Starlink Standard vs Mini: Specs, Power and Features Compared
Starlink publishes specification sheets for a full-size Standard kit and a smaller Mini kit. The hardware in the box is different, and so are the practical trade-offs. This guide compares the two using the specification sheets Starlink publishes, so every figure here can be checked against the manufacturer's own documents.
One note before we start: this article compares hardware specifications only. It does not claim anything about internet speed, because real-world speed depends on your location, network congestion and plan, and Starlink's spec sheets do not promise a speed figure.
At a glance
| Specification | Standard | Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Dish dimensions | 594 mm x 383 mm x 39.7 mm | 298.5 mm x 259 mm x 38.5 mm |
| Dish weight | 2.9 kg (6.4 lb) | 1.10 kg (2.43 lb) |
| Field of view | 110 degrees | 110 degrees |
| Operating temperature | -30 C to 50 C | -30 C to 50 C |
| Operational wind speed | 96 kph+ (60 mph+) | 96 kph+ (60 mph+) |
| Snow melt capability | Up to 40 mm/hour | Up to 25 mm/hour |
| Average power consumption | 75 - 100 W | 25 - 40 W |
| Wi-Fi generation | Wi-Fi 6 (router) | Wi-Fi 5 (integrated) |
| Ethernet ports | 2 | 1 |
| Listed coverage | Up to 297 m2 (3,200 ft2) | Up to 112 m2 (1,200 ft2) |
| Devices | Up to 235 | Up to 128 |
Figures are taken from the Standard and Mini specification sheets listed in the sources below.
Size and weight
The most obvious difference is physical. The Standard dish is a large flat panel at 594 mm by 383 mm and weighs 2.9 kg on its own, or 3.8 kg with the kickstand and the 15 m cable. The Mini is 298.5 mm by 259 mm and weighs 1.10 kg, rising to 1.53 kg with the kickstand and 15 m cable.
If you move the dish often, for example between campsites or in a vehicle, the Mini's smaller footprint and lower weight are the main appeal. If it will sit on a roof or a pole and stay there, the size difference matters much less.
Power consumption
Starlink lists an average of 75 to 100 watts for the Standard and 25 to 40 watts for the Mini. That is a large gap, and it matters most when you run the dish from a battery, solar system or vehicle power.
The Mini's input rating is listed as 12 to 48 volts at 60 watts, and the sheet describes a USB power delivery option that requires a 100 W, 20 V / 5 A minimum charger together with a Starlink USB-C to barrel jack cable accessory. These ratings describe the listed requirements; they are not a substitute for checking the installation and accessory documentation for a particular setup. The Standard kit ships with a power supply rated for 100 to 240 volts AC.
For a deeper look at the energy arithmetic, see our guide on how much power Starlink uses.
Wi-Fi and wired networking
This is where the Standard kit has the clearer advantage on paper:
- Standard: The kit includes Router 3, listed as Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), tri-band 4x4 MU-MIMO, with two Ethernet LAN ports, coverage up to 297 m2 and up to 235 connected devices. It is compatible with Starlink mesh nodes, though not with third-party mesh systems.
- Mini: The dish has integrated Wi-Fi, listed as Wi-Fi 5 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), dual-band 3x3 MU-MIMO, with one Ethernet LAN port, coverage up to 112 m2 and up to 128 connected devices. It is listed as compatible with all Starlink mesh systems.
If you have a large home, many devices or want to plug in more than one wired device, the Standard router is the better match on paper. For a small cabin, a van or a single room, the Mini's integrated Wi-Fi may be enough.
Weather and durability
Both kits list the same operating temperature range (-30 C to 50 C) and the same operational wind speed (96 kph+). The Standard lists higher snow-melt capability, up to 40 mm per hour versus up to 25 mm per hour for the Mini. The Standard dish is rated IP67 Type 4. The Mini is rated IP67 Type 4 with its DC power cable and Starlink plug installed, and its sheet notes that it is no longer rated IP67 with a standard RJ45 cable.
What is in the box
Both kit contents list a 15 m (49.2 ft) cable and a kickstand. The Standard box also contains Router 3, an AC power cable and a power supply. The Mini box contains the dish with integrated Wi-Fi, a DC power cable, a power supply, a Starlink plug, a pipe adapter and a flat mount.
Which should you choose?
There is no single right answer, but the specifications point to some sensible rules of thumb:
- Choose Standard if the dish will be fixed in place, you want the stronger router, more Ethernet ports and wider listed coverage, and you have mains power available.
- Choose Mini if portability, low weight and low power draw matter most, or you plan to run from a battery or DC supply.
Check what Starlink currently offers in your area, because availability, plans and pricing change and are not covered by the specification sheets.
Sources
- Starlink, Standard 4 X specification sheet: https://www.starlink.com/public-files/specification_sheet_standard.pdf
- Starlink, Mini specification sheet: https://www.starlink.com/public-files/specification_sheet_mini.pdf