High-Performance Starlink Vs Standard: Even as Starlink clocks over 2 million customers worldwide, the company is confident to offer more services and better coverage.
In February 2019, they introduced the High-Performance Dish, a new alternative for residential subscribers.
In this article, we’ll discuss how the Statlink High Performance differs from the residential plan and how much it will cost you to make this change.
High-Performance Starlink vs. Standard: Basic Information
The standard Starlink plan includes a $599 kit and a monthly service fee of $110. It includes a WiFi router, Starlink device, cables, power supply, and a mounting base.
However, since the dish must have zero obstructions for best signals, you might need additional mount and accessories.
The standard plan is designed for home use with medium internet usage like video calls, music streaming, gaming, and web browsing.
Starlink put in plenty of effort to ensure the Standard kit is suitable for use outdoors and weatherproof. Here are some of the highlights from the Starlink Standard kit.
- Automatic adjustment for best field of view.
- Low power consumption.
- 12-month warranty
- IP54 rated
The high-performance kit is a modern alternative to the standard as it comes at a significant $2500 price tag.
Initially, it was designed for business use, but Starlink made it available to residential plan owners who’ll pay the same $110 monthly for the service.
This kit includes a power supply, mounting kit, cables, and router. This setup is similar to the standard plan but has advanced features for larger applications. To make this possible, Starlink added the following features.
- 135-degree field of view
- 24 month warranty
- 110-114 Watt power consumption
- IP56 rating
High-Performance Starlink vs. Standard: Performance and Internet speeds
Internet speeds results
The most significant pointer to compare both devices is performance and internet speeds. But funny enough, better internet speeds don’t necessarily mean better performance.
So, internet speeds make it easy to browse 500+Mbps, but the real issue is the network itself. If you have bad reception, the internet speed won’t matter.
So, for instance, devices for people living in highly populated areas might perform less than those in remote areas, even if they have high internet speeds.
The high-performance kit from Starlink is recommended for businesses because it is more reliable when they are more connected users.
It gives high priority through its advanced array antenna and a larger data throughput.
So, the standard kit should be fine if you’re a home internet user who doesn’t need much apart from browsing and video streaming.
But businesses needing many connections and demanding tasks should go for the High-performance kit.
High-Performance Starlink vs. Standard: Reliability, obstructions, and weather
Technician on a satellite dish on the roof
The High-Performance kit withstands pretty harsh conditions, thanks to a lot of design from Starlink.
One notable feature is the phased array antenna, which is larger and gets signals even in snowy or rainy conditions.
With a 110W power rating, it can comfortably supply internet even during storms, reducing downtime if you purchased the Standard kit.
So, if you want to install Starlink in an area with plenty of trees or rain, you’re better off with the High-performance dish.
It will give you a steadier connection and guarantee better reliability, especially in crucial business meetings or conference calls.
Also, the High-performance dish has a 135-degree field of view, compared to the Standard version at 100 degrees.
You can get better signals from the High performance because it is wider and communicates with more satellites.
High-Performance Starlink vs. Standard: Mounting, accessories, and advanced networking
A server rack with connected cables
While the Standard kit offers great reliability, it may not be the best option for nerds or anyone with an advanced internet setup.
The High-performance kit has a separate Ethernet LAN port, unlocking endless possibilities.
So, for instance, if you don’t like the Starlink router, you can plug in your advanced router and still connect with Starlink.
Both kits have similar mounting options with base mounts and mesh systems. The Standard kit is lighter than the high performance, which calls for adjustments during travel.
For instance, the High-performance kit has a separate power supply brick, which complicates the initial setup process, especially for standard users.
High-Performance Starlink vs. Standard: Hardware cost and service plans
As you have seen, the High-performance kit is pricier than the Standard as it is $2,500 compared to $500.
Apart from the hardware price, you’ll look at monthly service plans, around $110 for the Standard plan.
High-Performance Starlink vs. Standard: Which One Is Best for Your Needs?
If you haven’t bought one yet, you must have difficulty making the best decision.
To explain frankly, the standard plan is great if you use the internet at home and have nice weather.
Also, if you don’t have any other networking equipment, it’s better to use the standard plan as it’s easier to install and works well for the residential plan.
However, if you are a business with plenty of power needs or live in extreme weather conditions, the High-performance kit is the best pick.
Also, this kit will do if you subscribe to Starlink Business, Maritime, or Mobility.
Conclusion
While the High-performance kit costs more than the Standard, it has a few perks that make it stand out.
If you have bad weather conditions or an array of obstructions, purchasing the High Performance is a perfect choice.
Standard is still a better option if you simply want WiFi in your home and don’t do much browsing.
Finally, I hope this guide has helped you gain better insights and laid out the differences in a clear form.