Best Wi-Fi speeds for gaming

Lagging while gaming? The guide is just for you. 

All the gamers out there! If you are experiencing delays while playing your favorite games, this is the most annoying thing ever. Your WiFi speed can affect your gaming experience. A weak WiFi signal will make you suffer from constant buffering and lags, which can frustrate you.

Wi-Fi speeds on an excellent gaming experience

It is a misconception that you only need good speeds to have the best gaming experience. You can play games with a speed of 5mbps or more, but your connection’s latency matters most.

Low-latency internet connections are best suited if you are a gamer playing MMO (Multiplayer online games). WiFi speeds matter while you are in the middle of the strategy gameplay simulating the armed forces; you will need a continuous rate to keep up with your fight.

System requirements for playing games online

For every device, you need to have different minimum speeds. On average, there are specific rules regarding speed and ping rate, but that might differ on other devices. Here’s what you need on average:

Download speed	15-25Mbps
Upload speed	5Mbps
Ping rate	50-100ms.

System	Download Speed(Mbps)	Upload Speed(Mbps)	Ping rate(ms)
XBox	3	0.5	less than 150
Nintendo Switch	3	1	less than 150
PC/Mac	3-6	0.7-1	100-150
PS4/PS5	3	1	less than 150

These speeds and ping rates are the ones that are on the guidelines provided by the device providers. But, it is always advisable to use more than the minimum requirements for fast gameplay.

Best internet connections analysis

Gamers have many options to consider, but what suits you best depends on what type of games you are playing and the area where you are located. Here’s the speed analysis of different connections you can consider:

Connections	Download speed(Mbps)	Upload speed(Mbps)	Ping rate
Satellite	12–200	3	594–624
Fiber	50-10000	100-1000	11-14
Cable	15-1200	5-50	15-35
Fixed wireless	10-1000	10-50	Less than 1
5G	25-1000	25-30	Less than 1
4G LTE	4-100	2-5	70-80
DSL	1-100	0.3-8	10-70

The table above shows different value internet service providers create for their services. You can choose the one that suits you best. If you are a role-playing gamer, you can even rely on slow speeds. 

However, if you are playing first-person shooting games, you need to have a fast pace and low latency connection while playing online. Similarly, for massive multiplayer gamers and strategy-building games, there is a need to have a quick and consistent relationship as they involve eye-blinking action.

How to improve your Wi-Fi speed for gaming

Game lags, buffering, and screen stuck are irritating in the middle of the game. Fortunately, WiFi speed can be improved by simple steps: 

• Check your router: Optimized and upgraded routers work well for gamers. Upgrading to a new generation router like Wi-Fi 6 can be a great help. Also, position a router at a place where there is no obstacle. You can also have a dedicated router for gaming purposes but they are sometimes expensive. If you have done all of the above, reboot the router often to make it work well.

• Update your firmware and software: You must update your router’s software through the user interface. Sometimes, you will not be prompted, but it is always advisable to check for it if you are experiencing slow internet speed.

• Use bandwidth wisely: There are always some apps running in the background. Some apps can be disabled to have the bandwidth for a better gaming experience.

• Try MoCA adaptors: MoCa adapters offer plug-and-play technology. It creates a data stream for your gaming and ensures fast responses every time you play.

• Check your internet speed: You can perform free speed tests of your internet connection to keep track of services. A rate of 20-25 Mbps must be provided, if not faster.

• Use a VPN: If the speed of your WiFi is being affected because of throttling, then a VPN can help you have a constant speed back. Using PureVPN will ensure your internet usage is kept private, and your ISP will not recognize how to throttle the connection.

• Optimize your Wi-Fi: It is essential to check the devices used on your WiFi. Every device must be secure. Also, check for malicious activities that might happen if you have public WiFi. Using PureVPN can be an excellent option to protect yourself from such risks.

Concluding thoughts

Gamers put so much effort into their leisure by investing in high-tech devices, buying ergonomic chairs, installing compact fluorescent lights, and whatnot. Even then, if they experience lagging in their games, that isn’t very good! 

Frequently asked questions

What is the best internet speed for gaming and streaming?

A speed of 20-30 Mbps works fine for gaming and streaming with a good ping. The higher the speed, it would be better.

Is 100 Mbps good for gaming?

Yes, 100Mbps is a good speed for gaming. 

How to prioritize Wi-Fi for gaming?

First, know your MAC address by signing in to the user interface. Then, log in to your control panel, prioritize your device’s MAC address, and limit others’ bandwidth.

Does Mbps affect ping?

Yes, a high-speed internet connection will keep your ping low. This is good in terms of consistency while streaming or gaming.