A small amount of latency that may not even be detectable when browsing the internet can be detrimental during gameplay, so we’ve lined up a selection of the most reliable and fastest WiFi mesh routers for gamers.
Best for features
NETGEAR Orbi
This may be a bit expensive for the normal internet user, but for a home that relies heavily on connection, it’s faster and more reliable than others.
As a gamer, you know how crucial it is to have a reliable internet connection. The most important factor when it comes to gaming is avoiding latency. A small amount of latency that may not even be detectable when browsing the internet, and isn’t a big deal when streaming a video, can be detrimental during gameplay. That’s why gamers want the most reliable and fastest WiFi mesh available.
What is a mesh WiFi system?
WiFi mesh will deliver reliable WiFi throughout your entire home, eliminating dead spots and allowing for speed on multiple devices without slowing your gaming system. It works using a main router and satellite nodes which are placed strategically around your living space to reduce spotty service.
The nodes, which use the same SSID and password as the main router (unlike range extenders), help to cover areas in the home that the main router doesn’t reach, like the basement or the far reaches of the house. The best systems are easily expandable by adding more nodes as needed.
What to look for in a mesh WiFi system
The best mesh WiFi systems have (or have the ability to expand to) multiple nodes and feature security software to keep your browsing, devices, and gaming safe. Most importantly, the ideal mesh will deliver spotless connectivity wherever needed.
The most important things to keep in mind while researching which mesh WiFi system to buy are the size of your living space, connection speed and reliability, and price point. WiFi mesh systems can reach beyond £500, or they can fall below £50. But of course, as with many things, you get what you pay for.
What are the best mesh WiFi systems?
We’re so glad you asked. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. We have checked out everything on offer from the biggest and best brands, and lined up a selection of the most reliable and fastest WiFi mesh routers for gamers.
These are the best mesh WiFi routers for gamers in 2021.
NETGEAR Orbi
This may be a bit expensive for the normal internet user, but for a home that relies heavily on connection, it’s faster and more reliable than others.The system is more expensive than a lot of other WiFi mesh networks. A two-pack, consisting of a router and one satellite, will cost close to £700. It may be a bit overkill for just normal internet use, but for gamers and heavy internet users, this is the best of the best.
This is a great purchase for gamers who want an amazing connection for the whole household.
Asus RT-AX86U
Latency won’t be something you’ll worry about with this router.The Asus RT-AC86U was long a favourite router for gamers, far outpacing more expensive models, and the company has only stepped it up a notch with this WiFi 6-supporting edition.
Device polarisation and open NAT port forwarding make this router great for gaming, but new WiFi 6 features like 1024-QAM and OFDMA mean that this system is also well equipped to handle your entire home, lending it a faster and more reliable network.
And of course, most importantly, latency remains lower than most competitors
Razer Sila
The Razer Sila works for the gamer as well as for the whole household.It provides a lot of gamer-friendly settings, including a gaming mode that will be sure to pump bandwidth to your gaming device when you most desire, without leaving other connected devices high and dry. The multi-channel ZeroWait DFS Technology makes for reliable, lag-free performance, and self-optimising network and swarm intelligence ensure a congestion-free connection.
For all it has in gaming specs, it lacks when it comes to parental controls and malware protection, so if these are important to you, this may not be the system you’re looking for.
Ubiquiti AmpliFi Gamer’s Edition
This isn’t the fastest or most reliable gaming mesh router on the market, but it is cool looking, and its low-latency mode helps with gaming.Another great thing about this system is that it has a great design. It isn’t too large, and it’s sleek-looking, so you won’t mind its presence wherever you put it. It features a touchscreen and an easy-to-use app.
The system also offers a low-latency mode, which helps to tweak the connection while gaming in order to avoid competing with other devices.
ASUS RT-AX92U AX6100
This will do a mediocre job — many users say it works better as a standalone router than as a mesh system — but it’s still worth a look.The system comes with two units, but it’s expandable for larger living spaces as well. Each box has four LAN ports, two USB ports, and four foldable antennas. It also provides commercial-grade security for all your connected devices, as well as advanced parental controls so you’ll be able to manage your family’s screen time.
AiProtection Pro keeps all the connected devices on your home network safe and advanced parental controls allow you to manage the family’s internet usage, all available via the device’s app.
Amped Wireless ALLY Plus
This is a reliable (and cheap) home system with great parental controls, but may not be fast enough for serious gamers.It features parental controls as well as reports and alerts, all to keep you informed as to what your kids are up to online. It’s great for parents who want to keep tabs on their gaming kids.
The parental controls will allow you to manage what your kids see online by enabling you to block specific content and apps on the ALLY app. You can set online schedules for each child and pause WiFi during times you want to forbid screen time, like during homework hours or bedtime. You’ll receive alerts when your kids visit flagged sites, and you can even block unknown devices that attempt to connect to your network.
Other than airtight parental controls, this system comes with a router and node, and will cover up to 15,000 square feet in reliable WiFi that won’t lag.