Verizon Fios is among the best internet services that money can buy. The full fiber-optic communications network ensures that you’re getting the best wireless connection in your smart home regardless of the devices connected to your internet.
4K streaming becomes a breeze with internet like this, so you should try and make the most of it by getting yourself the best router to help maximize your performance.
Why Do You Need a High-Performance Router?
Verizon Fios is phenomenal. However, it’s not going to do all of the work itself. The router from Verizon, if you got one, oftentimes isn’t up to scratch compared to some of the independent routers out there.
When you’ve got a house full of kids 4k streaming every other day, making sure you have extended coverage, and premium speeds is a must. Investing in a good quality router is going to help you achieve that.
What to Look For
When I was putting together this list, I kept an eye out for a specific set of criteria. In case you don’t like the routers that I’ve listed, I’ve decided to share my process with you in the hopes that you can apply it to your own shopping.
First of all, I looked at LAN ports. Having a gigabit ethernet port and a USB 3.0 port is mandatory for a lot of my routers. I tried to balance budget-friendly options with high-end options, and one defining difference there had a tendency to be the ports.
The ports are the slots in the router itself that you can plug external devices and wires into. If you’re looking to use your router for gaming, this is what you’re going to want.
If you have an ethernet wire, you’re going to get much faster speeds than just using wireless.
Gigabit Ethernet ports aren’t everywhere yet, and a lot of routers that are still great run off of the old non-gigabit ethernet ports. As such, don’t treat this as your be-all and end-all. If your high-end wireless router has some USB ports and a slot for ethernet, then that’s all you need. It’s just not all you want.
Tri-Band or Dual Band?
The difference between a dual-band router and a tri-band router is pretty severe. In essence, tri-band models are able to handle more devices being connected to the network at once.
If your WiFi router is going into a house full of kids, then that’s the way to go.
Again, it’s not the be-all and end-all. However, it is slightly more important than USB ports and ethernet ports.
Verizon Fios Compatible Router
This very much is the be-all and end-all of your Wi Fi routers. You need to make sure that you’re buying a Verizon Fios compatible router. If you’re not, then your new Wi Fi router is a glorified paperweight.
There are plenty of Verizon Fios compatible routers out there, including all the ones on this list. Most of the best Wi Fi router models should work, but just make sure you’re double-checking before you buy.
There’s no point in shopping for the best router for Verizon Fios when the router you’re buying doesn’t work at all.
Speeds
Lastly, in my search for the best router for Verizon Fios, I made sure I was paying attention to the speed.
Aside from the router for Verizon actually being compatible, this is the most important criteria that you should focus on.
Needless to say, your WiFi router is only as good as its speed. It’s the definitive method of comparison when looking at the best Verizon Fios routers.
The more connected devices attached to your Verizon router and the more square feet you have in your home, the more broadband you’re going to be using. If you’re planning on having multiple devices connected to the router at all times, then make sure you’re getting one that has high speed that’s fast enough to handle that workload.
TP-Link AC1750 Smart Router
I’m kicking off the list with one of the more budget-friendly options that I’m vouching for in the form of the AC1750.
TP-Link is a powerhouse in the world of Wi Fi and routers, so if you’re shopping for a new router, you generally can’t go wrong with this brand.
The AC1750 has smart functionality that allows you to control a variety of features through software. This includes things like parental controls for connected devices and more. It also has Alexa integration, meaning you can seamlessly incorporate it into your smart home layout.
The router is remarkably affordable and easily the best choice for anyone looking to minimize their spending on a router.
Just bear in mind that getting the best router means paying for it. The AC1750, while great, simply cannot compete with some of the larger and more expensive models out there like the Netgear Nighthawk X6 or the TP-Link Archer A7. Neither of these routers makes an appearance, but both are among the best routers for Verizon Fios.
Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 R7000
When you’re looking at Verizon Fios compatible routers, you’re going to constantly run into the Nighthawk name.
These routers are considered the best of the best by almost everyone that has ever had the pleasure of owning one. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that there’s one on my Verizon Fios compatible router list.
In particular, the AC1900 R7000 is a powerhouse of a machine that is going to deliver a performance that blows high-end TP-Link models like the Archer A7 out of the water. If you’re looking to go all out on a new router for your Verizon Fior internet, then this is the router you want.
It’s a gaming router, meaning the high gain antennas are set up to prioritize gaming. If that’s not your thing, then you don’t need to worry too much. The router still delivers an incredible performance regardless of what you’re using it for.
The router is easy to set up and can support several wired devices as well as wireless devices. It has pretty good square feet coverage, too, making it a breeze to work with multiple devices.
Netgear Nighthawk AX6000
The AX6000 is yet another fantastic piece of technology coming out of Netgear. It features Wi Fi 6, which is the newest development in the industry and supports even faster speeds than before.
If uploads and downloads is the name of your game when it comes to your router with Verizon Fios compatibility, then don’t overlook this sleeper option.
It can hold its own with the AC1900 and even outshine it in some areas, so check the two of them out for yourself and see which one you prefer.
Keep in mind that it does generally get faster speeds and is a newer router, but it is going to cost you a fair bit more to get your hands on it.
Verizon Fios Router
It feels like cheating putting this router on the list, but it would be remiss of me not to.
The Verizon Fios router that you get with your package is, believe it or not, compatible with Verizon Fios. It’s actually a surprisingly decent piece of hardware, all things considered.
It’s far from the best router for Verizon Fios internet, but it comes with the package and is more than capable of getting the job done.
Linksys WRT Gaming Router
Last on the list is the dual-band Wi Fi gaming router from Linksys. It’s a smaller brand compared to the others on this list, but the technology here is still remarkably impressive.
The router is actually set up to work with Xbox players, but you have full control of the network through the router’s app. This allows you to prioritize where you need your speed.
This router is moderately priced and has a plethora of great features that you don’t really see with some of the bigger names out there, so don’t sleep on this router.
Conclusion
There you have it. That is what I would argue are the five best routers available to work with your Verizon Fios bundle right now. Like I said before, those aren’t your only options. If you’re not a fan of what I like, then you’re always allowed to go and do some shopping for a router that suits your needs. The age of the internet means that we all need our technology personalized to our situations, and a router is a part of that.
Aside from that, I’m going to put forward my definitive winner for what I think is the best unit on the list. That unit is the Nighthawk AX6000. This shouldn’t come as a surprise given the price tag, but it does beat out the competition by a small fraction. I’m actually more of a fan of the AC1900. That router delivers a performance that it has no right to at that price. However, in terms of raw power and speed, the AX6000 takes the cake.
