Unlike in the old days, satellite Internet is now a reliable option for millions of customers across the globe. In particular, service providers like Starlink offer impressive speeds, making them ideal for remote homes, a cabin in the woods, or an RV. However, sometimes, the built-in router doesn’t cut it. Here are some routers and modem/router combinations you can consider for popular ISPs like Hughesnet, Viasat, and Starlink. We will start with an introduction, though.
Satellite Internet: An Overview
It is a type of Internet connection that uses satellites orbiting the Earth to bring Internet access to end-users. The infrastructure consists of tens or hundreds of satellites orbiting the Earth and a ground station that can communicate with these satellites and the Internet backbone.
Therefore, when you try to open a webpage using satellite Internet, the request will first reach the satellite, which will forward the request to the ground station. The ground station pushes it to the Internet. The entire cycle repeats in the reverse order.
Because it doesn’t require ground-level connectivity at the end-user level, satellite Internet is a more reliable option for remote areas. Similarly, if you move around in an RV, satellite Internet makes more sense than a conventional Internet connection.
Choosing the Right Router for Satellite Internet
Most of these connections need you to use the ISP-provided hardware, which packs a modem and a router. Because of the proprietary nature of things, you must use the provided modem for the service to work. That is, you cannot use a third-party modem. It is also why satellite Internet services have a high upfront cost.
However, if the built-in router is not enough for your needs, you can use a third-party one. You might have to enable Bridge Mode so that the satellite Internet kit works only as a modem. Once you decide to go for a third-party router, you need to consider the following things.
Purpose
You should first consider the purpose of the router. Is it for a large cabin where you’ve set up Starlink? Or is it for a compact RV that keeps moving around? You can calculate the requirements for range/power/performance based on these needs.
Coverage
While the built-in routers you get with Starlink or Viasat are great, they might not deliver the best coverage. It could be a problem if you need satellite Internet connectivity for large houses. In these cases, you may want to consider mesh Wi-Fi routers as well.
Number of Devices and Standards
You should also consider the number of devices you would want to connect on a regular basis and choose a Wi-Fi standard based on that. For instance, if you want to connect more than, say, 30 devices, you should go for Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, or Wi-Fi 7 routers.
Speed
Satellite internet connections don’t offer gigabit speeds. Yet, ISPs like Starlink offer speeds as high as 300 Mbps, and your router should support this speed. By the way, the additional bandwidth of the router will help you in network sharing and local access.
Connectivity & More
You should also check if the device ships with the necessary set of ports and compatibility options as you would require for your setup. For instance, if you want to create a Local Area Network for file sharing, it is better to have a router with Gigabit LAN ports.
VPN Support
Satellite Internet service providers are known for their strict Fair Usage Policy; it might stop you from accessing particular services. So, it is better to have a Wi-Fi router with built-in support for VPN.
You should also check whether the router ships with value-added features like VPN support. You might need those features to streamline your Internet browsing experience if the ISP puts too many restrictions.
Top 6 Best Routers and Modems for Satellite Internet
Given that all satellite Internet providers want you to use Bridge Mode, you can virtually pick any of the Wi-Fi routers from the list below. However, considering the speed you typically get from the three popular ISPs, we have recommended two options each for Hughesnet, Viasat, and Starlink.
Best Router for HughesNet Satellite Internet
With the satellite Internet service from HughesNet, you can expect maximum download speeds of 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 5 Mbps. It means you don’t need a super-expensive Wi-Fi router with high throughput to power your HughesNet connection. Instead, we shall focus on things like compatibility, coverage, stability, and value-added features.
#1 TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router V4
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6
Combined Speed: 1800 Mbps
Bands: Dual Band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Coverage: 1800 sq. ft.
VPN Support: Yes
We believe the TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router V4 is a great choice for HughesNet customers for two reasons. One, you get a total throughput of 1800 Mbps, which can handle the best speed your HughesNet connection can ever offer. More so, this gigabit wireless router also packs the necessary features we talked about earlier. You don’t have to pay a lot of money, either.
Thanks to Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and OFDMA, this Wi-Fi router can deliver extensive coverage throughout your home or RV. The four high-gain antennas also do a great job of focusing and spreading signals. The router is also suitable for gaming, but HughesNet will probably not help you with high-speed downloads. However, it has native support for VPNs, which should help you bypass FUP restrictions.
Like many other TP-Link routers in this range, the AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Router V4 also packs support for EasyMesh. This feature allows you to set up a seamless roaming mesh Wi-Fi network at your home using compatible hardware. You can also count on the Gigabit wired connectivity and support for the WPA3 wireless security protocol.
We also found it convenient that you can manage everything using the Tether app. It makes more sense to have this option than opening your laptop every time you need to modify settings. Overall, considering how much it costs, the TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router V4 offers incredible value. More so, it can be a great router for your HughesNet connection.
#2 TP-Link Deco S4 Mesh AC1900 WiFi System
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5
Combined Speed: 1900 Mbps
Bands: Dual Band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Coverage: 5500 sq. ft.
VPN Support: Yes
If you use a HughesNet connection to power your home in remote areas, you may still want to ensure Wi-Fi coverage across multiple rooms. In that case, you should consider the TP-Link Deco S4 Mesh AC1900 WiFi System, which surprisingly does not cost a lot. This mesh system packs a combined speed of 1900 Mbps, and it can support up to 100 connected devices at a time.
Another trusted product from TP-Link, this Wi-Fi mesh system consists of one central unit and two satellite units. When combined, they offer seamless Wi-Fi connectivity across your space. More importantly, because the system creates a single network, your devices will connect to the closest Deco unit as you move around. Once again, the router system can easily handle the top speeds you expect from a HughesNet connection.
The Deco app, which lets you manage the entire connection from your smartphone, is a nice touch. The Wi-Fi system has a simplified setup process as well. Coming back to coverage, the design is excellent for ranch-style homes as well. Since you will be using Bridge Mode, you won’t have trouble connecting everything to the system, either.
The TP-Link Deco S4 Mesh AC1900 WiFi System offers ample value-added features as well. You can count on the parental control and network protection features, which make things easier for a family when using the connection. Last but not least, the Deco Wi-Fi mesh system comes with dual Ethernet ports on the back of all units, allowing you to set up Ethernet Backhaul as well.
Best Router for Viasat Satellite Internet
Viasat, on the other hand, promises download speeds as high as 150 Mbps. So, we would not recommend a baseline router. Instead, you should go for a mid-range router with value-added features. You should also look for productivity and security-centric features, as we mentioned. Given the potential for delivering better speeds, it pays to have better hardware with your Viasat satellite Internet connection.
#3 TP-Link Dual-Band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6
Combined Speed: 3000 Mbps
Bands: Dual Band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Coverage: 1800 sq. ft.
VPN Support: Yes
Given that you get relatively better speeds with a Viasat connection, you should check out the TP-Link Dual-Band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router. This Wi-Fi 6 dual-band router has a maximum throughput of 3000 Mbps, which can handle any speed the Viasat modem throws at it. It also means you can use the router for local network data transfer and other media management needs.
It ships with all the features you would ever want on a Wi-Fi router for satellite connections. For one, it packs four antennas that can optimize coverage across your home or RV. Similarly, OFDMA and beamforming add much value to network optimization. In addition, the TP-Link Dual-Band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router packs native support for mesh Wi-Fi, VPN clients, and even servers.
You can manage everything using the Tether app, which now has more amazing features like battery-saving modes. It is convenient to manage your entire Internet setup with two apps: Tether and Starlink. We love its overall design as well since it helps you keep heat trapping to a minimum by leaving sufficient room for all-day ventilation.
Considering the features the TP-Link Dual-Band AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 Router offers, it is priced quite reasonably. In many ways, this router helps you future-proof your home network, such as in a scenario where Viasat offers a better speed or you move to another satellite or non-satellite ISP. Last but not least, we love that it packs a USB 3.0 port, which you can use for easy media sharing.
#4 Amazon Eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi System
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6
Combined Speed: 3000 Mbps
Bands: Dual Band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Coverage: 4500 sq. ft.
VPN Support: Yes
If you’re looking for better coverage for your home network that uses a Viasat connection, you might want to check out the Amazon Eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi System. It not only packs enough bandwidth to handle multiple Viasat connections but also offers an extensive coverage range of 4,500 square feet. We recommend you go for the three-unit pack if you are getting it for a house.
The Eero lineup from Amazon has been a go-to choice for stable Wi-Fi connections across large spaces. Here, you get a dual-band system that also ships with smart roaming. That is, as you move around your place, the device will connect to the same network. If you have a ranch-style house or a large cabin in the woods, this router is great to hook up to the Viasat connection.
We recommend this option more if you want to ensure seamless connections in multiple rooms. Because it can handle over 75 connections, the Amazon Eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi System is suitable for large families as well. If you can get enough speed from the Viasat connection, you can use this Wi-Fi connection to set up a 4k or 8K streaming TV as well.
In terms of features, the Amazon Eero 6+ Mesh Wi-Fi System does not disappoint. You have instant access to options like VPN and parental controls through the Eero app. The 1GHz dual-core processor and 512MB of RAM are sufficient to handle most processing tasks as well. NAT, UPnP, port forwarding, DHCP, static IP, and cloud connectivity are also built into this handy router system.
Best Router for Starlink Satellite Internet
Starlink is currently the fastest satellite Internet service in the market, offering speeds as high as 200 Mbps. Depending on where you live, Starlink may offer higher speeds up to 400 Mbps as well. Keeping this in mind, you should get a high-performance Wi-Fi router for your Starlink connection. In addition, you may want to get additional features like VPN support.
#5 TP-Link Dual-Band BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Router
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 7
Combined Speed: 3600 Mbps
Bands: Dual Band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
Coverage: 2500 sq. ft.
VPN Support: Yes
Given the high speeds you can get from Starlink, it makes sense to go for a Wi-Fi 7 router, which offers not only better speeds but also future-proofs your home network. The best part? The TP-Link Dual-Band BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Router does not break your wallet, either. This dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router can offer incredible speeds while offering coverage of up to 2500 sq ft, which is great for most homes and RVs.
The TP-Link Dual-Band BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Router packs a sleek design and has four antennas that you can use for impressive coverage. The 2.0GHz quad-core processor does a lot to ensure maximum network speed as well as value-added features like VPN and media sharing via USB 3.0. Its support for Gigabit speed is excellent in terms of future-proofing the setup.
The Tether app does a great job of helping you manage the entire network from a single place. Once you’ve done the setup, the app can help you hook up additional mesh systems as well. You can also use the Tether app to manage VPN clients and the entire HomeShield Security suite. You can also count on features like Multi-RU and 4K-QAM while connecting multiple devices to the network.
Considering that you pay less than $100 for it, the TP-Link Dual-Band BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Router offers incredible value for most people. We also love how TP-Link has added some handy features like a separate network for IoT devices. It is also nice to have features like a 2.5Gbps WAN and LAN ports, which can help you with LAN network sharing even without the Starlink connection.
#6 Amazon Eero Pro 6E Mesh Wi-Fi System
Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6E
Combined Speed: 3600 Mbps
Bands: Tri-Band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz)
Coverage: 6000 sq. ft.
VPN Support: Yes
If you want to set up a seamless Wi-Fi network across a large cabin or a remote house via Starlink, you should get the Amazon Eero Pro 6E Mesh Wi-Fi System. Though you need to spend a few hundred dollars, you will get a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router with a combined throughput of 3600Mbps. And you can easily connect up to 100 devices to this Wi-Fi mesh system.
Given that you get the three-unit pack of the Amazon Eero Pro 6E Mesh Wi-Fi System, you can expect a top coverage of 6,000 sq. ft. If you have a smaller home, you can benefit from the added coverage and speed as well. In many ways, this Wi-Fi mesh system can deliver wired speeds from your Starlink connection without bothering you with wires.
If you live in an area where you get decent speeds with Starlink, this mesh Wi-Fi system will be a great addition to your entire networking process. In addition to the incredible wireless speeds that you get, each of these units will come with 2.5-Gigabit ports as well. This is a great way to enable network-based file sharing between the connected devices within the LAN.
Similarly, you get all the goodness of Wi-Fi 6, including better signal and coverage options. And the super-fast speeds that you get via Wi-Fi 6 are most available through the 6 GHz band, which you can count on for low-latency tasks, including gaming and more. It is such an excellent long-term investment that you can continue using the Wi-Fi mesh system even when you shift to another ISP or Starlink boosts its speed limits.
Should I Rent or Buy the Modem?
I don’t understand how relevant this question is when it comes to satellite Internet connections. Here’s how I go about it anyway.
When it comes to conventional, wired Internet connections, you can save a monthly amount by purchasing a modem instead of leasing it from the ISP. As long as you choose a modem that works with the ISP, you can have a decent experience as well. So, if you plan to continue using the Internet connection for a while, you should buy the modem.
Unfortunately, you don’t have this option with satellite Internet connections. ISPs like HughesNet, Viasat, or Starlink do not allow you to use third-party modems. You must use the provided hardware to use the ISP. So, when you are stuck with one of these options, there is no point in buying a modem.
However, it is essential to note that Starlink does not lease the equipment. You get the equipment from it and pay for subscriptions as needed. I believe this option brings the best of both worlds.
Wrapping Up
We have made sure that all the Wi-Fi routers we have recommended in this article are suitable for the needs you will have as a satellite internet user. For instance, all of them support natively VPN, and you get to handle multiple times the throughput your satellite internet connection can ever offer. This might come in handy because you may want to use the same router for network sharing and other local network resources. Make sure that you consider all these things instead of choosing a Wi-Fi router that barely meets the speed limit of the satellite internet connection.
