7 Best Routers for Verizon FiOS in 2023 [Expert Picks]

To help you find a router that works with Verizon FiOS, I purchased 14 routers, tested them with different Verizon FiOS plans and use-cases such as gaming, basic home use, etc. After intense testing for around 3 weeks, here’s a list of 7 best options for 2023.

Be it running network intensive tasks or performing basic tasks, the routers listed below won’t let you down. Besides, ranking the devices, I’ve written in-depth reviews about them and their performance with different Verizon FiOS plans too.

Note: There’s no unlike Verizon FiOS compatible gateways, ISP-compatibility factor for wireless routers, and you can pair any WiFi router with the FiOS network. Chances are you might get one that isn’t powerful and doesn’t suit your requirements. So, pick one of these routers based on suggested use cases and their detailed reviews below.

7 Best Routers for Verizon FiOS in 2023

• Best For Fios 1 Gig: ASUS RT-AX88U
• Best Runner-Up: Netgear RAX70
• Best Router/Modem Combo: Verizon G3100
• Best with WiFi 6E: TP-Link AXE75
• Best For 500 Mbps: ASUS RT-AX3000
• Best Mesh System: Google Nest WiFi
• Best For 300 Mbps: TP-Link Archer A8

To cater to the needs of different types of users and households, the list has Verizon FiOS routers that support all high, mid, and low-tier internet plans. I’ve also ensured they offer the best features and performance in their price segment.

1. Best Overall: ASUS RT-AX88U

If you’re looking for a WiFi 6 router that’s compatible with Verizon FiOS, then the ASUS RT-AX88U is the best possible option. Being a multi-gigabit router, the device works well with Verizon Gigabit (which also means it can handle other low-tier plans without any trouble.) Smooth performance, long-range connectivity, great device support and robust port management, it has it all!

ASUS RT-AX88U is probably the best among many routers that work with Verizon FiOS. It combines an intelligent design with powerful processing power to give out insanely high download speeds and coverage. Besides, compared with its previous version, RT-AX82U, you have a more powerful and fast device.

Why is it suited for Verizon FiOS?

In my throughput tests, the download speeds measured at 987 Mbps from 5 feet and 671 Mbps from 25 feet using the 5GHz band. At the same time, the other band raked speeds at 545 Mbps and 245 Mbps for downloads. These are insanely good results considering speeds were measured from a distance.

Other than that, upload speeds on respective bands were 254 Mbps and 107 Mbps. With such speeds, you can add 3 extra 4K streams. Or, saying otherwise, you can add up to 140 premium Spotify streams, which is pretty impressive. Moreover, if you want to experience even faster speeds, try connecting the client devices to the Ethernet ports.

Wired Speed

I received a maximum of 1015 Mbps as download speeds and 310 Mbps as uploads. Its 8 ports allow you to connect most of your bandwidth-hogging devices and browse seamless internet throughout the day.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

Coverage-wise, RT-AX88U checks out in fine style again. In my tests, the router could maintain a strong network at an area of up to 3,800 Sq Ft while boosting WiFi signals through walls. If you have a large home or workspace, I’d highly recommend going for this.

The device also excels in terms of connection capability. Features like MU-MIMO & OFDMA lets you enjoy your favorite games and videos on 40 devices at once. Yet, there is enough bandwidth left for emails, social media and video calls on 30-35 devices.

Security Features

RT-AX88U also checks the list by integrating its patented antivirus, Ai Protection, powered by Tenda Micro, which boasts some excellent features to keep your home network secure. And unlike other manufacturers, it doesn’t charge a penny for this feature.

Besides, it features parental controls like monitoring what your family members do online, blocking any age-inappropriate or malicious websites, and scheduling block time. This makes the router an appropriate choice for digital mothers who want to control their child’s exposure to the internet.

Conclusion 

Price is the only thing that might take you a bit aback. But believe me, its features and lifetime free security suite justifies the price. Extensive port setup, long wireless range, and high download speed are enough to win most reviewers.

2. Best Runner-Up: Netgear Nighthawk RAX70

Netgear Nighthawk RAX70 was one of the routers to boast a multi-antenna, tell-tale angular design which looks exactly like an alien mothership. Its design is complemented well by added functionalities to provide high performance. It’s a successor model of RAX50. So, let’s find out how upgrades have turned out!

Why is it suited for Verizon FiOS?

The standout feature of Netgear RAX50 is its tri-band functionality which provides 3 different frequencies to connect your devices. A backhaul 5GHz band enables the router to dissipate strong and consistent signals to its client devices.

During speed tests, the download speeds averaged 933 Mbps and 674 Mbps from 5 feet and 25 feet, respectively. Both were measured on the 5GHz band. Similarly, upload speeds on the same band were measured at 245 Mbps and 115 Mbps. On the other hand, download and upload speeds on its 2.4GHz band raked up to 533 Mbps and 65 Mbps.

These are some excellent results considering the price, which makes it an ideal FiOS gigabit router. Using it, you can easily undertake bandwidth-heavy tasks like sharing trading, playing online games, video conferencing, etc. Besides, you still have ample bandwidth to perform tasks like sending emails, browsing social media, etc.

Wired Speed

RAX50 also presents a decent arrangement of ports, allowing users to create an Ethernet backhaul. The connected devices have access to speeds of around 1015 Mbps and 325 Mbps for downloads and uploads. You can use the extra few Mbps to carry out other pending tasks or connect your laptop to stream 4K movies.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

Range-wise, the router gave out some decent numbers, with the signals reaching about 2,000-2,200 Sq Ft. So, when you put a router in a central location, it should sheath your mid-sized house or workplace with a powerful internet connection.

Furthermore, integrating technologies like beamforming, MU-MIMO and OFDMA send powerful signals to the client devices. I connected nearly 25 devices and didn’t notice any fluctuation in internet speeds.

Security Features

Netgear doesn’t offer much for free apart from WPA3 and an additional VPN server. I reckon these are good enough for your home network. But if you need additional security, subscribe to its premium security which comes with a 30-day trial.

It includes smart parental controls that foster responsibility, promote healthy internet habits, and build trust with your kids. I feel Netgear Armor is worth it.

Conclusion

To summarize, RAX70 is a great Verizon FiOS-compatible router for high network performance and stability. The additional 5GHz band offers clearer signals over more devices, and its no-nonsense premium security keeps all your devices safe and secured. However, the price can be one retracting aspect of this device, but if you have the budget for it, go for it.

3. Best Modem Router Combo: Verizon FiOS G3100

Although separate devices are better than modem-router combos, you can opt for the FiOS G3100 gateway for minimal design and ease of use.

Note that this device is also available for rent from the ISP; I’d suggest getting it from Amazon for a discounted price. Besides, if you are a user of G1100, you’d know what’s been upgraded to its newest version.

Why is it suited for Verizon FiOS?

Features like Wi-Fi 6, tri-band support, MU-MIMO, and OFDMA take it on par with some high-performance wireless routers that work with Verizon FiOS. The G3100 supports wireless along with a MoCA adapter and Ethernet. It can handle a Gigabit plan and delivers enough output to run most of your bandwidth-intensive tasks.

In my testing over 5GHz, devices kept in proximity gave out download speeds at around 875 Mbps while upload speeds of 207 Mbps. Whereas its low-frequency band had speeds averaged at 367 Mbps and 89 Mbps, respectively, for downloads and uploads. I was racing through various stages of Red dead redemption 2 without any virtual lags or latencies.

Wired Speed

If you need Gigabit speeds on your TV and gaming consoles, use an Ethernet cable to plug it into the device. The download speeds raced over 970 Mbps while upload speeds clocked to 487 Mbps. This is much higher compared to the G1100 gateway.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

With 8 high-performance internal antennas, the device could attain decent coverage. My grand parent’s 1,800 Sq Ft house was completely encased by strong signals, including the garage and the garden.

Besides, inbuilt QoS, MU-MIMO, and OFDMA let you run graphics-intensive tasks on 18 devices without a sweat. However, adding more than that might lead to laginess or network drops.

Security Features

Like other gateways, you won’t get much in the security department. Just the conventional WPA2/WPA3 that encrypts the data before transferring them. But there is no option for you to upgrade it to a premium security suite.

Regarding parental controls, some helpful options include monitoring the online activities of connected devices and pausing and scheduling the WiFi.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, G3100 is the best modem router combo for Verizon FiOS that you can pair with its 1 Gig service. It combines powerful hardware with the latest technologies to give you the fastest connection, which you can use to perform high-bandwidth tasks. However, it lacks security-wise, which pushes the router down to the third position.

For more details, check out my dedicated Verizon FiOS G3100 review.

4. Best WiFi 6E Router: TP-Link Archer AXE75

Costing less than $200, TP-Link Archer AXE75 is one of the most value-for-money offerings in the retail space. It boasts an additional 6 GHz band that delivers clear signals. It works harmoniously with the 1.7GHz processor to deliver a powerful performance, much higher than I got in its older version.

Why is it suited for Verizon FiOS?

Reflective of its bargain price, AXE75 delivered solid but not a top-notch performance in its throughput tests. Its score of 845 Mbps for downloads on 5GHz close-proximity tests was much faster than many models. While the device managed to score around 567 Mbps on its 30-foot test. And the upload speeds on respective distances were 175 Mbps and 65 Mbps.

Despite boasting tri-band support, the speeds may be a tad slower than my previous recommendations, but you can access lag-free and clearer signals throughout the day. So, there won’t be any lag while playing your favorite game or watching a movie.

Wired Speed

To test the performance of the available Gigabit ports, I plugged in my gaming consoles and started off a multiplayer game. With download and upload speeds of around 957 Mbps and 215 Mbps, we could play for hours without experiencing hiccups.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

I used this routing device in my 2,500 Sq Ft test center, and as expected, all connected devices got adequate signals at all corners. Now coming to the connections capability, with technologies like MU-MIMO and OFDMA, it could connect up to 64 devices without a visible dip in network speeds.

Security Features

AXE75 provides free Homeshield network security with basic parental control tools and strong parental controls. The parental controls let you block any website and create time rewards for providing your kids some extra internet time in return for some tasks well done, like homework or chores.

Conclusion 

Ease of use, fast performance, and an additional 6GHz band make AXE75 the perfect Verizon router replacement and a smart choice for those looking for a reliable, future-proof device. Although there isn’t any support for link aggregation, you can plug in your devices to Ethernet ports and experience seamless and fast internet.

5. Best for Gaming: ASUS RT-AX3000

If you are searching for an affordable gaming router, Asus RT-AX3000 should be your ideal pick. This compact mid-range router has excellent features like Wi-Fi 6 support, powerful security, and decent coverage.

And the brand has made some hardware and technological changes to make the device a better upgrade than its flagship model, RT-AX56U.

Why is it suited for Verizon FiOS?

RT-AX3000 is a great option for gaming studios with FiOS internet plans equal to or less than 500 Mbps. At 5 feet over the 5GHz band, the download speeds reached 487.17 Mbps and 234 Mbps from 25 feet. On the other hand, the upload speeds raked at around 154 Mbps and 65 Mbps for respective distances.

The device also performed great when tested over its 2.4GHz band. On my iPhone 13, download and upload speeds reached around 267 Mbps and 98 Mbps, respectively. Considering the price, the results are excellent enough for more than 7 devices to watch 4K movies.

Wired Speed

Alongside, 5 Gigabit ports provide you with an option for Ethernet backhaul. In other words, by plugging in your devices, you can subscribe to the Gigabit plans, allowing you to upgrade your speeds. I did my tests with the available 500 Mbps plan, where download and upload speeds clocked at 506 Mbps and 215 Mbps.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

The range of RT-AX3000 is, however, its potential limitation, but with 4 external antennas, the signals reached about 2,600 Sq Ft. However, the results might change if you have multiple interferences like thick concrete or metal walls. Other than that, it does have features like MU-MIMO and QoS, which lets you enjoy uninterrupted internet on 20 devices.

Security Features

Contrary to the range, the router excels with respect to the security feature it boasts. Aside from basic features like WPA2/WPA3 and VPN-passthrough, it performs detailed weekly scans and reports identified threats. There are some excellent parental controls, like blocking certain websites and monitoring your kids’ online activities.

Conclusion

ASUS RT-AX3000 is a good router for Verizon FiOS. Besides letting you access blazing-fast speeds, you won’t experience any network dropdown at any time. The Asus router app lets you control the network completely, and its security feature safeguards your device and network against external threats.

6. Best Mesh Router for FiOS: Google Nest WiFi

Mesh systems are great for large households, commercial settings, and homes with thick/concrete walls. If you live in one, get Google Nest WiFi.

If you don’t want to spend a fortune and still get good coverage, Google Nest WiFi is a decent option. Aside from coverage, you will find a decent software setup combined with great hardware to qualify it as a reliable mesh system that fills any of your decent-size space with a strong network connection.

Now, if you are a long-time Google WiFi AC1200 user, the upgrades in its next-generation device should be pretty evident.

Why is it suited for Verizon FiOS?

While testing with Verizon’s 500 Mbps plan, the router reached speeds of 417 Mbps and 75 Mbps for downloads and uploads for the 5GHz band. While the other band raked respective speed scores of 215 Mbps and 30 Mbps.

Besides, a potential drawback of Nest WiFi is its satellites can only reach 60-70% of the main router’s speed. This makes the router a tad slower than some expensive options on the market. But, despite that, your devices could stream 4K movies or videos and play online games alongside without much effort.

Wired Speed

Google Nest WiFi performs exceedingly well in delivering faster internet through the Ethernet cable. When I switched to a gigabit plan, I experienced speeds of around 976 Mbps for downloads.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

Being a mesh system, coverage is its selling point, but it doesn’t stand out anywhere close to those premium models out there. It can get you coverage of around 4,000 Sq Ft in a mid-to-large-sized house. Ranked #3 in my list of mesh systems for concrete walls, it readily penetrates signals through walls.

Plus, you can connect up to 200 devices kept anywhere in your house and get similar speeds everywhere, thanks to the beamforming technology.

Security Features

Similar to its older model, the Google app makes way for easy installation of the mesh network. Also, its user-friendly interface lets you have total control over the router, including toggling the security controls.

The mesh router ingrains an advanced firmware chip that keeps viruses, malware, and other external threats far from your device. Alongside, advanced parental controls provide the digital mother total control over what their child is doing online.

Conclusion

Google Nest WiFi is not the best Mesh WiFi system out there, but it is a reliable and budget-friendly option with some handy and helpful features. It made it to this list courtesy of strong WiFi coverage, throughput, and security features. But, inferior performances than other listed models take it down in the penultimate position.

You may read my full review of the Google Nest WiFi for more details.

7. Best Budget Option: TP-Link Archer A8

TP-Link is a leading networking brand with something for everyone. Its Archer A8 is one of the best budget routers that packs a lot of punch, and I’m confident it’s bound to appeal to many people for that reason. It was developed to replace the ever-aging TP-Link AC1750 Archer A7 and brings numerous upgrades.

Why is it suited for Verizon FiOS?

Connected to my Dell laptop, the router gave a decent performance in both downloads and uploads. At a short distance, I download a UHD movie with a speed of 287 Mbps and uploaded a presentation at 65 Mbps easily without an issue. The results were obtained on the 5GHz band. The performance was better than other models in a similar price range.

While at longer distances, speeds dropped by almost 50%, valuing 142 Mbps and 32 Mbps for downloads and uploads. This shows the inability of the router to deliver strong signals over a large distance. But you can still take on tasks like playing online games, streaming videos, and attending Zoom meetings.

Wired Speed

Like other models on my list, it boasts a few Ethernet ports to access even faster speeds. You can connect your bandwidth-hogging devices directly to the router and others through WiFi to get the most out of this router.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

Considering its 3-antenna setup, I tested this model in my grandpa’s 1,800 Sq Ft home, but the results were okay. The signals were almost zero when I moved to the outskirts of my house and dipped to two bars when I moved two walls apart. So, from my tests, I can conclude that this router’s overall range is around 1,500 Sq Ft.

Alongside, I tested the overall connections capacity of the router, that is, devices it can run concurrently without losing much bandwidth. I could extend the router’s maximum capacity to 10, where I ran some bandwidth-intensive tasks like 4K streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing.

And the number can go up to 18 if light tasks like sending emails, streaming audio, browsing social media, and others are carried out.

Security Features

Security-wise, there isn’t much to offer with this TP-Link Archer A8 aside from some basic features like WPA2 encryption that keeps your datasets secured and lets you share information securely. It provides rudimentary parental controls. You can track the online activities of your connected devices and set time limits and schedules.

Conclusion

To close things, it’s safe to mention that Archer A8 is the best home router for FiOS with decent WiFi speed and coverage. The setup is very easy; even a novice can get it done by following the instructions. I recommend this router to those seeking for a budget-friendly device that performs better than an ISP-rented Verizon router.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

That’s all I have to tell you about the best routers to use with Verizon FiOS. Those struggling to find one should get their way out by reading through the detailed reviews I have curated. If you are still confused, here are a few of the best in each category:

• Topping the list is a top-notch router with some of the best features: the Netgear Nighthawk RAX70. Having tri-band support gets you the best performances. But it stays well in the premium range, which can be a setback for certain groups.
• If you’re looking for a router that doesn’t cost much without compromising performance, go for TP-Link Archer AXE75. It boasts the new-gen Wi-Fi 6E with an additional 6 GHz band to deliver clearer signals throughout the day.
• And if you need the cheapest option, which is a major upgrade over your conventional ISP-rented gateway, go for TP-Link Archer A8.

Having said that, I’d like to conclude this guide. Let me know in the comment section which router you have gone for, and leave any queries you have.