10 Best Internet Providers for Gaming 2023

We analyzed internet speed, latency, and availability to find the best ISPs for pwning noobs. We found Xfinity, Verizon Fios Home Internet, and AT&T Fiber topped the charts.

Best for Most Gamers
Xfinity
Xfinity Internet
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Download Speed Range
75-2000 Mbps
Data Cap Range
1200 Mbps
Price Range
$19.99-$120
Best Fiber Speeds (West Coast, Central US)
ATT
AT&T Fiber
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Download Speed Range
300-5000 Mbps
Data Cap Range
Unlimited
Price Range
$55-$250
Best Fiber Speeds (East Coast)
Verizon
Verizon Fios Home Internet
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Download Speed Range
300-2300 Mbps
Data Cap Range
Unlimited
Price Range
$49.99-$89.99
Best Mid-Speed Plans
Spectrum
Spectrum Internet®
4 out of 5 stars
4
Download Speed Range
30-1000 Mbps
Data Cap Range
Unlimited
Price Range
$19.99-$89.99
Best Low-Speed Plans
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
4 out of 5 stars
4
Download Speed Range
245-245 Mbps
Data Cap Range
Unlimited
Price Range
$50-$50
Catherine McNally
Nov 29, 2023
bullet13 min read

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Everyone knows the worst part of gaming is laaag. So it’s important to get an internet provider that gives you the fastest download and upload speeds plus the lowest latency in your area.

So we analyzed more than 20 large internet service providers (ISPs) and their download speeds, upload speeds, latency, data caps, prices, and availability. 

We picked Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios Home Internet, Spectrum, and Optimum as our top recommendations, but it all depends on what ISP's service your area.

Which of these internet providers are available where you live? Enter your zip code to see.

Gaming internet providers at a glance

Before we dig into more details, here’s a table to give you a quick overview of our top gaming internet providers.

Best gaming internet providers
Provider
Price
Download speed
Upload speed
Details
Xfinity Internet
$19.99-$120
75-2000 Mbps10-35 Mbps
AT&T Fiber
$55-$250
300-5000 Mbps300-5000 Mbps
Verizon Fios Home Internet
$49.99-$89.99
300-2300 Mbps10-2300 Mbps
Spectrum Internet®
$19.99-$89.99
30-1000 Mbps*4-35 Mbps
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
$50-$50
245-245 Mbps31-31 Mbps
Optimum Internet
$30-$265
300-8000 Mbps20-8000 Mbps
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
* Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.

How to pick the best internet for gaming

Consider this your walkthrough guide to defeating the uncertainty boss and picking the best internet service provider for your online gaming habits.

So here’s what you should look for when choosing an ISP for gaming so you don't d/c before it's gg. Ready? Queue it up!

5 things gamers should look for in an internet plan

  1. Fast download speeds
  2. Fast upload speeds (mostly if you livestream)
  3. Low latency or ping
  4. Enough data for game patches and new downloads
  5. Optimized setup

1. Download speeds of at least 75 Mbps

You don’t necessarily need gig speeds to game, but you should have enough speed to support your adventure through Elden Ring or Redfall (just kidding, that game sucks) while all your other devices and roommates are connected to the internet too.

Why? Because you’ll likely need the extra speed to watch a YouTube video while you game.  And you don’t want to lag out because some of your flatmates are streaming a movie in the other room. Or your mom might be watching Facebook cat videos on her phone while you try to earn Play of the Game on Overwatch 2.

Our experience gaming on 40 Mbps? Thumbs down

We gamed on a 40 Mbps cable internet connection with two other adults who usually just email and stream a few videos.

Even though this is far above the FCC’s minimum recommended speed, we still lagged while playing games like World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth if someone streamed football or downloaded a PDF file. Yuck.

2. Upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps if you livestream

Don’t worry about upload speeds unless you livestream or upload YouTube videos. (Or work from home to support your gaming habits.) If you do do these things, aim for at least 5–10 Mbps upload speeds.

If you want to become the next Twitch star, you’re gonna need some upload speed to keep your fans happy. Twitch recommends 3–6 Mbps upload speeds for livestreaming, but just like download speeds, more is usually better.

Our resident video expert over at the Reviews.org YouTube channel, Craig, recommends aiming for 10 Mbps or faster upload speeds. Having faster upload speeds lets you publish your videos faster—and it lets you handle longer videos with larger file sizes without pulling out your hair over 2004-style wait times.

“If your file is more than 500 MB or so, 10+ Mbps will serve better. When I had 10 Mbps, it took about 30–45 minutes per video to upload,” says Craig.

3. Low latency around 50 ms or lower

Latency (also called lag, ms, or ping) is how long it takes for your computer to send and receive data from your game server. So with high latency, you might notice some lag between the time you execute your skill shot and when it actually launches toward an enemy player.

Latency isn’t really under your control, but you can kind of get an idea of how much latency, or lag, an ISP will have based on its connection type and past performance.

Average latency by internet connection type

  • Satellite: 594–624 ms
  • DSL: 11–40 ms
  • Cable: 15–27 ms
  • Fiber: 10–17 ms

If you’re not sure what your latency is on your current internet connection, take our free internet speed test to find out.

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Once you get your speed results, click Details to see your minimum and maximum latency plus jitter. (A high jitter score is just as bad as high latency—it’s probably causing that lag.)

Best-Internet-for-Gaming_Speed-Test-Latency-Results

4. At least 1 TB of data for downloads

The last thing anyone wants to see is that snarky email from your ISP warning that you’re about to hit your data cap. Especially when patch day is just around the corner.

For most of us, the usual 1 TB of monthly data most ISPs offer should be enough. But you should always double-check data caps when searching for a new ISP, because some providers won’t give you more than a handful of gigabytes each month.

And if your home is full of gamers, first off, lucky you. We’re jealous. But the more gamers you have, the more data you’ll need to keep up with everyone’s downloads. So go for unlimited data where you can.

Last but not least, internet power users will want unlimited data too. That includes anyone who hosts a server or downloads large files (like PDFs, videos, and photos) on a regular basis.

5. An optimized setup

All that internet speed and data could be for naught if your equipment isn’t optimized. An optimized internet setup provides faster speeds, less lag, and an overall better experience. Here are a few tips to get your gaming house in order:

  1. Use an Ethernet cable, always. Wi-Fi is great and all, but a wired connection will give you the best speeds and lowest latency. Often, Wi-Fi is susceptible to interferences.
  2. If you have to use Wi-Fi, position your router as close to your gaming station as you can. Try to avoid walls, furniture, and other objects sitting in between your Wi-Fi router and your gaming rig or console. Household appliances like mobile charges, microwaves, and wireless speakers can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal, so try to reduce signal interference if possible. If you've done all of this and still notice lag, you can try to change up your console's angle. 
  3. Update your modem’s and router’s firmware. This can alleviate performance issues with the equipment itself, and it can potentially boost your speed since you’ll have the latest and greatest software.
  4. Play on a local server. You can significantly decrease your ping and latency by choosing to play on a server that is closer to you. Opt for a local server in your country when possible. 
  5. Use Quality of Service (QoS) and network prioritization options on your router. If your router comes with QoS or prioritization features, you may want to set them up to prioritize your console’s or desktop’s internet traffic over other people and devices in your household. Of course, if your kiddo starts to see the buffering icon more than Peppa Pig, you’ll probably hear about it.

Want internet service providers do you have in your area?

Your internet can only be as good as the provider you get it from. Find out what your options are by entering your ZIP code below:

Which internet providers have service in your area? Enter your zip code below to find out.

Xfinity: Best for most gamers

Xfinity
Xfinity Internet
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Download Speed Range
75-2000 Mbps
Upload Speed Range
10-35 Mbps
Data Cap Range
1200 Mbps
Starting from
$19.99
/mo
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

Data effective 05/02/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
*For the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.

Xfinity’s combo of fast speeds, low latency, and a large service area make it our pick as the best gaming ISP for most and just generally one of the best home internet providers.

When it comes to internet speed, Xfinity is the highest-rated cable internet provider in our latest speed report. And as far as service coverage goes, Xfinity serves the third largest number of zip codes across the US, or 18.92%. That means, you’re more likely to find Xfinity internet in your area than other smaller ISPs.

Save big with Xfinity's 3 for 1 bundle
bullet

Already have Xfinity internet or looking to change providers? Xfinity's 3 for 1 Bundle gives you unlimited internet, and one Mobile Unlimited line.

Or, if you choose to switch to Xfinity's Fast internet plan before December 5th, you'll get a free Unlimited Intro mobile plan for two years.

 

Xfinity internet rating for gaming
Feature
Xfinity details

Connection type

Cable

Average latency*

23.0 ms

# of states available in

40

Top 3 states with most coverage

California, Florida, and Illinois

Also, Xfinity maintained a low average latency of 23.0 ms across its service areas. That’s great news for gamers who need a lag-free experience to wombo-combo some bosses in the face.

We also like that Xfinity gives you a lot of choices when it comes to download speed—up to 1,200 Mbps. And its promotional prices aren’t half bad either. 

Xfinity internet promotional prices in the Western US
Name
Price
Download speed
Upload speed
Details
Connect$19.99/mo.Up to 75 Mbps10 Mbps
Connect More$30/mo.Up to 200 Mbps10 Mbps
Fast$50/mo.^Up to 400 Mbps10 Mbps
Superfast$60/mo.^Up to 800 Mbps20 Mbps
Gigabit$65/mo.^Up to 1000 Mbps20 Mbps
Gigabit Extra$70/mo.^Up to 1200 Mbps35 Mbps
Gigabit X2$120/mo.°Up to 2000 Mbps35 Mbps
For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Taxes and equpiment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
^ For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Not available in all areas. Prices may vary by location.
° No term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. (xFi getaway required). Included up to $10 mo. auto pay & paperless discount. Package not available in all cities.

On the other end of the spectrum, Xfinity is known for poor customer service. (Granted, so is every ISP. But none seems to have as bad a reputation as Xfinity.) Our recent experience with Xfinity customer service ended with us getting what we wanted, but we sure felt tired after jumping through so many hoops.

We had to request a call through the Xfinity app, then wait. Then wait once we got a call and the agent looked into our issue. Then wait some more while we waited to be connected with a new, senior-level agent. It’s the same story no matter where you go, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating.

Then there’s Xfinity’s 1.2 TB data cap. Sure, you can upgrade to unlimited data, but it’ll cost you extra.

Last thing: We’re not big fans of cable internet’s slower upload speeds. Depending on which Xfinity plan you get, you might be stuck with 10 Mbps upload speeds. That’s not nearly enough if you want to stream games to your Twitch audience or upload YouTube videos of your gaming commentary.

Compare Xfinity prices and plans in your area.

AT&T Fiber: Best fiber internet speeds on the West Coast

ATT
AT&T Fiber
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Download Speed Range
300-5000 Mbps
Upload Speed Range
300-5000 Mbps
Data Cap Range
Unlimited
Starting from
$55
/mo
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

AT&T Fiber churns out fast speeds and low latency—if you can get it where you live.

AT&T Fiber gives you a leg up on your competition with a sweet, sweet fiber connection. But just like Verizon Fios Home Internet, it’s not available everywhere. Though you can get it on the West Coast—Cali friends, rejoice!

But with its DSL service included, AT&T services 23.33% of US zip codes—that’s the largest coverage area aside from satellite ISPs. (And AT&T uses newer DSL tech, so it might be okay for some RPG adventures.)

Get NVIDIA's GeForce for free
bullet

Attention gamers! Sign up for an AT&T Fiber Internet 300 plan or higher and snag six free months of cloud gaming on NVIDIA's GeForce.

AT&T’s combo of DSL and fiber internet also scored a respectable score in our fastest ISPs report. It also kept latency to an average of 24.0 ms during the first three months. Not bad at all.

AT&T Fiber internet rating for gaming
Feature
AT&T Fiber details

Connection type

Fiber (FTTH, FTTN)

Average latency**

24.0 ms

# of states available in

21

Top 3 states with most coverage

Mississippi, Michigan, Tennessee

AT&T Fiber’s internet plans also happen to be some of the cheapest around, at least for the first 12 months.

AT&T Fiber promotional prices
Name
Price
Download speed
Upload speed
Details
AT&T Internet 300$55/mo.**300 Mbps300 Mbps
AT&T Internet 500$65/mo.**500 Mbps500 Mbps
AT&T Internet 1000$80/mo.††1000 Mbps1000 Mbps
AT&T Internet 2000$150/mo.††Up to 2000 MbpsUp to 2000 Mbps
AT&T Internet 5000$250/mo.††Up to 5000 MbpsUp to 5000 Mbps
** Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas. Call or go to www.fiber.att.com to see if you qualify.
†† Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Ltd. availability/areas.

Speeds based on wired connection.  Actual speeds may vary. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.

The major downside to AT&T is that its fiber internet is limited to bigger cities in the 21 states it serves. And its DSL service might top off at 100 Mbps in your area—or you might get sub-75 Mbps speeds.

Enter your zip code and find out if AT&T Fiber is available in your area.

Verizon Fios Home Internet: Best fiber internet speeds on the East Coast

Verizon
Verizon Fios Home Internet
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
Download Speed Range
300-2300 Mbps
Upload Speed Range
10-2300 Mbps
Data Cap Range
Unlimited
Starting from
$49.99
/mo
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

Known for great customer service and fast fiber speeds, Verizon Fios Home Internet is an A+ pick for gamers on the East Coast and one of the best home internet providers overall.

It comes with a full-fiber connection and earned seventh place in our list of the fastest ISPs in the US, perfect for logging on and mopping the floor with raid bosses.

We’ve also heard nothing but good things about Verizon’s customer service. All our friends lucky enough to grab this internet provider have said every interaction with Verizon Fios Home Internet’s customer service was easy mode—from installation to troubleshooting.

Verizon Fios Home Internet rating for gaming
Feature
Verizon Fios Home Internet details

Connection type

Fiber (FTTH)

Average latency**

13.0 ms

# of states available in

9

Top 3 states with most coverage

New Jersey, Massachusetts, Delaware

In the past, Verizon Fios Home Internet was less than forthcoming about its data limits, but now we know it offers unlimited data. So don’t worry about downloading that patch, new expansion, or 18 new games during a Steam sale. (Who, us?)

Verizon Fios Home Internet promotional prices
Name
Price
Download speed
Upload speed
Details
Internet 300/300$49.99/mo.‡‡300 Mbps10 Mbps
Internet 500/500$69.99/mo.‡‡500 Mbps500 Mbps
1 Gig without mobile plan$89.99/mo.‡‡Up to 940 Mbps10 Mbps
Internet 2 Gig$84.99/mo.^^Up to 2300 MbpsUp to 2300 Mbps
‡‡ Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees
^^ Available in select areas only. Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees

Verizon Fios Home Internet’s biggest drawback is that it’s still pretty much limited to major metropolitan areas on the East Coast.

That small service area means that West Coast and Midwest gamers can’t get in on the fantastic service this ISP provides. (Though you might be able to check out Verizon 5G Home Internet instead.)

Get the internet and TV you want with Verizon Fios

We hate games without character customization, and honestly TV and internet bundles with no customization bring us down too.

So our eyes lit up when we saw that Verizon Fios lets you customize your internet speed and TV package. Our fave is the 500 Mbps internet + Your Fios TV combo—but you can customize your own to your heart’s desire.

Look for Verizon Fios Home Internet in your area.

Spectrum: Cheap mid-speed plans for new gamers

Spectrum
Spectrum Internet®
4 out of 5 stars
4
Download Speed Range
30-1000 Mbps
Upload Speed Range
4-35 Mbps
Data Cap Range
Unlimited
Starting from
$19.99
/mo
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

Spectrum’s download speeds and latency are a-okay, but if you need gig speeds, get ready to pay a lot more. 

Overall, Spectrum brings decent speeds to the table, ranking 5th out of 10 internet providers we analyzed in our fastest ISPs report. It’s also widely available across the US, including often overlooked states like Ohio and Maine.

On top of that, Spectrum comes with unlimited data. So no more stressing about downloading that new game at the end of the month. You’re good to go.

Spectrum Internet® rating for gaming
Feature
Spectrum details

Connection type

Cable

Average latency**

33.0 ms

# of states available in

42

Top 3 states with most coverage

Ohio, Maine, New York

Our biggest gripe with Spectrum is the extremely high price for its up to 1,000 Mbps plan.* As of the time we’re writing this, that plan costs a little bit under $90 a month, and that’s on top of a $199.99 installation fee. Those two costs make the Spectrum Internet® GIG plan one of—if not the—most expensive gig-speed plans we’ve seen.

You should also note that Spectrum Internet® is a cable connection. But all of its plans come with at least 10 Mbps* of upload speed, which is enough to livestream or upload YouTube videos.

All that aside, Spectrum’s up to 300* and up to 500 Mbps* plans ring in at decent prices for the speed you get.

*Wireless speeds may vary.

Spectrum Internet® promotional prices
Name
Price
Download speed
Upload speed
Details
Spectrum Internet®$49.99/mo. for 12 mos.°°Up to 300 MbpsUp to 10 Mbps
Spectrum Internet Ultra$69.99/mo.°°500 Mbps20 Mbps
Spectrum Internet® Gig$89.99/mo. for 12 mos.***Up to 1000 MbpsUp to 35 Mbps
°° For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
*** For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.

And if you happen to live in North Carolina, New York, or Ohio, you can get Spectrum Internet® for a lower monthly price and even faster download speed with Spectrums regional plans. 

Spectrum Internet® regional promotional prices
Name
Region
Price
Download speed
Upload speed
Details
Spectrum Internet UltraNorth Carolina$39.99/mo. for 12 mo.***Up to 500 Mbps20 Mbps
Spectrum Internet GigNorth Carolina$59.99/mo. for 12 mo.°°Up to 1000 Mbps35 Mbps
Spectrum Internet UltraNew York$49.99/mo. for 12 mo.°°Up to 500 Mbps20 Mbps
Spectrum Internet® GigNew York$69.99/mo. for 12 mo.°°Up to 1000 Mbps35 Mbps
Spectrum Internet UltraOhio$49.99/mo. for 12 mo.°°Up to 500 Mbps20 Mbps
Spectrum Internet GigOhio$69.99/mo. for 12 mo.°°Up to 1000 Mbps35 Mbps
*** For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.
°° For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
Compare Spectrum Internet® prices and plans near you.

T-Mobile: Best low-speed plans

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T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
4 out of 5 stars
4
Download Speed Range
245-245 Mbps
Upload Speed Range
31-31 Mbps
Data Cap Range
Unlimited
Starting from
$50
/mo
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

T-Mobile doesn’t get very fast, but it does have unlimited data. So if slow speeds are all you can afford and you live in a major city serviced by T-Mobile 5G internet, it might be your best option to get a good gaming experience.

The T-Mobile 5G Internet service starts at 72 Mbps. That’s not a lot compared to competitors, but don’t despair! Even 5 Mbps should be more than enough speed for gaming.

T-Mobile 5G rating for gaming
Feature
T-Mobile details

Connection type

Cable

Average latency*

18.0 ms

# of states available in

21

Top 3 states with most coverage

New York, Connecticut, New Jersey

T-Mobile’s 5G is still a newer service that’s in the process of rolling out. So while it’s available in all 50 states, it’s not available in every city in each state. For instance, you can get T-Mobile 5G internet service if you live in Bakersfield, California—but not if you live in the nearby city of Taft.

However, you still might be able to get T-Mobile 5G internet service if you live in an unserviced area. Confusing, we know. But T-Mobile’s Lite plan allows you to get T-Mobile internet in any area with its 4G LTE or 5G network.

Just know that with this option, you won’t get unlimited data. You’ll have a data cap of somewhere between 100 and 300 gigabits—so think twice about gaming on the Lite plan.

T-Mobile 5G internet promotional prices
Name
Price
Download speed
Upload speed
Details
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet$50/mo.†††72-245 Mbps15-31 Mbps
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Lite$50-$150/mo.†††72-245 Mbps15-31 Mbps
††† w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.

Optimum: Best internet for rural gamers

Gaming Speeds in Small Towns
Optimum
Optimum Internet
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
Download Speed Range
300-940 Mbps
Upload Speed Range
20-35 Mbps
Data Cap Range
Unlimited
Starting from
$30
/mo
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

Optimum may serve small towns in the northeast where time passes at a crawl, but its internet speeds are anything but slow. It ranked 6th in our fastest ISPs report, putting it ahead of some other well-known providers like AT&T and Windstream. 

And while some ISPs focus on serving big cities, Optimum set up camp in small towns like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. So if you share a city with 1,000 other people, Optimum might be there to get you online.

Optimum internet rating for gaming
Feature
Optimum details

Connection type

Cable

Fastest ISPs rank*

6th

Average latency**

18.0 ms

# of states available in

21

Top 3 states with most coverage

New York, Connecticut, New Jersey

Prices for most Optimum internet plans are decent too. The pricing differences are based on your location, so take a close look at what prices and speeds are available in your area.

And between December 4th and January 7th, Optimum is not only offering free installation on its internet service when you order online but also a two-year price lock on internet and mobile bundles.* Check out prices below.

Optimum internet promotional prices
Name
Price
Download speed
Upload speed
Details
300 Mbps Internet$30/mo.‡‡‡Up to 300 Mbps20 Mbps
500 Mbps Internet$45/mo.^^^Up to 500 Mbps20 Mbps
1 Gig Internet$55/mo.°°°Up to 940 Mbps35 Mbps
300 Mbps Fiber Internet$30/mo.‡‡‡Up to 300 MbpsUp to 300 Mbps
2 Gig Fiber Internet$55/mo.****Up to 2000 MbpsUp to 2000 Mbps
8 Gig Fiber Internet$265/mo.††††Up to 8000 MbpsUp to 8000 Mbps
‡‡‡ For 1 yr. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($40/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
^^^ For 1 yr. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($60/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
°°° w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($70/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
**** w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($100/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
†††† w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Mobile plan. ($280/mo. without Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Not available in all areas.

*w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill, plus Mobile taxes. Terms apply. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may
vary. Not available in all areas.

Saying goodbye to the Suddenlink name

In August 2022, Suddenlink and Optimum's parent company Altice USA announced that the Suddenlink internet name will be retired and officially rebranded to Optimum. Plans and prices for Suddenlink internet plans will remain the same and now go by the Optimum name.

Find out if Optimum serves your town.

Comparing the best internet providers for gaming

Now that we've laid out all the best internet providers for gaming, here's a snapshot of all the prices and speeds for every gigabit plan. 

Name
Plan
Price
Download speed
Upload speed
Details
Xfinity Internet - CentralGigabit$80/mo.‡‡‡‡1000 Mbps20 Mbps
AT&T FiberAT&T Internet 1000$80/mo.††1000 Mbps1000 Mbps
Verizon Fios Home Internet1 Gig without mobile plan$89.99/mo.‡‡Up to 940 Mbps10 Mbps
Spectrum InternetSpectrum Internet® Gig$89.99/mo. for 12 mos.***Up to 1000 MbpsUp to 35 Mbps
Spectrum Internet- NCSpectrum Internet Gig$59.99/mo. for 12 mo.°°Up to 1000 Mbps35 Mbps
Optimum Internet East1 Gig Fiber Internet$45/mo.°°°Up to 940 MbpsUp to 940 Mbps
‡‡‡‡ For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
†† Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Ltd. availability/areas.
‡‡ Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees
*** For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.
°° For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
°°° w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($70/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Not available in all areas.

Recap: The 6 best internet providers for gaming 2023

When it comes to gaming, don’t leave your download speed, latency, or data caps to luck. These six internet providers had some of the best speed scores and average latency to keep your gaming session running smoothly:

  1. Comcast Xfinity: Best for most gamers and one of the best home internet providers thanks to great speeds and wide availability, but watch out for price changes based on where you live.
  2. AT&T Fiber: Great fiber internet service. It also has limited availability, but is available on the West Coast and Central US.
  3. Verizon Fios Home Internet: Fast fiber internet speeds and customer service. But it’s only available in the Northeast.
  4. Spectrum: Great prices for up to 300 Mbps,* but watch out for a steep cost with its gig plan (unless you live in New York, Ohio, or North Carolina).
  5. T-Mobile 5G Internet: This is a slower service, but it’s a viable option for those who don’t need or want faster speeds, and it comes with unlimited data.
  6. Optimum: Great speeds, especially in rural areas, but also limited to a few states in the Northeast.

Methodology

To determine the best internet service providers (ISPs) for online gamers, we employed a comprehensive methodology that considered various factors crucial for an exceptional gaming experience. In addition to publicly available information, we leveraged proprietary data from user speed tests to measure ISP performance specifically tailored for online gaming. Here's an overview of the key elements we assessed:

  1. Data Speeds: We analyzed the ISPs' advertised download and upload speeds, prioritizing those with higher speeds to accommodate the bandwidth-intensive nature of online gaming. Our analysis involved aggregating and comparing official speed data provided by ISPs, as well as cross-referencing with independent speed tests conducted by users and third-party websites.

  2. Latency: Low latency, measured in milliseconds (ms), is essential for online gaming as it determines the responsiveness of your connection. We evaluated the ISPs based on their latency rates, emphasizing low latency for a smooth gaming experience. Our evaluation involved collecting latency data from our users, hands-on testing, public databases, and user experiences from folks on Reddit.

  3. Performance Stability: In addition to latency, we assessed the stability of the ISPs' connections to ensure consistent and reliable performance during online gaming sessions. We examined factors such as packet loss, jitter, and overall network stability. Our analysis came from the same sources mentioned previously: user data, hands-on data, public data, and experiences from users on social media.

  4. Customer Feedback and Reputation: We considered customer reviews and feedback to gauge the overall performance and customer satisfaction levels of each ISP. Online forums, social media platforms, and consumer review websites were analyzed to gather insights into user experiences and identify recurring patterns regarding gaming performance. We prioritized ISPs with positive feedback and high customer satisfaction ratings.

  5. Gaming-specific Infrastructure and Partnerships: We explored ISPs that have invested in gaming-specific infrastructure and partnerships to optimize gaming experiences. This included assessing whether ISPs offer dedicated gaming servers, partnerships with game publishers, or features like traffic prioritization for gaming data packets. Proprietary data sources and industry partnerships provided valuable insights into ISPs' commitment to catering to the gaming community.

  6. Geographic Coverage: We took into account the availability and coverage areas of each ISP to ensure accessibility for gamers across different regions. By considering publicly available coverage maps and ISP databases, we assessed the reach and availability of high-speed internet services, particularly those supporting online gaming, in various locations.

It's important to note that the rankings and evaluations are based on the information available up until September 2021, with a focus on major ISPs. The performance of ISPs can vary by location, and new developments may have occurred since the data cutoff. Therefore, we recommend users to consult the latest information and check ISP availability in their specific area to make informed decisions.

By combining publicly available data with proprietary information, we strived to provide a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of ISPs, enabling gamers to choose the best provider to suit their online gaming needs.

FAQ

Still have questions about the best internet for gaming? Let’s see if our friendly NPC can help.

You’ll want download speeds of at least 75 Mbps for gaming, and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps if you stream on Twitch or YouTube. We find that 75 Mbps is a great starting point and happy medium even if you’re sharing your internet connection with others.

If you have two gamers in your household, you may want to bump that up to 150 or even 200 Mbps.

Yes, 1,000 Mbps (or 1 gig) internet is fast enough for gaming. In fact, it may be a little overkill unless you’re sharing your network with a bunch of gamer buddies or smart home devices. Or if you run a Plex server or are a creative professional.

Take a peek at our internet speed guide to find out if you really need 1,000 Mbps—or if you could pay less for slower speeds.

Any ping, or latency, below 50 ms is considered good for gaming. Once your ping starts creeping toward 100 ms or higher, you’ll start to experience lag and rubberbanding.

If your ping is off the charts, we have some tips that can help you fix high latency.

The best Ethernet cable for gaming is either a Cat-7 or Cat-8 cable with a gold-played RJ45 connection and enough length to reach from your modem or router to your gaming rig.

Cat-7 cables should support enough bandwidth for gaming. But if you need more, a Cat-8 cable like the Smolink 10-foot Cat-8 cable* supports 40 Gbps transmission speeds.

If durability is a concern, look for a nylon-braided cable, like this one from UGREEN.* 

*Amazon.com price: $9.99 and $9.99 (as of 05/03/2023. at 3:46 pm MST). See full disclaimer.

Catherine McNally
Written by
Catherine McNally
Catherine has a degree in journalism and an MBA, and has spent the last 10+ years writing everything from Okinawa travel guides to stories on Medium. She’s been online since AOL CDs were a thing and is an unapologetic PC gamer. She believes the internet is a necessity, not a luxury, and writes reviews and guides to help everyone stay connected. You can also find her on Twitter: @CMReviewsIt.

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