Best Router For Frontier FiOS & DSL (2022) – Frontier Compatible Modems

If you are a Frontier FiOS subscriber, chances are that Frontier has offered you the option to rent a router from them directly.

However, renting is a bad idea. Getting your own best router for Frontier FiOS will increase your WiFi speed & coverage and eliminate rental fees at the same time.

Since FiOS uses an ONT box instead of a modem, you really only need a wireless router with your FiOS.

DSL, however, needs both a modem and router. That's why Frontier DSL subscribers need to be looking for Frontier compatible modems & routers.

Reasons To Get Your Own Frontier FiOS Router Or DSL Compatible Modem

Faster Wi-Fi & Better Performance

With the amount of mobile devices that we are all using nowadays, we need a wireless router than can really offer the level of performance that we need.

A rental router or modem from Frontier itself is never going to be able to handle the performance needs of the average modern network. Why pay more for something that is not going to work as well as a device that you can choose and keep.

Extended Wireless Coverage

If you consider the size of your home network, you might be thinking that the average router should be able to reach every end of it. But, does the generic router that comes from Frontier know how your home setup works?

They don’t know where the router will be located, how many rooms need to be covered, and what obstacles are in the way. Get a router than can handle your range needs.

Eliminate Rental Fees

For only $10 a month you can rent your modem or router from Frontier directly. Yet, $10 a month quickly turns into $120 a year. That means $240 after two years and you still don’t own the device yourself.

Not only are you paying to borrow a mediocre modem or router from Frontier, but you will not be likely to get the features that your network really needs. Buy yourself a better router and save yourself money in the long run.

Improved Network Security & Setting Control

None of us like the idea of outsiders messing with our home networks, which is why internet security is so important. This includes having parental controls, guest networks, and even QoS or VPNs.

Does the rental router from Frontier offer all of these features? Of course not. Only you know the level of security that your network really needs. Buying your own device means choosing one that can provide the security you need.

5 Best Routers For Frontier FiOS 2022 & DSL

1. TP-Link Archer AX50 WiFi Router

Best Router For Frontier FiOS (Editor's Choice)

As you probably already know as a Frontier FiOS subscriber, you can get impressive speeds as long as you are using the right router.

The best router for Frontier FiOS is the TP-Link Archer AX50. This is a high performance router that comes with all of the features that you will need to have an efficient network.

Design

Let’s start with the design of the Archer AX50. The router is slim, which means that it does not weigh much, but it does sit horizontally. It is long, which means that wherever you put it, it is going to take up a lot of space. The vents of the router run along the top of it, so it should not overheat, despite how much surface area the router takes up.

The AX50 also comes with a USB 3.0 port. This will allow you to create a kind of personal storage cloud throughout your home network, which is really nice for sharing large media files, like movies or music.

The setup of the router is easy and straightforward as well, especially with Frontier FiOS, so you should be able to get up and running in no time. It is also backward compatible with any older devices that you might be connecting to it as well.

Performance

The performance of the Archer AX50 is what you will want for a fiber optic internet. It does use next-gen 3 Gaps speeds, which breaks down to 2402 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 574 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. This level of speed will make sure that you are not missing out on any of the available fiber speeds that you have. This also makes it nice for streaming 4K videos, video conferencing, or online gaming.

The AX50 also has a minimal lag for all of the devices and applications. There is ultra-smooth entertainment, regardless of whether you are streaming alone or if there are multiple users online at the same time and all are streaming. They do report there is a 75 percent reduced amount of lag with this router.

The router does have advanced security features as well, which are managed through your lifetime subscription to TP-Link HomeCare. This includes parental controls, QoS, and anti-virus protection.

2. Netgear Nighthawk AX6000 WiFi Router

High Performance

Prepare to be awed by the performance power that you can get from this Frontier FiOS router. If you are in the market for a no-nonsense high performance router, look no further than the Netgear Nighthawk AX6000. Without a doubt, this is one of the best routers that you can get.

Design

Design-wise, we have not seen another router that looks like the AX6000. If you compare it to other routers, you will be able to see quickly that this one really stands out. Instead of the stand antennas, the AX6000 instead has two sides that point up and out, making it look more like an airplane or drone, rather than a router.

One major perk of this odd design is that it is not obviously a router, so it is easier to blend in if that is something you are worried about. Placing your Darth Vader action figure next to the AX6000 will make it seem right at home with your decor.

Beyond its odd appearance, the design also includes six Gigabit Ethernet ports, which means that you can hard wire in many devices without any break in coverage.

Performance

To put it simply, the performance of this router is beyond amazing. You can get speeds up to 6 Gbps, making it one of the fastest routers for Frontier FiOS that is on the market. You also will get MU-MIMO technology, which is essential if you have any serious online gamers within your network.

It is a high performance Wi-Fi router without a doubt and is made for smart homes that have anywhere from 30 to 50 wireless devices connected at a time. It might seem like a lot, but this is the way that the future of homes is heading.

The quad-core of this router has a 1.8 GHz processor, leaving you with smooth, zero-buffer 4K/8K ultra-high-definition (UHD) video streaming and gaming. It has the fastest file transfers that you can get and you should never have to settle for less than that.

3. TP-Link Archer A7 Smart Wireless Router

Budget Friendly

Sometimes you need a budget friendly router. In that case, we suggest the TP-Link Archer A7. Even at a more affordable price, you will get a lot of great features.

Design

The Archer A7 comes with multiple ports. One of the best things that you can do is that you can wirelessly access one of the USB ports, which can be handy when you are not in the same room as the router.

The design of the Archer A7 includes three high-gain antennas, which increase the Wi-Fi signal to reach every corner of your home, and may even reach outside. It does give you some amazing range, so you know that the antennas are working.

TP-Link also has an app that will allow you to access the Archer A7 even when you are not at home, which makes it easy to monitor what is happening when you aren’t there. In fact, the setup of the router is simple and intuitive using the Tether app.

This app allows you to adjust any settings or security concerns that you might have remotely. It does come with parental controls as well as QoS, and can even work with Alexa when needed.

Performance

The Archer A7 can emit signals throughout homes up to 2500 square feet. That is a pretty good range for the price. With the QoS technology, you get bandwidth prioritization as well, keeping the things that you want connected with all of the bandwidth they need. This is essential if you have any gamers in your network.

The dual band speeds with this TP-Link can reach up to 1750 Mbps, providing 3X faster Wi-Fi than other traditional routers do. Even at such an affordable price, this router can easily handle every device in your house. TP-Link reports that the router is made to handle up to and perhaps more than 50 Wi-Fi devices connected at a time, which should cover everything that you have connected within your network.

4. Netgear Orbi Mesh WiFi System

Extended Coverage

Some spaces are uniquely shaped or maybe larger than average. When this happens, the basic router is not going to cut it.  When you need extended coverage in your network, the Netgear Orbi Home Mesh System is the way to go.

Design

The Orbi system has four LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports, which mean you can plug in any device that you need to in order to have that extra guarantee that you will not be kicked offline if someone else logs on. Generally, all of the design features of the Orbi system are great. The Wi-Fi points are modern and chic, making it much easier to hide.  Mesh systems allow you to add in more access points as you go in case your network extends beyond the reach of the basic points.                                                                                                               

The Orbi also has built-in anti-virus and data theft protection for any device that is connected within the network. The setup is simple as well with the Orbi app that allows you to create guest networks, set parental controls, perform speed tests, and other premium features that are sure to impress you.

Performance

The Orbi system is made to cover every inch of your network, eliminating any dead zones that you might normally experience. With the mesh system, the Orbi can get 5,000 square feet of consistent coverage, all with speeds up to 3 Gbps, which is fantastic if that is what your network needs. As you add in more access points, you can further extend the coverage as well as the amount of ports that you have available to directly connect to the router.

The tri-band technology of the Orbi system allows you to maintain speed even as other devices hop onto your Wi-Fi. So when you are in the middle of streaming, your speed will not be impacted if someone within your network hops online and begins to stream as well. This is so important with any modern home network.

5. Motorola MD1600 DSL Modem Router Combo

Best DSL Modem For Frontier

Frontier also offers DSL coverage in addition to the FiOS setup. If you are a Frontier DSL subscriber, you can still find quality modems and routers out there on the market for you, including the Motorola MD1600. This has a built-in AC1600 router.

Design

The MD1600 was designed with security in mind, including wireless security that will keep any malware from hopping along your network and harming your devices. The security includes WPA/WPA2 security that has been built into the router itself.

The MD1600 has four Gigabit Ethernet ports, which will allow you to plug in any device that needs a reliable and uninterrupted connection. This is especially important if you are streaming HD videos or gaming online.  Physically, it’s an attractive device, standing tall rather than lying flat, making it easier to conceal and also easier to keep cool.

Performance

The MD1600 is made to handle high speeds, including gaming and streaming, and offers you the level of performance that you would hope to get out of your modem. It delivers internet speeds up to 100 Mbps, depending on the speed of your internet service to your home.

It is made to offer high speeds to all wireless devices within your network as well, whether it is an HDTV, gaming system, or even just a standard laptop. A lot of the speed is affected by the quality of internet that you have already. It should be able to handle multiple devices connected at the same time.

The MD1600 has incredibly easy setup wizard that can get you up and going without causing you a headache in the process. Motorola’s customer service is also very helpful if you run into any trouble. Setting up a new piece of technology can always be frustrating, so it is nice to see that you should be able to get through this one without a headache.

If you're looking for Frontier compatible modems, this is the #1 choice.

Things To Consider When Buying A Router For Frontier FiOS

Your Internet Speed Package

A router is only as good as the internet that is fuelling it. Your router might claim to offer speeds up to 1 Gbps, but if you are not hooked up to internet service that is that fast, it is not possible for you to obtain those speeds.

Do a speed test first and see where you are at with your speeds. You should also look at the speeds that you signed up for.

Number Of Connected Devices

A network that has one streaming device requires a lot less speed and flexibility than a network that has 30 devices connected at the same time.

The Frontier FiOS router that you choose should take into consideration the amount of people and devices that will be using it when you are. If you do have a lot of streaming activity, you should go with a router that offers MU-MIMO technology and can handle a lot of streaming.

House Or Apartment Size 

Wireless signals travel along radio waves, so the amount of room that they need to cover can be affected not just by your square footage, but by the layout and the walls.

If you are trying to get Wi-Fi in your small apartment, you do not need a router with a great range. But if you have a large space with lots of walls, you might need an extended coverage router to prevent any dead spots.

Final Words

To put it simply, the best router for Frontier FiOS is the TP-Link Archer AX50. This great router works well with fibre optic service and has all of the qualities that the average home network should need. 

Yet, with a larger home network, you should look at the Orbi mesh system that is specifically designed to handle larger spaces. If you have high intensity gamers on your network and need the performance abilities of the AX6000, that is the router for you.

While we say that the Archer AX50 is the best you can do, remember to think about your individual network needs, including the amount of people who will be streaming at the same time as you.