10 Best Gaming Routers 2025 in the United States

The NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX54S is a solid choice for gamers, offering impressive features tailored to enhance your online gaming experience. With speeds reaching up to AX5400 (5.4 Gbps), it ensures smooth gameplay and allows for uninterrupted streaming or video conferencing. The dual-band capability means you can connect multiple devices without significant slowdowns, which is great for households with many users or smart devices. Its coverage of up to 2,500 sq. ft. is sufficient for larger homes, supporting up to 25 devices simultaneously, making it versatile for both gamers and casual users alike.

One of the standout features is the robust security provided by NETGEAR Armor, which protects your connected devices from potential threats. This is particularly important for gamers who often connect multiple gadgets. The automatic firmware updates also help keep your network secure without needing constant manual intervention.

However, there are some factors to consider. While the router offers good speed and coverage, it may not be as powerful as some tri-band routers in handling several high-demand tasks at once. If you have a particularly large household with many gamers, you might find that a tri-band option could better suit your needs. The range and speed might also be less effective if the router is placed in a corner of your house away from the gaming setup. Additionally, while the setup via the Nighthawk app is user-friendly, non-tech-savvy individuals may still require a little time to get everything configured just right. Lastly, note that this model is designed for U.S. use, so compatibility in other countries may be an issue.

The NETGEAR Nighthawk RAX54S presents a strong option for those seeking a gaming router with solid speed, coverage, and security features, though larger gaming setups might benefit from exploring tri-band options.

The TP-Link Tri-Band BE9300 WiFi 7 Router, also known as Archer BE550, is designed to meet the demands of gaming enthusiasts and heavy internet users. With blazing-fast speeds up to 9.2 Gbps across its three bands (6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz), this router delivers exceptional performance for smooth 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and fast downloads. The router supports Multi-Link Operation and 320 MHz channels, enhancing its speed and efficiency, which is crucial for gaming.

Additionally, the six internal antennas with Beamforming technology ensure strong and reliable connections across a range of up to 2,000 sq. ft., although users with larger homes may need to add EasyMesh devices for extended coverage. The full 2.5G WAN and LAN ports future-proof your network, offering high-speed wired connections for gaming consoles and PCs. Key gaming features include QoS, which prioritizes gaming traffic to reduce latency and ensure a smooth gaming experience. MU-MIMO support allows simultaneous high-speed connections for multiple devices, which is great for households with many users.

For security, the router comes with TP-Link HomeShield, providing robust network protection, parental controls, and IoT security. The ability to set up a separate IoT network further enhances security for smart home devices. VPN support is another valuable feature, offering secure connections to remote servers. The router is easy to set up and manage via the Tether App, and it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. However, at 2.45 pounds and dimensions of 9.12 x 2.99 x 7.99 inches, it may be bulkier than some users prefer.

The ASUS RT-AX86U Pro (AX5700) is a robust choice for gamers looking for a high-performance router. With the latest WiFi 6 technology, it offers impressive speeds up to 5700 Mbps, which is ideal for demanding gaming sessions and other high-bandwidth activities. The dual-band capability ensures that multiple devices can connect smoothly without interference, though some might prefer a tri-band router for even more congestion-free performance. Latency is kept to a minimum with the Mobile Game Mode, making it a great option for mobile gamers who need reliable and fast connections on the go.

The inclusion of a 2.5G port and aggregated 2 Gbps WAN connections further enhance the router's wired and wireless speeds, beneficial for both gaming and streaming. Quality of Service (QoS) helps prioritize gaming traffic, reducing lag during crucial moments in gameplay. Additionally, the router supports MU-MIMO technology, allowing multiple devices to receive data simultaneously, which is great for households with several gamers. Security is a strong point, with AiProtection Pro offering commercial-grade security features and a secure VPN for added protection when away from home.

The router is also AiMesh compatible, making it easy to extend your network with other ASUS routers for seamless coverage throughout your home. While it excels in many areas, the router might be overkill for casual users who don't need such high speeds or advanced features. It's also a bit on the bulkier side, and its dual-band nature might not be enough for extremely crowded networks. However, for serious gamers and tech enthusiasts, the ASUS RT-AX86U Pro offers a comprehensive set of features and reliable performance.