Online gaming has gained immense popularity in the U.S., as of late. Assuming you are an avid gamer, you know how a poor internet connection that freezes and lags can detriment your winning record. If you are serious about gaming, you need to make sure that your ISP offers solid, consistent, and high-speed internet, with quick upload and download speeds, low latency, or ping rate. To help you track down the best internet providers for your gaming maneuvers, we have assembled a rundown of the Best Internet Service Providers for Gaming of 2021.
But before diving into the rundown, we ought to tell you the merits of the best internet for gaming. When choosing an internet connection, make sure to look for the below-mentioned features:
- Fast upload speeds are the most important aspect of an internet connection for gaming. While 05 Mbps of upload speed works really well for most internet activities, you ideally need 10 Mbps transfer capacity when it comes to gaming. This is because sometimes you push for action but because of low upload speed, your action is slowed down and that results in the opponent winning the online match.
- Fast download speeds are the next priority. Make sure to at least get 75 Mbps of download rate so that your gaming adventures are never interrupted. While most games can work with much lesser download speed, we recommend 75 Mbps so other online activities do not impact your gaming.
- Latency, also known as ping, lag, or ms, is the amount of time that your PC takes to send data to the gaming server and subsequently receive data from the gaming server. High latency means that your lag time would be more which can be a reason for you losing the game. The average rate of latency based on connection type is as follows:
- DSL: 24 to 42 milliseconds
- Satellite: 594 to 612 milliseconds
- Cable: 15 to 27 milliseconds
- Fiber: 10 to 15 milliseconds
- You should opt for a plan that offers unlimited data, however, if you have to settle for data restriction, make sure that it is at least 1 TB.
- Have an optimized gaming set up with an Ethernet cable, router closer to gaming gear, and updated firmware.
Here is a summary of the top five internet providers for gaming:
| ISP | Latency (avg.) | Speed score | Download Speed |
| Xfinity | 26.4 ms | 46.6 | Up to 1,200 Mbps |
| Verizon Fios | 21.1 ms | 65.1 | Up to 940 Mbps |
| Optimum | 22.1 ms | 38.7 | Up to 1,000 Mbps |
| Spectrum | 34.5 ms | 35.6 | Up to 1,000 Mbps |
| AT&T Fiber | 32.0 ms | 33.8 | Up to 940 Mbps |
1. Xfinity
Connection type: Cable
Upload Speeds: 3 to 15 Mbps
Download Speeds: 50 to 600 Mbps
Data Limit: 1 TB to 1.2 TB
Average latency: 26.4 milliseconds
Coverage Area: 40 states
Top States with most coverage: Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts
Xfinity is a combination of low latency, fast speeds, and large coverage area, which makes 18.9 percent of the United States. With such high speeds and low ping rates, gamers can be confident to bring all the winnings home. Moreover, it offers year-round promotional prices for new and existing customers. The multiple plans offered by Xfinity also make a great room for everyone to be selective. In 2021, Xfinity has also received a high ACSi score of 67/100.
2. Verizon Fios
Connection type: Fiber
Upload Speeds: 200 to 880 Mbps
Download Speeds: 200 to 940 Mbps
Data Limit: None
Average latency: 21.1 milliseconds
Coverage Area: 10 states
Top States with most coverage: Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey
If fiber speeds are what you look for in an internet provider, there is no one better than Verizon Fios. For gamers living on the East Coast, it is the best choice. Verizon Fios comes tight with a high engagement, fiber connectivity feature. It does not increase its rates for the first year, which is a great attraction for customers. The symmetrical nature of its download and upload speeds makes it a much better option for gamers. Furthermore, if you opt for the gig plan, you will be the recipient of all the equipment for free.
3. Optimum
Connection type: Cable
Upload Speeds: 35 to 50 Mbps
Download Speeds: 300 to 940 Mbps
Data Cap: None
Average latency: 22.2 milliseconds
Coverage Area: 04 states
Top States with most coverage: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut
While Optimum has a limited coverage area, if you live in its domain, you should subscribe to it without any second thought. Internet speeds offered by Optimum are anything but slow. It also ranked ninth in the fastest ISPs’ report in the United States and fourth in the Northeastern region. Optimum has a reputation for the best customer service and makes sure that all of its customers enjoy supreme service quality. All of its plans have unlimited data allowance and offer great value for money and if that is not enough, Optimum also offer a no-contracts policy while enabling buyout options of up to 500 USD.
4. Spectrum
Connection type: Cable
Upload Speeds: 10 to 35 Mbps
Download Speeds: 100 to 1,000 Mbps
Data Cap: None
Average latency: 34.5 milliseconds
Coverage Area: 42 states
Top States with most coverage: New York, Maine, Ohio
In addition to being vastly available in the United States, Spectrum also comes with great internet speeds and latency rates. The unlimited data option makes all of its plans even more worthy of your money. It has one of the lowest equipment charges of only 05 USD a month. Like Optimum, Spectrum also offers a buyout option of up to 500 USD for customers stuck in long-term contracts with other internet providers. What’s more, is that it does not try to bind you in any contractual obligation either. However, its pricing increases after the first year of service.
5. AT&T Fiber
Connection type: Fiber
Upload Speeds: 300 to 880 Mbps
Download Speeds: 300 to 940 Mbps
Data Limit: None
Average latency: 32.0 milliseconds
Coverage Area: 21 states
Top States with most coverage: Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee
With the availability of Fiber services in 21 states, AT&T internet makes sure to give a tough competition to other providers. Promotional prices of its fiber connections start from only 35 dollars a month, which makes it economical in addition to being reliable and consistent. Its symmetrical upload and download speeds are key to a good and immersive gaming experience. If you are fond of multiplayer and interactive games, AT&T makes sure to offer seamless connectivity allowing you to have the best gaming routine.