Best gaming routers

Asus, with its stylish, avant-garde ROG Rapture routers, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow, has essentially defined new standards for gaming Wi-Fi equipment. However, the company's management realized that not every player is ready to shell out 500 - 600 hard-earned dollars for such a device. In response to this, Asus has begun developing more affordable TUF gaming routers. For some time, the leader in this series was the AX3000 V2 router, but in 2023 it was replaced by the TUF Gaming AX4200 - an improved version of the previous model, now based on the MediaTek platform.

Like its predecessor, the new router supports Wi-Fi 6, can operate in Mesh mode (Asus AiMesh) and combine Ethernet ports via the Link Aggregation function. For cable connection, the device is equipped with a 2.5 Gbps WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, one of which is optimized for gaming traffic. In the 2.4 GHz band, the device provides throughput up to 574 Mbps, and on 5 GHz - up to 3603 Mbps, providing a total throughput of about 4200 Mbps. By contrast, the AX3000 has a total speed of just over 3000 Mbps. Changing the processor from Broadcom BCM6756 to MediaTek Filogic 830 significantly improved the signal quality and stability, approaching the level of Asus ROG routers.

The TUF Gaming AX4200 borrows some features from its more expensive ROG siblings. For example, the Game Accelerator feature offers a simplified way to manage QoS. There is also a Mobile Gaming Mode to speed up gaming traffic from mobile devices. OpenNAT makes setting up local networks for co-op gaming easier with just a few clicks. Using VPN Fusion mode, you can connect different devices to the VPN at the same time. An intuitive router management interface will make setup easier even for beginners. There is also a USB 3.2 gen1 port for connecting external devices, printers and LTE modems. Considering the $140 price tag, this is a great deal from Asus.

The Asus RT-AX82U router is an affordable gaming equipment and has premium functionality to optimize traffic distribution. There is a separate port for a wired PC connection, which by default provides priority in data processing and transmission, increasing the stability and efficiency of gaming. The user can also take advantage of detailed settings via Adaptive QoS software and distribute the upload/receive speed for individual applications. The Gear Accelerator tool allows you to set priorities for each device. The router automatically recognizes gadgets connected via Wi-Fi and improves the quality of the connection during gameplay on a smartphone or tablet.

The router design includes 4 external antennas and a radio module with dual-band broadcast mode 2.4 / 5 GHz. High wireless network speed (4804 Mbps) is guaranteed by Wi-Fi 6 and increased bandwidth to 160 MHz. Wired connectivity is available with four 1 Gbps LAN ports supporting Link Aggregation technology for maximum throughput and connection reliability. Asus RT-AX82U offers reservation and balancing of Internet traffic using a 3G / 4G modem installed in a USB 3.2 connector. This will eliminate lags and interruptions in the game process in case of problems on the provider’s side. The router is optimal for large rooms, as it can be a member of a seamless MESH system based on ASUS AiMesh or compatible devices.

The router's level of protection from external and internal threats is maximum. The WPA3 standard reliably encrypts both personal and guest networks and excludes unauthorized “intrusion” of third-party participants. Support for 802.1x indicates the possibility of professional use in offices and government agencies where increased security of corporate data is required. The manufacturer uses proprietary AiProtection Pro algorithms for analysis, processing and decision-making. Also implemented are mechanisms for parental control, maintaining complete statistics on traffic, sites visited, setting restrictions and permissions.

Xiaomi Mi Router AX9000 is presented as a powerful flagship gaming router designed for modern needs for fast and stable wireless connectivity. Based on the powerful Qualcomm quad-core processor and optional dual-core NPU, it guarantees efficient packet management and top-level network flow processing.

The speed characteristics of the router are impressive. The total throughput of 9,000 Mbps confirms its strong performance, especially considering that most of this throughput is allocated to the 5 GHz band, ideal for gaming traffic.

Another striking feature of the device is its emphasis on communication range. Thanks to numerous long-range antennas, Xiaomi Mi Router AX9000 guarantees high speed even at a distance of up to 12 meters, which is especially important for large rooms or houses with many obstacles.

Design solutions, including a futuristic appearance and RGB lighting, make the router a noticeable element of the interior. However, despite all its advantages, the disadvantage of limited network configuration tools may limit its appeal to professional users or those looking for deep personalization of network settings.

Overall, the Xiaomi Mi Router AX9000 is a powerful and stylish choice for those who are looking for a high-performance gaming router with powerful features and a beautiful design, but are willing to put up with some limitations in network setup.

NETGEAR Nighthawk XR1000 Pro Gaming is an outstanding member of the Nighthawk line, whose target audience is gamers. With support for Wi-Fi 6 and dual frequency bands, it provides fast and stable connectivity, which is especially important for online gaming.

The power of performance of this device is supported by various signal quality enhancement technologies such as MU-MIMO, OFDMA, Beamforming and QoS. These technologies optimize the data flow for each individual device, providing the best gaming experience without lag.

However, one of the main features of this router is the DumaOS firmware. After being updated in 2021, DumaOS brought many features unique to the gaming industry, such as a heat map of game servers. This gives players the ability to quickly and easily determine which server is best to connect to for the best gaming experience.

However, despite all its capabilities, the Nighthawk XR1000 has some limitations that may not appeal to a certain category of users. Limited wired connectivity to 1 Gbps, no mesh networking, and only four antennas may not live up to expectations, especially at its price.

Overall, if you are a gamer looking for a high-performance router with unique gaming features, the NETGEAR Nighthawk XR1000 could be a great choice. However, if you're looking for maximum functionality and are willing to spend $400, it may be worth considering other options on the market that may offer more advanced capabilities at a similar price.

Known for its powerful gaming PCs and components, MSI has made a strong foray into the networking market with the innovative RadiX series. The RadiX AX6600 embodies modern technology trends, combining advanced networking solutions and an attractive design with RGB lighting.

A key feature of the device is support for the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard, which provides a fast and stable Internet signal at all frequencies, be it 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6 GHz. No less impressive is its performance thanks to a 4-core processor, ample RAM and flash memory, and an optimized cooling system.

However, what really sets the RadiX AX6600 apart from the competition is its AI-powered Quality of Service (QoS) system. MSI AI QoS adapts to user behavior, improving internet connectivity where it matters most, be it online gaming, video streaming or file downloading. The user can also customize the RGB lighting according to the activation of functions, which makes the device not only functional, but also a stylish decorative element.

Combining high performance, intelligent features and a simple interface, the MSI RadiX AXE6600 is truly an outstanding product in the world of networking devices. Given the absence of obvious shortcomings and wide functionality, it will be an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable and advanced router. MSI certainly deserves credit for this revolutionary product.