Starlink Mini Review - Unboxing, setup, speed test

In this unboxing and review of the Starlink Mini, I show you how fast the ultra-compact antenna is, how much power it uses, and share my thoughts along the way.

Blog version of this review:

00:00 Unboxing
09:39 Starlink app
10:26 Setup
13:48 Power consumption
15:39 Speed testing
20:09 Review
23:05 Price

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[back_yard_bill]

Great review, I just bought a Mini because I do a lot of motorcycle camping and will be using my Jackery Explorer 160 Powerbank to run the dish. I haven't setup my Starlink yet because I won't be traveling again until February 2025, so for now, just getting everything ready. Thanks.

[kip]

Appreciate your Great video. I've watched many YouTube videos on the mini and you're the first person who actually did a Wi-Fi speed test at a distance. Everyone else performs their speed test right next to the mini dish and of course they're getting 100 and 200 download speeds.

[aquafishsoup]

I just bought one because of your review, Thank You.

[johnmajewski]

Excellent demo. Thanks Ideal size and power consumption for my Sail boat. SV Skoiern IV

[garethkelly]

Good review but I think you missed one major plus for the mini. You can only get the $ 50-a-month plan with the mini. It's not available with the standard dish. So for those of us using it in a remote area, on a roof but for sporadic use the $50 a month plan makes more sense. I can then buy a wifi router if needed and still be out less money than I would on the $ 150-a-month plan.

[sithabelamandlawenkosiwodu]

In my country (Zimbabwe) the Mini is marketed as an affordable home use option and costs $200 and $30 per month. The standard is $350 and & 50 per month. We have an average sized home but the standard is quite pricey for most Zimbabweans. I'm debating on getting the mini but am not sure how safe it is to have outside in summer heat and rain. Also worried about range. I've calculated 50feet and it's 15 metres which should be sufficient.

[omidrahimi]

Congrats!
Happy to see it in your hands. Waiting to see the test videos.

[michasukiewicz]

Great review! I would use POE Ethernet cable with POE spliter on the end with barrel connector. That should allow to use just one cable and third party router

[MatthewVines-nx]

I've seen a few people mention the lack of POE issue...
It's very common to get POE-to-USBC power splitters with ethernet passthrough (Less than $20)

[LIVEWIREMEDIAENT]

Starlink should have sent one to you for review... You are doing great work out here .

[beamerb]

I wish there was a STARLINK heat protector. I have concerns about how hot it can get.

[N.I.C.K.]

Can you show how to factory reset the Mini? The instructions say to push the circle button on the back, but it doesn’t appear to be a button?

[WestShoreMan]

Would you know if the mounting poles are all the same size? Also will it work internationally? Thanks!

[kennyw]

By comparison, my home internet (Spectrum) speeds are: 4.44 Mbps DL, and 4.53 Mbps UL with 101 ms latency. So, the Starlink out performs my home set-up by a significant amount.

[patriotone]

Thank you for a great review. Well done explaining everything to a new user. My question is if someone were to steal the dish could they actually use it? Should I be concerned about theft? I appreciate your thoughts.

[mel_tillis]

Thank you for the great review!! The tone of voice was perfect. Thank you for speaking not-too-fast, and thank you for speaking intelligible English! Perfect. Makes me wanna drop hughesnet and go out and buy one!!!

[TubeDupe]

How can you plug the Mini directly into a DC power source?

[Slobodan]

ok i see the option to screw it on the van so my question is what if u need to ajust it ? how to ajust it if its screw it down ?

[STF]

just a note, the Mini will not power up on 12 volt power from my RV. I have lithium (13.2 volts) and the Mini would not power up with the 49' cable. I measured 12.7 volts at the end of the cable. I have seen videos on guys that have powered it up on shorter 10' 3rd party cables. I installed a 12volt to 24 volt booster to my lithium battery system and the Mini works great. I average 130-150 mbps.

[discrete]

I have struggled with two different USB-C to DC5521 cables. The first one did not work at all because I did not pay attention to the specs. Got another one that was 100W and I 20V. My Jackery 1000 Plus has a 100W USB-C. But it would work only for a few minutes and then reboot. Over and over. I'll wait for the Starlink USB-C accessory but I know some have gotten a cable to work. What did work for me was using the 10V auto plug on my Jackery, running to a 24V DC booster, and then to a DC 5521 to the dish. Works like a champ. Tested over a couple of days. But I want my USB-C to work someday!!! Open to any hints or suggestions. I bugged Starlink support big time and finally they told me their USB-C to Barrel accessory won't be out until next year:>(