Best router for streaming in 2024 – our top picks
If you’re on the hunt for the best router for streaming, we’ve got you covered right here.
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.
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
How we picked
We’ve used our expertise to find and select the best routers for streaming in the market. When picking a router, we carefully looked at its specs, features, performance, and other notable aspects that make it stand out from the rest. Also, we’re constantly looking for new routers to add to our list, so make sure to check back here soon!
Product Reviews
- Tri-band
- New 6GHz band
- Support speeds of up to 10.8 Gbps
- Meant for 8K/4K streaming
- WiFi 6E
- Expensive
- Overkill if not used with a high speed internet plan
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, which is 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.
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.
- Great for 4K streaming
- Support speeds up to 5,351 Mbps
- Multi-gig port
- Some advanced features come with a subscription
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.
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.
- Affordable
- WiFi 6
- Decent streaming performance
- Not meant for high-speed internet plans
- No USB or multi-gig port
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.
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.
Our Verdict
For us, the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is the best router for streaming. It not only comes with the latest 6GHz band, which improves the WiFi speed and performance, but also supports speeds of up to 10.8 Gbps. On top of that, it features a 2.5G multi-gig port for wired connections and offers coverage of up to 3,500 sqft. All of this makes it a solid choice for streaming, and you can expect to get a buffer-free experience.