![]() ![]() Consider the size and makeup of your home.Alternatively, you could plug in one of the best network switches and add as many Ethernet ports as your network needs. TP-Link's Archer AX6000 impressively has eight Ethernet ports. Higher-end options sometimes (but not always) ship with more Ethernet ports. Most routers ship with four LAN ports for plugging in four Ethernet devices, plus one input for your Internet (WAN).įour ports is enough for most people, but with the rise of smart home hubs, set-top boxes, consoles and other devices, you may want more. So whenever possible, you'll want to be plugged into your router via Ethernet when playing competitive games. How many wired ports do you need? While Wi-Fi is convenient, wired Ethernet is still ideal when it comes to latency and reliability - two important factors for gaming.For more on this, check out our Wi-Fi 6/6E feature. Should you splurge on Wi-Fi 6/6E (802.11ax), or Stick with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)? Unless you’re just going to get a budget router to tide you over, you should get at least Wi-Fi 6, though probably not 6E just yet.There is plenty to consider if you’re in the market for a router, whether you're after the best gaming router or something less gaming-specific. Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. If that sounds like you, consider a more mainstream router and spend the extra money on a better CPU, graphics card, or a bigger SSD so you can install more games. But spending more and making the right choice can make for a better gaming experience with less lag, especially if your home network and Internet bandwidth are split between several users and dozens of devices.Īll that said, a gaming router might be overkill for most people, particularly if you’re in a small apartment or house, without several people clamoring for your limited internet bandwidth. Unsurprisingly, this typically comes at a higher cost than most mainstream routers. And extra granular controls are tossed in for tweaking and streamlining your network performance to ensure it best serves your gaming needs. Usually, features aimed at gamers are also included in the user interface to help prioritize gaming traffic and packets. For the time being, the two-pack is $50 off at $250.įollow on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.But aesthetics aside, what makes a router a gaming router, let alone the best gaming router? In general, with a gaming router, you can expect higher-end internal hardware than budget offerings, including extra bands to handle more devices and often a faster CPU and more RAM to juggle a larger device load. Dual routers will provide up to 4,400 square feet of WiFi coverage. Those who don't have to cover quite such a large area may want to opt for a two-pack of the Nest WiFi Pro 6E instead. Unfortunately, Nest WiFi Pro 6E isn't compatible with older generations of Google WiFi or Nest WiFi. ![]() ![]() In addition, you can set up a guest network with its own password. ![]() You'll be able to see everything that's connected to your network and pause access for devices that you don't want using your WiFi. The company says the system can monitor itself, diagnose issues and even resolve certain common problems without your input. For one thing, it will prioritize video calls. Google claims the Nest WiFi Pro 6E system can adjust the performance and activity of your network automatically. If you have devices that are compatible with the 6 GHz band, that's the way to go, since it should provide sturdier connectivity and mitigate interference from your neighbors' networks. The routers will blanket up to 6,600 square feet with WiFi connectivity over the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |