Best Verizon Fios Compatible Routers

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Considering Verizon Fios as your internet provider? You should know that Verizon no longer has separate router charges and the former router rental fee is now incorporated into the overall monthly plan price. So, if you decide to purchase your own router, it would be the same as paying twice for the equipment.

That being said, we get it. You want speed and lots of it. You have a big house to cover with the speed you crave for gaming, streaming, and keeping that smart home running smoothly.

There are some very fast Verizon Fios-compatible routers on the market and they come with cool perks, too, like virtual private networks (VPNs), parental controls and more.

How we chose the best routers for Verizon Fios

There are lots of great routers out there, making it hard to pick which one is right for you. To help narrow it down, we scoured the specs, reviews and information for dozens of options to help select the best of the bunch.

We took into consideration top speeds because you need a router that can support the speeds you get with your internet plan, otherwise you won’t see expected performance connectivity. We also looked at device range, parental controls, app availability, VPNs and other security options, customer reviews and what the device is best for like gaming or streaming.

Our Verizon Fios router suggestions:

Best overall – Synology RT2600ac
Best for gaming – ASUS WiFi 6 Router RT-AX3000
Best for parental controls – NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000
Best for streaming – Linksys EA7300 Max-Stream

Best router for Verizon Fios: Synology RT2600ac

Synology RT2600ac verizon fios — Image credit: Amazon

The dual-band Synology RT2600ac is the total package router: Speed, speed and more speed, up to 2.5 Gbps … and it will cover your entire large home and all your devices. This router is also like having a vault for your home internet network. With built-in traffic monitoring tools, you won’t have to wonder if someone is trying to spy on your activity or join your network without permission. Synology’s WebVPN lets you access office web applications directly from your browser, without setting up a VPN desktop client.

This router was also CNET’s Editor’s Choice winner.

Features:

2.5 Gbps wireless speeds
5,000 sq. ft. coverage
4 ports
100-device connectivity
4.4 out of 5 stars Amazon Customer Review rating

See on Amazon

Best router for gaming: ASUS WiFi 6 Router RT-AX3000

When it comes to picking a router for your Verizon Fios internet service, the most important aspect is staying connected throughout the house. The ASUS WiFi 6 is perfect for exactly that. The dual-band gigabit wireless internet router is perfect for gaming and streaming, is AiMesh compatible and includes lifetime internet security and parental controls. This router was PC Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award winner for nine consecutive years and is an Amazon Best Seller.

Features:

3,000 Mbps Wi-Fi speed
3,000 sq. ft. coverage
Wi-Fi 6 speeds available
4 ports
30-device connectivity
4.6 out of 5 stars Amazon Customer Review rating

See on Amazon

Best router for parental controls: NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000

NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 verizon fios — Image credit: Amazon

The dual-band NETGEAR Nighthawk R7000 provides smart parental controls: Pause device internet access, view site history usage, and filter websites, all for free. You can also stream in 4K, play games without lag, browse the internet and support your smart home devices. There is also a free VPN option.

You can get even faster speeds by hardwiring via the Ethernet port, and a dual-core processor helps to manage and prioritize traffic in a way that allows your household to stay connected. Make lag and buffering a thing of the past with this router.

Features:

1,900 Mbps wireless speed
1,800 sq. ft. coverage
5 ports
30-device connectivity
4.3 out of 5 stars Amazon Customer Review rating

See on Amazon

Best router for streaming: Linksys EA7300 Max-Stream

If you have a smaller space without the need for massive connectivity, the Linksys EA7300 Max-Stream is a good choice. The dual-band router supports high-quality 4K HD streaming and more without buffering.

Features:

1,700 Mbps wireless speed
1,400 sq. ft. coverage
2 ports
10-device connectivity
4. out of 5 stars Amazon Customer Review rating

See on Amazon

Should you use the Verizon Fios router or buy your own?

Pros & Cons of Using Verizon’s Router

Customer support and service.
The former rental fee is rolled into your monthly plan price, so it is now essentially free.
Need for more speed, features not provided by ISP’s equipment.

Pros & Cons of Buying a Router

Ownership of device.
You decide what speeds and perks you want in your own router.
Repair and equipment upgrades are your responsibility.
Along with the price you pay for the router, there is the monthly rental payment built-in to your plan price.

Do you need a modem for Fios internet?

Verizon Fios is a 100% pure fiber service and doesn’t require a modem as your cable or DSL service would. According to Verizon Fios, their service “transmits data at the speed of light, providing a fast, reliable internet connection and powerful bandwidth for multiple devices.”

All you will need is an Ethernet cable (Cat 6 or above) to connect your new router to the Verizon Optical Network Terminal that will be installed in your house when you start Fios service.

Need a faster internet plan?

While a modem and router can be the difference between a steady connection and a spotty one and can help maximize your internet connection, it can’t speed up your internet. If you find yourself in need of a faster internet connection, you will have to change your internet plan. Contact your internet service provider or shop around for others in your region to find a faster connection plan that will better serve your needs.

Written by:

AJ Dellinger

Contributor

AJ Dellinger is a writer and editor based in Madison, WI. He has spent the last 10 years writing about the internet, gadgets, technology and a variety of other topics. His work has appeared in Wired, Gizmodo, CN… Read more