7 Best Routers for Frontier FiOS in 2024 [Compatible Models]

Have you recently set up the Frontier connection yet aren't satisfied with the performance of the Frontier FiOS router? Well, you can buy your own router for Frontier FiOS, as not only will it offer you desired speeds and coverage, and it will also handle more devices and offer you a ton of customization.

But then, you won’t get any official list of Frontier-compatible routers. And with the market filled with quality options, finding an ideal device becomes challenging. Fret not. After four weeks of research and testing 13 devices, I recommend the 7 best options for 2024.

• Best Overall: Netgear RAXE500
• Best Runner-Up: TP-Link AX90
• Best Gaming Router: ASUS RT-AX86S
• Best Mesh WiFi: TP-Link Deco XE75
• Best For Streaming: Netgear RAX43
• Best Home Router: Linksys EA8100
• A Good Cheap Option: ASUS RT-AC67P

Overview of List: The list includes the best available wireless routers in their price segment and pairs well with Frontier FiOS service packages. It starts with a high-end premium model and ends with a $55 budget option. So, feel free to browse through them all.

1. Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500

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• Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E
• Suitable Plan: Fiber 2 Gig
• 2.4GHz Speeds: 1.2 Gbps
• 5GHz Speeds: 4.8 Gbps
• 6GHz Speeds: 4.8 Mbps
• WiFi Range: Up to 3,500 Sq Ft
• Number of Devices Supported: 60
• Ports: 1 x WAN + 4 x LAN + 1 x 2.5 G + 2 x USB 3.0
• Processor: 1.8GHz Quad-Core Processor
• RAM & NAND Memory: 1GB + 512MB
• App Support: Yes

$399.99

BUY ON AMAZON

Netgear RAXE500 is one of the most premium Wi-Fi 6E routers that's a network powerhouse. With beautiful aesthetics, no protruding antennas, simple installation, and reliable firmware, this router brings a lot to the table. Considering the high-end spec sheet and performance it delivers, it’s a powerful upgrade to its predecessor, RAXE7800.

Why is it suited for Frontier FiOS?

I put RAXE7800 through a series of usual throughput tests, starting with its wireless capabilities. Testing on it with FiOS 2 Gig plan got me excellent speeds. Its 6GHz band was the fastest, courtesy of minimal interferences and availability of a multitude of channels.

The download speeds on my iPhone 13 averaged 1.8 Gbps, while the upload speeds were around 545 Mbps. Besides that, the router turned out excellent on my 5GHz and 2.4GHz performance tests. Its 1.5 Gbps download speeds on 5GHz, and 865 Mbps on 2.4GHz turned out to be one of the fastest around here.

So, whichever band you connect to, you are bound to get speeds that allow you to carry out various tasks like gaming, 4K streaming, video conferencing, and others.

Wired Speed

Aside from a usual setup of 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, a 2.5 Gbps WAN port lets you experience multi-gigs of internet speeds. The speed test results on iPhone 13 were 2100 Mbps and 654 Mbps for downloads and uploads. So, you will surely receive an unmatched throughput performance with this futuristic router.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

WiFi coverage is also a strong suit of this Wi-Fi 6e router. It integrates 6 internally positioned antennas and proprietary optimization to deliver more reliable and stronger connections and minimal interference to your connected devices.

Considering the maximum range to be 3,500 Sq Ft, I tested this RAXE7800 at a 2,500 Sq Ft test center, and the network worked fine in every corner. Also, security cameras outside the center received a two-bar Wi-Fi signal. So, in a real-life setting, the maximum this device can sheath would be around 3,000 Sq Ft, making it suitable for large homes and workspaces.

Besides, integrating technologies like QoS prioritization and MU-MIMO lets you experience a lag-free connection on all your devices, irrespective of location.

Security Features

The RAXE500 has certain security features, but I was disappointed that it comes at an additional charge, despite mentioning “built-in” on the router. After a 30-day trial period, paying $69.99 yearly gives you access to advanced features like weekly network scans, firewalls, VPNs, and blocking malicious websites.

Nevertheless, there are some basic features like WPA3 encryption, and basic security scans, which I reckon are sufficient for residential settings. And the unpaid parental controls include monitoring online time and pausing WiFi at any time.

Conclusion

With such a high-end spec sheet, RAXE500 is undoubtedly the best WiFi router for Frontier FiOS. It doesn't disappoint a tad. Its wireless and wired capabilities are exceptional, and you can expect its high-performance antennas to sheath your space with a strong connection. However, at such a premium price, I have hoped for more security features for free.

Want to know more about Nighthawk RAXE500? Read the full review.

Pros

• Tri-band, with 6 GHz speed
• Supports link aggregation
• Lightning fast speeds
• Exceptional coverage
• 2.5 Gbps Ethernet

Cons

• Premium
• Security costs extra

2. Best Runner-Up: TP-Link Archer AX90

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• Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
• Suitable Plan: Fiber 2 Gig
• 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
• 5GHz Speeds: 4804 + 1201 Mbps
• WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
• Number of Devices Supported: 40+
• Ports: 1 x WAN + 4 x LAN + 1 x USB 3.1
• Processor: 1.5GHz Quad-Core
• RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 128MB
• App Support: Yes

$311.15

BUY ON AMAZON

Here’s another tri-band router that boasts some major upgrades to TP-Link’s flagship model, Archer AX73. Some notable ones include a 5GHz band, more antennas, an additional 2.5G WAN port, and many more. But despite its long spec sheet, does it delivers? Let’s see.

Why is it suited for Frontier FiOS?

Being a tri-band Wi-Fi 6 router, there is a visible speed boost over Archer AX73 when paired with FiOS 2 Gbps plan. Measuring on the additional 5GHz band, download speeds raked up to 1.7 Gbps, while upload speeds measured to 510 Mbps. At the same time, the other 5GHz band had respective speeds of 1.1 Gbps and 325 Mbps for downloads and uploads.

Along with these, the 2.4GHz, better known for expanding range, also delivered decent speeds. On my Dell laptop, I could download Call of duty vanguard on my Dell laptop at 535 Mbps, and it took me around an hour to complete. On the other hand, I uploaded my presentations over dropbox at 154 Mbps.

So, in short, courtesy of an additional band, it’s safe to say the router is ridiculously quick. And with such bandwidth, you can download 10GB of files in less than a minute.

Wired Speed

The router has more to offer if you are hungry for even more. Its 2.5G WAN port is a major upgrade over AX73, allowing you to experience multi-gigs of speeds, which was the case when I plugged in my Dell laptop. The respective download and upload speeds raked up to 2 Gbps and 600 Mbps, much higher than I got connected on WiFi.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

Despite featuring 8 antennas, its coverage lacks a bit compared to the 6-antenna setup of my previous recommendation. The router performed extremely well in my 1,500 Sq Ft home office. Besides covering the entire workspace, I also received signals in my bedroom. So, on average, covering 2,000 Sq Ft should be a cakewalk.

Now resting on connections capacity, technologies like beamforming, QoS, and MU-MIMO does the magic. It concentrates all the signals to send to a connected device. So, your 25 devices continue receiving faster throughput wherever you are in the space.

Security Features

Out of the box, Archer AX90 boasts the latest WPA3 security, which brings a lot of upgrades to WPA2, like password secrecy, ease of use, and natural password selection. Also, there are some basic parental controls to keep track of your kids’ online time and pause if they’re spending too much there.

Besides, a TP-Link Homeshield feature powered by Avira comes at a $54.99 yearly subscription. It blocks malware or virus-infected websites from being accessed, and your connected devices now have an additional level of network security. Besides, it provides a weekly scan report, mentioning the detected threats.

Conclusion

All in all, Archer AX90 is a powerful and feature-packed device that’s compatible with any Frontier FiOS plan. The device also has many other advanced features to let you enjoy internet connections with peace. The only drawback is its price, which is justified considering its features.

Pros

• Multi-gig WAN/LAN
• Consistent throughput
• Solid performance
• Decent coverage
• Handles 40+ devices

Cons

• Expensive
• Some features require a subscription

3. Best for Gaming: ASUS RT-AX86S

• Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
• Suitable Plan: Fiber 2 Gig
• 2.4GHz Speeds: 861 Mbps
• 5GHz Speeds: 4804 Mbps
• WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
• Number of Devices Supported: 100+
• Ports: 1 x WAN + 4 x LAN + 1 x USB 3.2 + 1 x USB 2.0
• Processor: 1.8GHz Quad-Core
• RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 256MB
• App Support: Yes

$119.99

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Presenting next is a gaming router, ASUS RT-AX86S, which boasts a Wi-Fi 6 standard, so expect faster speeds, lower latency, longer range, and energy efficiency.

You will find many gaming-centric specifications like NAT port forwarding and device prioritization alongside OFDMA and 1024-QAM to deliver lower ping. Pair it with a gaming-friendly modem and you're ready to rock!

Why is it suited for Frontier FiOS?

Asus RT-AX86S stands tall to its tag of gaming router in my throughput tests. Considering its maximum throughput capacity of 5.7 Gbps, I paired a 2 Gig plan, and the speed output on both bands was excellent.

On the 5GHz band, download speeds raked at 1.5 Gbps, while upload speeds were around 505 Mbps, while respective speeds on the other band were 500 Mbps and 130 Mbps. Such speeds allowed me to get all my pending downloads done within a few minutes, alongside playing online games and streaming 4K content.

Wired Speed

Although it didn’t boast a 2.5 Gig internet connection, 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports compensate for it a bit. You can plug in any networking device to experience a maximum download speed of 1.8 Gbps while uploading at 550 Mbps. I connected my gaming consoles and played Valorant on it for hours without lags or latencies.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

The RT-AX86S performed well in my coverage tests. Despite featuring 3 antennas, it could easily sheath my grandpa's 1,800 Sq Ft old house. They've been using this router for quite some time and have never heard any complaints regarding a weak network spot or dead zone, and I also found frailing signals in his garage.

Technologies such as OFDMA and beamforming increase the number of devices from 15 in the previous model to 40 in this one. And the signals were consistent throughout the day.

Security Features

You get a lifetime free subscription to commercial-grade security, AiProtection Pro. Featurewise, it isn’t as advanced as Homeshield, but features like firewalls, WPA3, and parental controls don’t keep you very far behind. Besides, it doesn’t cost you a penny, and you can monitor what’s going on with your network through the mobile app.

Conclusion

To sum up, RT-AX86S is a superlative choice for online gamers seeking to remove network bottlenecks. Integration of some powerful upgrades takes its performance to a whole new level, and you can play any online game with peace of mind. However, the lack of an additional band and a 2.5G port pushes it down to the third position.

Pros

• Fast close-range speed
• Consistent throughput
• Dedicated gaming port
• Excellent WiFi coverage
• Lifetime free security

Cons

• Not a tri-band router

4. Best Mesh WiFi System: TP-Link Deco XE75

Do you live in a 2-3 story house with many WiFi dead zones? You're better off investing in TP-Link's Deco XE75, one of the best mesh WiFi systems of 2024.

• Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
• Suitable Plan: Fiber Gig
• 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
• 5GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps
• 6GHz Speeds: 2402 Mbps 
• WiFi Range: Up to 5.500 Sq Ft
• Number of Devices Supported: 200
• Ports: 6 x Ethernet
• Processor: 1.7GHz Quad-Core
• RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + N/A
• App Support: Yes

$189.99

BUY ON AMAZON

If you’re looking for a Wi-Fi 6e mesh router with Frontier FiOS, TP-Link Deco XE75 is worth a look. The new 6GHz band makes it one of the fastest routers out there. It combines with powerful hardware and other technologies to deliver a much better performance than its predecessor, Deco X60.

Why is it suited for Frontier FiOS?

When testing its throughput with my Dell laptop over a short distance, it easily clocked download speeds of over 950 Mbps with a Gig plan, which surpasses its predecessor. With the 6GHz band, there wasn’t much drop in download speeds over a large distance, valued at around 850 Mbps. The upload speeds on respective distances were 450 Mbps and 350 Mbps.

The other two bands also performed decently well in my throughput tests. Testing in a similar setup, download speeds on 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands were 767 Mbps and 484 Mbps, while 215 Mbps and 125 Mbps were the upload speeds. In terms of speeds, Deco XE75 even surpassed its costly variant, Deco X90.

Wired Speed

The XE75 mesh integrates 3 Ethernet ports on each unit but lacks a 2.5G WAN port, as in its successor, i.e., Deco XE75 Pro. With it, you can take your speeds to new heights, valuing up to 1011 Mbps and 525 Mbps for downloads and uploads. So, you can connect your gaming consoles or other devices to exploit its high speeds.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

Being a mesh system, I had a lot of expectations from it in terms of coverage, and its 4 high-gain internal antennas didn’t let me down. Multiple antennas work harmoniously to sheath an area of up to 5,500 Sq Ft, so there were no weak or dead network spots left in my 3,700 Sq Ft home. The signals were also there in my garden and garage.

Besides, the roaming capability of this router is its strongest selling point. Coming with an 802.11k/v/r fast roaming technology driven by an AI-roaming algorithm makes sure you always stay connected. When testing on my iPhone 13, I didn’t notice any dropouts or freezes, even when I roamed around my space.

Besides, I connected around 25 available devices to carry out various tasks like gaming, 4K video streaming, video conferencing, and others without any lags. Technologies like MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and QoS made this possible. You can connect even more devices, considering its maximum connection capacity to be 200 devices.

Security Features

Deco XE75 supports the latest WPA3 security on all its three bands to encrypt the data shared over the network, thereby keeping it safe. Its VPN-passthrough feature also comes right out of the box, which lets you browse anything by keeping yourself anonymous. Besides, like all TP-Link devices, there’s Homeshield up for grabs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Deco XE75 is one of the most affordable WiFi 6e mesh systems with multiple ethernet ports. The new 6GHz band provides you with more usable signals and, thereby, greater throughput. Alongside, coverage is its strong suit. However, the lack of a 2.5G WAN port and lesser maximum throughput capacity has pushed it down the list.

For more information, read my full review of the Deco XE75.

Pros

• Wi-Fi 6E support
• Tri-Band operation
• Great wireless coverage
• QoS and MU-MIMO
• Supports up to 200 devices
• Multiple ethernet ports

Cons

• No 2.5G port
• Security features need a subscription

5. Best for Streaming: Netgear Nighthawk RAX43

• Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
• Suitable Plan: Fiber Gig
• 2.4GHz Speeds: 574 Mbps
• 5GHz Speeds: 3603 Mbps
• WiFi Range: Up to 2,500 Sq Ft
• Number of Devices Supported: 25
• Ports: 4 x LANs + 1 x WAN + 1 x USB 3.0
• Processor: 1.5GHz Triple-Core
• RAM & NAND Memory: 512MB + 256MB
• App Support: Yes

$129.99

BUY ON AMAZON

Netgear Nighthawk RAX43 is a mid-range router that outperforms the Nighthawk RAX40 in terms of speed, throughput, and coverage. The device, which has sharp corners and a black matte finish, resembles a spaceship. Furthermore, there have been advancements in terms of features that make it a more appealing option.

Why is it suited for Frontier FiOS?

If you are subscribed to a Frontier FiOS plan below 1 Gbps, including Fiber or DSL, then Nighthawk RAX43 might be all you need. It offers performance much higher than its price point, clocking an impressive 915 Mbps in the 5GHz band at 5 feet. While taking the device 20-25 feet away from the router, I could still get 651 Mbps.

That’s all about download speeds on the 5GHz band. The upload speeds clocked at 420 Mbps and 300 Mbps at similar ranges, respectively. On the other hand, respective download and upload speeds for the 2.4GHz band were 475 Mbps and 215 Mbps, respectively.

That’s adequate for covering the bandwidth needs of most traditional households and small workspaces, i.e., 8-9 people streaming movies, playing games, and browsing simultaneously.

Wired Speed

Now in my throughput tests for wired speeds, my iPhone 13 clocked download and upload speeds at 995 Mbps and 500 Mbps, respectively. That’s higher than wireless speeds, providing you with opportunities to explore more.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

The router also played out fairly well in my coverage tests. Boasting 4 external antennas, its maximum range can extend up to 2,500 Sq Ft. So any mid-sized apartment or a small workspace should be adequate for its installation.

Besides, you can connect up to 15 devices simultaneously without dipping the speeds by a tad, courtesy of technologies like beamforming, MU-MIMO, and OFDMA.

Security Features

The company doesn’t offer much for free, except WPA3 and VPN-passthrough. And you need to pay a monthly subscription fee if you want to upgrade the security. Antivirus and parental controls are paid, but it does work very hard to keep any external threats away from your home network, which makes Netgear Armor a worthy addition.

Conclusion

Overall, Netgear RAX43 comes with some reliable features that can fulfill most of your residential or commercial networking needs. So whether you’re a streamer, gamer, or just a regular employee sending excel over emails or attending video calls, this can be a handy device to have. But, the lack of MU-MIMO and QoS takes it to the fifth position.

Pros

• Enough WiFi range
• Security features are reliable
• Decent speeds and coverage
• Easy to setup and use
• Powerful hardware

Cons

• Lacks MU-MIMO & QoS
• Security features are paid

6. Best Budget Router: Linksys EA8100

• Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
• Suitable Plan: Fiber 500/500
• 2.4GHz Speeds: 800 Mbps
• 5GHz Speeds: 1733 Mbps
• WiFi Range: Up to 1,800 Sq Ft
• Number of Devices Supported: 30
• Ports: 1 x WAN + 4 x LAN + 1 x USB 3.0
• Processor: 880MHz Dual Core MediaTek MIPS1004kc
• RAM & NAND Memory: 256MB + 128MB
• App Support: Yes

Price not available

BUY ON AMAZON

The penultimate product on my list is made by Linksys, a well-known networking brand, which can save a lot of your money in the long run. It boasts some decent features that pan out well with mid-tier Frontier FiOS plans and covers a decent space with powerful signals, courtesy of its 4 high-performing antennas.

Linksys has taken a few steps forward with this model compared to its older one in terms of features and overall performance.

Why is it suited for Frontier FiOS?

The device is a clear winner if you’re subscribed to the Frontier FiOS 500/500 plan.

In proximity tests on the 5GHz band, it measures an impressive 495 Mbps download, and 154 Mbps upload speed with the 500 Mbps plan. While speeds on the 2.4GHz band measured at 250 Mbps and 95 Mbps for downloads. At this price point, that’s simply hard to beat. Most times, you need to pay more to get any more performance.

Wired Speed

The router delivers an excellent wired performance thanks to 5 Gigabit ports. If you do not have more than 5 devices to connect, exploiting the Ethernet backhaul is highly recommended. You can even upgrade your internet plan to a Gigabit one to experience download speeds at around 950 Mbps.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

Coverage can be a major setback when you compare it to other routers on my list. Despite featuring a 4-antenna setup, it failed to sheath my grandpa’s entire 1,500 Sq Ft house. It left some weak and dead spots in the corners. Nevertheless, the maximum it can cover would be 1,200 Sq Ft, the size of a small-sized apartment.

But a stand-out feature of this router is Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) integration. It works harmoniously with the antennas to detect any congestion in a channel and route the signals through less congested ones. So, all your connected devices (maximum 30) can receive constant and strong throughput throughout the day.

Security Features

There isn’t much on offer besides basic WPA2 and VPN passthrough. However, a major drawback would be that there are no premium features to upgrade to. And so, the sole option left would be to install third-party software like Tenda Micro to secure your database. Other than that, parental controls aren’t also very great.

Conclusion

In conclusion, EA8100 from Linksys is the best router for Frontier FiOS 500/500 service plan. With decent performance and coverage, it becomes an ideal purchase for working from home. Despite the average range, its DFS ensures you never run out of network and continue to run network-intensive tasks without much of a fuss.

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Stable internet due to DFS
• Decent coverage and speeds
• Good port selection

Cons

• Lack of advanced security

7. Cheapest Option: ASUS RT-AC67P

• Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
• Suitable Plan: Fiber 500/500
• 2.4GHz Speeds: 600 Mbps
• 5GHz Speeds: 1300 Mbps
• WiFi Range: Up to 3,000 Sq Ft
• Number of Devices Supported: 12+
• Ports: 1 x WAN + 4 x LAN + 1 x USB 3.1
• Processor: MediaTek MT7762N
• RAM & NAND Memory: 128MB + 128MB
• App Support: Yes

$50.70

BUY ON AMAZON

Now that I have reached the end of my list of Frontier FiOS-compatible routers, presenting you with one of the finest models you can get your hands on by spending a few extra bucks over your ISP-rented Frontier internet router.

ASUS RT-AC67P, unlike other options on my list, doesn’t offer exceptional speeds, but you get stable internet throughout your workspace or living space.

Why is it suited for Frontier FiOS?

The RT-AC67P featuring inferior hardware coupled with dual-band Wi-Fi 5, can seem like an unfavourable choice for many, but let me tell you, it panned out well in my performance tests.

Paired with the Fiber 500/500 plan, its 5GHz band gave out speeds at around 421 Mbps for downloads and 85 Mbps for uploads. On the other hand, the speed output for the low-frequency 2.4GHz band was 187 Mbps and 45 Mbps, respectively. So, the speeds are more than enough to handle most of your bandwidth-intensive tasks in residential settings.

Wired Speed

Barring wireless speeds, 4 Gigabit ports let you create an Ethernet backhaul, whose speeds can go as high as 487 Mbps for downloads and 100 Mbps for uploads. My gaming consoles performed well as I played Red Dead redemption 2 on it for hours at 144 FPS.

WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity

Coverage is the strong selling point of this router, as maximum capacity extends up to 3,000 Sq Ft in ideal settings. However, in my tests in a 2,500 Sq Ft area, it performed exceptionally well and left no dead spots behind.

Besides, I connected up to 15 devices kept in different corners where similar-sized files were left to download. And surprisingly enough, the download time taken on each device was almost the same.

Security Features

Security is the major drawback of this router, as it features inferior WPA2 encryption, which, although suitable for residential settings, won’t work well commercially. So, similar to my previous recommendation, you would need to install third-party software on your devices if you need added protection.

Besides, about parental controls, you get some basic features like pausing WiFi and monitoring the online time of your devices.

Conclusion

Finally, with offerings in terms of speed and coverage, it can easily be your Frontier FiOS router upgrade. Although it excels in some areas, numerous limitations push it to the bottom of the list.

Pros

• Consistent throughput
• Excellent WiFi coverage
• Decent speeds
• Has a USB 3.0 port
• Budget option

Cons

• Security features aren’t much advanced

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

Frontier offers many plans, ranging from slow and basic to blazing fast yop-notch speeds. Your selected Frontier FiOS router should be capable of delivering the most out of your plan and should run your tasks without any issues.

I hope my curated list helps you get your hands on the best-suited router, but if you are still confused, here are a few of the top options:

• If you’re subscribed to the highest-speed plan and need a device with high-end features, Netgear RAXE500 with Wi-Fi 6E support should be your best bet. It combines high-end features with the latest technology to let you experience blazing-fast speeds and throughout.
• If budget is an issue, and you are looking for a router with almost similar output, Asus RT-AX86S comes at half the cost. It ingrains some powerful features that take your internet usage experience to a new level.
• Finally, if you want a cheaper option, go for Linksys EA8100. You might not get the fastest speeds with this, but it can surely cover your 1,800 Sq Ft house with strong signals.

With that, I'd like to wrap up this article. I hope I've addressed all of your concerns!