Starlink V5: the new smaller, lighter dish
Starlink has started offering a new V5 residential kit that is smaller and much lighter than the V4 dish most homes use now. It draws about half the power but tops out at a slightly lower speed, so this is an efficiency upgrade, not a speed upgrade. As of October 2026 it is only available in select areas while Starlink ramps up production.
Starlink has a new dish for home internet: the V5. As of October 2026, Starlink is listing it on starlink.com in select areas while production ramps up, so depending on your address you may see the V5 or the V4 at checkout.
The short version: the V5 is smaller, lighter and uses about half the power of the V4. It is not a speed upgrade.
What changed with the V5?
Starlink lists the V5 dish at about 15.1 by 12 inches and 2.4 pounds, compared with 6.4 pounds for the V4. That is less than half the weight, and it matters when the dish has to ride up a ladder onto your roof.
Power is the other big change. Average draw is 35 to 50 watts, versus 75 to 100 for the V4, so roughly half.
The tradeoff is speed. The V5 tops out at 375+ Mbps, a touch under the V4's 400+. In daily use you would be hard pressed to notice the difference, but go in with clear eyes: this is an efficiency upgrade, not a speed upgrade.
What comes in the box?
The V5 ships with Starlink's Router Mini, a kickstand, a pipe adapter mount and a 15-meter cable. The pipe adapter is handy for pole mounts, a good way to get a dish up over East Texas pines.
One limit to know: the V5 is built for fixed home internet, not for use while a vehicle is moving. If you need internet on the move, that is still the Roam and Mini side of the lineup.
Should I wait for one, or swap my V4?
If starlink.com offers you the V5 at checkout, take it. If your V4 is already up and working, keep it. You would gain nothing by swapping: same plans, same internet, a slightly lower top speed on paper.
Availability is the catch. As of October 2026 the V5 is only offered in select areas while Starlink ramps up production, so most addresses will still see the V4 for now.
Why the power draw matters in East Texas
Half the power is the real story for anyone running Starlink off a battery or solar: deer camps, off-grid properties, and homes riding out an outage on a backup battery. A 35 to 50 watt draw is a lot easier to feed than 75 to 100. For a house on the grid it just trims the electric bill a little, but for solar and battery setups it can be the difference between the internet staying up all night and a dead battery by morning.
What we do
We install whichever kit Starlink ships to your door, V4 or V5, and put it where it gets a clear view of the sky. Text photos of your place to (903) 481-9722 or get a free quote and we will tell you straight what it will take.
Common questions
Is the V5 faster than the V4?
Can I use the V5 in my RV?
How much does the V5 kit cost?
What plan does the V5 run on?
Will my current Starlink router work with the V5?
We do this work in
Sources
Want it done right the first time?
We install Starlink, point-to-point bridges, mesh Wi-Fi and hardwired cameras across East Texas. Send a few photos and we'll give you a straight quote.
Starlink changes its hardware, plans and policies often. This page reflects what we knew on Oct 16, 2026; check the sources above or starlink.com for the latest.
