Best routers for fiber internet we’ve tested – top picks for fast broadband
Reviewed By: Kevin Pocock
Table of Contents
A fiber-optic connection is the best choice for fast home internet as it has a number of advantages compared to traditional copper cables, such as faster speeds and less interference.
Many major ISPs, such as Verizon and Xfinity, offer fiber connections directly to your door, known as FttP or Fiber to the Property.
That said, there are a ton of options out there from different manufacturers, such as Netgear, ASUS, TP-Link, and more. Selecting a single router can be challenging as there are most likely many that fit the requirements you want.
We’ve done the research for you and put together this in-depth guide that lists multiple options, their details, reviews, and pros and cons. This should help you make an informed decision.
Products at a glance
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Best router for fiber internet overall
Netgear Nighthawk RS700S WiFi 7 (BE19000)
- Standard: WiFi 7
- Frequency Bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz
- Max Speed: 19Gbps
- LAN Ports: 1x 10Gbps, 4x 1Gbps
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Best runner-up router for fiber internet
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500
- Standard: WiFi 6E
- Frequency Bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz
- Max Speed: 10.8 Gbps
- LAN Ports: 4 x 1 Gbps (+1 Multi-Gig 2.5/1Gbps)
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Best budget router for fiber internet
GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX)
- Standard: WiFI 6
- Frequency Bnads: 2.4GHz, 5GHz
- Max Speed: 1800Mbps
- LAN Ports: 2x Gigabit
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Best gaming router for fiber internet
ASUS ROG Rapture Wifi 6E Router (GT-AXE16000)
- Standard: WiFi 6E
- Frequency bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz-1, 5 GHz-2, 6 GHz
- Max speed: 16000 Mbps
- LAN ports: 2x 10Gbps (WAN/LAN), 4x 1Gbps
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Best mesh router for fiber internet
NETGEAR Orbi 770 WiFi 7 – 3-pack
- Standard: WiFi 7
- Frequency Bands: 6GHz, 5GHz, 2.4GHz
- Max Speed: 11Gbps
- LAN Ports: 3x 2.5Gbps (Router), 2x 2.5Gbps (Satellites)
How we picked the best routers for fiber
To find the best router for fiber internet, we used our expertise to select items based on key specs, such as speeds, coverage, wireless standards, security, weight, and additional features.
We conduct in-house testing to check their signal strength, speed, and file transfer speed. If you're interested in learning more about our process, check out our how we test routers guide for a more in-depth understanding.
Best routers for fiber internet – our reviews
- Standard: WiFi 7
- Frequency Bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz
- Max Speed: 19Gbps
- LAN Ports: 1x 10Gbps, 4x 1Gbps
- WAN: 10Gbps
- CPU: Quad-core 2.6GHz
- Memory: 512MB NAND Flash and 2GB RAM
- USB: 1x USB 3.0 Type-A
- Dimensions: 281.7 x 124.0 x 142mm (11.1 x 4.9 x 5.6in)
- Weight: 1.635kg (3.61lb)
- It is easy to set up using the application
- Plenty of high-speed Ethernet ports to handle gigabit and multi-gigabit internet plans
- A smart design that makes it a good option for homes and offices alike
- It comes with an expensive price tag
- The Wi-Fi 7 standard isn't widely adopted right now
The Wi-Fi 7 standard is still in its early days, but is the best option to take advantage of fiber broadband speeds without needing an ethernet cable. The use of Wi-Fi 7 is one of the major reasons why this router gets the top spot.
The Wi-Fi is not the only standout feature. It also has plenty of gigabit Ethernet ports. On top of that, in our RS700S review, it had excellent range and performance, which gave it the top spot on our list.
For starters, this router has impressive specifications: a 2.6 GHz quad-core CPU, 2 GB RAM, 10G LAN and WAN ports, and four 1G LAN ports. What this means is that it comes packed with everything needed to handle gigabit and multi-gigabit fiber internet plans and disperse them over a wired or wireless connection without compromising performance.
Moreover, it supports LAN aggregation, which enables you to combine LAN ports for faster speeds. This only works with dedicated ports, but according to NETGEAR, you should be able to get up to 2 Gbps speed using this method.
It doesn't have any external antennas but eight powerful internal antennas that work well to cover the advertised 3,500 sq. ft. area. We checked the range of its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and weren't disappointed. 2.4 GHz reached the 60ft mark, while 5 GHz went beyond that and connected at the 90ft mark.
Certainly, the router isn't going to be the limiting factor, as with the latest WiFi standard and fastest ports it is a good-term solution as we doubt even ISPs will supply it with enough internet anytime soon.
PC Guide
As for its performance, the 2.4 GHz frequency delivered download and upload speeds of 103, 78.4, 5.6 Mbps, and 62, 50, and 22 Mbps at 10, 30, and 60 ft, respectively. As for 5 GHz, it managed download speeds of 273, 269, 117, and 25.5 Mbps and upload speeds of 239, 227, 131, and 8 Mbps.
These speeds are impressive and should be enough to accommodate a wide range of activities, such as 4K streaming, online gaming, or other bandwidth-intensive tasks. It also comes with NETGEAR Armor and Smart Parental Controls, which automatically start when you sign in and register.
Packed with impressive specifications and the latest wireless technology, this router should serve any home and small business well. The downside is the price, which is considerable and could put it out of reach for the average consumer.
- Standard: WiFi 6E
- Frequency Bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz
- Max Speed: 10.8 Gbps
- LAN Ports: 4 x 1 Gbps (+1 Multi-Gig 2.5/1Gbps)
- WAN: 1 x 1Gbps (+Multi Gig w/LAN/+1 Multi-Gig 2.5/1Gbps)
- CPU: 1.8 GHz quad-core
- Memory: 512MB Flash and 1GB RAM
- USB: 2 x USB 3.0
- Dimensions: 345 x 221.2 x 169.5 mm
- Weight: 3.2 lb (1.45 kg)
- Has the option for aggregating ethernet with multi-gig supports
- Great looking and performing option with adequate cooling
- Utilizes 6GHz networking with WiFi 6E standard
- Lacks parental controls and internet security behind a paywall
- Performance falls quickly with distance and obstructions
- Still a high price to pay for the router
Since WiFi 7 is new technology, WiFi 7 routers are expensive. If you’re looking for a good alternative, we recommend the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500. This is a solid WiFi 6E router, meaning you can use tri-band functionality. We’ve also tested it in-house for our Nighthawk RAXE5000 review and were pleased with its range and performance.
This router is powered by a 1.8 GHz quad-core processor with 1GB RAM that handles various network communications and protocols between devices. It can handle up to 60 devices simultaneously.
For its connectivity options, it features 4 x gigabit Ethernet ports, two of which can be aggregated. 1G Ethernet port, and one 2.5G port. So, if you want multiple wired connections, this router has plenty of ports to support that. With port aggregation, you can double the bandwidth for an even better gaming, streaming, or working experience. Just ensure that your internet plan has enough bandwidth to cater to multiple devices without its performance degrading.
The Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is a great router when looking for a WiFi 6E-capable option. Offering great speeds and control, along with an easy setup make it a top choice for anyone after a fast home network.
PC Guide
WiFi 6E means you get 2.5GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequencies. The 2.4GHz frequency has the longest range but the lowest bandwidth, so you can dedicate it as a guest network to keep the main network from getting flooded and add a layer of security. 5GHz and 6GHz have a higher bandwidth and aren’t prone to wireless interruption as 2.4GHz is, which makes them perfect for wireless streaming, gaming, or working.
We checked the performance of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies with a Samsung Galaxy S21FE. Although it doesn’t support 6GHz, the performance of the 5GHz band should give you an idea of how much better 6GHz would be. We checked the router’s range by attempting to connect the device at four distances: 10ft, 30ft, 60ft with a wall in between, and 90ft with four walls between the device and router. The signal only failed the 90ft test.
Despite failing to connect, the signal strength at 90ft for 2.4GHz was -47 – 69dBm, and the 5GHz was at -38 – 67dBm.
When it comes to speed, the 2.4GHz band has downloads of 72.7 to 19.6 and uploads of 56.8 to 14.5 Mbps. The 5GHz had better results, with download speeds ranging from 266 to 158 Mbps and upload speeds of 281 to 136 Mbps.
For reference, we have a 300 Mbps internet connection and the maximum download and upload speed we got was 266 and 281 Mbps, which is pretty impressive. If you’ve got a fast fiber internet connection and want a router that can handle that speed and effectively disperse it, the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 is a solid option.
- Standard: WiFI 6
- Frequency Bnads: 2.4GHz, 5GHz
- Max Speed: 1800Mbps
- LAN Ports: 2x Gigabit
- WAN: 1x Gigabit
- CPU: IPQ6000 1.2GHz Quad-core Processor
- Memory: DDR3L 512MB / NAND Flash 128MB
- USB: 1x USB 3.0
- Dimensions: 125 x 82 x 36mm
- Weight: 245g
- It provides excellent value for the price point
- It has a good range and performance
- Great for a fiber internet connection due to the gigabit Ethernet ports
- The USB connection isn't the fastest
- It can get a bit hot after a while
- The lack of multi-gigabit ports could be a deal breaker for some
Not everyone has the budget to spend hundreds of dollars on a new router, and if you're operating on a budget, the GL.iNet Slate AX should serve you well.
In our GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) review, it had a good range and delivered decent upload and download speeds via wired and wireless connections.
This router is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and 512 MB of DDR3L RAM. It has a maximum speed of 1800 Mbps, dual-band functionality, two gigabit LAN ports, and one gigabit WAN port. What these specifications mean is that it has decent hardware that should be enough to cater to various entertainment and professional needs.
If you have a gigabit internet connection, you can experience its full capabilities via an Ethernet connection. Its wireless performance was pretty decent as well. The 2.4 GHz band delivered download speeds of 119 to 8.9 Mbps and upload speeds of 95.1 to 2.5 Mbps. The 5 GHz band’s download speeds were 271 to 197 Mbps, and upload speeds were 293 to 137 Mbps.
On top of that, the 2.4 GHz was able to connect at the 90ft mark while 5 GHz could only manage till the 60ft mark. So, the 8.9 and 2.5 Mbps download and upload speeds mentioned above were what we got at the furthest distance.
Selling itself as a portable router, it holds up well against standard gaming router options, which we wouldn't expect from something designed on the go.
PC Guide
The Slate AX managed 278.9 Mbps download and 285.5 Mbps upload with a wired connection. So, the main takeaway from these tests was that you should be able to have a seamless gaming, streaming, and working experience with this router powering your network.
A neat aspect of this router is that it can be used as a repeater for other networks, extending their range. It also has plenty of security options, such as VPNs like OpenVPN and Tor. You can also enable AdGuard, which protects all the devices connected to your network.
While it may not have a multi-gigabit WAN or LAN port, but for the price it brings a lot of value to the table. In addition has MU-MINO technology, which allows it to transmit data to multiple devices. This router can support up to 120 devices simultaneously. So, if you have a fiber internet connection with a high bandwidth, this should make for a great option for small to medium houses or offices.
- Standard: WiFi 6E
- Frequency bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz-1, 5 GHz-2, 6 GHz
- Max speed: 16000 Mbps
- LAN ports: 2x 10Gbps (WAN/LAN), 4x 1Gbps
- WAN: 1x 2.5Gbps, 2x 10Gbps (WAN/LAN)
- CPU: 2.0GHz quad-core processor
- Memory: 256MB NAND flash and 2GB DDR4 RAM
- USB: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 2.0 Port
- Dimensions: 354 x 354 x 193mm
- Weight: 2425g
- It has quad-band functionality and Wi-Fi 6E
- It is easy to set up
- It has excellent range and performance
- It has an aggressive design that won't be suitable for professional settings
- It has a relatively expensive price tag
Gaming is a part of many households, and to get the best in-game experience, you need a lag and interruption-free internet connection. For that, we recommend the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 router, as it has good wireless and wired connectivity options that should ensure you're getting the bandwidth necessary for seamless gaming.
We also thoroughly tested this router in-house and were pleased with its coverage, signal strength, and latency. It features two 10G WAN/LAN ports, four 1G LAN ports, and one 2.5G WAN port. So, in terms of performance, you should be able to have multiple wired connections and experience fast speeds across them all.
When we tested for its LAN speed, we got 262.4 Mbps download and 266.5 Mbps upload, which is pretty good as we have a 300 Mbps internet connection. On top of that, it has quad-band functionality, meaning you get a 2.4 and 6 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands.
This adds a layer of accessibility as you have extra frequencies to use as a backhaul or dedicate them as a guest network or for your IoT devices. This should reduce congestion and interruption issues, and you can use the 6 GHz frequency for wireless gaming as it has the highest bandwidth and should have the lowest latency.
The ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000 is quite the monster of a WiFi 6E router. Although it might not be the latest tech anymore, it's still plenty fast, and with a lot of features.
PC Guide
Its wireless performance was also decent. 2.4 GHz managed download speeds of 71.4 to 0 Mbps at 10 and 90ft and upload speeds of 66.3 to Mbps at the same distances. Unsurprisingly, 5 GHz had better performance. and delivered download speeds of 244 to 47.9 Mbps and upload speeds of 280 to 9.8 Mbps.
It isn't surprising that the speed dropped the further away from the router we moved, but if you're close by, then it’s a whole other ball game. That said, for gaming, a wired connection is recommended as signals, particularly the 2.4 GHz band, are prone to interruption from other electronics and their waves. Ethernet doesn't face this issue and would keep your gaming experience smooth.
Lastly, this router comes with triple-level game acceleration, which prioritizes your gaming device and directs the maximum bandwidth towards it. It also prioritizes game data packets and connects to the game server with the shortest route possible to decrease latency. This should also enhance your gaming experience.
Overall, given its specifications and wired and wireless performance, it is one of the best routers for fiber internet, and if gaming is your main goal, it shouldn't disappoint.
- Standard: WiFi 7
- Frequency Bands: 6GHz, 5GHz, 2.4GHz
- Max Speed: 11Gbps
- LAN Ports: 3x 2.5Gbps (Router), 2x 2.5Gbps (Satellites)
- WAN: 1x 2.5Gbps (Router)
- CPU: Quad-core 1.5GHz processor
- Memory: 4GB flash and 2GB RAM
- USB: N/A
- Dimensions: 251.2 x 134.2 x 100.4mm (9.88 x 5.28 x 3.95 in) each
- Weight: 0.916 kg (2.02 lb) each
- Easy to set up and use including connecting to mesh
- Strong performance across the board
- Fast 2.5Gbps RJ45 ports for connecting satellites or other devices
- The expensive cost is above the competition and still locks important features behind a paywall
- Only comes with 30 day Armor trial
- Limited LAN connections and no USB
For those looking for a mesh router that can support a high-speed internet plan via a wired or wireless connection, we recommend the NETGEAR Orbi 770.
This device was tested in-house for our Orbi 770 review, and it had great speed with good range and coverage.
For starters, this is a WiFi mesh router, meaning you should be able to game, work, or stream with a wireless connection. This standard offers the fastest speeds and highest bandwidth while ensuring the signals aren’t interfered with, something the 2.4GHz frequency is prone to.
It does, however, have three 2.5 Gbps ports on the router and two 2.5 Gbps LAN ports on the satellites. This means that if you’ve got a gigabit or multi-gigabit internet connection, you can have a wired connection directly from one of the satellites and have a low-latency and interruption-free gaming or streaming session. This will also help you save cost on an ethernet connection directly from the main router.
In addition, it has a maximum speed of 11Gbps and offers tri-band capabilities. You can connect with the 6GHz, 5GHz, and the 2.4GHz band. So, you can dedicate one band for guests, another for IoT devices, and keep the third one for yourself. This would keep your personal network secure and free from congestion.
Overall, the Netgear Obi 770 is an incredible piece of kit, with a sleek, minimal design that will look great in practically any environment. I was impressed with its performance, specifically the signal strength, but also the ease of setup, app, and helpful guides that were included.
PC Guide
As for its range, we could only test the 2.4GHz and 5GHz as we didn’t have a 6 GHz compatible device. That being said, the 2.4GHz band was able to connect all the way to the 90ft mark, which has four walls and two rooms between the devices and the router. However, the 5GHz only managed to connect till the 60ft mark, which isn’t surprising as this frequency has a shorter range.
After the connection, we checked the upload and download speeds of the two frequencies. The 2.4GHz band managed 50 – 15 Mbps download and 62-3.5 Mbps upload. The 5GHz frequency managed 237 – 198 Mbps download and 264 – 110 Mbps upload. As for the LAN speed, we got 280 and 285 Mbps download and upload speeds, respectively. So, this is a solid router with great range and performance, and it allows you to cover a large area, eliminating dead zones.
How to select the best router for fiber internet
Picking up the best router for fiber internet isn't just about going to the market and choosing one of the best wireless routers. Instead, you need to carefully look at its specs, performance, and the type of security features it offers. Here are a few things to consider before making a purchase.
Budget
The first factor you need to consider is your budget. This will help you filter through the options and give you a list of routers that are affordable and meet most of your requirements.
There is no point in getting a $700 router because that will come with the latest Wi-Fi standard, multi-gigabit ports, and various other new technologies you may never use. So, it is always recommended to operate within your budget unless you plan to upgrade your devices to use the latest technologies.
Ports
Opt for a router with at least one gigabit LAN and WAN port. This will ensure that you can get the full bandwidth of your high-speed internet plan via Ethernet. Of course, more ports are always better as they'll enable you to have more than one wired connection.
A multi-gigabit WAN port will ensure you can upgrade the internet plan to your heart’s content. Another aspect to look for is LAN aggregation. This allows you to merge two LAN ports together for faster speeds. For example, you can merge two-gigabit ports to get 2 Gbps speed, whereas the individual ports could only manage 1 Gbps
Wi-Fi standard
Make sure the router you're choosing supports the Wi-Fi standard and is compatible with your devices. This will avoid potential compatibility issues while ensuring a high-speed wireless connection to your devices.
Is a Wi-Fi 6 router worth it for fiber internet?
While not the latest Wi-Fi standard, Wi-Fi 6 routers are still perfectly capable of providing a great experience for fiber internet.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) provides faster speeds, better efficiency, and improved performance in households with multiple connected devices. If you want future-proofing, Wi-Fi 6E (which adds a 6GHz band) is even better. And while the standard has since been superseded by Wi-Fi 7, that doesn’t stop 6 & 6E routers futureproofing your system.
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