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It’s important that you have a fast internet connection for a smooth streaming experience, but you need a powerful router that can handle the speeds. There is nothing worse than choosing a high-speed internet plan only to pair it with a budget router that does not even feature a multi-gig port. So, we’ve cherry-picked this lineup of the best routers for streaming.
These days, you can find routers for streaming that feature WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E and support speeds of around 10 Gbps. These routers are great for 4K and 8K streaming, and some of them even come with the latest 6GHz band. On top of that, for those who don’t want to spend a fortune, there are even some budget options that may not come with fancy features but still deliver decent performance in gaming.
To help you kick off the search in the best possible way, we’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best routers for streaming available in the market today. So, without wasting another second, let’s dive in!
Products at a glance
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BEST ROUTER FOR STREAMINGNETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500
- Standard: WiFi 6E
- Frequency band: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6GHz
- Max speed: 10.8 Gbps
- LAN ports: 4 x 1 Gbps
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BEST ROUTER FOR STREAMING IN 4KTP-Link Archer AX72 Pro
- Standard: WiFi 6
- Frequency band: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
- Max speed: 4.8 Gbps
- LAN ports: 1 x 2.5 Gbps, 4 x 1 Gbps
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BEST BUDGET ROUTER FOR STREAMINGTP-Link Archer AX10
- Standard: WiFi 6
- Frequency band: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
- Max speed: 1500 Mbps
- LAN ports: 4 x 1 Gbps
How we picked
We’ve used our expertise to find and select the best routers for streaming in the market, weighing in not just on what our in-depth knowledge of what makes a router good, but more specifically what makes a router good for streaming. So, we’ve made sure to choose routers that are dual-band, as a 5 GHz frequency band tends to offer the higher speeds required for streaming at resolutions of above 4K. Coverage was another important factor, as you don’t want your streaming to be limited to just one room – you want to be able to watch from anywhere in your house!
What’s more, streaming 4K or 8K UHD resolution videos requires a consistent high-speed connection, and in those households with multiple users, doing this is going to put an even greater load on your network. Hence, we’ve chosen a lineup of WiFi 6 routers, and we’ve made sure to pick ones across different brands and budgets so every buyer has an option available to them. Of course, it can always be worth checking out our guides to the best WiFi routers for multiple devices, or if you’ve got a younger family the best router for parental controls. Also, we’re constantly looking for new routers to add to our list, so make sure to check back here soon!
Best router for streaming in 2024 – our top picks
- Standard: WiFi 6E
- Frequency band: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6GHz
- Max speed: 10.8 Gbps
- LAN ports: 4 x 1 Gbps
- Tri-band, and can reach the new 6GHz band
- Supports speeds of up to 10.8 Gbps
- Specifically designed for 8K/4K streaming
- Premium performance comes set with premium pricing
- Even at its high price, you have to pay extra for advanced security features
If you’re looking for the best router that can be paired with high-speed internet connections to enjoy buffer-free, high-resolution streaming, then you’d want to get the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500, considered by us as one of the best Netgear Nighthawk routers.
For starters, the RAXE500 can support speeds of up to 10.8 Gbps and is tri-band. Along with a 2.4GHz and 5GHz band, it comes with the new 6GHz band, which reduces load from the other two bands to improve the WiFi speed. This should help provide a great streaming experience, and you won’t have to worry about the video buffering after every few minutes. On top of that, it also comes with WiFi 6E, which is an extension of the latest WiFi 6 and is around 40% faster than the previous ones.
Along with a 2.4GHz and 5GHz band, it comes with the new 6GHz band, which reduces load from the other two bands to improve the WiFi speed
PC Guide
For wired connectivity, the RAXE500 comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports and one 2.5G multi-gig port, which should provide a seamless wired experience. Other than that, it provides coverage of up to 3,500 sqft and can connect with 60 devices simultaneously. However, you can expect the performance to drop a little if these many devices are connected at the same time.
The router can also be set up within a few minutes using the Nighthawk app. You can also subscribe to additional services, like Netgear Armor and Netgear Smart Parental Controls, to protect your devices from online threats and promote healthy internet habits in your home. Overall, the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is one of the best routers for streaming that can provide a smooth 4K/8K streaming experience.
What users say
As should be expected from a router with such a high-end price, the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 has a good rep on Amazon, with the majority of buyers choosing to award it 5 stars. In particular, reviews have highlighted how good the performance and speed of this router is in particular. One user comments how “with its WiFi 6E capability, all my devices now experience lightning-fast speeds and minimal interference or congestion due to its tri-band setup”, whereas another review puts it simply, saying that this is a “top-tier router that offers unparalleled performance, range, and security”.
However, despite this praise, there has been some questioning of the product’s overall value, with one review stating that “if there is any downside worth mentioning, it would be its slightly higher price point”.
- Standard: WiFi 6
- Frequency band: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
- Max speed: 4.8 Gbps
- LAN ports: 1 x 2.5 Gbps, 4 x 1 Gbps
- Great for 4K streaming
- Support speeds up to 5,351 Mbps
- Excellent hands-free experience due to compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Some advanced features come with a subscription
- According to users, some of these features can be a bit hard to find
TP-Link is well known for creating routers that deliver great performance without featuring a premium price tag. As for the TP-Link Archer AX72 Pro, it is the best router for streaming 4K in the market.
The Archer AX72 Pro is a dual-band router and can support speeds up to 5,351 Mbps (4,804 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band). Thanks to this, you can expect to get a smooth 4K streaming experience without any buffering. The router also features MU-MIMO and OFMDA technologies, which further improve the connection.
The TP-Link Archer AX72 Pro also offers the TP-Link HomeShield, which is a premium security service packed with features such as parental controls, security scans, weekly/monthly reports, and Quality of Service.
PC Guide
As far as connectivity is concerned, there is a 2.5G multi-gig port that can help you make full use of multi-gigabit speeds from your ISP. In addition, there are four Gigabit Ethernet ports, which you can use to connect your PC, console, or streaming device. There is also a USB 3.0 port, which you can use to create your personal cloud storage via an external storage device.
The TP-Link Archer AX72 Pro also offers the TP-Link HomeShield, which is a premium security service packed with features such as parental controls, security scans, weekly/monthly reports, and Quality of Service. Overall, for 4K streaming, the AX72 Pro is a solid choice, and we think it deserves to be one of the best TP-Link routers.
What users say
One feature that users seemed to like about the TP-Link Archer AX72 Pro is how efficient its coverage capabilities are, with Amazon reviewers quoting that “the router’s coverage throughout my home is excellent”, and another that they have “no dead-spots anywhere in our house now”. So, buyers seem pretty pleased with the signal reach of this router overall. However, one reviewer goes even further to state not only is “the router’s coverage throughout my home excellent”, but that “the setup was a breeze”, so installation doesn’t appear to be an issue either.
- Standard: WiFi 6
- Frequency band: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
- Max speed: 1500 Mbps
- LAN ports: 4 x 1 Gbps
- Getting a WiFi 6 router for under $100 is a steal
- Triple-core processing ensures communications between your router and connected devices are smooth and buffer-free
- Users say that it’s easy to setup
- Not meant for high-speed internet plans
- No USB or multi-gig port
- Bigger properties may need to invest in an extender
If you’re tight on a budget and want something that can deliver decent performance in streaming, we’d recommend the TP-Link Archer AX10, which is one of the best budget routers.
Unlike our top picks, this one isn’t meant for super fast internet plans, as it can support speeds up to 1,501 Mbps. But it still offers dual-band connectivity, with the 5GHz band providing faster speeds in a small area and the 2.4GHz band providing a better range. On top of that, the router also comes with WiFi 6 and features the OFDMA technology, which improves the speed and overall performance of the network.
If you prefer wired connections, you’ll benefit greatly from the four Gigabit Ethernet ports that can be found on the back of the router. There are no multi-gig or USB ports on the router, but this was already expected from a budget option.
To set up and manage the router, you can use the Tether app. This app provides you with on-screen instructions and helps you set up the router in only a few minutes. Overall, the TP-Link Archer AX10 is the best budget router for streaming. It may not be ideal for high-speed internet plans, but it still does the job well for the price it comes at.
On top of that, the router also comes with WiFi 6 and features the OFDMA technology, which improves the speed and overall performance of the network.
PC Guide
What users say
One positive comment that can be found in reviews of the TP-Link Archer AX10 on Amazon is how good the value of this router is. For example, this review comments that it “was a good quality for the price”, and another testaments to this by saying that they’re “very pleased with this router, especially at this price point”.
It’s worth noting though, that as it’s a bit more on the budget side, some reviews have commented on the poorer quality of the build itself: one review mentions that “the device is made of cheap materials”, and another noticed that “the cable included with this was visibly poor quality”.
How to pick the best router for streaming
With so many options to choose from, finding the best router for streaming can be tricky. To help you out, we’ve listed some features to consider before choosing a router.
WiFi standard
This is one of the most important factors to consider. Make sure to go with a WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E router. These routers come with the latest WiFi standards and are around 40% faster than the previous ones. Some of the best WiFi 6 routers and the best WiFi 6E routers are capable of handling high speeds, come with several Gigabit borts, and provide great coverage.
Speed and performance
If you are using a high-speed internet plan, you’d want to go with a router that can support it. For instance, you can find routers that can handle speeds of up to 10.8 Gbps, like the Nighthawk RAXE500. But if you are going for a mid-range option, make sure to aim for a router that can handle speeds of around 5,000 Mbps.
Connectivity
If you are planning to connect your PC, laptop, or streaming device directly to the router using an ethernet cable, make sure the router you’re getting has enough ports to host all of them. On top of that, having a multi-gig port would benefit you greatly if you have a high-speed plan, but a regular Gigabit port will also do the job just fine.
Additional features
Some routers also come with additional features like security scans, weekly/monthly reports, and parental controls. These can help you protect your devices from online threats and also restrict the access of certain websites. In addition, look for routers with QoS, as this can help you prioritize the bandwidth to a certain connection, something that can improve the streaming experience.
Will a better router improve streaming?
A good router will deliver the speeds you’re paying for, which leads to better streaming. Therefore, a better router will improve streaming only when it is paired with a high-speed internet plan.
Is WiFi or Ethernet better for 4K streaming?
Ethernet connections are always more stable and faster than WiFi as they connect the devices directly to the router using an ethernet cable. Therefore, they are better for 4K streaming.
