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Whether you’re into MMO games or playing Fortnight with your friends, a fast, reliable internet connection is key to being competitive as a gamer. A good router can help get you there. If you’re looking for a way to make your Xbox One connection faster, you’re in luck.
We put together a list of some of the best routers for Xbox One available. But first, let’s look at why a router is so important.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Routers For Xbox One
- OUR TOP PICK: Linksys WRT32XB
- RUNNER-UP: D-Link DIR-882
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR300
Comparison of the Best Routers For Xbox One
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Can Any Router Be Used for Xbox One?
Technically, yes, but some routers are specifically made for gaming and have some features that can change the way you play. If you’re a serious gamer and you get frustrated with lag times, slow connections, and interference, it might be time to consider getting a router with these special features.
Linksys WRT32XB
Can You Really Find a Quality Router That’s Affordable?
Yes, you can. The most important thing is to know what to look for to make sure you get the best bang for your buck. There are a lot of great routers out there made by both well-known and little-known brands that get great reviews from users. If you’re under the impression that you have to spend a lot of money to get a decent router, you might overlook a real gem that could both up your gaming performance and save you a bit of money.
How to Choose a Router For Xbox One
Here are the top three things to look for when trying to choose a router for your Xbox One:
Speed
You need to make sure that your router can deliver speeds that are fast enough to support your Xbox One as well as all of the other devices that are connected to your home’s wifi. That said, remember that your router will only ever be able to deliver the speed that your internet connection delivers, so there’s only so much a router can do. Ultimately, if you need more speed, you may have to upgrade your internet to something faster.
Control
One of the best features to look for when choosing a router for your Xbox One is to make sure there’s a way for you to prioritize devices. This is one of the coolest things about some of the routers we chose. You want your Xbox to have high speeds at all times, set it as the priority and your router will slow down other things, like smartphones, laptops, and other devices, to maintain the Xbox as the priority.
Reliability
You don’t want a router that’s only going to work sometimes or that cuts out in the middle of an important battle. Look for a reliable one. Even better, look for one with a warranty or a customer satisfaction award so there’s something that backs up the product.
Review of the Best Routers For Xbox One
Now that you know a little more about what to look for, let’s take a look at some of our favorite routers for Xbox One.
Best Overall:
Linksys WRT32XB
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most people were happy with the way the router performed, but some mentioned that it wasn’t as fast as they thought it would be. Setup is easy, but the firmware updates can affect performance. A lot of people didn’t care for the simplified user interface.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The thing that is so great about this router is that it’s made especially for gaming on the Xbox. The router identifies and prioritizes the Xbox connection over all of the other devices connected to the internet to ensure you get the best performance possible at all times.
This router also has an intuitively designed interface so you can keep an eye on internet usage. Conduct speed tests, manage settings, and monitor all the connected devices quickly and easily.
And don’t think this router is only for Xbox. The pro-grade Ethernet switch has four ports so you can hook up multiple pieces of equipment, including laptops, other consoles, and 4K TVs. There’s also a USB 3.0 port if you want to connect a memory stick or hard drive.
Bottom Line
This router is specifically designed for Xbox gaming and a great choice if you want to prioritize gameplay. It also easily lets you monitor your home's internet usage and connect other rigs as needed.
Runner-up:
D-Link DIR-882
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Reviews for this router are a little mixed. Some people reported no issues and were extremely happy with the performance. Others were not happy with the setup or performance and mentioned that customer service was not much help.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The thing that stood out the most to use is the dual-band function. This helps avoid congestion when there are other networks close by that are connected to the same provider, like in an apartment complex.
We also really like that this router prevents slowdowns when multiple devices are connected. This means that you can game or stream on your Xbox even with other people’s phones or laptops connected to the wifi and not have to worry about lag time. In an age where people are working from home more and have smart home setups that rely on the internet, being able to run multiple things without impacting performance too much is essential.
Bottom Line
If you have a lot of devices in your home and want to use your Xbox One without slowing down the network, this router is a good place to start.
Best for the Money:
Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR300
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers seem pretty satisfied with this router, indicating that they’re happy with everything from the speed to the assistance they got from tech support. Netgear seems more than willing to help anyone who is having a problem, and the one-year warranty should cover any real issues.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This router stands out because it’s optimized for gaming performance, reducing lag by prioritizing online gaming over other connected devices. It also connects to the closest servers to reduce lag time, giving you an edge over other players.
We also like how much control you have over the network. You can adjust the maximum upload and download speeds for every device, prioritizing those that are most important. Check the bandwidth usage to see what devices are using the most and adjust as necessary.
The one-year warranty is also great, and we were happy to see that Netgear’s customer service and tech support are so helpful.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a way to prioritize gaming on your Xbox, this is a great router to consider. It also gives you a lot of control over the devices on the network and comes with a warranty and great customer service.
Editor's Pick:
ASUS ROG GT-AX11000
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Reviews for this router are evenly split between people who love it and are impressed with its performance and those who had significant complaints. Some people rave about the lightning-fast speeds while others were unable to get the router to connect.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are so many things that stand out about this product. We love that the tri-band networking lets you dedicate one band to gaming. If you don’t have to share, you don’t have to worry as much about speed and reliability.
Port forwarding is easy and lets you team up with friends in three easy steps. The interface lets you control every feature of the network using a simple point-and-click interface. Plus, we love that you can use this as a whole-house wifi system that’s fast and reliable.
Bottom Line
If you like a router that gives you a lot of control over your network, including being able to prioritize gaming, you’re in luck. It protects against outside threats while letting every device in your house connect to the wifi.
Honorable Mention:
TP-Link AC5400
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are very pleased with this router. It’s easy to set up, works well, and most importantly, it’s fast. There were some complaints that it doesn’t work as well after a few months, but that wasn’t a regular occurrence.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This router has a lot of power. With a 1.8 GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU and three co-processors to handle wifi demand, you get smooth, fast gameplay even when other devices are connected to the network.
We love that you can set the router to prioritize certain devices over others, giving your Xbox One the speed you need for competitive gameplay or watch 4K movies when you need a break.
This router also has twice as many Ethernet ports as some other routers, letting you plug in everything from your smart TV to your PC alongside your Xbox for fast and reliable direct connections when needed.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that this is a great router for gaming that gives you the power to prioritize certain devices over others. It’s fast, powerful, and most people are pleased with its performance.
What Do I Need to Know Before Buying a Router For Xbox One?
Here are some other features to keep in mind when shopping for an Xbox One router.
WiFi or Ethernet
Ethernet connections are always more reliable than wifi. Since you’re hardwired into the main internet, there are fewer things that can go wrong. Everyone knows how unreliable wifi signals can be. They work best when you’re close to the router.
The best thing about wifi in your home is it provides an internet connection wherever you are. You can use your smartphone in the bedroom, living room, and kitchen without interruption. But you’re not carrying your Xbox from room to room. If your Xbox is in the same place all the time, there’s no reason not to use an Ethernet cable for a better, faster, more reliable connection.
LAN Ports
If you want to use your Xbox One with an Ethernet cable, then you have to get one with enough LAN ports to accommodate it and anything else you want directly connected to the router. LAN stands for local area connection and is how you physically connect devices to the internet.
Features
Some other features are nice to have, too. Good QoS or quality of service ensures that the router performs as it’s meant to. Port forwarding helps increase efficiency and therefore speed. You should also make sure your connection meets the IEEE 802 Standard.
Which is Better, WiFi vs Ethernet For Xbox One?
As we touched on already, Ethernet is better for Xbox One. There are too many variables with wifi that can slow down your gaming, especially if the router is in a different room from the Xbox. You might even lose speed if someone walks in between the router and the console, which is likely to happen if you share a home with other people.
If your Xbox is in the same room as the router anyway, there’s no reason not to use Ethernet. It’s a direct connection to the internet, so it’s more stable, more reliable, and most of the time, it’s faster than a wifi connection.
How to Connect Your Xbox One to Router
Here’s a general guide to follow for how to connect your Xbox One to a router. Be sure to check out the video below for an in-depth look.
- Plug the LAN cable into the back of your Xbox One. The port of the last one on the right. Place the cable end into the port until you hear a click, which indicates that the cable is firmly in place.
- Next, head over to your router with the other end of the cable and insert it into one of the open LAN ports. Some modems have an indicator light that will show when the cable is in place and the port is in use.
- Go to your user interface general settings and look at your network status. It should indicate that you are currently wired to the internet. Test your connection to be sure.
Xbox One Router Issues
Some common issues come up when connecting your Xbox to a router. Here are four things you might come across and how to deal with them.
Xbox One Won't Connect to Router
If your Xbox One won’t connect to the router wirelessly, there could be a few things going on. Make sure that the internet is working. Are other devices connected to the wifi? If there is anything in between the router and the Xbox, move it out of the way to avoid interference. As we mentioned, wifi connections are not as reliable as Ethernet connections. If all else fails, try plugging your Xbox into the router directly.
Xbox One Connected to Router But Not Internet
Are other things connected to the internet? If not, the internet itself is likely the problem. Troubleshoot if you can or try restarting the router and modem and letting them come back up to see if it makes a difference.
Xbox One Keeps Disconnecting From Router
If you’re using a wifi connection, it’s likely this is caused by something getting in the way of the signal. Again, try moving any obstacles out of the way or connecting the Xbox to the router with an Ethernet cable.
Xbox One Crashing Router
The best thing to do in this case is to restart the router. If the problem keeps happening, again, try connecting the Xbox with an Ethernet cable.
How to Prioritize Xbox One on Router
Prioritizing the Xbox on the router is the best way to make sure that it gets fast and consistent speeds. Here’s how to do it.
How to Open Ports on Router For Xbox One
First, you need the IP address of your router and Xbox as well as the TCP and UDP ports to forward to. Once you have all this information, log into your router, and find the port forwarding section. Put the IP address of your Xbox in the appropriate field. Next, put the TCP and UDP ports in the corresponding fields. That’s it! If it doesn’t work, don’t panic. Try restarting your router as sometimes they need to be started for the new changes to take effect.
How to Setup QoS For Xbox One
When in the control setting of your router, look for QoS setup. From here, you should see a list of devices. Find the Xbox and then enable upstream QoS. Note that sometimes this can impact the performance of the router and other devices on the network.
Conclusion
Now that you know a little more about choosing the right router for your Xbox One, be sure to take a look at the products we reviewed to figure out which is the best one for you.
People Also Ask
We know it’s not always easy choosing something as important as a router for your Xbox. If you’re still not sure what you’re looking for or don’t know which is the right one for you, we’re happy to help. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about choosing an Xbox router.
Are Gaming Routers Worth it?
It depends on how serious a gamer you are. If you’re looking for a strong download speed from your game console so you can get an edge over the competition, and you have time and money to devote to gaming, then the increased performance is worth it. If you live with other people, though, be careful when setting your gaming console as the top-prioritized connected device in the house.
Is UPnP Good For Gaming?
UPnP stands for universal plug and play. Instead of manually having to select ports, UPnP does it for you. So, yes, it’s good for gaming if you’re looking for a way to automate this process, but some people prefer to do it themselves.
Can I Use My Xbox One as a Router?
No. Xbox Ones cannot be used as routers as part of your wireless network. As you can see from our review, though, there are plenty of routers out there that work well with the Xbox One. They’re also pretty affordable, so choose the one that works best for you to solve your wireless router problems.
