Satellite internet is one of the greatest things to happen to people who live in more remote locations.
If you have signed up for satellite internet through Hughesnet, you also need to be sure that you have the best router for Hughesnet satellite internet. Now that you have the service, you should be expecting the best from it.
But what can you really expect from a satellite router? Satellite internet is not as fast as other types and it cannot offer the bandwidth that you can get as well.
This might limit your ability to stream multiple devices, since Hughesnet can only offer download speeds up to 25 Mbps and upload speeds up to 3 Mbps.
Regardless, you still need to get a great HughesNet compatible router to give you that wireless coverage you want. You need to think about the router’s coverage, security, as well as other features to get the right one for you.
What To Consider When Getting A Router For Hughesnet Satellite Internet
Wi-Fi Speed & Coverage
You should be able to get the amount of coverage that you expect to get from your HughesNet compatible router. If you live in a smaller space, range will not be as important as it would be for a larger space.
The speed that you want can also vary router to router, so keep that in mind when you are shopping. Remember that the Wi-Fi speed is only as good as what Hughesnet provides, however. You can’t get more speed than they can give you.
Security
Internet security is a concern for all of us. When looking for the best wireless router for HughesNet satellite internet, remember what kind of security will make you feel most comfortable. This could mean parental controls or VPNs, as well as firewalls.
Check to make sure that the router that you are buying has all of the features that you need. You should always feel safe about your online activity, so get a router that can provide the security you need.
QoS & Traffic Monitoring
If you have more than one device on your router at a time or there is more than one user on at a time, you should be able to expect your router to know what device should have priority, especially with satellite internet. QoS can help you identify which devices should have the most signal.
That said, you should be sure that your router allows you to monitor the type of traffic that it has as well.
How Does Hughesnet Satellite Internet Work?
Hughesnet internet works through satellite technology, allowing you to get a connection no matter where you are at. The satellites orbit the Earth about 22,000 miles away, which is the perfect distance to match our own rotation.
The computer (either yours or the one you are requesting information from) sends a request to a satellite which then delivers that information back down to your network. Even though it is far away, the connection is still fast due to advancements in technology.
8 Best Routers For HughesNet Internet (2022)
Device | Speeds | Ports | Rating | Check Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. TP-Link Archer A9 Editor's Choice | 1900 Mbps | 4 Ports | 100% | |
2. Netgear AX4 High Performance | 3000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 99% | |
3. TP-Link Archer A7 Budget Friendly | 1750 Mbps | 4 Ports | 95% | |
4. Motorola MR2600 Extended Coverage | 2600 Mbps | 4 Ports | 96% | |
5. Netgear XR500 For Gaming | 2600 Mbps | 4 Ports | 97% | |
6. Gryphon AC3000 For Large House | 3000 Mbps | 4 Ports | 98% | |
7. Medialink AC1200 | 1200 Mbps | 4 Ports | 94% | |
8. Netgear R7000 Extra Security | 1900 Mbps | 4 Ports | 98% |
1. TP-Link Archer A9 WiFi Router
Best Router For HughesNet Internet (Editor's Choice)
It is incredibly important to use the best wireless router for HughesNet Satellite Internet, which is why we are suggesting the TP-Link Archer A9.
Design
Let’s start by taking a look at its design. The Archer A9 is a standard horizontal router with three high-gain antennas that will extend the reach of your wireless signal. The vents of the router are located under the router, which means that you will need to keep it located where it is able to stay as cool as possible to prevent it from overheating.
The router comes with 5 Ethernet ports, which will allow you to plug in any devices that really need that direct connection. This would likely include any gaming systems that you might have or an HDTV that you would like to stream off of.
If you are an Amazon device user, you might enjoy the Alex voice control feature that you can also get with this router. You can even turn off the guest controls using Alexa. Finally, the router is easy to set up and even easier to manage. It uses a free app called Tether to control your security settings, QoS, and other functions you might be looking for.
Performance
Satellite internet might not be known for its speed, but using the Archer A9 will ensure that you are getting the best internet speeds that you can get. The router is a Wave 2 AC wireless router, which means that it will get 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. Overall, the data transfer rate is 1900 MB per second. The speeds are ultimately dependent on the speeds that you are getting from HughesNet, however.
The router also uses Beamforming technology, which helps to boost the strength over your signal across the network. The Archer A9 also uses Airtime Fairness. This function will allow your fastest devices to make use of all of the available speeds, so any older or slower device will not hog the bandwidth.
Additionally, the router comes with great security features, including parental controls, a VPN server, a guest network, and access control. This will help to lock your network down, keeping out any malware that might otherwise try to infiltrate your network.
2. Netgear RAX40 HughesNet Router
High Performance
If you are looking more for a high performance router for Hughesnet, the Netgear Nighthawk RAX40 is a great choice.
Design
The design of this higher performance router is sleeker than some of the others that you might have read in our other recommendations. This router comes with two antennas and while that is certainly less than other routers, that does not detract from this router’s capabilities.
Design-wise, this router does take up a bit of space, so keep that in mind if that could be a problem for you.
Performance
This router brings all of the stops out that you can get. It can handle from 20 to 30 devices as well as 16 Wi-Fi clients simultaneously. It might only have two antennas to work with, but that does not make it any less powerful than other routers that might have more. The uplink and downlink OFDMA allows efficient data transmission across multiple devices at the same time.
If you think about it, this router is really representative of the modern home network. With most people having one or more devices that use Wi-Fi, it makes sense to have a router that is literally made to make that happen. This router also works with existing devices, supporting new and old devices easily.
3. TP-Link A7 Router For HughesNet
Budget Friendly
If you are trying to stay within a budget and still get a quality router for Hughesnet, we suggest the TP-Link Archer A7.
Design
The Archer A7 is designed with four Gigabit LAN ports. These ports allow whatever is plugged into them to be accessed wirelessly within your network.
The Archer A7 also has three high-gain antennas to increase the Wi-Fi signal’s range. You can aim the antennas in the direction that you want the signal to travel throughout your network.
Performance
The Archer A7 emits signals up to 2500 square feet. That is larger than the average home by far so it should work out well. With the QoS technology, you get bandwidth prioritization as well, keeping the things that you want connected with all of the bandwidth they need.
The Archer A7 can reach up to 1750 Mbps, providing 3X faster Wi-Fi than other traditional routers do. Even at such an affordable price, this router can easily handle every device in your house.
This of course depends on the service package that you have with Hughesnet, but regardless, it should perform well. TP-Link reports that the router is made to handle up to and perhaps more than 50 Wi-Fi devices connected at a time, which should cover everything that you have connected within your network.
4. Motorola MR2600 Smart WiFi Router
Extended Coverage
For the networks that need a little more coverage than the average wireless router, we suggest the Motorola MR2600.
Design
To begin with, the MR2600 is a horizontal router, which can always affect your decision since it does take up a lot of space. The design also provides you with a USB 3.0 port, Smart QoS support, a fire wall, parental controls, and so many other features that should keep you happy.
This router also comes with four adjustable external antennas. The four Gigabit LAN ports will ensure that you can connect the devices that you need to, which is always a nice feature to have in a router.
Performance
When it comes to performance, this router also has the Wave 2 MU-MIMO technology that any streaming network should have. Combine this with the implicit and explicit Beamforming, which is like a signal boost in the direction the antennas are pointing and, as a result, you will have lightning quick speed and great range.
This router has the QoS settings that will keep the devices that you don’t want to be interrupted running strong, even when another device hops on your network and begins to stream. You do not want to be buffering in the middle of a game because someone else starts streaming a movie in another room.
5. Netgear Nighthawk XR500
For Gaming
If you like to game online regularly, you need to get a router that is made to handle that. We suggest the Netgear Nighthawk XR500 as the best router for gaming.
Design
The XR500 lies horizontally and cannot be propped up vertically. It is a sleek, modern black with four high performance antennas that can help you direct the Wi-Fi signal in the directions that need it the more.
With the XR500, you will also get four 1-Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connectivity. The design also includes advanced security features, such as a secure gaming VPN server, keeping your network identity concealed. You can also monitor your network and game ping in real-time, allowing you to see what devices are draining the bandwidth or interfering with your streaming.
Performance
The XR500 is optimized to give you the lowest ping possible for any online game that you might be playing. You can make ever millisecond count by using geo-filtering to connect to the closest services and players, giving you an edge.
You will also find that the XR500 is a dual-band router, delivering incredibly fast speeds up to 2.6 Gbps. The QoS feature will let you bypass network congestion and reduce any potential for lag spikes, jumps, and jitters. This means that your gaming traffic can be put on an express lane, where you can play uninterrupted by other devices on your network.
6. Gryphon AC3000 Mesh WiFi Router
For Large House
If you are looking for a powerful router to work with HughesNet, take a look at the Gryphon AC3000. This is a tri-band router that can act like a mesh system, making it very different from other routers out there.
Design
The Gryphon is a white, vertical router, setting it apart visually from the average router. Since it is vertical, it will stay cooler as well. The antennas on the Gryphon device are all internal, so there are no ugly antennas poking out anywhere.
The set up for this router is straightforward and it takes minutes to get it up and going. It is also simple to add on new Gryphon routers to extend the coverage as far as you need it to go. It does come with security features as well, including malware detection and reliable content filtering.
Performance
The Gryphon is a tri-band router and has a 2.4 GHz band and 2 x 5 GHz bands, which will keep traffic moving easily throughout the whole network. It also has 4x4 MU-MIMO technology, making it easier for more than one user to stream at the same time without interruption.
The router covers up to 3,000 square feet, but the Gryphon also works as an expandable mesh system, so the more Gryphon routers you add, the further your signal will be able to go.
7. Medialink AC1200 HughesNet Router
If you are looking for a more basic router for HughesNet, check out the Medialink AC1200 router. This will do the job, but does not have all of the high performance features that other routers come with. This is just a router; you need a separate HughesNet compatible modem.
Design
This Medialink router has a basic design, with two high gain antennas. One unique design feature of this router is that it offers is that the router lights can be turned off, so they will not shine in a dark room.
It also comes with parental controls that allow you to limit the amount of time that your children can be online. You can also set it to only work on certain days or times to keep your children’s screen time down and controlled. The setup is easy as well.
Performance
Looking at the performance features of this router, you get Gigabit ports that can provide 1000Mbps with 4K video streaming. This router will only work for streaming if one person is streaming and no one else is online. Otherwise, it really isn’t made for streaming.
Regardless, the router has good range. The coverage should reach the entirety of the average-sized network using Beamforming and 2 high powered antennas. The antennas can also be moved to point in the direction of the devices that require the strongest signal.
8. Netgear Nighthawk R7000 WiFi Router
Extra Security
For better security with HughesNet, we recommend the Netgear Nighthawk R7000. This router works well with satellite internet, but it also has more features with it that can help to keep your network secure.
Design
Starting with the router’s design, the Nighthawk R7000 sits horizontally. This router has three high-gain antennas that can be positioned in whichever direction you need the strongest signal.
The design is bulky side and will take up a lot of room on a shelf, but keep it well-ventilated.
The Nighthawk R7000 comes with a USB 3.0 port as well as four Gigabit Ethernet ports. The R7000 connects to the OpenVPN Connect App, so you can have remote access to the router in order to see what’s going on in your network.
Looking at its security features, the R7000 also supports WPA2 wireless security protocols, has guest WiFi access, a firewall, a VPN, and DoS. The Netgear Armor will protect your network from malware and viruses, but unfortunately, it requires a paid subscription in order to make use of it.
Performance
The Nighthawk R7000 has great performance. The device itself has a 1 GHz dual-core processor as in addition to a Beamforming+ feature that adds more power to your antennas. You can have up to 30 devices connected at one time with the R7000.
The router also features the ReadySHARE Vault that provides an automatic backup to your USB 3.0 port. Another feature that you can get with this router is the dynamic QoS, so you can prioritize which devices should get the best bandwidth. You also get up to 1800 square feet in coverage.
Hughesnet Satellite Internet FAQs
How Does A Satellite Internet connection Work?
A satellite internet connection works using the satellites that orbit the Earth. Your network will send a request to Hughesnet, who then sends it up to an orbiting satellite, which will then fetch the information from the right server and deliver it back to you. It all happens in a matter of seconds.
What Is The Fair Access Policy?
In order to ensure that all subscribers to Hughesnet get the same amount of coverage, your plan will include a limited amount of data that can be used each month, much like a cell phone plan. They call it a Fair Access Policy since the access to satellites is not unlimited.
Can I Play Online Games And Stream Movies With Hughesnet Satellite Internet?
The answer to this one is yes and no. The Hughesnet plans work with systems like Xbox Live and PlayStation, as well as using streaming services like Hulu and Netflix.
But rapid response games and multi-player games cannot work over satellite internet. You will have to stick with strategy and turn-based games. Remember, you can only get download speeds up to 25 Mbps with satellite internet.
What Is HughesNet Voice And How Does It Work?
If you have HughesNet already, you might have heard of HughesNet Voice. This is a home phone service that works over your satellite connection. It is a great choice if you live remotely and do not have regular access to a phone.
HughesNet Voice works through an Analog Telephone Adapter that can route phone calls through your satellite modem without affecting your plan data. It will give you call waiting, caller ID, and other call features.
Can I Run A VPN Over HughesNet Satellite Internet?
You might be wondering if you can get extra security for your network by running a VPN. Unfortunately, you should not try to run a VPN if you have HughesNet.
Your modem has to use acceleration techniques to reach the satellite in space to receive information. A VPN encrypts your data, making it impossible for the modem to maintain speed. If you do try to use a VPN, you will find that your speeds drop by up to 70%.
Final Words
Our choice for the best router for Hughesnet Satellite Internet is the TP-Link Archer A9. The Archer A9 is one of the most reliable routers that you can get period, not just for Hughesnet.
The router offers great range, it is easy to use, has reliable speeds, and, perhaps most importantly, the router is dependable. There is nothing more frustrating than battling a router that is not behaving as it should be.
Of course, there are other great routers on the market if you need more performance, better coverage, or even need something at a lower price, which is why we made the other suggestions. It still doesn’t change the fact that the Archer A9 is simply the best.