Is a Gaming Router Worth It?

For gamers chasing the ultimate low-latency, high-speed connection, a gaming router could be the ultimate weapon in your online arsenal.

But are they actually worth it? Curious about what they bring to the table? And, most importantly, how do you choose the right one? This article breaks it all down.

 

Is a Gaming Router Worth It?

Most gamers steer clear of WiFi. After all, issues like spotty connectivity, lower speeds, and higher latencies are downright brutal on gameplay. No wonder they stick with wired connections instead.

But is an Ethernet cable really faster than WiFi? Absolutely. In high-intensity, fast-paced gaming, an Ethernet connection delivers a clear edge. However, these benefits are only significant if wiring directly to the router is practical for your setup.

When juggling multiple devices across the house, and Ethernet’s not an option, a gaming router is your best play.

Ultimately, the choice between wired and wireless comes down to your gaming needs and setup. Ethernet delivers a rock-solid link for one device, but a gaming router packs features that elevate your entire gaming experience.

What Do Gaming Routers Bring to the Table?

• Low Latency

Low latency is essential for popular FPS games like VALORANT. Gaming routers often come equipped with Quality of Service (QoS) settings to deliver lower latency than standard routers.

• Stable Connections

A stable connection is another big advantage of gaming routers. In MOBA games like League of Legends, a reliable link keeps you connected, ensuring you’re there for every critical moment.

• Fast Downloads

Gaming routers speed up game data downloads, which is a big deal as game files keep getting larger. A faster connection means less time waiting for downloads and more time in the game.

 

How to Choose the Right Gaming Router

So, what makes an ideal gaming router? Here are the 5 key criteria to focus on:

1. Look for the latest WiFi standard

For gamers, WiFi 6/6E is the bare minimum. But for those chasing top performance, WiFi 7 is the way to go—especially as devices like iPhone 16 and PS5 Pro start to support it.

WiFi 7 brings a suite of upgrades, including faster speeds and lower latency, making it a powerhouse for gaming.

And with multigigabit internet plans becoming more accessible and affordable, a WiFi 7 gaming router lets you take full advantage of ultra-high-speed connections.

One standout feature is WiFi 7's Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which combines multiple frequencies into a single, seamless connection, keeping data flowing smoothly without packet drops.

2. Check for a multi-gigabit port

With WiFi 6/6E—and especially WiFi 7—we need wired connections faster than Gigabit (1000 Mbps) to keep up. Otherwise, speeds max out at just below 1000 Mbps, no matter how fast the WiFi.

Cue Multi-Gig Ethernet.

First off, what are multi-gigabit ports? Simply put, they're faster than the traditional gigabit ports you might find on most routers. Instead of capping out at 1,000 Mbps (megabits per second), multi-gigabit ports can handle speeds of 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, or even higher.

These ports enable faster and more stable connections that online games demand.

Archer GE800 is equipped with 1× 10 Gbps Ethernet/Fiber Combo WAN/LAN port + 1× 10 Gbps WAN/LAN port + 4× 2.5 Gbps ports + 1× USB 3.0 port, ensuring max flexibility and boosted throughput.

 

3. Make sure it has the Quality of Service (QoS) feature

QoS, short for Quality of Service, manages traffic prioritization to ensure your favorite games stay smooth, even when the network is crowded.

While most routers have basic QoS, gaming routers kick it up a notch with smarter, gaming-focused optimization.

Game Application Boost in Archer’s exclusive enhanced QoS, for example, detects and optimizes your more urgent, real-time packets automatically.

Compared to traditional QoS, Archer's Game Application Boost enables smoother traffic and less jittering—all while consuming less CPU for peak performance.

4. Are there any special optimizations for lag?

Latency is a gamer’s worst enemy. Game packets travel through multiple steps to reach the “outside” internet, which can lead to higher ping and packet loss.

This is where specialized game acceleration technology steps in. Professional gaming routers streamline packet travel and cut down on random interference.

Archer gaming routers with triple-level game acceleration boost game traffic at every stage, stabilizing connections and amping up speed for smoother gameplay.

For the first level, the "Gaming Port" prioritizes your gaming device on the local network.

At the next level, "Game Boost" kicks in to prioritize game packets for smoother performance.

Built-in "WTFast" serves as the final level, creating a private network and securing the shortest route to the game server.

 

5. Solid security features are a must

Having extra security features is always a plus.

But don't just settle for basic security—go for Archer Gaming routers with HomeShield.  This isn’t just any router; it’s a gaming fortress. HomeShield delivers powerful built-in services, including full antivirus protection. Think of it as a digital bodyguard, scanning, detecting, and blocking threats in real time so you can game worry-free.

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Well, if you're tired of spending hours comparing countless parameters, we've got you covered with a comprehensive comparison.

 

Brand	TP-Link Archer
Product
Model	Archer GE800	Archer GE650	Archer GE400	Archer GE230	Archer GXE75
Wi-Fi Stand	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi Speed	BE19000	BE11000	BE6500	BE2300	AXE5400
Bands Supported	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz	2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz
Ethernet Ports	1× 10 GE WAN/LAN + 1× 10 GE SFP+/ RJ45 Combo WAN/LAN + 4× 2.5 GE LAN	1× 5 GE WAN + 1× 5 GE LAN + 3 × 2.5 GE LAN	1× 2.5 GE WAN + 1× 2.5 GE LAN + 3 × GE LAN	1× 2.5 GE WAN + 1× 2.5 GE LAN + 3 × GE LAN	1× 2.5 GE WAN/LAN +  1× GE WAN/LAN 3× GE LAN +
Antenna	8×	4×	6×	4×	4×
USB Ports	1× USB 3.0	1× USB 3.0	1× USB 3.0	1× USB 3.0	1× USB 3.0
Gaming Port	●	●	●	●	●
Game Boost	AI QoS	AI QoS	AI QoS	AI QoS	AI QoS
Gaming VPN	●	●	●	●	●
Gear Accelerator	●	●	●	●	●
Mobile Game Mode	●	●	●	●	●
One-Click Game Acceleration	●	/	/	/	/
Game Port Forwarding	●	●	●	●	●
Game Panel	●	●	●	●	●
Traffic Monitor	●	●	●	●	●
Mesh	Easy Mesh	Easy Mesh	Easy Mesh	Easy Mesh	Easy Mesh
VPN Fusion	●	●	●	●	●