaming. With 8 antennas and a futuristic RGB-styled design, it uses 320MHz channels and 4K QAM (one of the latest Wi-Fi 7 tricks) to push insane bandwidth. In testing it hit 1.322 Gbps at 15 ft and surprisingly covered 105 ft. The real party trick is its ports: two 10 Gbps, four 2.5 Gbps, and even an SFP+ fiber jack – perfect for 10G home Internet plans. It also has a dedicated “Game Port” (an Ethernet jack with extra priority) and a physical Game Mode button on the front. On the downside, the Archer GE800 is huge and can run warm, but it’s stacked with gamer features (RGB lighting, Game Detector ping tester, etc.). If you want bleeding-edge Wi-Fi 7 and mega-gigabit wired support, this is a contender for the best router for gaming even two or three years from now
Standouts: Massive multi-gig wired connectivity (10G, 2.5G, SFP+), next-gen 320MHz Wi‑Fi 7 channels, plus Ping-protecting “Game” hardware modes. A futureproof premium pick for ultra-fast internet plans and serious gamers.
ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 (Mesh Wi‑Fi 6 System)
If your castle (or large home) needs wall-to-wall coverage, consider the Asus ROG Rapture GT6 mesh system (Wi‑Fi 6). It comes as a two-pack of cube units that each broadcast a tri-band network. Together they blanket up to ~5,800 sq.ft. with a gamer-optimized mesh. It maxes out at 10.1 Gbps total (no 6GHz band, but dual 5GHz 160MHz channels). Each unit has nine antennas, built-in RGB lighting, and a 2.5G Ethernet backhaul port plus 3 Gigabit LAN for wired consoles. The GT6 isn’t cheap, but it’s great for big homes with tricky walls: reviewers found it rivaled even premium Orbi mesh setups in throughput. (No Wi‑Fi 6E on board, but triple Wi‑Fi 6 bands make up for it.) For gamers who want pure range and speed in every room, this mesh system is a power-up.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent wall penetration (mesh range) | No 6 GHz band (Wi‑Fi 6 only) |
| 10.1 Gbps max throughput using dual 160MHz channels | Expensive mesh kit |
| 2.5G+3x1G LAN per unit (wired backhaul option) | Large footprint |
| Built-in security software & Aura RGB lights |
Classic Picks: Older-Gen Routers
Don’t count out last-gen routers – some solid Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) models still hold their own in 2025. These older routers can be great bargains if you just need robust wired performance and proven gaming features. Here are two legends from the AC era:
ASUS RT-AC86U (AC2900)
An all-time favorite, the RT-AC86U was called the “ultimate choice for gaming” on ASUS’s site. It’s a dual-band AC2900 router (2167 Mbps @5GHz + 750 Mbps @2.4GHz) that uses NitroQAM to hit a combined 2,917 Mbps. You get WTFast game acceleration, adaptive QoS, and AiProtection security all built-in. Four Gigabit LAN + 1x 2.5G WAN/LAN port let you max out gigabit internet plans (and even do link aggregation). In short: it still offers blistering Wi-Fi speeds and gamer tools. The downsides are obvious – no Wi-Fi 6 or 6E – but for a primarily wired setup, it can still keep your PC or consoles happy with low latency.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Up to 2917 Mbps AC speeds (2.4GHz + 5GHz | No Wi‑Fi 6 (only AC) |
| Game-boosting features (WTFast, QoS) | Older band (6 GHz) absent |
| 2.5G WAN/LAN port + four 1G LAN ports | No multi-gig LAN aggregation for >1Gbps |
| Adaptive QoS and security (AiProtection) |
Standouts: Still very fast for AC, plus robust QoS/game accel. Great if you only have AC (or older) devices and want strong wired support.
ASUS RT-AC88U (AC3100)
The RT-AC88U is a true workhorse from the AC era. As an AC3100 router, it advertises up to 3167 Mbps total throughput. Unusually for its time, it has 8 Gigabit LAN ports (perfect for multiple wired consoles/PCs) and dual Gigabit WAN. It also includes WTFast game acceleration and Trend Micro security. With its 4×4 5GHz radio (up to 2167 Mbps on 5GHz), it can still push plenty of speed. Its beamforming antennas give broad coverage. In short, the AC88U was a premium router in 2016 and it still holds up if you only need AC performance and tons of LAN ports. Just remember it lacks 6GHz Wi-Fi or the latest 5GHz wide channels.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very high AC speeds (up to 3167 Mbps) | No Wi‑Fi 6/6E support |
| 8 Gigabit LAN ports + link aggregation | Large and power-hungry |
| WTFast game accelerator and QoS features | Outdated compared to modern Wi‑Fi 6 |
| Solid AiMesh compatibility |
Standouts: Eight LAN ports and wireless AC3100 speeds make it a great budget-friendly gamer router if you still have a lot of wired devices.
Conclusion
No matter your budget or how hardcore your setup, there’s a best router for gaming on this list to sharpen your edge. We’ve covered everything from affordable Wi‑Fi 6 bargains to bleeding-edge Wi‑Fi 7 monsters. Pick one that fits your range and wiring needs, hit “install,” and get ready to crush the competition with minimal lag!