Starlink's Six-Dish Lineup Targets Homes, RVs and Remote Worksites

The cheapest option is not always best and the most expensive can be overkill, Engadget says. Some of the six dishes are available in slightly different versions or bundles. Among them, the overview details the V4, the V5 and the Mini.

The Starlink V4 headlines the Standard 4 and Standard 4 X kits and is positioned for residential users doing everyday online activities such as streaming, video calls and online gaming. It uses a rectangular terminal without a built-in motor, relying instead on software-assisted manual orientation. It measures about 23.4 by 15 inches, weighs 6.4 pounds and has a 110-degree field of view.

The biggest difference between the Standard 4 and Standard 4 X kits is not the dish but the included equipment. The Standard 4 comes with Starlink's smaller Router Mini, while the Standard 4 X includes the newer, faster Router 3. The Standard 4 is also sold as a complete kit with a kickstand, power supply and the cables needed to get connected.

Engadget says the V4 is likely enough for most fixed home internet setups unless a user has a specific need for portability, extra durability or higher performance. It is built for what most people expect from a home internet connection without paying for hardware made for RVs, boats or commercial applications.

The Starlink V5 is the company's newest residential dish, but it is not a performance upgrade over the V4. Starlink made the hardware smaller, lighter and more power-efficient. The V5 measures about 15.1 by 12 inches and weighs 2.4 pounds, compared with 6.4 pounds for the V4. Average power use is listed at 35 to 50 watts for the V5, compared with 75 to 100 watts for the V4.

The tradeoff is a slightly lower peak download speed. Starlink lists up to 375 Mbps for the V5, compared with more than 400 Mbps for the V4. The V5 is intended for fixed home internet, not for use while a vehicle is moving. It comes with a Router Mini, a kickstand, a pipe adapter mount and a 15-meter cable, and Starlink says it is currently available only in select areas as production ramps up. For a home setup, the V5 is the newer, smaller residential option, with lower power consumption and lighter hardware that could make installation easier and operation cheaper, but its availability is limited and it does not offer higher peak speeds than the larger V4.

For users who want to take their internet connection with them, the Starlink Mini is the most obvious choice, Engadget says. Starlink describes it as a compact, portable kit designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet on the go or at home. It measures 11.75 by 10.2 inches and weighs about 2.4 pounds, making it significantly smaller and lighter than the Standard dish. Its built-in Wi-Fi router means users do not have to carry a separate router.

The Mini uses less power than some larger Starlink dishes, with average consumption of 20 to 40 watts. It can be powered by a compatible USB-C power source with Starlink's optional USB-C to barrel jack cable, which could be useful for camping, road trips and other off-grid setups. SpaceX first sold the Starlink Mini for $599, but the price has since dropped to $199 when purchased directly from Starlink, according to Engadget.

The Mini is now widely available and does not need a residential subscription, making it an option for people who want to use it at home as well as on the road. Starlink says it offers download speeds of up to 300 Mbps. Portability remains the primary reason to choose it.