The best routers for Verizon Fios

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Routers are included with your Verizon Fios plan, but you may want to consider purchasing your own Verizon-compatible router, which typically runs from $100 to $200. The benefit to using your own router is that you get to pick your speeds and extra features like parental controls and VPNs.

We picked out some of our favorite routers for gaming, budget and coverage and let you know which Fios plan works best with each.

What a router is

A router is the device that allows you to connect multiple devices to your internet service. It basically splits the internet signal from your modem so several devices can connect at the same time.

Our Verizon Fios router suggestions

Best overall router for Verizon Fios: ASUS RT-AX3000

Features:

• 3,000 Mbps Wi-Fi speed
• Wi-Fi 6 speeds available
• 4 ports
• 30-device connectivity
• 4.5 out of 5 stars Amazon Customer Review rating
• Cost: $$

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 AX3000 WiFi 6 router 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. It has speeds up to 3,000 Mbps, so it’s perfect for all of Verizon’s high-speed plans.

Customer reviews

The AX3000 has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon out of over 5,000 ratings. Many customers praise its signal strength and easy setup process. If you’re a Fios customer, this router will work for any plan you have.

Best router for budget: TP-Link AX21

Features:

• 1,800 Mbps
• Wi-Fi 6
• 4-stream dual-band
• WPA3 security
• 4.5 out of 5 stars Amazon Customer Review rating
• Cost: $

The TP-Link AX21 is our choice for the best budget router for Verizon. It has speeds up to 1,800 Mbps, four antennas, WPA3 security and delivers a reliable performance for small to medium-sized homes. This is a great choice on a budget if you have Verizon’s 300 Mbps or 500 Mbps plan.

Customer reviews

The TP-Link AX21 has 4.5 out of 5 stars out of over 26,000 ratings and is a #1 best seller on Amazon. Many customers appreciate the performance of this router, saying it’s reliable, has great speeds and is a quality product for the price.

Best router for gaming: ASUS RT-AX86U

Features:

• 5,700 Mbps wireless speed
• Wi-Fi 6
• Gaming port for device prioritization
• Advanced parental controls and WPA3 security
• 4.6 out of 5 stars Amazon Customer Review rating
• Cost: $$$

If you’re a Verizon Fios customer needing a router that can handle your gaming needs, try the ASUS RT-AX86U Wi-Fi 6 gaming router. Not only does it have speeds up to 5,700 Mbps, a 2.5 Gbps port and Wi-Fi 6, it also has unique gaming features like device prioritization and mobile gaming mode capabilities. It also has great security features like advanced parental controls and free AiProtection Pro to keep your network safe. This router is well suited for fast internet plans, so we’d recommend it for Verizon’s 1 Gig plan or its 2 Gig plan if it’s available near you.

Customer reviews

The ASUS RT-AX86U has 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 3,000 global ratings. Most customers rave about this router’s speed, range and performance. One customer claimed, “It’s the best wireless router I have ever owned.”

Best router for large homes: Amazon eero 6+

Features

• Speeds up to 1 Gbps
• 75+ connected devices with four units
• Coverage up to 6,000 sq. ft. with four units
• TrueMesh technology
• 4.4 out of 5 stars Amazon Customer Review rating
• Cost: $$

The Amazon eero 6+ mesh system is not new to our best router lists because of its great coverage and value. It has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, covers up to 6,000 sq. ft. if you get the four-unit system and can handle 75+ connected devices. While any mesh system provides great coverage where you need it, the eero 6+ is more affordable than most, and you can even opt for fewer units in your system if you want to save.

Customer reviews

The eero 6+ has 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 7,000 global ratings. Customers love that it’s fast, reliable and easy to set up with the eero app.

What to look for in a Verizon-compatible router

Most routers are compatible with all the top ISPs these days, but when looking for a Verizon-compatible router you need to ensure it has an Ethernet port so you can connect correctly. Other than that, the rest of these factors depend on personal preference, but consider the following:

• Speed: The first thing you should look at is the router’s speed capacity. You’ll want a router with enough speed to support your internet plan. Otherwise, you won’t be getting the speeds you pay for.
• Wi-Fi standard: Consider the Wi-Fi standard the router supports. Wi-Fi 6 is the latest standard besides Wi-Fi 6E, but Wi-Fi 5 is still suitable.
• Security: Make sure the router has the latest security standards. Look for the WPA3 security standard.
• Setup and controls: Many routers have apps or other software to make the setup process easier. Also, parental controls or other features can add an extra layer of security to your home network.

What about a modem?

Verizon Fios does not use modems to connect you to the internet, so you won’t need to worry about modems. Instead, Fios internet relies on an optical network terminal (ONT), which Verizon will install for you if your home is not already set up for fiber. If you are choosing to use your own router instead of Verizon’s, make sure it has an Ethernet port so you can connect your ONT to your router. Luckily, almost every router these days has Ethernet ports.

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

You can always rent your equipment from Verizon, but sometimes, buying your own can save you money in the long run. Compare the pros and cons of buying vs. renting your internet equipment:

Learn more about buying vs. renting your equipment

Verizon router FAQs