A router can be a simple and compact device that helps connect multiple devices to the internet, or it can be complex and large for those who use the internet for mostly gaming. Gaming routers are ideal as they come with different features.
If your primary concern is getting an internet connection from your Nintendo Switch, then here are a few recommendations that might suit your gaming needs better than a standard router will.
Our Top Picks
Netgear Nighthawk RAX40 4 - Best Overall
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
"I have 38 devices accessing my Wi-Fi as part of the smart home. This monster cranks it out." said one very pleased buyer who thought the Netgear Nighthawk RAX40 Wi-Fi Router delivered in terms of throughput and reliability in a large and busy smart home.
Why It Stands Out to Us
We've been impressed with this gaming router for a while now. It offers superb performance even in hectic environments and features continuous firmware updates to support new hardware standards.
This budget-friendly option is a tried and tested router that will come through for your Nintendo Switch needs. This is a tri-band wireless router from Netgear with data rates of up to 4200Mbps. The three bands are dedicated to home use, and the fourth can be used for managing the traffic of devices connected to it according to application demands.
The Netgear Nighthawk ProGaming XR700 Gaming Router is an affordable, high-quality Wi-Fi 6 router for gamers with excellent networking performance and range. It features up to 7.2 gigabits per second throughput for dual-band, which will keep you high and dry through any lag spikes that riddle your games. It also has 4 gigabit Ethernet ports for a maximum of 10Gbit/s networking speeds so that you can kick off with some serious gameplay.
Who Will Use This Most
With accessible set-up features and blazing fast speeds, this product will ensure you stay connected during your most intense battles while also withstanding the most demanding environments.
TP-Link Archer C5400X - Runner-Up
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People who bought the TP-Link Archer C5400X thought the product was consistent in range and signal strength. "No drops in connection while watching or streaming videos, surfing the web, and gaming," shared one happy customer.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The TP-Link Archer C5400X Tri-Band Gaming Router is a high-performance device designed to give you the best gaming experience without any lag time. It supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, eliminating network congestion when using mobile internet devices like tablets or phones.
The AWUS1900ACS from TP-LINK is a high-end AC1900 wireless router. The 2.4GHz band has speeds of 600Mbps, while the dual 5GHz bands offer rates of 1300Mbps each.
Three antennas allow for enhanced coverage, and dead spots are almost a thing of the past with this tri-band router that supports simultaneous operation on both frequencies.
With 802.11ac speeds as well as four antennas for both bands, this tri-band router from our long list of stellar options will make your gaming experience even smoother so that you can have fun with no distractions!
This means you'll be able to watch HD content on your TV in another room without any buffering interruptions or play multiplayer games online without lag and data loss due to slow bandwidth broadband connection or lobby hype!
Who Will Use This Most
This router is best for people who are always on their smart devices and looking for fast internet connections in large homes. If you're an avid Twitch attendee, 4K streaming will be no trouble with the TP-Link Archer AC5400X. It's genuinely one of the best gaming routers with a fantastic range on our list.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who spent money on the Asus AX6000 gaming router were impressed with its performance compared to the XR500.
"I used to struggle with the XR500; it would wipe its memory every few days and destroy all of my hard work. I never thought I could find a router that was more stable than this one - but now, after finding out about what TP-Link has been doing for years in their routers, no way can other companies keep up!" shared a delighted customer.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Enjoy uninterrupted 4K gaming, no matter where you are, with the self-titled Asus AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router. Sonic Surround technology and multiple LED zones provide crystal clear broadcasting that will make sure your gameplay never cuts out during a critical match.
Say goodbye to shoddy connections with its 5GHz 802.11ac wave, two networking technologies, and the MU-MIMO chipset, which assures smooth connectivity that can handle game traffic well.
Not only is this router designed for gamers, but it's also perfect for companies who need a constant Wi-Fi connection to send sensitive information over their networks. Wireless encryption up to WPA3 (AES) ensures the most secure transfer possible for those working in high-risk environments or industries such as healthcare or finance.
Who Will Use This Most
If you need a router that has a killer range and can keep up with online gaming, this should be your go-to option. Gamers who want impressive speeds at the best price will benefit from this investment. You'll be able to get top-of-the-line security features this model has to offer right from installation to usage.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers found the Netgear Nighthawk X6S Tri-band Router to be "a fantastic router for gigabit internet." It boasts reliable speeds and great range, where the customer was relieved to know they were finally getting a throughput that was worth paying for.
Why It Stands Out to Us
Don't mess around when it comes to home Wi-Fi. Whether you like streaming or gaming, you need a lot of bandwidth and an ultra-smooth connection—we got just the thing.
You won't find another router on the market that can handle more data than this beauty: with speeds up to 1.7Gbps (that's faster than your ISP), Netgear Nighthawk X6S has more bandwidth in one product than you'll have access to in a lifetime!
The DLNA compatibility means that you can stream media from your device to another without any problem whatsoever - even at distances up to 50 feet away! Guaranteed installation done right the first time and works great with any Netgear device. It has six antennas specially designed for stability and tri-band Wi-Fi technology, allowing you to achieve high speeds up to 4.7Gbps and surround yourself with a robust wireless signal.
Who Will Use This Most
If you like to host multiplayer games, the Netgear Nighthawk X6S is probably the best gaming router for Nintendo Switch. It does not slow down too much and will give you a consistent gaming experience.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
"The product is so easy to set up and works great! I connected it right away on Ethernet Backhaul, which was convenient because then I could get the full 2x2 80MHz speed," shared a satisfied customer. They liked how consistent the product was right out of the box and showed quite promising results during game time.
Why It Stands Out to Us
With the sleek look of modern design, RT-AX56U is the perfect router for your home. The dual-band RT-AX56U has various features that are even more impressive due to its compatibility with 802.11ax's new Wi-Fi 6 standard.
This ASUS 2Ku MU MIMO tech creates client capacity in speeds up to 574Mbps over the 2.4GHz band and 1,201Mbps on 5Ghz! With both bands, routers can take advantage of unprecedented speeds while delivering superior coverage.
Navigating this equipment is also effortless, thanks to complimentary software that provides an intuitive user interface, so you never have to worry about how it works again!
Who Will Use This Most
Gamers looking to experience lag-free connections, stream at high speeds, and enjoy smoother gameplay from a router with one of the fastest Wi-Fi standards on the market. Longtime users and newcomers alike will appreciate this model's software security support for virtually all platforms, alongside its encryption features.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 has been praised for its robust and stable connection and high throughput. An added advantage users liked is that it includes the router's ability to handle multiple online activities at once without any lag time or drop in quality.
One customer said it "allows me to do other things while playing on my console." Another was pleased with how much more reliable their home network became after installing this tenacious wireless router!
Why It Stands Out to Us
This piece of hardware made it to our list of the best gaming routers for the Nintendo Switch for its ability to stand out amongst the crowd. While it's not the most feature-rich or advanced router for Nintendo Switch pro users, Netgear has managed to wrap up all of the basics into a bit of a box that will help any online gamer operate with utmost efficiency!
With features like an 8 Gigabit WAN port, hardware-based encryption for every device, and VPN server compatibility, the Nighthawk Pro Gaming Router XR1000 is your one-stop-shop for getting the best performance out of gaming without lag.
The sleek black power supply with dual heads makes it easy to transform any router or gateway into a new 5GHz only machine that'll give you a short response time during those all-important critical moments in FPS or MOBA combat games.
Who Will Use This Most
Designed for those pros who need a little more out of their connection. You can manage your network, prioritize all the connections to games with QoS, and avoid lag! It also includes options to block unsafe traffic and weed out hackers trying to sneak into your system. That's one less minor problem you have to worry about when you're in the zone!
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recently, more and more gamers have been investing in the Asus ROG Rapture Gaming Router GT-AX11000 to enhance their gaming experience. A satisfied customer shared that "the router performance was great" even at some distance from it when connected to the 5GHz band."
Why It Stands Out to Us
Save your living room from the everlasting buffering screen. With this sleek beauty, you'll have a reliable wireless connection for all of your devices. Internet problems? No need to worry with GT-AX11000 Wi-Fi 6 ready on deck!
Designed with tri-band technology, you won't miss out on any traffic thanks to a dedicated band that's specifically created for gaming, which will also make gaming more accessible and less interrupted for everyone else at home.
It boasts three wireless bands over 16 customizable antennae, which also provide quality coverage. This extensive device is sure to make your home well-connected, and it's a great mid-range option for those that want impressive Wi-Fi speeds but don't want to spend so much money.
The triple-level game accelerator keeps your packets nice and fast for that crucial movement or shot in whatever FPS game you're playing. Device prioritization means that no matter what devices are connected to your Wi-Fi network, all of their traffic will be allocated data transfer priority so they can stream video or download games faster than ever before.
Who Will Use This Most
If you're looking for an excellent gaming router that's easy to maintain and doesn't require much of a learning curve, then this will be a perfect choice for gamers and even non-gamers alike. It might not have all the features that more advanced models do, but it's a go-to option for Nintendo Switch owners who want quality gaming to meet excellent throughput performance.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
"The RX700 is the best router I've ever used!" raved one happy customer who appreciated the control it had of the DumaOS. They also noted how user-friendly this device was since even her kids set up their devices easily and without any help from mom!
Why It Stands Out to Us
The Netgear Nighthawk ProGaming XR700 Gaming Router is easy to use and has security features like parental controls. The gaming prioritization feature is also a plus since it can prioritize gaming traffic without compromising the connection of other users in the house.
It is an excellent choice if you want your house to have that functional interior design wow factor. The sleek black casing has swooping curves and modern styling in design, which means it will look fantastic in any room in your home and can be easily mounted on a wall.
Highlighting SmartConnect Band Steering, this router also optimizes MU-MIMO features for faster throughput speeds--making it perfect for those hardcore gaming tournaments with your buddies! Plus, the Netgear Nighthawk router has a QoS feature that prioritizes gaming traffic without compromising the connection of other users in the house.
Who Will Use This Most
This router is perfect for those keen on the design aspect and interfaces for easy but reliable long-term use. It will also save your butt during those hotly contested World of Warcraft raids, with its high-end performance and dedicated gaming features. Say goodbye to laggy games, and welcome in the future of bandwidth allocation.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Netgear's latest Orbi RBK752 Wireless Router has been a hit with buyers who have loved its sleek design and high-speed Wi-Fi capabilities. The customer reviewed on Amazon commented that "download speeds for my phone went from 15 to 26 Mbps to 200 Mbps, depending on location."
Why It Stands Out to Us
This minimalist yet sleek wireless router by Netgear features tri-band Wi-Fi. This means you can create two dual networks in your household while safely relying on the extra 5GHz connection to make sure the link between the routers remains limited yet fast!
This flexible Nintendo Switch router offers speeds of up to 2700Mbps for distances of about 10 miles outside of a home or office; that's pretty darn impressive! Wireless devices seem to become more and more complicated by the day, but Netgear wants its users to feel confident they picked out something worth keeping around for the long haul, thus the Orbi RKT2 unit.
The RBK752 is so easy to set up that playing right away is no issue- no tech-wiz required! It's also incredibly responsive, allowing for smooth HD gaming and streaming without lag or buffering issues. Best of all? You can add as many satellite routers (sold separately) as needed to cover a larger area.
Who Will Use This Most
Gamers will be happy to know this model does not require them to toggle any switches or do anything complicated. It's also great for people with only one computer in the house and wants optimal speeds without much fuss. Best of all, it comes with a warranty that covers everything except power surges.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those who spent money on the AXE11000 router model by Asus were impressed with its performance. A customer shared how sleek the interface was and enjoyed the quick navigation and responsiveness of the unit.
Why It Stands Out to Us
A gaming router for serious gamers! The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000 will have you blazing a trail, as it boasts an impressive eight antennae and delivers up to 2294 Mbps of bandwidth in the 5GHz band alone. Yes – this is one hungry, high-performance Wi-Fi 6E gaming router with Beamforming+ and MU-MIMO technology to boot. Ain't no package like the real thing!
Stop dropping your games because of a lousy Wi-Fi connection! ASUS ROG Rapture solves that issue with 6GHz tri-band connectivity and enough power to keep the fun going all day long. With 8 Gigabit LAN ports, you can make sure those gaming consoles are always up to speed.
ASUS ROG Rapture boasts Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, which is some next-level severe connectivity large homeowners will appreciate. With eight antennas to blast a powerful signal and beamforming so you can go even further with your wireless connection, this router is an industry-leading powerhouse that doesn't disappoint in the speeds department either.
From 2.5Gb WAN or LAN connections to link aggregation for 1Gbps Ethernet speeds - don't let anything hold you back from hardcore gaming on that fly rig of yours with this fantastic trifecta of technology at work.
Who Will Use This Most
The ASUS ROG Rapture Wi-Fi 6E Gaming Router is the ideal Nintendo Switch router for those who experience lower bandwidth speeds with other routers while on a Twitch session. This router guarantees a robust signal with eight antennas that provides blistering Wi-Fi speeds up to 2.5 Gb/s on your wireless devices and blazing 1 Gb/s wired connections for LAN devices.
Best Gaming Routers for Nintendo Switch Buying Guide
The number of antennas in a router is not the only factor that determines its overall reliability. Gamers should also consider other aspects when buying their gaming routers to ensure they get what suits them best.
Distance
How far away will you be from your router? If you live in a large household or like to move around a lot, you'll need to make sure that your signal can reach every corner of your home. This can also mean buying additional equipment (such as range extenders and signal repeaters) to extend the range of your router.
Power Considerations
Most gaming routers have special circuitry that helps regulate power usage and voltage fluctuations to ensure a smooth experience for all users. The bonus is that these devices are generally quite powerful and can withstand much more than the average home router. Just make sure they match the correct type of outlet you have at home.
Number of Ethernet Ports
Another thing that you shouldn't overlook is how many ethernet ports come with your router. These ports allow you to connect wired devices, such as desktops and laptops, and you must have enough of them if you plan on using the device on a large scale.
Wi-Fi Protocols
As the Switch uses wireless internet, it's essential to check if the model you're interested in has the latest Wi-Fi protocols. You probably won't be using them now, but it's best to get a device with at least AC1750 or N600 connection speeds for future use.
Speeds
What if there were something you could use right now to make sure no matter what game you're playing, the performance will still be as high-quality as possible? That may seem like an impossible task because every router has different speeds - but don't worry!
Some routers are out there with higher speed capability than others; these devices assure us our games won't lag even if we play them over a Wi-Fi connection, typically bringing down how well they run.
Gaming Routers for Nintendo Switch FAQ
1. Can you connect a wireless router to a switch?
Of course, you can. The best gaming routers for Nintendo Switch can be hooked up to the internet by using a modem or network adapter. These days, most people find it as simple as plugging in a USB cable from their router to one of the USB ports on their console.
2. Is Nintendo Switch compatible with Wi-Fi 6?
The Nintendo Switch is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 if and only the router that it's connected to also supports this technology. If not, you will need a unit supporting both technologies and making sure your games stream at optimal speeds.
3. Will the Nintendo Switch affect my internet connection?
The Nintendo Switch uses very little bandwidth for gaming, so it's unlikely that using the console will affect your internet speeds at extreme levels.
4. Will my router work on Nintendo Switch?
If you're planning to set up a wireless connection between your Nintendo Switch and modem, you need Wi-Fi that meets the 802.11n standard-compliant device with at least one radio band.
5. Are gaming routers better than regular routers?
Gaming routers are specifically designed to handle high volume bandwidths; they often have the channels of a standard router and support multiple SSIDs, and will significantly improve your overall gaming experience.
Conclusion
A good gaming router for Nintendo Switch will depend on your gaming demands. The best gaming routers for Nintendo Switch in this list bring you options worth considering regarding reliability and a speed boost.
The TP-Link Archer C5400X Tri-Band Gaming Router is worth every penny. It boasts superb tri-band performance with extensive coverage great for large houses with common dead spots.
While the Netgear Orbi RBK752 Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System Router has a sleek design that will look good in any room of the house, it’s a good option for those particular about lagging. It boasts no lagging or stuttering while gaming on consoles, tablets, phones, everything!
Got any more gaming routers that would excel in maximizing your Nintendo sessions? Feel free to share with us in the comments to help us help you further improve your overall gamer and user experience.
