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Creating a strong gaming network at home ensures smooth gameplay, reduces lag, and provides a stable connection for all devices. This guide covers essential components and tips to help you build an effective gaming network for your home.
The modem connects your home network to the internet. The best modems for gaming are compatible with your internet service provider (ISP) and can deliver speeds that match your internet plan. A reliable modem is necessary for online gaming.
Router
The router distributes the internet connection from the modem to your devices. The best routers for gaming provide high speeds, low latency, good bandwidth, and a long Wi-Fi range. Features like dual-band or tri-band and Quality of Service (QoS) improve gaming performance.
Wi-Fi Extenders
Wi-Fi extenders for gaming boost the signal in areas where the router’s range doesn’t reach. If your house has dead zones or areas with weak signals, placing Wi-Fi extenders ensures a strong connection throughout your home.
Ethernet Cables
Wired connections offer more stability and speed than wireless. Use Ethernet cables to connect your gaming consoles or PCs directly to the router. This reduces lag and provides a reliable connection for competitive gaming.
Network Switch
A network switch allows you to connect multiple devices to the router using Ethernet cables. If you have several gaming devices, a switch provides enough ports for all your wired connections, ensuring stable and fast internet for each device.
Hotspots
Hotspots can provide an additional internet connection, especially if your main network goes down. Consider using a mobile hotspot as a backup for your gaming network. Some top hot spots for gaming include the Nighthawk M6 by Netgear, the GlocalMe Numen Air 5G, and the RoamWiFi R10 4G. These hotspots for gaming can provide reliable connections and high speeds.
Quality of Service (QoS)
Quality of Service prioritizes gaming traffic over other types of data. It ensures your games get the bandwidth they need for smooth performance. Set up QoS on your router to give priority to gaming devices and applications.
Security
Protect your gaming network from hackers and malware. Use strong passwords, WPA3 encryption, and enable firewalls. Regularly update your network devices to the latest firmware to keep them secure.
Level Up Your Gaming
Building a robust gaming network involves choosing devices that can work together and optimize your gaming experience. We encourage you to browse our gaming guides to find the best equipment for playing video games on your home network.
Kurt Twain is a networking professional with 7 years of experience handling with Internet equipment. He has worked closely with various homeowners and businesses to help them set up a seamless network at their places. Besides working on helping people find the right equipment, Kurt shares his opinions with known journalists and publications as a freelancer.
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