Here Are The 10 Best Streaming Routers Worth Buying in 2023

Speed: up to 1,000Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 2,167Mbps on each of the 5GHz bands

Dimensions: 2.6 x 9.6 x 9.6 inches

Now, this is a gaming router. Made with eight antennas and tri-band gigabit technology, the ASUS is great for streaming, especially if your streams involve a lot of gaming, multiplayer technology, and online games.

Realistically, if you want to use it for your family as well, it can manage a lot of software and traffic too. This is because it has extra features like QoS to ensure that everyone gets the bandwidth they need for their tasks and that you don’t have to worry about your stream dropping out if someone else is using the internet in another part of your home.

Clocking in at a somewhat high price point, choose this ASUS router for both the software and the app suit. However, keep in mind that not every feature might be available to help your streaming.

Not to mention that you do have some middling file-transfer speeds with this model. That price point might not be worth it for you then if you don’t plan to use every feature here.

You do have the MU-MIMO for data streaming, data transmissions in general (even if they may be a little slower), and lots of management settings. You can use the ASUS in whatever way you feel comfortable, and in whatever room you might want since this router has so many antennas—so you should never watch your internet drop.

Speed: up to 3200 Mbps

Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.5 x 12.4 inches

This is the perfect router for streaming, but it also serves another purpose as a modem. You can pick up the Nighthawk combination router and modem to stream at high quality with a good connection.

You don’t need WiFi extenders, and you have USB 3.0 ports, which means that you can locally store your information right there on the router. Of course, you might prefer using the cloud just in case.

Still, this combination option from Netgear is one of the best options if you want to stream without worrying whether your quality will drop in the middle. While it might be a little too much for just one person, it’s perfect for larger households.

That’s because you can stream multiple HD-quality videos to multiple devices all at once, and yes, even while you’re streaming. Your other family members can continue to use the internet without worrying about anyone keeping the internet going.

That makes this Netgear a great option for gaming in general, and for streaming too.

You should still check that it works with your internet provider, but luckily, this combination router and modem will work with all major cable internet providers, including Comcast, Cox, Xfinity, and others too.

Speed: 4804 Mbps (5 GHz Gaming) + 4804 Mbps (5 GHz) + 1148 Mbps (2.4 GHz)

Dimensions: 11.3 × 11.3 × 7.2 inches

WiFi 6 is your best option when it comes to strong and fast connections, and with eight antennas for the largest coverage area, you can stream from anywhere in the house without worrying about your quality dropping as you go.

Now, these antennas are a little bit inflexible in how you arrange them, but they do still give you a wide range. You have eight ports too, and some fairly decent QoS to boot. Take advantage of the internet speeds you get here, which makes this one of the best options when it comes to streaming.

This might be a little bit of an expensive option for casual streamers, though, but if streaming is something you do regularly, TP-Link Archer is a great option. It performs well, just as well as if you had your computer plugged directly into an Ethernet connection. You can use it if you have a lot of people in the home, and that connection will still be just as strong.

If you have children, you can even use some of the parental controls to reduce distractions for them. Just make sure that you have the space for this router! It isn’t flat like some of the other options and is quite vertical.

Remember the part about the antennas? You have 8 of them, and they can’t be moved, which takes up a little more space in your home—so take a look at a few pictures before you jump in to buy.

Basically, this is a great option when it comes to large homes and other spaces, but you might not need it in a smaller apartment, especially since it’s a little louder when it works.

Speed: Up to 1.9 Gaps (2.4 GHz/ 600 Mbps) plus (5 GHz/ 1300 Mbps)

Dimensions: 10.12 x 7.24 x 2.2 inches

This is a great option when it comes to streaming, since Linksys puts a lot of money on its MU-MIMO support. Play with other players online as long as this router works with your current streaming technology.

While it might be a little more expensive compared to other options, we noticed that the price point is actually quite fair for the features and quality you get.

The Linksys might be the perfect option for a family. It has a widespread, clocking-in at mid-range, and is user-friendly and easy to use—it even has a companion app that you can use to control the settings. Log into the app to see how easy it is to use.

You should see all of your usual tools, settings there too, and even something for Guest Access, Parental Controls, Media Prioritization, a Speed Test, and External Storage settings.

That means that if you’re streaming, you can tell your router to prioritize you. You can even make sure that the kids go to sleep at night with those parental controls. It might be a little much for your family internet, though, especially with the MU-MIMO and other features you may not need.

To even use that MU-MIMO, you must make sure that it can be used with your network. Luckily, it can work in pretty much any home, and its small size comes in handy too. You should be able to put it anywhere as long as you can get to that reset button, WPS button, and the Power switch.

Speed: up to 3.2 Gbps

Dimensions: 12.35 x 9.45 x 4.75 inches

If you have a Killer-enabled PC, you might benefit specifically from this Linksys router, which is made to communicate specifically with those PCs for the best speed and connection.

PCs with Killer networking hardware will sync with the router automatically and benefit from the automatic prioritization feature. It can even automatically identify and optimize your gaming traffic to make sure that your whole stream proceeds smoothly.

Gamers and streamers love this router for its impressive connection, speed, and high network latency. Its 2.4GHz throughput is impressive, and the easy installation just makes it that much easier to get started.

You can expect a WiFi speed of about 3.2 Gbps, along with four Ethernet ports that can work at a gigabit rate. You can also use the Dynamic Frequency selection to operate on channels that other routers cannot. This router boasts a dual-core 1.8GHz CPU, 512MB of DDR3 memory and 256MB of flash memory.

All this means that you can easily prioritize your streams for the best possible performance, but you do need to remember to keep all the firmware current. As long as you have everything current, you’ll have much better connection, and will be able to keep your stream going strong without losing any bandwidth while you’re streaming.

So, bad internet connection will never be a reason why you lose your games! It’s no wonder why gamers love this router so much, as this router really gives them an edge over competitors who have network traffic issues with their routers.

Once you buy this router, it only takes a few minutes to get it installed. It truly is one of the options that’s the easiest to install and configure. Some users do wish that there’s more customization, like parental controls or features like remote access or a more feature-heavy menu.

However, simplicity seems to be the key focus of this router but don’t worry, it makes up for these shortfalls with its powerful performance. Also, keep in mind that if you choose to replace its firmware with open-source code for more customization, you’ll lose the Killer Prioritization functions it comes with.

Speed: Up to 3 Gbps

Dimensions: 13.38 x 8.11 x 2.24 inches

Another router from Netgear, this dual-band router option is much less expensive than other options, but don’t let this fool you: it still has some excellent performance. Your stream will go seamlessly, even if others are working on the internet at the same time.

This is because it has WiFi 6 as well, with 4 gigabits per second for your WiFi speed. Its extensive cover of 1500 square feet is impressive, and you can even connect up to 16 devices without losing efficiency.

This Nighthawk supports the new 802.11ax wireless standard, but don’t worry, you can still connect with 802.11n and 802.11ac as well as other older standards.

You can even broadcast four streams at once with this router, which is quite convenient. That means, if you have multiple streamers in your home or other things your household members are doing with the internet, you can all keep using the internet without anyone losing quality.

But don’t worry about your stream dropping out, though, because the Netgear has its own dedicated bandwidth to it to ensure that it keeps running smoothly no matter what.

The Nighthawk app allows you to install and configure this router quickly, and you can even control its settings remotely. Optimize the network, carry out an internet speed test, monitor the data, and more with the app. You also get parental controls with the Nighthawk and can even block websites that are not child-friendly.

Try using this Netgear if you want to have multiple streamers in the house at once or if you have a lot of people using the internet for various purposes. You might just find that this is the best option for you then.

Speed: 1625 Mbps on both 5 GHz bands and 750 Mbps on 2. 4 GHz band

Dimensions: 7.9 × 7.9 × 1.5 inches

When it comes to streaming on multiple devices, the TP-Link AC4000 is an amazing choice. With a 64-bit CPU that measures 1.8GHz and the ability to transmit data at 4000 Mbps over a WiFi connection, it makes streaming in 4K easy.

It has several different functions that make it such a powerful little router, and you’ll be hard pressed to find something quite like it.

The router features built-in Rangeboost technology and can operate on both 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. It has four LAN ports and one WAN port, which enable and can even double gigabit speeds when used with link aggregation. The router also supports MU-MIMO, which gives it an advantage over other routers.

Unlike other routers, the TP-Link AC4000 doesn’t process requests on a first-come, first-served basis. As such, it can handle several streams at once, whether you’re gaming, watching TV, or live streaming from your living room. Along with 24-hour support and a two-year guarantee, the TP-Link AC4000 is not something to overlook.

Speed: Up to 1900 Mbps

Dimensions: 14 x 3 x 10 inches

This router definitely puts an emphasis on both style and efficiency. You can connect up to 30 devices to it and apply parental controls to devices that you need.

It provides fast WiFi on 5GHz bands, has NAS capabilities, and has VPN abilities. Design-wise, its sleek, stealth design resembling a Nighthawk fighter jet makes it a cool gadget in any home.

As online privacy becomes a bigger concern in the lives of more families, the NETGEAR Nighthawk R6900P comes in handy.

It’s built with powerful VPN abilities, which will help protect your family whenever they’re connected to your WiFi. It’s even done automatically, so you won’t have to worry about a monthly subscription or remember to activate the VPN whenever you connect.

Bear in mind that when it comes to 802.11ac routers, the Nighthawk isn’t the fastest. However, it makes up for this since its 5GHz throughput is one of the fastest. At longer distances, this fantastic throughput is able to be maintained as well.

For family households that do a lot of streaming, the NETGEAR Nighthawk R6900P is a really great choice of router.

It offers a lot of connections at high speeds and allows you to put parental controls on devices. Whether your family enjoys streaming services, gaming, or casual internet browsing, this is a good router for your home.

All in all, the Nighthawk delivers impressive wireless speeds at an affordable price point. It certainly doesn’t disappoint with its improvements over previous models. This router is perfect for streaming and gigabit ports also allow you to have fast connections to your other gaming devices.

Speed: 300 Mbps on 2. 4 GHz (802. 11n) + 1201 Mbps on 5 GHz (802. 11ax)

Dimensions: 10.2 × 5.3 ×1.5 inches

Another router with MU-MIMO support is the TP-Link AX1500.

This makes it a great router for families that like to stream from multiple devices at the same time, as it doesn’t operate on a first-come, first-served basis. As for its design, its two-tone glossy and matte black design makes it look like a cool gadget.

This router can provide a strong, fast connection and also has dual-band WiFi speeds of 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Whether you want this router for 4K streaming or gaming, this router can handle it all.

Its network management software lets you choose which devices you want to prioritize, which is great when you have other family members all using the network. The connection also doesn’t drop as you move around your home.

All in all, you’ll find great support for WiFi 6 and good performance when it comes to WiFi 5 standard. Control your router remotely on the internet, and it’s also great for anyone who wants to use Alexa to control their home network.

Price-wise, this router is affordable while providing decent performance. Its 2.4GHz speeds could be improved, and you don’t get as many features as more expensive routers so don’t look for USB ports in this router.

Also missing are features like link aggregation and multi-gigabit Ethernet, but again, this is to be expected of a router at this price point. Overall, this TP-Link router does have good 5GHz throughput and is one of the better routers at this price point.

Speed: up to 1200 Mbps

Dimensions: 9.23 x 6.1 x 2.25 inches

This modem router combo is great when you’re looking for a cheap, yet efficient option. It’s known to be in the mid-range of the market, giving enough value for its price.

You’ll find that it has a great range of coverage but costs significantly less than competitor routers. If you already have a modem/router combo, then substituting the router for the NETGEAR C6220 is a good idea. You’ll see an increase in download speeds as long as your home makes a WiFi connection easy.

Although it’s cheap, this router does operate on dual bands of 2.4GHz and 5GHz. It also has two 1GHz Ethernet ports for those who want or need them. It is worth noting that the NETGEAR C6220 won’t support anything over 250Gbps so if you plan on purchasing it, check your combo package beforehand to see if it will be compatible.

Since the NETGEAR C6220 can’t support a lot, it’s better for small families and households with fewer devices. If you have a handful of devices connected, it will work just fine, but if you have several, then you’ll experience lagging, and you may overload the router.

Also, be sure to check if it works with your cable provider. A quick phone call to your cable provider will give you the information you need, but we can tell you that it works excellently with Comcast. In fact, Comcast actually has an agreement with Netgear that allows Netgear modems to be used without having to call in.

Another highlight of this device is that it doubles up as a multimedia server. With its two USB ports, connect any external drives like your flash drives or hard drives, and you’ll be able to share its content across your network.

It uses DLNA technology, which most game consoles and smart TVs have, to share content and stream media. This way, you don’t have to mess around with connecting an HDMI cable to your computer or laptop. Simply use this router as a media center.

Overall, this modem router combo has enough bandwidth to handle most people’s streaming needs. As a modem, though, it’s not necessarily suitable for everyone. If you want a 1Gbps internet plan, then you’re better off choosing another modem.

Routers connect devices such as laptops, smart TVs, tablets, and gaming systems, to your home network, also called a LAN (local area network).

They do this by sending and receiving data packets between the devices and to the modem that provides the connection to the internet.

Each device is assigned an IP address that the router uses to identify each device. Each IP address is unique and acts as a fingerprint for the device within that network.

Your LAN is similar to a town or city, while your devices are specific locations within that town, like a restaurant or store.

The IP address identifies a device within your home network. A data package for your TV won’t be delivered to your laptop since they have different IP addresses, and the data packet will be marked specifically for the TV, and vice versa.

It’s similar to house numbers on a road within your city. While all your devices are on the same road, they have different identifying numbers.

Routers and modems are not the same, and many people confuse the two frequently. Routers deliver data packets between devices and then to the modem, which is the gateway to the internet.

Think of your LAN as a state or town, the router as the roadways, and the internet as a country. The router is how information gets between towns or facilities (IP addresses for devices). It acts as the highways and roads that connect everything. The modem is the country (worldwide internet) surrounding that state.

Whether you’re streaming videos from YouTube, subscription streaming services, live streaming on Twitch, or playing an MMO video game (Destiny, COD, etc), having a fast and reliable connection is important for uninterrupted service.

The faster the data packets are sent and received, the less loading time or delay in feedback there is.

While internet speed is predominately determined by your internet service provider, a router can play a significant role in the bandwidth speed you experience.

With 1080p being replaced by 4K, more data is required to provide clear images from videos and responses from video games. Routers have become better as the demand and growth of internet-reliant services evolve.

The market is flooded with models of routers, and not all are made for streaming content. Stock routers from your internet service provider might not be the best fit for your streaming needs, especially if your home has multiple devices that will be streaming at the same time.

Most modern routers can handle video streaming, but some routers can handle it better than others and provide better quality. Also, bear in mind that different home networks have different needs.

You also get charged monthly fees for modems and routers from your service provider, which causes you to pay more than the device is worth in the long run, and you won’t even get the latest or best models either. This is where buying your own is best, and lets you control what qualities are most important to your needs.

Your router needs will differ from others, but there are some important things to consider when comparing routers for streaming.

Router Speed

Your internet does come at different speeds, meaning how fast the information passes from the modem to the router. So does your router.

The speed of the router is how fast the information passes from the router to the computer, and is basically dependent on the type of technology that the router uses.

Take a look at the specifications of your router. You should see something about the wireless technology, like WiFi 6. Remember to look at the internal processor as well.

If you don’t have your router right next to your computer, check the coverage area, too. The most expensive router might work, but you also might not need quite that much speed for your streaming.

WiFi Connectivity

We mentioned the wireless technology, which you need to check to see if it can work quickly enough with your streaming.

We had put WiFi 6 up there because that’s one of the most widely used names for wireless networks, along with 802.11n and 802.11ac. Basically, these are the three standards that are most widely used, so you should be fine with any of these options.

If you want the newest form of connectivity, WiFi 6 is the most recent standard. This is what you will see in the latest generation of routers. It definitely works great for streaming.

What if you pick out something with one of the other two options, though, because it has some of the other features you’re looking for? Well, if you get a router that supports 802.11ac, you should be fine, but you may want to try and avoid something with 802.11n.

While this connectivity will support streaming and provide acceptable quality, the other two are the best quality when it comes to streaming and provide some of the better speeds when it comes to games.

If you’re still a little confused, you can check the name of the router itself to help you understand what type of streaming the router supports.

Tri-Band or Dual-Band

As a part of your wireless connectivity, look at dual-band vs. tri-band connectivity. The more band frequencies your router covers, the more device options that can be connected. Every device operates on certain frequencies; either 2.5ghz or 5ghz.

A router that is dual-banded has one 2.5ghz and one 5ghz band, while a Tri-band has two 5ghz and one 2.5ghz bands. You only have to choose between those two options.

As the name suggests, you can choose the tri-band option, which will provide you with an additional 5GHz for even more flexibility in your connectivity—and of course, more speed.

Especially if you would like to stream on multiple devices, something with tri-band connectivity might be better for you.

Of course, you can also choose something that’s single-band, meaning that it only uses the 2.4GHz. This is the most basic configuration, so it’s likely that you’ll want to choose something with more bands to help you with streaming.

Processor

Next, let’s talk about the processor. Processors are in your computer, of course, but they’re in routers as well, and they do a lot to help the router handle data and instructions more quickly.

Basically, the more powerful a processor you have, the faster your router will be able to work. This will ultimately make the experience for you and your connection that much more seamless.

Coverage and Range

Speaking of coverage, this is the range of your router. Certain routers reach further, while other routers need to be in the same room as you for you to really get them to work.

Check for any features that may boost the range of your router, and what the range of your router is in the first place. If you have a huge house, you might want to look for a mesh router system that has the ability to boost your coverage.

If you have a smaller home, you may not need this, but still think about how many devices you have spread around your home. Having something with more range may be better for you, even in a smaller space.

Maximum Bandwidth Capabilities

Many routers range between 1200 Mbps to up to 1750 Mbps, and more expensive models even go up to 6000Mbps. The more heavy usage your router will get, the higher your Mbps should be to ensure optimal speeds of downloading and uploading files.

Compatibility

This shouldn't ordinarily be an issue, since most routers do work with most internet connections. That being said, make sure that you check your internet connection, just to make sure that whichever router you pick will be able to work with your modem and computer.

Port Availability

Check how many ports your router should have. If you plan to use wireless and ports, then it’s important to know what will use WiFi, and what will be plugged into a port.

If you plan to have your main TV plugged into a port, that will free up the WiFi for other devices to access, while still getting optimal speeds to your TV.

You might have multiple devices that you want to connect to it, and in this case, you might need more ports. Of course, you’ll already want to plug your Ethernet cable directly into the router to get the best internet connection for streaming, but if you do want to do this, check your ports.

Multi-device Capabilities

Most homes have multiple devices that connect at once; having a router that can handle a handful of devices at once without compromising on quality and speeds will keep away loading screens or pauses in streaming sessions.

Easy Management Settings

Having a fast option to manage your router easily is a huge benefit. Being able to run a diagnostic from a mobile app can speed things up when an error occurs or remove and block devices that are no longer in use or are unauthorized.

Price

You want to buy a top-rated router, but great routers have a solid price tag. However, you don’t need to just buy the most expensive router.

You don’t need to pick out the one with the most expensive features or the best range if that isn’t something that you genuinely need.

In fact, it would be better for you to buy something that’s from a trusted company that has what you actually need than for you to buy the newest model just because it has the best features.

Quality of Service (QoS)

The Quality of Service is a functionality that you would usually see on some of the leading fiber optic routers, and has therefore become essential for people who stream a lot or who play video games online.

Now, this isn’t your ordinary feature, but it does do something crucial for you. Basically, QoS lets you decide which devices on your home network get priority during your peak usage hours.

So, if you have your computer that you want to stream on, and you want it to always have the best internet connection—no matter how many devices you have on your network—then you can set the QoS to do so. This means that your computer should always run at the highest possible quality, without any issues in buffering.

MU-MIMO

Multi-user, multiple input, and multiple output—this is the abbreviation that basically means that your router will allow you to continue to connect multiple devices even while you’re streaming.

So, even if you have numerous users connected to the network, your streaming shouldn’t drop in quality. This is especially important if you have roommates or family on your network and don’t want your streaming to interrupt what they’re doing either.

Special Features

Since you’re using your router for streaming, you can check your router to see if it has any special hardware that makes streaming even easier. This includes looking for the Quality of Service, for example. Some routers do, in fact, have these types of extra features, which can make them even better for gaming, wireless security, and even better streaming.

The point here is that you have the ability to find a router that’s specifically optimized for what you want to use it for.

Warranty

Having a good warranty coverage is always a good thing, no matter what kind of device you have. It’s also always good to get extended warranties from the seller, just in case something happens after the original warranty expires. The longer the warranty life listed on the device, the better the device actually is for long-term use.

Do I Need a Standard Router or a Streaming Router?

This depends on whether you want to get the optimal streaming with extra features. A standard router can easily stream content across your devices. A streaming router has extra features that are geared towards streaming TVs, such as MU-MIMO connectivity and packet priority setting.

A better router will ultimately be better for your streaming, since it will be able to keep up with 4K quality that your viewers want to see. But don’t stop at finding a router that will support 4K.

You should take the time to see whether your router has all those features that will actually let you stream on all of your devices without an issue.

Do Streaming Routers Have Better Range?

In short, yes. They have a multitude of features and options compared to a standard router, including increased range, as well as better speeds, and multi-device capabilities. Many standard routers do have excellent range as well.

What If I Want To Stream Multiple Devices?

If you intend to stream multiple devices, it’s best to look for routers with tri-band WiFi capabilities. Additionally, MU-MIMO functionality is a must. These routers will allow you to stream more devices without experiencing any disruption or issues in quality.

Is a Streaming Router Good for Gaming?

If you’re a casual gamer, a streaming router can work just fine, but if you’re a hardcore gamer, then you’ll want to invest in a router that is more attuned to gaming.

Gaming routers have even more speed (up to 7.2Ghz) and include better QoS, so their gaming equipment gets priority, no matter how many other devices are connected.

How Do I Choose a Router for Netflix Streaming?

You should choose a router according to the speeds of your IP (internet provider). As long as your router can initiate a strong connection with your IP and your device, it will be enough. If you tend to stream Ultra HD on Netflix though, choose a router with faster data transfer speed as it will give you a better experience.

When it comes to streaming, not any router will do. You need to choose the right streaming router that can give you the best streaming quality and experience.

These top 10 routers have passed our tests, and you won’t go wrong with any of them. However, some might provide more than what you actually need, so choose based on your specific needs.