Introduction
A WiFi 6 router for gaming utilizes the latest WiFi technology (802.11ax) to deliver faster internet speeds, lower latency, and improved network capacity compared to previous WiFi generations. This makes them ideal for gaming, as they provide a more stable and reliable connection, reducing lag and increasing the gaming experience. Some of the key features of a WiFi-6 router for gaming include high speeds, low latency, strong signals, and support for multiple devices.
Even if you have the latest gaming system or PC outfitted with a high-end graphics card and processor, a poor WiFi connection will ruin your gaming experience before the game even begins.
If your wireless adapter can’t keep up with the latest live-service games, it’s time to upgrade to a WiFi-6 router for gaming. This modification will eliminate choppy stuttering, maintain seamless quality in the face of a demanding connection, and provide a high-speed experience across multiple devices.
Before you decide, take a look at our list of some of the best WiFi-6 routers for gaming that are head and shoulders above the competition.
Best WiFi 6 Router for Gaming 2023
ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router (GT-AXE16000)
ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6 Gaming Router (GT-AX11000)
NETGEAR Nighthawk 12-Stream WiFi 6E Router (RAXE500)
ASUS AX5700 WiFi 6 Router (RT-AX86S)
TP-Link AX6000 WiFi 6 Router(Archer AX6000)
NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963)
NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router (XR1000)
The ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router (GT-AXE16000) is a quad-band router, which means that it supports four frequency bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. This provides a wider range of frequency options for devices to connect to, resulting in improved performance, better coverage, and reduced interference.
Quad-band technology is especially useful for high-bandwidth activities such as gaming, video streaming, and large file transfers, as it provides more bandwidth and more stable connections for devices. With quad-band support, the ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router (GT-AXE16000) is capable of delivering fast and reliable WiFi performance for all your connected devices.
The Rapture GT-$700 AXE16000’s price tag should not deter gaming enthusiasts or users who require multiple high-speed networking ports and cutting-edge wireless technology. You get a lot for your money, from Wi-Fi 6E support to a slew of game-enhancing settings and lifetime network security and parental control software, not to mention fast throughput.
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is a high-performance WiFi 6 gaming router that is designed for extreme gamers. It features tri-band WiFi-6 (802.11ax) technology, offering speeds up to 11000 Mbps, which is suitable for 4K/8K video streaming, online gaming, and other bandwidth-intensive tasks.
Other key features of this router include:
1.8 GHz quad-core CPU and 2.5 Gbps WAN port for fast internet speeds.
Advanced gaming features such as GameFirst V network optimization, WTFast Gamers Private Network, and Adaptive QoS.
AiMesh support, which allows you to easily connect to other compatible ASUS routers to expand your network coverage.
Aesthetic design with customizable RGB lighting, making it a great addition to your gaming setup.
Easy setup and management through the ASUS Router app.
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is a great option for gamers looking for a high-performance and feature-packed WiFi 6 gaming router.
The NETGEAR Nighthawk 12-Stream WiFi 6E Router (RAXE500) is a high-performance router that offers WiFi-6E (802.11ax) technology and speeds up to 10.8 Gbps. Here are some of its key features:
High-speed performance: With tri-band WiFi-6E (802.11ax) technology and speeds up to 10.8 Gbps, this router can handle high-bandwidth activities such as 4K/8K video streaming and online gaming.
Advanced gaming features: The router features Quality of Service (QoS) and gaming modes to prioritize gaming traffic and reduce lag.
Easy setup and management: The NETGEAR Nighthawk app makes it easy to set up and manage the router from your phone or tablet.
Gigabit Ethernet ports: With 8 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN port, this router can handle multiple wired devices for fast and stable internet performance.
Parental controls: With NETGEAR Armor, you can set up parental controls and network security to keep your family safe online.
WiFi-6E technology: With support for the latest WiFi-6E technology, this router provides wider and faster coverage for your devices, and offers greater bandwidth and less interference in the 6GHz frequency band.
Advanced security features: The router features advanced security features, such as WPA3 encryption, to keep your network safe from cyber threats.
Overall, the NETGEAR Nighthawk 12-Stream WiFi 6E Router (RAXE500) is a high-performance router that offers advanced gaming features, easy setup and management, and support for the latest WiFi-6E technology, making it a great choice for gamers and users who demand the fastest and most stable internet performance.
The ASUS AX5700 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX86S) is a high-performance router designed for gamers and high-speed internet users. It is equipped with the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) technology, providing speeds of up to 5,700 Mbps and support for tri-band frequencies (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz).
The router also has 8 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN port, making it easy to connect all your wired devices. The ASUS Router app makes it simple to set up and manage the router, ensuring that even those who are not tech-savvy can get the most out of their internet experience.
With its powerful processor, large amounts of RAM and flash, and advanced beamforming technology, the ASUS AX5700 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (RT-AX86S) is a great choice for demanding users looking for a high-performance router.
The TP-Link AX6000 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX6000) is a high-performance router designed for delivering fast and stable internet connectivity. It is equipped with the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) technology, providing speeds of up to 6,000 Mbps and support for dual-band frequencies (2.4GHz and 5GHz).
The router features 8 Gigabit LAN ports, making it easy to connect all your wired devices and a powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processor that ensures smooth performance. The TP-Link Tether app makes it easy to set up and manage the router, while advanced security features, such as WPA3 encryption and parental controls, help keep your network safe.
With its powerful hardware and advanced features, the TP-Link AX6000 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX6000) is a great choice for users who demand the best in internet performance.
The NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963) is a high-performance mesh WiFi system designed for gaming and home entertainment. It uses WiFi 6E technology to provide fast and stable internet speeds, making it ideal for demanding applications such as gaming, 4K video streaming, and large file downloads.
One of the key features of this system is its quad-band support, which means it operates on 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequencies for maximum flexibility and performance. It is capable of delivering up to 11,000 Mbps of WiFi speed, making it one of the fastest mesh systems on the market.
The system includes one router and two satellites, each with six high-performance antennas and high-power amplifiers. The router also has a 1.5GHz quad-core processor and 1 GB of RAM, which provides powerful processing performance to support multiple connected devices.
The NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System is easy to set up and manage, with a Nighthawk App for mobile devices and a web-based interface. It also has advanced security features, including WPA3 encryption, and parental controls for safe and secure internet use. Additionally, it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for convenient voice control.
Overall, the NETGEAR Orbi Quad-Band WiFi 6E Mesh System (RBKE963) is a great choice for gaming and home entertainment, offering fast and reliable WiFi coverage throughout your home.
The NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router (XR1000) is a high-performance gaming router that utilizes WiFi 6 (802.11ax) technology to deliver fast and reliable wireless connectivity. It features 6 streams of data and can reach speeds up to AX5400 (4804Mbps on 5GHz and 574Mbps on 2.4GHz).
The router is equipped with a 1.8GHz quad-core processor and advanced gaming features like DDoS protection and geo-filtering to enhance the online gaming experience. The router also has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 2 USB 3.0 ports for connecting wired devices and external storage.
The Nighthawk App makes it easy to set up and manage the router. The NETGEAR Nighthawk Pro Gaming WiFi 6 Router (XR1000) is designed for demanding gaming environments.
What Is WiFi 6?
WiFi 6 is the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology, also known as 802.11ax, that offers faster speeds, increased capacity, and improved power efficiency compared to its predecessor, WiFi 5 (802.11ac). WiFi 6 operates in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands and supports the latest security protocols. It also introduces new features such as MU-MIMO (multi-user multiple input multiple output), OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access), and beamforming that improve network efficiency and increase the number of devices that can be connected to the network simultaneously.
Furthermore, Wifi 6 has a potential throughput boost from 5.4Gbps to a maximum of 9.6Gbps, as validated by PCMag’s router testing, but with varying statistics across the different participants this year. Wifi 6 provides much more than just faster speeds; it also provides increased client capacity, improved range performance, decreased network congestion, and lower power consumption.
Wifi 6 also adds entirely new capabilities to your router’s arsenal, such as the Orthogonal Frequency-Division Several Access (OFDMA) protocol, which allows you to connect to multiple networks simultaneously. According to the company, OFDMA increases throughput by dividing WiFi channels into sub-channels and allowing up to 30 users to use a single channel at the same time.
Wifi Six devices can decide when to wake up from a power-saving sleep state and start transmitting and receiving data. TWT is a power-saving strategy that allows them to determine when they will wake up from a power-saving sleep mode and begin transmitting and receiving data.
Best WiFi 6 Router for Gaming Buying Guide
When looking for the best WiFi 6 router for gaming, consider the following specifications:
Bandwidth:
Look for a router that has dual- or tri-band capabilities to provide ample bandwidth for gaming, streaming, and other online activities.
Speed:
Look for a router that supports high speeds and has a large amount of bandwidth to support fast gaming.
Range:
Look for a router that offers good coverage and can reach all areas of your home or office.
Ethernet ports:
Look for a router with enough Ethernet ports to connect all of your gaming devices.
Processing power:
Look for a router that has a powerful processor and ample memory to handle multiple devices and applications.
Gaming optimizations:
Some WiFi 6 routers are designed specifically for gaming, with features such as Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize gaming traffic and reduce lag.
Compatibility:
Check that the router is compatible with your existing network and devices.
Security:
Look for a router that offers robust security features, such as WPA3 encryption, to protect your network and personal information.
Price:
Determine a budget and look for a router that offers the best combination of features and value within your budget.
FAQS
What is the difference between WiFi 5 and WiFi 6?
WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 are the latest versions of the IEEE 802.11 wireless networking standard, with WiFi 6 being the newest and most advanced. The main differences between WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 include:
- Bandwidth: WiFi 6 supports wider bandwidths, up to 160 MHz, compared to 80 MHz on WiFi 5. This leads to faster data transfer speeds and better overall performance.
- Speed: WiFi 6 offers faster speeds, with maximum data rates of 9.6 Gbps compared to 3.5 Gbps for WiFi 5.
- Efficiency: WiFi 6 is more efficient and able to handle more devices on the network, thanks to its ability to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously using MU-MIMO (multi-user multiple input multiple output) technologies.
- Latency: WiFi 6 has improved latency, meaning less delay or lag, making it better for gaming and other applications that require real-time responses.
- Security: WiFi 6 also includes advanced security features, such as encryption and authentication protocols, to better protect your network from potential threats.
What is the maximum speed of a WiFi 6 router?
The maximum theoretical speed of a WiFi 6 router is 9.6 Gbps. However, the actual speed experienced in a real-world environment will depend on various factors, such as the number of connected devices, distance from the router, the quality of the wiring, and the presence of obstacles that can cause interference. In general, WiFi 6 routers can provide faster and more reliable connectivity compared to their WiFi 5 (802.11ac) counterparts.
What does a higher number of streams in a router mean for gaming?
The number of streams in a router refers to the number of data streams that the router can handle simultaneously. A higher number of streams means that the router can handle more data traffic and provide higher bandwidth to multiple devices simultaneously, improving overall network performance and reducing lag. This is particularly important for gaming, where a large amount of data is being transmitted in real-time between the gaming device and the router. A router with a high number of streams can provide more reliable, stable and fast connections, reducing lag and jitter, which can result in a better gaming experience.
Do I need a WiFi 6 router for gaming?
Whether you need a WiFi 6 router for gaming depends on several factors, including your internet connection speed, the number of devices connected to your network, and the type of online gaming you do. In general, a WiFi 6 router can provide improved performance for gaming by offering faster speeds, lower latency, and better capacity for multiple devices. However, if your internet connection speed is already fast enough and you do not have many devices connected to your network, a WiFi 6 router may not provide a significant improvement in gaming performance. It is recommended to check your current network speed and device requirements to determine whether a WiFi 6 router is necessary for your gaming setup.
What is the range of a WiFi 6 router compared to a WiFi 5 router?
The range of a WiFi 6 (802.11ax) router is generally similar to that of a WiFi 5 (802.11ac) router. However, WiFi 6 routers have improved multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) technology, which can allow for better performance when multiple devices are connected to the network. Additionally, WiFi 6 has wider channel bandwidths (up to 160 MHz), which can lead to improved signal strength and less interference. Overall, while the range of a WiFi 6 router may not be significantly greater than that of a WiFi 5 router, it should be able to better handle multiple connected devices and provide a more stable, high-performance connection.
What is the difference between a single-band and dual-band WiFi 6 router?
Single-band and dual-band WiFi 6 routers differ in the number of frequency bands they support.
Single-band routers use a single 2.4GHz frequency band to transmit data, while dual-band routers use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. The 5GHz frequency band provides a faster, less congested connection with less interference from other devices, making it ideal for high-bandwidth activities like gaming.
In general, a dual-band WiFi 6 router provides better performance, but single-band WiFi 6 routers may be a more cost-effective option for users with fewer connected devices and lower bandwidth requirements.
