Best Satellite Communicator in 2023

Garmin Inreach Mini 2

One of the most popular and best satellite messengers around is, without a doubt, the Garmin Inreach Mini 2. The Garmin Inreach mini 2 works as a personal locator beacon, and two-way satellite messenger, and it has a ton of useful navigation features too.

You can use these Garmin devices as a standalone device or by pairing them to your cell phone via the Garmin Earthmate app. This means you can choose to use the Garmin Mini to send and receive messages with or without your cell phone such as two-way texting with your family, sending emails to loved ones, and more.

The in-built personal locator beacon allows you to share your location with loved ones and it will track your location too. The SOS button on the side will do the same but will send an SOS message to Garmin IERCC, a 24/7 staffed emergency response coordination center that will put a rescue team in action.

You can also use the Garmin Inreach Mini to navigate as it features a trackback feature so you can follow your route back, there is also a built-in compass to navigate with, and you can get a weather forecast to avoid any adverse weather conditions on their way in.

The Garmin Inreach Mini uses the Iridium satellite network which provides excellent coverage all over the planet so you can stay in constant comms during international travel too. This satellite communicator doesn’t allow the app to be used on WiFi or data though, it is a satellite device only.

You get all of these amazing features in a tiny, compact, light, and easy-to-use satellite communication device that is fully waterproof, durable and has max 14-day battery life.

The main issue with this Garmin satellite messenger is that the subscription is expensive and you will need to pay a $34.95 annual program fee plus a $14.95 monthly fee, so $50 for the month of use.

This subscription plan for the Garmin Inreach Mini 2 might suit regular users but it is a bit expensive for occasional users compared to others.

Somewear Global Hotspot

The Somewear Global Hotspot from Somewear labs is a satellite messenger that has been turning heads of late and has become one of the best satellite messengers around.

The Somewear Global Hotspot has become super popular because it is more affordable, reliable, easy to use, compact, portable, and it does everything you need it to. You can only use it with a smartphone though, it is not a standalone device but it is super simple to get your head around.

Simply turn on the Somewear Global Hotspot and connect it to your phone via Bluetooth, open the app, and start using it as a satellite messenger. You can send text messages to loved ones, send an SOS to rescue centers via the SOS button, grab a weather report, and share your location with anyone.

The personal locator beacon is super accurate down to 2.5 meters and the Iridium specific satellite network is very reliable with satellite signal around the world too.

The satellite messenger app also works with a cell network and WiFi, so you can use the smartphone app when in areas with cell towers too, unlike a lot of other satellite messengers that are satellite only.

To top it all off, this satellite messenger comes in a tiny, lightweight package with just a few buttons, is shockproof and waterproof too, so it is going to last.

The subscriptions are affordable too and you will only need to pay a $25 activation fee (for the base-level plans) and an annual subscription of just $8.33 per month for the most basic service plan. If you were to upgrade, options like pausing contracts comes into play which is handy.

The only downside to this otherwise excellent satellite messenger is that it only works with cell phones, it is not standalone, so you will have to carry your phone and more battery power to keep your cell phone charged.

Garmin Inreach Explorer+

The Garmin Inreach Explorer+ is the most comprehensive satellite messenger on the market as it does it all since it is a satellite communication device built into a fully functioning GPS.

Out of all the satellite messengers featured in the article, this is the only one that does it all standalone, and still connects to your phone too. Imagine the Inreach Mini just with a full functioning GPS.

You can use the device to receive and send messages to loved ones, for SOS messaging for the SOS button or app, location sharing, check-ins, by using the app on your phone or via the easy to read 2.3 Inch screen.

While you’re sending and checking messages you use the preloaded topographic maps for turn by turn navigation, check the weather forecast, and use the compass, barometric altimeter, and accelerometer to find your way around any remote areas.

While this unit is heavier and bulkier than the new and original Inreach Mini, you don’t need to carry your phone with you, so it actually ends up being lighter. Just like the mini, it is easy to use, waterproof, shockproof, and ready to survive any adventure.

As with all things better and bigger, this is more expensive than other satellite messengers but you don’t have to buy any handheld GPS units to go with it. Plus it uses the Iridium communication network and is therefore extremely reliable.

Being a Garmin unit, the subscription and activation fees are a bit spendy but worth it if you’re in remote places on a regular basis.

Zoleo Satellite Communicator

The Zoleo Satellite Communicator is another great option as far as satellite messengers go as it is affordable, functional, easy to use, and has some great extra features.

When you own one of these satellite messengers you are given your own dedicated phone number and email for your friends and family to use. This makes two way communication very easy and clean in the app and by using Iridiums satellite networks it will reliably send and receive messages.

These devices work with data and wifi too so when you are in cell range it will switch from satellite com,s, something different devices don’t always do, like the Inreach device.

You can choose to send check-in messages with GPS coordinates, location GPS tracking, or SOS messages via the app or a dedicated button on these two-way devices. You can also use the two-way messenger to send check-in messages to loved ones without a phone/app.

Emergency messaging will be sent to the emergency services and local search and rescue plus you can communicate with them via the app too.

The app allows you to download offline maps on which you can see your location, a breadcrumb trail of your movements, and navigate with. You can also use the weather reporting feature to see what to expect while you are in the wilderness.

There are a few downsides to this basic device though, one it is heavier than others and you will have to carry your phone with you, plus the $20 a month subscription is more expensive than other two-way satellite messengers.

READ: GARMIN INREACH MINI 2 VS ZOLEO

SPOT X

The SPOT X is a little different from all the other devices featured and it looks just like an old Blackberry and it uses different satellite systems than the others too.

But, the Spot X is easy to use, works with or without a phone, and still provides all the things you need for safety in the wilderness.

These two-way messengers come with a full QWERTY keyboard which makes sending messages quick and easy. You can send a text, email, track yourself and share your location updates, check in to loved ones with a GPS location, and of course, do some SOS emergency messaging too.

When compared to other options, the Spot X doesn’t quite compete. Firstly it uses the Globalstar satellite network and can take ages to connect, draining the battery.

If you are deep in a valley or have tree cover, getting a connection can be almost impossible – you need a line of sight to the sky.

It is also slower to process message sending so don’t expect to have live chats with anyone as messaging takes a while to come through and go out.

You should think of the Spot X as more of a basic option and one of the more affordable options off the shelf but be warned the subscriptions are expensive.

ACR Bivy Stick

The ACR Bivy Stick is an awesome satellite communication that provides seamless communication via an app on your phone or via the unit itself.

You can send non-emergency communication in the form of a check-in with one touch and send for emergency help with one touch via the device itself. All the other features are utilized via a Bluetooth connection to your phone and the app.

Non-emergency messaging can be done through the app for custom messages and tracking, as can weather forecasts and locating sharing too. You can also download maps for offline use for navigation too which is super handy.

The actual device is compact, extremely light, and built to be shockproof and waterproof so it will survive almost anything. It is also very affordable to buy plus it is credit-based and thus great for occasional users, but there is a 4-month subscription requirement of $30-50 which is still cheaper than similar devices.

Custom messaging on this unit is a bit slower than on others though and the app isn’t so easy to use. But, it does use Iridium so you can be confident that all your emergency and non-emergency messaging will go through as the coverage is excellent worldwide.

SPOT GEN4

The Spot Gen4 is the only one-way device featured in the article and as you can guess with one-way devices, incoming messages are not possible, you can only send them, not receive them.

The benefit of the Spot Gen4 one-way messenger is that you will save money as it is more affordable, and you don’t have to deal with a paired phone or smartphone apps. You can send a tailored preset message to communicate with loved ones at the push of the button, check in, track, and of course, SOS.

This makes life extremely easy since you can ensure no one is worrying and send out a distress signal when you need to in an emergency. The device is also incredibly simple to use, light, compact, waterproof, and durable too.

Unlike some of the other Spot devices, this runs on AAAs and the battery life is great plus you don’t have to worry about charging it, just remember some spares.

Of course, the simplicity does come with downsides. You can’t two way message, use any nav features, and the Globalstar satellite system isn’t as reliable as Iridium plus the subscriptions are expensive too.