We Tested Starlink Mini In The RV – Here’s The Surprising Truth

After two years of counting on a top-of-the-line Starlink setup in our fifth wheel, we purchased the brand new Starlink Mini to the take a look at in our motorhome—and the outcomes shocked us.

For RVers, Starlink has three dish fashions: Mini, Standard, and High Performance.

I’ve used all three. The customary once I bought my first Starlink in 2022, the High Performance completely roof-mounted on our Montana High Country Fifth Wheel in 2023, and, simply this summer time, the Starlink Mini for our 2nd RV, the Embassy RV Cape Cod.

I’m going to gloss over the Standard, apart from to say it’s most likely utilized by extra RVers than the opposite two. It does an excellent job. But I discontinued its use once I upgraded to the bigger excessive efficiency dish on our Montana.

So we’re now utilizing two Starlink methods: The high-performance dish within the fifth wheel, the mini within the motorhome

Here’s a video I simply launched that reveals how the mini has been working for us:

A Less Expensive Solution was Needed

The high-performance Starlink system on our Montana is from an organization known as MobileMustHave, and it features a high-end Peplink router, twin mobile connections, and a full-size Starlink antenna—completely mounted on the roof together with a fairly elaborate antenna setup.

We’ve used that setup for the previous two years, and actually—it’s been flawless. Total game-changer for engaged on the street. We’ve uploaded enormous movies, run livestreams from distant spots—you title it. We actually will maintain utilizing it in Montana.

But right here’s the factor… it’s not low cost. That system runs into the hundreds of {dollars}.

So once we picked up the Cape Cod—we determined to take a special strategy. We needed stable web, however with out the large price ticket.

That’s once we turned to the Starlink Mini, which we purchased on sale for $395. We opted for the Roam plan limitless, which prices $165 a month BUT might be paused for months we aren’t utilizing it.

We’ve examined it out this summer time throughout six states. And let me inform you—we had been shocked.

The Starlink Mini is mainly the featherweight champ of satellite tv for pc dishes.

Thanks to its dimension, the setup for the Mini feels much less like assembling a tent and extra like plugging in a wise gadget. The dish requires minimal alignment effort, although it nonetheless wants a transparent sky view to talk with the satellites successfully.

We’ve discovered it will get superior outcomes for us simply sitting on the sprint within the motorhome cab, identified the windshield.

Internet Speeds

The Mini delivers a decent obtain expertise, comfortably dealing with HD video streams, video calls, and downloads. It’s been averaging 14-20 Mbps downloads for us and is actually not breaking any velocity data – particularly when in comparison with the 200 Mbps+ obtain speeds I routinely get with my high-performance system.

But quick obtain velocity will not be crucial benchmark for us as content material creators. It’s add velocity we’d like.

And on add velocity, it delivers simply barely much less velocity than the excessive efficiency system. That was the large shock for us.

I would like at the least 5 Mbps to add video to YouTube and to livestream, which we do at the least twice every week. The mini constantly beats that, averaging 10-14 mbps, typically as a lot as 20 mbps.

Power Consumption

The Mini’s compact dimension isn’t nearly comfort; it’s additionally a champion of vitality thrift. It sips energy gently in comparison with its greater siblings, making it well-suited for setups counting on restricted vitality sources like photo voltaic panels or smaller turbines.

This eco-friendly footprint is ideal for boondocking, the place we must be watching our energy attracts fastidiously.

The excessive perfprmance system in our Montana has significantly greater energy calls for. It’s not precisely an influence hog, however once you evaluate its draw to the Mini, the distinction is noticeable, particularly when off the grid with restricted vitality reserves or counting on battery banks. This might imply shorter on-line periods until your energy supply is powerful and regular.

The Mini is so simple as you may get

The Mini’s setup app and interface maintain issues pleasant and easy, interesting to customers who need plug-and-play with out diving deep into technical menus. The course of feels intuitive, focusing on the on a regular basis adventurer or informal consumer with fast begin guides and stable auto-configuration.

It receives common over-the-air updates, constantly bettering stability and compatibility. While it misses a handful of pro-level software program options reserved for the bigger fashions, the fundamentals for monitoring utilization, managing settings, and troubleshooting work easily and with minimal fuss.

If you need your web dish to behave like an obedient pet—easy and hassle-free—the Mini’s consumer expertise ticks these packing containers completely.

The Mini helps a handful of third-party equipment, primarily centered on mounting options and protecting instances. Its smaller type means the ecosystem continues to be rising, and decisions lean in direction of easy add-ons relatively than deep {hardware} expansions or integrations.

Here’s what I added:

Bottom Line Assessment

The Starlink Mini excels as a compact, energy-efficient, and user-friendly satellite tv for pc web resolution. It matches completely for informal customers, vacationers, and people with restricted energy assets who prioritize portability and straightforward setup.

It’s constructed to get on-line with out the fuss, and whereas it sacrifices some uncooked velocity, it delivers spectacular worth for many off-grid or informal situations. Its lighter weight and modest vitality footprint open up prospects for adventure-seekers the place conventional web received’t enterprise.

Ultimately, choose the Mini if you would like nimble portability and stable day-to-day efficiency with out breaking a sweat.

Choose the Standard or excessive performancer in case your on-line life calls for unwavering reliability, greater speeds, and stronger {hardware} confidence.

For us, for the reason that motorhome will not be our major RV and might be used for short-term journeys and boondocking, the Mini is greater than up for the job.

FAQs for Starlink Mini

Can the Starlink Mini be used whereas transferring, comparable to in an RV or boat?
While the Mini affords portability and fast setup, it’s designed for stationary use. Movement may cause sign instability as a result of the dish wants a transparent, regular place to lock onto satellites. For cell functions, the Standard mannequin or excessive efficiency particular RV variations are extra appropriate.

What sort of energy provide does the Mini require for off-grid utilization?
The Mini attracts much less energy than the Standard, usually underneath 75 watts throughout operation. This makes it appropriate with small photo voltaic setups or transportable energy stations, extending its use for outside fanatics who’ve restricted vitality assets.

Does the Starlink Mini embody the identical satellite tv for pc protection because the Standard?
Yes, each fashions entry the identical satellite tv for pc constellation community, which means protection areas overlap considerably. The most important variations lie in {hardware} design, energy, and efficiency relatively than community attain.

How resistant is the Mini to excessive climate circumstances?
The Mini can deal with typical outside climate like mild rain or delicate snow however isn’t constructed for intense storms or heavy snowfall. It’s finest to shelter the dish throughout harsh circumstances to extend its lifespan and keep connectivity.

Is the Mini appropriate with the Starlink app for monitoring and setup?
Absolutely. The Mini makes use of the identical Starlink app because the Standard, providing simple set up, efficiency monitoring, and troubleshooting. The interface is tailor-made to be easy and approachable for all customers.

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