Top Picks at a Glance
| Pick | WiFi Standard | Works in Passthrough | Speed | Coverage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ASUS RT-AX86U | WiFi 6 (AX5700) | Yes | Up to 5,700 Mbps | ~3,000 sq ft | ~$200 |
| 2. TP-Link Archer AX73 | WiFi 6 (AX5400) | Yes | Up to 5,400 Mbps | ~2,500 sq ft | ~$130 |
| 3. Netgear Nighthawk RAX50 | WiFi 6 (AX5400) | Yes | Up to 5,400 Mbps | ~2,500 sq ft | ~$170 |
| 4. ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8) | WiFi 6 (AX6600) | Yes | Up to 6,600 Mbps | ~5,500 sq ft | ~$200 |
| 5. Eero Pro 6E | WiFi 6E (AXE5400) | Yes | Up to 5,400 Mbps | ~2,000 sq ft | ~$200 |
Our Picks in Detail
- Best overall router for Verizon passthrough with 2
- Speed overhead: Up to 5,700 Mbps
- Reliable mid-range option with solid passthrough compatibility at $130
- Speed overhead: Up to 5,400 Mbps
- Strong performer with good throughput behind Verizon's gateway
- Speed overhead: Up to 5,400 Mbps
- Mesh option for larger homes using Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Speed overhead: Up to 6,600 Mbps
- Simple setup with reliable passthrough support and good app control
- Speed overhead: Up to 5,400 Mbps
How Verizon 5G Home Internet Works (Gateway + Router)
Verizon Home Internet is a fixed wireless service — meaning it delivers internet through a cellular 5G or LTE signal rather than a physical cable or fiber line. The gateway device Verizon installs (typically placed near a window for best signal reception) acts as both the wireless modem connecting to the Verizon network and a built-in router with WiFi. Unlike cable or fiber setups where you can simply swap the modem for a different one, you cannot replace Verizon's gateway — it is a proprietary device that communicates with the Verizon network using locked hardware.
What you can do is add your own router behind the gateway. Verizon's gateway supports IP passthrough (also called DMZ mode), which forwards all inbound internet traffic to a router you designate. In this configuration, the gateway handles the 5G/LTE connection and passes the public IP address directly to your router. Your router then manages everything else: local network routing, DHCP, QoS, firewall rules, WiFi, and port forwarding. This is the recommended setup for anyone who wants advanced networking features, better WiFi coverage, or more control over their home network.
Setting Up IP Passthrough on Verizon's Gateway
Setting up IP passthrough on Verizon's gateway takes about five minutes. First, connect your new router to one of the gateway's LAN ports via ethernet and power it on. Note your new router's WAN MAC address — this is typically found on the router's bottom label or in its admin panel under WAN settings. Then log into the Verizon gateway admin interface at 192.168.0.1 (default credentials are printed on the gateway label).
Navigate to Advanced Settings and find the IP Passthrough or DMZ section. Enter your router's MAC address in the designated field and save the settings. Reboot both the gateway and your router. After rebooting, your router's WAN interface should show the public IP address assigned by Verizon, confirming that passthrough is active. Verify with a speed test run from a device connected to your router's network — speeds should be close to what you measure directly from the gateway. If they are significantly lower, check that your router's WAN port supports the speed your Verizon plan delivers; older routers with 1 Gbps WAN ports will cap throughput even if Verizon is delivering more.
Why Verizon's Gateway WiFi Is Limiting
Verizon's gateway includes built-in WiFi, but it is designed as a one-size-fits-all device rather than a high-performance router. The gateway's WiFi radios are adequate for small apartments and basic use, but they fall short in several common scenarios: larger homes where coverage does not reach all rooms, households with many simultaneously active devices, and users who need advanced features like QoS, VPN server, parental controls, or guest network segmentation.
The gateway also cannot be positioned freely — it must be placed near a window or exterior wall to maintain strong 5G or LTE signal reception, which is often a suboptimal location for a WiFi router. A router placed at one end of a home near a window leaves dead zones in rooms furthest from the signal source. By adding a dedicated router on a wired backhaul from the gateway, you can place the gateway where the 5G signal is strongest and the router centrally for optimal WiFi coverage — getting the best of both without compromise.
5G vs LTE Verizon Home Internet Speed Expectations
Verizon Home Internet is offered in two primary variants: 5G Home Internet (using mmWave or C-band 5G) and LTE Home Internet (for areas not yet covered by 5G). The performance difference between these is significant. In strong 5G coverage areas — particularly in dense urban and suburban markets served by C-band or Ultra Wideband 5G — download speeds of 300–900 Mbps are typical, with bursts exceeding 1 Gbps in ideal conditions. LTE Home Internet averages 25–100 Mbps, comparable to a mid-tier cable plan.
Speed variability is an inherent characteristic of all wireless internet services. Network congestion during peak evening hours (7–10 PM) can reduce speeds by 30–50% compared to off-peak periods. Physical obstructions between your home and the nearest Verizon cell tower — hills, buildings, and dense foliage — also affect signal quality. Before buying a router specifically for your Verizon Home Internet setup, run a speed test directly from a device wired to the gateway to understand your actual baseline throughput. This tells you whether a 1 Gbps WAN port or a 2.5G WAN port matters for your specific connection.
Port Forwarding with Verizon Gateway + Your Own Router
Port forwarding with IP passthrough active is straightforward once the setup is complete. Because your router's WAN interface receives the public IP address directly from Verizon, port forwarding rules configured in your router work exactly as they would on any other internet connection — no special gateway configuration required. Set up port forwarding in your router's admin panel targeting the local IP address of the device that needs the ports opened.
The only complication arises if you cannot enable IP passthrough on the gateway (some older firmware versions had bugs with this feature). In that case, configure DMZ on the gateway pointing to your router's IP address, and configure your port forwarding in your router. Double-NAT through both devices will cause issues with some applications — particularly gaming peer-to-peer connections, VoIP services, and certain VPN configurations — which is why getting IP passthrough working correctly is worth the extra setup step. If Verizon's gateway is running older firmware, check for an update in the gateway admin panel before troubleshooting passthrough issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own router with Verizon Home Internet?
Yes. Verizon Home Internet uses a proprietary gateway that connects to Verizon's 5G or LTE network. You cannot replace this gateway, but you can connect your own router to one of its LAN ports and enable IP passthrough on the gateway. This routes all incoming traffic directly to your router, which then handles NAT, DHCP, WiFi, and all other networking functions. All five routers in this guide are confirmed compatible with Verizon's IP passthrough setup.
How do I set up IP passthrough on Verizon's gateway?
Log into the Verizon gateway admin panel at 192.168.0.1. Navigate to Advanced Settings, then find the IP Passthrough or DMZ section. Enter your router's MAC address and save. Your router should then receive the public IP address from Verizon and handle all routing. Reboot both devices after making changes. Some users also disable the gateway's own WiFi to avoid signal interference.
What speeds can I expect from Verizon 5G Home Internet?
In strong 5G coverage areas, download speeds of 300–900 Mbps are common, with some users reporting over 1 Gbps. In weaker 5G or LTE Home Internet areas, speeds typically range from 50–300 Mbps. Upload speeds are generally 20–50 Mbps. Run a speed test directly from a device wired to the gateway before adding a router to establish a baseline.