Is The Starlink Mini Worth It? Here's What Users Say

The Starlink Mini is basically a tiny, portable satellite dish that connects to the internet. It's used in the same way as any standard router — you can use its connection to access the web on your smartphone, laptop, TV, and more. It has a built-in Wi-Fi router and is strong enough for all your internet needs, both at home and on the go.

The device receives its internet connection through the Starlink satellites, the same ones that are currently able to bring internet service to iPhones. To work, it must be plugged into a power source and pointed directly at the sky without any obstructions. The Starlink Mini app helps ensure it has a proper angle and view of the sky to function optimally.

The Starlink Mini starts at $80 a month for home internet service and $50 a month to use while traveling. That's not unreasonable for internet service. Depending on where you live, who your provider is, and how much speed you pay for, the service may cost more or less than what you already have. Is it worth it then? The people who will be most attracted to it are adventurers, digital nomads, and those who live in rural areas who need a reliable on-the-go internet connection. However, there are some drawbacks.

Adventurers are often in very remote areas, which makes the Starlink Mini great for getting internet in areas without service while camping, hiking, and traveling in campervans or RVs. These adventurers can use the device to get access no matter where they are. It's especially handy for backpackers and backcountry campers who might need quick internet access in an emergency situation. 

The Starlink Mini is ideal for digital nomads — those who travel from place to place around the world, taking their work with them. Obviously, it's a must to have a good internet connection when they depend on it for their livelihood. But it can be a pain to connect to different public Wi-Fi networks, especially when in a foreign country. The Starlink Mini ensures that no matter where they go, digital nomads can plug into a local cafe, hostel, or public workspace area.

People who live in rural areas also sometimes struggle to get strong internet signals, and small-town internet providers may not always be reliable or affordable. The Starlink Mini is a great option because it lets them take advantage of all the big, open sky around them for a strong signal.

There are some drawbacks to the Starlink Mini. It must be plugged into a power source. For adventurers, that means they need to keep a power bank with them. When you are hiking and camping, every item and every pound counts. The point is to travel lightly, and a power source takes away from that.

It isn't necessarily cheap. It typically costs $499 to buy upfront, depending on the retailer. Monthly residential services start at $80 for 10-20Mbps upload speeds and 45-130Mbps download speeds. The price increases to $120 a month for 10-25Mbps upload speeds and 100-270Mbps download speeds. For travelers, the Roam 10 plan has a 10GB monthly data limit and costs $10 a month. For $50 a month, you get 50GB, and for $165, you get unlimited data. That gets very expensive very quickly.

Starlink is made by the company SpaceX, which is led by Elon Musk. Musk is a controversial figure to some. Protests at Tesla locations, which Musk also owns, are angry at his political involvement and alliance with Trump, and his ethical practices when he assumed ownership of Twitter, now renamed X. The Tesla Cybertruck has plummeted in value due to this controversy in addition to its many recalls and performance issues, which haven't won Musk any new fans. Some will not want the Starlink Mini because of its association. However, those who don't mind that or the cost will find a reliable, transportable internet connection that they can take with them on all of their adventures.