The Included Fios Router: Do You Need Anything Else
Verizon includes its WiFi 6E-capable Fios Router at no separate monthly fee on all current plans. We tested it against a third-party mesh setup on the same Fios 1 Gig connection.
Coverage Test Results
| Setup | Wired Speed | WiFi (same room) | WiFi (2 rooms away) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fios Router alone | 928 Mbps | 710 Mbps | 245 Mbps |
| Fios Router + Verizon extender | 928 Mbps | 710 Mbps | 420 Mbps |
| Third-party WiFi 6E mesh | 930 Mbps | 780 Mbps | 460 Mbps |
The stock Fios Router performs noticeably better than AT&T's and Xfinity's included gateways in our same-room testing — a real advantage of its more capable WiFi 6E radio. Far-room coverage still benefits from an extender or mesh addition in homes larger than roughly 1,800 sq ft.
What the My Fios App Does Well
- Simple device management with per-device pause and speed limits.
- Built-in network health check that flags whether a slowdown is WiFi congestion or the fiber line itself.
- Easy mesh extender pairing directly from the app, no separate app required.
The Verdict
For most homes under 1,800 sq ft, the included Fios Router alone is genuinely sufficient — among the strongest ISP-provided routers we've tested. Larger homes benefit from adding one Verizon extender rather than replacing the router entirely.