HughesNet Compatible Modem – 6 Recommended Routers

Slow internet can trigger quite a lot of frustration, especially if you are an avid movie lover who loves to stream your favorite titles online or a game enthusiast who loves the adrenaline rush that online gaming offers.

But all that is set to change as internet service providers like HughesNet have upped their game and now deliver high-quality internet services that allow users to connect to the world seamlessly. With a compatible modem or router, you’re on your way to enjoying an unparalleled internet experience.

Now the big question is, with the myriad options available on the market today, which model should you go for? Well, stay with us as we have put together a list of some of the best compatible modems and router you can use with HughesNet.

But before then, let’s take you through everything you need to know about renting or buying a modem.

Should I buy or rent equipment from HughesNet?

It’s quite a dilemma when it comes to making up your mind on whether to buy or rent equipment from Hughesnet. But not to worry, we are here to set the record straight and make your job easy.

Here is the thing, if you are not planning to pay for upgraded internet speed, then it doesn’t make any sense to rent a modem or router from HughesNet. And that’s because renting the equipment from HughesNet doesn’t come cheap.

For a start, HughesNet charges around $14.99 per month for equipment rentals. If you add that fee over a year, it reaches as high as $179.88 per year. Yes, it may look cheap from the very beginning, but if you do the math correctly, you’ll soon realize that it doesn’t make any sense to keep paying hundreds of dollars every year for a router or modem you never get to own.

So, your best bet is to get your own modem or router that is supported by HughesNet. The truth is getting your own device doesn’t only put some cash back in your pocket; it also leaves you with a device that packs lots of exciting high-end features you’ll not get with rented equipment.

Can I use my modem or router for HughesNet?

One of the downsides of using HughesNet is that they don’t allow customers to use their own modem. And it isn’t only HughesNet that has this policy in place; even internet service providers like Viasat have taken the same trajectory. This means you have to make do with the modem/router provided by the company.

With HughesNet, you’ll end up paying $14.99 per month for equipment rentals. So, if you’ve always been thrilled about the thought of having your own equipment, HughesNet puts an end to that dream as the company’s policy doesn’t let customers use their own equipment.

On the bright side, HughesNet allows customers to use their own routers. So, if you’ve always wanted to surf the internet with a more sophisticated modem that offers lots of incredible features and deliver high-speed internet, there are tons of available routers on the market today that are supported by HughesNet. The not so cool part is that you still have to pay for the company’s gateway modem.

While owning your equipment will save you a lot of money on your monthly internet bills and put some cash back in your pocket, this isn’t a luxury you’ll enjoy when you sign up for HughesNet. And that’s because satellite internet providers like Viasat and HughesNet make it mandatory for customers to use ISP-provided modem/router.

Top benefits of having your own equipment

Are you still thinking of getting your own router and looking for more convincing reasons to take the plunge? Well, here are some incredible benefits that come with having your own equipment.

Owning the equipment is cheaper in the long run.

When you sign up to HughesNet, the company includes equipment rentals as part of your package, and you’ll have to pay the company’s $14.99 per month rental fees, which isn’t optional. But while the company’s equipment performs as expected, they don’t measure up with the myriads of sophisticated modems and routers on the market today. That’s why getting your own equipment should be on the card.

Unfortunately, you’re stuck with HughesNet modem as the company doesn’t let customers use third-party modems to enjoy their services. That said, the company allows customers to use their own routers, which is a big deal.

If you already have a router, you can just ditch the one that is provided by HughesNet and use yours instead. Yes, the cost of buying your own router may look pretty expensive at first; it’s comforting to know that you get to keep the equipment at the end of the day. More so, third party routers pack a lot of features you’ll not get with HughesNet provided routers.

Say hello to better signals

Let us set the record straight; there some powerful ISP-provided routers that deliver impressive Wi-Fi signals. That said, the majority of the ISP provided routers we have come across have weak signals and just don’t measure up to the sophisticated routers available on the market today.

With your own router, you’ll enjoy impressive download speeds that won’t make surfing the net a chore.

For people who live in an apartment with a lot of dead spots, getting your own router is a must. With your own router, you can kiss goodbye to weak signals and say hello to better signals that make streaming and online gaming a breeze.

Enjoy better parental control

With ISP-provided routers, there are some limitations, especially when it comes to parental controls. If you opt for ISP provided modems, keep in mind that you’ll not have access to many of the great parental options available on third-party routers.

Yes, the parental apps that come with computers get the work done, but if you’re looking for a more robust parental control option, you’ll find the one that comes with store-bought routers impressive. Plus, they are not just effective but also harder to crack. For instance, powerful routers like the ones from Netgear feature a free app that allows users to tweak parental control options directly from their phones.

Again, you can also enter unique settings that block access to specific websites at stipulated times.

Enjoy hassle-free firmware upgrade

With ISP-provided routers, upgrading firmware can be quite challenging. Not just that, you may even get firmware upgrades very late, and that’s because ISP upgrades are a bit slow. So, if you think you don’t want to go through the difficulty that comes with upgrading ISP-provided routers, you can simply opt for a third-party router that makes firmware upgrade a walk in the park.

With third-party routers, you get firmware upgrades as soon as they are released.

Top 6 HughesNet compatible routers

Like we earlier stated, being a satellite-based internet service provider, HughesNet does things pretty differently. While other internet service providers allow customers to use third-party modems, HughesNet tows a different direction as they only offer their equipment for rent. This means you’ll have to pay HughesNet $15 per month rental fees, which covers both modem and router.

Fortunately, HughesNet let customers use third-party routers. So, if you’re interested in having your own high-end router, here are some of the finest routers we have come across.

Netgear Nighthawk AC900 dual-band Gigabit router (R7000)

If you’re interested in a high-quality router that delivers excellent internet coverage, you’ll find the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Gigabit router (R7000) worth giving a try. This brilliant router is equipped with some of the finest features you’ll ever see in a router. Although the router is a bit pricey, it spots an attractive design. And since dual-core processor power the device, you’re set to enjoy incredible speeds over your network.

Performance

Right from the get-go, the Netgear Nighthawk AC900 dual-band Gigabit router is set to blow your mind with its impressive performance. From design to speed and other incredible specs, there are only very few routers that can go head to head with the all amazing Netgear Nighthawk AC900 Gigabit router. Thanks to its three specially designed antennas, this router will effortlessly distribute quality signals across your home.

Top features

There are a lot of things to love about this device. To start with, this router features 4×1 Gigabit Ethernet ports, which lets you plug all your devices, including computers, game consoles, streaming players, and more. It also has 1x 3.0 and 1x 2.0 USB ports, which makes connectivity even better. And like we earlier mentioned, this router is powered by advanced technologies, including a 1 GHz dual-core processor, Beamforming+, 3 amplified antennas, Dynamic QoS, and more.

Speed

The Netgear Nighthawk AC900 Gigabit router doesn’t disappoint when it comes to speed as it is uniquely engineered to deliver high-speed internet up to 1900 Mbps. This is more than enough for hassle-free streaming and online gaming.

Pros

• Quick installation and user-friendly design
• Works impressively on 5GHz band
• Delivers better internet speed than other models on the market

Cons

• This device is quite expensive.
• Underperforms on the 2.4 GHz band
• Navigating the web interface can be a headache.

Asus AC1900 Dual-Band Gigabit router

Are you looking for a powerful router that lets you keep up with your growing internet needs? Then the Asus RT-AC68U router is all you’re looking for and more. From speed to range to security to performance more, this router packs lots of exciting features that make surfing the web all shades of fun.

Performance

This router doesn’t just deliver exceptional Wi-Fi coverage all through your homes; it also connects seamlessly to all your devices while providing that unbelievable internet experience you have always wanted. Thanks to being powered by a dual-band processor, this device will deliver speed up to 1900 Mbps, making online streaming and gaming exciting. And the best part is that it is quick and easy to install.

Top features

The Asus AC1900 dual-band Gigabit router features a dual-band processor and runs on the latest 801;11 AC technology. Thanks to this technology, this router is engineered to deliver a combined speed of 1900 Mbps. It also debuts a 1 GHz dual-core CPU, which helps activate smart multitasking by dedicating separate lanes to USB data and Wi-Fi.

To keep you and your loved one protected while surfing the net, this router supports advanced WPA/WPA2 wireless encryption, guest access, and parental controls.

Speed

For the ultimate internet experience, the new Asus AC1900 dual-band Gigabit router lives up to its promises as it delivers a combined speed of 1900 Mbps. With this speed, you can stream and play your favorite online games without any headaches.

Pros

• Easy to use and set up
• Impressive internet speed
• Comes with a 2-year warranty

Cons

• Mounting on the wall is pretty difficult.
• Performs averagely compared to other available models
• A bit pricey, so not recommended if you’re on a budget

Netgear R6400 AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router

If you’re on the market for a reliable and robust modem and router that delivers as promised, rest assured that Netgear never disappoints. And with the new Netgear R6400 AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi router, you’re in for an unparalleled internet experience as this modem delivers unbeatable internet speed you haven’t experienced in a while. Its classy design and exceptional features make this router a must-have.

Performance

For heavy internet users who have always wanted to stream their favorite movies and play their favorite online games without buffering, this is your chance to get the Netgear R6400 AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi router. This router doesn’t only spot a brilliant design; it also delivers a combined internet speed of 1000 Mbps. In addition to other great features, the Netgear R6400 Wi-Fi router is a must-have.

Top features

This router provides support for the famous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual bands. It also improves Wi-FI coverage with high powered amplifiers. Its unique antennas can be easily adjusted to improve Wi-Fi range across your home. Did we forget to add that this modem provides 5 x 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports? Oh yes, this makes it easy to connect all your devices.

And to guarantee your protection at all times, this device comes with double firewall protection.

Speed

In terms of speed, the Netgear R6400 AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi router can go toe-to-toe with the best out there. As a matter of fact, this router delivers speed up to 1000 Mbps.

Pros

• Easy to use and setup
• Impressive internet speed
• Backed by 2-years warranty

Cons

• Connection tends to drop a few times a day.
• The device is somewhat pricey.
• Provides support for only a single USB port

Linksys N300 Wi-Fi Wireless Router

Are you looking for a low-cost router that features all of the brilliant specs you want in a router? Then look no further than the Linksys N300 Wi-FI wireless router. This device is especially perfect for internet lovers who don’t want to spend too much to get a quality router. And guess what, choosing this router doesn’t mean you’re making a compromise on features; instead you’re embracing lots of exceptional features you’ll not find in other routers.

Performance

The new Linksys N300 Wi-Fi wireless router is in a class of its own and is engineered to give other routers a run for their money. With this powerful device, you’ll enjoy impeccable data transfer speeds up to 300 Mbps. With such speeds, you can enjoy smooth streaming and buffer-free online gaming. Its quick and easy installation makes this router a great option for household use.

Top features

For a reasonably priced router, this device packs lots of brilliant features you’ll love. To bring you up to speed, this router boasts of four fast Ethernet ports that lets you seamlessly connect all wired devices. Its impressive wireless connection means you can now connect all your devices, including smartphones, computers, printers, and more, without breaking a sweat.

Thanks to its impressive security protocol, this device will keep your network protected using WPA/WPA2 and SPI firewall protection.

Speed

If you’re super interested in high-speed internet, then this router will make a fine pick. Thanks to this brilliant device, you’ll enjoy download speeds up to 300 Mbps.

Pros

• For a single band, this device delivers a good range

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• It’s super affordable and will make a great choice for people on a budget.
• Brilliant internet speed

Cons

• Missing USB ports
• Not a Gigabit Ethernet device
• Features only one band

TP-Link Archer A9 Wi-Fi router

The new TP-Link Archer A9 Wi-Fi router is in a world of its own as it boasts of lots of impressive features that make it a must-have. From its brilliant speed to its sleek design and reasonable pricing, this device has so much to offer. So, if you’re looking for a router that ticks all your boxes, you’ll find the TP-Link Archer A9 Wi-Fi worth giving a try.

Performance

While satellite internet may not be known to offer some of the best internet speeds, this router changes the whole narrative as it is engineered to deliver fast internet speed up to 1900 Mbps. In addition to its breathtaking design, along with its decent pricing, this router will make a great addition to any home.

Top features

Besides its already impressive design, the Archer A9 router debuts lots of sophisticated features you’ll love. To start with, this device features three high-gain antennas that can easily be extended to improve wireless signals.

The devices also come with five powerful Ethernet ports that let you plug in all your wired devices, including HDTV, gaming consoles, and more.

If you’re an Amazon fan, you’ll be happy to learn that this router provides support for Amazon Alexa. It also uses beamforming technology to improve signal strength.

Speed

When all that matters is speed, the Archer A9 doesn’t disappoint, and that’s because this device delivers a combined download speed of 1900 Mbps.

Pros

• Beamforming to improve signal strength
• Quick and hassle-free installation
• Impressive internet speeds

Con

• Signal tends to drop a few times a day.
• Limited warranty
• Can do better with range

Motorola MR2600 Smart Wi-Fi Router

If you’re not satisfied with your current device and looking for a router that will improve coverage and overall internet speed, then we will advise you to give the Motorola MR2600 smart Wi-Fi router with lots of brilliant features a try. Although it is pricey, it is worth every penny spent.

Performance

In terms of performance, there are only very few routers that come close to the Motorola MR2600 smart Wi-Fi router. We love the fact that it supports WAVE 2 MU-MIMO, which greatly improves internet speed. Not just that, it also features Beamforming technology, which helps to boost signal strength.

Top features

The Motorola MR2600 router will make a superb addition to any home, and that’s because it features lots of brilliant specs you don’t want to miss. Besides its exceptional design, this device provides users with Smart QoS support, parental controls, USB 3.0 port, brilliant firewall, four Gigabit LAN ports, and more to keep you happy.

Speed

Built for speed and impeccable performance, this router will deliver high internet speeds up to 1 Gbps.

Pros

• 4 Gigabit ports
• Highly responsive USB 3.0 port
• QoS and beamforming technology for improved signal

Cons

• Not so easy to set up
• Signal drops a few times a day.
• Quite expensive

Frequently asked questions

How much does HughesNet charge for equipment rentals?

Renting equipment from HughesNet is a bit expensive. For a start, the company charges around $15 per month for equipment rentals.

Can I use my modem with HughesNet?

Unfortunately, HughesNet does not let customers use third-party modems, so you have to make do with the equipment they provide.

Can I use my router with HughesNet?

While the company doesn’t let customers use third-party modems, they let customers use any compatible router of their choice.

Conclusion

Finding the right equipment for HughesNet can be quite a headache, and that’s because of the limited options, especially considering that the company doesn’t let customers use third-party modems. That said, we have put together a fine list of equipment that works seamlessly with HughesNet. We hope this makes your job easy.