In PCMag’s 2022 Canadian gaming ISP results, as reported by MobileSyrup in December 2021, Valley Fiber ranked first among all providers, while Bell led the major-provider group. Those are different categories—not a single tie for first—and they describe a historical test period, not a permanent or address-specific recommendation.
Which Canadian ISP was best for gaming?
For the 2022 results covered in MobileSyrup’s December 2021 report, the answer depends on the category: Valley Fiber ranked first overall, and Bell ranked first among major providers. PCMag’s later 2025 article named Bell Canada a Best Gaming ISP and described Valley Fiber as having the best gaming quality, so the labels and leaders vary by edition and measure.
PCMag’s 2025 article used 237,095 PCMag Speed Test results from Canadian ISP users collected between October 1, 2023, and November 22, 2024, according to the article. That is a later data window than the 2022 ranking. The available article excerpt does not disclose enough about sampling, weighting, or provider inclusion to independently evaluate how representative the comparisons are.
What PCMag’s gaming-quality score measured
MobileSyrup described PCMag’s Gaming Quality Index (GQI) as an average based on latency and jitter tests performed by customers. Latency is the delay in a connection’s response; jitter is variation in that delay. A lower GQI indicated better gaming quality in the reported comparison.
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#1 Best Overall
- Blazing-fast WiFi 7 boosts tri-band throughput up to 12000 Mbps with 320 MHz channels of 6 GHz band, Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and 4K-QAM
- Powerful wired network capacity of up to 20G with one 2.5G WAN port and seven 2.5G LAN ports.
- High-performance quad-core 2.0GHz CPU with robust cooling, 2GB RAM and eight internal antennas providing up to 3000 sq. ft. of range.
- Smart Home Master makes it easy to set up functional subnetwork (up to 3 SSIDs) for IoT devices and VPNs
- ROG-exclusive Gaming Network streamlines Triple-Level Game Acceleration setup and connections through convenient SSIDs
| Provider | Reported GQI | Result context |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Fiber | 5.9 | PCMag’s 2021/2022 ranking, as reported by MobileSyrup in 2021; first among all ISPs. |
| Novus | 12.1 | PCMag’s 2021/2022 ranking, as reported by MobileSyrup in 2021. |
| FibreStream | 12.7 | PCMag’s 2021/2022 ranking, as reported by MobileSyrup in 2021. |
| Bell | 19.9 | PCMag’s 2021/2022 ranking, as reported by MobileSyrup in 2021; Bell nonetheless led the separate major-provider category. |
These are historical comparison results, not current service guarantees. A national or multi-provider ranking also cannot establish which network is available at a particular home.
Does a faster internet plan reduce gaming lag?
Not necessarily. The cited rankings compare gaming quality using latency and jitter as well as speed; they do not establish that buying a higher-bandwidth tier will lower latency to a game server. A faster plan can provide more capacity for simultaneous downloads, streams, and gameplay, but a bandwidth figure alone does not answer how responsive a connection will be.
Rank #2
- Beyond-fast WiFi 7 (802.11be) with new 320MHz channels in the 6 GHz band and 4096-QAM significantly increases network capacity and throughput, with speeds of up to 30 Gbps
- Multi-link Operation links to multiple bands at the same time to ensure stable internet connections and efficient data transfers
- Cutting-edge external dual-feeding antennas boost coverage by providing high efficiency and significantly enhanced signal strength
- Maximized wired connectivity and flexibility with dual 10G ports and quad 2.5G ports
- Triple-Level Game Acceleration - The GT-BE98 Pro boosts your PC gaming traffic every step of the way, from your PC gaming port all the way to the game server.
For a household decision, compare the service available at the address, the connection’s gaming-quality evidence, upload and download speeds, and plan price and terms. The available PCMag excerpts do not provide current address-level plans, pricing, or availability, so they cannot settle which option is best for a particular household.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How later awards differ from the 2022 ranking
There are newer results, but they should not be blended into the older comparison:
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- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 - Designed with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, featuring Multi-Link Operation (MLO), Multi-RUs, and 4K-QAM. Achieve optimized performance on latest WiFi 7 laptops and devices, like the iPhone 16 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
- 𝟔-𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟔.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐭𝐡 - Achieve full speeds of up to 5764 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band with 6 streams. Enjoy seamless 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and incredibly fast downloads/uploads.
- 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Get up to 2,400 sq. ft. max coverage for up to 90 devices at a time. 6x high performance antennas and Beamforming technology, ensures reliable connections for remote workers, gamers, students, and more.
- 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port and 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports offer high-speed data transmissions.³ Integrate with a multi-gig modem for gigplus internet.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
- PCMag, 2025: Bell Canada was identified as a national Best Gaming ISP, while Valley Fiber was described as the gaming-quality leader. The test results came from the October 1, 2023–November 22, 2024 data period described above.
- Ookla, Q3–Q4 2025: BCE’s annual report says Bell Pure Fibre received the award label “Best Internet Service Provider Gaming Experience.” This is an Ookla recognition reported by Bell’s parent company, not a PCMag result.
- telMAX, January 2026: A telMAX press release says the provider earned PCMag’s fastest-overall gaming ISP recognition for a second year. This is a provider announcement and uses a different label from the results above.
Different award names, test periods, and provider groups are not interchangeable. Treat each as a claim about its stated edition and category rather than as a universal ranking of Canadian internet service.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Rank #4
- Tri-band 2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz; latest WiFi 6E supports 8-streams on tri-band simultaneously, up to 6.6Gbps speed
- AI QoS; satisfies all users' needs by automatically prioritizing data packets
- Powerful processor; 1.8 GHz quad core processor delivers ultra fast and reliable connections
- Mystic light; sync RGB light effects with mystic light compatible products
- Game accelerator; provides an uninterrupted WiFi connection for immersive gaming experiences
How to compare gaming internet options at your address
- Check local eligibility. Confirm which providers and connection types actually serve the address; national rankings do not establish local availability.
- Compare gaming measures and their dates. Look for latency, jitter, or gaming-quality results, and note the test period and whether the comparison is national, provincial, or limited to major providers.
- Review connection type and performance. Where documented, compare fibre, cable, or wireless service alongside download and upload speeds; do not infer gaming responsiveness from advertised download speed alone.
- Read the full plan terms. Compare recurring prices, contract conditions, and any other costs before switching. The sources cited here do not establish current plan prices or terms.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
