Your Xbox One gaming router should have advanced QoS – to prioritize your gaming devices and ensure that packet loss, pings and latency is minimized or prevented.
The best gaming router for Xbox One should excel in many features to give you an unparalleled gaming experience.
Apart from this, if you are staring down the barrel of your opponent’s gun, the only thing that can save you is you being faster than your online enemy.
Speed is your friend here, and having the best gaming router for Xbox One ensures that you always have the edge. Even milliseconds count, and you don’t want to be that person who lets their team down.
You should have access to a secure gaming VPN server. You should also have the option to upgrade to a third party firmware like DD-WRT to take control of your router and access advanced settings that will boost your network’s performance.
8 Best Gaming Routers For Xbox One (2022)
Device | Speeds | Ports | Rating | Check Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Netgear XR500 Editor's Choice | 2600 Mbps | 4 Ports | 99% | |
2. Netgear XR700 High Performance | 7200 Mbps | 7 Ports | 100% | |
3. Asus ROG AX11000 Ultra High Performance | 11000 Mbps | 5 Ports | 100% | |
4. Netgear XR300 Budget Friendly | 1750 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% | |
5. Linksys WRT32X | 3200 Mbps | 4 Ports | 96% | |
6. TP-Link C5400X | 5400 Mbps | 8 Ports | 97% | |
7. Netgear R7000 | 1900 Mbps | 4 Ports | 94% | |
8. Asus GT-AC2900 | 2900 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% |
1. Netgear Nighthawk XR500 Pro Gaming
Best Gaming Router for Xbox One (Editor's Choice)
Targeting gamers who want to up their game play, the XR500 launched by Netgear is a router that really kicks ass.
Crowned to be the best router for Xbox One as of now when the guide was written, the Nighthawk XR500 has a huge array of features that are designed to enhance any gamers’ gaming experience.
Performance
What sets this apart from other routers advertised for gamers is that Netgear partnered up with Netduma to bring the XR500 to you. The 1.7GHz processor, MU-MIMO enabled router also has two USB 3.0 ports, 256MB flash memory, 215MB RAM, a four port Gigabit switch and a whole lot more.
The XR500 is powered by DUmaOS, the new software that really optimizes your gameplay. The gaming dashboard displays the different devices connected to your network as well as the bandwidth usage for each so that you can prioritize your bandwidth.
The geo filter allows you to choose which gaming servers you are connected to, so that you can avoid slower servers – you even have the option to place the servers into a black and white list – with how good or bad these servers are accordingly.
Performance
The speeds delivered on the XR500 allows you to have close to max as possible – the BlueGadgetTooth team realised that we were getting insane speeds that reduced lags.
2. Netgear Pro Gaming Router XR700
High Performance
Another champion of Netgear’s Nighthawk series, the XR700 kicks butt where needed. Designed to offer a wide array of features that delivers unparalleled performance, this is by far the highest performance gaming router for Xbox One users.
Design
It looks like it is worth every cent you pay for it. It is on the bulky side of things, but the powerhouse antennas are more than just to increase coverage. It is specifically targeting gamers, to increase and boost performance.
The XR700 has a WAN port on the side and 7 Gigabit Ethernet ports, which you can aggregate 2 of to increase the number of ports. Even better, there is a 10G SPF+ Port which delivers better access to NAS for faster speeds.
This 802.11ad router has a 1.7GHz quad core processor for a reliable and consistent connection, DumaOS QoS, 2 USB 3.0 ports and a customizable dashboard.
Performance
The XR700 is easy to set up, as simple as plugging it in. The Nighthawk XR700’s dashboard software gives the user access to gaming control options easily, allowing you to make changes to bandwidth utilization and specific device activities.
There is also the Geo-filter feature that lowers lag times. It shortens the distance between your device and close networks. With this feature, servers are whitelisted or blacklisted, to help you get the best connection possible.
The navigational menu on the X700 makes it easy to prioritize bandwidth allocation. The QoS helps control and set network parameters. The subscription service of Plex Media Server also helps smooth the content sync, even when you’re offline. The speeds on this router go above the charts of any router we’ve ever tested.
3. Asus ROG AX11000 Xbox One Router
Ultra High Performance
If you need an ultra high performance gaming router, you cannot do better than the Asus ROG Rapture AX11000. There really is no comparison on performance with this router; it is built for gaming.
Design
The design of the AX11000is unique. It is very large and takes up a lot of space. The router sits flat on a surface and has 8 high-powered antennas, extending from every side of the router to boost the overall reach of the router.
The AX11000 comes with a 2.5 G gaming port for ultimate, high-speed performance. The Gaming Center interface is ROG-themed, so it has an easy point-and-click control over everything that you need to set up or do with your router.
Performance
The AX11000 has triple level game acceleration as well as game package and game server prioritization. The triple level acceleration will boost game traffic and lower the ping rate. As a result, you will have reduced game latency.
Finally, you have no interference when it comes to streaming, especially since this router is a tri-band, with one 2.4 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands.
4. Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR300
Budget Friendly
Another great choice for gaming is the Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR300. This router is made for gaming specifically and is not as expensive as some other routers on the market.
Design
The XR300 has a horizontal design, so it lays flat on your shelf. It also has three high-gain antennas coming out of its back. It will be difficult to conceal if you needed to and it really needs to be in the open regardless to ensure it is getting the right amount of ventilation.
The XR300 also has four 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports to provide you with lag-free connectivity that you would not get over a router.
Performance
The performance of the XR300 includes Quality of Service, where you can identify which devices need to have the most bandwidth. That way, if another device hops on, the indicated devices will not automatically be kicked off.
The router has also been optimized to give you the lowest ping rate possible, allowing you to play all of your favourite games without trouble.
5. Linksys WRT32XB Xbox One Router
The Linksys WRT32XB is another great Xbox One router on the market right now. It is made to give you the best gaming experience possible.
Design
The Linksys WRT32XB is a horizontal, black router that has four high-gain antennas. The antennas can be positioned in whichever directions need to receive the best signal.
The router comes with four 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports to ensure that you can plug in your gaming console as well as any other device that needs that direct connection.
Performance
The performance for this router is good for gaming. It includes a custom built gaming user interface and firmware to give you the ultimate gaming traffic control.
In fact, it will prioritize gaming consoles over any other activity that might be going on in your network. Specifically, it allows for a 65% reduction in peak ping when you are using Xbox. The device itself is easy to set up and runs well with the mobile app.
6. TP-Link Gaming Router C5400X
Another blazingly fast router released by TP-Link, the Archer C5400X is a speeding bullet that eliminates networking lags for gaming enthusiasts.
Design
The design itself exudes gaming excellence. Eight external removable antennas in sharp black and contrasting red stand imposingly tall. These antennas cannot be adjusted though.
The C5400X has 8 Gigabit LAN ports, and you can use link aggregation to increase your speed for NAS devices. It also has 2 USB 3.0 ports and a WAN port. This 4x4 router is powered by a 1.8GHz quad core processor, 3 co-processors and 1GB RAM.
The tri-band router uses 1024QAM technology to access super fast data rates on all three bands. The 802.11ac router supports MU-MIMO and Beamforming technology to get the best network traffic for your connected devices.
Users have the option of managing their network remotely via the TP-Link Cloud.
Performance
The C5400X has many features that would make any internet buff drool. However, gamers may feel that this powerhouse router is missing a few gaming features that we would like to see. GameBoost and Game Radar features are missing, as well as support for GPN.
The set up process is sweet and simple. Use the Tether App or get connected via a connected PC’s browser. Disable the Smart Connect and ensure you know the SSID of each band.
The speeds were excellent. The 2.4GHz band gave us speeds over 100Mbps in close range, dropping by 25% at a distance of 30 feet. The 5GHz band gave us speeds of over 500Mbps, which dropped to 374Mbps at a distance of 30 feet.
7. Netgear R7000P Gaming Router
Another one of the best routers for gaming is the Netgear Nighthawk R7000P. This router provides a great amount of range and excellent speeds, giving you exactly what you need to game.
Design
Like the majority of gaming routers, the R7000P is a horizontal router, so it will take up a long more desk or shelf space than a tower design would have.
The device itself comes with four 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports to allow you to hardwire in whatever devices you need to, whether it’s your gaming console or an HDTV. It also has a USB 3.0 port for storage.
Performance
The performance of this Nighthawk router is impressive. It is loaded with useful gaming features, including Beamforming+ to direct your signal, MU-MIMO to allow others to stream while you game, Dynamic QoS to ensure that your gaming console gets all of the bandwidth it needs, and even Amazon Alexa Voice Controls.
You also get up to 2000 square feet in wireless coverage with dual-band speeds up to 600 + 1625 Mbps, so the router will keep up speed-wise where you need it to.
8. ASUS ROG GT-AC2900 WiFi Gaming Router
One of the fastest gaming routers that you can get for Xbox One is the ASUS ROG GT-AC2900 router. This router is made especially for gaming, so it should be able to handle all of your Xbox needs without any trouble.
Design
Let’s start with the design of the ASUS ROG GT-AC2900. This router is different than most other routers with just its design.
Instead of being restricted by having your router stand vertically or rest horizontally, the design of this router is so flexible that you can move it however you want to. The router has three external high-gain antennas that help to boost the range of the router in the directions you need it the most.
The router also has ASUS Aura lighting, which is a multi-effect lighting system that will leave you with a stylish vibe. The lighting can be set to your preferences, including matching the status of the network itself.
Performance
The router has great performance as well. It supports AiMesh, which is a way for ASUS routers to work together to create a larger network.
The GT-AC2900 is also a tri-band router, so it has more bandwidth than the average router, increasing its overall speed and performance. It should keep stride with the speeds you get from your modem.
Looking at its gaming-specific features for Xbox One, the GT-AC2900has a triple-level game accelerator, which will optimize your online game packets, starting from your computer, all the way to the game server.
It also has port forwarding in three easy steps, making Open NAT easier than ever to use. This is a cloud-gaming router with GeForce NOW that will take a non-gaming system and connect it to games throughout the service.
Features a Good Gaming Router For Xbox One Should Have
Ethernet Ports & Getting Hard Wired
When it comes to performance, nothing beats getting wired to your router. Wireless tends to lose out on all levels as you get an indirect connection from the router to your Xbox One. Being wired allows to be directly connected; eliminating any chances for drops in connectivity, lags, minimalize any latency issues and more.
Plugging in your Xbox One to your Ethernet port can make that difference between getting shot and being the one doing the shooting.
QoS
Quality of Service is essential for optimal game play, especially if you are not the sole user of your internet connection. You could have visitors, guests, friends who want to come over and game with you, or have family members who use the internet for their own purposes.
Manipulating your QoS settings will ensure what gets priority in your network (Hint: Your Xbox One and other gaming devices.)
Open Source Firmware
Your router comes with standard firmware that may not enable you to make the most of what you have. By installing open source firmware or third party firmware such as DD-WRT or Tomato, you can customize your firmware to tweak the settings so that you get a streamlined network in terms of security, QoS, antenna power and more.
Port Forwarding
Now you can port traffic from your Xbox Live to your XBOX One with NAT Open or Port forwarding feature, when used in tandem with uPnP. This means more games, without getting booted from them!
uPnP
This function comes in built with most routers, and if you don’t have it, you can upgrade your firmware (as explained above). This allows your Xbox One console to connect to Xbox Live servers with minimal restrictions. This is used in conjunction with the Port Forwarding feature.
Best Router Settings For Xbox One
Have you found there are barriers between you and your game? Follow these steps to get the best gaming experience.
Your NAT matters: There are 3 types:
Enable UPnP:
If your NAT type is set on strict, enabling UPnP will get you sorted.
1. Go to your router’s advanced settings. This may be located in a separate sub-menu or part of your connections tab.
2. Once enabled, save your settings. You should always enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) for better access to online games.
Port Forwarding:
Unblock the ports on which you access the game’s servers to improve your connection. If you play many online games, this step is a must.
1. Locate the game’s ports you wish to unblock
2. Go to your router’s advanced settings; go to ‘Port Forwarding’ tab.
3. Enter each UDP and TCP ports you want to unblock, one at a time. Always save them to the list.
How to Avoid Packet Loss on Your Xbox One
Your ISP
Do your research and find the best ISP for you – you should have a solid and reliable internet connection with the best speeds that you can possibly get. And remember, you can’t focus on your ISP only for your gaming experience.
We’re sure there must be other members of your family who would love to stream HD videos while you’re gaming away, or complete projects, do office work, transfer heavy files... You get the idea.
Your Gaming Router For Xbox One
This is often an overlooked piece of internet equipment. Most people rent their router from their ISP and this could offer less than optima performance as it would be created for an overall online experience, not geared towards a gaming one.
As there are many routers, each specifically geared towards a certain target market; you should check out gaming wireless routers that are known to reduce latency issues and process traffic packets faster and better.
Final Words
As a gamer, you will always be on the lookout for features that enhance your online gameplay. With milliseconds being the defining factor between life and death in an online battle, it stands to reason that you would want the best gaming router for Xbox One.
If you are a serious gamer, and want to be on the top of your gaming world, you should go for our High Performance router – the Netgear Nighthawk XR700. The sheer gaming features it has will make short work of your online opponents.
Our Editor’s Choice, the Netgear Nighthawk XR500 is a great choice for those who want to up their game play without burning a massive hole in their pocket.
For those on a budget, you can simply go for the Nighthawk R7000, which is easy on the pocket, while being great for gamers who want to win. Alright, now off we go, back to our Xbox One. Who knows, maybe we’ll be on opposite teams in a game!