The best WiFi routers for gaming

You don't need to spend an arm and a leg for great wireless performance, and the Linksys MR9000 Tri-Band Router proves it. Yes, a speedy tri-band router for under £60. That's enough to get you adding this model to your online shopping basket faster than its top speed of 3Gbps.

It's cheap, but there's no skimping. You get that familiar Linksys performance plus a wide variety of features and enhancements, which is impressive for the price. You'll have no problem with online gaming and streaming 4K UHD content. Indeed, it may look like a “typical” router, but it really isn't.  

You may be stuck in a common mindset — that Linksys make some of the dullest, most lifeless bits of tech out there (yeah, we know it's not a premium brand) — but you'll soon forget that way of thinking after experiencing this router's beamforming abilities, its prioritisation of devices, and the heft of its 1.8GHz processor.

Other features include easy app control, sturdy security, parental controls, and mesh technology that allows you to expand the already generous coverage area by adding further nodes around the home.

You know you're in good hands when a router has a 4.8Gpbs band that's dedicated purely to gaming and games applications. Because that's what you get with the immense and highly-immersive TP-Link Archer GX90 — a gaming router that out-plays the competition.

It also has a QoS (quality of service) feature that identifies gaming traffic and prioritises that bandwidth, meaning extra sharp responses and extra low latency. It will also prioritise streaming, file downloads, or specific devices. And don't worry if your gaming is eating up all the bandwidth. With its three bands, it easily handles multiple devices — even when you're locked in a campaign.

If you're confident with the tech, you can play around with diagnostic tools to monitor and optimise gaming performance — though it has a feature to consolidate the networks and run things a little more simply.

The only real downside to this router — other than the admittedly hefty price point — is that it's a bit of an ostentatious lump. It looks like you slapped a robot spider on its back and its eight legs are just sticking in the air. The stuff of nightmares. However, that's a small price to pay for great range as well as awesome WiFi download and upload speeds.  

When it comes to lavish, feature-rich routers, most gamers will be looking for a blend of up-and-coming tech, an attractive aesthetic, and ease-of-use in addition to great network performance. Not to mention speeds to match the console or PC you're playing. All of which makes recommending the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000 an absolute no brainer — one of very best routers from the Pro Gaming XR range.

It's built for gaming on the latest gen machines, and clocks speeds of up to 5.4Gbps. Realistically, that's more internet speed than you're ever likely to need. But it's good to know there's plenty to chew through during those major gaming sessions.

It's powered by a triple-core processor — more than enough to handle VR/AR gaming and 4K streaming — with an Application QoS feature that allows you to allocate bandwidth to specific tasks and devices. In other words, if you're locked in the gaming zone and need all the bandwidth available, it's yours. Other features help reduce lag by optimising lag-free server connections.

It does cut down on the LAN ports available on the unit in comparison to the other premum routers on the market, but what it lacks in direct connectivity options, it more than makes up for in speed and easy-to-set-up app control.

Life comes at you fast in the gaming world. The next-gen console — and next-gen internet demands are only ever a few button mashes away. With that in mind, the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 will future proof your gaming set-up. It’s built for up-to-date WiFi 6E technology. That means lightning-fast speeds, no congestion, and the ability to connect literally dozens of devices at once.

Powered by a quad-core processor, this router is also capable of streaming 8K video, meaning it’s perfect for high-demand AR and VR gaming. It also supports a very impressive eight streams.

Wth the speeds and seamless performance that this router is capable of, it’s also ideal for uninterrupted videoconferencing. That’s good if you like to break up your WFH schedule with a bit of gaming (or the other way around). It covers 2,500 sq ft and offers advanced security features. Simply set it up and control through the Nighthawk app.

The only real downsides are the cost and the fact that it’s probably overkill if you don’t have 6E capable devices or you’re not planning on upgrading any time soon. Though this router is backwards compatible with WiFi 5.

If you have a large home, or there are far-off corners that your regular router can't quite reach, a mesh system is an absolute must.

Mesh systems are essentially a series of router units — or "nodes" — that connect and each broadcast a WiFi signal, expanding your coverage. And when it comes to a mesh WiFi system that handles gaming spec, look no further than the Asus ZenWiFi XP4 AX.

In fact, its more than a mesh system — it's actually a hybrid. The router units are powerline adapters, which means they don't just rely of WiFi signals. They can be connected to your home electrics and send mesh network through your electrical wiring. That's especially useful in homes or buildings that have obstacles — like thick or metal reinforced walls — that would usually be hard for the WiFi to penetrate.

The speeds aren't as flashy as some other models — though 1.8Gbps is plenty in real-world scenarios, unless your piling seriously intense demands on your gaming set-up — but this one's all about its reach and coverage. It also works well as part of a smart home, thanks to Alexa compatibility. Reviewers have noted that the hybrid tech makes it hard to set up, but after that it's plain sailing.

If you want plenty of bang for you buck — and, honestly, who doesn't? — the Asus RT-AC86U is a safe bet. This router has plenty of gaming specific features and is well-rated for its performance. Not only that, it costs less than £200 — significantly less than some other high performance routers on this list.

The Asus RT-AC86U is packing some impressive tech, and it has been commended for its super-fast performance. In terms of gaming features, adaptive QoS prioritises your game session, dedicating the bandwidth to ensure super low latency. You'll also get low latency from a double gaming boost feature.

If you've got coverage issues, this router uses Asus's AiMesh technology. This allows you to connect compatible Asus routers into a mesh system, which will expand coverage throughout the home or office. Every corner will be covered. But that is dependent on having other Asus AiMesh routers at hand.

On the negative side, this router has been around for a few years now, so it doesn't support WiFi 6. In truth, most households haven't caught up to WiFi 6 anyway and the Asus RT-AC86U still has the kind of speed needed to keep up with current games.