Verizon FiOS Approved Modems & Routers in 2023

This article is a list of Verizon FiOS compatible modems and compatible routers for FiOS internet. With reviews of the top 3 modems and routers. 

As a Network Engineer, I get a common question: what router or modem one should get for Verizon. 

And my answer is always that it depends on what type of Verizon internet you have. 

If you have Verizon FiOS (Fiber internet), you only need a router (no modem). If you, however, have Verizon DSL, you need both a modem and a router. 

Therefore, I have put together a list of Verizon compatible modems with reviews of the 3 best. 

As well as choosing the top 3 Verizon FiOS compatible routers. 

Keep reading to learn them. 

Verizon FiOS (Fiber optic internet) only needs a router connected to the ONT. While for DSL you need a modem and router (often as one device).

Also, If you have FiOS, make sure your ONT has an Ethernet connection. Because otherwise, you won’t be able to use a third-party router.

Top 3 Verizon FiOS Compatible Routers

Here are the 3 best routers for Verizon FiOS.

1. ASUS RT-AX3000 (Editor’s Choice – Wi-Fi 6 Router)
2. ASUS RT-AX88U (Best Performer – Wi-Fi 6 Router)
3. TP-Link Archer A7 (Budget-Friendly – Wi-Fi 5 Router)

3 Best Verizon FiOS Compatible Routers

Here are reviews of the three best-certified routers for Verizon FiOS. You can also buy them for your DSL modem if you want to bridge it.

#1 ASUS RT-AX3000 (Editor’s Choice – Wi-Fi Router)

The ASUS RT-AX3000 is for most normal homes using any Verizon FiOS plan. 

In testing, it averaged 889.41 Mbps from 5 feet and 534.55 Mbps from 25 feet, both using the 5Ghz frequency. 

These results are incredible considering the price tag. They will be enough for a family for 5-7 people to use the internet simultaneously without any issues. 

Just remember that these speeds were measured using a Wi-Fi 6 compatible device and a Gigabit plan. 

A drawback with the RT-AX3000 is, however, its range. And while not bad, it only reached about 80-85 feet. 

This is enough for a normal-sized home and even a slightly larger home if it’s placed in the middle of it. But for anything larger, consider the RT-AX88U instead. 

The router also has great Parental Controls and QoS. Allowing you to restrict your kid’s activities and prioritize applications. 

Overall, the ASUS RT-AX3000 is one of the best, faster and well-priced routers I have tested to date. 

Read the full review here.

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#2 ASUS RT-AX88U (Editor’s Choice – Wi-Fi Router)

The ASUS RT-AX88U is a good option for any Verizon internet plan. 

In testing, it performed excellently. Reaching 927.17 Mbps from 5 feet, 571.36 Mbps from 25 feet, and 472.95 from 50 feet.  

Some of the best results I ever have got from a Wi-Fi 6 router. These speeds are enough to watch multiple 4K movies at the same time plus more. 

I will, however, note that you won’t get faster internet speeds than what you pay for in your plan. 

From a range standpoint, the AT-AX88U also performed well. Reaching upwards of 110 feet. Only beaten by the mesh networks. 

This will be enough to cover any but the largest houses. 

The router also comes with excellent parental controls and advanced QoS. This allows you to schedule your kid’s internet time and block websites and topics online.

As well as prioritize activities on your network. Such as work from home or gaming. 

Its biggest drawback is that it’s overkill if you have one of the slower internet plans (around 100-200 Mbps or below).

Overalls, the AT-AX88U will provide a fast and reliable internet connection for a suitable price.

Read the full review here.

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#3 TP-Link Archer A7 (Budget-Friendly – Wi-Fi Router)

The TP-Link Archer A7 is my go-to budget option. 

This is because, in testing, it got 438.39 Mbps from 5 feet, 123.53 Mbps from 25 feet, and 57.31 Mbps from 50 feet. 

Each result uses the 5GHz band.

This makes it a feasible option for speeds up to 150-200 Mbps. Making it an alternative for the Verizon 200 Mbps plan or below. 

When it comes to coverage, the Archer A7 performed quite average. 

Reaching around 80-90 feet, which should be enough for most normal-sized homes. 

The router has excellent parental controls, but its QoS is very underwhelming. 

Since it only allows to restrict the bandwidth of particular devices and not actives.

Overall, the TP-Link Archer A7 is one of the best budget routers I have tested. 

Read the full review here. 

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If you want a longer list of routers for Verizon we got you covered in our article on the best routers for Verizon FiOS.

Top 3 Verizon Compatible Modems [For DSL]

Here are the 3 best modems for Verizon DSL internet. These are not necessary if you have Verizon FiOS. 

1. Motorola MD1600 (Editor’s Choice – Modem/Router Combo)
2. Netgear D7000 (Best Performer – Modem/Router Combo)
3. Actiontec GT784WNV (Budget-Friendly – Modem/Router Combo)

3 Best Verizon Compatible Modems [For DSL]

Here are reviews of the three best DSL modems that will work with your Verizon DSL internet. Do not buy any of these if you have Verizon FiOS. Because then you only need a router. 

#1 Motorola MD1600 (Editor’s Choice – Modem/Router Combo)

• Type: Modem/Router Combo
• Recommended for speed: 100 Mbps or below
• Wi-Fi: 802.11ac
• Warranty: 2-year warranty
• Chosen as: Best Overall 

The Motorola MD1600 is the modem I recommend the most for Verizon DLS internet.

It works well for speeds up to 100 Mbps, which is enough for any Verizon DSL plan.

The router also supports 802.11ac, which makes it dual-banded. This is good because then you can choose between a 2.4GHz network and a 5GHz network.

2.4GHz has a better range, while 5GHz is faster.

Furthermore, don’t get discouraged from the Amazon page for the MD1600. Because on the product page, it says that it is not compatible with Verizon. But it is.

The drawback with this device is that the password you receive from Verizon is too long to enter with this device.

To fix this, you need to download a firmware update from Motorola.

This should not be a big problem since Motorola provides a step-by-step guide and good support for downloading the firmware.

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#2 Netgear D7000 (Best Performer – Modem/Router Combo)

• Type: Modem/Router Combo
• Recommended for speed: 120 Mbps or below
• Wi-Fi: 802.11ac
• Warranty: 1 year
• Chosen as: Best Performer

The Netgear D7000 is the fastest modem on this list, and thus, It works well with any DSL plan.

The router also supports 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 5, as it’s also called. While not the newest Wi-Fi technology, it is still much better than many other DSL modems.

802.11ac will give you access to both a 2.4GHz network and a 5GHz network. This is useful because 2.4GHz has a better range while 5GHz is faster. Allowing you to choose the one that fits your device’s location.

This makes the D7000 best for you with a larger home or/and plenty of devices connected to your network.

The drawback of this device is that it is a bit pricier than the other options.

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#3 Actiontec GT784WNV (Budget-Friendly – Modem/Router Combo)

• Type: Modem/Router Combo
• Recommended for speed: 24 Mbps or below
• Wi-Fi: 802.11n
• Warranty: 90 days
• Chosen as: Budget-Friendly

The Actiontech GT784WNV is the gateway Verizon recommends for their internet.

It is cheaper than the other options, but this comes at the price of a slower speed and has the worst Wi-Fi on this list.

It supports 802.11n, which is an older Wi-Fi technology. Therefore, it only supports a single 2.4GHz band. This makes it worse at handling many devices and makes its coverage smaller.

If you plan to bridge your gateway, then this modem is perfect for it. Because the modem is good enough for any Verizon DSL plan, but the router has small coverage and is slow.

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List of Verizon DSL Approved Modems

Here is a list of all Verizon-approved and compatible modems.

Brand	Model #	Type	Wi-Fi
Netgear	D6400	VDSL/ADSL	Yes
Netgear	D6220	VDSL2/ADSL2+	Yes
Netgear	D6300	ADSL	Yes
Netgear	D7000	VDSL/ADSL	Yes
Netgear	D7800	VDSL/ADSL	Yes
Netgear	DM602	ADSL	Yes
Netgear	D8500	VSDL/ADSL	Yes
Netgear	DG632	ADSL	Yes
Netgear	DG824M	ADSL	Yes
Netgear	DGND3700	ADSL2+	Yes
Netgear	DGN3500	ADSL2+	Yes
Netgear	DM111PSP	ADSL2+	Yes
Netgear	DG834	ADSL	Yes
Netgear	DG834GT	ADSL	Yes
Netgear	DG834N	ADSL2+	Yes
Netgear	DGN2200	ADSL2+	Yes
Netgear	DG834G	ADSL	Yes
Netgear	DG834PN	ADSL	Yes
Netgear	DGN1000	ADSL2+	Yes
Netgear	DGND3300	ADSL2+	Yes
Westell	A90-750015-07	ADSL	Yes
Westell	D90-327w30-06	ADSL	Yes
D-Link	DSL‑3788	ADSL2+	Yes
D-Link	DSL‑2745	ADSL2+	Yes
D-Link	DSL‑321B	ADSL2+	Yes
Linksys	WAG320N	ADSL2+	Yes
Linksys	X2000	ADSL2+	Yes
Linksys	WAG120N	ADSL2+	Yes
Actiontec	GT784WNV	ADSL2+	Yes
Actiontec	GT784WN	ADSL2+	Yes
Technicolor	C2000T	ADSL2+	Yes
Netis	DL432	ADSL2	Yes
TP-Link	Archer D9	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	Archer D50	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	Archer D20	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	Archer D5	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	Archer D2	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	TD-W8980	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	TD-W8970	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	TD-W8968	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	TD-W8960N	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	TD-8817	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	TD-8840T	ADSL2+	Yes
TP-Link	TD-8616	ADSL2+	No
Cisco	RV132W	ADSL2+	Yes
Zyxel	P660HN-51	ADSL2+	Yes
ASUS	DSL-N10	ADSL2+	Yes

The difference between ADSL and ADSL2+ is that the latter supports faster speeds than the former. [1]

“Yes” means that the modem has a router while “No” means that it doesn’t.

What to Consider Before Buying an Approved Modem & Router

Here are some things you should consider before you buy a modem or a router for your Verizon internet,

Verizon DLS or Verizon FiOS (Fiber)

The first thing you need to consider is whatever you have Verizon DSL or Verizon FiOS. 

The difference is that Verizon DSL is a slower internet type that provides the internet connection through the telephone line. 

While Verizon FiOS is a fiber internet that provides internet access through fiber optic cables. [2]

It’s important to know what service you have because if you have Verizon DSL, you need an ADSL2 modem. While if you have Verizon FiOS, then you only need a router and not a modem. 

Picking a router for Verizon FiOS is not complex. Since it only needs to be fast enough for your plan and have enough coverage for your home. 

If you have Verizon DSL, however, then picking a modem is more complicated. Because the modem needs to be compatible with Verizon. 

And for a modem to be compatible with Verizon it can’t simply be a DSL modem. Rather, it needs to be an ADSL2 modem. [3]

And even then, it might not work for everyone. Since some rare areas have different types of DSL connections. 

Therefore, I urge you to contact Verizon and ask them what type of DSL modem your area needs. The answer will 19 times out of 20 be ADSL, but not always.

If you get another answer, you need to get that type of DSL modem. 

Modem Router Combo or Separate Devices

This is only something you need to consider if you are buying a modem for your Verizon DSL. And this is whatever or not you want a Modem/router combo (gateway) or separate devices. 

The difference is that a gateway is a modem and a router in one device, while a separate is having the modem and router as two devices. 

There are some pros and cons to both options. And as a Network Engineer, I usually recommend you to get separate devices. But not if you have Verizon

This is because Verizon compatible modems without routers are few and most often not that good. Therefore the three modems I recommend are all gateways. 

If you want separate devices, I recommend you do something called bridging. This means that you turn off the router and only use the modem in a gateway. Then you can then connect the gateway to another router. 

In the end, it’s up to you what you want. And if you can’t decide, I recommend checking out my article on Modem/Router Combo vs. Separate. 

Internet Speed

Another thing you need to think about when you buy a router or a modem is what internet speed you have. 

Because you need a device that at least supports the same speed your plan has, preferably a bit higher, to be on the safe side. 

Otherwise, the device will bottleneck your internet connection, and you won’t get what you are paying for. 

Type of Band

When getting a gateway or a router, you need to consider what type of band the device has. There are two options, either single-banded or dual-banded. 

The difference is that single-banded only has a 2.4GHz network while duel banded has a 2.4GHz network and a 5GHz network.

The difference between the networks is that 2.4GHz has a better range but slower speeds and experiences more interferences.

While 5GHz is faster but has a shorter range. It also experiences fewer interferences than the 2.4GHz network. [4]

Duel-banded is thus the preferred option for a router. But this makes the device more expensive. 

Rent Vs. Buy Modem & Router

If you rent a router or a gateway from Verizon, they will add a fee of $15 a month to your internet bill. This means that in four months, you can pay for a new device. 

Therefore, I strongly recommend most people buy a third-party modem and router. Because this will save you money in the long run. 

The only reason you should rent is if you either will move or change your ISP soon. 

For a more in-depth overview, check out renting vs. buying your modem & router. 

Why Get a Verizon Fios Approved Modem & Router

Here are the main reasons why I recommend you get a third-party compatible modem and router. 

No Verizon Renting Fee

The most significant benefit of buying a third-party device is that you will not need to pay the renting fee of $15 a month that Verizon has.

This will save you $180 a year, enough to buy a good router or modem. 

Better Performance

If you spend some money on your third-party device, you can expect better internet performance. This can be fewer dead spots, faster Wi-Fi, or more features. 

More Control

Getting a router and a modem also gives you more control of your network. This could be the ability to get devices with features that you need. 

Features like parenting control so your children won’t use the internet too much or VPN support for work at home activities. 

How To Install Your Own Verizon FiOS Modem & Router

Here is how you install your modem or router with Verizon. 

How to Setup a Modem for Verizon DSL

1. Pick a location with good air circulation. So, the modem doesn’t overheat. 
2. Disconnect the old modem/router combo you had.
3. Connect the cables to your new device. 
4. For the software setup, follow Verizon’s guide here.

If you want to set your Verizon modem in bridge mode then follow this guide instead.

How to Setup a Router for Verizon FiOS

The process of setting up a router depends a lot on what Verizon services you have. 

If you only have Verizon FiOS internet, then it’s easy. But if you also have a Television service, it becomes much more difficult. 

Because, with Television service, you need to connect the coax cable from the ONT with the router. And third-party routers do not have coax ports. [5]

This gives you two options, either get a MOCO adapter that translates coax to ethernet or buy Verizon’s own router (which is expensive). 

If you get a MOCA adapter, I recommend the Motorola MM1000. And if you want to buy Verizon’s router, you can find it here. 

For the setup process with a MOCA adapter, I found this Youtube video.

The video is from an insurance salesman who explains how he set up his router with Verizon. I recommend checking it out as I found it very good.

FAQ

Here are some common questions about third-party equipment and Verizon FiOS and Verizon DSL.

My ONT doesn’t have any ethernet port. What do I do if I want my own router?

If you have a slower Verizon FiOS plan, you sometimes get an ONT with only a coax output. This makes it near impossible to get a third-party router. Since Verizon is the only one providing routers with coax inputs.

To solve this, I would recommend either upgrading your plan to at least 100 Mbps or hunting the internet for a MoCA WAN adapter (not LAN). The thing is, they have been disconnected for years, so there are few to buy.

Do I need a modem for Verizon Fios?

No, you don’t need a modem for Verizon FiOS, only for Verizon DSL. 

What the difference between a modem and a router?

A modem converts analog signals to digital and vice versa, while a router distributes internet in your home. You can find a more in-depth article on what the difference is here.

What is a Verizon Fios-compatible router?

It’s a router that works with fiber. Which most routers do. 

Can I buy a modem from Verizon?

Yes, you can buy either the Actiontech GT784WNV or the G3100 from Verizon. 

Our Verdict

Through my research, I have concluded that the best Verizon-certified modem is the MOTOROLA MD1600. 

That is if you have Verizon DSL. If you instead have Verizon Fios, then you only need a router.

And the best router for Verizon FiOS is the ASUS RT-AX3000 which will provide your home with a reliable internet connection for a suitable price.