To play Oculus Air Link from your PC to your Meta Quest with the highest quality and no latency, you must have a good-quality router to pass data from your computer to your VR headset. I’ll show you the best Meta Quest routers for Oculus Air Link in this guide.
These routers work equally for the new Meta Quest 3 and the older Meta Quest Pro, 2, or 1.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the top options:
Best Overall
Asus RT-AX55
Wi-Fi 6
Dual Band
Bandwidth allocation
Best Budget Option
Netgear WAC124
Only Wi-Fi 5
4 GB Ethernet ports
Cheaper option
Best for Serious Gamers
Asus ROG Rapture
Tri-band
Maximum speed
More expensive
Below, I’ll show you what features each router has that are good for wireless VR gaming. That way, you’ll know what to look for whether you buy one of our options or one on your own.
For each device below, I’ll go over:
- Key features
- What I like specifically about the router
- How to buy each Meta Quest VR router
If you buy any of these options and have a review to share, comment below and let us know.
The #1 Meta Quest Router
Asus RT-AX55
The Asus RT-AX55 is the perfect Meta Quest router for Oculus Air Link. It features Wi-Fi 6, dual bands, the ability to allocate connections efficiently, and more.
What are the Best Oculus/Meta Quest Routers for Air Link?
Our picks for the top Wi-Fi routers you can buy for the Meta Quest VR headset (3, Pro, 2, or 1) are:
- Asus RT-AX55 (Best Overall)
- Netgear WAC124 (Best Budget Option)
- ASUS ROG Rapture (Best for Serious Gamers)
- TP-Link AX6600 (Easy to Use)
- Netgear R6700AX (Best Mesh Router)
- TP-Link Archer A7 (Best Home Customization)
- ASUS TUF-AX5400 (Best Wireless Coverage)
- TP-Link Archer A55 (Budget Wi-Fi 6 Option)
- Tenda AC1200 (Budget Wi-Fi 5 Option)
- Tenda AC10U (Best Omni-Directional)
- Asus RT-AX86U (True 2 GB Speed)
Asus RT-AX55 Review (Best Overall)
The Asus RT-AX55 is a powerful and highly customizable dual-band gaming router with lots of potential. It packs the security, range, and speed that most VR gamers need.
You can dedicate one of the 5GHz bands to your Quest headset for faster speeds and low latency. The ASUS RT-AX55 Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 offers ultra-fast WiFi speed and 80MHz bandwidth for efficient communication. It is compatible with other ASUS AiMesh routers and is equipped with AiProtection.
You can easily set up this router using the included ASUS Router APP within minutes. The app also lets you manage your WiFi connections or check through the cloud remotely. It works with Alexa voice control and ensures a smooth gaming experience with 4K streaming.
Key Features
- Compatible with ASUS AiMesh WiFi system for seamless whole-home coverage.
- Designed to block internet security threats to your Quest.
- Supports 80MHz bandwidth and the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard 802.11AX (WiFi 6).
What I Liked About This Router
I liked that this router supports OFDMA and MU-MIMO techniques to allocate channels and communicate efficiently with other devices. This allows you to easily separate your VR headset Air Link connection with other devices on your network.
Netgear WAC124 Review (Best Cheap Option)
The Netgear WAC124 is a Performance-driven dual band router for MetaQuest. It delivers high-speed WiFi up to 300Mbps plus 1733Mbps concurrent operation in 2.4 GHz and 5Ghz to stream PC VR games to your headset without any tethered connection.
This Netgear is one of the most cost-effective WiFi solution for your Quest. It is only Wi-Fi 5 but has enough features to keep things working great.
This cheap router offers three separate secure wireless connections at maximum performance to keep your headset connected, so you don’t miss out on important moments in your favorite game.
The Netgear WAC124 router has a Secure Sharing USB port from where you can share data with a NAS drive or a loan HD. This router comes with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports to easily extend wired networks and create a mesh. You can connect other devices to any of the ports to reduce WiFi congestion. The router also comes with external antennas for better range and maximum coverage.
Key Features
- Supports 5 GHz for maximum wireless throughput.
- Comes with external antennas for maximum coverage
- The setup wizard makes setup and configuration simple.
What I Liked About This Router
I liked that the router packs up to 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports to extend network connectivity further. You can buy a few of these cheap routers and wire them up through your home for maximum coverage.
ASUS ROG Rapture (GT-AC2900) Review (Best for Serious Gamers)
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC2900 is a class-leading Quest VR router. Looking at its specifications, this dual-band hardware delivers big time. It has Wi-Fi 6 technology and brings a top-notch gaming experience to VR gamers. It uses 4 Gigabit LAN ports and a dedicated 2.5G Base-T port for wired bandwidth.
This Wi-Fi 6 tri-band solution offers more than 10 Gigabits of wireless bandwidth plus DFD bands to prevent disruption and interference. Other gaming features include Dynamic QoS to prioritize gaming traffic, integrated WTFast, and Gamesradar to check the ping times.
It also offers VPN Fusion to provide a separate VPN to specific devices more easily. The Rapture is a true dedicated router for gamers if you are looking for a top-tier solution.
Key Features
- This router works with Asus AiMesh-compatible routers.
- Enjoy an immersive gaming experience with no latency.
- It integrates with WTFast.
- It has fast throughput.
What I Liked
I liked that users can connect up to 3 Alexas to the router without any problem.
TP-Link AX6600 Review (Easy to Use)
The TP-Link AX6600 is one of the easiest Wi-Fi routers to set up and manage. It’s significantly improved over the previous series and now ranks as the best Meta Quest router at 5GHz range.
In terms of throughput speeds, at 2.4 GHz, it delivers 112 Mbps far and 117 Mbps near. At 5GHz, the performance is out of this world, clocking 347 Mbps and 344 near.
This tri-band router brings pure immersion. It is equipped with a game accelerator, which optimizes and detects gaming streams so you can stay immersed throughout your playing time. For antennas and ports, it is identical to the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC2900, but doesn’t perform as strong. This is a cheaper alternative and can connect up to 100 devices quickly. It is easy to set up and manage.
Key Features
- The router is very easy to operate.
- Offers great 5GHz speeds.
- Comes with 8 detachable high-performance antennas.
- Has a game Accelerator that detects and optimizes gaming streams.
What I Liked
I liked that during the setup process, the router asks you specific questions about your network and guides you through optimizing your connection.
Netgear Nighthawk R6700AX Review (Best Mesh Router)
The Netgear R6700AX is a dual-band mesh router with great throughput. It delivers up to 1.8 Gbps and covers up to 1,500 square feet. With Wi-Fi 6 speeds and no latency, the Netgear R6700AX delivers an amazing gaming experience to VR lovers. This router serves signals that easily punch through walls, floors, and ceilings.
In addition to its improved speed and handling of several devices, the Netgear R6700AX works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for seamless voice control. The powerful quad-core processor guarantees superior performance for simultaneous applications like online gaming, audio/video chats, and multimedia streaming.
If you want a mesh Wi-Fi 6 router, The Netgear R6700AX has got you covered.
Key Features
- Top Wi-Fi 6 mesh performance
- Comes with included malware protection
- Tri-band operation
- Excellent wall and ceiling penetration
What I Liked
The value you get for this router’s price is really good. For under $100, you get tri-band and fast Wi-Fi 6 wireless speeds.
TP-Link Archer A7 (AC1750) Review (Best Home Customization)
The TP-Link Archer A7 is one of the best Meta Quest routers on the market at the moment. It offers best-in-class dual band speeds, and impressive coverage (over 100 feet), and delivers 2.167Gbps over each of its two 5GHz channels and 1Gbps over its 2.4GHz band.
The real selling point of this router is its security and optimization, which will satisfy any power use. The red-on-black color scheme and spider-like 8-antenna design make it appealing to the eyes.
TP-Link Archer A7 packs excellent bandwidth-allocation controls so you can use the massive throughput as you wish. It is compatible with all 802.11ac devices and below and works with Alexa for smooth voice control around the house. Ultimately, this router delivers ideal features and performance for most VR gamers.
Key Features
- Delivers up to 2,500 square feet of reliable WiFi
- You can connect up to 50+ devices
- Keep your family safe beyond traditional network security
- Works with Alexa and TP-Link OneMesh
What I Liked
I liked that users can set timers on connected WiFi networks and devices to turn on or off at certain times.
ASUS TUF-AX5400 Review (Best Wireless Coverage)
The ASUS TUF-AX5400 is designed to give you fast and stable wired and wireless connections in device-dense environments. Aside from connecting your Quest, this router will also benefit other devices, from smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles to all your smart home appliances.
This is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 solution that delivers up to 80MHz. Plus, it has a dedicated gaming port, AURA RGB lighting, AiProtection Pro network security, and AiMesh for mesh WiFi.
It also features an easy 3 steps to port forwarding with zero latency.
The ASUS TUF-AX5400 delivers the widest possible WiFi coverage. It leverages OFDMA to enable signals to travel further than with WiFi 5. With separate 2.4 GHz and 5GHz band antennas, a 4×4 MIMO configuration, and other enhancements like beamforming, this router reaches every corner.
Asus equips most of its hardware with VPN Fusion, so you can still enjoy maximum gaming speeds even when other users need a VPN. This is one of my favorite Wi-Fi routers for the Meta Quest.
Key Features
- Delivers up to 5400 Mbps and 4X network efficiency with OFDMA.
- Gaming and security optimization.
- Excellent long-distance performance.
- Excellent customizability.
What I Liked
I liked that the set up process is simple and straightforward. I also liked that there is a dedicated gaming port to prioritize connected gaming devices with lower latency via the wired connection.
TP-Link Archer AX55 Review (Budget Wi-Fi 6 Option)
If you need a Meta Quest router for gaming that delivers ultrafast speeds with no latency, then give TP-Link Archer AX55 serious consideration. This dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router delivers up to 2402 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz for faster downloads and smoother streaming. It also offers up to 80MHz bandwidth to support efficient communication.
The Archer is equipped with beamforming technology to detect devices and concentrate wireless signals toward them.
The cooling design is top-notch. There’s a large heat sink to drain heat so your network can remain at top speeds in versatile environments. It’s compatible with Alexa for seamless voice control.
The Archer AX55 supports multi-user scheduling, allowing simultaneous access to multiple devices and networks. You can easily create different profiles for guests and family members.
Its built-in firewall and parental controls safeguard your children from online dangers.
Key Features
- Delivers up to 3000Mbps of simultaneous streams for faster browsing, streaming, downloads, and more.
- An advanced heat sink for extended performance.
- You can connect all your streaming, gaming, and smart home devices.
What I Liked
The house coverage with this dedicated router is impressive. Beamforming works to keep your devices connected without you having to fiddle with a lot of router settings.
Tenda AC1200 Dual Band WiFi Router (Budget Option)
If you plan to use Virtual Desktop, consider a dedicated router for minimal latency. The Tenda AC1200 Dual Band WiFi Router is a basic Meta Quest router. This router is easy to set up, fast, and efficient. It helps your Meta Quest’s Virtual Desktop application to connect to your PC for fast game streaming.
Its powerful Broadcom ARM Cortex-A7 CPU and 128 MB DDR3 provide the best performance in 2.4GHz and 5GHz. With the Beamforming+, built-in high-powered amplifiers, and external antennas, you can enjoy lag-free gaming and uninterrupted video streaming anytime.
The biggest disadvantage to the AC1200 is that it does not have gigabit ports included. This means that your Virtual Desktop internet speed is limited to 100 Mbps. This isn’t a dealbreaker for some, but the added cost for the AC10U router below might be worth it for you.
Tenda AC10U Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Router (Omni-Directional Router)
The Tenda AC10U offers extra speed that the AC1200 above can’t. It’s nearly identical in shape and ports, with 4 directional antennas built into the router. The AC10U is a big win because it has gigabit ethernet ports. This means you can connect and stream on Virtual Desktop up to 1 Gbps.
That is serious speed!
Amazon regularly has deals on the AC10U, which makes it closer in price to the AC1200 above.
Asus RT-AX86U WiFi 6 Router (True 2 Gbps Speed)
If you are really serious about playing PCVR games on the Meta Quest with Virtual Desktop, then you’ll want a full WiFi 6 router. The Asus RT-AX86U is a great WiFi 6 router with improved speed and reduced latency features. It can help you play PCVR games wirelessly as close to wired VR.
Ports on the AX86U router offer up to 2.5 Gbps. This is the latest wireless technology and one of the best Meta Quest accessories you can use.
NOTE: This WiFi 6 router is only for the Meta Quest 2 or newer. The Oculus Quest 1 does not support WiFi 6.
What is a Wireless Gaming Router?
Routers for gaming are devices that allow gamers to play online games over Wi-Fi networks. Normally, they are designed to work with everything consoles, PCs, smartphones, tablets, and other wireless devices.
Meta Quest 2 (and newer) owners have an extra reason to invest in a good device: Oculus Air Link. This feature lets you stream high-quality PC VR games from your gaming PC to your VR headset over your wireless network instead of using an Oculus Link cable. The cable gets in your way and takes away from the Quest’s main feature – it is 100% wireless.
With Air Link, your computer decodes your game signal, sends it over your Wi-Fi network, and your Quest displays the result in your headset. This can take up a lot of bandwidth, so you want a dedicated router or one that gives you a dedicated signal port that isn’t fighting with other devices in your home.
Key Features to Look For
Number of Bands / Channels
Get a router with at least two different bands on it. That way, you can put all of your phones and electronics on one band (usually 2.4 GHz because it travels further) and dedicate the other band to your Meta Quest.
You can also buy a tri-band router for even more flexibility.
Wi-Fi 6 Routers
While not technically required, Wi-Fi 6 is much faster than Wi-Fi 5 with less latency. This means that when you stream games from your PC to your headset wirelessly, you’ll experience smoother gameplay and have fewer dropped frames.
Mesh and Device Support
If you plan on connecting a lot of different products to your network, look for a model that has mesh networking built into its design. A mesh router allows several devices to connect without using a single point of failure like a power outlet.
USB ports
If you plug in any external hardware to your network, make sure at least four USB ports are available. You’ll need them for hard drives, printers, and even controllers.
Security
You don’t want anyone else accessing your router, so look for models that offer security. Some common features include parental controls, guest access, and VPNs.
Port Forwarding
When you buy a new router, you may not know what to do with it immediately. That’s why many people turn to port forwarding. With it, you can set specific rules for certain apps, websites, and protocols.
For example, if you own a Twitch streaming service account, you could configure your router to forward requests to your IP address through a specific port. Then, when someone tries to visit that URL, their request goes directly to your server instead of being routed through your ISP’s servers.
This makes hosting events and watching live broadcasts easier while keeping your personal information private.
Ease of Use / Setup
Some Wi-Fi routers are very complicated and require lots of setup time. Others are easy to set up and use. Look for a model that offers either option.
Price
The price of a router depends on how much functionality it includes. Models with all the bells and whistles tend to cost more than those that only provide basic functions. However, they also tend to last longer.
Oculus Air Link Router Speed Tips
Here are some helpful tips when buying and setting up a router for Oculus Air Link.
- Have your PC connected via a wired connection Ethernet cable.
- Your Quest headset should be connected to Wi-Fi via the 5GHz band (AC or AX).
- The Meta Quest should be the only device connected to the 5 GHz band if possible.
- The router should be in the same room as your headset.
- You should not have a mesh network configuration setup on the band your Quest uses.
Comment down below and share any other tips you have for players below.
Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 6
A wireless router should support Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). If it supports 802.11ax, it will be able to transmit data faster than older versions of the standard. It’s important because the speed of your internet connection determines how fast and efficient your game streams.
There are a few other key differences between Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 6:
- Wi-Fi 6 supports a maximum bandwidth of 9.6 Gbps across multiple channels, compared to 3.5 Gbps on Wi-Fi 5.
- Wi-Fi 6 allows for faster speeds.
- The new Wi-Fi 6 standard can handle congestion better if you have a lot of electronic devices in one room.
- Wi-Fi 6 works better over a long distance if you can’t put your router beside your headset.
- The battery life of your devices is longer when connected to a Wi-Fi 6 network, which is great for the Quest.
Conclusion
If you want to upgrade from your current router, many great options are below. These Meta Quest routers will allow you to play PCVR games wirelessly over Air Link. A dual-band WiFi router allows you to dedicate a connection for your Meta Quest VR headset, which is highly recommended.
If you don’t mind spending a little extra, Wi-Fi 6 is highly recommended. Your average speed will be higher, which is better for gaming connections and network congestion.
If you bought any of the options below, comment below and let us know what you went with!