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What is the best broadband for gaming?
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If you’re a gamer, you’ll want broadband that’s fast and reliable enough to keep your online games running silky smooth. Here’s our guide to choosing the best broadband gaming online
By Virgin Media Edit
- Published
- 16 August 2025
Why is broadband important for gamers?
Having fast broadband at home helps your games load faster, run smoother, and just makes online gaming way more fun. Most games these days need the internet to work properly, so if your broadband is slow or keeps cutting out, you’re more likely to experience with lag, freezing, or random disconnections when you’re online.
The type and speed of your home broadband also affect how quickly you can download large game files, updates, or patches. With fast internet, you won’t be stuck waiting forever just to start playing, and if you like streaming your gameplay or chatting with friends, you’ll still be able to download games on one device without slowing everything else down.
What to consider when choosing broadband for gaming
Choosing the right broadband for gaming can make a big difference to how smooth and enjoyable your gaming experience is when you're online.
Here are some key things to consider when choosing broadband for gaming:
Download speed is one of the most important things to consider when you’re gaming since it plays big role in how your online games play and feel. A high download speed will keep your games running silky smooth, while a lower download speed can lead to issues like lag, rubber-banding, and even full-on disconnections.
Download speed also affects how quickly you can download games, updates, and patches onto your device. Many games are huge in size, so having fast download speeds means less waiting and more playing. It also helps with streaming content or watching videos while gaming.
Upload speed isn't as important as download speed for online gaming, but it is important if you stream your gameplay, share clips, or use voice chat during online games. A higher upload speed keeps your stream running smooth, and your voice clear without lag or cut-outs. It’s especially useful if others in your home are also using the internet.
Ping is a measure of how fast your device communicates with the game server. A low ping means quicker response times and less delay between your actions and what happens in the game. For competitive or fast-paced games like first-person shooters or racing games, low ping is the key to staying sharp and acting fast.
Latency is closely related to ping and refers to the delay before data starts moving between your device and the game server. Lower latency means more responsive gameplay. High latency can make games feel slow or unresponsive, especially during online matches.
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted over your network in a given amount of time. If you live with others who stream videos, work from home, or play games too, you’ll need a connection with lots of bandwidth so it can handle multiple devices at once. A fast and high-capacity broadband plan will make sure everyone gets a smooth experience without slowing you down.
Packet loss happens when small pieces of data traveling across your network don’t reach their destination fast enough. In games, this can cause stuttering, missed shots, or sudden teleporting. The best broadband for gaming should keep packet loss as low as possible for smooth and reliable gameplay.
By keeping these things in mind, you can choose broadband that gives you the best gaming experience possible.
What is the best broadband for gaming?
The best broadband for gaming in 2025 is full fibre broadband with speeds over 1Gbps (1000Mbps). This type of connection uses fibre-optic cables all the way to your home, which means you get faster download and upload speeds and a more reliable connection than older types like ADSL or part-fibre.
And with download speeds of up to 1130 Mbps and beyond with Virgin Media gigabit broadband, you can download huge games and updates in minutes, stream in high quality, and play online without frustrating lag or delays.
If full fibre isn’t available in your area yet, cable gigabit broadband is a decent alternative with just as high speeds and good performance. But for the best possible gaming experience (fast downloads, low ping, and a rock-solid connection), full fibre broadband with speeds over 1Gbps is the best choice.
Not sure what you can get at home? Check out all of our gaming broadband deals and enter your postcode to see all of the broadband deals you can get in your area.
How can I make my broadband better for gaming?
We know how important a fast and stable connection is if you’re a gamer. Whether you're deep into online battles or downloading the latest game updates, you’ll want to get the most out of your broadband when you’re gaming online.
Here are five ways to improve your broadband for smoother, more reliable gaming:
1. Use a wired connection
While WiFi is convenient, a wired Ethernet connection gives you the best performance for gaming since more stable, and not affected by walls or interference. Plugging your console or PC directly into the router helps reduce lag, keeps your ping low, and ensures a steady connection, ideal for fast-paced, competitive games.
2. Improve your Wifi signal
If you want to stick to WiFi, where you put your router is matters. To get the best WiFi coverage, keep it in a central, open space – off the floor and away from thick walls or electronic devices that might block the signal. Avoid hiding it in cupboards or behind furniture too.
Want more tips? Check out our tips for improving your WiFi signal.
3. Limit Heavy Usage on Other Devices
When multiple people are streaming, downloading, or video calling at the same time, it can slow down your connection. If possible, limit heavy internet use on other devices while you're gaming. You can also explore settings like Quality of Service (QoS) on your router, which lets you prioritise gaming traffic. This helps reduce lag, even when the household is busy online.
4. Keep Your Kit Updated
Outdated equipment can hold you back. Make sure your router’s software is up to date and restart it regularly to keep things running smoothly. If your Hub is a few years old, upgrading to a newer model can offer better speed, coverage, and performance.
Got a Virgin Media Hub at home? Read our guide on keeping your Hub in top shape.
5. Reduce Interference from Other Devices
Other electronics in your home can interfere with your WiFi signal, including things like cordless phones, baby monitors, Bluetooth speakers, and even microwaves. Try to keep your Virgin Media Hub away from these devices to reducing interference hand strengthen your signal, and you’ll get a stronger signal strength when you’re gaming.
Still running slow? Get our best broadband for gaming
If you're still experiencing lag or slow downloads, it might be time for an upgrade. Our gaming broadband deals offer ultrafast speeds of up to 1130 Mbps and beyond, perfect for downloading large game files, streaming, and playing online with zero hassle.
It’s also got more than enough bandwidth to support multiple people gaming, streaming and browsing at once, so you can say goodbye to lag, slow downloads and connection drops, and say hello to seamless, silky-smooth gaming.
Ready to level up? Check out all of our gaming broadband deals and enter your postcode to see the best options you can get at home for your gaming setup.
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