Upgrade your gaming setup: The best internet providers for gaming 2024
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Best internet for homes w/multiple gamers
Prices from
$55.00
per month
Speeds up to
5,000
Mbps
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install charge may apply.
Best cable internet for gaming
Prices from
$19.99
per month
Speeds up to
2,000
Mbps
Best internet for gaming in rural areas
Prices from
$29.99
per month
Speeds up to
5,000
Mbps
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.
Best internet for gaming
The best internet provider for gaming can vary based on where you live. Generally, a fiber-optic connection has the fastest download and upload speeds to provide the best gaming conditions. However, cable internet and 5G services can also work for gaming in the right environment.
- Best internet for homes with multiple gamers: AT&T Fiber
- Best internet for gaming (less than 10 devices): CenturyLink
- Best internet for gaming in rural areas: Frontier Fiber
- Best cable internet for gaming: Xfinity
- Best 5G internet for gaming: Verizon 5G Home Internet
Provider | Price range* | Speed range | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|
AT&T Fiber | $55–$245/mo. | 300–4,700 Mbps | Fiber |
CenturyLink | $30–$75/mo. | 200–940 Mbps | Fiber |
Frontier Fiber | $39.99–$154.99//mo. | 200–5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
Xfinity | $9.95–$299.95/mo. | 50–6,000 Mbps | Cable |
Verizon 5G Home | $60–$80/mo. | 85–1,000 Mbps | 5G |
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. 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?
- Connection type: Many of the best internet service providers (ISPs) can work well for gaming, although fiber and cable internet are the best types of internet for gaming. One of the biggest factors when you set up internet for a high-speed gaming connection is internet speed. Use a speed test to determine what speed you currently have. Speed tests can also give you data about other factors that affect gaming, such as ping rate (the measurement of latency, or delay in response time), jitter (delays when transferring data) and packet loss (broken connection).
- Download speed: A good internet speed for gaming can vary based on how many other devices are connected in your home. If the gaming device is the only thing connected to the internet, an internet speed of 10–100 Mbps works fine, but it may take longer when downloading new games or updates. For homes with up to 10 devices online simultaneously, a speed of 300–500 Mbps is a good speed. More than 20 devices connected at the same time will want a speed of 1 GB or more to maintain a good internet connection for gaming.
- Upload speed: What is a good upload speed for gaming? The answer can depend on your game. Generally, a minimum of 1 Mbps upload is adequate. A real-time multiplayer game may function better with higher upload speeds. Upload speeds of 3–5 Mbps are nice to have, but not a necessity.
Other factors to consider for the best internet speed for gaming
- 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
The best internet for gaming at your location will be largely determined by the internet service providers available at your address. However, the details in the following provider breakdowns can help you determine what features to search for, such as speed, fees and price guarantees, when shopping for the best Wi-Fi for gaming. Then, browse internet deals in your area by entering your address on this page.
AT&T Fiber – Best internet for homes with multiple gamers
The best gaming internet is fiber internet from AT&T, which also happens to be one of the most available fiber networks. The no-contract internet plans include speeds up to 4.7 GB. At $55/mo. for 300 Mbps, AT&T also has a reasonable starting price for a fast internet speed for gaming. All equipment is included in AT&T internet plans, and bundling AT&T wireless service with your internet package will net a monthly discount of $20/mo.
Pros
Offers multigig speeds good for the most connected homes.
Symmetrical upload and download speeds.
Low latency.
Cons
Over $200/mo. for the fastest 4.7 GB plan.
No long-term price guarantee.
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.
Read the full AT&T review.
CenturyLink – Best internet for gaming (less than 10 devices)
Get a fast internet speed for gaming starting at $30/mo. for 200 Mbps. CenturyLink’s cheap internet plans are also available at 500 Mbps or 1 GB, depending on location. Keep in mind that equipment with CenturyLink is $15/mo. or a flat one-time fee of $200 (unless on promotion). CenturyLink Fiber plans are primarily found in the Midwest, Northwest and Florida.
Pros
No contracts.
Unlimited data.
Price for Life guarantee.
Cons
Additional cost for equipment.
Installation fee may apply.
Overall score: 3.5 out of 5.
Read the full CenturyLink review.
Frontier Fiber – Best internet for gaming in rural areas
The best gaming internet for you can vary based on the ISPs that cover your area. If you are searching for rural internet, Frontier Fiber has availability in many suburban and rural locations. This high-speed internet provider has fast internet speeds for gaming up to 5 GB, and even Frontier DSL internet can support online gaming with speeds up to 100 Mbps.
Pros
Multiple plan options.
Unlimited data.
Free equipment.
Cons
Installation fee starting at $50.
Price increases after 12 months.
Poor ACSI customer service scores.
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.
Read the full Frontier review.
Xfinity – Best cable internet for gaming
Xfinity offers a good internet speed for gaming and various packages (six or more plan options in most areas) for all budgets. Plans can be purchased with or without a contract. Plans with a contract have a lower monthly rate but come with an early termination fee (ETF) if you cancel your service before the end of the agreement. Cable internet does not have symmetrical upload speeds like fiber but is still fast enough for online gaming.
Pros
Widespread availability.
Plans for low-income households.
Cheap internet starting around $20/mo.
Cons
Some plans have an ETF.
Price increases after 12–24 months.
Equipment fees may apply.
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.
Read the full Xfinity review.
Verizon 5G Home Internet – Best 5G internet for gaming
Verizon 5G Home Internet plans are among the best Wi-Fi for gaming, especially if you are searching for an alternative to fiber or cable internet packages. Verizon 5G offers price guarantees of up to five years with free equipment and installation. The two 5G internet plans from Verizon have max speeds of 300 Mbps or 1 GB and upload speeds of 10 and 50 Mbps, respectively. However, the shared 5G connection is the basis for a higher ping rate (i.e., more lag) and higher jitter, which can cause delays in real-time gaming environments.
Pros
Internet discount when bundling with wireless.
Available in 34 states.
Cons
Speed can fluctuate throughout the day.
More latency than fiber or cable internet.
Overall score: 4 out of 5.
Read the full Verizon 5G review.
Best gaming Wi-Fi FAQs
What is a good internet speed for gaming?
A good internet speed for gaming can be 10 Mbps or faster. The best Wi-Fi for gaming at your home will be influenced by how many other devices are connected at the same time and what other online activities are happening simultaneously.
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.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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