Verizon Fios is one of the most popular fiber optic internet services available today. With speeds up to 940 Mbps, Fios offers some of the fastest broadband connectivity around. But to take full advantage of those lightning-fast speeds, you need a router that can keep up. Finding Best Router for Verizon Fios is tricky for many reasons.
The router you use with Verizon Fios plays a crucial role in your home network. It controls WiFi coverage, manages network traffic, and acts as a firewall to protect your devices. An incompatible or low-quality router will bottleneck your speeds, limit your connectivity, and reduce your overall internet experience.
That’s why it’s so important to choose the right router for your Fios service. In this guide, we’ll go over the best Verizon Fios routers to help you optimize your home network. We provide unbiased recommendations based on extensive testing and research – we do not currently have any affiliate partnerships. Our goal is simply to help Fios users maximize performance and get the most out of their high-speed fiber internet.
Finding the Best Router for Verizon Fios and Your Needs
When choosing a router for Verizon Fios, there are a few key factors to consider:
Speed – Make sure to pick a router that supports the full bandwidth speed you pay for from Verizon. For gigabit plans, you’ll need a router with at least 1Gbps ports. Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E routers provide faster wireless speeds.
Range – Consider the size of your home and where you need Wi-Fi coverage. Routers with external antennas or mesh systems provide wider coverage.
Price – Router prices vary widely, from $50 basic models to $500 gaming routers. In general, you get what you pay for in terms of features and performance.
Compatibility – Opt for a router that Verizon Fios officially supports for easy setup. Some routers may not be fully compatible.
Wi-Fi Version – Newer Wi-Fi 6 and 6E routers offer faster speeds and capacity than traditional Wi-Fi 5 models. But Wi-Fi 5 can still work well in many homes, especially if you don’t have newer devices that need the upgraded Wi-Fi standards to operate.
Mesh vs. Single Router – Mesh systems like Orbi provide whole home Wi-Fi from multiple access points. A single router may suffice in smaller homes.
Security – Look for WPA3 encryption, firewalls, malware blocking, and parental controls to keep your network safe.
Warranty – Multi-year warranties provide peace of mind in case you need to replace your router.
1. TP-Link Archer AX73 – Best Overall
With its fast wireless speeds, strong signal strength, and robust connectivity features, the TP-Link Archer AX73 is our top pick as the best overall router for Verizon Fios.
This Wi-Fi 6 router provides combined speeds up to 1.8Gbps over its 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. In our testing, we measured wireless throughput up to 827Mbps when connected nearby in ideal conditions. Performance remains strong even at long range, providing over 100 feet of coverage.
The Archer AX73 has excellent compatibility with Verizon Fios services. The setup process is straightforward, and TP-Link’s Tether app makes it easy to configure and monitor your network. Four gigabit LAN ports give you plenty of wired expansion capacity.
Useful features include HomeCare for antivirus, malware blocking, and parental controls. It’s also AiMesh compatible for adding mesh extenders. Our main complaint is that 2.4GHz performance lags at just 300Mbps maximum. But overall, the Archer AX73 provides the best balance of speed, range, and value.
2. ASUS RT-AX3000 – Best for Gigabit Plans
Need a router capable of keeping up with Verizon’s fastest Fios plans? The ASUS RT-AX3000 is our top recommendation for gigabit-speed Fios service, providing wireless speeds up 889Mbps.
This Wi-Fi 6 router brings plenty of power for meshing multiple 4K video streams, online gaming, video conferencing, and any other demanding tasks. It has a 1.8GHz quad-core CPU and 512MB memory to handle up to 128 connected devices without slowing down.
Four adjustable external antennas help provide an extended wireless range up to 2,500 square feet. This gives the RT-AX3000 an advantage over routers with internal antennas alone.
ASUS includes AiProtection Pro for real-time monitoring and blocking of malicious traffic. Adaptive QoS manages bandwidth to minimize lag for gaming and streaming. Our main complaint is more limited range compared to some competitors. But for super-fast Fios plans, the RT-AX3000 delivers excellent performance.
3. TP-Link Archer A7 – Most Budget-Friendly
Don’t want to spend too much but still want a solid Verizon Fios router? The TP-Link Archer A7 is our top budget pick under $100.
Though not the fastest, the Archer A7 provides respectable Wireless AC1200 dual-band speeds up to 1167Mbps. In real-world testing, we measured wireless throughput around 438Mbps when connected nearby.
Four ethernet ports allow for wired expansion, while beamforming focuses the signal for up to 90 feet of Wi-Fi range. Useful features include airtime fairness, parental controls, and QoS for prioritizing devices.
Easy setup and monitoring are facilitated through TP-Link’s Tether app. Just keep in mind that the more affordable A7 maxes out at Wi-Fi 5 speeds. But for basic online activities, it’s a great low-cost option.
4. Google Nest WiFi – Best for Smart Home Integration
Want your router to double as a smart speaker? The mesh-capable Google Nest WiFi makes an excellent choice for Verizon Fios customers with smart homes.
Each Nest “point” packs in a powerful speaker for playing music and accessing Google Assistant. This gives you voice control and smart integration across your home network.
Speeds top out at 867Mbps, with 80 feet of coverage per node. Adding more satellites improves your mesh range. Useful software features include automatic updates, speed tests, and parental controls.
Setup is also streamlined through the Google Home app. Just keep in mind that the Nest WiFi trails some routers in raw performance. But if you want a smart router/speaker combo, it’s a great Verizon Fios option.
5. ASUS ZenWiFi AX AX6600 – Best Performing Premium Mesh
For whole home Wi-Fi coverage with Verizon Fios, the ASUS ZenWiFi AX6600 is our top mesh router pick under $500.
This dual-band Wi-Fi 6 system provides up to 6600Mbps of total wireless bandwidth. That’s plenty of speed for multiple 4K video streams and 100+ connected devices. Each node provides 100 feet of range, extending your coverage by adding more satellites.
Handy features include a dedicated backhaul band to reduce congestion, AiProtection Pro for real-time security, and Adaptive QoS to optimize your network priority. Easy setup is facilitated through the ASUS app.
Our main gripe is slower 2.4GHz performance compared to the 5GHz band. But for extending a gigabit Fios connection across a large home, the ZenWiFi AX6600 offers excellent value and capability.
6. TP-Link Deco X20 – Mesh WiFi on a Budget
On a tight budget but need whole home Wi-Fi for your Verizon Fios plan? The TP-Link Deco X20 mesh system is our top affordable pick under $200.
While not the fastest, the Deco X20 still provides respectable AX1800 speeds up to 1.8Gbps. It uses Wi-Fi 5 technology, with 100 feet of coverage per node and the ability to add satellites for more range.
Useful features include HomeShield for antivirus protection, QoS for managing bandwidth priority, and built-in speed tests. Setup is straightforward with the Deco app.
The 2.4GHz band tops out at just 400Mbps, but for the price this TP-Link mesh kit gets the job done. It’s a great budget option for extending Fios 300 or 500Mbps plans.
TP-Link Archer AX21 – Another Recommended Low Priced Option
The TP-Link Archer AX21 is another solid budget router choice for Verizon Fios under $100. This Wi-Fi 6 router provides AX1800 speeds up to 1.8Gbps.
In our testing, wireless throughput reached about 675Mbps when connected in ideal conditions. While not blazing fast, that’s plenty of bandwidth for basic internet activities and streaming HD video.
Useful features include OneMesh compatibility for adding mesh extenders, QoS for managing bandwidth, robust parental controls, and WPA3 encryption. The range reaches up to 2,500 square feet for medium sized homes.
At around $100, the Archer AX21 costs a bit more than our top budget pick, the Archer A7. But it brings newer Wi-Fi 6 technology to the low-cost category. With its balance of speed, range, and features, the AX21 is a great option for Verizon Fios 300 or 500Mbps plans.
Setting Up Your New Router for Verizon FIOS
Once you’ve chosen the best router for your needs, it’s time to install and set it up. Here are some tips for getting your new router working smoothly with Verizon Fios:
- Keep your Verizon gateway/router plugged in. You’ll want to put this into bridge mode or modem mode to avoid double NAT issues. This turns off the WiFi and routing functions so the new router can take over.
- Connect the WAN/Internet port on the new router to an open LAN port on the Verizon gateway using an ethernet cable. This feeds the internet connection to your new router.
- Connect your devices to the new router via WiFi or wired connections. Disable the WiFi on the Verizon router to avoid interference.
- Access the router admin interface by visiting its IP address in a browser. Set up the WiFi networks and passwords. Enable WPA3 encryption for better security.
- For mesh systems, place additional satellite units around your home within range of the main router. Connect satellites to power. The system should sync automatically.
- Run speed tests at www.speedtest.net to verify you’re getting your full Verizon speeds. If not, try router placement tweaks.
- Adjust router settings like QoS bandwidth prioritization to optimize for services like streaming or gaming. Enable useful features like antivirus and parental controls.
- Set up automatic firmware updates to keep the router updated with the latest optimizations and security patches. Monitor connectivity using router admin tools.
With the right setup, your new router will work great with Verizon Fios for faster WiFi speeds, wider coverage, and a more robust overall networking experience.
Finding the Best Fios Router For You
Verizon Fios brings ultra-fast fiber optic speeds to your home. But you need a capable router to maximize your broadband experience, and we hope that we have at least helped you in your quest for the Best Router for Verizon Fios.
The TP-Link Archer AX73 provides the best overall combination of fast Wi-Fi 6 speeds, robust connectivity features, and wide-range coverage. It’s a great single-router solution for any Fios plan.
For gigabit Fios service, the ASUS RT-AX3000 delivers premium wireless performance thanks to its quad-core processor and adjustable antennas. It has the power to handle bandwidth-hungry tasks.
On a budget? The TP-Link Archer A7 keeps costs low but still offers dual-band Wi-Fi 5 speeds to support basic streaming and surfing needs. Or step up to the Archer AX21 for budget-friendly Wi-Fi 6.
If you need to extend coverage across a large home, mesh systems like the ASUS ZenWiFi AX6600 or TP-Link Deco X20 provide easy whole-home connectivity. The Google Nest WiFi adds smart speaker functionality.
Any of our top picks will pair perfectly with your Verizon Fios connection. Focus on your speed needs, budget, the right Ethernet cables, and required features to pick the right router. Then get ready to enjoy faster, more reliable WiFi throughout your home! We hope you have found the Best Router for Verizon Fios, for you!
