Starlink V5 (Gen 5): What It Means for Mini Owners
Every time Starlink launches new hardware, the same question lands in our inbox within hours: does this replace the Mini? Short answer this time: no. The V5's pitch is simple: smaller and lighter than the Standard dish, with roughly half the power draw. What it is not is a travel dish. Here is what the V5 actually is, how it stacks up against the Mini and the current Standard 4 X, and what it means for Australians.
What Is the Starlink V5?
The V5 (Gen 5) is the next generation of Starlink's fixed residential dish. It is dramatically smaller than the Standard 4 X it will eventually sit alongside, at 384 x 306 mm and 1.1 kg for the dish itself, draws just 35-50W on average, and carries a serious 265 kph operational wind rating when mounted. The kit ships with a kickstand, a pipe adapter and the Router Mini. Peak download is quoted at up to 375+ Mbps.
What it is not: a portable dish. Starlink positions the V5 squarely as residential hardware, and its support documentation is blunt about the boundary: "In-motion use is not permitted on any Residential plan."
Starlink V5 vs Mini vs Standard 4 X: The Full Spec Comparison
| Starlink Mini | Standard 4 X (current AU residential) | Starlink V5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dish size | 298.5 x 259 x 38.5 mm | 594 x 383 x 39.7 mm | 384 x 306 x 34 mm |
| Dish weight | 1.10 kg (1.16 kg with kickstand) | 2.9 kg (3.2 kg with kickstand) | 1.1 kg (full kit 3.8 kg) |
| Peak download | Not published per dish | Up to 400+ Mbps on Residential Max | Up to 375+ Mbps |
| Average power draw | 25-40W | 75-100W | 35-50W |
| Power input | 12-48V DC (runs from a vehicle or battery) | AC mains kit | AC mains kit, no DC input published |
| Wind rating (operational) | 96+ kph | 96+ kph | 265 kph mounted |
| Snow melt | 25 mm/hr | 40 mm/hr | 40 mm/hr |
| Weather rating | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
| In-motion use | Yes, on Roam and Priority plans | Hardware supported, but Residential plans prohibit it | No, not on Starlink's supported in-motion hardware list |
| Included router | Built in (Wi-Fi 5, mesh compatible) | Router 3 (Wi-Fi 6 tri-band) | Router Mini (Wi-Fi 6 dual-band) |
| Mounting in the box | Kickstand, pipe adapter, flat mount | Kickstand | Kickstand, pipe adapter |
| Best for | Travel, caravans, vehicles, work sites | Fixed home connections | Fixed home connections (once available here) |
| Australian availability | Available now | Available now, plans A$75-150/month | Not available as at 18 July 2026 |
All figures from Starlink's official specification sheets and regional pages, checked 18 July 2026. The Gen 3 Standard was the previous Australian residential dish and plenty of homes still run one; the Standard 4 X is what Starlink sells here today.
For a deeper look at Mini power draw, our Starlink Mini power consumption guide covers real-world battery sizing and 12V setup in detail.
Is the Starlink Mini Being Replaced?
No. The V5 and the Mini solve different problems. The V5 is built to sit on a roof and stay there, with the wind rating to prove it. The Mini is built to travel: it runs on 12-48V DC straight from a vehicle or battery, weighs about a kilogram, and is the only compact dish on Starlink's supported in-motion hardware list.
Can You Use the Starlink V5 in a Car or Caravan?
No. The V5 does not appear on Starlink's supported in-motion hardware list, which currently names the Performance Gen 2 and 3, Standard 4, Standard 4 X and the Starlink Mini. On top of that, the V5 is sold for Residential service, and in-motion use is not permitted on any Residential plan.
If you are weighing up which plan suits a travelling setup, our Roam plans and Standby mode guide covers the current options and pricing structure.
When Is the Starlink V5 Coming to Australia?
There is no Australian release date yet. As at 18 July 2026 the V5 does not appear anywhere on Starlink's Australian website. Starlink's own line is that the V5 is "currently available in select areas" of the United States, with additional areas to follow as production ramps up. Australia has typically received new Starlink hardware some months after a US launch, but Starlink has published nothing official for our market.
Should You Wait for the V5 or Get a Mini Now?
It comes down to where the dish will live. If it is going on a caravan, a ute, a boat or between properties, the Mini is the answer today and will still be the answer after the V5 arrives: DC power, one kilogram, in-motion rated. If it is going on your roof and staying there, the Standard 4 X is what Starlink sells in Australia right now, and the V5 will be the smaller, more efficient successor whenever it lands. Our complete Mini setup guide covers getting started, and current plan pricing lives in our Starlink pricing guide.
The V5 Ships With the Router Mini
One detail worth noting: the V5 kit includes the Router Mini, the same compact Wi-Fi 6 unit many Mini owners already use to extend coverage. If you want to know how it fits into a mesh setup, our Starlink mesh WiFi extender guide covers it in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Starlink Mini being replaced by the V5?
No. The V5 is a residential dish and Starlink does not permit in-motion use on any Residential plan. The Starlink Mini is still on Starlink's supported in-motion hardware list and remains the dish built for caravans, vehicles and portable use. Nothing about the V5 changes that.
Can I use the Starlink V5 in a caravan or car?
No. The V5 is not on Starlink's supported in-motion hardware list, and in-motion use is not permitted on any Residential plan. For a caravan, ute or camp setup you still want the Starlink Mini on a Roam plan.
When is the Starlink V5 release date in Australia?
There is no Australian release date yet. As at 18 July 2026 the V5 does not appear on Starlink's Australian website at all. Starlink says it is currently available in select areas of the United States, with more areas to follow as production ramps up.
How does the Starlink V5 compare to the Gen 3 dish?
The Gen 3 Standard was the previous residential dish and plenty of Australian homes still run one. The V5 is smaller, lighter and far more wind resistant, and it draws less power. The dish currently sold in Australia is the Standard 4 X, which is larger than both and draws 75-100W.
Is the Starlink V5 waterproof?
Yes, to the same standard as the other current dishes. The V5 carries an IP67 rating, matching the Starlink Mini and the Standard 4 X, so it is sealed against dust and built to live outdoors in Australian weather.
Last updated: 18 July 2026