Any online gamer knows how crucial it is to have a reliable, robust WiFi connection. In gaming terms, it could be the difference between death or glory. In real-world terms, it could be the difference between non-stop buffering, getting kicked out of your game mid-session, and not throwing your controller across the room in frustration.
The answer could be a mesh WiFi system, which uses satellite routers (or nodes) to cover all areas of your home. It’s the kind of WiFi that serious gamers and heavy internet users benefit from, due to blanket coverage and high speeds.
But shopping for specialist tech is a minefield of mind-bending jargon and spec. If you’re not already an expert, it’s near impossible to know what it all means and which WiFi system is right for your gaming needs. To help, we’ve tried to break it all down as simply as possible with this quick-and-handy guide.
What is a mesh WiFi system?
WiFi mesh will deliver reliable WiFi throughout your entire home, eliminating dead spots in corners that other routers can’t reach and maintaining speeds on multiple devices — all 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 on its own, like the basement or behind signal-dampening walls and obstructions. The best systems are easily expandable by adding more nodes where needed.
How fast is mesh WiFi?
It will depend on the system you buy. Some are faster (and more expensive) than others. The systems featured below mostly range between 30,000 and 10,000Mbps. WiFi systems that use WiFi 6 will fun faster (around 10Gbps) and systems on WiFi 6E will run faster still. The real benefit is that multiple devices maintain high speeds because they’re connected via different nodes around the home.
What is low latency?
The most important factor when it comes to gaming is avoiding latency. This means the delay between sender and receiver — the time it takes for the action onscreen to happen after you’ve pressed the button on the controller. Even just a small amount of latency — the kind that isn’t detectable when browsing the internet or streaming a video — can heavily impact gameplay. That’s why gamers want the most reliable and fastest WiFi mesh available. Look out for systems that promise low latency.
What area can a mesh WiFi system cover?
Mesh WiFi systems will generally cover around 2,000 square feet, though some of the systems below will cover way beyond that — 6,000 or even 7,000 square feet. Bear in mind that coverage of that scale is likely way beyond what the average gamer needs — but it will suit an office or commercial space.
Dual-band vs tri-band — which is best?
This jargon can prove especially tricky for everyday web users. A band is a wireless broadcast frequency on which you can send or receive data. A dual-band router has two frequency channels — 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 2.4GHz band is meant for further distances, at a slower speed, while 5GHz is faster but has a shorter range. A tri-band router adds an extra 5GHz band, which allows all devices in the household to share the bandwidth evenly. In truth, tri-band is likely surplus for the average household.
What is WiFi 6?
In simple terms, WiFi 6 is the most recent, up-to-date version of WiFi tech. For average users, the differences between WiFi 6 and WiFi 5 — still widely in use — are marginal. But it’s actually a pretty major upgrade. The most serious gamers and tech heads will appreciate faster speeds, lower latency, and all-round stronger connections. WiFi 6E is yet another upgrade, which uses a 6GHz frequency, though there are fewer devices that support it. There’s also a smattering of futuristic WiFi 7 devices on the market.
What are the best mesh WiFi systems?
We’re so glad you asked. And rest assured, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. We’ve 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 2024.
If you’re looking to purchase a mesh WiFi router for gaming, it’s probably smart to go with something that supports WiFi 6, the next gen of WiFi. So, meet the Asus RT-AC86U, a longtime favourite with gamers. It outpaces more expensive models, and goes up another notch with this WiFi 6 edition.
It runs on Asus’s AiMesh, which connects different Asus routers to create a mesh system. The downside is that this is just one router, so it needs extra Asus routers to be added — which means buying or adding them separately.
As for the bonuses, it has a lower latency than most competitors. Plus a mobile gaming mode — powered by a dedicated LAN port for gaming — drops the lag and latency even further, with just a tap on the Asus app. It also provides excellent support for Nvidia GeForce NOW cloud gaming.
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Some gamers want the power of WiFi 6E, which offers a 6GHz radio frequency band — making it even faster than the already-very-fast WiFi 6. If you want those high speeds and less interference, check out the eero Pro 6E.
There are plenty of features to recommend, including support for more than 100 devices, along with advanced online security, and Bluetooth connectivity. And because it’s made by Amazon, it connects with the always-handy Alexa, which in turn helps connect to mesh networks Zigbee and Thread.
The real issue is that 6E is not backward compatible with legacy devices — i.e. older devices not equipped for WiFi 6E — so this is only an option if you’re already equipped with up-to-date devices and gaming gear. But fear not, WiFi 6 users: A regular WiFi 6 version of the eero Pro is also available.
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The Tenda Nova MX12 mesh WiFi system does an awful lot for a relatively low price. In mesh WiFi router standards, at least.
It delivers fast WiFi 6 and covers the whole house. Size and quantity are not an issue. Not only does it cover up to 7,000 square feet, it can also connect to more than 160 devices. That’s a big performance. And though it’s not made specifically for gaming, it will suit any home that’s well stocked with devices. Its ultra low latency will also appeal to gamers.
The system is geared towards seamless roaming throughout the home, with various settings to optimise speeds for any given device — and you control everything in the Tenda WiFi app. Other useful features include parental controls, guest network access, and Alexa voice control.
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While the Netgear Orbi isn’t a straightforward gaming router, it’s one of the best mesh WiFi systems out there, and will support serious gaming demands. Just check out the sheer number of excellent reviews.
The Netgear Orbi has some of the fastest WiFi 6 speeds clocked on a mesh system, topping out at 5.4Gbps at a distance of 75 feet. It also offers a wider coverage area, thanks to a full compliment of three units.
The system isn’t cheap, of course. This tree-pack, consisting of a router and two satellites, will cost close to £600, though it’s still good value considering the performance. It will likely be overkill for casual, everyday internet use at this price, but for gamers and heavy internet users with lots of devices, it promises an amazing connection throughout the entire household.
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There’s little doubt that the Asus ROG Rapture GT6 is built for gamers. Not only is ASUS one of the top gaming brands, but the gaming style of this system — which won’t be to everyone’s tastes — is unmistakable.
But more than style, the Asus ROG Rapture GT6 is a tri-band mesh system that delivers excellent speeds of WiFi 6. Which is often all gamers need for excellent gameplay. But there’s plenty more to this system, such as free AiProtection Pro security, VPN support, and triple-level game acceleration, which continually optimises the speed for your game. Great for getting that extra boost.
It also has a powerful backhaul (a term for how the main router and satellites talk to each other) with a Smart Antenna that figures out the best signal direction and location to boost and maintain the best connection speeds.
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There’s no escaping that mesh WiFi systems — good quality ones, at least — don’t come cheap. The Google Mesh WiFi System is an affordable alternative.
As you might expect, it’s not the most advanced system — it doesn’t support WiFi6, for instance — and would best suit more casual gaming, rather than heavy-duty gaming with heavy duty WiFi demands. Though in truth, few households have fully upgraded to WiFi6 even at this point — WiFi6 speeds are beyond most real-world internet usage.
And the Google Mesh WiFi has plenty of features to recommend, such as a swift and easy installation, parental controls, and synchronicity with Google devices and systems, such as the Google Home app. Indeed, it’s easy to control via the app and a good choice for anyone who’s already living in a Google-run smart home. The kicker is that you only get one node per purchase — but even if you buy two it’s still cheaper than any other system on this list.
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