Has your country life left you bereft of choices of decent internet? And it will be at least a year before broadband and fiber-optic services become commonplace. Satellite Internet can be your alternative. Finding a compatible router for satellite internet services can help you share the internet amongst multiple devices.
Are you looking for an easier way to limit and schedule the internet consumption of your kids? With limited speeds at your helm, are you bothered about adequate bandwidth allocation to your devices? Need to cover your large home leaving no dead zones?
The routers reviewed here are hand-picked to match your requirements and preferences. I have selected routers that offer features MU-MIMO, Beamforming, QoS, and USB port. The ulterior motive behind the article is to find a balance between price and utility, considering the cost of satellite internet packages.
Best Routers for Satellite Internet in 2023
Satellite Internet services are pricey, so you are going to need routers that are highly compatible and put the best use of your internet bandwidth without causing you a major dent in the wallet. After a comprehensive analysis of options available in the market, I have picked the top 7 routers that cover various requirements.
Starting with the most value for money router that brings features like MU-MIMO, Beamforming, ample Ethernet ports connectivity, QoS to utilize the bandwidth efficiently. You can find long-range routers that are suitable for large homes. At the end of the list, you will find budget alternatives that fulfil the basic router requirements.
1. Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk R7350
With R7350, Netgear accommodates it within the price range with a few changes to its processing and memory unit. Extended range, QoS effective bandwidth allocation makes Netgear R7350 one of the best routers for your satellite internet if you are planning to cover your large home.
Why is it suitable for Satellite Internet?
The router comes with the capacity to achieve top individual speeds of 600 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1733 Mbps on 5GHz bands. High speeds in tandem with MU-MIMO and Beamforming minimize the loss in bandwidth and get the maximum satellite internet speeds of 100 Mbps from Viasat and it can be one of the best router choices for a 2500 sq ft house.
Hardware & Performance
The Netgear devices come with dual cores clocking at high speeds in synergy with a memory unit duo of 256MB RAM and 128MB flash storage, to form the core of a solid processing unit capable of handling up to 25 devices. It can support activities like online gaming, high-quality media streaming, and remote work solutions with ease.
Design & Ports
R7350 sports a matte-finish black chassis with ample ventilation for heat regulation. The rear side accommodates 3 external antennas, 4 Ethernet ports, a USB 3.0 port, and 1 WAN port to offer stable wired connectivity and room for shared printing/storage devices.
The router carries a slim demeanor, weighing 1.65 pounds and measuring 11.22 x 7.26 x 1.97 inches.
Setup & App Support
Nighthawk mobile application brings the ease of keeping the initial setup simple and quick at the comfort of your palm. From network monitoring to control, the job becomes easier with the mobile application and web interface of Netgear.
Security & Other Features
The router features the WPA2 encryption standards to keep away unauthorized usage. Inbuilt support for a separate guest network, and a set of parental controls that let you pause your internet, control access to specific websites and devices.
Conclusion
Netgear R7350 makes the top of the list for its features and the overall utility and value it offers for the price. Features like MU-MIMO, Beamforming at the back of a dual-core processor make it stand out from the list.
- Supports over 30 connections
- MU-MIMO and Beamforming
- Long wireless coverage
- Dynamic QoS
- Parental controls
- WPA 3 encryption standard
- Lacks Wi-Fi 6
- USB port placement
2. Best Runner Up: TP-Link Archer A7
The TP-Link Archer A7 comes with the added functionality of its compatibility to work with amazon voice assistant, an improvement over its predecessor. Large households with automated devices can enjoy the comfort of the TP-Link’s smart routing device and get the most out of your internet.
Why is it suitable for Satellite Internet?
With access to Viasat, a 100 Mbps plan will make the best out of the router’s capacity. Its aggregate speeds translate to individual speeds of 450 Mbps, 1300 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 5GHz can distribute adequate bandwidth to over 20 devices spread across a 2500 sq ft area.
Hardware & Performance
The A7 unit carries a single-core processing unit clocking at 750MHz built on a Qualcomm Chipset that should handle data-laden activities like HD streaming, online gaming, albeit at a balance.
Limited by its memory capacity, the 128MB RAM, and 16MB flash storage, multiple instances of heavy activities can stress the unit. Nonetheless, it can handle up to 50 devices, including all the smart gadgets at your home.
Design & Ports
The shiny black body of Archer is an easy target for dust. A7, being one of the lightweight routers in the market, weighs close to 0.90 pounds and measures 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches.
The rear side finds room for 3 external antennas, 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 1 WAN port, and a USB 2.0 port.
Setup & App Support
The Tether application from TP-link boasts of a simple, yet modern intuitive interface that keeps the initial setup and the network management easy. Keep a tab of the status of your internet connection and consumption, even when you are away from home.
Security & Other Features
Archer A7 comes with separate guest access, URL-based access filters, carries WPA2 encryption, and firewalls to offer security from externally infected devices and unauthorized usage. The profile-based parental controls and traditional QoS give you complete control over the internet consumption of devices at home.
Conclusion
Don’t let the lack of features of MU-MIMO, and Beamforming underestimate the value addition of Archer A7 brings to the table. Its high-speed capacity, extended range, easy mesh scalability make it a preferred wireless router for satellite internet over its peers.
- Advanced QoS
- Parental controls
- Mesh scalability
- Extended coverage
- Support for Alexa
- Lack of USB 3.0 support
3. Best for Small Houses: Netgear R6230
In R6230, Netgear improves the memory unit of its previous model to deliver improved performance. The presence of parental controls and advanced QoS makes Netgear R6230 an excellent choice to complement your satellite internet in a small household with kids, teens, and adults.
Why is it suitable for Satellite Internet?
The individual speeds of 300 Mbps in 2.4 GHz and 900 Mbps in 5 GHz allow you to use the fastest Viasat service accessible to you. The router can handle multiple devices spread across a 1200 sq ft home.
Hardware & Performance
The R6230 has a single-core processing unit clocking at a speed of 880MHz on a Mediatek Chip. With a 128 MB operating memory and 128 MB storage at its disposal, the router can handle 20 devices, with activities ranging from media downloads, streaming, surfing, and occasional online gaming.
Design & Ports
With 2 external antennas attached to its rear, Netgear finds room to accommodate 4 Ethernet ports, and 1 WAN port, which ensures wired connectivity for your TV, PC, and gaming consoles.
At 0.75 pounds, the simplistic matte-black chassis measures about 9.27 x 5.94 x 2.14 inches in dimensions. The USB 2.0 port lets you share a printer within the home network.
Setup & App Support
The Nighthawk mobile application allows you to install the router without any hassles. Keep a tab over your internet consumption and get more control over its usage even when you are not at your home.
Security & Other Features
WPA 2 encryption standards and double firewall protection are essential to keep your network safe from any unauthorized usage and cyber threats. The dedicated guest access keeps your home network safe from any external infection. Create user profiles for family members and allocate your resources effectively.
Conclusion
Netgear R6230 brings the adequate speeds and range to cover a small household, keeping it closer to the top of the list, but below Archer A7, credit to its higher speed capacity and extended coverage.
- Advanced QoS
- Remote control and Monitoring
- Parental Controls
- Guest Wi-Fi
- Double Firewall
- Lack of USB 3.0 support
4. Best for Streaming TV: ASUS RT-AC1200_V2
Asus compromises on the USB connectivity of its predecessor to accommodate its aggressive pricing. Sufficient coverage and real-time monitoring system make ASUS RT-AC1200_V2 an ideal choice for medium-sized households.
Why is it suitable for Satellite Internet?
The routing device works well with the 100Mbps speeds of the Viasat satellite service, with its top speeds of 300 Mbps and 867 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, respectively. With 4 adjustable external antennas, the router can cover up to 2000 sq ft in surface area.
Hardware & Performance
With only a single core processing unit clocking at 580MHz, the router can handle limited data-laden activities like streaming high-quality media. A 64MB RAM and 16MB storage can support basic operations like web surfing, downloads, file transfer in up to 20 devices.
Design & Ports
A slim chassis covered in black and grey stripes with 4 external antennas towering from it doesn’t make the router any heavier than 0.60 pounds. It measures 6.97 x 4.96 x 1.34 in dimensions, making it easy to find its place in any household.
The router comes with 100Mbps, 4 LAN ports, and 1 WAN port. While that would suffice for most satellite internet services, may limit its upgrading usability.
Setup & App Support
The Asus router app makes and keeps a lot of aspects easier concerning installations and monitoring. The web interface opens up a great deal of customization in setting up parental controls, port forwarding options, and monitoring real-time wired and wireless internet consumption.
Security & Other Features
The basic tenets of security such as WPA 2 encryption standards, guest wi-fi, keep your network safe from abuse. Firewalls, Keyword/URL filters, MAC-based device filters offer an additional layer of security.
Conclusion
ASUS RT-AC1200 doesn’t get bogged down by its limited hardware unit. It brings adequate coverage, decent speeds make it fare better than its Linksys counterpart.
- Guest Access
- QoS
- Coverage
- Parental controls
- No USB port
5. Best for Browsing: Linksys ROULNK920
ROULINK 920 gets an upgrade in terms of speed and features that were missing in its front runner. If you are looking for the cheapest router in the market but could do with additional features like parental controls to control your kid’s internet consumption, the Linksys ROULNK920 slots into your requirements perfectly.
Why is it suitable for Satellite Internet?
While both 100Mbps and 25Mbps service packages will work well with this router, the router limited hardware will be ideal for connections up to 25Mbps. The individual speeds of 300 Mbps and 867 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, respectively, will use the capacity effectively. The routing device can cover a 1500 sq ft home.
Hardware & Performance
A MediaTek processing unit clocking at a frequency 580MHz combined with a 64MB RAM and 16MB storage brings the capacity to handle over 10-15 devices. It can support basic activities like web surfing, media streaming, file transfers, and downloads.
Design & Ports
The matte-finish black body carries 2 fixed antennas on its rear. Weighing close to 0.38 pounds, the slim unit measure 6.69 x 4.4 x 1.29 inches in dimensions. Linksys routers come with 4 Ethernet ports and 1 WAN port that support transfer speeds up to 100Mbps transfer, a speed suitable for satellite internet connections.
Setup & App Support
The retro-style router users would prefer the lack of mobile support as a welcome change. Linksys comes with an all-purpose browser-based interface for installations, customizations, and network control.
Security & Other Features
Despite being one of the cheapest routers, Linksys offers guest network access, firewalls, and WPA 2 encryption as a standard security layer. With parental controls, you can monitor your kid’s internet exposure with ease.
Conclusion
Linksys router offers better speeds at a lower price with the advantage of beamforming over the D-Link counterpart.
- Compact design
- Guest Wi-Fi
- Parental controls
- Beamforming
- WPA 2 security
- No mobile app support
6. Best for Work from Home: D-Link DIR-813
One of the early releases of the D-Link, the D-Link DIR-813 offers the basic functionalities of the dual-band router. One of the budget alternatives available in the market for smaller to medium households.
Why is it suitable for Satellite Internet?
DIR-813 can deliver speeds up to 300 Mbps, and 433 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 5GHz, respectively. It’s primed to work with higher speeds, but it can bring the best out of a 25Mbps satellite connection. A D-link router can cover a total of 1500 sq ft.
Hardware & Performance
A single-core processor built on a Realtek chipset is the engine running the router. With 32MB RAM and 4MB storage, it offers support to basic internet activities like emails, file downloads, and music/video streaming. With balanced usage, it can support up to 10 devices before stressing the entire performance.
Design & Ports
A lighter shade of black adorns the simple-looking matte-finish router. At 0.50 pounds and sleek chassis, the unit measures 7.4 x 12.25 x 1.25 while sporting 3 external antennas on its rear.
D-Link comes with 1 WAN and 4 LAN ports with 100 Mbps capacity, adequate to accommodate the speeds of satellite internet.
Setup & App Support
Lack of mobile app support may be a drawback for the modern-day user but a throwback to retro style for a few old-schoolers. The web interface controls the key to the initial configuration and the router management.
Security & Other Features
With WPA2 encryption standards, dual firewall setup, the network is safe from most unwanted usage and threats. The inbuilt QoS engine can be used to optimize and prioritize your capacity.
Conclusion
The D-Link DIR-813 has the price and utility to its advantage to make it into the list. Its limited hardware capacity pegs it below the Asus and Linksys counterparts.
- Firewall
- WPA2 encryption
- QoS engine
- Sleek design
- Limited hardware capacity
- No mobile app support
7. Cheapest Option: TP-Link Archer A6
The TP-Link Archer A6 gets improvements with upgrades to the processor while leaving out the USB port. The advanced features and the lower price tag make this router appealing as the best entry-level router in the market.
Why is it suitable for Satellite Internet?
Bring the best out of the high speeds of 25Mbps satellite connection with individual speeds of 300 Mbps and 900 Mbps on 2.4GHz and 5GHz, respectively. At the helm of features like MU-MIMO and Beamforming, the router can efficiently cover a 2000 sq ft.
Hardware & Performance
Archer A6 has a single-core processing unit clocking at 775 MHz on a Qualcomm chipset. TP-Link throws in a 128MB RAM and storage of 8MB to aid the processing unit. While it handles data-heavy activities, limiting it to a minimum will get the best performance out of your router. It can handle up to 20 devices.
Design & Ports
Don’t let the uninspiring glossy finish diminish its utility. At 9.1 × 5.7 × 1.4 inches in dimensions, the router weighs close to 1 pound. Archer comes with 4 external antennas to deliver signals across to multiple devices.
You get 4 LAN ports and 1 WAN port to keep all the important devices connected to your router.
Setup & App Support
Tether Application brings the comfort of easier setups to your palms. Take control of your internet consumption when you are away from your home.
Security & Other Features
Archer A6 keeps you covered on the security front with firewalls, WPA 2 encryption standards, parental and access controls. Set your device priorities with the inbuilt QoS feature and allocate the highest portion of your bandwidth to the device of your choice.
Conclusion
Archer A6 is amongst the best routers in the market with advanced features like MU-MIMO and beamforming. Pegged down by its limited hardware capability, it makes a viable alternative for the peers at the top end of the list.
- WPA 2 encryption
- Coverage
- MU-MIMO
- Beamforming
- Parental controls
- No USB ports
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of the modern-day wireless routers starting from the version Wi-Fi-3 will work with your satellite internet. But choosing a router with Wi-Fi-5 wireless standards balances the price with features like MU-MIMO and beamforming that improves signal transmission to multiple devices.
The satellite internet installation comes with a dish and a modem. The setup requires a modem to decode the signals. Connect the coaxial cables from your satellite dish to your modem in the Sat In/Sat Out Ports. Connect the satellite modem to your wireless router through an Ethernet cable.
You cannot boost your internet speed. The speed is contingent on the speeds offered by the service provider. But with a matching router, you can improve the performance of your internet. By prioritizing bandwidth, used wired connectivity, and the MU-MIMO feature in the router, you’ll get the most out of your internet.
The satellite internet isn’t faster than fiber optic. While the technological developments are catching up fast, it still takes time to transmit signals 22000 miles out in space and receive them back. Satellite internet is an ideal alternative for rural/remote areas lacking the penetration of broadband and fiber services.
Verdict
One has to note that the cost of satellite internet being pricier than its broadband and fiber optic counterparts for lesser speeds, has been one of the influencing factors driving the current selection. The ulterior motive remains to find a generic suitable solution while getting the best value for every penny spent.
- Netgear Nighthawk R7350 comes with a good hardware unit and a set of advanced features that keeps it at the top of the list offering the most value.
- ASUS RT-AC1200_V2 works for larger homes and brings more monitoring ability with parental controls.
- Linksys ROULNK920 is the best budget option from the list.
For Morton, reviewing a router is just like spending another day at the office. As BCCA’s senior copywriter, Morton believes is explaining every concept concerning routers, networking technologies, and additional routing specs. Also, Morton is our go-to man if we are looking to get the ISP-dependent internet plans tested across devices.