##### Starlink Mini Kit

9/10

Brand

Starlink

Range

1,200 sq.ft

Wi-Fi Bands

802.11a/b/g/n/ac

Ethernet Ports

One Ethernet LAN port

Designed for mobility, the Starlink Mini is a compact, travel-ready solution that slips effortlessly into a backpack, delivering fast, low-latency internet wherever you go. It features an integrated Wi-Fi router, efficient power usage, DC power compatibility, and peak download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps.

Pros & Cons- Lightweight and Highly Portable

• Simple, Intuitive Setup

• Vulnerable to Theft

$499 at Starlink$500 at Best Buy Expand Collapse See Our Process ##### How We Test and Review Products at How-To Geek

Every product we review is tested hands-on to ensure it delivers real value for your time and money.

Posts Price and Availability ------------------------

The Starlink Mini typically retails for $499, though it has been discounted to $399. I also bought the official car roof rack mount and Starlink’s 12V USB-C power adapter, priced at $27 and $45 respectively.

Specifications

Brand

Starlink

Range

1,200 sq.ft

Wi-Fi Bands

802.11a/b/g/n/ac

Ethernet Ports

One Ethernet LAN port

MU-MIMO

Dual Band 3 x 3 MU-MIMO

Security

WPA2

Dimensions

430 x 334 x 79 mm

Expand Collapse Data plan costs vary based on your needs.

Plan pricing is subject to change.

Plan Type	Download Speed	Upload Speed	Data Limit	Cost
Roam 10	Unspecified	Unspecified	10GB	$10/Month
Roam 50	Unspecified	Unspecified	50GB	$50/Month
Roam Unlimited	Unspecified	Unspecified	Unlimited	$165/Month
Residential Lite	45 – 130Mbps	10 – 20Mbps	None	$80/Month
Residential	100 – 270Mbps	10 – 25Mbps	None	$120/Month

Additional global priority data plans are also available for purchase.

More Compact and Sturdy Than Expected

While I knew the Starlink Mini was the smallest model, its actual size didn’t register until I unboxed it. It’s genuinely compact.

Measuring 11.75 x 10.2 x 1.45 inches and weighing just 2.5 pounds, it feels similar to carrying a laptop. Despite its lightness, the build feels solid. The antenna, pole mount, and included kickstand are made from durable white plastic. The kickstand remained firm and showed no signs of flexing when I used it on my desk.

After over 1,000 miles on my car’s roof, the Mini shows minor wear. The white front panel (likely secured with adhesive) has small rock chips from highway debris. That said, performance remains unaffected, and I’m satisfied with its durability under these conditions.

Excellent for Car Use and Highly Reliable

I bought the Starlink Mini primarily for a long road trip. Normally, I pay per gigabyte for mobile data due to low usage. But my combined laptop and desktop usage typically ranges from 500GB to 1TB—cost-prohibitive on cellular plans. In contrast, the $165/month Unlimited Roam plan is a cost-effective alternative.

It works nearly everywhere, which is crucial given the many areas in the U.S. with poor or no cell coverage.

For testing, I drove with a companion from Buffalo, New York, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and back via two different routes, with the Mini mounted on my roof rack. The first leg followed Highway 219—winding, tree-covered, and rural. The return journey used Interstate 79 north, then I-90 east—much more open and straight.

The twisty sections of 219 revealed a limitation: the Mini struggles with frequent directional changes. At 55mph, I saw download speeds around 200Mbps and uploads near 15Mbps. However, sharp turns cut speeds in half or more, occasionally disrupting voice calls.

Speed itself isn’t an issue. On I-79 at 75mph, I recorded a top download speed of 237Mbps. When parked at a rest stop facing north, I got 245Mbps—almost no difference.

Across more than 20 speed tests, latency was the only notable variable. While stationary, ping dropped as low as 20ms—excellent for gaming. In motion, it rose to around 60ms. Still perfectly usable for browsing or video calls, though I only noticed due to active monitoring.

Related ##### Why Is My Ping So High? (And How to Lower It)

It's over 9000!

PostsRain does impact performance. During a heavy downpour that forced us to pull over, download speeds dropped to about 20Mbps. Once the rain stopped, speeds rebounded to 165Mbps.

The waterproof connector held up well. I checked for moisture shortly after and found none.

On the other hand, tree cover had little effect. Even under partial canopy, the Mini consistently delivered over 100 Mbps.

After logging roughly 2,000 miles with the device, I'm thoroughly impressed by its consistent performance—even when mounted inside the car.

Strong Wi-Fi Performance

Beyond satellite connectivity, the Starlink Mini includes a capable Wi-Fi 5 router that exceeds expectations.

Placed on my porch roof, it provided strong signal coverage throughout my entire home.

At a gas station, I walked over 100 feet away and remained connected—albeit weakly. It also easily penetrated the roof and body of my car.

It lacks support for Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6E, but performs admirably for its class. For advanced networking needs, the single Ethernet port allows connection to a more powerful router.

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