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Mesh WiFi systems have become increasingly popular among gamers who simply want a zero lag and latency-free gaming experience.
Mesh systems enable zero-lag gaming experiences by providing multiple WiFi access points which provide users with consistent internet access in every corner of the home, even on a busy household network.
The best mesh WiFi systems for gaming operate on the WiFi 6 standard, cover a minimum of 2,500 sq ft, connect to a minimum of 50 devices, and include a powerful multi-core processor and multiple gigabit ports for gamers to establish wired connections.
Mesh systems also need to include the Quality of Service (QoS) feature to ensure gaming connections can be prioritized and receive more bandwidth.
It makes sense to purchase a mesh WiFi system if you reside in a property of 2,500 sq ft and above, and also if you have many internet users or devices who are competing for bandwidth.
We’ve tested over 20 mesh WiFi systems and compared the gaming performance in scenarios where other users are connected to the network.
We’ve narrowed down the choice to the top 3 products, which we have reviewed in this article.
Below are the reviews of the 7 best mesh WiFi systems for gaming that you can select from. The reviews include the advantages, disadvantages, and target users.
1. ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 (Editor’s Choice)
Our top choice for the best mesh WiFi for gaming is the ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 as it is equipped with WiFi 6 technology, three bands, high-performance backhaul, and dedicated 160 MHz channels that enable this device to achieve speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps. The nine internal antennas and ASUS RangeBoost Plus technology enable the GT6 to provide a coverage of up to 5800 sq. ft.
Design
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 is equipped with WiFi 6 technology, three bands, high-performance backhaul, and dedicated 160 MHz channels that enable this device to achieve speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps.
The nine internal antennas and ASUS RangeBoost Plus technology enable the GT6 to provide a coverage of up to 5800 sq. ft.
For faster-wired connectivity, this mesh system features a 2.5 Gbps WAN port and LAN aggregation.
The side vents use a classic slash pattern while the grills at the top and bottom of this device are aligned perfectly with the heat sink to provide the best convective effects and heat dissipation.
Performance
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 has an additional Smart Antenna that provides better backhaul performance by detecting the best signal depending on location and direction.
For seamless video conferencing and gaming throughout your home, the nodes provide strong connections. In our testing, we achieved a lag-free gaming connection in every room of a 2,500 sq ft property.
The 5.9 GHz band brings a third and clear 160 MHz channel that does not have radar system interference so that the power of WiFi 6 technology is fully unleashed.
The internal antennas eliminate dead spots by preventing signal drops and inconsistent speeds.
The enhanced security features such as the WPA3 security protocol, AiProtection Pro, and advanced parental controls protect your network and devices.
Additionally, the latest Safe Browsing feature removes undesirable content from the search engine results to ensure you have a safe browsing experience.
When using public WiFi, you are assured of having secure connections because of the ASUS Instant Guard.
Who It’s For
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 is ideal for individuals who want a high-performing mesh system that has great gaming features and provides wider coverage and strong signals.
Specs
- Speed: 10000 Mbps
- Range: 5800 sq. ft.
- Wireless Protocol: 11ac, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11ax
- Number of Supported Devices: 120+
- Ports: 4 Ethernet, 1 USB
- RAM: 512MB
- Chipset: Three-core Broadcom BCM6753 chip
- Flash Memory: 256MB
Pros
- Faster ethernet connections.
- Great gaming features.
- Has built-in security software.
- Better mesh performance.
Cons
- Doesn’t support WiFi 7
2. Netgear Orbi 370 (Overall Top Pick)
Achieve blazing fast speeds with the Orbi 370 WiFi 7 and two mesh extenders that eliminate any dead spots in your home.
Design
The Netgear Orbi 370 Series is a Dual-Band WiFi 7 mesh system designed to bring next-generation wireless connectivity to homes with a sleek, minimalist design that blends easily into any living environment. It supports speeds of up to 5 Gbps and covers up to 6,000 square feet (with a 3-pack), eliminating buffering and dead zones through its mesh network structure. The system uses two frequency bands, delivering 4324 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band, supporting a robust number of connected devices for smooth entertainment and work-from-home setups.
Performance
The Orbi 370 features a 2.5 Gbps internet port and multi-gigabit Ethernet ports on both the router and satellites, allowing wired devices to experience fast and stable connections suitable for gaming, streaming, and large file transfers. Utilizing WiFi 7 features like Multi-Link Operation, 4K-QAM, and preamble puncturing, it enhances speed, reliability, and latency by allowing devices to connect on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands simultaneously, optimizing performance in congested networks. The Orbi app offers an intuitive setup experience, enabling users to manage network settings, run speed tests, and monitor device usage from anywhere, with added flexibility to create guest and IoT networks.
Who It’s For
The Netgear Orbi 370 is ideal for users looking for an affordable, easy-to-set-up WiFi 7 mesh system that delivers strong 5 GHz speeds and whole-home coverage without the higher price of tri-band models. It suits small to medium homes or apartments with internet plans up to 2 Gbps, perfect for families streaming HD and 4K content, gamers, or remote workers needing reliable connectivity. This system is less suitable for users who require the newest 6 GHz WiFi 7 band or need extensive customization and wired port options.
Specs
Speed: Up to 5,000 Mbps
Range: Up to 6,000 sq. ft. (3-pack)
Wireless Protocol: 802.11ax (WiFi 7), dual-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)
Number of Supported Devices: Multiple clients with mesh expansion
Ports: 2 x 2.5G Ethernet on router and satellites
Processor: Quad-core
Pros
- Affordable entry to WiFi 7 mesh technology
- Strong 5 GHz band speeds with Multi-Link Operation
- Flexible wired and wireless backhaul options
- Easy setup and management via Orbi app
Cons
- No 6 GHz band for tri-band WiFi 7 speeds
- Below-average 2.4 GHz band performance
- Limited LAN ports on satellites
- Some advanced features require subscriptions
This combination of features and value makes the Orbi 370 an attractive choice for most users upgrading to WiFi 7 who want reliable, fast mesh networking without breaking the bank.
3. Tenda Nova AX3000 (Budget Friendly)
Wifi 6 capable performance without breaking the bank.
Design
The Tenda Nova AX3000 is a dual-band mesh system that is powered by WiFi 6 technology and supports speeds of up to 2976 Mbps, which is a 66% improvement on the previous model.
The high-performance 1.7 GHz Quad-core processor delivers a more responsive, ultra-low latency, and more stable network.
The AX3000 allows you to enjoy the best signal throughout your home as it has a coverage of up to 5000 sq. ft. and delivers more stable and faster WiFi while eliminating dead zones.
Performance
You can enjoy a seamless online experience with the Tenda Nova AX3000 mesh WiFi as it allows you to set different SSIDs for 5GHz (2402 Mbps) and 2.4GHz (574 Mbps) bands.
You can get the fastest speeds for different devices according to their needs by selecting the frequency band to use.
The OFDMA and MU-MIMO technologies allow over 160 devices to have access to high-speed and lag-free WiFi at the same time.
The WPA3 security protocol enables you to protect your connected devices and network from hackers and internet attacks by encrypting your WiFi password.
You can create a guest network in an isolated network zone for your friends and visitors and protect your smart home access and privacy.
The Tenda WiFi app or Web GUI enables you to set up, monitor, and manage the Tenda Nova AX3000 quickly and easily. You can add a new node to your current Nova networks by pushing the Mesh button.
You can control your network remotely using your smartphone. The built-in parental controls enable you to monitor the network status and schedule when your children access the internet.
You can also see the real-time progress of online devices on your phone.
Who It’s For
The Tenda Nova AX3000 is recommended for first-time networkers who are looking for a low-price mesh router that is easy to set up and provides wider coverage.
Specs
- Speed: 2976 Mbps
- Range: 5000 sq. ft.
- Wireless Protocol: 11ax
- Number of Supported Devices: 160
- Ports: 6
- RAM: 256MB
- Chipset: 7 GHz Quad-Core
Pros
- Affordable pricing.
- Easy to use and manage.
- Stable throughput.
- Great range.
- Secure WiFi network.
Cons
- Does not have a multi-gig port.
Factors To Consider When Looking For The Best Mesh WiFi System For Gaming
WiFi Speed & Coverage
One of the main features impacting speed and coverage is the WiFi standard (also known as WiFi protocol).
This refers to a set of standards through which routers, satellites, and devices communicate.
The three available standards for mesh WiFi systems are WiFi 5, WiFi 6, and WiFi 6E. WiFi 7 mesh systems such as the Netgear Orbi 970 are now available to purchase, but there are very few client devices available that you can use to utilize the WiFi 7 standard.
WiFi 5 (802.11ac) is universally compatible with internet-using devices given that it has been available since 2014. WiFi 5 mesh systems work best on internet plans of 500 Gbps and below.
WiFi 6 (802.11ax) offers advanced performance features, faster speeds, and better coverage compared to WiFi 5.
WiFi 6 mesh systems operate well on gigabit internet plans and through WPA3 have advanced security to protect your network.
WiFi 6 systems are also backward compatible with previous standards, but to gain access to the advanced features, you will need devices that are WiFi 6 compatible.
WiFi 6E is an extension of WiFi 6 but includes a 6 GHz frequency band to enable WiFi speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps and also reduce network congestion and latency which is ideal for intense online gaming sessions.
WiFi 7 (802.11be) routers are now available but very few client devices can operate on the standard.
In terms of gaming, WiFi 7 is expected to offer a four-fold increase in WiFi speed compared to WiFi 6E. These higher speeds are enabled by 320 MHz wide channel widths in the 6 GHz frequency band, which increase throughput and capacity.
In terms of coverage, mesh systems generally offer between 2,500 to 7,500 sq ft. For the investment in mesh to be worthwhile, we advise it is deployed in a home with a minimum of 2,000 sq ft.
Also, note that coverage is variable based on the frequency band used. The 2.4 GHz band offers the best coverage but the lowest speeds, while the 6 GHz band on WiFi 6E systems offers the weakest coverage but fastest speeds.
Features
The best mesh WiFi systems for gaming offer advanced features that enable zero lag and reliable internet speeds. We explain these features below.
QoS (Quality of Service) is an important feature for gamers as it allows users to prioritize certain connections to ensure sufficient bandwidth is allocated to a given task.
In a household with multiple simultaneous connections, QoS can be enacted to prioritize a gaming connection to allow it to run without lag.
MU-MIMO also supports multi-device connectivity by ensuring devices can quickly communicate with the router and gain signal access efficiently without any interference.
OFDMA is ideal for gamers as it reduces bottlenecks in the network when high-consumption activities are running. It does this by increasing the amount of data carriers within a frequency.
Beamforming technology improves the precision of the signal achieved by the router antennas and minimizes the level of interference. Improved network signal increases the quality and reliability of internet connection at home.
In terms of ports, mesh WiFi systems for gaming should offer multiple 1 Gbps ports and ideally a 2.5 Gbps port, to ensure gamers can have access to wired connections which improves internet speeds and reduces lag.
Number Of Connected Devices
Modern households have many devices connected to the internet at the same time. You therefore need to invest in a mesh WiFi system that can handle a large volume of simultaneous connections without affecting performance.
Mesh WiFi systems typically offer a minimum of 25 connected devices, with some systems claiming over 100 simultaneous connections.
We suggest you add 10% to 20% on top of the total number of devices you have at home, to give you a recommended figure for the number of connected devices you need from your mesh system.
A good point to note though is that the number of connected devices does not consider the type of connections.
For example, a mesh system offering 25 connected devices does not mean 25 simultaneous gaming connections, but rather a range of connections that are mainly low-consumption.
WiFi Mesh Systems vs Gaming Routers
WiFi mesh systems ensure you can maintain your existing internet speed throughout the home, through the connection of a router to multiple nodes.
The router and nodes sync to create a unified network, meaning that users do not have to separately login to different internet connections.
Also, the devices work in tandem to hand off connections to ensure users are always connected to the strongest WiFi access point based on their location within the home.
A gaming router resembles a traditional router setup in that it is a single device that is connected to a modem and then creates the local WiFi network.
However, certain routers are tailored for gamers by having gamer-centric settings and optimizations to maximize gaming performance.
These features include having many 1 GB or 2.5 GB ports, Game Accelerator settings to reduce the network latency, and a Game Protector dashboard to allow parental controls and network monitoring.
FAQs
Are Mesh WiFi Systems Good For Gaming?
Due to the multiple WiFi access points, mesh WiFi systems have increased in popularity with gamers due to their ability to offer no lag and minimal latency when gaming.
This setup often performs better than a traditional router setup where the bandwidth of one device is being used by an entire household, which creates a crowded network and a lagged gaming performance.
What Features Should A Gaming Mesh WiFi System Have?
To ensure reliable gaming performance, a gaming mesh WiFi system should have advanced features such as QoS which enables connection prioritization, MU-MIMO which supports efficient multi-device connectivity, OFDMA which reduces network congestion and Beamforming which improves signal strength.
Also, to allow wired gaming connections, there should be multiple gigabit ports available in the mesh setup.
Is WiFi 7 Mesh System Good For Gaming?
Although WiFi 7 routers are now available, there are very few WiFi 7 client devices available that can utilize WiFi 7 benefits.
However, when available WiFi 7 offers gamers a superior gaming experience through features such as the High Band Simultaneous Multi-Link, while also providing incredible coverage.
The HBS Multi-Link feature enables high throughput and minimal lag by shifting latency-critical applications to the higher frequency bands, which in turn reduces traffic on the 2.4 GHz band.
These advanced features will maximize performance for XR/AR gaming experiences.
What Brands Make The Best Mesh WiFi Systems For Gaming?
As seen in our product reviews, the top brands to look out for when identifying a mesh WiFi system for gaming include ASUS, TP-Link, Netgear, and Amazon Eero.
While other brands are also available, from our product testing, these brands offered the best performance.
Do You Lose Speed With Mesh WiFi?
Mesh systems are designed to maintain existing WiFi speeds and increase the coverage of that speed to every corner of the home.
Mesh systems are therefore the best means of extending your network, especially for those on high-speed internet plans.
Final Words
Hopefully, this guide has provided you with the information that you need to decide which mesh WiFi to buy for your gaming needs.
But, if you are having issues deciding, our recommendation for the best mesh router for gaming is the ASUS ROG Rapture GT6 as it is equipped with WiFi 6 technology, three frequency bands, high-performance backhaul, and dedicated 160 MHz channels that enable this device to achieve speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps.
The nine internal antennas and ASUS RangeBoost Plus technology enable the GT6 to provide a coverage of up to 5800 sq. ft.
The buying guide explains in detail the factors that you need to consider when buying a gaming WiFi router.
