What’s so special about the Fios G1100?
If you’re not only wondering if the Fios G1100 is a good choice, but also whether it’s even a good idea to get your own router in the first place, the answer to both questions is an unequivocal Yes. The average lease length for renting a router is 1 year, so for most price points, it’ll actually cost you considerably more to rent than to buy. Buying also gives you options, whether its a certain number of devices, bandwidth requirements, or long-range signal needs.
But how do you choose the right router for your situation from the overabundance of router options on the market? Adding to the confusion are cheap routers that tempt you to override quality concerns for purported cost savings. The truth is, It’s better to avoid the cheapest models as they’re often poorly constructed and much more likely to break or malfunction before you have a chance to fully realize the cost advantage.
“But I don’t have hours to waste in researching all the different routers”, I can hear you saying. Well, you’re in luck, because we’ve already handpicked an affordable router that comes with a ton of features that will exceed most customers’ expectations, especially when it comes to price. There are, of course, numerous other high-quality router models on the market that you can buy if money isn’t an issue. But, if you want a router that manages that rare feat of balancing affordability, performance, and durability, then please continue reading our review of the Fios G100 below.
**Important Side Note about the Fios G1100**
If you just want a quick, concise summary about this router, what it does well, and how it stacks up against the competition (or if you just hate extensive reading), then feel free to skip to the Final Thoughts section at the very end of the article. But if you’re a data junkie (like us) and love diving into technical minutiae, then please continue reading!
Or if you just want to make up your own mind based on the actual listing (and the prices and specs of all the other Linksys EA-type routers) just click this button:
And by the way, if you want to learn more about some of our other favorite brands and router types, you might find the following articles helpful:
- Top 8 AC3200 Wireless Routers of 2020
- Asus RT AC86R Wireless Router Review
- Asus RT-ACRH13 Wireless Router Review
- TP-Link AC3150 Wireless Router Review
- Linksys EA7300 Wireless Router Review
Fios G100 Specs and Features
- Compatible with Verizon Fios plans
- Supports both WAN and LAN networks
- Wired connectivity through Ethernet and Coaxial cables
- Super-fast speed with 802.11ac wireless network standard
- Backed by a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty
Is The Fios G100 ideal for Verizon Fios Connections?
Gone are the days when there was only one computer in a household that needed to be connected to the internet. Today, with the advent of smart devices and the need for super-fast connections, you need a router that can handle multiple devices and also provide each device with the required Wi-Fi speed. Below we look at some of the key features of this ultra-fast AC1750 router in more detail to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.
Speed
When speed is what we’re after, the good news is that the Fios G1100 is a lot faster than your old Wi-Fi connection. In fact, the G1100 is at least 3x faster than conventional wireless connections.
Dual Bands
Source: dlink.com
Unlike older routers that only had one band for all your devices, the G1100 comes with two bands namely the 2.4 GHz and the 5GHz bands. The reasoning behind a dual-band router is that you can use multiple devices at the same time and the router will use the right bandwidth for each of the devices according to their capacity requirement.
So if you are just surfing the internet or using e-mail, then the 2.4GHz channel will be used, but if you’re going to download a full movie or connect your router to a gaming console then the 5GHz channel will be used. This way you won’t experience a drop in speed when more bandwidth is required by one of the devices.
Dual-Core Processor
A dual-core processor is behind the powerful G1100 router, so whether you’re using wireless or wired connections for your devices, this processor ensures you enjoy the convenience of a fast, seamless connection.
Range
What is the point of having a super-fast Wi-Fi connection if you have to be within a few feet from your router to enjoy it? Fortunately, this isn’t a problem with the G1100 as it has a 325ft Wi-Fi range so you can truly experience the freedom of taking your smart devices with you around the house without worrying about dropped signals or slow speeds.
Beam Forming Technology – The Fios G1100 Super Power
Traditional routers send the Wi-Fi signal in random directions and the signal strength decreases as it moves away from the router. But the G1100 comes with beam-forming technology that focuses the Wi-Fi directly to your connected devices, thereby improving the speed of your connection. This technology helps get the most out of your router, both in terms of speed and maintaining uninterrupted connections while using multiple devices.
Design
The Fios G1100 is a slim and compact router that will sit comfortably even in tight spaces. It has a full black body and a minimalistic design which adds a touch of understated elegance to its overall looks. Despite its small size and upright design, the router is quite stable as it comes with a slim but broad base.
Unlike many other routers that have crowded LED indicators on the front panel, the G1100 has a very clean look. There are two LED-lit icons and one WPS button. One icon is for the internet status and the other one is a Wi-Fi icon showing if the Wi-Fi is turned on.
The WPS button helps you quickly set-up a password-protected network with just a press of a button. This will let you easily pair your router with other WPS devices. The WPS button can also be used as a reboot button. Simply long-press the WPS button for 10 seconds to reboot your router.
Input Ports
All the input ports for wired connectivity are placed on the rear panel of the router. There are a total of 8 ports which include 4 Ethernet LAN ports, one Ethernet WAN port, one MoCA coaxial port, and two USB ports giving you enough ports for connectivity. In addition to the input ports, the rear panel also has the DC power input port and a reset button.
Network Compatibility
The G1100 uses the wireless networking standard 802.11ac for super-fast speeds. However, it is also compatible with older versions such as 802.11 b, g and n.
Guest-Friendly
In addition to family members using the Wi-Fi connection, you can also let your guests use your internet. The G1100 lets you set-up a separate username and password just for your guests and protect the confidentiality of your connection.
Kid-Safe
Source: lifewire.com
The G1100 is not just a router that helps you connect your devices to the internet through wired and wireless connections. It also comes with thoughtful parental controls that help you limit your kids’ screen time and keep them safe from unwanted content.
Other Key Features of the Fios G1100
Mobile App
You don’t need to be next to your router to control or change its settings. You can remotely control the G1100 if you have a smartphone and an internet connection. Simply download the free mobile app called the My Fios app and you can control settings virtually from anywhere.
Great Looks
The router is not only super-fast but is also super good-looking with its sleek and slim construction. The full black color and minimalistic design will blend in with the décor of any room and give your desk or shelf an organized and neat look. It also matches well with most computer set-ups. The matte finish keeps it dust and scratch-free to keep your router looking new for a very long time.
Secure
Safeguard your Wi-Fi connection from unauthorized access by using a password. The G1100 comes with secure WPA encryption that makes hacking your connection impossible.
Easy Set-Up
If you have done setting up a Wi-Fi router before you definitely know how time-consuming and frustrating it can be before you can start using it. Fortunately, the set-up of the G1100 is super-easy and there is no installation CD or router-specific software to deal with. You can complete the set-up of your router in no time and start enjoying a super-fast Wi-Fi connection all you want.
Installation
The G1100 has been designed to be vertically placed on a flat surface such as a table or shelf and the company does not generally recommend wall mounting. However, if you do not have enough space on your desk or want to maintain a clutter-free set-up then, you can wall-mount the G1100. But you will need to separately purchase the mounting brackets for the purpose as it does not come in the box.
Pros
- Allows multiple devices to be connected
- Supports multiple internet networking standards
- Good upload and download speeds
- Saves you money and good value for your money
- Easy to install
Final Thoughts – Is the Fios G1100 the right router for you?
Don’t spend your money renting a router for your Verizon Fios connection when you can buy a super-fast compatible model that will be more enjoyable and save you money. The Fios G1100 comes with a number of features: from 3x more speed to dual-band capacity, to a 325ft range and more, all for a router that’s usually priced below $100.
Furthermore, The Fios G1100 is easy to set-up creates enough signal for everyone to enjoy simultaneously without any drop in speed. It’s not without reason that it has a 4.5-star rating from Amazon customers. But don’t take our word for it, check out the reviews for yourself and see what people are saying: