In today’s super-advanced time, having slow internet is like using a Nokia 1100 instead of an iPhone 16 – A massive gap in performance and productivity.
If you are tired of internet woes ruining your gaming experience, don’t worry. We have got you the solution.
We’ve compiled a list of the best internet for gaming, the best connection type for gaming, and some tips on optimizing your internet for gaming.
So, let the games begin!
Key Factors to Determine the Best Gaming Internet
Here are the factors that determine if an internet provider is good for gaming or not. Consider them whenever you’re looking for one or planning on switching to a new provider.
- Speed: The internet provider you’re considering must offer the speed you’re looking for. Yes, average gaming requires 10 – 100 Mbps, depending on the game and the scenario(collaborative streaming, tournament, etc.).
- Data Cap: Whether you’re playing a co-op game, indulging in online multiplayer matches, or streaming side-by-side, you need a large data allowance or no data cap.
- Gateway: Fortunately, almost all internet providers now include modern-day Wi-Fi gateway, which acts both as a modem and a router. It’s something that you should think about, especially if you’re considering gaming over your Wi-Fi network.
- Average Latency: The internet provider you’re considering should offer promising latency. Again, it depends upon the type of connection you’re choosing but most importantly, is it offering low latency? On average, anything under 30 ms is good, but most importantly, it should be consistent. However, you can follow a few tips to reduce latency.
- Consistency: While latency should be low, the connection should be consistent. It should not result in packet loss or disconnection because that’ll ruin your gaming experience, for sure.
- Availability: Most internet providers don’t offer all their plans in every area at the advertised rates. Before calling and placing your order, ensure that the plan or the service you want is available near you.
- Connection Type: There are different kinds of internet connections, including fiber, cable, DSL, satellite, and 5G. Typically, fiber-optic offers the fastest speeds, lower lag, and latency. Cable is also a popular choice but can be prone to interference, impacting gaming performance.
Best to Worst Internet Connection Types for Gaming
Before dissecting different internet providers, it is crucial to understand the suitable technologies for gaming – Internet connection types.
The above expression means that the internet connection type significantly impacts internet speed and, consequently, the gaming experience.
Here’s a general breakdown of the best and worst internet connection types for gaming.
| Best for Gaming | Worst for Gaming | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | Low latency, consistent speeds | DSL | High latency, inconsistent speeds |
| Cable | Moderate latency, slight disruption | Satellite | Very high latency, prone to weather conditions |
| 5G | Fair latency, a slight disruption | ||
Fiber: Fiber internet is the fastest medium for internet connectivity. Last year, Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology achieved using fiber optics. With fiber internet, the latency is typically between 1 to 7 milliseconds as data travels through light signals at the speed of light.
Cable: Cable internet is one of the go-to options for most users due to its wide availability. Even though it’s not faster than fiber, the average latency with a cable internet connection is 10-30 milliseconds, which makes it a good choice for gaming.
5G: 5G is an advanced network technology; it offers faster speeds, lower latency, and higher capacity than its predecessors. CelcomDigi and ZTE (UAE) were able to achieve with 5G Advanced Wi-Fi. However, with 5G, you can get download speeds of up to 20 Gbps and an average latency of . This means that you can enjoy gaming without lags or interruptions.
DSL: High latency, inconsistent speeds, disconnections – everything that could go wrong with your online game, thanks to a DSL-based connection.
Satellite: The only benefit of using satellite internet is that it’s readily available everywhere. Prone to weather conditions, satellite internet is not a recommended choice for gaming since there’s limited data, high latency, and inconsistent speeds.
Best Internet Providers for Gaming 2025
Now that it’s clear which connection type you should use for your gaming needs, let’s check out the best options that you can choose from.
AT&T
*Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
AT&T provides symmetrical speeds (the same download and upload) with all its fiber plans. There are no data caps or contracts, and AT&T doesn’t increase the plan’s price at 12 months. You also get All-Fi™ powerful Wi-Fi that provides a strong, reliable, and stable internet connection throughout your home.
Verizon Fios
With no setup charges and annual contracts, Verizon Fios is the next option for gaming internet. It offers 100% fiber optic connectivity, so you can say goodbye to lags and disruptions during your gaming sessions. Additionally, it offers a whole home Wi-Fi that covers every corner of your house wherever you go.
Xfinity
Bringing hybrid fiber-coax connectivity, Xfinity is one of the widely available internet providers in the US. Xfinity offers some of the most affordable internet plans, which makes it easier to find a plan according to your usage without spending much.
Moreover, Xfinity offers xFi Advanced Wi-Fi for wall-to-wall coverage, millions of Wi-Fi hotspots, and a DOCSIS 3.1 Modem with Wi-Fi 6E technology for seamless connectivity. Plus, Xfinity bundles earn you great discounts, making it easier to get multiple services at discounted rates.
Spectrum
Spectrum also offers hybrid fiber-coax connectivity and is widely available across the US. You can enjoy limitless gaming with Spectrum Internet plans that come with no data caps or contracts. In addition, Spectrum Internet Gig comes with a Wi-Fi 7 included in the plan, which gives the sheer performance needed for uninterrupted gaming sessions.
Moreover, you can break free from your existing contract with any provider when you opt for Spectrum.
Google Fiber
If you’re looking for the best fiber internet for gaming, then Google Fiber is the one. With its fiber connectivity, you get symmetrical speeds, making gaming, streaming, uploading, and related activities more seamless than ever. The only downside to it is its limited availability.
What We Recommend
Based on our analysis, here are the best gaming internet providers to consider when choosing a gaming internet provider:
| Providers | Reason | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Choice – Fiber | AT&T Google Fiber Verizon Fios | Fiber internet Superfast speeds Low latency Zero to minimal disruption |
| Top Choice – Hybrid Fiber Cable | Xfinity Spectrum | Wide availability Fast speeds Slight disruption |
How to Optimize Your Internet for Gaming
There are multiple approaches to optimizing your internet for gaming. This includes using a wired connection, reducing network traffic, getting a closer game server, and upgrading your internet plan or router.
Reduce Connected Devices
If you’ve chosen the right internet plan and are still not getting the speeds you wanted, it can be because of too many tasks running on multiple devices on the network. If you have multiple devices connected to your network, you’re sharing your bandwidth, let alone speed.
So, if you’re experiencing slow speeds during gaming, try reducing the number of connected devices. This way, these devices won’t hog your bandwidth, and you can play without disruptions.
Close Background Tasks
What if the only connected device is the one you’re using for gaming, and still, the speed is nowhere close to what was advertised on your plan? Here, the culprits might be the background tasks running on your device.
These programs consume bandwidth and reduce speed. So, it’s better to turn them off.
Update Drivers & Firmware
Outdated devices and routers can cause serious lags during gaming. Installing pending updates and drivers is important because they include patch fixes that improve performance.
Clear Cache
If you haven’t cleared it in a while, now is the time! An unclear cache can alter your internet speed while keeping frequently used processes ready to use. Although they enable you to access such processes whenever you want, they can disrupt your gaming experience. Make sure to clear cache and free memory on your device and gateway for a better experience.
Use Airtime Fairness
Airtime fairness distributes an equal amount of network usage to all processes that are currently running on the network. By using this, you can eliminate processes that are choking your bandwidth. They are completed within the time and resources provided to them so you get zero disturbances while gaming.
Get a Gaming Router
If you want to have the best Wi-Fi for gaming, then get a gaming internet router. These routers are beasts when it comes to performance. From added gaming experience-enhancing features to expanded coverage, you’ll find your money worth it with a gaming router (yes, they are expensive).
Enable Quality of Service (QoS)
Most gaming routers come with QoS. This feature allows you to prioritize a specific task and allocate more resources than the other. You can combine QoS with airtime fairness to allocate more network resources for gaming activities while still managing other processes effectively.
Use Ethernet
To achieve the fastest internet for gaming with no speed-bumps; only absolute performance, use a wired connection. Wired connectivity eliminates Wi-Fi interference, providing your device with the complete bandwidth and speed it requires for running games and streaming activities.
FAQs
What kind of internet is best for gaming?
Fiber internet is the best for gaming as it offers superfast speeds, better than any other internet connection out there.
Is 1 Gbps fast enough for gaming?
Yes, 1 Gbps of internet speed is enough for gaming. It can run your games, and stream alongside while running your connected devices smoothly.
