Getting the best router for Verizon FiOS does not have to be complicated. Verizon might offer you the option to rent one from them, but that is, normally, not the best idea because they are not made to meet your needs.
Instead, you should shop around for Verizon FiOS compatible routers and buy the right one for your network.
Verizon FiOS works by using fiber optic cables that runs to an external ONT box that sits discreetly outside of your home.
Because of the ONT box, you do not need a modem to get internet in your home, but you still need to have a FiOS compatible router to have wireless connectivity.
Here’s how to shop for a new Verizon FiOS router.
Reasons To Get Your Own Verizon FiOS Compatible Router
Faster WiFi & Better Performance
Renting a router from Verizon means that you are stuck with the Verizon router’s speed and performance. Your network might need more than they will be able to offer you.
You shouldn’t have to be stuck with mediocre speeds, especially when FiOS is capable of so much more. You need to have a router that will actually work for your needs rather than one that you will find inadequate and frustrating. Best router for Verizon FiOS will significantly improve your wireless speed so you can get the most out of your Internet package.
Eliminate Rental Fees
Maybe spending an extra $10 a month on a router might not seem so bad. But does your router actually have what you want? If not, then you are spending $120 a year for a router that is not yours that may not even work to meet the needs of your network.
For $120, you can get a router that you can keep and that is a great quality router with all of the features that you really need. Don’t waste your money.
Extended WiFi Coverage & Better Security
What level of security and coverage does your network need? Only you have the answer for that. The basic rental router from Verizon is made for limited coverage, which will not meet the needs of most networks.
Likewise, you might need a guest network, firewalls, QoS, MU-MIMO or even parental controls. You are not guaranteed those important features with a rental router from Verizon.
Buy your own compatible Verizon router and you can look for the features specific to your needs.
10 Best Routers For Verizon FiOS (2022)
Device | Speed | Ports | Rating | Check Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Netgear RAX40 Editor's Choice | 3000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 100% | |
2. Netgear AX6000 High Performance | 6000 Mbps | 5 Ports | 99% | |
3. TP-Link Archer A7 Budget Friendly | 1750 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% | |
4. Netgear Orbi Mesh Extended Coverage | 3000 Mbps | 3 Ports | 98% | |
5. Netgear R9000 For 4K Streaming | 7200 Mbps | 6 Ports | 99% | |
6. Motorola MR2600 | 2600 Mbps | 4 Ports | 96% | |
7. Verizon FiOS Quantum | 1750 Mbps | 4 Ports | 93% | |
8. Asus ROG AC5300 For Gaming | 5300 Mbps | 8 Ports | 97% | |
9. Synology RT2600ac Extra Security | 2600 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% | |
10. Linksys EA7500-4B | 1900 Mbps | 4 Ports | 94% |
1. Netgear Nighthawk RAX40 WiFi Router
Best Router For Verizon FiOS (Editor's Choice)
Verizon FiOS can provide you with some of the best speeds that you will see anywhere, but you need a router that will be able to keep up with it. For that reason, we have selected the Netgear Nighthawk RAX40 as the best router for Verizon FiOS.
Design
To be honest, the design of the Nighthawk RAX40 is modern. In fact, it does not look like what you might have otherwise thought a router should look like. It does still lay horizontally and it does have a black casing, but its shape is more like a drone than a router.
It does have two high-gain antennas that can be positioned to aim in the direction that you would like to have the best signal.
The RAX40 does have a USB 3.0 port, which will let you create personal cloud storage for your network, or allow you to plug in a printer that you would like any device to access within the network. There are four 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports as well, allowing you to directly wire in any device that you need to.
Performance
The performance is really what helps make this router so great. The RAX40 can reach speeds up to 3Gbps, which is perfect for fiber internet. You really will be able to stream multiple devices all at the same time with this router, making it a great choice if you have multiple users streaming on your network. It also can reach up to 1500 square feet in coverage.
The router also has a dual-core processor, which will be able to keep up with all of the demands that you might have for the router. You will also find that the router has excellent security features, including a firewall, VPN, guest network, and security protocols, locking down your network.
Finally, the router does work with the Nighthawk app. This app is great if you would like to control your network from your phone or you would like to know what is going on inside of your network, even when you are not at home. Unfortunately, the router is not simple to set up and will require a little patience to get it up and going as you would like it to be.
2. Netgear Nighthawk AX6000 WiFi Router
High Performance Verizon FiOS Compatible Router
When it comes to the best router for Verizon FiOS that is also the highest performing, we chose the Netgear Nighthawk AX6000. Prepare to be blown away, because this wireless router does not mess around.
Design
Appearance-wise, you might be a little surprised by the design of this router. Instead of the pokey, traditionally eye-sore-causing standard antennas, the AX6000 has two curving sides that resemble wings rather than antennas. If someone came over and saw it, it is likely to be mistaken as a drone or plane rather than a router.
The design also includes six Gigabit Ethernet ports, which means that you can plug in many devices without any break in coverage. Having more ports and WiFi coverage is essential for the modern smart home, which most of us are moving toward as technology advances.
With this router, you also get the Nighthawk app, which is made to help you connect to your router from anywhere. This can help you control and review the safety of the network when you are not home.
Performance
The performance of the AX6000r is outstanding. It puts out speeds up to 6 Gbps, making it one of the fastest routers for Verizon FiOS around. You also will get MU-MIMO technology, which is essential if you have any serious online gamers within your network. With less congestion, you will always be able to find a good signal.
It is a high performance router built to handle smart homes that have anywhere from 30 to 50 wireless devices connected at a time. While you might think that you do not have anywhere near that many devices, once you start looking at everything that can connect to WiFi, especially new appliances, you will see that smart phones are not as much the future as they are the present.
The quad-core of this router has a 1.8 GHz processor, leaving you with smooth, buffer-free 4K/8K ultra-high-definition (UHD) video streaming and gaming. It has the fastest file transfers that you can really get, which is just what a smart home needs.
Another consideration for this router is that you can combine two Gigabit Ethernet ports to further improve and increase your speed throughout the Verizon FiOS network.
3. TP-Link Archer A7 Smart WiFi Router
Budget Friendly
If you are more in the market for a budget-friendly router, then take a look at the TP-Link Archer A7. For such a great price, it still gives you a lot of features that you will love.
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.
An added perk, there is a TP-Link 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.
This 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. In fact, the setup of the router is simple and intuitive using the Tether app.
Performance
The Archer A7 will help out in households especially those that have been competing over the bandwidth. The dual band speeds 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 WiFi devices connected at a time, which should cover everything in your network. Its CPU is powerful enough to compete with even the highest performing routers out there.
The Archer A7 is designed to boost signal throughout homes up to 2500 square feet, which really is excellent range for most homes and apartments, reaching well beyond the bounds of your office or central space.
For the price, this is definitely the best Verizon FiOS router on a budget. 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.
4. Netgear Orbi Mesh WiFi System
Extended Coverage
If you need a little more coverage in your network, check out the Netgear Orbi Home Mesh System. No two networks are the exact same sizes so you need to have a router that can really accommodate your needs.
Design
The design features of the Orbi system are pretty great. The WiFi points are actually modern and nice looking, making it much easier to hide if you wanted to and it even comes in white, unlike most routers. Mesh systems allow you to add in more access points as you go in case your network is too large even with the points that were given.
With this design, you will also get four LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports, which mean you can hardwire 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.
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
Thanks to the tri-band router technology of the Orbi system, you will be able to maintain speed even as other devices hop onto your WiFi. If you are in the middle of a game, your speed will not be impacted if someone helps hops online and begins to stream as well.
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 30 Gbps, which is fantastic if that is what your network needs.
To put it simple, this is the most seamless and fast mesh system that you can get, working through furniture, several rooms, and even floors. You know this is the best mesh router because it will maintain its speeds regardless of how many devices are attached and streaming at the same time, which is so important with any modern home network, has coverage up to 5,000 square feet, and maintains speeds up to 30 Gbps.
5. Netgear Nighthawk X10 (R9000) Router
For 4K Streaming & Gaming
When it comes to the best router for 4K streaming, you really can’t do better than the Netgear Nighthawk R9000. The Nighthawk series in general is impressive in all of the features that it offers and this router is no exception.
Design
This router is a sleek, black design with four performance antennas that can be positioned toward the areas of your network that need the best signal. It is meant to lay flat on a table or counter and has six performance antennas included to help give you boosted and more directly signal throughout your network.
The Nighthawk series is made for high performance, making it already incredibly powerful before you take into consideration everything else you can get from this one. The setup is simple and straightforward as well, so you should be able to get it up and running in no time. The Nighthawk also offers you ReadySHARE, which is an automatic backup for USB storage as well as the memory of your router as well.
Performance
This is the best router for gaming and performance since it is a tri-band router. Tri-band for the R9000 means that you get a 2.4GHz band, a 5GHz, and lastly a 60GHz band, something that you really won’t find on the market right now, since many other tri-bands are simply two 5GHz bands, but really, that is what makes this router so impressive.
This is a great router for gaming as well since it comes with the QoS streaming abilities. Having QoS means that you will not get knocked out of a game because someone else in your network begins to stream something from another device. This is so essential with modern home networks that really depend on streaming.
There is a Nighthawk app available that you can use to help you not only setup your router, but it will allow you to keep track of what is happening within it, giving you extra peace of mind and security. This means that you can access security, QoS, and guest networks remotely. Combine all of that with the 7.2 Gbps and the 1.7GHz quad core processor and you have a router that can easily handle all of your 4K streaming needs.
6. Motorola MR2600 Smart Wireless Router
For a more affordable router that is made for 4K streaming, we suggest the Motorola MR2600. This router provides an intelligent router link between all of your WiFi and Ethernet devices.
Design
The MR2600 comes with four adjustable external antennas. The antennas we meant to provide you with concurrent performance across both the 2.4GHz and the 5GHz bands. This router is admittedly trickier to set up than the other routers that are on our list, but it does use Motorola’s setup wizard that can help you get through the process easier than if you didn’t have it.
This is a horizontal router, which can always affect your decision since it does take up a lot of space. The four Gigabit LAN ports will ensure that you can connect the devices that you need to, however, which is always a nice feature to have in a router. Even though this is a less expensive router than others made for 4K streaming, the AC2600 also will give you a USB3.0 port, Smart QoS support, a fire wall, parental controls, and so much more.
Performance
You should be able to get consistent and reliable speeds throughout your apartment by using the MR2600. The upload speeds on this router are about average when compared to other routers, so they are not really exceptional, but they also are coming to you at a better price than the other routers made for 4K streaming.
This router also has the Wave 2 MU-MIMO technology that you need for online gaming. Combine this with the implicit and explicit Beamforming, which is like a signal boost in the direction the antennas are pointing and, as a result, you will have lightning quick speed and awesome range, giving you impressive performance for a budget friendly router.
You will also get both implicit and explicit Beamforming with the MR2600, focusing your signal exactly where you would want it to go. You also will find that this router has the QoS settings that will keep the devices that you don’t want to be interrupted running strong, even when another device hops on your network. You do not want to be buffering in the middle of a game because someone else starts streaming.
7. Verizon FiOS Quantum Gateway AC1750 Router
The last router that we will look at for the Verizon FiOS is the Verizon Quantum Gateway. This is actually a Verizon router that they make to work with your fiber optic network and it deserves to have its own review so you can make an educated comparison.
Design
The design of the Quantum Gateway is actually pretty great. It is a vertical router and it is also very slim so you should be able to put it out of sight if you needed to, though it is not exactly and eyesore, so even when out, it is nice.
The router also has four Gigabit wired LAN ports, which will allow you to directly wire in the devices that really need to have that connection. The antennas are within the router, integrated, which means that they are well out of sight. The only issue here is that the internal antennas do not give out a strong signal and you might want to consider getting a WiFi booster if you decide to use this one. Maybe you don’t live in a large space and it doesn’t matter, however.
Performance
The Quantum Gateway has excellent signal strength to give you a reliable and consistent connection. It offers impressive speeds up to 800 Mbps, or whatever the max available to your home network is.
The only big downside with this router is that it does not offer as much coverage as the other routers that we have looked at today. In fact, it really does not have any type of extended coverage, so if that is what you are looking for, prepare to be disappointed. It still has the Beamforming technology which can help you focus the signal to get where you want it to go.
Even with its weak range, this router still has a dual-core processor of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, which can help you avoid any kind of congestion from neighbours who might be on the same network. It also has fast download and upload speeds, which will mean that your family can be using multiple devices at both high and low speeds without any loss in coverage and speed.
8. Asus ROG Rapture AX11000 WiFi Router
For Gaming
This is an impressive high performance router that has everything that you could imagine you would need from a router for gaming.
Design
Looking at the design of theAX11000, it is unique, but also very big. The router takes up a lot of room and you would not be able to conceal it, even if you tried.
The AX11000 sits flat on a surface and has 8 high-powered antennas that extend from every side of the router. This makes the reach more impressive, but also adds to its immense size.
The AX1100 comes with a 2.5 G gaming port, for ultimate, high-speed gaming performance. The design of the Gaming Center interface is ROG-themed as well, which provides an easy point-and-click control over everything that you need to set up or do with your router. It was made specifically for gamers and it is reflected in its design.
Performance
The AX11000 and is high performance. While it was made for gamers, anyone would want a router like this could use it. The router is named the AX11000, because it gets WiFi speeds up to 11000 Mbps. Many ISPs are not equipped to handle that level of speed, but you will be getting the most of your ISP speed package.
The router also offers triple-level game acceleration with game package and game server prioritization. The triple-level acceleration will boost game traffic while lowering the ping rate and reducing the game latency, for an overall better experience. All of those great gaming features do carry over for reliable and fast connectivity.
9. Synology RT2600ac WiFi Router
Extra Security
If you are looking more for security for your home network, we recommend Synology RT2600ac and the mesh router MR2200ac for Verizon FiOS.
This is a combination deal, where you will get both the router and a mesh extender at the same time.
Design
The design of the router is large with four antennas that stick out of the back. As a result, it takes up a lot of room and will need a lot of room in order to keep it as cool as it needs to be. The mesh router is smaller and it does not come with any external antennas.
The RT2600ac router comes with one USB 2.0 port and five Gigabit Ethernet ports to give you connectivity for the devices that need it. The USB 3.0 port that you will get also helps with shared connectivity in your network.
The operating system uses the Synology Router Manager for setup, but it is not user-friendly, so be prepared to be patient. The mesh setup also requires a bit of patience, so if you are not tech savvy or willing to learn, you might want to look elsewhere.
Performance
Since security is the best feature of this device, let’s look at that first. The router is updated often with the latest security protocols, keeping the latest malware or cyber threats from harming your network.
You will also get intrusion protection, denial-of-service protection, and a reliable firewall management system to further keep outsiders locked out. It comes with comprehensive VPN server that offers an easy setup, smooth connectivity, and secure access.
The router has a 1.7 GHz dual-core processor, which will give you excellent overall performance capabilities. It also can get up to 3000 square feet, but this will be boosted with the mesh extension you get with the MR2200ac.
The dual WAN capability helps with load balancing. The combination of the two devices gives you all the more power and capability.
10. Linksys EA7500-4B Smart WiFi Router
Another great router choice for Verizon FiOS is the Linksys EA7500-4B. This router offers good coverage at excellent speeds, taking the best advantage of your fiber connection.
Design
Looking at the design of the Linksys EA7500-4B, you will see that it is the class horizontal router with venting along the top. It is important to keep this out in the open so that the router does not overheat.
It has three high-gain antennas as well that can be moved to point in the direction that needs the strongest signal. It is not a large router though and it is also lightweight.
The router comes with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports as well so you will be able to connect whatever devices that you would really like to have that solid connection.
The device is also easy to setup and get going so you will not need worry about any kind of learning curve. It uses a Linksys Smart Wi-Fi software that will not only make the setup simple, but it will also let you have access to the router wherever or whenever you are.
Performance
The EA7500-4B has up to 1,500 square feet in coverage, so it should cover most homes. It has speeds up to 1,900 Mbps, so it will make the most out of your fiber optic connection.
It is a dual-band router as well, so you will be able to separate your devices between the two bands to make the most out of your speeds. It can also support over 15 devices without any trouble.
You will also get 4K streaming with his router, which is really nice for streaming, gaming, and anything else that you might be doing that might run the risk of buffering.
The MU-MIMO technology will also let you stream from multiple devices at the same time without any lag. It uses Beamforming technology as well to hone in your signal where you would like it the most.
What Routers Are Compatible With Verizon FiOS
If you are new to fiber optic technology, you might be wondering what kind of router that you really need. The truth is with fiber technology, there is no modem.
Fiber installs an ONT box in your house that you will connect your router directly too. The ONT is the gateway, eliminating the need for a modem.
That said, it is important to note that you will need to look for a router that is just a router. Fiber should be compatible with any router that does not come with a built-in modem, because there is no need for one with fiber. This can often be confusing if you are unfamiliar with how fiber works.
Fiber uses its own lines. Cable internet uses existing cable lines and DSL uses existing phone lines. With fiber, they are running new lines that will connect directly to your house, ending with the ONT box.
Things To Consider When Buying A New WiFi Router For Verizon FiOS
Number Of Connected Devices
The maximum allowable speed will not matter for your home network if you have more devices connected that are streaming than the router is made to handle. Some routers can boast high speeds, but really that is meant for one single device.
Pay attention to how many devices your router can really handle and whether it matches what your home activity is when you are buying a new one. Otherwise, you are just setting yourself up for frustration and disappointment. Also, keep in mind that more and more devices require a WiFi signal, so having a router that can handle more than your needs is ideal.
Your Internet Speed Package
A router can say that it will handle speeds up to a Gig or more, but it your internet package and the availability to your home is less than that, you will never reach those speeds.
You still want a router that advertises more than you pay for with Verizon, but getting a router that is less than your available speed is a little bit ridiculous. Likewise, don’t be frustrated with your high-speed router when you have a low-speed package. Your internet is only as fast as the speeds that you are paying for.
Router Features & What You Do Online
Another thing that you need to think about when it comes to buying the best Verizon FiOS router is what your activity is online and what anyone else in your network is doing online.
If you have a household of heavy streaming devices, you need a router than can handle that. The features that come with your router are also incredibly important.
You need a router that has the level of security, coverage, and other perks that you are really hoping to get out of your router. Never mess around with your security needs. You do not need to be frustrated by your router. It is too important for that.
How To Set-Up Your Own Verizon FiOS Compatible Router
Before setting up your router, remember that you do not have a modem when you have FiOS, so you will be working with your ONT box.
- Plug your Ethernet cable to the ONT box and the other end plugged in to the Ethernet or ONT port your router.
- Plug in your router’s power adapter. Allow your router to boot up.
- Once the router is on, open a browser on your computer and enter the IP address from your router’s packaging. You should also have default login information to allow you into your settings.
- Follow the setup instructions or the setup wizard to finish.
What Router Speed Do I Need For FiOS Internet
When it comes to buying a router for Verizon FiOS, you will need to know that routers work with Verizon FiOS internet already. What you need to watch for is speed.
Since Verizon offers three speed packages for FiOS, make sure that the speeds that you are paying for line up with the speeds that you can get from your router. If you get a router that is capable of faster speeds than you have signed up for, you will be able to utilize all of the available speeds.
If your router than is slower than your internet package, you will only be frustrated with the inadequate speeds.
Final Words
Ultimately, the absolute best router for Verizon FiOS is the Netgear Nighthawk RAX40. This router has the best combination of speeds, coverage, and features that you can get from any of the other routers that we have listed.
When you have more specific needs, such as needing something with more intense coverage, is when you should consider the AX6000 for performance or even the Orbi when you are trying to get the largest coverage possible.
Most networks will not need more than the 3000 Mbps speeds that the Netgear RAX40 offers, but if you do, pay attention to your network needs and get the best FiOS router for you.
Hey, it’s James here. I’m the founder and editor here at RiverstoneNet.com. I’m a network engineer during the day and a blogger at night. Let me know if I can help you with choosing a new modem/router or troubleshooting your Internet connection.