Best Router for Verizon Fios — May 2025 Update
Wi-Fi 7 mesh systems take the lead as Verizon phases out its old Quantum Gateway and hands out free Whole-Home Wi-Fi extenders before a multigigabit fiber bump.
Why this is suddenly urgent
- Legacy hardware sunset. Verizon letters sent to TV customers say the G1100 “Quantum Gateway” and matching set-top boxes will stop working after April 2025, nudging everyone toward newer gear.
- Free extender program. If you upgrade (or already pay for “Whole-Home Wi-Fi”), Verizon now ships one complimentary E3200 extender and up to three with the paid “Plus” tier — a quiet perk added in late April.
- Speeds on deck. Verizon’s Frontier takeover and fiber buildout aim for 1 million new passings a year and pave the way for tiers beyond today’s 2 Gbps, with executives teasing “gigabit-plus” service nationwide.
Bottom line: a router bought today should have a 2.5 GbE (or faster) WAN port and Wi-Fi 7 to ride those wider 320 MHz channels.
2025 Top Picks for Fios
| Router | Ideal for | Key specs (WAN / Wi-Fi) | Street price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asus RT-BE96U | Maximum single-box power | 10 GbE + 2.5 GbE; Wi-Fi 7 (BE19000) | ≈ $599 |
| Netgear Orbi 770 (2-pack) | Whole-home mesh | 2.5 GbE backhaul; tri-band Wi-Fi 7 | ≈ $699 |
| MSI Roamii BE Lite | Budget entrant | 2.5 GbE; dual-band Wi-Fi 7 (no 6 GHz) | ≈ $209 |
| Verizon CR1000A | Plug-and-play with Fios TV | 10 GbE; Wi-Fi 6E tri-band | $18 / mo rental or $399 buy |
*US MSRP, May 2025.
Sources: Tom’s Guide Wi-Fi 7 roundup , Wired Orbi 770 review , TechRadar Roamii review , Verizon CR1000A data sheet (verizon.com), PC Guide Fios picks
Picking the right one
- 1-Gig plan or below? Any Wi-Fi 6E router with a 1 GbE port still keeps pace, but Wi-Fi 7’s Multi-Link Operation lets newer iPhones, Pixels and Galaxy S-series bond 5 GHz + 6 GHz for lower latency.
- 2 Gbps plan (or future 5 Gbps): You’ll need at least one 2.5 GbE port end-to-end: ONT ► router ► PC/switch. Both the RT-BE96U and Orbi 770 qualify; the CR1000A has 10 GbE.
- MoCA TV boxes: Stick the Verizon router first in line (bridge mode) or add a MoCA 2.5 adapter if you swap it out entirely.
- Mesh vs. stand-alone: Large, multi-floor homes get steadier speeds with Orbi-style dedicated backhaul; apartments often see higher peak throughput with a single high-spec unit like the RT-BE96U.
Quick install checklist
- Ask Verizon to switch your ONT to Ethernet output if it’s still on coax.
- Plug the new router’s WAN port into the ONT; no VLAN or PPPoE settings needed.
- Power-cycle the ONT for 2–3 minutes so it learns the router’s MAC address.
- Run Verizon’s Wi-Fi Health Check (My Fios app) — it will auto-order the free extender if coverage fails.
Take-away
A Wi-Fi 7 router bought this spring keeps you ahead of Verizon’s looming multigig rollout and spares you the April 2025 Quantum Gateway cutoff. For most households the Netgear Orbi 770 mesh wipes out dead zones without over-spending; performance chasers can splurge on the Asus RT-BE96U, while penny-pinchers get surprising future-proofing from the MSI Roamii BE Lite. And if you just want a plug-and-play box that Verizon fully supports with Fios TV, the CR1000A rental remains the safe bet.
