Starlink V5 dish trims size, weight, and power draw

Starlink V5 residential dish starts rolling out

SpaceX has started offering its latest residential terminal — the Starlink V5 dish — in “select areas”. The company says availability will expand as it ramps production to meet global demand.

The new hardware is pitched as a more efficient, compact option for home users, but it is not intended for in-motion use. For that, customers will have to wait for the revamped Starlink Mini, which SpaceX teased alongside V5 last month.

V5 vs. V4: key hardware differences

The V5 dish makes some noticeable trade-offs compared to Starlink V4, gaining big wins on size, weight, and power consumption while giving up a bit on headline download speed.

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Performance

• Peak download speeds
• V4: 400+ Mbps
• V5: 375+ Mbps

SpaceX warns that actual speeds are not guaranteed and will depend on the user’s service plan, time of day, network capacity, and local congestion. Still, some customers are unlikely to be thrilled with the slightly lower peak number on the spec sheet.

Size and weight

The new dish is substantially more compact:

• Product dimensions
• V4: 594 mm x 383 mm x 39.7 mm (23.4 in x 15.1 in x 1.5 in)
• V5: 384 mm x 306 mm x 34 mm (15.12 in x 12.05 in x 1.34 in)

• Weight
• V4: 2.9 kg (6.4 lb)
• V5: 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs)

That change should make the V5 easier to mount and handle, especially for users installing the hardware themselves.

Power efficiency

Power draw is where the new dish sees the biggest improvement:

• Power consumption (average)
• V4: 75–100 W
• V5: 35–50 W

For users running on limited power budgets — including off-grid setups — that drop in wattage could matter more than the modest reduction in peak throughput.

Router compatibility

Despite the hardware overhaul, router support stays consistent:

• V4: Compatible with Router 2, 3, and Router Mini
• V5: Compatible with Router 2, 3, and Router Mini

That should make upgrades straightforward for existing customers who want to swap dishes without changing their networking gear.

Availability and expectations

SpaceX says the Starlink V5 residential dish is currently offered only in “select areas”, with a broader rollout planned as production scales. Full specifications are available from the company for users who need exact details before ordering.

While the lower 375+ Mbps peak download figure may raise eyebrows, SpaceX emphasizes that real-world performance will hinge on plan choice and local network conditions, not just the top-line spec.