7 Best DNS Servers for Gaming in 2024 to Reduce Lag and Boost Speed

Every year, the number of gamers grows, integrating a large and still expanding audience. In 2023, around 3.220 billion people played games; this number is expected to increase to 3.320 billion by the end of 20241. These figures show that gaming has become a global phenomenon.

As more people play games, new demands for even better experiences arise. More clever features are integrated into games, paying attention to every detail. The DNS server is a critical aspect of the gaming experience that does not get much attention. 

A proper DNS minimizes lag, provides additional security, and increases loading speeds. This guide will discuss the 7 best gaming DNS servers in 2024. We will explore options like google dns and Cloudflare DNS. These DNS servers will assist you in becoming more proficient in the video games you enjoy. 1Top Statistics of Gamers in 2024

What is DNS and How It Impacts Gaming Performance?

DNS is an abbreviation for Domain Name System. It can be compared to the telephone book of the internet, which translates domain names to corresponding IP addresses. When you type in the name of a website in the browser field, dns helps you locate that ip address. It also acts as a complete control center so you do not have to memorize the many digits for every site you visit.

For the reason that DNS is important when it comes to the internet, gamers have to know this. This is how the speeds of connecting to particular game servers are affected and how well you play. 

This ‘lag’ time can be improved with a good DNS, which increases speed and less load time, in other words, making the games you play more active and responsive. This also implies that if you adjust the DNS, that is, configure it well, you can perform better in gaming and experience better connection speed.

Comprehensive Comparison of the Top 7 DNS Servers for Gaming in 2024

Selecting the most suitable DNS server will ensure your gaming has fewer disruptions. Here are the 7 available DNS servers in focus for 2024 and their efficiency, trustworthiness, and safety comparison. Such DNS solutions reduce lag, enhance connection, and keep your data safe online.

1. Cloudflare DNS

• Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1
• Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1
• IPv6 Addresses: (2606:4700:4700::1111) and (2606:4700:4700::1001)
• Speed: Cloudflare is one of the fastest DNS servers, with an average resolution time of 11 ms. This speed can enhance your gaming by reducing latency. These figures can vary significantly based on geographical location and network conditions.
• Reliability: With a global network, Cloudflare ensures stable connections. This reliability is crucial for uninterrupted gaming sessions.
• Security: Cloudflare offers strong protection against DDoS attacks and DNS spoofing. It also prioritizes user privacy by not logging IP addresses.

2. Google DNS Public

• Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8
• Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4
• IPv6 Addresses: (2001:4860:4860::8888) and (2001:4860:4860::8844)
• Speed: Google DNS is known for its quick response times, averaging around 22 ms. This speed helps maintain a smooth gaming experience. These figures can vary significantly based on geographical location and network conditions.
• Reliability: Dns Google’s vast infrastructure provides high reliability, ensuring your connection remains stable during gameplay.
• Security: Google DNS offers protection against DNS spoofing and supports encrypted DNS queries. However, Google does log some user data, which may concern privacy-focused gamers.

3. NextDNS

• Primary DNS: 45.90.28.190
• Secondary DNS: 45.90.30.190
• IPv6 Addresses: (2a07:a8c0::<your config ID>) and (2a07:a8c1::<your config ID>)
• Customization: NextDNS offers extensive customization options. You can create custom blocklists, block ads, and prevent trackers from following your activity. These features make it a powerful tool for controlling your online experience.
• Security: NextDNS enhances security by using real-time analysis to block malicious websites. This helps protect your devices from threats while you browse or game.
• Free Option: NextDNS provides a free plan, allowing up to 300,000 DNS queries per month. After reaching this limit, DNS requests still work, but you lose access to the advanced features.
• Paid Plan: For full access to all features, consider upgrading to the paid plan. The added benefits justify the cost, especially if you need advanced security and customization options.

4. Quad9

• Primary DNS: 9.9.9.9
• Secondary DNS: 149.112.112.112
• IPv6 Addresses: (2620:fe::fe) and (2620:fe::9)
• Speed: Quad9 offers decent speed, with an average resolution time of around 21 ms. It might be slightly slower than other options, but it’s still reliable for gaming.
• Reliability: With a global network, Quad9 provides stable connections that minimize the chances of lag or disconnection.
• Security: Quad9 focuses on security, blocking access to malicious domains. It also ensures strong privacy protection by not retaining any personal data.

5. Gcore CDN

• Primary DNS: 95.85.95.85
• Secondary DNS: 2.56.220.2
• IPv6 Addresses: (Up to 14 IPv6 addresses can be purchased for Gcore.)
• Speed: Gcore CDN is built for speed, with low latency and quick response times, making it ideal for gamers who demand fast and reliable performance.
• Reliability: Gcore’s global network ensures high availability, so your connection remains stable even during heavy traffic or DDoS attacks.
• Security: Gcore CDN provides advanced security features, including DDoS protection and optimized content delivery, ensuring a secure and smooth gaming experience.

6. Yandex DNS

• Primary DNS: 77.88.8.8
• Secondary DNS: 77.88.8.1
• IPv6 Addresses: (2a02:6b8::feed:0ff) and (2a02:6b8:0:1::feed:0ff)
• Performance and Speed: Yandex DNS operates with a global network of over 100 servers designed to reduce latency and boost connection speeds. For gaming, this means faster response times and less lag, making your gameplay smoother.
• Security Features: Yandex DNS protects gamers from malicious sites and phishing attacks by blocking harmful websites. It also supports DNS over HTTPS (DoH), encrypting DNS requests to prevent DNS hijacking and ensure secure connections during gaming sessions.
• Flexibility and Options: Yandex DNS offers various modes, such as basic, safe, and family modes, allowing you to control the content accessible during gaming. This makes it a versatile choice for gamers who need to customize their online experience.

7. Cisco Umbrella

• Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222
• Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220
• IPv6 Addresses: (2620:119:35::35) and (2620:119:53::53)
• Customizability: Cisco Umbrella offers extensive customization options, allowing gamers to adjust DNS settings to match gaming needs. You can control multiple DNS servers to optimize performance and stability.
• Security: Cisco Umbrella provides strong security features, including phishing protection and content filtering. These features help safeguard against online threats and malicious attacks that could disrupt your gaming experience.
• Versions Available: Cisco Umbrella offers both Personal and Business versions. The Personal version is ideal for gamers, offering essential features without the complexity of business-level tools. While the basic service is free, some advanced features may require a paid plan.
• Performance: Cisco Umbrella improves gaming performance by reducing latency and stabilizing connections. Its fast DNS resolution ensures quick access to game servers, leading to smoother gameplay and lower ping rates.

Also Read DNS Migration: How to Migrate Your DNS Successfully in 6 Steps

Here’s a summary table of the top DNS servers for gaming in 2024:

4 Key Factors That Influence Gaming Performance and How to Choose the Right DNS?

Choosing the right DNS can reduce lag, improve connection stability, and enhance your gaming experience. This section will explore the key factors influencing gaming performance and guide you in selecting the best DNS for your needs.

Internet Connection Stability

Your gaming experience depends heavily on your internet connection’s stability. A stable connection ensures that your gameplay remains smooth and uninterrupted. You risk lag, disconnections, and frustration if your connection drops frequently. Choose a DNS server that complements a reliable internet connection to minimize these issues.

Latency and Distance to Game Servers

Latency, the time between a user’s action and the game system’s proportional reaction, is of utmost importance in gaming. This is the case when one is in proximity to a game server. 

The benefits of a good DNS server can optimize the network rather than connecting it through the game server and speed up the process of accessing the game to enhance gaming.

Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet

Wi-Fi tends to be the most user-friendly networking option; however, it is often unreliable, especially when obstructions or a considerable distance from the router. If you want to get the best out of your game, you are advised to use an Ethernet cable. 

It provides stronger and faster connections. If it’s obligatory to connect using Wi-Fi, pick the most appropriate DNS server that settles down all the traffic to bring as little congestion as possible while gaming.

Network Congestion and VPN Usage

In such situations, there are interferences made on the use of the internet, which unfortunately affects the efficiency of the connection especially if used at those closed hours in a day. If your network usage currently has this problem, your gaming experience will suffer. 

When there’s a high level of traffic, some DNS servers can alleviate this problem because they can load balance data and choose data paths efficiently from the servers. In addition, when you are consuming data on a VPN and playing games, please ensure your DNS does not add too much latency to the overall setup.

How to Choose the Right DNS?

• Speed: Look for a DNS server with low latency and fast resolution times. This will help reduce in-game lag.
• Reliability: Choose a DNS with a strong uptime and stability track record to avoid interruptions during gameplay.
• Security: Select a DNS server that protects against DDoS attacks and phishing threats. This will keep your connection safe while gaming.
• Privacy: If privacy matters to you, pick a DNS server that doesn’t log your activity or store personal information.
• Customization: Some DNS servers offer features like content filtering or parental controls. If these are important, consider them in your choice.

7 Advanced Tips for Optimizing DNS for Gaming

Enhancing your DNS settings can significantly improve your gaming experience. Here are some advanced tips to help you get the best performance.

Use a DNS Benchmarking Tool

Run a DNS benchmark test to find the fastest DNS servers for your location. Tools like Namebench, DNS Benchmark, and DNS Jumper can test multiple DNS servers and recommend the best ones based on response times. This ensures you use the most efficient DNS servers for your network.

Implement DNS Caching

Enable DNS caching on your router or devices. Caching stores recently resolved DNS records, allowing faster access to previously visited domains. This reduces DNS lookup times and minimizes latency for repeated queries.

Use a DNS Proxy or VPN

Connect to a DNS proxy or VPN to bypass ISP-level DNS servers. Many VPN providers offer optimized DNS servers for better performance. A proxy or VPN can help you avoid ISP throttling and access restricted content, improving your gaming experience.

Configure Router-Level DNS Settings

Set your router to use a faster, more secure DNS server than the one provided by your ISP. Most modern routers allow you to specify custom DNS servers. Configuring DNS at the router level ensures all devices on your network benefit from these optimized settings.

Disable DNSSEC (If Needed)

DNSSEC adds an extra layer of security to DNS but can sometimes increase latency. If you experience performance issues, try disabling DNSSEC temporarily to see if it improves your gaming. Keep in mind that disabling DNSSEC may reduce protection against some DNS attacks.

Prioritize DNS Traffic

Use your router or firewall to prioritize DNS traffic. Some routers have Quality of Service (QoS) settings that let you assign higher priority to DNS requests. Prioritizing DNS traffic ensures queries are processed quickly, reducing latency during gaming.

Monitor and Troubleshoot DNS Issues

Regularly monitor your DNS performance and troubleshoot any issues. Use online tools to test your DNS server’s response times and compare them with other options. Consider switching to a different DNS service if you notice high latency or frequent timeouts.

Conclusion

Your gaming activities can be tremendously enhanced with the help of the right DNS server. When you opt for a DNS, which is high speed, constantly consistent, and secure, there is a reduction of lag, better engagement, and safety on the internet. Be it just for fun or for serious competition, optimizing your DNS settings is a sure way to help you realize that competitive advantage.

Make sure to select different existing servers depending on the geographic and/or network conditions. With all these tips, you will have a better and more enjoyable gaming experience in 2024.

FAQs

Q. Which DNS server is the fastest for gaming?

The fastest DNS server for gaming depends on your location and network setup. Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 and other options like Google DNS’s 8.8.8.8 are often among the fastest, but running a DNS benchmark can help you find the best option.

Q. Is 1.1.1.1 still the fastest DNS?

Yes, 1.1.1.1 by Cloudflare remains one of the fastest DNS servers available. Its global network and low latency make it a top choice for gamers.

Q. Does 1.1.1.1 improve gaming?

1.1.1.1 can improve gaming by reducing lag and improving response times. Its fast and reliable DNS resolution helps you connect to game servers quickly, enhancing your overall gaming experience.

Q. What is the fastest IPv6 DNS?

Cloudflare’s IPv6 DNS, with addresses 2606:4700:4700::1111, is one of the fastest IPv6 DNS options available. It offers similar performance benefits to its IPv4 counterpart.

Q. What is the world’s fastest DNS?

Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 is widely regarded as the world’s fastest DNS, with consistently low-resolution times and high reliability globally.

Q. Is IPv6 DNS better?

IPv6 DNS can offer improved performance and security in networks that support it. However, the benefits depend on your specific setup and whether your ISP fully supports IPv6.