Computer Station Nation is reader-supported.
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
You might think the best gaming and streaming routers are just gimmicks, but that’s just not true. If you do a lot of your gaming and streaming, having an undisturbed and solid connection is as crucial to your gaming experience as the components powering your gaming computer.
This is especially true during pivotal gaming moments, as you want a robust network so you don’t have recurring issues in the middle of a battle. The best routers do more than just provide that solid network connection. They offer game-specific network demands.
The best routers are crucial for getting the most out of the best online games, the best PC games, and streaming experiences, going above and beyond what traditional routers can do. So, take a look at our top selections to take your online gaming to the next level.
Our Top 3 Picks of Best Router For Gaming and Streaming
Contents
TP-Link Archer C5400 v2
Powerful Router For Gaming and Streaming
If you’re searching for the latest router technology but you still like that old school look, the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 might just be an ideal fit. This is one of the best gaming routers that pairs enthusiast-grade features with a simple setup, packing them into a package that’s appealing to just about anyone.
Factor in the Alexa support, and you have a router that can adjust to any situation, whether you’re trying to come out on top in the latest match in Apex Legends, or you have guests that are connecting to your network.
The TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 is an upgraded version of the C5400, coming with a new (lower) price, and a number of smart home features that will appeal to people who have a house full of Amazon Echos, Hue lightbulbs, and other connected gadgets.
Even if you’re not the sort of person who likes barking orders at Alexa, the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 comes with the build quality and level of performance that we’ve come to expect from TP-Link. So, on paper at least, the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 is a router that should appeal to enthusiasts, gamers, small businesses, and even casual users alike.
It’s a great idea, and with a bit of fiddling (including creating a TP-Link account and connecting it up to the router, then linking the account to the Alexa app) it works well. Most impressively, it gives people an easy and intuitive way to access features without having to delve into confusing admin pages.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fast and powerful
- Alexa and IFTTT support
- Great 5Ghz performance
Cons
- Expensive
- Not the nicest-looking device
Asus RT-AC86U
Easy Setup Router For Gaming and Streaming
The Asus RT-AC5300 is one of the best gaming routers – it has a collection of advanced features, making online and network gaming as lag and frustration-free as possible.
This includes a straightforward yet powerful interface, as well as comprehensive QoS settings. The spider-like design is somewhat of an acquired taste, but the eight antennae serve a purpose since they can be used to direct the Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, providing this router with remarkable range.
The backside of the router has the standard array of four LAN ports and one source port for your Internet gateway. It also has a USB port for plugging in an external drive or printer. One excellent touch: if you are as annoyed by flashing lights as I am, you will love the ability to turn off the LED indicators on the router’s front side. More consumer electronics should offer this option.
At the more advanced level, you can set up Asus’ AiDisk to share a connected drive’s music, movies, and more via a DLNA-compatible stream, or even via FTP. If you’re feeling particularly brave, you can extend this access all the way downstream to your main PC.
Power users and small businesses will greatly appreciate the dual-WAN support, which allows you to plug another Internet provider into your network.
This is an IT-caliber tech that is perfect for home office users who need to simultaneously support a general Internet connection as well as a fixed-IP connection, or businesses that value redundant connectivity. Plus, if you have an RT-AC66U router, most of these tools and services are available to you also via a recent firmware update.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Super Fast transfers
- Long range
- Simple setup
Cons
- Pricey
- Feature overkill for most
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300
Eight LAN Router For Gaming and Streaming
Best of the year 2018 logo small Hardcore gamers rely on fast systems with blazing graphics cards to gain an edge while competing online, but all of that speedy hardware means nothing if your router can’t deliver the throughput needed to overcome network lag. Enter the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300, a high-end tri-band router designed for gamers.
This beast of a router looks the part and offers a hardware- and software-based gaming acceleration and prioritization, a whole heap of LAN ports, robust protection against malware and viruses, and a powerful quad-core processor. It’s expensive and it’s big, but its speedy performance and robust features make it a must-have whether you’re a serious online gamer or manage a high-traffic home network.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Eight LAN ports.
- Works with Alexa voice commands and IFTTT applets.
- Slick user interface.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Middling file-transfer speeds.
Conclusion
The TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 is an excellent router that will appeal to both beginners and enthusiasts alike thanks to an easy-to-use interface that grants access to some highly advanced features. It’s well worth the money if you can afford it.
They minimize lags and prioritize network bandwidth, not to mention minimize any intermittent network issues. And a number of gaming routers come with some game-oriented extras. Some of these features include MU-MIMO technology and Quality of Service which can give you that extra edge when playing.
The RT-AC68U router more than justifies its high-end price tag with premium performance, range, and versatility.
If you take your gaming and streaming seriously and want to ensure that your network is providing maximum throughput for all of your play and streaming needs, the Asus ROG Rapture Gt-AC5300 router is as good as it gets.
It delivered the fastest 5GHz close-proximity throughput performance of any router we’ve tested, and its 2.4GHz and MU-MIMO performance numbers were also solid.
It offers a bomber-load of gigabit LAN ports with built-in acceleration for gaming applications and a wealth of other gamer-friendly optimization features, all of which are controlled using a well-designed interface. To see similar options, visit Amazon.com
