6 Best Gaming Routers for Xbox One in 2021 (Reviews and Guide)
Investing in the best gaming router on the market might feel like an overkill for most, but if you are a heavy/ serious gamer, you know that you could never underestimate the value of the best low routers for gaming. An excellent, read powerful router, means access to the most advanced features, low-latency performance, and access to a bigger bandwidth with stronger signal strength.
With these considerations in mind, the search for the best gaming router for us will mean the router that makes use of the latest WiFi protocol, WiFi 6 (also known as 802.11ax). WiFi 6 is the most advanced, future-proof router technology that promises incredibly high speeds of up to 10Gbps or higher, a bigger capacity for connected devices, reduced bandwidth congestion, backward compatibility, and the best part – zero buffering. With all these benefits from this wireless protocol, it makes sense to invest in it, and though there aren’t too many WiFi 6 clients on the market, just yet, the truth is that it won’t be too long until your ISP matches your internet bandwidth needs.
But WiFi 6 isn’t all that you need to consider. Especially with your budget at stake – you can only buy the router that you can afford, and that means examining the specs of the router to determine whether it is worth your money or not. Value for money comes above all else at all times.
With this thinking in mind, I’ve taken the time to look at the features that make some of the routers on the market the best. The routers reviewed below are some of the best gaming routers for Xbox One on the market today.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table: Best Gaming Routers for Xbox One
Best Gaming Routers for Xbox One |
Best For |
Speed |
WiFi Protocol |
Price |
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 |
Highest-Speed Gaming Router for Serious Gamers |
11Gbps |
802.11ax |
|
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 |
Best Xbox One Router |
5.3Gbps |
802.11ac |
|
TP-Link Archer C5400X |
Easiest to Use |
5.4Gbps |
802.11ac |
|
Netgear Nighthawk XR500 Pro Gaming |
Best Pro-Gaming Router |
2.6Gbps |
802.11ac |
|
Netgear Nighthawk XR700 |
Best Tri-Band AD Gaming Router |
7.2Gbps |
802.11ac/ad |
|
Linksys AC5400 Tri-Band WiFi Router |
Affordable Gaming Router |
5.4Gbps |
802.11ac |
6Best Gaming Routers for Xbox One
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ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 – Highest-Speed Gaming Router for Serious Gamers
- Triple level game acceleration accelerate game traffic With device, game packet and game server...
- Cutting edge hardware offers the best performance 1.8 GigaHertz Quad Core cpu and 2.5 G gaming port for...
As a serious gamer, you serious hardware with the most robust software features to ensure the best gaming performance, and this router is designed to give just that, at the highest imaginable WiFi router speeds.
For starters, it runs on the advanced WiFi 6 protocol, which isn’t just fast, but also a protocol that reduces network congestion while boasting a larger client capacity and the highest possible level of performance.
Its performance is as powerful and beasty as it looks, and thanks to its tri-band system (two 5GHz on 4802Mbps each and one 2.4GHz band on 1148Mbps), this router allows you to enjoy uninterrupted gaming signals at all times. Its speed, signal strength, and overall performance are further enhanced by its four LAN ports and eight robust antennas. WiFi 6 is also 100% backward compatible.
But those aren’t the only features that make that this router the best of the best; there are numerous features that ensure the excellence of this router, which includes the dedicated 2.5G Base-T port, which allows for the best high wired bandwidth connections.
There also are four Gigabit LAN ports and the fact that this router boasts 10Gbps of reliable wireless bandwidth. It also features a DFS band the prevents interference.
WTFast for reduced pings, VPNFusion for segregated gaming traffic, enhanced security, and maximum throughput, as well as the dynamic QoS function that allows for traffic prioritization. It also features Games Radar, which makes it easier for you to check ping times on different game servers, hence minimized latency.
The other features include Trend Micro for advanced security function and performance, ASUS WRRT for better control and monitoring of devices. The other security feature of this router is the AiProtection for threat neutralization.
Pros
- AiMesh compatibility
- Very high throughput
- Best of class QoS
- Integrates well with WTFast
- Excellent performance and speeds
- Triple-game acceleration for traffic boost
- GameFirst V for traffic optimization
- GameBoost and GPN for enhanced gaming performance, reduced latency, and low pings
Cons
- Expensive
- Could use more Ethernet ports
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ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 – Best Xbox One Router
- Tri-band (dual 5 GHz, single 2.4 GHz) AC5300 wireless router with the latest 802.11ac 4x4 MU-MIMO...
- 1.8GHz 64bit Quad-Core processor maximizes data throughput from 8-ports and dual USB 3.0 for optimizing...
You will come across several routers on the market, but if you don’t mind splurging on what would be the best router on the market, then this ASUS ROG GT-AC5300 would be the best option for you.
Fitted with eight large antennas, the best USB and gigabit Ethernet ports, and a quad-core processor, among others, this router is quite the beast that will allow you to enjoy the fastest internet connection speeds to cover your whole house with ease. This router has also been regarded as the Cadillac of top gaming routers, and it comes with everything you need for the best gaming performance.
The other features that make this router an unbelievably powerful gadget include its 1.8GHz quad-core processor and the 8 Ethernet ports for wired connections, all designed to make this router the best 4K and VR Streaming, and also a great Xbox One gaming router. Its powerful processor powers up this router and prevents buffering while keeping the latency low, while the incorporation of the gaming port means that you will enjoy the best lag-free gaming performance.
The router boasts top speeds of 5334Mbps to cover large spaces up to 5000sq.Ft. The performance of this router is enhanced by its tri-band design, which consists of two 5GHz bands and one 2.4GHz band. One of the 5GHz bands will be an ideal fit for gaming, and thanks to the Ethernet ports, you get to enjoy a dedicated wired connection. Then you have the 4×4 MU-MIMO technology, which is the reason for the maximum throughput, and multi-user/ multi-player design.
The 1.8GHz 64-bit Quad-Core processor and the 8 Ethernet ports are designed to maximize the throughput, optimize network traffic, and enhance the connectivity speeds. It also comes with VPN Fusion for the safest network connections, and the maximization of the network speeds to your gaming server.
Besides VPN, the security setup of the router is enhanced by the router’s Game IPS(Intrusion Prevention System), which is powered by the brand’s Trend Micro, a function that offers the best level multi-stage protection to your entire gaming network, specifically from threats and external attacks.
You might also like the ROG Gaming Dashboard, which makes the router easy to use, WTFast Gamers Private Network for optimization of the gaming network, as well as Game Boost for route-optimization and low-pings.
Pros
- Two USB 3.0 for high-speed file transfers/ storage
- 8 Ethernet ports for the best wired connections
- It supports simultaneous gaming and VPN access
- Powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processor means a lot of power to handle everything thrown at it
- Lag-free gaming experience
- Lightning-fast gaming speeds
- Tri-band network connectivity
- AiMesh compatible
Cons
- Bulky
- Not future-proof
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TP-Link Archer C5400X – Easiest to Use
- JD Power Award- Highest in customer satisfaction for wireless routers 2017 and 2019
- Wi-Fi Router Made for Gamers: Leading edge 1.8 GHz 64 bit Quad-core CPU and 1G RAM accelerates loading
The other high-end gaming router on the 802.11ac protocol is this TP-Link Archer C5400X fitted with robust features for link aggregation and game-first prioritization. While it takes the top spot as one of the best gaming routers, the primary feature that really stands out from it is its ease of use and setup design.
Beyond its setup that makes it very easy to use, this router has definitely been designed for use by gamers. For starters, it boasts a cutting-edge 1.8GHz 64-Bit quad-core process and a 1GB RAM for accelerated loading.
Then you have the eight impressive Ethernet ports plus a single 1 Gigabit WAN port with advanced link aggregation functions. And if you need more firepower, you can aggregate two ports into one for double the internet speeds.
This 802.11ac router is also a tri-band WiFi router, and it boasts super high speeds, with the two 5GHz bands offering speeds of 2167Mbps each, and the 2.4GHz band offering speeds of 1000Mbps, hence the overall speeds of 5400Mbps. You could dedicate one of the 5GHz bands to gaming traffic,
The other features boasted by this router include MU-MIMO plus AirTime Fairness for increased maximum throughput and the response times, as well as the RangeBoost for strengthened signal reception, plus Beamforming for a targeted WiFi connection to your devices. These features all work together to ensure optimal connections for all your wireless devices throughout the house.
It also boasts excellent security features for the protection of your connected devices and protection of the network. These features include TP-Link HomeCare for next-level antivirus functions, QoS, and parental controls. QoS allows for prioritization of traffic and latency eradication.
Pros
- Powerful 1.8GHz 64-bit quad-core processor with three additional co-processors
- Eight external antennas and 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports for best range and wired connections
- Reliable tri-band systems
- Works with Alexa
- Intelligent traffic optimization for gaming
- Easy Bluetooth setup
- Latency eradication and signal optimization
- Maximum throughout from Beamforming, MU-MIMO, and Airtime Fairness
- Competitively priced
- Great security features
- Ease of use
Cons
- It’s not 100% future-proof
- Bulky
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Netgear Nighthawk XR500 Pro Gaming – Best Pro-Gaming Router
- Minimize ping and maximize performance with four 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports for lag free, wired...
- Amp up your Wi-Fi with AC2600 dual band router that delivers blazing fast speeds up to 2.6 Gbps
If you are looking for a router that will help in the minimization of pings, while maximizing the router’s performance, then this router might be one of the best pro-gaming options for you. It runs on the 802.11ac protocol and boasts 4 gigabit Ethernet ports for the best wired connections. It also boasts a 1.7GHz dual-core processor, which enhances the efficiency of the network.
As one of the mid-priced routers boasting good performance, this dual-band router will amp up your gaming performance significantly, thanks to its top blazing speeds of 2.6Gbps. It also boasts advanced QoS function for traffic optimization, reduction of all lag spikes/ jitters/jumps, as well as network congestion.
Then there is the geo-filtering function that connects your Xbox One with the closest gaming servers plus players, hence easy domination and faster response times.
The most impressive feature of this router is its monitoring function, which gives you direct access to the network, and you can monitor the overall performance of the network, as well as the game pings, all in real-time. With this level of monitoring, you get to see if there’s anyone hogging your bandwidth. In addition to the real-time access, you have the secure gamin VPN router that ensures secure connections at all times.
Pros
- Optimization for lowest pings
- 4X Gigabit Ethernet ports for the best wired speeds
- Two USB 3.0 ports for fast media transfers
- Fast and reliable WiFi speeds
- Prioritization of gaming traffic possible
- Powerful processor for the smoothest wireless performance
- Affordable
Cons
- It lacks the most robust gaming features
-
Netgear Nighthawk XR700 – Best Tri-Band AD Gaming Router
- Minimize ping and maximize performance with six 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports for lag free, wired connectivity...
- Amp up your WiFi with cutting edge AD7200 Quad stream router that delivers speeds up to 7.2 Gbps. 60 GHz...
The latest in this NETGEAR Nighthawk range of gaming routers is this WiFi 5/ 802.11ac, a superbly designed gaming router that boasts a tri-band system, hence its top-performance.
It boasts very high WiFi speeds of 7200Mbps/ AD7200, and the speeds are broken down into a tri-band system with speeds of 4600Mbps on the AD band, 1733Mbps on the 5GHz band, and 800Mbps on the 2.4GHz band.
It also boasts 7 LAN ports and four antennas, for enhanced wired connection and the best range and performance. All these features plus the network connections are enhanced by the 1.7GHz quad-core processor.
The other features that enhance the performance of this router include its support for Link Aggregation, the 10Gigabit LAN SFP+ port, which offers the most impressive Ethernet bandwidth performance, as well as the 802.11ad technology which enhances its speeds at the shortest range. Beamforming is also incorporated into to router for the improvement of the signal’s performance.
On top of all these, there is the gaming-centric Duma-OS for geo-filtering and connection to the closest game server, granular control for the bandwidth for throughput prioritization for all devices, as well as load balancing for the best performance of the router.
Pros
- Great port aggregation functions
- 10Gigabit LAN SFP+ port for top performance
- Great game traffic prioritization
- High WiFi speeds
- Ease of use
- Low pings’ optimization
- Easy network monitoring
- Beamforming for improved throughput
- Elimination of lag spikes
- Powerful gaming processor
Cons
- Needs more antennas
- Expensive
-
Linksys AC5400 Tri-Band WiFi Router–Affordable Gaming Router
- Connector Type : USB
- Provides up to 3,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage for 25plus wireless devices
If you are looking for a powerful router that combines your love for HD streaming and heavy gaming, then this tri-band router by Linksys might be exactly what you need.
With top WiFi speeds of 5400Mbps, this router offers excellent coverage for spaces up to 3,000sq.ft. And it has good coverage for at least 25 devices. One of the features that make for the top performance of this router includes its tri-band system, which sees the router’s top speed of 5.3Gbps broken into one 2.4GHz band with speeds of 1000Mbps, and the other two 5GHz bands each offering top speeds of 2166Mbps. With two 5GHz bands, it means that you get one dedicated 5GHz band for your gaming console.
The speed and the performance of the router are further enhanced by MU-MIMO, a function that provides for easy access and top speeds access to multiple devices, all running at great speeds.
For advanced connectivity and performance, this router comes with eight gigabit Ethernet ports for the best and the fastest wired connections, as well as the USB 3.O port, which offers up to 10x super-fast connections and media transfers.
But that is not all you get from this router – Beamforming technology boosts your wireless signal’s range by sending focused WiFi signals, hence increased efficiency of the WiFi router.
The dual-core processor means an increase in the router’s operational efficiency – it is a 1.4GHz dual-core processor that helps in the delivery of the best level of performance needed for multi-player online gaming. Then you have the eight antennas for optimal WiFi performance and more extensive coverage.
It’s quite easy to set up too, and the Smart WiFi system means that the router works well for smart homes. It offers parental controls, too, making it a safe option for the protection of your kids.
You might also like its guest Access function, as well as the device prioritization, allowing you to overcome all bandwidth limitations across your connected devices.
Pros
- Reliable WiFi 5 protocol for excellent performance
- Top speeds of 5.3Gbps
- Great tri-band system
- Easy setup
- 8 Antennas and 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports for excellent speeds and performance
- Great range
- Static IP for better performance
Cons
- Expensive
- Lacks advanced speed-enhancing features
Buying Guide for the Best Gaming Router for Xbox One
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Ethernet Ports
When it comes down to the best-level performance for Xbox One routers, one of the most important considerations that you need to keep in mind is the presence of adequate Ethernet ports for hard-wired connections. While wireless signals work fine, they are not as reliable, hence the need for the best wired connections. The wired Ethernet ports are important as they eliminate the risk of lags and minimize latency issues. Therefore, plugging in your Xbox One to one of the Ethernet ports would be an important factor.
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QoS
QoS or the Quality of Service is a crucial feature when it comes to attaining optimal game play, and if you have several other devices/ users on your network, QoS will come in handy for the optimization and the prioritization of your network.
-
Open Source Firmware
You need a router with excellent/ standard firmware for easy customization of firmware, and for tweaking of the settings to ensure the best performance.
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UPnP
The UPnP function is important in the routers for Xbox One, and it comes built-in to the routers to allow for the connection of your Xbox One console with the Xbox Live servers, hence minimal network restrictions.
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Port Forwarding
This is a feature that makes it possible for you to port traffic from Xbox Live to Xbox One through the port forwarding function of NAT Open. It works with the UPnP function to ensure access to more games and lower risk of getting booted.
The other considerations include the speed of the router, as well as the presence of advanced technological features for top performance, for example, link aggregation, MU-MIMO, Beamforming, as well as the dual- and Tri-band systems.
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WiFi Protocols
The best gaming routers run on WiFi 6 and WiFi 5 protocols, two of the highest speed WiFi protocols. WiFi 6 routers are, however, more advanced and powerful than WiFi 5. WiFi 6 is faster, it boasts a larger client capacity, 100% backward compatible, and the network has less congestion.
FAQs
Which Settings Should You Look out for in Xbox One routers?
To ensure that there aren’t any barriers between your game and the system, you need to look out for the NAT settings. NAT could be open, strict, or restricted for easy access to gamers or restricted access.
What to do if your Router’s NAT is Strict?
If this is the case, you’ll need to enable UPnP on the router’s advanced routers.
Why do you need Port Forwarding?
Port forwarding is crucial, with the option of unblocking the router’s ports, allowing you better access to game server’s hence an improvement in your network connection. You can unblock ports form the Port Forwarding tab under advanced settings.
How do I avoid Xbox One packet losses?
First, find the best ISP on the market, and also opt for the best gaming router. These two functions will ensure optimal gaming performance.
Conclusion
There are numerous routers on the market that are potentially the best options for you, but before you choose one, you need to make sure that the router will reduce any latency issues while processing traffic packets better and faster. The good news is that there is a router for every budget.