It’s not easy to find the best mesh router for gaming. A gaming router requires the right technology to meet the high demands of online gaming. Every gamer knows how important it is to have a fast and solid internet connection.
First and foremost, online gaming must avoid latency. Gamers need low Ping for seamless performance, especially when it involves a fast action game. While you might not detect a tiny lag when browsing or streaming, it can cause a “Game Over!” during gameplay. Let’s have a look at the mesh router for gaming that made the cut.
ASUS AX6100 (RT-AX92U)
Gamers always look for fast gadgets to meet the demands of sophisticated actions and graphics. A gaming gadget requires an equally robust gaming router. The ASUS AX6100 (RT-AX92U) made our first choice of router for gaming for many reasons.
Firstly, it’s ASUS – one of the top router manufacturers producing powerful, fast, and reliable routers. The RT-AX92U is Asus’s best mesh router for gaming. It uses the most solid mesh system, AiMesh technology allowing for a stronger WiFi system.
The RT-AX92U also employs the Ax technology with MU-MIMO and OFDMA. It results in giving more stable, faster, and efficient simultaneous transmissions to multiple connected devices. In that way, although it’s a router for gaming, you can also enjoy a similarly seamless experience connecting to non-gaming devices simultaneously.
The RT-AX92U AI-friendly features allow for optimum usage with Amazon Alexa for touchless WiFi commands. In addition, AiProtection Pro, an AI-based network security system, provides commercial-grade protection to your connected devices and data.
The device’s WiFi 6 technology may not be helpful to seasoned devices lacking compatibility. However, the RT-AX92U also comes up with WiFi 4 and WiFi 5 standard to form a flexible WiFi capable of supporting all devices, new and old. Moreover, it works great with portable devices.
An IT worker for 20 years is an ASUS product user for several years without having many problems with the brand. Part of his job is setting up routers. Upon unboxing the RT-AX92U package, he suggested to begin updating the firmware. Once updated, you need to do the simple setting process. The most challenging part would only be naming the SSID. Next, power it up, and you’re online. You probably have to reboot all the connected devices, but some will automatically connect to the router.
Another buyer thought the RT-AX92U was a very powerful and durable gaming router. Unlike his previous router, it could run his entire mesh network through his VPN without compromising speeds. However, he connected his games consoles to the ISP for a lower ping and faster upload and download for gaming purposes.
He also appreciated the power of the router’s dual-core processor. The power was enough to provide seamless operation since one core took care of the VPN connection while the other was available to do additional duties.
He noticed that the RT-AX92U improved ping times when he played some games. Playing Fortnite, the ping went as low as 24-14ms. When he played against players on the other side of the globe would produce ping at 75ms, compared to 100ms he used to get using the previous gaming router.
Another user found the RT-AX92U was rich in great features. With these features, it allowed full use of the bandwidth provided by his ISP. Its Gigabit internet speed may be more than what his ISP provided, but it will be helpful for future use.
The RT-AX92U is a tri-band mesh router. That means it has three access points to dedicate each router to a specific type of device. He bought the router for gaming purposes. However, he also utilizes a score of other devices for online 4K streaming, video conferencing, and other online activities. He would use the fastest band for online gaming activities and leave the other two bands to others.
He doesn’t have much technical or networking knowledge but setting up the router was relatively easy. Firstly, he updated the firmware using the web-based setup. Although many people thought the high degree of customization made the router unstable, he found it very useful. Not many routers allow for such customization, which worked fine for him.
Another user got this router to fulfill all his internet needs. He used the LAN port to connect his game consoles such as Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo Switch. He also linked his A/v Receiver, Roku, and blu-ray player to the LAN port. All other devices such as smartphones, PCs, and laptops were suitable for WiFi connection.
Pros:
- One of Asus’s flagship models for maximum stability and reliability.
- Solid mesh system utilizing AiMesh technology for a strong WiFi network.
- Ax technology with MU-MIMO and OFDMA optimizes for online gaming
- AI-friendly features for usage with similar AI devices such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Tri-Band frequency allows for dedicated bands for specific uses.
Cons
- Not compatible to run with other firmware, for example, Merlin.
- Occasional unstable connection with the 2.4 GHz band.
The Asus RT-AX92U is one of the best options for someone who needs to upgrade a router for gaming. The latest WiFi 6 technology might not be fully ready, but the mesh network is perfect for online gaming. It welcomes gamers for satisfying online gaming with no horrible experience such as low latency or lags.
ASUS RT-AX3000
We have another Asus product – the RT-AX3000. It’s another excellent mesh router for gaming. The router also features WiFi 6 technology, giving 2.7 times faster speed than the previous-gen WiFi 5. In addition, the MU-MIMO and OFDMA’s latest technology allows for seamless, powerful, and blazing fast connection suitable for online gaming.
The RT-AX3000’s dual-band produces a total of 3,000 Mbps. The 2.4 GHz band generates 575 Mbps, while the 5 GHz band generates a much faster speed of 2,402 GHz. Due to the speed, the 5 GHz band is the favorite choice for gamers to connect their games consoles for the best gaming experience.
Being a mesh system, you can create a stronger and wider coverage by adding more Asus AiMesh routers. The standard single router may be adequate for gaming, streaming, and other online activities within a small to medium house. But if you have a big house, you may need to consider adding more routers for whole-home coverage.
The package comes with free network security with AiProtection Pro. You can have peace of mind knowing your data and devices stay safe while being online. In addition, you also have an advanced parental control feature, allowing for complete control over the family’s internet consumption.
Gamers know Asus as the manufacturer of routers that know them most. The Rt-AX3000 gives the supreme gaming experience as well as bandwidth maximization. Its dual-band WiFi makes it easier for gamers to separate work from play by dedicating a band for gaming and another for others.
A new user, who replaced a router of another make, overcame some issues he encountered earlier. With the RT-AX3000, there were no more factory or power resets he used to go through with the previous router. Moreover, Alexa devices previously had problems working, functioned wonderfully with the Asus router.
A Comcast internet user reluctantly upgraded his old Asus router with the RT-AX3000. He didn’t think the upgrade would land him that much increase in performance. But he was surprised to get a signal three times faster. The good news to gamers, the router allowed for gaming prioritization, but you can always change the setting as necessary.
Pros
- Very strong and fast WiFi network utilizing AiMesh technology.
- Gamers-friendly. Asus designed the RT-AX3000 with gamers in mind.
- AI devices such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa work great.
- Dual-Band frequency allows for easy gaming prioritization.
Cons
- Not worthed if you don’t have any WiFi 6-enable devices.
- Occasional signal inconsistency, especially during peak hours.
Lastly, there are many fast mesh routers out there that you can pick. But the Asus RT-AX3000 nails it with its numerous great features and high level of customizations available. Parting with a little bit more money for this router, then, would be a good deal.
D-Link AC3000 (DIR-3040-US)
If you don’t own that many WiFi 6-enabled devices, then there is no reason to buy a router embedded with WiFi 6 technology. Its next-gen technology will not increase the speed of the internet on non-WiFi 6 devices. In this case, you’d be better off getting an AC router. But for gaming purposes, you still need a fast and stable connection. A D-Link AC3000 DIR-3040-US fits that category.
D-link has its own advanced mesh WiFi technology giving your router open for future expansion. You can add D-Link’s mesh-enabled extenders as many as you wish for a mesmerizing seamless internet experience covering every corner of your house.
The DIR-3040-US dual-core processor works through three frequency bands – a 2.4 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands. The bands produce a total data transfer of a blazing 3,000 Mbps. That’s enough to make broad smiles to gamers. The router can connect directly to as many as four wired devices for quintessential gaming and streaming experience if that’s not enough.
A person who’s just upgraded to the D-Link DIR-3040-US router was surprised to get a connection with the speed he paid to his internet provider. He tested the speed reading at over 400 Mbps, much faster than he used to get with the old router that came with the internet provider. Furthermore, the speed he got from a device farthest to the router was the same as the devices closest to it.
Pros
- Blazing fast router – proof that a router may not need WiFi 6 technology for gaming purposes.
- Effortless gaming prioritization with the router’s three bands.
- Voice commands using Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa work great with it.
- Multi-purpose mesh router for the whole family available at a budget-friendly price.
Cons
- Not compatible with some older D-Link extenders.
- Security is not up to standard.
The D-Link DIR-3040-US is one of the fastest routers without the latest AX configuration. The AX technology is still new and costly to produce. Without it, the saving in cost makes it possible to get this router at an affordable price. That said, the DIR-3040-US does not lack performance in both power and speed. With three bands, uninterrupted online gaming will not affect other uses, where you have band options to do so.
FAQs
Gaming needs a fast and reliable connection. Mesh routers make gaming possible at places far from the primary node connected to the modem.
We have done thorough research to pick the ASUS AX6100 (RT-AX92U) for its proven speed and reliability.
A better gaming router may not be a mesh router. What a mesh network can improve is generally the coverage area.
Routers that produce fast and solid signals with MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology optimized for gaming.
Partly yes. Ping improves based on updated router configurations, updated firmware, and where you place it. A mesh WiFi ensures your gaming devices get the full signal no matter where you place them.
Yes, because you get a lower ping for fantastic gameplay.
Yes, a mesh WiFi network consists of a few routers or extenders providing broader coverage.
Yes. You can add compatible routers to the existing router, which act as a primary node. But you need the firmware app to do the setup.
Conclusion
Any lag while playing online games would mean trouble. Gamers would not tolerate any interruption or low latency during play. That’s why gamers demand the fastest and most dependable mesh router available. Great mesh routers for gaming are few and far between. Our compilation is the top pick out of only a handful of the best mesh routers for gaming.