Starlink Now Offers Six Dish Options — Here's How to Pick the Right One

Buying Starlink used to mean getting whatever dish the company happened to be selling at the time. That's changed, with Starlink now offering several different hardware options built for different needs, from stationary home internet to staying connected on an RV, boat or remote worksite.

For home use

For most residential customers, the V4 dish is the logical starting point. It's a rectangular terminal without a built-in motor, weighing about 6.4 pounds, and headlines the Standard 4 and 4 X kits, which differ mainly in the router included. The newer V5 dish is smaller, lighter and more power-efficient than the V4, though it has a slightly lower peak download speed and is currently available only in select areas.

For travel

The Starlink Mini is the pick for anyone wanting internet on the move. Weighing about 2.4 pounds, it can even run on a compatible USB-C power source, making it useful for camping and road trips. Its price has dropped from an initial $599 to $199 when bought directly from Starlink.

For demanding environments

The Performance (Gen 2), formerly known as the Flat High Performance Kit, was originally built for mobility and offers a wider field of view that helps it stay connected on moving vehicles and boats. The Performance (Gen 3) goes further, rated to operate in temperatures from minus 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and survive winds over 174 mph, while also resisting water and dust. It's geared mainly toward business and enterprise customers.

For business

The Enterprise kit includes a 50-meter cable and supports third-party routers, giving businesses more flexibility for fixed-site installations.

Starlink notes that hardware availability varies by location, so it's worth checking what's actually offered in a given area before buying.