Best Routers for Verizon FiOS

You must be careful about the technical factors, configuration, specification of the router before buying.

Wi-Fi Standards

The Wi-Fi standard version of the router is a crucial factor while deciding a model of the router as it determines the speed delivery of your internet. 

There are several versions of the Wi-Fi standard. The old ones are not compatible with today’s networking and devices and speed. Like in 1997, 802.11 Wi-Fi standards were developed for the speediest delivery. But with time, to beat the other competing Wi-Fi standards, it came with modifications and changes for better speed delivery.

Today, some other great use versions are the b, a, g, 802.11n, a, and 802.11ac. However, 802.11ac and 802.11n are the most commonly used Wi-Fi standards. 802.11ac is the newest Wi-Fi standard available, offers more than the others, like a reliable high-speed internet of more than 1.3 Gbps.

• The 802.11n is also known as wireless N that supports 300Mbps of bandwidth while delivering about 600-900 Mbps of speed.

• The 802.11ac. Wi-Fi connection is considered the standard connection for advanced routers. It covers up to thirteen hundred Mbps of bandwidth speed.

Ethernet Ports

Another factor to consider when purchasing a router is the number of Ethernet ports it features. A router featuring more than one Ethernet port (WAN or LAN ports) will offer better performance to the user than those featuring only a single port. Routers featuring many Ethernet ports will allow us to connect and share the internet connection with several devices. There are two categories or kinds of Ethernet ports — the Gigabit Ethernet and the Fast Ethernet.

• The Gigabit Ethernet port supports the delivery speed of about 1000 Mbps for huge gigabits.
• The Fast Ethernet port supports internet speeds of about 100 Mbps.

Opting for a router with a Gigabit Ethernet port will ensure that the router will meet all your future needs.

USB Ports

When choosing a router that can suit your needs, it is advised that you put into consideration the number of USB ports needed to make connections. You can connect different networking devices to your device with USB ports. Some devices connected or linked through USB ports are external HDs, printers, scanners, modems, and many more. Routers usually feature two USB ports — USB 2.0 port (the first USB port on the router) and USB 3.0 port (the other USB port on the router).

Features and configuration of the USB 2.0 port are backdated. To eliminate this limitation and match with the latest configuration and compatibility, Verizon Fios routers come with a USB 3.0 port.

Real-Life Wi-Fi Speed

Another factor you can consider when buying a router that can work with FiOS compatible modem is the router’s Wi-Fi speed in real life. The router you purchase will determine your devices’ speed. When buying this router, you can connect multiple devices to the router when purchasing it to be sure you’ll benefit from the upgraded speed. So, whatever router you plan on purchasing should be able to deliver at a consistent or great speed even when connecting it to many devices at once or when you make use of it for long hours.

QoS and MU-MIMO

You can select different applications and prioritize them over other applications according to your preference with QoS Technology (Quality of Service).

For instance, a router with an inbuilt QoS technology can be adjusted in the router’s setting according to their preferred uses of applications. Someone who likes to play different multiplayer games can increase the router’s bandwidth more, and at the same time, decrease the bandwidth for less used applications. 

MU-MIMO or Multi-user Multiple Input, Multiple Output technology has overcome the limitations of QoS technology with enhanced and efficient features. Newly developed routers feature this technology for better user convenience. The MU-MIMO is responsible for directing to particular devices, your Wi-Fi signal’s full strength. 

You can limit or alter the coverage of the router to the devices according to your preference effectively. You can also control which device receives more coverage and which one less using this technology.

Dual-Band Functionality

Although a tri-band configuration router was mentioned in our routers list, dual-band routers are more convenient for people living in populated areas. These routers deliver uninterrupted connection and network no matter how many devices are connected with the router.

If you do not reside in a high-density region nor need to connect numerous devices to a router, a router with single-band functionality may be able to solve your purpose. Usually, the wireless frequency of the single band functionality routers are 2.4GHz band. They are perfect for surfing the internet and small tasks. But a single-band functionality is not enough for streaming shows or playing multiplayer or enhanced graphical games.

How to Set Up a New Router for Verizon FiOS?

When setting up your new Verizon FiOS router, you are sure to come across different challenges compared to when setting up other routers. It is all because of FiOS’s unique services and features that only support its own router.

Here are the steps you are to take when setting up a new router for Verizon FiOS.

Changing the Standard Actiontec Router from Verizon

• The first step to setting up a new router for Verizon FiOS is that you are connecting via an Ethernet port. You must not attach it through a coax cable. The connectivity lights at the display will show your connectivity.
• Link the Actiontec’s Ethernet port and your Ethernet connection, but the router’s power must remain off.
• Next, release the DHCP lease after you have successfully logged in.
• When you want to make changes from coax cable to Ethernet, inform Verizon’s technical team about the impending changes you wish to make. Although, be sure to follow the instructions right and tell them of the same.
• After adjusting the settings, turn on your router, which will also connect the display light of Ethernet Wan.
• The final step involves connection to the internet and renewing the router’s IP lease if needed.

Replacing the Actiontec in your router

• The first step in the second stage of setting up a new router for Verizon FiOS involves releasing the existing router’s DHCP lease before switching it off. 

The WAN connects to the Mac that you will need later. That is why be careful not to switch it off for the Actiontec Ethernet.

• Turn off the connection of the router entirely, and, if needed, removing all plugs at once is the next step of the stage two setup process.

  Remove the Actiontec’s Ethernet cable and get it integrated into your router’s WAN port.

• Link your computer and router and put a connection to your router. You are to get an IP ID for your router. 
• You can alter the default ID for login and password after checking and confirming the router’s proper DHCP lease feature. This information is essential when ensuring that your network’s security is always maintained.
• That’s it! Your router for Verizon FiOS setup is complete. Now, all that is left is getting your router’s configuration tweaked according to your preference.

Which Modems are Compatible with Verizon FiOS?

The truth about Verizon FiOS compatible modem is that Verizon FiOS does not make use of modems. All you need to get an internet connection with Verizon FiOS is a router that supports 2.5 GHz and 5.0 GHz. You should not be bothered about what Verizon FiOS compatible modems you are to purchase for your Verizon FiOS devices. You are thinking of getting a router that can work with the best modems for Verizon FiOS instead.

Some apartment buildings in some areas (mainly in New York) or certain regions require that you use a modem and a router. MDUs (Multi-Dwelling Units) get an internet connection to their apartments using DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and over a phone line. To put it simply, you can get the Ethernet used from the modem and then to the router’s WAN port.

Will a Cable Modem Work with FiOS? 

When using FiOS in your home, do not use a modem. FiOS doesn’t use a modem. If you currently plan on using a “cable modem” on FiOS, know that it’s also totally useless.

FiOS uses only routers. The ONT box will work as a modem, so there’ll be no need to get any modem. The router uses MoCA (coax) or Ethernet to connect to the ONT’s WAN port. The MoCa is quite different from cable modem signals. 

MoCA (coax) defaults for speeds slower than 150 Mbps, while Ethernet is for speeds of up to 150 Mbps or higher. That’s to say that you can configure your FiOS to provide you with an Ethernet connection from the ONT. That way, using non-Verizon routers will be easier. 

However, Verizon cannot complete FiOS install from the reports made without using one of their routers irrespective of which connection you’ll use (Ethernet or MoCA).

Conclusion

Purchasing a new Verizon FiOS router is not a simple task because there are countless options to choose from in the market. Hopefully, with this article, you’ll be able to narrow down your search for the perfect router that can work with Verizon FiOS compatible modem that’ll meet all your requirements. 

Most importantly, we hope that you’ll decide on a router that can bring connectivity to your home and give you that excellent performance rate that you so desire.

There is always something available for everyone right from the NETGEAR Nighthawk AC3200 router (R8000), which short work of any problem you have with any networking connectivity, to the Linksys Max-Stream AC1900 Router (EA7500), to the ASUS ROG Rapture router, to the router which brings a new approach to what you are to expect from a home router — the Google Nest AC2200 router, and finally to the MOTOROLA AC2600 router (MR2600).