The best internet for gaming in 2023
Gamers the world over share a common concern, how to find the best internet for gaming.
Finding a perfect combination of price, upload speed, download speed and quality of service from an internet service provider is a challenging online game of its own.
From there I'll share our top picks for internet service providers who offer the best combination of consistent high-speed internet and value.
Finally, we'll discuss best practices for making the most of your internet service.
Best internet providers for gaming
- Download
- 400-1,200 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $40-80
Xfinity offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $40. To order service call: (888) 473-8957
Xfinity Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
400 Mbps Internet | 400 Mbps | $39.99 | ||
800 Mbps Internet | 800 Mbps | $59.99 | ||
1000 Mbps Internet | 1000 Mbps | $69.99 | ||
1200 Mbps Internet | 1200 Mbps | $79.99 |
Xfinity TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic TV | 10 Channels | $20.00 | ||
Extra TV | 125 Channels | $67.27 | ||
Preferred TV | 185 Channels | $69.99 |
Xfinity Triple Play Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Extra TV + Internet 400 + Voice | 400 Mbps | 125 Channels | Unlimited | $99.99 |
Preferred TV + Internet 1000 + Voice | 1000 Mbps | 185 Channels | Unlimited | $109.99 |
Pros
Lightning fast options
Multiple speed choices
Large bundle selection
Contract and no-contract options
Widespread availability
Hotspot access away from home
Cons
Less than stellar customer service ratings
Known for its occasional outages
Benefits
Good variety of bundles available
No-cost equipment upgrades
Advanced Security to block online threats
30 Day money back guarantee
24/7 support
4K streaming device available
- Download
- 300-5,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $55-180
AT&T offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $55. To order service call: (855) 458-2223
AT&T Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet 300 | 300 Mbps | $55.00 | ||
Internet 500 | 500 Mbps | $65.00 | ||
Internet 1000 | 1000 Mbps | $80.00 | ||
Internet 2000 | 2000 Mbps | $110.00 | ||
Internet 5000 | 5000 Mbps | $180.00 |
AT&T TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Entertainment | 160 Channels | $64.99 | ||
Choice | 185 Channels | $69.99 | ||
Ultimate | 250 Channels | $89.99 |
AT&T Triple Play Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet 300 + Entertainment TV + Phone | 300 Mbps | 160 Channels | Unlimited | $154.98 |
Internet 300 + Choice TV + Phone | 300 Mbps | 185 Channels | Unlimited | $159.99 |
Internet 300 + Ultimate TV + Phone | 300 Mbps | 250 Channels | Unlimited | $179.99 |
Pros
Flexible bundling options
Quickly expanding fiber network
DSL service available
Extensive rural availability
Cons
Data caps on some plans
Contract required for best deals
Benefits
Fiber optic availability
30,000+ Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide
Flexible options for bundles
AT&T Smart Wi-Fi - Stay connected room to room
Combine your services with phone, TV and Internet bundles
Availability in some rural areas
24/7 Technical support
Customer service available 8am to 7pm local time
- Download
- 300-940 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-90
Verizon FiOS offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $50. To order service call: (888) 512-1582
Verizon FiOS Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fios Internet 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | $49.99 | ||
Fios Internet 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | $69.99 | ||
Fios Gigabit Internet | 940 Mbps | $89.99 |
Verizon FiOS TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Your Fios TV | 125 Channels | $70.00 | ||
More FIos TV | 300 Channels | $90.00 | ||
The Most Fios TV | 425 Channels | $110.00 |
Verizon FiOS Triple Play Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Your Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone | 300 Mbps | 125 Channels | Unlimited | $139.99 |
More Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone | 300 Mbps | 300 Channels | Unlimited | $159.99 |
The Most Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone | 300 Mbps | 425 Channels | Unlimited | $179.99 |
Pros
100% fiber network
Speed options up to Gigabit
Equal upload and download speeds
No contracts
Good customer service reputation
Cons
Limited availability
Fees can add up
Benefits
Service is run on 100% fiber optic network
No annual contracts
Plans with speeds up to Gigabit
Reliable service
Fast upload and download speeds
Live online chat support
24/7 Facebook messenger support
- Download
- 100-1,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-100
Cox offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $50. To order service call: (888) 474-1303
Cox Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet Essential 100 | 100 Mbps | $49.99 | ||
Internet Preferred 250 | 250 Mbps | $59.99 | ||
Internet Ultimate 500 | 500 Mbps | $69.99 | ||
Internet Gigablast | 1000 Mbps | $99.99 |
Cox TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Contour TV Starter | 75 Channels | $53.00 | ||
Contour TV Preferred | 140 Channels | $98.00 | ||
Contour TV Preferred Plus | 170 Channels | $118.00 | ||
Contour TV Ultimate | 250 Channels | $138.00 |
Cox Triple Play Bundles
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet Preferred 250 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 250 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $167.99 |
Internet Essential 100 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 100 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $167.99 |
Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 500 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $187.99 |
Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred + Voice | 1000 Mbps | 140 Channels | Unlimited | $217.99 |
Pros
Wide range of speed options
Panoramic wi-fi to cover weak spots
Hotspot access away from home
No commitment required
Cons
Available in limited number of states
Slow upload speeds on some plans
Benefits
30 day money back guarantee
1 Gigabit connection available
65,000+ wifi hotspots nationwide
Panoramic wi-fi to cover the whole house
24/7 tech support
Customer service - Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm
- Download
- 50-1,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-80
Frontier offers internet & landline services with plans starting at $50. To order service call: (888) 475-7478
Frontier Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FiberOptic 50 | 50 Mbps | $49.99 | ||
FiberOptic 500 | 500 Mbps | $59.99 | ||
FiberOptic Gig | 1000 Mbps | $79.99 |
Pros
No data caps
Solid speeds to some rural areas
Good range of plans
TV and phone bundles available
Price lock or no-contract options
Cons
Contract required with fiber
Fiber isn't widely available
Some reports of hit or miss DSL speeds
Benefits
24/7 tech support
No data caps - All plans offer unlimited data
2 year price lock guarantee
Cloud drive storage
Live online chat
30 day money back guarantee
BYO compatible modem
Wide availability - Covers 38 states
- Download
- 300-1,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $40-80
Optimum offers internet & TV services with plans starting at $40. To order service call: (888) 492-9415
Optimum Internet Only Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Internet 300 | 300 Mbps | $39.99 | ||
Internet 500 | 500 Mbps | $59.99 | ||
Internet 1 GIG | 1000 Mbps | $79.99 |
Optimum TV Plans
Package | Internet | TV | Phone | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Core TV | 200 Channels | $74.99 | ||
Select TV | 290 Channels | $99.99 | ||
Premier TV | 340 Channels | $119.99 |
Pros
No data cap
No contracts
Price for life option
Speed choices up to Gigabit
Access to over 2 million hotspots
Cons
Services only a few states
Limited plan selection
Benefits
Wi-Fi hotspots access
Free virus and malware detection from McAfee
No contract required
Smart Router included
Good range of plans to choose from
No data caps
Customer support available Monday to Sunday 8am to 6pm
Best internet providers available in my area
Fiber vs cable internet
For the best gaming experience, the infrastructure of internet connection makes a difference. Ideally, you connect over a fiber optics network, which is superior to phone or cable modem based internet access.
Fiber optic internet delivers practically instantaneous service. Access to fiber optic internet depends on if a provider in your area offers it. You are in luck if you live in Rhode Island, with 97.9% fiber optic internet available.
How to increase internet speed
Gamers can download software to boost their internet performance. Speedconnect internet accelerator claims to optimize your network connection and speeds up online experience with Windows based systems. Boost, from Razer Cortex, is specifically designed to optimize the experience the online gamers.
Performance-boosting programs can be tricky. They may push your system beyond its limits, or plant malware in your hard drive. Before you buy, take the time to read user reviews before installing software to enhance internet performance. Keep your system secure with antivirus software to stop problems in their tracks.
Enhancing performance
Whichever provider you use for online access, you can examine factors slowing down your web connection or video game. Shut down any software not in use such as internet browsers or streaming media. If other people in your house are in gameplay mode too or streaming over the same wireless connection, it will hurt performance for both of you.
It's a matter of traffic management. When you are the only person using a wireless connection, your gaming experience improves.
Some games demand a lot of power from your computer or video game console. Try lowering the visual or sound settings in the game. Less information will send to the server, and its data packet can bounce back and forth quicker.
Router location
Pay attention to simple tech etiquette for your wireless router, dual-band router or cable modem. Savvy gamers position the router away from clutter and metal objects. Keep it away from concrete or brick walls as well.
This is important with a wireless router in particular, as opposed to an Ethernet cable. You want the wireless signal to have a clear path to your gaming console, gaming desktop or gaming laptop computer.
Optimizing internet speed
Here are some quick tips you do right now to improve your internet speeds for gaming.
- Choose an internet service provider with fiber optics infrastructure.
- Analyze service providers for packet loss, latency, and jitter.
- Use an Ethernet cable whenever possible.
- Avoid bundled services, such as the internet, phone, and TV on one cable.
- Choose a computer or gaming console with a solid-state drive.
- Position your router away from brick, concrete or metal objects.
Factors that affect internet speed:
- Packet Loss refers to chunks of data that fail to travel from a server to you and back again.
- Latency, or lag, is the time a data packet takes to reach you, then travel back to the server.
- Jitter is a measure of how much your latency changes from test to test. They lower the change, the better.
Is Satellite internet good for gaming?
Those who live in rural areas may not have access to high-speed internet infrastructure. Their best option for internet service capable of supporting gaming is satellite internet (VSAT). Satellite works well with some types of games, but not all. The culprit is latency, the time for data packets to travel from your satellite dish to the satellite in space and back.
A turn-based game relying on strategy, which does not require quick actions is ideal for a satellite-based internet. Online poker or online casino games are also good. Certain online role-playing games are also perfect for this type of internet service.
Games demanding rapid actions and split-second decision making, such as first-person shooter games, are difficult to play with a satellite connection due to lag time. Players can be left waiting for their moves to catch up with them.
Compare the best internet deals
| Provider | Download | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
 Ultra 5G Home | 100 Mbps | $54.99 |
 Mediacom | 60-1,000 Mbps | $19.99-79.99 |
 WOW! | 100-1,000 Mbps | $19.99-54.99 |
 RCN | 50-940 Mbps | $29.99-59.99 |
 Armstrong | 12-500 Mbps | $34.95-149.95 |
 Windstream | 200-1,000 Mbps | $35.00-55.00 |
| Optimum | 300-1,000 Mbps | $39.99-79.99 |
| Xfinity | 400-1,200 Mbps | $39.99-79.99 |
 Atlantic Broadband | 400-1,000 Mbps | $39.99-59.99 |
 Sparklight | 100-1,000 Mbps | $45.00-125.00 |
Best internet for gaming FAQs
What is a good internet speed for a PS5?
To play games on the PlayStation 5 you'll need speeds of at least 3 Mbps, but if you're not the only member of your household using the internet you'll want faster speeds. On average between 50-100 Mbps should give you enough download speed.
What is the best internet speed for gaming?
The minimum speed recommended for gaming is 25 to 50 Mbps for casual gaming. But with the number of devices often connected to the internet at the same time for serious gamers, it is recommended at least 200 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
Recap
Online gaming is an exciting, fun way to spend time with friends. For a more in-depth analysis of the Internet service providers discussed above (and even those we didn't!) you can review our buyers guide to Internet providers.
A WiFi Router can make the world of a difference for a blazing fast, strong Internet connection. Check out our buyer's guide to WiFi Routers to learn more.
