The best satellite phones of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

We're fortunate to live in an age when cellphone and Wi-Fi coverage is incredible, but it can still let you down. For those times, satellite phones are a true game-changer for anyone beyond the reach of traditional mobile networks or during emergencies or natural disasters. Unlike standard smartphones, which rely on cellular networks made up of physical towers, satellite phones communicate directly with satellites orbiting approximately 500 miles above the Earth.

Satellite connectivity is an essential communication lifeline for many people, including emergency responders, military personnel, remote field researchers, and avid adventurers. However, accessing these networks often comes with a steep price, requiring expensive subscriptions that may not be accessible to everyone.

What is the best satellite phone right now?

If you're keen on staying connected no matter where you roam, ZDNET has done extensive research and hands-on testing with some of the best satellite phones and gadgets on the market. Our top pick right now is the Starlink Mini, simply because it's one of the cheapest ways to access the full internet, and everything that offers, when on the go.

Check out our complete list to see how other favorite models from Spot, Garmin, and more compare in terms of features. You'll find the perfect satellite phone or communicator to suit your habits and budget. 

The best satellite phones and communicators of 2025

I've tested and used a number of satellite phones and communicators, but when it comes to looking at what they offer, their features are incredibly limited, while the price of monthly contracts is sky-high. Yes, they're highly portable, but you're limited to tracking, SOS and simple messaging. 

Enter the Starlink Mini. While the dish will set you back a fair chunk of change, and it's not something you're going to fit in your pocket, with it you then get access to high-speed internet across most of the globe. 

Read the review: How I turned the Starlink Mini into an almost perfect off-grid internet solution

There's a lot to like about the Starlink Mini package. You get true internet access, high-speed data transfer, and the ability to use it on the move in a vehicle. The dish is also small, lightweight, and can even be run from a power bank. 

Starlink Mini tech specs: Dimensions: 430mm x 334mm x 79mm | Weight: 1.53kg with kickstand and 15m cable | Services: Satellite internet | Battery life: N/A | Operating temperatures: -22°F to 122°F | IP Rating: IP66

• Best system for off-grid internet
• High-speed data transfer
• Lightweight

• A weighty solution that goes beyond simple messaging

I've tested and used a number of satellite phones and communicators, but when it comes to looking at what they offer, their features are incredibly limited, while the price of monthly contracts is sky-high. Yes, they're highly portable, but you're limited to tracking, SOS and simple messaging. 

Enter the Starlink Mini. While the dish will set you back a fair chunk of change, and it's not something you're going to fit in your pocket, with it you then get access to high-speed internet across most of the globe. 

Read the review: How I turned the Starlink Mini into an almost perfect off-grid internet solution

There's a lot to like about the Starlink Mini package. You get true internet access, high-speed data transfer, and the ability to use it on the move in a vehicle. The dish is also small, lightweight, and can even be run from a power bank. 

Starlink Mini tech specs: Dimensions: 430mm x 334mm x 79mm | Weight: 1.53kg with kickstand and 15m cable | Services: Satellite internet | Battery life: N/A | Operating temperatures: -22°F to 122°F | IP Rating: IP66

This is the cheapest satellite messenger that I recommend coming in under $100. The Spot Gen 4 can send an SOS, pre-customized messages, and position updates with the press of a button. 

Don't let the price fool you -- this satellite messenger is rated IP68 and MIL-STD 810F, so it's as tough as they get. It can also send up to 1,250 check-in and custom messages on a single set of four AAA lithium batteries.

A great option for those who want a low-cost, no-frills messenger.

Spot Gen 4 tech specs:  Dimensions: 88.3mm x 67.6mm x 23.6mm | Weight: 142g | Services: Satellite messaging and SOS | Battery life: Up to 1,250 check in and custom messages | Operating temperatures: -30C to +60C | IP Rating: IP68

• Simple interface, just a few buttons.
• Low-cost option perfect for occasional use.

• Reliance on AAA batteries means waste.
• Availability of lithium AAA batteries can be limited in some places.

This is the cheapest satellite messenger that I recommend coming in under $100. The Spot Gen 4 can send an SOS, pre-customized messages, and position updates with the press of a button. 

Don't let the price fool you -- this satellite messenger is rated IP68 and MIL-STD 810F, so it's as tough as they get. It can also send up to 1,250 check-in and custom messages on a single set of four AAA lithium batteries.

A great option for those who want a low-cost, no-frills messenger.

Spot Gen 4 tech specs:  Dimensions: 88.3mm x 67.6mm x 23.6mm | Weight: 142g | Services: Satellite messaging and SOS | Battery life: Up to 1,250 check in and custom messages | Operating temperatures: -30C to +60C | IP Rating: IP68

This mobile satellite router connects to the Iridium satellite constellation. You get enough data bandwidth to check emails, use Twitter, pull up weather forecasts, and limited web browsing. You can connect up to five devices to the Iridium Go! hotspot. What I like about this setup: You unbox it, power it up, let it see the sky, and then it acts like a Wi-Fi router you might have at home.

This is not a cheap kit, and it's designed for those who truly want to go off-grid. It includes the Iridium Go! base station, an AC travel charger with an international adapter, as well as a solar charger and a desktop charger. Additionally, the unit offers up to 15.5 hours of standby battery life and up to 5.5 hours of talk time. Its various features make it ideal if you're looking to stay connected while exploring remote areas. Its compact design measures 114mm x 82mm x 32mm and weighs only 305g, making it easy to carry around.

The router offers both satellite calls and satellite SMS, allowing you to communicate with others even in areas without cellular coverage.

The Iridium Go! operates within a temperature range of 10-50 degrees Celsius (50-122 degrees Fahrenheit) and meets MIL-STD 810F standards. This means it can withstand harsh environments and extreme weather conditions. With an IP65 rating, it's also dust-tight and can withstand water jets from any direction.

Reviews and comments are divided. Those who have bought one are over the moon with its capabilities, ease of use, and the power it offers. Other reviewers have lamented the $855 price tag, but that's not more than a premium smartphone.

Iridium GO! tech specs:  Dimensions: 114mm x 82mm x 32mm | Weight: 305g | Services: Satellite calls and satellite SMS | Battery life: Talk time: 5.5 hours, standby time: 15.5 hours | Operating temperatures: 50°F to 122°F | Durability: MIL-STD 810F | IP Rating: IP65

• Acts as a satellite hotspot so that multiple devices can connect to it
• Good battery life
• Good selection of accessories

• Expensive

This mobile satellite router connects to the Iridium satellite constellation. You get enough data bandwidth to check emails, use Twitter, pull up weather forecasts, and limited web browsing. You can connect up to five devices to the Iridium Go! hotspot. What I like about this setup: You unbox it, power it up, let it see the sky, and then it acts like a Wi-Fi router you might have at home.

This is not a cheap kit, and it's designed for those who truly want to go off-grid. It includes the Iridium Go! base station, an AC travel charger with an international adapter, as well as a solar charger and a desktop charger. Additionally, the unit offers up to 15.5 hours of standby battery life and up to 5.5 hours of talk time. Its various features make it ideal if you're looking to stay connected while exploring remote areas. Its compact design measures 114mm x 82mm x 32mm and weighs only 305g, making it easy to carry around.

The router offers both satellite calls and satellite SMS, allowing you to communicate with others even in areas without cellular coverage.

The Iridium Go! operates within a temperature range of 10-50 degrees Celsius (50-122 degrees Fahrenheit) and meets MIL-STD 810F standards. This means it can withstand harsh environments and extreme weather conditions. With an IP65 rating, it's also dust-tight and can withstand water jets from any direction.

Reviews and comments are divided. Those who have bought one are over the moon with its capabilities, ease of use, and the power it offers. Other reviewers have lamented the $855 price tag, but that's not more than a premium smartphone.

Iridium GO! tech specs:  Dimensions: 114mm x 82mm x 32mm | Weight: 305g | Services: Satellite calls and satellite SMS | Battery life: Talk time: 5.5 hours, standby time: 15.5 hours | Operating temperatures: 50°F to 122°F | Durability: MIL-STD 810F | IP Rating: IP65

While satellite communication is now built into the Apple iPhone and Google Pixel, the companies that make messengers need to up their game. Garmin has unveiled its new inReach Messenger Plus, one of the first satellite communicators to provide photo and voice messaging capabilities in addition to text messaging, location sharing, and SOS communications.

With the inReach Messenger Plus, you can enhance your outdoor adventures by sending 30-second voice messages, text messages up to 1,600 characters -- including emojis, and sharing your route and GPS location, allowing family and friends to track your journey. Additionally, it accesses weather forecasts to stay informed while exploring the great outdoors, making this device an essential companion for adventurers.

As a standalone satellite communicator, the inReach Messenger Plus ensures you're never out of touch, and even if your smartphone battery dies or gets damaged you can still notify contacts of your status, share your location, and send SOS messages. 

The inReach Messenger Plus is rugged and has an IPX7 water-resistant rating, which means it's built to withstand the elements and survive accidents better than most devices.

Garmin inReach Messenger Plus tech specs:  Dimensions: 78mm x 64mm x 23mm | Weight: 117.2g | Services: Satellite messaging, location tracking, SOS, and photo/voice message service | Battery life: Up to 25 days of battery life in 10-minute tracking mode | IP Rating: IP7X

• Compact messenger device
• Handles SOS, text, photos, and voice notes
• Great battery life

• No physical keyboard
• Many features rely on smartphone
• Subscription plans are pricey and somewhat confusing

While satellite communication is now built into the Apple iPhone and Google Pixel, the companies that make messengers need to up their game. Garmin has unveiled its new inReach Messenger Plus, one of the first satellite communicators to provide photo and voice messaging capabilities in addition to text messaging, location sharing, and SOS communications.

With the inReach Messenger Plus, you can enhance your outdoor adventures by sending 30-second voice messages, text messages up to 1,600 characters -- including emojis, and sharing your route and GPS location, allowing family and friends to track your journey. Additionally, it accesses weather forecasts to stay informed while exploring the great outdoors, making this device an essential companion for adventurers.

As a standalone satellite communicator, the inReach Messenger Plus ensures you're never out of touch, and even if your smartphone battery dies or gets damaged you can still notify contacts of your status, share your location, and send SOS messages. 

The inReach Messenger Plus is rugged and has an IPX7 water-resistant rating, which means it's built to withstand the elements and survive accidents better than most devices.

Garmin inReach Messenger Plus tech specs:  Dimensions: 78mm x 64mm x 23mm | Weight: 117.2g | Services: Satellite messaging, location tracking, SOS, and photo/voice message service | Battery life: Up to 25 days of battery life in 10-minute tracking mode | IP Rating: IP7X

Spot is another company that offers satellite trackers and messengers. There's the , a two-way device that looks a lot like an old Blackberry, the , which lets you send check-in and SOS messages, and the , which allows tracking things like cars and suitcases. 

Spot X features a physical keyboard that is easy to use, especially if you prefer tactile buttons to touchscreens. The device is durable, too, meeting MIL-STD-810G standards for shock resistance and boasting an ingress protection rating of IP67. At 166mm x 38mm x 24mm and weighing 198g, the device is fairly portable and can last up to 240 hours. I hang mine from the chest strap of my backpack, so it has the best view of the sky.

Also: I held the world's thinnest foldable phone, and it made my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 look outdated

One of the Spot X's most impressive features is its SOS button, which you can use in an emergency situation. This is a particularly useful feature if you engage in outdoor activities and can find yourself without cellular coverage. I'm planning 10-day hike in northern Spain later this year, and it's this is the messenger I've chosen to take with me. 

Reviewers on Amazon and Reddit all say that while the device's interface can be a bit slow -- think cellphone-from-a-decade-ago slow -- the backlit Blackberry-style keyboard and screen are game-changers because they mean you don't need to rely on a separate smartphone to text rapidly. Yes, it's bigger than communicators that rely on an on-screen keyboard or your smartphone to act as a keyboard, but it's a self-contained bit of kit.

Spot X tech specs: Dimensions: 166mm × 38mm × 24mm | Weight: 198g | Services: Satellite SMS, automatic positioning, and SOS | Battery life: 240 hours | Operating temperatures: -4°F to 140°F | Durability: MIL-STD-810G for shock | IP Rating: IP67

• SOS feature
• Low-cost solution
• Physical keyboard

• Limited features
• Physical keyboard is a bit small

Spot is another company that offers satellite trackers and messengers. There's the , a two-way device that looks a lot like an old Blackberry, the , which lets you send check-in and SOS messages, and the , which allows tracking things like cars and suitcases. 

Spot X features a physical keyboard that is easy to use, especially if you prefer tactile buttons to touchscreens. The device is durable, too, meeting MIL-STD-810G standards for shock resistance and boasting an ingress protection rating of IP67. At 166mm x 38mm x 24mm and weighing 198g, the device is fairly portable and can last up to 240 hours. I hang mine from the chest strap of my backpack, so it has the best view of the sky.

Also: I held the world's thinnest foldable phone, and it made my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 look outdated

One of the Spot X's most impressive features is its SOS button, which you can use in an emergency situation. This is a particularly useful feature if you engage in outdoor activities and can find yourself without cellular coverage. I'm planning 10-day hike in northern Spain later this year, and it's this is the messenger I've chosen to take with me. 

Reviewers on Amazon and Reddit all say that while the device's interface can be a bit slow -- think cellphone-from-a-decade-ago slow -- the backlit Blackberry-style keyboard and screen are game-changers because they mean you don't need to rely on a separate smartphone to text rapidly. Yes, it's bigger than communicators that rely on an on-screen keyboard or your smartphone to act as a keyboard, but it's a self-contained bit of kit.

Spot X tech specs: Dimensions: 166mm × 38mm × 24mm | Weight: 198g | Services: Satellite SMS, automatic positioning, and SOS | Battery life: 240 hours | Operating temperatures: -4°F to 140°F | Durability: MIL-STD-810G for shock | IP Rating: IP67

The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a compact and lightweight handheld GPS receiver with a built-in satellite communicator that enables two-way messaging and interactive SOS. It also offers TracBack routing globally, but an active satellite subscription required. It has Bluetooth connectivity and is water-resistant. 

Users can share their location with loved ones back home and get accurate heading information using the digital compass. The device can sync with the Garmin Explore app and website for trip planning and topographical mapping. It can also pair with Garmin devices to send and receive messages and trigger an SOS. Garmin actually makes many satellite-enabled devices, from the simple  to the . 

The Mini 2 has a battery life of up to 14 days in 10-minute tracking mode, a monochrome display that's easy to read in all lighting conditions, and it's waterproof with an IPX7 rating. It has USB-C for easy charging and connectivity with other devices.

While the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a versatile and feature-packed device, it does have a couple of potential downsides to consider: it requires an active satellite subscription, which can add to the overall cost of the device, and its messaging capabilities are limited to text-based communication. But satellites aren't cheap, so the price is to be expected.

User reviews show a high level of satisfaction for this satellite communicator and having used one, I understand. It's a fantastic bit of kit that offers peace of mind.

Garmin inReach Mini 2 tech specs: Dimensions: 2.04 inches x 3.9 inches x 1.03 inches | Weight: 3.50 oz | Services: Satellite calls and satellite SMS | Operating temperatures: -4°F to 140°F | Battery life: Up to 14 days in 10-minute tracking mode | Durability: N/A | IP Rating: IPX7

• Cheaper than a dedicated sat phone
• Packed with features

• Not a true satellite phone

The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a compact and lightweight handheld GPS receiver with a built-in satellite communicator that enables two-way messaging and interactive SOS. It also offers TracBack routing globally, but an active satellite subscription required. It has Bluetooth connectivity and is water-resistant. 

Users can share their location with loved ones back home and get accurate heading information using the digital compass. The device can sync with the Garmin Explore app and website for trip planning and topographical mapping. It can also pair with Garmin devices to send and receive messages and trigger an SOS. Garmin actually makes many satellite-enabled devices, from the simple  to the . 

The Mini 2 has a battery life of up to 14 days in 10-minute tracking mode, a monochrome display that's easy to read in all lighting conditions, and it's waterproof with an IPX7 rating. It has USB-C for easy charging and connectivity with other devices.

While the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a versatile and feature-packed device, it does have a couple of potential downsides to consider: it requires an active satellite subscription, which can add to the overall cost of the device, and its messaging capabilities are limited to text-based communication. But satellites aren't cheap, so the price is to be expected.

User reviews show a high level of satisfaction for this satellite communicator and having used one, I understand. It's a fantastic bit of kit that offers peace of mind.

Garmin inReach Mini 2 tech specs: Dimensions: 2.04 inches x 3.9 inches x 1.03 inches | Weight: 3.50 oz | Services: Satellite calls and satellite SMS | Operating temperatures: -4°F to 140°F | Battery life: Up to 14 days in 10-minute tracking mode | Durability: N/A | IP Rating: IPX7

Now, we move on to something that looks and acts like a phone. The Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1 is a fully-featured satellite phone with near-global coverage and good battery life.

The Inmarsat IsatPhone 2.1 offers the ability to make and receive voice calls, send and get SMS, and track your position with GPS from anywhere on the globe. Satellite coverage at the north and south poles is poor. Outside of those areas, people will get excellent coverage. 

It has an IK04 shock resistance rating, and the entire package is IP65 rated for dust- and waterproofing. The built-in lithium-ion battery offers eight hours of talk time and 160 hours on standby.

Online reviews echo that it's big and bulky, but it's a reliable satellite handset if you're looking for voice, SMS, and tracking. It's tough and built for the