Best Routers for Satellite Internet
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Besides the satellite dish and modem, a router is one of the most important pieces of equipment to connect your home and devices to your satellite internet service. It distributes the signal from the modem to all of your devices, either wirelessly or via hard-wired connection.
There are many WiFi routers on the market today that are designed for general internet usage, and others for more specific activities, like using satellite internet for gaming. Choosing the one that best suits you depends on your family’s budget, number of connected devices, home size, and number of users.
Most satellite internet providers lease equipment for an additional monthly fee, but we recommend purchasing one separately. In doing so, you get the router that best fits your needs and you could potentially save a significant amount each year by owning your own equipment.
Whether you rent or buy your router, you want to choose one that performs well, offers good coverage, and reliable speeds. There are dozens of routers that work, but here are our picks for the best WiFi routers for your satellite internet connection.
Best WiFi Router for HughesNet Satellite Internet Service
TP-Link AC1750 Smart WiFi Router
It’s very challenging to get state-of-the-art equipment while trying to keep within a budget, but devices like the TP-Link AC1750 make it a reality. Intended for smaller homes, condos, and apartments, the TP-Link AC1750 is an ideal router priced under $60. It offers dual-band technology, supports high-speed bandwidth, and is compatible with your HughesNet satellite internet service.
Pros:
- Dual-Band technology
- 1,750 Mbps speed
- Three antennas for broad, long-range Wi-Fi coverage
- Gigabit router
- Flexible internet system requirements
Cons:
- Signal strength decreases with distance
- Only one 2.0 USB slot
Eero Home Mesh WiFi System
If you’re live in a larger home and need to share your HughesNet service to all corners, you’ll benefit greatly with a mesh WiFi system. Mesh systems are a great solution for homes when square footage, obstructions, thick walls, and certain materials prevent consistent signal coverage. The Eero Home Mesh WiFi System is a “buildable” router, meaning that you can have multiple Eero devices throughout your house to help strengthen WiFi signals.
The Eero Home Mesh WiFi System is easy to set up and can be linked to your Amazon Alexa voice devices for easier management. It covers up to 5,000 square feet and uses TrueMesh technology to intelligently route traffic to reduce congestion, buffering, and connection drops.
Pros:
- Very simple setup
- Manage network via Alexa voice commands
- Buildable mesh network
- Up to 5,000 sq. ft. coverage
- TrueMesh anti-congestion technology
Cons:
- Slow for bandwidth-heavy local tasks
- Multiple extenders required for best coverage
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Best WiFi Router for Viasat Satellite Internet Service
TP-Link Archer AX21
If you are looking for the best general-use router at a great price, then have a look at the TP-Link Archer AX21. Under $100, this router provides a powerful connection that’s fast and reliable and easily shares your Viasat internet connection to all devices. It even won the JD Power customer satisfaction award for 2019. The TP-Link Archer AX21 delivers whole-home coverage and advanced features, such as WiFi 6 compatibility and quad-core processing.
Pros
- Dual-Band WiFi 6 compatibility
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Supports up to 1.8 Gbps
- Uninterrupted WiFi coverage
- Quad-core processing
- Very low latency
Cons
- Weak parental controls
- No tri-band connection
Netgear Nighthawk X4S Smart Wifi Router
Online gamers are the toughest crowd to please when it comes to internet speed. The upstream and downstream demands of modern games require a high-quality, performance router. Since satellite internet is somewhat limited in top speeds, it helps to have a router that won’t be a bottleneck during your game.
The Asus RT-AX86U is blazing fast, compatible with WiFi 6, and supports transfer speeds up to almost 6 Gbps. Lag and latency are no concern thanks to Asus AiMesh technology. Glitches, lost data, and poor graphics quality will be things of the past with the RT-AX86U WiFi router.
Pros:
- Dual-Band technology
- 5700 Mbps
- 160Mhz channels
- 2 Gbps WAN
Cons:
- Not cheap
- No tri-band connection
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Starting Price
Other Satellite Internet Routers to Consider
If your router needs are more nuanced, then have a look at these routers. While most routers are capable of performing any task, there are some that have been designed for specific activities. Or, you could splurge on our vote for best premium WiFi router that will handle any activity with ease.
Best Long-Range Router
WiFi is known for compromised reliability the further away you are from your router. If you live in a large home or need WiFi access in the backyard, the best long-range router on the market is the Asus RT-AX88U. It is capable of covering homes up to 5,000 square feet and supports speeds up to 6 Gbps. It also has 8 gigabit LAN ports, AiMesh technology, and internet security built in. It’s not cheap, but this router is an excellent option for larger houses and simultaneous users.
Pros:
- Whole-home coverage up to 5,000 sq.ft.
- Eight gigabit LAN ports
- Includes lifetime internet security
- 802.11Ax WiFi efficiency
- Compatible AiMesh WiFi system
Cons:
- Not cheap
- Lacks 10 Gbps network port
Best Router for Streaming
To perform optimally, streaming video needs not only a high-speed internet service, but also a reliable WiFi signal in the home. The best streaming router is the Linksys EA7500. It can cover up to 1,500 square feet while supporting 4K video streaming and online gaming. It also includes multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output technology (MU-MIMO) to help connect many devices simultaneously.
Pros:
- Up to 1,500 sq. ft. of WiFi coverage
- 4K HD video streaming
- Dual-bands
- MU MIMO technology
- Easy, breezy setup
Cons:
- Pricer than most budget routers
- Not recommended for large homes
Best Router for Multiple Devices
Let’s face it, rare is there only one device connected to your router, especially in larger households. The Netgear Nighthawk X4S Smart WiFi Router is one of the best routers for multiple devices. It covers up to 2,500 square feet and includes dual-band technology. Additionally, it provides WiFi Band-Simultaneous Dual Band that’s able to juggle several frequencies at once to provide the best connection and supports download speeds up to 2,600 Mbps.
Pros:
- 2,500 square feet of coverage
- Wired ethernet ports
- 1.7Ghz dual-core processor
- Amplified antennas
- Several USB connections
Cons:
- Somewhat outdated admin software interface
- Sluggish 2.4 GHz performance
Best Router for Remote Workers
One thing the world learned through the Covid pandemic is that most jobs can be done remotely. With much of the workforce still working from home, having the right router to handle telecommuting demands is crucial. The reliable and affordable ASUS RT-AC1200 has a 1,200 Mbps data transfer rate and includes provides dual-band technology.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Dual-band technology
- Four LAN ports
- 1,200 Mbps
Cons:
- No Amazon Alexa support
- No MU-MIMO technology
Best Premium Satellite Internet Router
The most powerful router on the market is the Netgear Nighthawk CAX80. It is durable and flexible, meeting even the most demanding situations. It includes extensive WiFi coverage, Dual-Band technology, and comprehensive virus protection to keep your data secure. While it may not be compatible with all satellite internet providers, the Nighthawk CAX80 is a modem as well, making it an all-in-one powerhouse.
Pros:
- All-in-one modem & router
- Up to 3,000 sq. ft. WiFi coverage
- Supports speeds up to 6 Gbps
- Four Gigabit ethernet ports
- Includes cybersecurity & antivirus software
Cons:
- Expensive
- Somewhat large and bulky
Final Thoughts
Having a high-quality WiFi router that meets your budget and your internet needs prevents challenges and frustrations with your home network and internet connection. With a good quality router, you can expect faster internet speeds, reliable cybersecurity measures, and and better coverage in your home to improve everyone’s online experience. While almost any of the dozens of routers on the market will work with your satellite internet service, we hope this list helps you find a decent choice that fits your needs and budget.
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