Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro
Band: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 2 x 6GHz | Speed: 30Gbps | LAN ports: 2 x 10Gbps, 4 x 2.5Gbps | Antennae: 8 | Standard: Wi-Fi 7
Best for: Hosting lots of high-end gamers on the same network.
Pros:
- Incredible wired and wireless performance
- Supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard
- Impressive coverage
Cons:
- Very expensive
If you’re looking to get extra Wi-Fi features for your LAN gaming room, or just need a router that can handle lots of demanding gaming from multiple sources at the same time, take a look at the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro. Yes, it’s expensive, but it comes with near-unprecedented features, including a pair of 10Gbps Ethernet ports, and four 2.5Gbps ports. If that wasn’t enough, it also supports Wi-Fi 7, with four bands to spread your wireless devices across, including a pair of 6GHz bands. That ensures that the network with this router will have zero congestion, no matter how many people are trying to use it.
It also enjoys advanced features like a built-in VPN, free ongoing network security coverage from Asus’ AIProtection Pro, and powerful QoS to prevent network transfers from adding latency to your connection. Plus, the whole device features a cool design, with RGB lighting and tasteful venting to prevent components from overheating. It’s overkill for most people, but if you need a high performance router for gaming in a busy environment, this the best tool for the job.
Best Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router
A More Understated Wi-Fi 7 Choice
TP-Link BE800
Band: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz | Speed: 19Gbps | LAN ports: 2 x 10Gbps, 4 x 2.5Gbps | Antennae: 8 | Standard: Wi-Fi 7
Best for: Delivering powerful wired and wireless performance.
Pros:
- Unique look
- Strong wired and wireless performance
- Fun and useful LED display
Cons:
- Expensive
Want a router that looks great and delivers excellent performance? The TP-Link BE800 is an excellent solution, with incredible performance, a unique look and some fun customization that any gamer will appreciate. If you’re looking to game over a wired connection, you have the choice of six Ethernet ports on this router, four of which support 2.5Gbps speeds, and two that support 10Gbps for maximum throughput. There’s also Wi-Fi 7 support with 2.4Ghz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands helping to make sure you always have a quality signal and that congestion will not be an issue.
Powerful QoS ensures that your signal stays clear whether you’re the only one on the network, or one of many, and the front-LED display can be tweaked to show anything from active network usage to fun animation. This router also supports TP-Links security and parental controls, helping you to stay on top of your network security, whether you’re gaming or doing anything else besides.
Best Mesh Gaming Router
Excellent Performance, With Whole-Home Coverage
Netgear Orbi RBK752
Range: 5,000 square feet (+2,500 per satellite) | Band: 2.4GHz, 2 x 5GHz | Speed: 4.2Gbps | LAN Ports: 4 x 1Gbps on router, 2 x 1Gbps on satellite | Antennae: 6 | Standard: Wi-Fi 6
Best for: Those who want a system that can cover their entire home with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Pros:
- Expansive Wi-Fi coverage
- Good port selection
- Supports Wi-Fi 6
Cons:
- Lacks faster modern Wi-Fi standards
- No 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports
If you’re looking for a great gaming router, but don’t want a single-unit router, then using a mesh router system is a great way to offer much greater coverage throughout your home. This RBK752 bundle from Netgear’s Orbi lineup is excellent at providing blanket coverage around your home. With just one satellite you get over 5,000 square foot of coverage, and an additional 2,500 for each additional node that you add. There are newer, faster models of this mesh router system, but they are so much more expensive and the added performance doesn’t particularly affect gaming, so we really like this slightly older, more mature and affordable option.
It still supports Wi-Fi 6 speeds, with a total throughput over 4,000 Mbps. It supports four Gigabit Ethernet ports on the main router, and two on each satellite. It also supports dual 5GHz bands—one of which is a backhaul to keep traffic flowing well. While this system doesn’t have the traffic prioritization of many gaming routers, it has tons of bandwidth to handle traffic from multiple devices while gaming, and it has MU-MIMO support.
How We Chose the Best Gaming Routers
Our team of experts here at Forbes Vetted have been hands-on and had the privilege of testing out many of the best gaming routers on the market. In addition to learning about them directly from the manufacturers, our team has attended events and product demonstrations to learn all the ins and outs of router technology.
- To bring you the best gaming router options, we first identified the leading brands in the space, which include Asus, Acer, Netgear and more, and then we looked through their current lineups.
- In addition to our extensive knowledge on the topic, we asked other colleagues and networking industry experts and read through user reviews to get a full picture.
- We dove into the details, comparing features like Wi-Fi performance, wired connectivity, QoS features and mesh networking support. Our top pick, the Acer Predator Connect W6, offers the best blend of features and price, making it a great option for gamers.
