7 Best Routers For Starlink in 2023 [Compatible Models]

With the cutting-edge technology of this latest internet innovator it’s important that you pick the best router for Starlink internet services and capitalize on the incredible up to 500 Mbps speed. With its high-speed internet connectivity, Starlink is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for users in remote areas in addition to those who need an internet connection that is both fast and reliable. However, having the right router to support your Starlink connection is just as important as the connection itself.

In this article, we will take a deep dive into the best routers for Starlink so you can make the most informative decision based on your objectives and price point. We will cover a range of routers that are compatible with Starlink, including those that are specifically designed to work with Starlink mesh networks.

When choosing a router for your Starlink connection it is essential to ensure that it can support the speed and bandwidth of your internet plan. Starlink offers multiple plans with internet speeds ranging from 50-500 Mbps and so it is important to choose a router that can handle these speeds while also offering a stable connection.

Another crucial factor to consider is the number of devices that your router can manage, especially as more products are hitting the market to embrace a ‘smart home.’ We recommend you choose a router that can support all of the devices in your home, including smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. Additionally, you may wish to prioritize a router with robust parental control features to help keep your family safe online.

In this article, we will review seven of the best routers for Starlink based on factors such as speed, range, number of devices supported, and overall user experience. We will provide an in-depth analysis of each product, highlighting its unique features in addition to pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

At the end of the article, we will also select our top pick, based on the features, performance, and value for money of the reviewed routers.

Whether you’re a gamer, a remote worker, or someone who needs a reliable internet connection, the right router can make all the difference. So, let’s commence the deep dive into which are the best routers for Starlink.

7 Best Routers for Starlink in 2023

1. Best Router for Starlink Overall: Netgear Nighthawk RAX78

Tri-band routers are extremely powerful for Satellite internet services like Starlink. This is the reason why my list features the Netgear Nighthawk RAX78 in the first position. The Netgear Nighthawk is equipped with the latest wireless standards and robust security features making this a strong competitor in the market.

Speeds

This tri-band WiFi 6 (aka 802.11ax) router is more than capable of hitting top speeds of up to 460mbps in the 2.4GHz band while delivering up to 960mbps and 4800mbps on the 5GHz bands. After conducting extensive testing of several tri-band routers, the Nighthawk RAX78 delivered the best results for distances up to 5 feet and even more.

For Starlink internet, I could churn out download and upload speeds close to 90mbps and 50mbps, respectively for the 2.4GHz band.

Antennas & Coverage

Regarding wireless coverage, the 6 high-power inbuilt antennas can spread to 2500 sq. ft. Moreover, the MU-MIMO and Beamforming technology helps the system concentrate the wireless strength for achieving improved speeds.

Design & Ports

The design and overall layout of this router is quite unique with no external antennas. It weighs approximately 2.58 pounds, making it a little on the heavier side compared to other routers but certainly not the heaviest. The port arrangement as shown is equipped with 1 WAN and 4 gig LAN ports. In addition, there is one USB 3.0 port to connect an external hard drive.

Hardware & Internals

There is an impressive 1.5GHz quad-core processor that works closely with the 512MB RAM to minimize latency and improve deliverable speeds of the data packets. The router also offers 256MB of flash memory, which is enough to store the configuration details.

Setup & App Support

Setting up the device is extremely easy when you utilize the Nighthawk application. Additionally, the app works best when using the static route to set up the perfect LOS connection with the Starlink satellite via the receiver.

This means you need to align the satellite stub as offered under the Starlink subscription plan with the Netgear router for the Nighthawk app to work.

Should you buy it?

The router also showcases the 160MHz channels for greater efficiency and speeds, followed by the additional DFS channels that improves traffic management. Therefore, if you are looking for a tri-band router that works in tandem with the Starlink receiver, the Nighthawk RAX78 is the best router for Starlink Internet service.

2. Best Starlink Router – Runner Up: TP-Link Archer AX6000

If you are looking to produce the best speeds despite Starlink being limited to 150Mbps, the TP-Link Archer AX6000 is one of the most reliable dual-band routers to consider. It’s best known for its excellent top speeds, reliable performance, DFS support, and wide coverage.

Speeds

In my test, this router reached the maximum download speed of 134mbps and upload speed of almost 70mbps with Starlink. Since it is a dual-band router, the mentioned speeds were strictly for the 5GHz band. For the far band or the 2.4GHz, you can still reach upload and download speeds of 35mbps and 90mbps, respectively.

The speeds of this router are impressive, however, you are limited by which Starlink plan you have. This router would be a viable option with other satellite and fiber-specific internet services as the router can support download speeds of up to 500mbps.

Antennas & Coverage

There are 8 high-gain antennas, precisely positioned to support a 3000 sq ft house. Combined with Beamforming support, these antennas are capable of concentrating signal strength and increasing the wireless range. Additionally, the TP-Link Archer router can make the Starlink connections more productive thanks to its ability to move data packets fast.

Design & Ports

This rugged and bulky device weighs close to 3.5 pounds and dimensions of 10.3 × 10.3 × 2.4 in so you will want to ensure you the space in your home/office. The port arrangement as shown allows you to set up wired connections via the 8 gig LAN ports. Additional perks include link aggregation to speed up up wired connections. There are also Type-C and Type-A ports for connecting peripherals and NAT storage modules.

Hardware & Internals

The device houses a 1.8GHz quad-core processor, which plays a pivotal role in keeping the latency to a minimum. Even though Starlink connections are known to suffer from increased latency of up to 40ms, the DOCSIS 3.1 compatible router can still be used for basic RPG games.

The TP Link Archer also is armed with 1GB RAM and a 128GB of flash storage to store network details, firmware configuration, and assisting the processor. Interestingly, the router does not offer storage support, but it seems adequate to store OS details and other computing insights.

Setup & App Support

As one of the more sought-after routers for Starlink, thankfully this model is relatively simple to set up. Additionally, the TP-Link app is a resourceful option to rely on and it allows you to monitor remotely your internet usage and traffic patterns.

Should you buy it?

Overall, if you are looking for a great router that can handle fast speeds today and in the future as internet plans for speed increase, the TP-Link AX6000 is the perfect router to invest in and is one of the best routers for Starlink Internet service.

3. Best Starlink Gaming Router: Asus RT-AX82U

Despite Starlink not yet promising gig level speeds, for now, investing in a router as powerful as the Asus RT-AX82U seems like an obvious choice. This innovative router has ASUS AiMesh compatibility and offers AiProtection for next-level lifetime free security. It is particularly focused towards gamers and Twitch streamers.

Speeds

The router works on dual bands and reaches exceptional speeds of up to 574mbps on 2.4GHz and up to 4804mbps on the 5GHz band. The 4×4 5GHz band is great for helping you reach upload speeds of almost 100mbps, provided you have manually prioritized certain tasks.

Antennas & Coverage

There are four external antennas and has Beamforming technology which expands its range to provide a great signal that can cover a 2000 sq ft house.

Design & Ports

The ASUS RT-AX82U flaunts a rugged layout with exceptional cooling vents and AURA RGB to complement your gaming desk. It weighs 1.6 pounds, which is lighter than the previous two routers reviewed. There are 3 LAN ports and 1 WAN port for the Starlink receiver and it is equipped with a high-speed USB 3.2 port for connecting additional peripherals.

Hardware & Internals

This Wi-Fi 6 enabled gaming router boasts a tri-core processor paired with 512MB RAM and 256GB flash memory that holds the firmware details. This configuration, in turn, dictates exceptional performance and paves the way for adaptive QoS.

Setup & App Support

The setup for this router is seamless and easy to understand when you utilize the ASUS Router App. Additionally, you can also set up parental controls with their array of options – assuming you wish to regulate internet use. Additional features of this router include the ability to block malicious websites and network protection with the AiProtection Pro.

Should you buy it?

The ASUS RT-AX82U is a robust router for gamers to use to with Starlink internet. This router offers a dedicated gaming port, enhanced speeds, low-latency gaming, good air ventilation, and powerful security.

4. Best Starlink Router for Home Use: Linksys E8450

The Linksys E8450 is one of the sub $150 routers on the list, best known for the WiFi AX standard and the concurrent dual-band technology.

Speeds

This dual-band router can reach up to 800mbps on the 2.4GHz band and up to 2400mbps on the 5GHz band which is impressive given the lower price. However, it is important to note that these are theoretical speeds and will vary based on your internet provider and/or service plan. In the case of Starlink, you can easily achieve speeds of up to 100mbps.

Antennas & Coverage

The Linksys router does not include external antennas, however, it contains four high-performance integrated antennas. Additionally, with the integrated antennas coupled with Beamforming support the router and extender can cover close to 2500 sq ft.

Design & Ports

The design of this router looks classy with a sleek black body and glossy finish. With no external antennas, it can neatly fit into smaller spaces without the concern of an external antenna accidentally getting damaged.

The port selection is simple and straightforward, with Linksys making room for standard 4 Gig LAN slots and 1 WAN port along with 1 USB 2.0 port to connect external storage devices on the network.

Setup & App Support

One downside to this router is with setup as you can only use the more dated ASUS web-based interface versus the app. In addition, there is no app support to make the setup process easier. However, ASUS has ensured the browser-based installation is quick due to the user-friendly interface.

Hardware & Internals

How this router captures greater speeds and efficiency is with the integrated quad-core processor that works with 512MB RAM. There is an additional 128MB of flash storage support, which is enough for storing network and firmware details.

Should you buy it?

Overall, Linksys E8450 might not be the most powerful one on the list, but it certainly helps you achieve decent speeds for Starlink internet. It allows you to connect multiple devices at once whilst making way for Alexa compatibility. This is the best router for Starlink for the average consumer using this router in a home setting at an excellent price.

5. Best Starlink WiFi Mesh System: TP-Link Deco X20

The TP-Link Deco X20 is one of the more sought-after WiFi 6 mesh routers for Starlink internet. This is due to the pack-of-2 mesh systems ability to relay almost every networking plan via wired and wireless backhauls. It is one of the fastest mesh systems in the market today with strong lifetime parental controls and network security software.

Speeds

As it is a dual-band mesh setup, you can theoretically reach speeds of up to 1200mbps for the 5GHz band and 600mbps for the 2.4GHz if Starlink increases their plan speeds. Additionally, because this router is a WiFi 6 based mesh system, you can expect higher throughout, which can outpace that of the WiFi 5 systems by almost 250 percent.

During testing, the router consistently sustained speeds of 60mbps and could perform up to speeds as high a 100mbps.

Antennas & Coverage

Despite being an enclosed router system there are four internal antennas for each unit to rely on. Therefore, the one satellite and one router setup is more than adequate for covering almost 4000 sq ft of home or office area.

Design & Ports

The sleek design of the white-colored TP-Link Deco X20 units look like mini towers and flaunt reliable and aesthetic LED lights. Plus, the entire setup weighs close to 5 pounds, making it slightly heavier than the other routers reviewed. The ports support 2 gig LAN and 1 gig WAN slots. However, it is noteworthy to point out that there is no USB port to connect additional devices which could impact your decision.

Hardware & Internals

The 1GHz quad-core CPU and 4GB RAM are exceptional resources that allow the mesh to send forth data packets faster than other routers. Plus with a 1GB solid-state storage, this is on the higher end of router storage that can hold firmware details. The processor can support QoS prioritization while accommodating gig speeds and WiFi AX throughput.

Setup & App Support

From a setup perspective, this mesh system is very easy to setup providing you have a Starlink receiver already. Once the Deco satellite device connects to the Starlink receiver via the Static Route, the Deco app takes care of the rest and allows you to set up the routers based on your specific preferences.

The application also allows you to configure the entire mesh if and when necessary in addition to robust parental controls, integrated antivirus, and Alexa-compatible voice support.

Should you buy it?

If you are looking to convert your home or office into a Smart Internet hub without having to worry about the range-based restrictions, the TP-Link Deco X20 is the perfect investment to make. With a longer range of 4000 sq. ft. and exciting features it offers a lot of bang for your buck.

6. Best Starlink Router Under $100: Netgear R6700AX

The Netgear R6700AX is yet another WiFi AX router on the list, best suited for smaller homes and gig-level connections. However, the increased throughput as compared to the WiFi 5 standard makes it a viable router option for Starlink internet.

Speeds

While the cumulative top speeds reach up to 1800mbps for 2.4GHz and 5GHz combined, I easily achieved download and upload speeds of up to 111mbps and 55mbps, respectively. Because Starlink has speed limitations and not the fastest in the market, advanced networking protocols and technologies are appreciated so you can make the most of the restricted speeds.

Hardware & Internals

The performance of the quad-core CPU paves the way for OFDMA and 1024 QAM technologies, thereby making it easier for the router to move data packets faster. Because of this, the Netgear R6700AX is the perfect router for gaming on Xbox One and 4K streaming. In addition, there is a 512MB RAM and 256MB of flash memory to process and install automatic firmware upgrades.

Antennas & Coverage

This 4-stream wireless device features three external and one internal antenna, which are further empowered by the Beamforming technologies. Due to these capabilities, this router would be best for a home or office at 1500 sq. ft. or less.

Design & Ports

This router has an impressive black body measuring ‎10.83 x 8.15 x 4.49 inches and weighs a mere 1.10 pounds. For the port arrangement as shown above, there are 5 Ethernet slots, with 1 being a high-speed WAN port. Unfortunately, this router does not come with a separate USB port to connect an external device.

Setup & App Support

Setting up this sub $100 router is fairly easy as long as you are comfortable with the Starlink receiver and the Nighthawk app. Fortunately, the app is helpful with utilizing additional features including Netgear armor, parental controls, WPA2 security protocols, Alexa-support, guest accounts, and more.

Should you buy it?

If you are planning on purchasing a reliable budget-friendly router that is ideal for a 1500 sq. ft. home or office, the R6700AX from Netgear is a fantastic option.

7. Best Starlink Router for Large Homes: Google WiFi

If a WiFi 6 mesh system seems a little overboard for Starlink internet, you can consider investing in the Google WiFi. The 3-pack system allows you to use one device as the satellite that connects directly to the Starlink receiver with the additional devices to be placed strategically in your home or office to extend the signal. This router is also compatible with other ISPs like ATT Uverse, Verizon FIOS, etc.

Speeds

Other routers showcase dual-band WiFi 5 support with top speeds reaching up to 118mbps on the 5GHz band. However, on the 2.4GHz band, the maximum download speed drops up to 83mbps, whereas the upload speed can reach up to 51mbps.

Antennas & Coverage

The built-in antenna is powerful enough and supports Beamforming precisely to cover an area of 4500 sq ft, provided you opt for the 3-pack product. As a bonus, this router is very easy to set up via the Google Home application.

Design & Ports

The 3-pack Google WiFi Mesh weighs close to 2.5 pounds and comes equipped with 2 Gig Ethernet ports. This feature allows you to establish high-speed wired connections, provided you are trying to keep signal attenuation to a minimum.

Hardware & Internals

With this this innovative router there is a quad-core chipset which allows you to make the most of the Wave 2 wireless standard. Also, the 512MB RAM adds to the efficiency allowing it to achieve greater performance. With a 4GB eMMC storage module integrated within the unit you are able to store network data and firmware details without worrying about memory storage.

Should you buy it?

The Google WiFi mesh has strong support from Google with regular security upgrades and firmware updates. Therefore, if you are seeking an aesthetic WiFi AC router-mesh setup for Starlink internet, the cost-effective Google WiFi mesh is a great option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

If you are looking to enhance your Starlink Internet experience, it is crucial to choose a router that can handle the demands of the service. This is why we recommend investing in a router that is compatible with Starlink and provides the necessary features and performance. Here are the recommendations to follow:

• The Netgear Nighthawk is the best option if you are looking to convert your home or office into a wireless hub and are trying to eliminate every dead zone.
• The TP-Link AX6000 is the perfect option if you want to get a router with excellent port management and the ability to change frequency channels based on traffic and prioritize certain tasks over others.
• The Netgear R6700AX is worth considering if you are on a tight budget and looking for a reliable option with WiFi 6 support.