For gamers, choosing the right gaming router is important to optimize their online gaming experience. Since there are so many different gaming routers available in the market from manufacturers like NETGEAR, ASUS, and TP-Link, it can become difficult to choose the right one for your gaming setup and needs but knowing what to look for in a gaming router will make the decision much easier.
In this guide, we will be discussing the important features that you should look for in a gaming router so that you choose the right gaming router for your setup.
What is a Gaming Router?
A gaming router is basically a wireless router that is designed and engineered specifically to cater to the demands of online gaming. Unlike traditional wireless routers, these routers are designed to prioritize gaming traffic over the network so that your gaming sessions are not interrupted by other activities on the internet.
Benefits of a Gaming Router
The benefits of a gaming router over traditional routers are many including:
- Improved Network Stability
- Traffic Priority
- Lower Latency
- Enhanced Security Features
- Support for Multiple Devices
- Customization and Control
Important Features to Look for in a Gaming Router
1. Bandwidth and Speed
Bandwidth and speed are the two most crucial features that every gamer should look for in a gaming router. Online gaming requires a router that can handle high bandwidth and speed demands without experiencing any lag or buffer. Therefore, opt for a router that offers at least 1 Gbps (gigabit per second) of throughput along with the ability to manage bandwidth efficiently across multiple devices.
2. Latest Network Protocols
Network protocols, in simple words, determine how data is transmitted over the network. For gaming routers, you should always look for routers that have the latest network protocols available such as the Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), as the latest network protocols can ensure faster and more reliable connections. In upcoming years, we might see WiFi routers getting the new network protocol called Wi-Fi 7 but currently, Wi-Fi 6 is the newest protocol available.
Just keep one thing in mind if you are choosing a router with the latest and newest network protocol, then your gaming device should also support the latest protocol for it to work properly.
3. Quality of Service (QoS)
Quality of Service (QoS) is a feature that is crucial for gamers and it is a feature that you should definitely look for in a WiFi router. Although most routers have this feature available (e.g. you can find this feature in Asus gaming router through the Asus router page), you should still double-check whether the gaming router that you are choosing has this feature or not.
The benefit of having the QoS feature is that with this feature you can prioritize your gaming traffic over other types of network traffic. So even if other people are using the internet at the same time as you on the network, your gaming traffic would be prioritized so that your gaming sessions are not disturbed.
4. Robust Security Features
Robust security features are essential to protect your network from external threats, prevent unauthorized access, and maintain the integrity of the network. Always look for a gaming router that has advanced security features to offer like built-in firewalls, VPN support, and advanced encryption standards like WPA3, along with advanced gaming features. For your TP-Link routers, you can log in here to see what security features your current router offers.
5. Beamforming
Beamforming is another feature that you can look for in a gaming router. It is a newer technology that focuses the signal of your WiFi towards a specific direction or device rather than broadcasting uniformly in all directions. This enhances signal strength for gaming devices and provides a superior gaming experience.
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[…] routers include special features that help games run more smoothly. These tools assign priority to games during active sessions. This means your game receives the […]