Which Starlink Dish Do I Have? How to Tell Every Generation Apart
Flip the dish over and look for a model number starting with UTA. UTA-232 is the current Gen 3 Standard with a kickstand, UTA-231 is the Mini, and UTA-212 is the older Gen 2 Standard Actuated with a motorized stand. The newer V5 Standard and Gen 3 Performance don't list one, so you tell them apart by size and mount.
We get this question on almost every service call, especially when someone bought a used kit, inherited a dish with a property, or needs a replacement part. Knowing your generation matters because routers, cables and mounts aren't always swappable between them.
Step 1: Look for the model number
Turn the dish over or look at the base of the stand. Most dishes have a model number that starts with UTA. Match it to the table below.
| Model number | What it is | How to recognize it |
|---|---|---|
| UTA-232 | Standard (Gen 3, sometimes called V4) | Thin rectangle with a kickstand on the back; current home kit |
| (none listed) | Standard V5 | About half the size and weight of the Gen 3, mounts on a pipe adapter |
| UTA-231 | Mini | Roughly laptop-sized, Wi-Fi built into the dish |
| UTA-212 | Standard Actuated (what most people call Gen 2) | Rectangle on a motorized mast; bulkier and heavier than Gen 3 |
| UTA-222 | Flat High Performance | Flat, wide field of view, made for vehicles and boats |
| UTA-221 | High Performance (original) | Larger rectangle on a motorized mast |
| (none listed) | Performance (Gen 3) | Widest field of view, no router in the box, comes with a mounting kit |
| UTA-201 | Original round dish (Gen 1) | Round, motorized; the first dish Starlink shipped in 2020 |
Step 2: No number? Go by shape and size
- Round means it's a first-generation dish. Starlink still supports it, but replacement parts can be harder to track down.
- Rectangle that tilts itself on a motorized pole is a Gen 2 Standard Actuated or the original High Performance.
- Thin rectangle with a fold-out kickstand is the Gen 3 Standard.
- Small rectangle about the size of a laptop is the Mini, unless it came with a separate small router and a pipe adapter, in which case it may be the new V5.
Why it matters for your install
Replacement parts. If a cable gets chewed, crushed by a mower or cut during construction, you need the right one for your generation. We repair Gen 2 cables here in East Texas, and the fix is different from a Gen 3.
Mounting. Gen 2 dishes sit on a mast that slides into Starlink's own mounts. Gen 3 and V5 dishes use different adapters. Buying the wrong mount is an easy mistake to make.
Wi-Fi coverage. Newer kits ship with newer routers. If an older kit's Wi-Fi doesn't reach the far end of the house, a mesh node or a better router usually fixes it without replacing the dish.
The new V5 Standard
Starlink began selling a smaller V5 Standard in select areas in July 2026. It's lighter, draws less power than the Gen 3, comes with the Router Mini, and is not meant for use while moving. If you're shopping for a new kit and see it offered at your address, it's a solid choice for a fixed home install.
Still not sure?
Text a photo of the back of your dish and the router to (903) 481-9722 and we'll tell you exactly what you've got and what parts fit it.
Common questions
Where is the model number on a Starlink dish?
Can I use my old Gen 2 router with a new Gen 3 dish?
What is the Starlink V5 dish?
Which Starlink dish is best for a house in East Texas?
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Sources
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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 14, 2026; check the sources above or starlink.com for the latest.
