Starlink standard internet full kit v 4

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. (Check out our guide to how to use the Starlink app).