If you’re looking to buy the best router for Steam Link, this guide will help you make the right choice.
Today, the gaming industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. With the increasing number of gamers worldwide, there is a need for better and faster internet connectivity.
A good gaming router should have a fast connection, be easy to set up, and provide you with all the necessary features for online gaming.
This guide will help you find the best router for playing Steam games without a hitch.
Best Routers for Steam Link at a Glance
| No. | Item | |
| 1 | TP-Link Archer GX90 (Editors’ Choice) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | Google Nest Wifi | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 | Netgear Orbi Pro | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 | Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 | Asus RT-AX86U | Check Price on Amazon |
| 6 | Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 7 | Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 | Check Price on Amazon |
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1. TP-Link Archer GX90 (Editors’ Choice)
Our Editors’ Choice for the best router for Steam Link is the Google Nest Wifi. If you are a core gamer looking to buy a high-speed router for playing Steam games, the TP-Link Archer GX90 should be near the top of your list.
Packed with a 1.5 GHz Quad-Core processor and 512 MB of RAM, the Archer GX90 provides super-fast Wi-Fi 6 speed.
Then, there’s the user interface which highlights your game duration, real-time latency as well as network resource allocation.
It’s also worth adding that the GX90 has a dedicated 5GHz band for gaming. This will appeal to core gamers.
Just as importantly, the router has a quality of service (QoS) feature for prioritizing tasks like gaming. If you’ve got kids at home, you might want to use the parental controls feature to regulate what they can access online.
One aspect that won’t bother everybody, but still bears mentioning, is that the GX90 is big and bulky, measuring 2.0 by 8.3 by 8.3 inches (HWD), and weighing in at 2.98 pounds.
The selection of connections is otherwise top-notch. It has one 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port, one Gigabit WAN/LAN port, three Gigabit LAN port, one USB 3.0 port, and one USB 2.0 port.
The TP-Link Archer GX90 isn’t cheap. But though it asks a lot from you, it gives a lot too.
By and large, it remains the best router for Steam Link.
PROS
- Fast
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Impressive gaming performance chops
- OneMesh support
- Lots of ports
- Parental controls
CONS
- Setup isn’t straightforward
- Pricey
- Bulky
TP-Link Archer GX90 Key Specifications
Processor: 1.5 GHz Quad-Core CPU
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Storage: 128MB Flash
Tech/Bands: IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/a 5 GHz, IEEE 802.11ax/n/b/g 2.4 GHz
Ports: 1× 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1× Gigabit WAN/LAN, 3× Gigabit LAN, 1× USB 3.0, 1× USB 2.0
Dimensions: 8.3 × 8.3 × 2.0 inches (212 × 212 × 51.8 mm)
Weight: 2.98 lb (1.35 kg)
2. Google Nest Wifi
The Google Nest Wifi router delivers twice the speed of its predecessor, Google Wifi, with better Wi-Fi signal. With the Nest Wifi, you won’t experience data hiccups. It is worth noting that the router and point can accommodate up to 100 connected devices. Again, the Nest Wifi handles multiple simultaneous 4K video streams like a champ.
As far memory and storage go, the Google Nest Wifi ships with 1GB of RAM and 4GB of storage. The extensions have 768MB of RAM and 512MB of storage.
What’s more, the Nest Wifi also doubles as a smart speaker with Google Assistant. It offers a 360-degree sound.
You need not worry about your Wi-Fi’s security because it has WPA3 (Wi- Fi Protected Access) encryption which provides better security than what WPA2 previously managed.
An A+ for the Nest Wifi’s sleek chassis.
If the Google Nest Wifi’s Snow colour isn’t your thing, you could opt for another colour variant like Mist or Sand.
Our only real quibble with the Google Nest Wifi is its limited configuration options. Again, the Nest Wifi is a little stingy on port offerings.
Overall, this is an excellent combo of speed and affordability that’s hard to pass up.
PROS
- Super-fast speed
- Overall impressive performance
- Easy setup
- Can serve as a smart speaker with Google Assistant
- Small and affordable
- Excellent value for money
CONS
- Just two Ethernet jacks
- Limited customization options
- Speaker could be louder
Google Nest Wifi Key Specifications
Processor: Quad-core 64-bit ARM CPU 1.4 GHz
Memory: 1GB RAM
Storage: 4GB Flash
Tech/Bands: 2.4 GHz/5 GHz Wi-Fi supporting IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Ports: Two gigabit Ethernet, one barrel jack power
Dimensions: 110 mm (diameter) x 90.4 mm (height)
Weight: 0.84 lb (0.38 kg)
3. Netgear Orbi Pro
Another good gaming router for making the most out of every Steam game is the Netgear Orbi Pro WiFi 6.
The Netgear Orbi Pro WiFi 6 has several selling points, and one of them is its speed. It is four times faster than its predecessor, the Orbi Pro with WiFi 5. As a cost-no-object router, the Netgear Orbi Pro is super-fast and puts in a competent performance when it comes to gaming.
The Orbi Pro WiFi 6 supports WPA3 wireless security protocols. You can have up to four SSIDs for separate and secure admin and guest networks.
Will the Orbi Pro work with WiFi 4 and WiFi 5 devices? Yes, it is backward compatible with these devices.
If your want a very cheap router look elsewhere, but if you want solid WiFi performance and a good range, look no further than this router.
PROS
- Super-fast speed
- Excellent WiFi performance
- Good range
- Tri-band
- Straight-forward setup
CONS
- Pricey
Netgear Orbi Pro Key Specifications
Tech/Bands: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac); Tri-Band (2.4 & 5 + 5 GHz)
Ports: Router: 3 x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (LAN), 1 x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (WAN); Satellite: 4 x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet (WAN)
Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.3 x 9.7 inches (172.7 x 83.8 x 246.4 mm)
Weight: 2.06 lb (934 g)
4. Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8)
The Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is one of the best gaming routers on the market.
That’s because it is very fast and offers reliable and secure Wi-Fi 6 connections while gaming and streaming videos.
it’s juiced up with a quad-core processor. The router supports tri-band Wi-Fi 6 on the 2.4GHz and two 5.0GHz bands.
With a total bandwidth of up to 6600 Mbps, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) ranks very high for its speed which is twice as fast what most tri-band AC3000 (WiFi 5) routers manage.
You can assign different names to your network or use the same name for all frequency bands.
Meanwhile, there are specially designed air vents on the ZenWiFi AX (XT8), further bolstering the its performance.
How about the parental controls? Well, the ZenWiFi AX (XT8) has robust parental control and security features. Its AiProtection Pro with Advanced Parental Controls comes at no cost.
Elsewhere, setup is pretty easy. If you are tech-savvy, you can configure advanced networking features.
We have no complaints with the selection of ports offered on the ZenWiFi AX (XT8). Like the TP-Link Archer GX90, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) provides a wealth of ports.
Price is often the problem. The ZenWiFi AX (XT8) is expensive.
If you want a fast router for Steam Link with impressive performance chops, the Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) gets the nod. It is one of the best routers for Steam Link.
PROS
- Very fast speed
- Parental controls
- Full support for Wi-Fi 6
- Good security features
- Ample ports
CONS
- Expensive
Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) Key Specifications
Processor: 1.5 GHz quad-core
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Storage: 256 MB Flash
Tech/Bands: Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax), tri-band 2.4GHz and 2x 5.0GHz
Ports: RJ45 for 2.5G BaseT for WAN x 1, RJ45 for Gigabits BaseT for LAN x 3
USB 3.1 Gen 1 x 1
Dimensions: 160 x 75 x 161.5 mm (with antennas)
Weight: 1.58 lb (716 g)
5. Asus RT-AX86U
The Asus RT-AX86U combines great gaming performance and affordability. Its internals are nothing to scoff at – a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage.
Here is a router that offers super speeds up to 5700 Mbps with the latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and 160MHz channels.
There are two bands on the Asus RT-AX86U: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
The Asus RT-AX86U’s Mobile Game Mode minimizes lag and latency during gaming. In fact, the RT-AX86U has a dedicated gaming port which prioritizes any device connected to it.
With the Gear Accelerator, you can prioritize devices wirelessly through the RT-AX86 Series online control panel.
Then there’s the adaptive QoS (Quality of Service) for prioritizing gaming, video streaming, and web surfing.
Other notable features of the Asus RT-AX86U include advanced Parental Controls, the most recent WPA3 security protocol and free AiProtection Pro.
Cooling vents located in front and along the top keep the RT-AX86U’s internals cool.
The RT-AX86U isn’t without faults (what router is?). It is somewhat bulky. The only other drawback is that the router has no geofencing.
It’s hard not to be impressed by the Asus RT-AX86U. If you’re looking for a good router for Steam Link, this is certainly a solid buy.
PROS
- Impressive speed
- Good throughput performance
- Easy installation
- Lots of customizable features
- First-rate latency management
- Parental controls
- Multi-gig LAN
CONS
- Somewhat bulky
- No geofencing
Asus RT-AX86U Key Specifications
Processor: 1.8GHz quad-core
Memory: 1GB RAM
Storage: 256 MB Flash
Bands: 2.4 GHz/5 GHz
Ports: 1 x RJ45 for 10/100/1000 BaseT for WAN, 4 x RJ45 for 10/100/1000 BaseT for LAN, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 5 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 x 2.5G/1Gbps multi-Gig port (configurable)
Dimensions: 9.0 x 6.7 x 3.1 inches (228.6 x 170.2 x 78.7 mm)
Weight: 1.80 lb (814.5 g)
Notable Mentions
The Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 and Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 are good routers for Steam Link worth mentioning.
6. Netgear Nighthawk XR1000
PROS
- Super-fast WiFi speed
- Easy installation
- Impressive gaming chops
CONS
- Expensive
Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 Key Specifications
Processor: 1.5GHz triple-core processor
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Storage: 256 MB Flash
Tech/Bands: Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax), dual-band 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz + 5.0GHz
Ports: Five (5) Gigabit Ethernet ports – 1 WAN & 4 LAN
Dimensions: 11.61 x 7.87 x 2.51 inches (295 x 200 x 64 mm)
Weight: 1.32 lb (0.60 kg)
7. Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
PROS
- Very fast
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Lots of customization
- Tri-band router
CONS
- Pricey
- Bulky
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 Key Specifications
Processor: 1.8GHz quad-core processor
Memory: 1 GB RAM
Storage: 256 MB Flash
Tech/Bands: Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax), tri-band 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz + 5.0GHz
Ports: 1 x RJ45 for Gigabits BaseT for WAN, 4 x RJ45 for Gigabits BaseT for LAN, 1 x Multi-Gig Ethernet port 2.5G/1G, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1
| No. | Item | |
| 1 | TP-Link Archer GX90 (Editors’ Choice) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | Google Nest Wifi | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 | Netgear Orbi Pro | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 | Asus ZenWiFi AX (XT8) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 | Asus RT-AX86U | Check Price on Amazon |
| 6 | Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 7 | Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 | Check Price on Amazon |
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Bottom Line
We’ve highlighted the best routers for playing Steam games without problems. These recommendations are perfect for anyone who needs fast, secure, and reliable routers for enjoying Steam Link games.
