7 Best Routers for Satellite Internet in 2023 [Expert Picks]

Have you subscribed to Viasat, Starlink, or HughesNet? In search of a good WiFi router to use with satellite internet? You’re at the right place.

Of course, cable internet is better than satellite internet, the former outbid in terms of scalability and coverage. Plus, you won’t unnecessarily need a high-speed router for your satellite internet setup. Any good budget offering would suffice. But still, which one?

Well, the availability of so many options can trick you and you might end up purchasing a subpar device that hampers your overall experience. That’s why I took 14 routers suitable for satellite internet and tested each thoroughly on various performance standards like speed, coverage, security features, etc.

Out of 14, the following 7 options breezed through my tests and made it to the list:

1. Best All-Around: TP-Link Archer AXE75
2. Best For Gaming: ASUS RT-AX3000
3. Best For Large Homes: Linksys MR9610
4. Best Mesh Router: Google Nest WiFi
5. Best Under $100: TP-Link Archer AX21
6. Best Security Features: Gryphon Tower
7. Good Cheap Option: D-Link DIR-1260

7 Best Routers for Satellite Internet in 2023

To give you an overview of the list, I have included the most feature-packed and premium models at the top, gradually moving on to mid-tier, and ending with the budget options. Now, let’s get into their detailed reviews!

1. Best Overall: TP-Link Archer AXE75

If you’re willing to hop onto the 6 GHz bandwagon but don’t want to invest exorbitant money, TP-Link Archer AXE75 is one of the best WiFi 6E routers. Available below $200, this tri-band router delivers a powerful performance in all aspects.

And compared to its predecessor, it has done an overhaul in terms of features and performance.

Internet Speeds

This Wi-Fi 6E tri-band router has an extra 6 GHz band and can deliver a maximum throughput of 5400 Mbps, which is split among its bands as follows:

6 GHz: 2402 Mbps

5 GHz: 2402 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps

With such a high throughput capacity, it seems fair to pair the router with the best available, i.e., the Starlink premium business plan with a speed cap of 250 Mbps. And the results were impressive over the auto-band-selection setup.

The speed test transpired at the rate of 241 Mbps in download. At the same time, the upload speed is valued at 41 Mbps.

With such available speeds, you can engage in casual gaming, and UHD streaming on platforms like Netflix and YouTube, alongside low-tier tasks like sending emails, surfing social media, and others. Besides, the router entails Gigabit Ethernet ports that give you access to much faster speeds and in turn better performance.

WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity

To test its wireless signal strength and maximum range, I installed this router on the outskirts of my 2,200 Sq Ft old home. And its six antenna setups could encase the entire space including the garage, taking the numbers as high as 2,300 Sq Ft.

The best part is that the transmitted signals were clean and stable with the availability of multiple free channels in the 6 GHz band.

Added to it, the beamforming, MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies work wonders when it comes to connecting multiple devices at once. At a stretch, I could connect up to 65 devices, but you can add a few more, with its maximum capacity standing at 200.

Security Features

TP-Link Archer AXE75 comes with a basic HomeShield security suite that entails basic security tools and strong parental controls. The included security tools like WPA3 and VPN keep the data transferred over the network in an encrypted form and let you access any website without compromising your identity.

Also, there are features like guest access, access control, and auto-firmware update for added security. The parental controls opposed to its security features let you apply age-based filters, block internet access and monitor the hours a user is online.

Besides, you can create time rewards to give your kids some extra time as a reward for completing their homework or any household chores.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the TP-Link Archer AXE75 with 6 GHz WiFi, ease of use, and fast performance is an ideal router that can handle satellite internet at best. It can be suitable for users who are scouring the market for a future-proof mainstream wireless router. Although it’s the most expensive piece on the list, the features and in turn performance make it worth every penny.

To learn more, read my full review of the TP-Link Archer AXE75.

2. Best Runner-Up: ASUS RT-AX3000

ASUS RT-AX58U or RT-AX3000, whatever you call it, entails some solid features under the guise of a sleek body. Besides its standard feature lists like dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and powerful four-antenna setup, it takes away any concerns you have regarding security, with its lifetime-free AiProtection commercial-grade security.

The router takes precedence over its preceding model, Asus RT-AX56U in terms of throughput capacity, range, and others.

Internet Speeds

The Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 router has its speed distributed over the two bands as:

5 GHz: 2401 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps

To test out its real-time capacity, I paired the router with the Starlink premium business plan and measured download and upload speeds over both bands. The results were impressive considering the 5 GHz band was valued at around 230 Mbps and 38 Mbps, while it was around 191 Mbps and 21 Mbps for the 2.4 GHz band.

The speeds paired with QoS supported my overnight gaming sessions on my PS4, and it also breezed through my simultaneous web surfing on smartphones and streaming sessions. However, I encountered a few lags here and there with a few hardcore online games, so if you’re into those, there’re ample Ethernet ports to your rescue.

WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity

The four antennas with beamforming support aren’t the most flexible out claims to be ideal for 3,000 Sq Ft homes. In my tests, the router could impart signals to a maximum area of 2,500 Sq Ft when placed in an optimal location.

Even after hogging the network with at least 25 connections, the devices got coherent signals on each, thanks to its OFDMA and MU-MIMO technologies. Besides, the signals were smooth even light/high-end activities were undertaken on the devices.

Security Features

Security is the most notable aspect of this Asus RT-AX3000 as it has got AiProtection powered by TendaMicro that doesn’t require a single penny.

It has got some advanced features to eliminate infected devices, block malicious websites, and prevent intrusions. Aside from that, a device block list, access filters, and weekly scan reports and statistics add a few brownie points to it.

Aside from that, there are these basic features like WPA3 encryption, VPN, and guest access for added protection.

Conclusion

Overall, Asus RT-AX58U with advanced security features, Wi-Fi 6, and reliable performance justifies the hype it creates amongst mid-range internet users. It’s a great device for premium satellite internet plans and gets most of your internet-bound tasks like gaming, streaming, and others.

Read my full review of the ASUS RT-AX58U (RT-AX3000).

3. Best For Large Homes: Linksys MR9610

If you want a reliable and efficient dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router that doesn’t cost much, then Linksys MR9610 is a device worth looking into. Despite costing around $120, it brings along a number of upgrades over its predecessor, including a 3,000 Sq Ft range, device support, and a maximum throughput capacity.

Internet Speeds

The dual-band Wi-Fi 6 integrated MR9610 boasts a maximum throughput capacity of 3,000 Mbps, which is distributed over its bands as follows:

5 GHz: 4804 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 1147 Mbps

Paired with the staple Starlink premium business plan, the router produced decent results over both bands. The downloads and uploads over the 5 GHz band would crank up to 213 Mbps and 29 Mbps, while the results for the 2.4 GHz stayed at 209 Mbps and 21 Mbps, respectively.

As with my previous recommendations, this device should breeze through most internet-bound tasks except heavy gaming. This was in compliance with my test results.

WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity

Despite being a budget-friendly offering, it does not deprive us of the coverage, with a theoretical value of 3,000 Sq Ft. The test results weren’t very far away from the claims made, as it glides through any of your 2,500 Sq Ft space.

My client’s similar-sized space was filled with powerful signals, and he could keep his workspace online throughout the day.

Moving on, OFDMA, beamforming antennas, and MU-MIMO assists the cause in multi-device connectivity, as signals are concentrated to the client device rather than spreading around. Around 35 stable connections including laptops, mobile phones, smart TVs, and others were possible at a stretch.

Security Features

Security isn’t where this device shines as not many advanced features are available with it, free or advanced. As with many routers, there are some basic features like VPN, WPA3, guest access, and access control.

Now coming to parental controls, the router entails features like monitoring the time your kids are online and pausing the internet if they are overspending.

With such available in hand, you can keep the data shared over the network secured and you can browse without compromising your identity.

Conclusion

In summary, the Linksys MR9610 stands out as one of the top wireless routers below $150. Despite being significantly less expensive, it boasts strong performance capabilities that can handle a wide range of demanding network tasks such as gaming, streaming, and video conferencing.

As such, it is an excellent option for individuals who work remotely or participate in online learning.

4. Best Mesh WiFi: Google Nest WiFi

As I have almost reached halfway to the list, I present to you a pocket-friendly mesh system that aside from its massive range has got multiple features in its arsenal.

These include networking technologies like MU-MIMO and OFDMA that fits perfectly into your modern smart home. Aside from these, its increased throughput capacity makes it a worthy successor to Google WiFi AC1200.

Internet Speeds

Google Nest WiFi courtesy of its Wi-Fi 5 connectivity and dual-band support, boasts a maximum throughput capacity of 2200 Mbps, with its band-wise speeds as follows:

5 GHz: 1733 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 400 Mbps

The Nest WiFi performance was on par with many routers in this category when I paired it with my friend’s HughesNet 150 Mbps plan, the results were decent. Over the 5 GHz band, downloading a 3GB file took around 20-21 minutes to complete, with speeds at around 143 Mbps, while upload speeds valued at 15 Mbps.

At the same time, the values over the 2.4 GHz band fared at around 67 Mbps and 10 Mbps. The speeds are still great for you to play any casual games like Raid legends, and Fall guys. You can also stream your favourite shows and movies in HD alongside working on any low-end internet-based activities.

Other than that, if you want to experience better speeds, it’d be viable to establish a wired connection to the three Ethernet ports integrated into the device’s rear panel.

WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity

Being a mesh router, coverage is its strong suit, as demonstrated by its theoretical range of 3,800 Sq Ft. In my tests, the results weren’t far away as the numbers stayed around 3,400 Sq Ft with any normal network setup. You can further add a few hundred square feet to it by pairing the main hub with another node.

Barring coverage, Google Nest WiFi also excels when it comes to multi-device connectivity. Courtesy of MU-MIMO, QoS, and beamforming, I could establish connections on up to 72 devices at once. The numbers could increase if you can exclude some of your bandwidth-hungry devices.

Security Features

The mesh router integrates a WPA3 that works to encrypt the data share from the router to the client device and vice versa. It also entails a basic firewall and TLC that make sure a safe pathway is established for the data passage. In short, the wireless performance stays above par with most routers on this list.

Coming to parental controls, more or less similar features are available, as with my previous recommendation. It gives parents a basic assurance that their kids aren’t spending most of their time online.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Nest WiFi has taken a massive leap over its predecessor with much higher performance and smaller size, alongside its simple and straightforward setup. It fares well with mid-tier Starlink plans well and lets you stay active on most bandwidth-consuming tasks without straining much.

Besides, its longer range and device-holding capacity make it suitable for people with large smart homes. For more information, read my in-depth Google Nest WiFi review.

5. Best Under Budget: TP-Link Archer AX21

Next on my list is a sub $100 Wi-Fi 6 router that won’t leave you awestruck with the features, but brings along a range of handy features to get you a decent performance. Features like Quad-Core CPU, Wi-Fi 6 tech, and four beamforming antenna setup make it a better device than its predecessor, Archer AX20.

Internet Speeds

To start with, the maximum theoretical capacity of Archer AX21 extends to 1800 Mbps, with speeds on each band distributed as:

5 GHz: 1201 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps

I tested this router against two budget offerings, Asus RT-AX55 and Netgear R6700X, and the AX21 superseded the others. Paired with the HughesNet 150 Mbps plan, the 5 GHz band clocked download speeds of 121 Mbps, which was around 109 and 99 Mbps for the other two. Uploads with the router had values of 20 Mbps.

At the same time, the 2.4 GHz band had respective speeds valued at around 92 Mbps and 16 Mbps. The low far band speeds make it suitable for any of your browsing or music streaming tasks, while with the near band, mid-tier tasks like video conferencing, HD streaming, and others can be done with ease.

If you want to engage in casual gaming, five Ethernet ports on its rear panel come in handy. The wired connection with my Xbox 360 had download speeds at 152 Mbps, so you can play games like Fifa, God of War, and League of legends.

WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity

To test the claimed 2,000 Sq Ft range of this routing device, I placed it in an optimal location of my friend’s house and measured its range. The numbers could go as high as 1,700 Sq Ft, meaning the entire space was filled with signals.

Other than that, the integration of OFDMA and MU-MIMO ensures that connections over multiple devices could be seamlessly established. I could connect up to 25 devices at once without producing any lags or latencies. The number rose to 28 when only used to stream audio in HD quality or surfing web pages.

Security Features

Unlike other TP-Link devices, AX21 doesn’t offer TP-Link HomeShield basic (free) or pro (premium) software for its consumers. But you have access to the standard ones that include WPA3, VPN, and auto-firmware update, which keeps your network data packets safe. Similar is with parental controls, where only the internet dashboard and scheduled pause features are available.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to invest in Wi-Fi 6 without breaking the bank, the TP-Link AX21 is your best bet. While it does have some limitations, such as not having a 160 MHz channel or any advanced security features (free or paid), it still provides reliable and stable performance with an impressive throughput capacity.

6. Best Parental Controls: Gryphon Tower

At the #6 position, presenting you with the best parental control router, Gryphon tower. It lets you take complete control over your kids’ online activities and keep the connected devices secure. Besides, its tri-band support and decent coverage make quite a compelling case.

Internet Speeds

The Wi-Fi 5 mesh system with three bands can provide a maximum throughput capacity of 3000 Mbps, and its band speeds are distributed as follows:

5 GHz (1): 1700 Mbps

5 GHz (2): 866 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 400 Mbps

Courtesy of Qualcomm’s IQP4019 WiFi chip and ample flash storage, the performance throughout the day was mostly jitter-free. With Starlink’s basic residential plan (100 Mbps), downloads and uploads fared at around 91 Mbps and 10 Mbps, respectively.

At the same time, its far band had respective speeds of around 79 Mbps and 8 Mbps. I could stay active on most household internet-based tasks and video conferencing. I also used it for casual gaming, it worked just fine.

Further, the mesh router entails three Ethernet ports for interference-free streaming. The HD videos ran fine over the wired connections, but it ain’t meant for heavy online gaming.

WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity

Theoretically, the powerful internal antenna setup of the two-unit mesh system boasts a maximum range of 3,000 Sq Ft.

In my penetration tests, the Gryphon tower tore through the thick walls to impart signals to a maximum area of up to 2,500 Sq Ft, the size of any mid-sized apartment. Adding another unit to the mix would boost the coverage to another thousand-odd square feet.

The mesh system also excels in terms of device handling capacity. Courtesy of those standard networking technologies like MU-MIMO and OFDMA, the maximum numbers could go as high as 45, which is more than enough for any household or small business.

Security Features

Security and parental controls are where Gryphon Tower can be tagged as the best among the rest. Aside from a firewall that protects your network and connected devices from malware and viruses, and blocks any potentially harmful websites, there’re some standard features like WPA3, VPN, and guest access.

Regarding parental controls, there are several advanced functionalities available such as scheduled access, bedtime restrictions, time limits, age-appropriate filters, and remote control options, among others. These features empower you to manage your child’s online activities and guarantee their protection from any harmful content.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this big and modern sculpture-shaped mesh router is a screamer when it comes to undertaking your internet-bound tasks on the outskirts of your house. Its best feature is the parental controls in which you can take the internet activities of the kids in your hand. Besides, its security software is great enough to keep your network & devices safe from intrusion, malware, and viruses.

7. Cheapest Option: D-Link DIR-1260

Last but not least is D-Link DIR-1260, which is one of the cheapest routers on the market. Barring its cost, it entails some handy features like a decently powerful processor and a four-antenna setup with a theoretical coverage of 2,000 Sq Ft.

Compared to its predecessor, it hasn’t got much but decent upgrades that ultimately translate to better performance.

Internet Speeds

The dual-band Wi-Fi 5 setup in DIR-160 maxes out its speeds at 1200 Mbps, divided over its bands as follows:

5 GHz: 867 Mbps

2.4 GHz: 300 Mbps

Courtesy of its powerful processor, the performance didn’t have any drops when paired with Starlink residential 100 Mbps plan. The download and upload speeds for either of the bands weren’t very high, with the 5 GHz clocking up to 83 Mbps and 15 Mbps, whereas the values fared at 66 Mbps and 6 Mbps for the 2.4 GHz band.

Over the near band, basic residential tasks should move like a breeze. But if you need a tad higher speeds for your streaming tasks, establish a wired connection between your device and a router.

WiFi Coverage & Devices Capacity

In my range tests over my grandpa’s 1,500 Sq Ft home, the router performs decently well, as it could encase the entire space with decent signals. Besides, courtesy of MU-MIMO, it demonstrates a decent ability to connect multiple devices at once. I could connect up to 20 devices without producing any jitters or inconsistencies.

Security Features

Despite being the cheapest offering, it instills the latest WPA3 for enhanced online security. Other than that, features like VPN and access controls add the icing to the cake. You can browse through anything without compromising your identity.

DIR-160 also achieves a decent score with respect to parental controls. You can create separate profiles for your family members and monitor the time they are online and pause the internet for a specific member.

Conclusion

Overall, the D-Link DIR-160 is a budget-friendly dual-band router that offers a range of features that can satisfy most of your household’s internet requirements. However, it falls short in some aspects, such as security and coverage, which places it lower in the rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

The best satellite internet router is one that enhances your network’s performance and fulfills your respective needs. If the review-based guide hasn’t helped much in making a decision, here are my final suggestions:

• If you’re paired with the top-tier plan, i.e., Starlink premium business plan, and need the router that delivers the best performance, have a look into this TP-Link Archer AXE75.
• If Starlink gets a bit out of budget and the HughesNet 150 Mbps is enough to satiate your needs, Linksys MR9610 should be the best choice.
• If you have a large house to cover Google Nest WiFi is a budget mesh router option.
• Finally, if you need a cheap option for the most basic internet plan, go for D-Link DIR-1260.

Do let me know in the comments below which models have you gone for. Stay safe and happy networking!