Is mesh WiFi good for gaming?
In 2023 alone, the worldwide count of video game players was roughly 3.38 billion. If you’re one of those gamers and you play video games online, you’re probably always looking for the competitive edge.
The right (or wrong) internet setup can make all the difference between success and failure when gaming online via mobile hotspot or WiFi and recent developments have made it even easier for gamers to get high-quality internet coverage in the comfort of their home.
We’ll explore the ins and outs of mesh home networks, how to game on a mesh system and highlight why mesh is a popular choice for gamers. By the end of this article, you should be able to understand the pros and cons of mesh WiFi and make an informed decision about whether or not to bring mesh networks into your gaming setup.
WiFi that just works!
WiFi plans for any home
Tiny, large or somewhere in between; find WiFi coverage to fit any space. Blanket your entire home with a fast and ultra‑reliable connection.
Understanding WiFi mesh technology
Let’s start by defining what mesh WiFi is, exploring how wireless mesh networks work and looking at some of the most popular mesh WiFi systems on the market.
What is mesh WiFi?
Originally developed as military communications technology, mesh WiFi became popular in consumer markets by the 2000s as a reliable and extensive home WiFi coverage solution.
In the 2010s, brands like eero championed the simplification of setup and improvement of mesh WiFi connectivity across sizeable areas, such as offices and large homes.
Since then, the incorporation of technologies like WiFi 6e has enhanced mesh WiFi’s ability to support homes with many connected devices and advanced smart tech.
How mesh WiFi systems work
Mesh WiFi aims to eliminate dead zones and ensure consistent internet quality across a range of  internet speeds – no matter your space.
Traditional routers rely on a single broadcast zone – the router itself. Mesh networks use multiple access points in the form of physical nodes. Each node in the mesh network communicates with the main router and with all other nodes.
United together, mesh WiFi nodes create a grid-like infrastructure in which data is routed through the fast
Overview of eero mesh WiFi
A leader in WiFi mesh technology, eero provides easy-to-use mesh networking infrastructure to homes, apartments and even office spaces. Compared to other systems, eero provides a rich mesh experience, consisting of:
- Multiple nodes: eero’s mesh WiFi system can include as many nodes as you need for your home. When you set up your system, you’ll set one node as the primary router and connect it directly to your modem. Additional nodes work with the primary router, extending WiFi coverage strategically throughout the home.
- A self-configuring mesh system: After setting up your eero network, your nodes will work together to optimize their data routing paths. Your mesh technology will flex in real-time with the number of devices connected and your household’s internet habits.
- A stable signal: Your devices will automatically connect to the strongest eero signals. As you move around, your devices switch seamlessly between nodes without dropping the connection or reconnecting to different networks.
- An easy-to-manage tool: Most mesh WiFi systems are managed via smartphone, which allows users to control the performance of their wireless network and connected devices, prioritize device traffic, adjust security settings and receive firmware updates.
Mesh WiFi with eero Secure
Enhanced Whole Home WiFi enables multiple WiFi routers (or eeros®) to work as a team, resulting in improved range, speed and stability of your WiFi network. Plus, with eero Secure now included at no additional cost, it keeps your family safe with parental controls, ad blocking and internet backup so you’re always connected.
Pros of using mesh WiFi for gaming
- Consistent home internet speeds: If you’re looking for the best speed for gaming, mesh WiFi provides consistent internet speeds throughout your home, preventing lag and interruptions. This ensures a smooth gaming experience, even in rooms far from the main router.
- Enhanced multiplayer gaming: Mesh WiFi can handle many devices at once, making it perfect for homes with multiple gamers. With the right setup, your whole household can play games together with minimal lag or connection issues and access the best mesh WiFi for gaming.
- Optimized network priorities: For frequent gameplay streamers or people who download large game files, eero’s WiFi mesh provides advanced network management capabilities, such as prioritization of gaming traffic, ensuring that simultaneous streaming and downloading do not negatively impact gameplay.
- Reduced packet loss: Packet loss can lead to a bad gaming experience, including stuttering and lag. Mesh WiFi gaming systems help reduce packet loss by providing multiple pathways for data to travel, ensuring that if one path is congested or experiencing issues, another can take over.
- Improved VR gaming: VR gaming needs a fast, stable internet connection for an immersive experience. Mesh WiFi provides strong, consistent signals, making it one of the best mesh systems for VR gaming and preventing disruption, lag or connection issues.
- Integrated smart devices and gaming: If you’re a gamer who uses smart lighting or voice-controlled assistants, you might benefit from a mesh WiFi network. Mesh WiFi systems integrate with smart home devices, allowing gamers to control their environment without major connectivity issues.
Cons of using mesh WiFi for gaming
- Possible latency: If you haven’t optimized your WiFi or node placement your mesh network nodes will need to hop between each other, introducing a small amount of latency.
- Shared bandwidth: As mesh networks share bandwidth across all connected devices, you’ll need to prioritize gaming traffic through Quality of Service (QoS) settings. Additionally, you could use Ethernet backhaul to improve the connection.
- Interference and signal strength: Mesh routers may operate on the same frequency bands as other household devices, leading to potential interference. Use a less congested frequency band (like 5 GHz) to help reduce interference and maintain strong signals.
When to consider a gaming router
- Lower latency: There are many differences between gaming routers and standard routers. Gaming routers are designed to minimize latency. They offer advanced QoS settings that prioritize gaming traffic.
- High bandwidth consumption: For gamers who need high bandwidth for activities such as streaming, downloading large updates or playing online multiplayer games, gaming routers provide robust performance. They are built to handle high-speed internet connections and multiple simultaneous data streams.
- Specific gaming features: Some gaming routers come with features tailored for gamers, such as advanced QoS, more security options and specialized hardware for processing gaming traffic on your home WiFi network.
It’s important to note that, for gaming, if you’re looking to eliminate latency, lag and jitter, an Ethernet connection with a Gigabit+ internet plan is the best possible option.
If you want to future-proof your home network, spread WiFi throughout the home for other users and devices and game on Ethernet, we recommend investing in mesh WiFi solutions like eero.
There are many differences between Ethernet and WiFi for gaming. But, by supporting Ethernet backhaul, eero mesh WiFi ensures that you get all the benefits of a steady, wired connection perfect for gaming – and whole home WiFi for all your devices.
Switch & save
Astound Broadband is the #1 cable ISP
Stream live content, work, surf, game and connect to multiple devices with speeds up to 1500* Mbps through our ultra‑reliable fiber‑powered network.*
Conclusion
So, are mesh routers better? Mesh network routers and systems like eero provide consistent speeds, broad coverage and easy management, making them excellent for gaming. They handle multiple devices well, reduce packet loss and improve VR gaming.
However, for a hardcore, competitive gamer with the need for the lowest possible latency and highest bandwidth, Ethernet backhaul and a Gigabit+ internet plan may be a better option. Consider your specific gaming requirements and talk with your ISP about setting up an optimal gaming experience.
Frequently asked questions
How can I speed up my mesh WiFi?
If you want to speed up your mesh WiFI, make sure you have placed your nodes in optimal locations, reduced the distance between nodes and rebooted your system. If you still have issues, reduce your connected devices and switch your gaming device to the 5 GHz band.
Does mesh affect gaming?
Mesh WiFi can impact gaming. Proper placement of nodes and using a wired connection can minimize latency and improve performance. If you want to reduce lag, connect to the nearest node.
Does adding a mesh system increase speed?
A mesh system improves coverage and reliability in your home but does not increase the base internet speed you’ve purchased from your internet service provider. Mesh systems primarily distribute the load more efficiently across your home network.
Does mesh WiFi replace a router?
Yes, mesh WiFi replaces a traditional router. In place of your traditional router, you’ll use your primary node from your mesh WiFi system. Additional nodes within the network extend signal and spread connection throughout your home.
Which WiFi mode is best for gaming?
In most cases, the 5 GHz band is best for gaming. If you’re looking for the best WiFi access, consider investing in a router or mesh system that supports WiFi 6, 5 GHz and tri-band systems.
Do gaming routers make your internet faster?
No, gaming routers only optimize network traffic for gaming. In doing so, they reduce latency and prioritize data, enhancing your gaming experience and making it more stable overall. However, they do not increase the speed provided by your ISP.
Create your perfect internet plan
Get the internet speed, WiFi, TV and mobile that’s just right for you.
*Internet speeds may vary & are not guaranteed. Certain equipment may be required to reach advertised speeds. DOCSIS 3.1 modem with 2.5GE physical LAN port is required for 1 Gigabit speeds and higher. See astound.com/yourspeed for why speeds may vary. To view Astound’s FCC Network Management Disclosure see astound.com/policies-disclaimers. Modem required for Internet service. No contract required. Subject to availability. We substantiate that the cable modem equipment provided, and the configuration of such cable modem, meets the broadband speeds advertised when attached to a wired connection based on SamKnows testing procedures.
Not all services, speeds, packages, equipment, channels, tiers, pricing, streaming services, product offerings and product features are available in all areas. Offers valid only for new residential customers or previous customers with account in good standing who have not had our service within the last 60 days. All names, logos, images and service marks are property of their respective owners. Other restrictions may apply.
While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in this site has been obtained from reliable sources, Astound Broadband is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information in this site is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Certain links in this site connect to other websites maintained by third parties over whom Astound Broadband has no control. Astound Broadband makes no representations as to the accuracy or any other aspect of information contained in other websites.
eero Plus is available for an additional $9.99/month and requires subscription to whole home WiFi powered by eero.