Which one of the Starlink products would you prefer—Starlink Standard or Starlink Mini? Here’s a detailed comparison between the two.
What is Starlink Standard?
Starlink Standard is a third-generation hardware—a major departure from previous models owing to its elimination of the mast and actuators. It is a part of the same V4 hardware generation. It comes with a separate Wi-Fi router and power supply. You are supposed to mount the dish outdoors and route the cable inside where the router and power supply are installed.
What is Starlink Mini?
Starlink Mini is the latest innovation by SpaceX. As the name suggests, this one is a smaller version of the standard dish. As it is smaller in size, this factor makes it sought-after for events like travel and camping. The size of the Mini is about that of a laptop, and it weighs a few pounds only. When compared to the OG Starlink Standard, the Mini is half of its size.
Unlike Starlink Standard, the Mini version has a Wi-Fi router integrated into the dish. There is no power supply. The other thing that sets it apart from the former is its ability to run directly from DC power. You can switch it on right from a USB-C port or even use a portable battery bank.
Starlink Standard vs Starlink Mini – Which One is More Expensive?
SpaceX introduced Starlink Standard to offer internet services to fixed locations. Offering Residential internet service, this provider is in high demand for regions including businesses and households in rural and remote areas. The monthly internet cost stands at $120, while the hardware may cost you around $599, respectively.
The Starlink Mini is a compact internet offering ideally made for mobile usage while helping people on the go to utilize internet services from the remotest corners. It is a backup internet solution provider that can be used anytime and anywhere without having to gauge the internet. You have to pay $50 a month for a mini-roam plan. The regional mobile plan of Starlink Mini is priced at $150.
Starlink Standard vs Starlink Mini – Which One is Bigger?
No guessing here! The Starlink Standard is the larger version that demands a fixed installation to work smoothly. It also requires an external gateway device to allow for Wi-Fi connectivity. Owing to this season, Starlink Standard is considered an ideal choice for people who are constantly experiencing internet availability. It can solve slow internet problems immediately with the help of its consistent internet coverage models.
On the other hand, Starlink Mini is a smaller version, but it has its own benefits. Owing to its lightweight, you can carry this internet system wherever you want. Additionally, with the Wi-Fi router already connected to the dish, you don’t have to carry an external device to gauge the internet. This version stands out as an excellent solution when you are traveling and want to make the most of the internet in areas where there is no sign of a network.
Starlink Standard vs Starlink Mini – Which One Has a Better Speed?
The standard version of this satellite internet system offers a downloading speed of 30 Mbps to 220 Mbps, respectively. This speed accounts for a significant upgrade over any internet service provider. Besides this, it offers an uploading speed of 5 Mbps to 15 Mbps, making it easy to download anything quickly without waiting for hours.
Starlink Mini has undergone a major update over its older versions, now offering promising internet speed to users. It has a downloading speed of 5 Mbps to 100 Mbps, allowing you to download anything while traveling. Regardless of the remote locations like villages, forests, or any other, the mini version helps you access the internet based on availability. It has an upload speed of 2 Mbps to 10 Mbps—a significant upgrade compared to the Standard version.
Starlink Standard vs Starlink Mini – Which One is More Latent?
When it comes to latency, both versions of Starlink are suitable for various internet activities. From streaming a movie or playing your favorite online games, you can utilize the internet service of both versions with competitive internet speed.
Compared to Mini, Starlink Standard offers a better-downloading coverage owing to its larger antenna that gets put in place.
Which One Consumes More Power?
The standard version utilizes significant power due to its large antenna and device space. It means you may experience greater power consumption if you have the standard version mounted in your residential or commercial space.
On the other hand, you can save more power with Starlink Mini as it uses less power to help you access the internet without fail. The portability sources of this version, such as batteries and power supply lines, are fitted internally—allowing for backup. Moreover, in remote places, you can easily access the internet without relying on any power source.
Starlink Standard vs Starlink Mini – What are the Service Option Plans?
Starlink Standard is primarily intended for fixed location service plans, such as residential and business. It further allows you to subscribe to any other service plan with the Standard, including Roam. The Standard dish aids in-motion use with a compatible service plan.
On the contrary, Mini is designed for travel, and the service plan options reflect the same. You can use this internet service without any mobile plans, such as Starlink Roam, but not with Residential or Business subscriptions. This one can be used in motion with any of the available plans.
Out of the two, Starlink Standard has a better edge over service plan options as it is the only option for Residential and Business services. The mini version is restricted to mobile plans, while the standard one can be bought with any of the internet provider’s plan options.
Starlink Standard vs Starlink Mini – What Accessories do they have?
Starlink offers several accessories for both versions. The roof mounts are available for both, allowing you to permanently attach the dish to your home. It also sells vehicle mounts for Standard and Mini. Both dishes come with longer cables, enabling longer distances between the power source and the position of the dish. There are mesh Wi-Fi routers to improve the coverage of either system.
As the Mini is powered directly from the DC, it is superior in terms of power accessories. You can make the most of adapter cables and use them to power the mini version from USB-C, a vehicle 12V outlet, an RV battery system, and more. These DC adapters are not available for standard dishes without additional modifications to the system.
Conclusion
Both Starlink Standard and Mini have their own features and specifications beneficial to people who want to utilize these internet services for varied purposes. Starlink Standard is a preferable choice if you need fixed home internet or high-demand portable internet. It is for the users who don’t mind having a larger dish that utilizes more power. Starlink Standard offers the best speed and reliability, covering larger areas with Wi-Fi.
But if you need a small, light, and compact dish for traveling, you should count on Starlink Mini. This version is preferable when you don’t need a large Wi-Fi coverage area and want basic internet access for recreational purposes while on the go.
