The best routers for Hughesnet

When looking at Hughesnet satellite internet, an unexpected expense might be the monthly rental charge for the modem that Hughesnet provides. The Hughesnet-approved modem HT2000W comes with a $14.99/mo.* rental fee, or $179.88/yr. If you want to furnish your own router to go with the provided best modem for Hughesnet, you can also add additional features like customized speeds or parental lock options.

Pro Tip: Check out our Hughesnet internet guide to find out if satellite internet is right for you!

Hughesnet router/2-in-1 winners

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Best router for the 50 GB Hughesnet plan: GRYPHON AC3000 Tri-Band Router 

The GRYPHON AC3000 is a speed powerhouse of three gigabits per second. It’s Bluetooth, 5 GHz radio frequency, 802.11bgn and 2.4 GHz radio frequency. It has a sleek, modern design that’s attractive to have in the home. You can control and set up the device through the Gryphon app. It comes with advanced security features like malware filtering protection and an AD Blocker. You can also control the parental controls through the app. The six high-powered antennas allow for streaming, downloading, surfing the internet and online gaming all at the same time, making this good for high-use data plans like the 50 GB plan from Hughesnet. It also has 3,000 square foot coverage. It has a 4.4 rating on Amazon at the time of writing and reviewers rave about it, calling it the “greatest consumer router in the world.” 

The major downside is the higher price point, putting it as the most expensive device on the list. However, with all the extra features, it might be worth the price.     

Best router for the 20 GB Hughesnet plan: Netgear R6400 AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router 

With 1,000 megabits per second of speed, this Netgear R6400 AC1750 Hughesnet router might be best for low to moderate data use plans, like the 20 GB Hughesnet plan. High-powered amplifiers boost the signal on this one. The five 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports give plenty of connection options. And the double firewall protection and WPA/WPA2-PSK encryption offer solid security options.  

The price point sits in the moderate range. It has a 4.2 rating on Amazon, but reviewers state the setup of the device was a challenge.    

Best router for the 30 GB Hughesnet plan: Medialink AC1200 Wireless Gigabit Router 

At 1,200 megabits per second, the Medialink AC1200 is a good option for mid to higher data use, like the Hughesnet 30 GB plan. The major benefit to this option is that it offers a decent speed for the price point. At that price range, it’s common to see 100 Mbps data ports, but this one gives 1,000 Mbps to help with 4k streaming and gaming, minus the lag. It has a 4.4 rating on Amazon and reviewers say the device is good at boosting signal, no matter the home layout. It also has range extender options and firewall security.      

One of the drawbacks is that if you need the highest speed, you’re still going to have to go into the higher price ranges. One reviewer also stated that it lacked the most recent encryption modes.     

Best router for the 30 GB Hughesnet plan: Asus AC1900 Dual-Band Gigabit Router 

Sitting at 1,900 megabits per second for speed, the Asus AC1900 is good for mid to high-data use plans, like the 30 GB Hughesnet plan. It’s dual-band, has the WPA2, WPA, WPS security protocols listed and has five 10/100/1000 gigabit ports. The one GigaHertz dual-core CPU helps with keeping Wi-Fi and USB data separate. The device is sitting at a respectable 4.5 rating on Amazon at the time of writing. A huge benefit to this device is the easy router setup with the ASUSWRT web-based interface. The ASUS router app also helps you manage and control the device with ease.  

As a drawback, the price point might be above what the budget-conscious could be looking for. Some reviewers also report firmware struggles and some people report difficulty using the support line.   

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Should you rent or purchase your Hughesnet equipment? 

You may be asking if it might just be easier to rent or purchase your router to go with the best modem for HughesNet or Hughesnet-certified modems. Below are some pros and cons to help you make the best decision:

Pro to getting your own equipment:

• Features are more customizable to your needs, like expanded control features, security protocols you can specify, certain speeds and the number of ports.

Cons to getting your own equipment:

• To find the best router for your needs, you will need to have a high degree of tech understanding to know what you are looking at, which means you’ll need the background or you’ll be doing a lot of research.

• The HughesNet modem router combo from the provider comes pre-set to work with the network and plan, meaning less of a hassle for you.

You can also learn more about the difference between modems and routers in our guide. 

What to look for in a Hughesnet compatible modem 

There are four features to consider when looking for your own HughesNet router to go with the HughesNet modem:

• Speed: Be sure to check the speed of the router, usually listed as Mbps (megabits per second) or Gbps (gigabits per second). This will allow for faster data transfer and less lag. 
• Security: The best routers will have a firewall or two in place, along with the latest encryption, like WPA2. 
• Setup and controls: Many routers are controlled through apps or setup can be done through a web interface. You might also want to look into additional controls, like parental controls, depending on your needs.
• The number of ports: If you have different devices to hook in, it can be important to get the right number or ports.

Need a faster internet plan? 

Do you find you need a faster internet plan to keep up with your streaming, gaming and downloads? Find an internet plan with the fastest speeds so you can have a plan that keeps up with all your digital activities. 

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The bottom line 

Having your own Hughesnet router with the HughesNet compatible modem can improve provider internet speeds by allowing for faster data transfer. And remember, your broadband supporting equipment is only as good as your ISP plan, so make sure to check your current service and look into a faster one if you are having issues.