The speed of your gaming depends on your internet connectivity. If you face a lot of lag while gaming then it is time to check out the source of your internet which is your modem and router. These days high-speed gaming needs powerful internet connectivity to handle high-resolution graphics, high-speed actions, and online gaming. Your modem and router should be capable enough to deal with the efficiency and speed gaming requires.
To avoid placing a modem and a router at home, many gamers adopt modem router combos. This is a single unit that can act as both router and a modem. The best modem router combos for gaming can power the internet connectivity of your home network without any of your devices having to face a flaky connection. Also, think about all the space you will save and the clutter of wires that will disappear once you have a single source of high-speed internet.
Here are some best modem router combos for gaming in the market that delivers superior connectivity and excellent gaming performance.
1. Netgear Nighthawk C7500
Product Highlights
If you are looking for something that can handle your heavy bandwidth demands this modem router combo is your best option. This is a popular modem router combo among gamers. It handles all your gaming needs efficiently by providing high Wi-Fi speeds. The Nighthawk C7500 comes with looks and delivers perfect performance. The Nighthawk C7500 can handle a house of 6 people streaming HD movies, playing games, and the security camera constantly uploading simultaneously.
Features
The company describes the product to be,’’blazing-fast, lag-free WiFi experience for gaming, video streaming or surfing’’. Equipped with a Wi-Fi Router with up to 3.2Gbps, it is built for extreme gaming and streaming. Moreover, it is Gigabit wired to assist HD gaming. The device possesses a dual thread 1GHz processor coupled with 24×8 channel bonding. These 24 downstream and 8 upstream channels successfully handle heavy internet traffic. The device is fitted with DOCSIS 3.0 which allows high-bandwidth data transfer.
What We Like About Netgear Nighthawk C7500
The unit enables fast cable internet speeds that boost performance for streaming and gaming.
What We Don’t Like About Netgear Nighthawk C7500
If you are on the 2.4 GHz channel you do not get full speed, however, on the 5 H GHz channel, you get more than your subscribed speed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can handle high bandwidth Assists HD gaming | Expensive |
2. TP-Link AC5400
Product Highlights
TP-link Archer X5400 v2 is a large black colored box with vents at the top and eight antennae placed around the device to help the Wi-Fi coverage. This is one of the best modem router combos for gaming when it comes to performance.
Features
The unit highlights a dual-core 1.4 GHz Broadcom ARM Processor with 3 co-processors for handling data efficiently. Each co-processor manages one 2.4GHz channel and 2 x 5GHz channels. This modem router combo can work exceptionally with busy networks, as it can handle a large number of wireless devices connected to it. The unit features the eight antennae setup and can reach the maximum speed of 1000Mb/s over four streams.
What We Like About TP-Link AC5400
The AC5400 is equipped with MU MIMO technology for high-speed connections without interruptions.
What We Don’t Like About TP-Link AC5400
Enabling the Smart Connect feature might cause older devices not to work.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 4k streaming Smart Connect feature | Expensive |
3.Asus RT AC86U
Product Highlights
Asus RT AC86U is a dual-band Wireless AC1900 that accompanies a slim profile with a carbon fiber-looking chassis. Although this gigabit router is expensive, it delivers flawless gaming performance.
Features
This dual-band unit sports a 2.4GHz and a 5GHz channel complete with the latest 802. 11AC MU-MIMO technology for data transfer speeds up to 2900 Mbps. The RT AC86U is designed for lag-free online gaming and features adaptive QoS. The adaptive QoS helps boost your gaming bandwidth and allows you to prioritize gaming packets and activities. “You can even assign full dedicated bandwidth while gaming under gamer solo mode, making RT-AC86U the perfect ally for low latency gaming anywhere in your home,” according to Asus.
What We Like About Asus RT AC86U
This unit is powerful enough to handle multiple devices and has a long-range befitting a large home.
What We Don’t Like About Asus RT AC86U
There are durability issues with this product.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple and easy setup Long-range | Expensive |
4. Linksys CG7500
Product Highlights
This modem and router combination is a powerful unit highlighting minimal computing setup without the need for any additional patch cables. The model is up to date with all modern standards and can support internet packages up to 300 Mbps.
Features
There is an inbuilt router in the Linksys CG7500 that operates based on the 802.11ac standard, making it a Wi-Fi 5 router. It is a dual-band device that is capable of transmitting a combined throughput of up to 1,900Mbps. This speed is transmitted by the router on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels. The former transmits a 600Mbps throughput and the larger 5GHz band delivers a 1,300Mbps throughput. These channels together make up for the 1900 Mbps throughput.
Equipped with DOCSIS 3.0 technology, this device supports channel bonding and comes with a 24 x 8 configuration. This means that it has 24 upload channels and 8 download channels and can support data plans of up to 400Mbps, 300 Mbps are downstream, and 100 Mbps upstream. These speeds contribute to the lag-free gaming experience.
What We Like About Linksys CG7500
The CG7500 employs Intel’s Puma 6 Chipset. This chipset is skilled at cleaning up your signal to make the most of a poor connection.
What We Don’t Like About Linksys CG7500
Although the modem router combo supports massive bandwidth, you could experience some lag if there are a large number of users on the same network.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| DOCSIS 3.0 Puma 6 Chipset | Puma 6 Chipset |
5. Arris SB6190
Product Highlights
The Arris Surfboard SB6190 is considered one of the best modem router combos for gaming from Arris. It houses a bunch of gaming-friendly features at the price point. If you are looking for a budget-friendly modem router combo this unit is the best choice.
Best Features
The ARRIS SB1690 is one of the most well-built modems in the modem/router arena. It is packed with features to provide high functionality at a minimum price. Fitted with DOCSIS 3.0, it allows for higher maximum throughput with the help of multi-channel bonding technology. This technology helps in maintaining regular internet speed during peak hours.
The Arris SURFboard SB6190 supports up to 32 downstream, and up to 8 upstream channels. The modem/router combo can support a maximum of 1000Mbps downstream data, and up to 240Mbps upstream data. The device is IPv4 and IPv6 compatible making it versatile and accessible to a much larger audience.
What We Like About Arris SB6190
A unique feature that makes the SB6190 praiseworthy is the RF Immunity technology. RF or Radio Frequency interference is caused by devices that use electromagnetic signals like smartphones, Bluetooth headsets, and even microwave ovens. The interference of these signals can make the Wi-Fi connection flaky. Arris has fitted this device with RF Immunity technology to shield it from RF interference.
What We Don’t Like About Arris SB6190
The modem/router combo is prone to latency.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Multiple channel bonding technology MoCA filter | Prone to latency |
According to our review, the Netgear Nighthawk C7500 is the best modem router combo for gaming. It is a highly rated product on Amazon and has gained numerous positive reviews. This modem router combo is a favorite because it can handle high bandwidth and provide lag-free internet despite heavy traffic. It has 24*8 channels that achieve good download and upload speed.
Lag spikes and dropped connections pose critical problems for gamers. A single second delay can end your FPS game or log you out from your hours-long battle. Buying a modem router combo can be an answer to your gaming lags. Choosing a modem router combo depends on the size of the place you plan to place it. It also depends on how many devices you plan on connecting to the network. Always consider one with range and a higher number of upstream and downstream channels.
Buyer’s Guide:
1.Modem or Modem/ router
To avoid clutter and setup confusion most service providers pack a modem and a Wi-Fi router into a single box and call it a gateway. This saves space and time. Some of these combinations are future proof allowing you to play your favorite games lag-free.
However, a standalone modem and a separate router give you flexibility because in case you want to upgrade your broadband speed, you just need to upgrade the modem. Or if you want to upgrade your home network for faster speed or more features, you just need to replace the router.
2.DOCSIS protocols
When you buy a modem you will find DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 written on the side of the box. Most modern modems use either the DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1 protocols. DOCSIS stands for “Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification.” DOCSIS is an international telecommunications standard that allows high-speed data transfer to existing cable TV systems.
DOCSIS 3.1 is the newer version of the DOCSIS 3.0. DOCSIS 3.1 offers an increased number of channels and better speed. Your choice boils down to what speed your ISP offers. If your ISP offers internet speeds of more than 1 gigabit then a DOCSIS 3.1 router is a better investment.
3.Upstream and downstream channels
When you spot two numbers with a multiplication symbol in between, for eg; 16×4, 24×8, this denotes the number of upstream and downstream channels. The first figure represents the number of upstream channels.
These channels signify how much download and upload data your ISP can provide at any given time. Almost every modem provides more downstream channels than upstream ones. This is because ISPs and end-users are more concerned with downloading content than uploading it.
More to read:
5 Best Routers for Whole House Coverage That You Must Check Out 2021
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