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*Price after $10/mo discount (starts within 2 bills) w/ paperless billing & Autopay if enrolled w a debut card or bank account. Discount reduced to $5/mo if enrolled w/ credit card. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies
AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider for gaming due to its superior speed and reliability compared to other providers.
Download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and ping rates (latency) less than 60 ms are recommended for gaming in households with at least five connected devices.
Optimize your existing Wi-Fi network for gaming by upgrading equipment, hard-wiring your gaming device and disconnecting unnecessary Wi-Fi devices.
Why trust our broadband experts
Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.
What is the best internet for gaming? The best internet provider for gaming can vary based on where you live. A fiber-optic connection provides the best gaming conditions due to having the fastest download and upload speeds, but cable internet can also provide up to 1,000 Mbps, which is plenty for lag-free gaming.
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary.
♱Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. See offer details. 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. As of 03/20/25.
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2025. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
What type of internet do you need for gaming?
“What are good Mbps for gaming?” isn’t the only thing to consider when shopping for the best gaming internet — connection type, reliability and the type of games you want to play all matter too.
Connection: Fiber and cable internet are the best internet connection types for gaming due to fast speeds, low ping rate (latency, or delay in response time), jitter (data-transfer delay), and packet loss (broken connection).
Reliability: Having reliable internet is crucial for a satisfactory gaming experience. While cable and 5G internet are generally consistent, your speed and latency may be impacted if your area tends to have overcrowded networks.
Download: A good internet speed for gaming depends on the number of connected devices. A 300–500 Mbps plan is good for homes with up to 10 devices; more than 20 devices should try up to 1 GB to maintain seamless gaming.
Upload: A good upload speed for gaming depends on your game of choice. Real-time multiplayer games function better with higher upload speeds.
Video quality: Multiplayer or cloud gaming requires extra bandwidth, especially if you prefer streaming in HD or 4K resolution.
Other factors to consider for the best internet speed for gaming
Equipment upgrades on routers and Wi-Fi extenders can improve gaming performance.
Wi-Fi router: A good Wi-Fi router can optimize your gaming experience. Ensure that you buy a router that supports the internet speeds of your chosen broadband plan.
Best Wi-Fi extender for gaming: Get a better Wi-Fi signal with a Wi-Fi extender or Wi-Fi booster if you are gaming in a part of your home that is far away from the modem and router. Using a mesh Wi-Fi network can make the signal stronger in parts of your home that get a weaker signal.
Wi-Fi adapter for gaming: A Wi-Fi adapter converts a wired game system into a wireless device. Using a Wi-Fi adapter on your gaming laptop can also improve signal strength when connecting to your home Wi-Fi network.
Breaking down the best internet for gaming
Learn more about the best internet for gaming from top internet service providers in the following reviews. You can also browse internet deals in your area by entering your address on this page.
AT&T Fiber – Best internet for homes with multiple gamers
Pros
Offers multi-gig speeds.
Symmetrical upload and download speeds.
Low latency (less than 14 ms on avg.)
Cons
Over $200/mo. for the fastest 4.7 GB* plan.
No long-term price guarantee.
AT&T’s fiber internet is the standout for best gaming internet.
*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. As of 03/20/25.
Cox – Best for 4K gaming
Pros
No contracts.
Consistent pricing.
Supports 4K & 8K gaming/streaming.
Cons
Equipment fees apply after 24 mos.
Monthly data cap at 1.25 TB.
Cox offers cheap internet plans starting at $50/mo. ($30/mo. for qualifying low-income households).
Panoramic Wi-Fi optimizes your home Wi-Fi range and network security.
At least 100 Mbps for homes with up to five connected devices.
Up to 1 GB speed for 40 devices or less.
A multi-gig internet connection for the most connected homes, especially if multiple gamers will be online at once.
Remember:
The speed you need for gaming depends on the game and how many devices are connected in your home.
A game’s minimum system requirements are based on having a single connected computer or gaming console.
You will need a faster internet speed if there are more devices online at once.
Most turn-based strategy games, such as Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy, recommend a minimum of 5–25 Mbps.
3D sandbox games, like Minecraft or Roblox, have minimum speeds as low as 1–8 Mbps for a single connected device.
Massively multiplayer online (MMO) games like World of Warcraft or first-person shooter (FPS) games such as Call of Duty can function with around 5 Mbps, but for the best gaming experience, consider a faster internet speed of 50 Mbps and up, with minimal latency.
Best internet service provider for streaming
The best internet for streaming is similar to the best internet for gaming, but upload speeds, latency and jitter aren’t as vital.
Streaming needs reliable download speeds on a consistent internet connection to prevent lag and buffering.
Any of the best providers for gaming can also support streaming.
Other fiber and cable internet providers that are great for streaming include Spectrum, Google Fiber and Optimum.
Best gaming Wi-Fi FAQs
What is a good internet speed for gaming?
The best Wi-Fi for gaming in your home will be influenced by how many devices are connected and what online activities are happening at the same time. For homes with numerous devices, 500–1 GB offers more flexibility to connect more devices to Wi-Fi without interference. For households with fewer connected devices, 50–100 Mbps is sufficient for gaming. You can still enjoy gaming with slower speeds, as low as 10 Mbps, especially if there is only one gaming device in use.
Does upload speed matter for gaming?
Upload speed does matter for gaming, but not overly so. As long as you have an upload speed of around 1 Mbps, most online gaming should function well. Other features, such as latency, or ping rate, can influence the online gaming experience more.
Is 1,000 Mbps good for gaming?
An internet speed of 1,000 Mbps, or 1 GB, is great for gaming. With this download speed, virtually any game on any platform (PC, Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) will perform well. If you are connecting 10 or fewer devices in your home, you can consider a lower internet speed. An internet plan with a speed of less than 1 GB could save you money on internet and prevent you from overpaying for speed you don’t need.
What is a good internet speed for streaming?
The majority of streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu and Disney+, operate with just 3–8 Mbps, but you will need to increase your speed package in accordance with the number of online devices in your home. A good internet speed for streaming can vary based on how many devices are connected to your home Wi-Fi network.
Can faster internet improve my gaming?
Factors such as faster internet speeds, lower ping rates and less jitter can improve response times between your controller movements and on-screen reactions, which may make your gaming experience more enjoyable.
Is an Ethernet connection faster than Wi-Fi for gaming?
Yes, an Ethernet connection is faster than Wi-Fi because it directly connects to the internet source.
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Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer helping readers understand the complexities of broadband, internet and other home services, including energy and renewable products. Her work appears on SaveOnEnergy.com and CNET.com, with national sources such as CNN, The Daily MBA and The Media Bulletin referencing her articles.
Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.
