Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX, designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to underserved and remote areas around the world. It operates through a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which communicate with ground stations and user terminals. The service aims to improve global internet coverage, particularly in rural and isolated locations where traditional broadband infrastructure is limited or unavailable. Starlink offers speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 200 Mbps, with future plans for further improvements in performance. It is part of SpaceX's broader mission to enable global connectivity while supporting its space exploration goals.
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Two years after initially getting Starlink internet for my home in rural Idaho, I jumped at the chance to upgrade to the newest equipment, the Dish V4 and Gen 3 Wi-Fi router ($499.99). And why wouldn't I? In addition to being PCMag's Starlink tester/guinea pig, I've also been a very happy customer of the service. I was eager to see how the improved dish design and Wi-Fi 6 router enhanced an already-great experience.
My first impressions were very good. And now, after several weeks of use and testing, I can confidently say that Starlink is, once again, better than ever. The new residential equipment pairs with updated satellite hardware and a growing number of terrestrial gateways to make Starlink bigger, better, and faster. We don't typically test Wi-Fi routers that only work with one ISP, but the Dish V4/Router Gen 3 combo is innovative enough to warrant a close look and easily deserving of an Editors' Choice award.
Starlink is the satellite internet service from Elon Musk's company SpaceX. It offers broadband internet service almost anywhere that has a clear view of the sky, making fast, reliable access available in remote areas that may never get access to traditional services like cable or fiber. By using a satellite link and a specially designed, fairly portable dish to give users a wireless connection to the larger web, it allows speedy internet for things like streaming, gaming, and video calling.
By removing the need for cable or fiber-optic connectivity in that last mile, Starlink is able to serve up decent internet speeds to anyone with a dish and a Starlink subscription, whether they're on a farm, on a mountain, or simply on the road too often to warrant a traditional stationary internet connection. As of this writing, SpaceX has 6,146 active Starlink satellites in orbit. The sheer number of satellites allows Starlink to serve more than three million customers worldwide.
Obviously, that process requires a lot of equipment behind the scenes besides the satellites themselves, but for residential users, it's surprisingly simple. All you need is a Starlink dish, a router, and the electricity to power them. (That last part may sound obvious, but enough potential Starlink users want to go off the grid or use it for their van or camper that it's worth pointing out.)
Getting that equipment used to be a hassle, requiring ordering directly from Starlink and potentially getting put on a waitlist if you were in the wrong part of the country. But these days, it's super easy, with Starlink gear for sale at Best Buy, Home Depot, Target, and other retailers. (Check out our guide on the best places to buy Starlink.)
Starlink has used a couple of different dishes and routers in the past. In January, the company introduced the newest standard versions: Dish V4 and Router Gen 3, which boast better specs and better durability. In conjunction with upgraded satellites overhead, they also promise better performance. This new equipment can be purchased together in the Starlink Standard Installation Kit, with cable and power supply included, for $500. That's a big up-front cost, but it's not much more than what you'd spend on a midrange Wi-Fi router and a cable modem, which each cost around $200. It's also a full $100 less than the previous installation kit sold for. In some areas of the US where Starlink has extra capacity, the company also offers significant discounts.
The new dish has a larger antenna surface but a slimmer, more compact design that's more durable and more wind-resistant. Here's how the old and new dishes stack up in terms of physical specs and technology:
The router is also improved, with a new look, additional ports, and the addition of Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. The result is faster speeds, better coverage in your home, and even easier integration with existing network hardware, whether it's a mesh network or a wired connection for a printer or network-attached storage (NAS) device.
The biggest improvement to the new router is the move to Wi-Fi 6, which is faster and farther-reaching than the previous Wi-Fi 5 router that came with the older dish. But it's hardly the only improvement. The router also upgrades from dual-band to tri-band support, with an improved 4x4 MU-MIMO setup that can handle up to 235 simultaneous devices on the network. The maximum Wi-Fi range has grown from 2,000 square feet to 3,200 square feet, and if that extended range and better connectivity aren't enough, it also supports adding up to three mesh nodes for whole-house coverage.
The full glory of Wi-Fi 6's 11Gbps theoretical maximum speed may not be readily apparent, given that Starlink promises only 200Mbps download speeds. Still, you will get better speeds between devices on the network, whether you're casting video to your smart TV or grabbing files from a home NAS device.
The re-introduction of two Ethernet ports on the router further enhances connectivity. If you look closely, you'll see some interesting hidden messages in your router port sockets, with etched text and images saying "To Mars and beyond," "Made on Earth by humans," and a stylized image of a SpaceX rocket launch. Say what you will about Elon Musk and his goal to colonize Mars using SpaceX tech, but you can't deny that the Starlink division of the company has made for a surprisingly great internet service for us Earth-bound customers.
The new router is also more compact, thanks to a redesigned external power supply, which used to be integrated into the router itself. Here's the full breakdown of the spec improvements:
You can also check out our first tests of the Dish V4 and Router Gen 3 for a different look at the improved designs and enhanced specs.
Starlink also has several new accessories to accompany the redesigned dish, like the pole mount I used to attach my dish to an old mast that was left over from the previous homeowner's satellite TV dish.
Installation is easier, too, especially for those in RVs and vans, who will appreciate the dish's integrated kickstand. Starlink's instructions are direct and to the point: Plug in the dish and point it at the sky, so most users will assume they can handle the installation themselves. In most cases, there will be a couple more steps, though, like climbing on a roof or running cable through an exterior wall. If that sounds prohibitive, Starlink contracts with installers nationwide, who will install your dish and router for a nominal fee ($199). Self-installation is still free.
One thing that hasn't changed much since our first review of the service is the Starlink app, which serves as your main interface to check your connection status, adjust settings, and access your Starlink account. It's essential when setting up your dish, as well as for monitoring network performance in day-to-day use.
