Google Fiber is a new television and fiber-optic internet service provided by Google. While the service allows up to one Gbps download and upload speeds, it’s only available in some select U.S. cities.
So, if you’re one of the lucky individuals who live in a Google Fiber coverage area, then it’s essential that you know which Google Fiber-compatible router best suits your needs.
To help you with your decision, the following are some of the best routers available today, so you’re guaranteed to find a quality router for your home!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Google Fiber Compatible Modems and Routers
Comparison Chart of the Best Google Fiber Compatible Routers
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
 |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price →Read Customer Reviews |
Is it Better to Rent or Buy a Router From Google Fiber?
Internet providers usually charge around $10 to $15 a month to rent an all-in-one modem and router. Thus, over two years, you’ll have to pay approximately $240 to $360 for your modem-router combo. That’s more than the price of the fastest modem available today.
To put it simply, you can surely save money by purchasing your own router, as it costs less than renting one. Even if you want the latest, top-rated equipment, you’ll still save in the long run if you purchase your own unit.
Quick Take - Best Google Fiber-Compatible Routers
In a hurry? Below are our recommendations for the best Google Fiber-compatible routers:
Review of the Best Google Fiber Compatible Routers
Since you’re purchasing a service that’s low-latency, high-speed, and highly reliable, it’s advisable to choose a router that supports the newest WiFi standard, features a gigabit WAN port, and is equipped with a dual-core or better processor. To ensure you make the right decision, the following is a list of some of the best Google Fiber-compatible routers:
Best Router for Google Fiber:
Google WiFi System
PROS
CONS
Why it Stands Out to Us
Boasting a singular, color-coded light band and a minimalistic white design, the Google WiFi system is incredibly elegant and unobtrusive. In fact, it’s a rare wireless router that you’ll actually want to display prominently, making its installation in any spot a breeze.
The system’s excellent coverage is another reason why it deserves the top place. The WiFi connection will easily cover a 600 square feet apartment. The model also features "Priority Device", a highly efficient boost mode that enables an individual to give network priority to any connected device for one to four hours. Furthermore, the unit is also capable of handling heavy loads from several different devices at the same time.
Runner-up:
Mikrotik Routerboard RB2011UiAS-2HnD-IN
PROS
CONS
Why it Stands Out to Us
Powered by a full-featured routing operating system, the Mikrotik RB2011 stands out to us because of its many functionalities. Firewall, advanced quality of service, dynamic routing, VPN, MPLS, real-time configuration and monitoring, load balancing, and bonding are just some of the wide range of features supported by RouterOS.
In terms of performance, the hardware of the unit is also pretty sturdy. It’s also easy to install and update the system. Users just need to download the firmware from Mikrotik’s website and restart the router to update it.
Best for the Money:
Linksys Dual-Band WiFi Router AC1900
PROS
CONS
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Linksys AC1900 is an excellent router, providing unprecedented performance in throughput and range. Equipped with the Broadcom TurboQAM WiFi chip, the unit offers up to 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and up to 1.3 Gbps on the 5 GHz band. Moreover, the router is powered by a dual-core 800MHz processor, further ensuring lightning-fast processing.
The model also stands out to us because of its ease of installation. The preset WiFi network and password are already printed on the underside of the router, so you just need to plug it and connect its WAN port to an Internet source to get it up and running.
PROS
CONS
Why it Stands Out to Us
Equipped with a USB 3.0 port for fast HDD access, three detachable antennas, and a powerful 1 GHz dual-core processor, the Netgear Nighthawk is an exceptional piece of home networking kit. The unit uses Beamforming technology that enhances signal focus and improves wireless range, resulting in faster and stronger connections to mobile devices.
The unit further ensures that you get the possible coverage, no matter where you connect from in the house, making it an extremely reliable router, as well. It prevents lags and reduces interference, enabling you to enjoy an incredibly fast performance. Moreover, the model has an extremely straightforward installation process and is very easy to use.
PROS
CONS
Why it Stands Out to Us
Enabling users to configure its functionality in several different ways, the EdgeRouter’s flexibility is what makes it stand out to us. The unit can also be configured to act as a dual-WAN router by choosing which two ports are going to be WAN. You can also place a watchdog thread, so you know the status of the connections and can create rules for LAN-to-LAN exclusion.
With an advanced feature set, intuitive interface options, easy setup, incredible flexibility, and highly competitive pricing, the Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X certainly deserves a place on our list of top picks.
Google Fiber Internet Tiers
There are several different types of internet tiers provided by Google to suit different needs. Some of these include:
Fiber 100
- Up to 100 Mbps upload speeds
- Up to 100 Mbps download speeds
- Download an entire HD movie within 6 minutes
- 5+ devices can stream 4K videos simultaneously
Fiber 100 + TV
- Up to 100 Mbps upload speeds
- Up to 100 Mbps download speeds
- Download an entire HD movie within 6 minutes
- 5+ devices can stream 4K videos simultaneously
- HD DVR capable of recording 8 shows at once
- Built-in Google Cast
- 150+ entertainment channels
Fiber 1000
- Up to 1000 Mbps upload speeds
- Up to 1000 Mbps download speeds
- Download an entire HD movie within 42 seconds
- 10+ devices can stream 4K videos simultaneously
Fiber 1000 + TV
- Up to 1000 Mbps upload speeds
- Up to 1000 Mbps download speeds
- Download an entire HD movie within 42 seconds
- 10+ devices can stream 4K videos simultaneously
- HD DVR capable of recording 8 shows at once
- Built-in Google Cast
- 150+ entertainment channels
Fiber 1000 + Local TV
- Up to 1000 Mbps upload speeds
- Up to 1000 Mbps download speeds
- Download an entire HD movie within 42 seconds
- 10+ devices can stream 4K videos simultaneously
- HD DVR capable of recording 8 shows at once
- Built-in Google Cast
- 15+ entertainment channels (no sports channels)
Source :For Google Fiber plans - 10-0-0-0-1.org is not liable for changes in Google Fiber data plans based on the information listed here.
People Also Ask
Since Google Fiber is a relatively new service, there are a lot of questions in regards to it. To help you make an informed decision and find a router that best suits your needs, the following are some of the most frequently asked questions about the service:
What is Google Fiber?
Google Fiber is a fairly new television and internet service provided by Google itself and offers plans ranging from five Mbps to an incredibly fast one Gbps. The service also offers television channels for an additional monthly charge, but if you put the one Gbps speed into perspective, you could theoretically download a 1080p movie within a minute.
How Much is Google Fiber?
Google Fiber offers two different plans: Webpass and Fiber. The Fiber 100 plan offers 100 Mbps and costs $50/month. The Fiber 1000 plan offers 1000 Mbps and costs $70/month, while the Webpass plan offers 100-1000 Mbps, depending on your location, and costs $60/month. While there are no installation or early termination fees, Google Fiber may charge a construction fee if setup and installation require extra work.
Where is Google Fiber Available?
As of 2019, Google Fiber is available in Alabama, California, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas, and Utah. The service is available to around 2.1 million people, making it the sixth-largest fiber provider in the United States by coverage area.
How Does Google Fiber Work?
Google Fiber works by utilizing fiber optic cables to provide gigabit speeds to businesses and homes. The cables transmit data and information using light, resulting in much faster speeds than DSL, copper cables, and dial-up connections. A fiber jack then converts the light signals into gigabit Ethernet signals and transmits them to a network box through an Ethernet cable.
How to Reset Google Fiber Router?
- Press and hold the reset button located in the router for about 20 seconds.
- The router’s LED will start flashing red for almost ten seconds, and will then switch to purple
- Release the button once the LED turns off completely
- Wait several minutes for the router to fully reboot and reconnect to the network.
How Do I Set Up My Google Fiber Router?
Here is a video to help you set up your Google Fiber Router:
Conclusion
Google Fiber is an excellent choice if you want a fast gigabit internet connection. While the included Network+ box is ideal for some users, it’s better to use your own router. For us, the best model is the Google WiFi System, but make sure you read all the aforementioned reviews to find a router that best suits your requirements.
List of Google Approved Modems and Routers
No one wants to buy a new router or modem, only to find out that it either cannot be used with Google’s service or is not compatible. To ensure your investment is safe, the following is a list of modems and routers that are compatible and approved for use by Google.
Table Key
R = Router, M = Modem, C = Modem Router Combo
Product | Type | Top Speed | Channels | WiFi Speed | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ASUS Dual-Band Gigabit WiFi Gaming Router AC3100 RT-AC88U | R | Cell | 4x4 | 3100 Mbps | |
D-Link AC3200 Ultra Tri-Band WiFi Router | R | 3200 Mbps | |||
Google WiFi System | R | ||||
Linksys Dual-Band WiFi Router AC1900 | R | 1900 Mbps | |||
Mikrotik Routerboard RB2011UiAS-2HnD-IN | R | ||||
NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart WiFi Router (R6700) AC1750 Wireless Speed | R | 1750 Mbps | |||
NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 Smart WiFi Router (R9000) AD7200 | R | 7200 Mbps | |||
Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X | R |
