In the heat of battle, especially in competitive online gaming, every millisecond counts. If you’re tired of lag affecting your gaming experience, multiple reasons could be the root cause. One often-overlooked factor that can significantly impact your gaming performance is the Domain Name System (DNS). If you’re wondering about the best DNS servers for gaming, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best DNS servers tailored to enhance your gaming experience by minimizing ping. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just starting, optimizing your DNS settings can make a noticeable difference. So, let’s get to it.

What Is DNS

Before we jump into the specifics, let’s understand what DNS is. DNS, or Domain Name System, is like the internet’s phonebook. When you type a web address into your browser, DNS translates that human-readable address into a machine-readable IP address. This allows your device to connect to the server hosting the website or service you’re trying to reach.

Does DNS Affect Gaming

Yes, it does. Since online gaming relies on your system to connect to a server, it’s the role of the DNS server to translate website addresses quickly. A faster DNS server can do this swiftly, thus reducing the time it takes for game data to reach your device. This translates to lower ping, smoother gameplay, and a more responsive experience. On the other hand, a slow or inefficient DNS can introduce latency, leading to higher ping times and a less responsive gaming experience.

Choosing the right DNS server can potentially reduce your ping, giving you a competitive edge in the gaming arena. The good part is that changing the DNS server on your Windows PC is easy. Add to that, most DNS servers operate on IPv4 and IPv6, giving you the freedom to customize as you like. So, let’s look at the best DNS servers for your gaming needs.

Best DNS Servers for Gaming

1. Google – Most Reliable and Fastest DNS Server

Starting with the most common one, Google’s Public DNS is a popular choice for its reliability and speed. Its global network ensures fast resolution times regardless of your location. On the other hand, its massive server infrastructure minimizes downtime and provides consistent performance.

However, Google is also notorious for tracking your data. As such, privacy-conscious users might not prefer this. That being said, if you’re okay with switching DNS servers for gaming needs, Google’s DNS should get the job done for most folks.

• Primary DNS (IPv4): 8.8.8.8
• Secondary DNS (IPv4): 8.8.4.4
• Primary DNS (IPv6): 2001:4860:4860::8888
• Secondary DNS (IPv6): 2001:4860:4860::8844

2. Cloudflare – Most Secured DNS Server for Gaming

For folks concerned about their privacy, Cloudflare server serves as a better option, offering unparalleled speed and security. Its network of strategically placed servers routes traffic efficiently, minimizing latency and maximizing responsiveness.

Add to that, Cloudflare also comes with robust DDoS protection. This is super handy and helps by shielding you from online attacks and ensuring uninterrupted gameplay. If you prefer using a single DNS solution for your gaming and private browsing needs, Cloudflare is a great option.

• Primary DNS (IPv4): 1.1.1.1
• Secondary DNS (IPv4): 1.0.0.1
• Primary DNS (IPv6): 2606:4700:4700::1111
• Secondary DNS (IPv6): 2606:4700:4700::1001

3. OpenDNS – Robust Server

OpenDNS, now part of Cisco, offers a robust DNS service with features like content filtering and security enhancements. With the option to choose between its free and premium services, OpenDNS can be tailored to meet your gaming and security needs. OpenDNS also boasts a strong focus on security, blocking known phishing and malware sites, making it a safe choice for all users.

Apart from this, OpenDNS also offers added features like restricting internet access to specific domains of your choosing. It’s worth noting, however, that these premium features are behind an annual subscription price.

If you’re gaming on an extensive ISP network, OpenDNS makes sense. However, for casual home users wanting to play online games on a lower ping, the OpenDNS Home free plan should suffice.

• Primary DNS (IPv4): 208.67.222.222
• Secondary DNS (IPv4): 208.67.220.220
• Primary DNS (IPv6): 2620:119:35::35
• Secondary DNS (IPv6): 2620:119:53::53

4. Quad9 – Free and Privacy-Focused Game Server

What if there was a way to get OpenDNS-level security without paying a fee? That’s where Quad9 comes in. Prioritizing security and privacy, Quad9 blocks malicious domains and protects against phishing and malware attacks. Apart from industry standard protection against DNS spoofing and DDoS attacks, Quad9 also maintains and checks against a real-time blocklist of dangerous websites to safeguard its users.

This can get aggressive sometimes, for instance, if you’re trying to access a community website verified safe by Quad9’s list. Add to that, depending upon the game you’re playing, this could result in a higher ping due to complex resolving in some cases. That being said, if you’re a gamer who values a stable and secure connection, Quad9 is a great choice.

• Primary DNS (IPv4): 9.9.9.9
• Secondary DNS (IPv4): 149.112.112.112
• Primary DNS (IPv6): 2620:fe::fe
• Secondary DNS (IPv6): 2620:fe::9

5. SafeDNS – Offers Family-Friendly Filtering

SafeDNS is designed with both speed and safety in mind. With its DNS servers, you not only get low ping times but also protection from unwanted content. As such, SafeDNS is a great choice for gamers who share their internet connection with younger family members.

Whether you’re browsing the internet or checking some links shared in your Discord channel, SafeDNS ensures you don’t randomly stumble upon inappropriate content. The good news is that it manages to do this while still delivering decent performance for online gaming. On the flip side, their web filtering solution requires a paid subscription.

• Primary DNS (IPv4): 195.46.39.39
• Secondary DNS (IPv4): 195.46.39.40
• Primary DNS (IPv6): 2001:67c:2778::3939
• Secondary DNS (IPv6): 2001:67c:2778::3940

Enjoy Lag-Free Gaming

That was our list of some of the best DNS servers for gaming. If raw speed is your top concern, Google Public DNS or Cloudflare are excellent options. For a balance of speed and security, OpenDNS is a solid choice, while Quad9 works great for users focused on pure privacy and protection. And if family-friendly filtering is essential, SafeDNS is a great pick. No matter your choice, remember that switching to a faster DNS server can significantly improve your online gaming experience.