Verdict
All guidesResearchMethodologyAboutContact
The Best 5Reviewed by Mike Hunter·May 24, 2026

Best Gaming Routers

Top 5 gaming routers reviewed and ranked.

Quick answer

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro is our top pick for gaming routers — an averaged 4.7/5 across 3 published reviews at about $688.99. Runner-up: TP-Link Archer BE800 (~$349.97).

Read the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro review →$688.99 · Check Price on Amazon

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review
1ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 ProTop Score
(3 sources)
$688.99Best for: Hardcore gamers building a maxed-out Wi-Fi 7 network who want the fastest throughput and the deepest gaming software, and can absorb the premium price.
$688.99 · Check Price on Amazon
2TP-Link Archer BE800
(3 sources)
$349.97Best for: Gamers who want near-flagship Wi-Fi 7 speed and a strong multi-gig wired backbone without paying top-tier ASUS ROG prices.
$349.97 · Check Price on Amazon
3NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S
(3 sources)
$549.99Best for: Gamers in larger homes who prioritize reliable whole-home Wi-Fi 7 coverage and dead-simple setup over absolute close-range speed.
$549.99 · Check Price on Amazon
4ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
(3 sources)
$599.99Best for: Value-focused gamers who want ASUS's full gaming-software suite and strong range without paying for Wi-Fi 7 they cannot yet use.
$599.99 · Check Price on Amazon
5TP-Link Archer BE900
(3 sources)
$699.99Best for: Enthusiasts who want the highest headline Wi-Fi 7 specs and a showpiece design, and are comfortable being early adopters of quad-band hardware.
$699.99 · Check Price on Amazon
Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
Reviews aggregated from
Dongknows.comTomshardware.comTomsguide.comTechradar.comCriticaster.comXdadevelopers.comPcgamer.comHothardware.com

The full ranking

How we rank →
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro
#1 · Top Score
Best for: Hardcore gamers building a maxed-out Wi-Fi 7 network who want the fastest throughput and the deepest gaming software, and can absorb the premium price.
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro
from 3 sources$688.99as of Jun 7

The GT-BE98 Pro is the no-compromise flagship gaming router: PCMag scored it 90/100 and praised the fastest 6GHz throughput it had tested, while Tom's Hardware (85/100) called out class-leading performance and a dedicated gaming port. Dual 10GbE and a quad-core CPU give it serious headroom. The price is steep and 6GHz range is limited, but for a maxed-out Wi-Fi 7 gaming setup nothing here beats it.

Strengths
  • — Fastest 6GHz Wi-Fi 7 throughput reviewers have tested to date
  • — Dual 10GbE ports plus a dedicated gaming port for prioritized traffic
Watch-outs
  • — Very expensive at around $799
  • — 6GHz signal range is limited, a common Wi-Fi 7 trait
$688.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. TP-Link Archer BE800 →
TP-Link Archer BE800
#2
Best for: Gamers who want near-flagship Wi-Fi 7 speed and a strong multi-gig wired backbone without paying top-tier ASUS ROG prices.
TP-Link Archer BE800
from 3 sources$349.97as of Jun 7

The Archer BE800 is the value-flagship pick: Tom's Guide called it 'the fastest and most capable traditional router available,' and XDA scored it 8/10 for reliable, high-throughput Wi-Fi 7. Dual 10Gbps ports and four 2.5Gbps ports give it a strong multi-gig backbone, and it held up flawlessly under heavy mixed load in testing. It has less gaming-branded software than ASUS, but the raw speed and value make it a top gaming pick.

Strengths
  • — Among the fastest traditional routers tested, with strong 6GHz Wi-Fi 7 speed
  • — Dual 10Gbps ports (one SFP+) plus four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports
Watch-outs
  • — Expensive among traditional home routers at around $550-600
  • — Less gaming-specific software than the ASUS ROG models
$349.97 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro →
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S
#3
Best for: Gamers in larger homes who prioritize reliable whole-home Wi-Fi 7 coverage and dead-simple setup over absolute close-range speed.
NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700S
from 3 sources$549.99as of Jun 7

The RS700S is NETGEAR's first Wi-Fi 7 router and it earns its keep on real-world coverage: Tom's Guide praised its throughput 'at medium distances where it's most needed in the home,' and TechRadar called it 'blistering performance.' A 10 Gig port and 3,500 sq ft of BE19000 coverage make it a strong whole-home gaming pick, with an unusually painless setup. It is pricey and not the fastest up close, but it is dependable.

Strengths
  • — Blistering Wi-Fi 7 performance, strong at the medium distances most homes need
  • — 10 Gig internet port for multi-gig broadband
Watch-outs
  • — Premium price among traditional home routers
  • — Not the fastest at very close range versus rivals
$549.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro →
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
#4
Best for: Value-focused gamers who want ASUS's full gaming-software suite and strong range without paying for Wi-Fi 7 they cannot yet use.
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
from 3 sources$599.99as of Jun 7

The GT-AX11000 is the value veteran: a proven tri-band Wi-Fi 6 gaming router with ASUS's full ROG software suite at a fraction of the Wi-Fi 7 flagships' price. HotHardware called it 'the all-around fastest router' it had tested at launch, TechRadar praised its 'leading-edge wifi performance for hard-core gamers,' and owners rate it 4.4/5 across hundreds of Best Buy reviews. It is Wi-Fi 6 rather than 7, but for value it is the standout.

Strengths
  • — Excellent value: flagship-grade Wi-Fi 6 gaming features at a far lower price
  • — Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 with strong range for filling a large house
Watch-outs
  • — Wi-Fi 6, not Wi-Fi 7, so it lacks the newest standard's peak speed
  • — Bulky, antenna-heavy design takes up space
$599.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro →
TP-Link Archer BE900
#5
Best for: Enthusiasts who want the highest headline Wi-Fi 7 specs and a showpiece design, and are comfortable being early adopters of quad-band hardware.
TP-Link Archer BE900
from 3 sources$699.99as of Jun 7

The Archer BE900 is the polarizing maximalist: a quad-band BE24000 Wi-Fi 7 router with dual 10Gbps ports and a striking dual-screen design that RTINGS rates as the best gaming router it has tested. But it splits opinion — Dong Knows Tech cautioned the early firmware felt 'more of a beta Wi-Fi 7 product than the BE800,' and owners give it a mixed 3.7/5. The headline specs are the highest here, but the sibling BE800 is often the safer buy.

Strengths
  • — Quad-band BE24000 Wi-Fi 7 with the highest rated aggregate speed here
  • — Dual 10Gbps ports plus four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports
Watch-outs
  • — Reviewers caution early firmware felt like a beta Wi-Fi 7 experience
  • — Mixed owner reception (3.7/5 at Best Buy)
$699.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro →

Spec comparison

5 products
SpecASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 ProTP-Link Archer BE800NETGEAR Nighthawk RS700SASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000TP-Link Archer BE900
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 (BE), quad-bandWi-Fi 7 (BE19000), tri-bandWi-Fi 7 (BE19000), tri-bandWi-Fi 6 (AX11000), tri-bandWi-Fi 7 (BE24000), quad-band
Wired2x 10GbE + multiple 2.5GbE LAN2x 10Gbps (1 SFP+) + 4x 2.5GbE LAN—1x 2.5GbE + 4x Gigabit LAN2x 10Gbps + 4x 2.5GbE LAN
CPUQuad-core processor——Quad-core 1.8GHz—
Antennas8 external8 internalInternal (upright design)8 external12 internal
Gaming SoftwareOpen NAT, game acceleration, mobile game mode——Adaptive QoS, Open NAT, game acceleration—
MeshAiMesh supportEasyMesh support—AiMesh supportEasyMesh support
SecurityAiProtection Pro (lifetime)HomeShieldNETGEAR Armor (1-year included)AiProtection Pro (lifetime)HomeShield
USB—USB 3.2—2x USB 3.1USB 3.0
Display—Customizable LED info screen——Dual customizable LED screens
Coverage—Whole-home tri-bandUp to 3,500 sq ft—Whole-home quad-band

Frequently asked questions

What is the best gaming router?
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro is our top pick for gaming routers, with an averaged rating of 4.7/5 from 3 published reviews. The GT-BE98 Pro is the no-compromise flagship gaming router: PCMag scored it 90/100 and praised the fastest 6GHz throughput it had tested, while Tom's Hardware (85/100) called out class-leading performance and a dedicated gaming port. Dual 10GbE and a quad-core CPU give it serious headroom. The price is steep and 6GHz range is limited, but for a maxed-out Wi-Fi 7 gaming setup nothing here beats it.
Is there a cheaper alternative worth considering?
TP-Link Archer BE800 (around $349.97) rates 4.5/5 in our analysis. The Archer BE800 is the value-flagship pick: Tom's Guide called it 'the fastest and most capable traditional router available,' and XDA scored it 8/10 for reliable, high-throughput Wi-Fi 7. Dual 10Gbps ports and four 2.5Gbps ports give it a strong multi-gig backbone, and it held up flawlessly under heavy mixed load in testing. It has less gaming-branded software than ASUS, but the raw speed and value make it a top gaming pick.
How does Verdict rank these products?
Every rating on Verdict is the numerical average of scores published by independent review sites, YouTube reviewers, and Reddit buyer reports. No editor adjusts the order — the ranking is whatever the source data produces. See our methodology page for the full process.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in May 2026. We re-run our research pipeline for each category on a rolling basis so prices and rankings reflect current market reality.

Related guides

Browse all →