The Starlink Mini 2 features new technology.
Yes, the Starlink Mini 2 can now operate without being connected to a conventional power outlet. This makes it a practical solution for people who need internet access in locations without a reliable electricity supply. It also answers a question I’ve received from potential customers: Can Starlink work without electricity? With the Starlink Mini 2, the answer is yes.
Introduced on November 11, 2026, here’s everything you need to know about the Starlink Mini 2.
Works Anywhere Without a Power Outlet
The biggest change from the previous Starlink Mini model is that the Starlink Mini 2 comes with a built-in battery.
Previously, users had to carry a separate battery and use a power converter to supply electricity to their Starlink Mini. With the Starlink Mini 2, all you need to do is charge its built-in battery, and it’s ready to use almost anywhere. Whether you’re at the beach, in the mountains, or out in the forest, simply position the Starlink Mini 2 with a clear view of the sky and connect to the internet.
Key Features:
- Up to 4.6 hours of battery life – Stay connected while the battery charges, or swap it out for a spare Starlink Mini 2 battery, sold separately.
- Compact 23.1 mm design – Compact enough to take anywhere you can carry a laptop.
- Built for adventure seekers – With more durable materials, a redesigned enclosure, and an IP67 rating, the Mini 2 is built to keep you connected in challenging outdoor conditions, whether you’re dealing with rain on the trail, strong winds on the water, or sand at the beach.
Comparison of Starlink Mini and Mini 2 Specifications
The biggest difference between the Starlink Mini 2 and the original Starlink Mini is the power system. The Mini 2 comes with a removable 71 Wh battery, offering up to 4.5 hours of battery life, according to SpaceX. The original model, on the other hand, requires an external power source, as reported by Interesting Engineering and Notebookcheck on November 10.
The Mini 2 also features Wi-Fi 6 and a slimmer design, but it weighs approximately one pound (0.45 kg) more than the original model.
For now, both models will be available side by side. The Mini 2 is currently offered through invitation-only preorders to select customers in the US, while the original Mini remains available for purchase. If you’ve already read how much the Starlink Mini 2 costs and when it ships, here’s how it compares with the original model you can buy today.
Starlink Mini 2 vs. Original Starlink Mini:
- Battery: The Mini 2 features a quick-release 71 Wh battery with a dedicated USB-C port and LED indicators. It’s rated for up to 4.5 hours of use. The original Starlink Mini doesn’t come with a built-in battery.
- Power input: the Mini 2 charges and runs at 60 W over USB-C, with a 60 W charger and a 10-foot (3 m) cable in the box. The original takes 12 to 48 V DC and draws 25 to 40 W on average, or runs from a 100 W USB-C supply with Starlink’s USB-C-to-barrel cable.
- Size: The Mini 2 measures 12.36 × 10.35 × 0.91 inches, compared with 11.75 × 10.2 × 1.45 inches for the original Mini. It’s slightly larger across the face but about half an inch thinner.
- Weight: The Mini 2 weighs 3.53 lb (1.6 kg) with its battery and kickstand installed. The battery alone weighs 1.08 lb (490 g). By comparison, the original Mini weighs approximately 2.43–2.56 lb (1.1–1.16 kg) with its kickstand.
- Wi-Fi: The Mini 2 supports Wi-Fi 6 with coverage of up to 1,800 sq. ft., while the original Mini uses Wi-Fi 5 and covers up to 1,200 sq. ft.
- Build: The Mini 2 has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, a foldable kickstand, a standard 1/4″-20 tripod mount, and a physical power button.
What We Still Don’t Know
- How much Roam Unlimited will cost Mini 2 owners after the included first year.
- Whether the $999 price will remain once the Mini 2 is available without an invitation. Notebookcheck reported a $249 listing.
- When the Mini 2 will become available to everyone and when it will launch in Canada and other countries.
- The Mini 2’s official speed ratings and whether the reported upload speed leak is accurate.
- How long the original Mini will remain on sale and whether its $149 price will last.
Does the Built-In Battery Beat a Power Bank?
Many original Starlink Mini owners already power their dishes with portable batteries.
In a review published on November 5, SatelliteInternet.com reported getting about three hours of active use from an Anker 737 power bank and a separate laptop power bank. Third-party options are also available, including PeakDo’s 99 Wh battery pack, as Notebookcheck notes.
The Mini 2’s 4.5-hour battery life is based on SpaceX’s own estimate. As Tesla North points out, that’s an upper limit, not a guarantee of how long every user will get. The main advantage of the built-in battery is convenience: it attaches without cables, and you can swap it out for a spare when needed.
Notebookcheck reported a possible $50 price for a spare battery based on a reference found in Starlink’s code, but SpaceX has not officially confirmed the price.
Is the Starlink Mini 2 Faster?
SpaceX hasn’t published official download or upload speeds for the Mini 2. For the original Mini, SatelliteInternet.com lists Starlink’s advertised download range of 65–260 Mbps. In its own tests, most results fell between 100 and 200 Mbps.
One question remains about upload performance. In July, Notebookcheck reported leaked hardware details from Oleg Kutkov (in an article published July 20 and updated October 5). The information suggests that the Mini 2 has a slightly smaller antenna, with 549 elements compared with 571 on the original, and transmits for a much smaller portion of the time. If accurate, these differences could affect sustained upload performance.
However, these details remain unconfirmed leaks.
No measured speed results have been published, and Nacionale could not independently verify the claims. Independent speed tests will only be possible once the dishes begin shipping, which is expected in mid-December.
First-Year Cost: Starlink Mini 2 vs. Original Mini
Both dishes require a Starlink Roam plan. The Mini 2 is available for preorder at $999 plus tax and includes 12 months of Roam Unlimited service, which SpaceX values at $2,100. The original Mini is listed for $149 on Starlink’s US Roam page, down from its regular price of $249. Starlink hasn’t announced an end date for the sale. Its Roam plans cost $55 per month for 100 GB, $80 for 300 GB, and $175 for Unlimited.
At those listed prices, before taxes and promotions, here’s what the first year with the original Mini would cost:
- Original Mini + 12 months of Roam Unlimited: $149 + $2,100 = $2,249
- Original Mini + 12 months of Roam 300 GB: $149 + $960 = $1,109
- Original Mini + 12 months of Roam 100 GB: $149 + $660 = $809
- Mini 2 preorder + 12 months of Roam Unlimited included: $999
If you want unlimited data throughout the year, the Mini 2 bundle is considerably cheaper in the first year. However, the comparison changes if you only need a dish for a few trips and can pause your service or switch to a lower-cost plan.
Starlink also frequently offers discounts. According to Notebookcheck, its 2026 Black Friday offer gives new customers who sign up by November 30 a 30% discount on Roam plans. The 100 GB plan, normally $55 per month, drops to $38.50.
SatelliteInternet.com also lists the $80 Roam 300 GB plan at $56 under the same offer. The 50% discount applies to Residential plans. However, the promotion isn’t available everywhere and is subject to Starlink’s terms. Notebookcheck also reported that the discount had covered Roam Unlimited, but Starlink appears to have removed that mention from its website. As a result, the Unlimited discount may no longer be available. Neither source specifies how long the discounted rates will last.
The 30% discount would reduce the first-year costs for the 100 GB and 300 GB plans listed above, but it may not change the $2,249 total for the original Mini with Roam Unlimited.
Can You Use Starlink Mini 2 for Security Cameras?
Yes, the Starlink Mini 2 should work with security cameras.
The main change from the previous Starlink Mini is the addition of a built-in battery. Internet speeds and general functionality remain similar. The Mini 2 supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks, making it compatible with Wi-Fi security cameras. It also includes an RJ45 Ethernet port for connecting wired security cameras.
For more details, read my guide on how to connect Starlink to security cameras.
My Verdict
The biggest advantage of the Starlink Mini 2 is its built-in battery, a feature that wasn’t available on the original Starlink Mini. This makes the new model more convenient to use outdoors without carrying a separate power bank.
However, the Mini 2 also comes at a higher price.
I also haven’t seen any evidence of a significant improvement in internet speeds. The original Starlink Mini already delivers download speeds of up to 200 Mbps in real-world use, so I don’t expect the Mini 2 to be much faster. If you’re interested in getting the Starlink Mini 2, visit the official Starlink website and enter your phone number or email address to receive an invitation to preorder.