Do you want the high performance dish from Starlink Business, without the monthly Business price? You’re in luck! Starlink is now offering Residential customers a choice in hardware: Standard or High Performance.
Customers are presented with the option to select their preferred hardware when starting a new Residential order. This new hardware option doesn’t apply to RV orders.
How much does it cost?
The High Performance hardware option costs $2,500, compared to $599 for Standard.
What’s the difference between Standard and High Performance?
According to Starlink, the High Performance dish is best for power users who need the highest level of reliability, performance, and features. Here are a few of the major differences:
- Better snow melt capability
- Better rain performance
- Better performance in hot weather (>35 C, 95 F)
- IP56 rated, more water resistant
- More satellite visibility. High Performance has 35% more field of view
The High Performance dish is larger, but the mast is still compatible with the Standard Starlink mounts. The router included in the High Performance hardware kit includes an ethernet port. Existing Starlink Mesh Nodes are compatible with the High Performance hardware.
Is High Performance faster than Standard?
Right now, no, the Residential speeds for both High Performance and Standard will be similar. You have to upgrade your service tier to Business to experience faster speeds. The High Performance dish is just a more capable antenna, with better weather resistance and the ability to see more of the sky.
Can I upgrade my existing dish?
Yes, existing Residential customers can upgrade to the High Performance dish. To upgrade, create a support ticket with Starlink.
See also: How To Contact Starlink Customer Support
Who does High Performance make sense for?
For $2,500, the High Performance dish isn’t a good value for most people. I can see a benefit if you live in polar regions, close to the equator, or have obstructions that you can’t eliminate.
The main benefit of the High Performance dish is the increased power and visibility. So essentially, you’ll be able to see more satellites, and your signal will be more reliable. If your situation demands either of these things, High Performance might be a good fit.
I am assisting my friend in UP Michigan with his HP dish installation. He is concerned with reports of POE cable melting due to extended heater use in cold weather. His location is always sub-zero in the winter.
Is the High Performance 25 meter POE cable subject to melting problem?
I’ve never heard of them melting. I’ve seen where the connectors or cable go bad, with internal damage that isn’t really visible or obvious. No melting, though. The HP dish cables are beefier because the dish uses more power. It’s designed for the harsher climates. Should be totally fine.
I bought a second mesh, do I just plug it into the wall and that’s it? Or do I have to connect it to something? thank you!
You just plug it in to power, let it boot up, open the Starlink app, and pair the new mesh node when it asks to.
Hi Noah,
I live in Southern Colorado in a place that is constantly below during the winter time. I’ve had the Starlink residential dish for about a year and a half now. Our signal is less than ideal with it but we have no other internet options. We do have a tree that obstructs about 5-8% of the satellites and signal is slightly better in the winter. It doesn’t seem like it’s THAT many satellites that are obstructed. Building a tower is unrealistic for us as it would have to be over 20 ft tall from the top of our roof and wind can get up to 70mph regularly. Do you think the HP dish would be good for our situation? $2500 is a lot of money but I rely on good internet connection for my work.
If you can’t fix the obstructions and need more reliability, I think High Performance is worth a shot to see if it improves your uptime. You can always return it if it doesn’t work better than the Standard dish.
Thanks!
Hi,
I’m trying to order from Anchorage AK, and do not see the option for the HP dish as pictured and described above. With my address they even recommed it on the order page, but default to standard. Have you heard of any change in the policy?
Thanks for your time,
I haven’t heard, but it’s possible that it isn’t available due to supply or regulatory issues. If there is no option to select the HP dish on the order page, it isn’t available right now at your address. Is the order page giving you the price for the equipment ($599) or just the pre-order ($99)? If just pre-order, you won’t be able to select HP until you actually are eligible to order the hardware.
Lools like it is a pre-order…
Hello, I live in Los Angeles and since we have a lot of sun and it get really hot here during the summer I was wondering if I should get the high performance one instead of the regular one since they state it works better with higher temperature?
I haven’t heard about even the Standard version having issues with heat. You can always upgrade later if you have issues. My general recommendation is to try Standard first, and then upgrade if it’s not working out. You don’t have access to cable, fiber, or 5G home internet in LA? Any of those would honestly be a much cheaper and faster option than Starlink.
Hello! Is 150 FT REPLACEMENT CABLE suitable for using with High Performance Dish? It looks like the long cable has different connectors than the 75ft cable from the kit.
No, the cables are different between the Standard and High Performance dish. They don’t sell a longer cable for the HP version.
If I go with the high performance, can I order a second antenna to put on my RV and add the portable service when I am traveling? Would be nice to not have to remove the antenna each time I want to travel and just bring the router?
Yes, you can order more than 1 Starlink on a single account. But you’ll pay a separate equipment price + monthly service cost on each antenna you buy. With the RV service, you don’t need to add Portability, since it’s already included in the service. With RV, you’ll be able to pause the monthly bill when you aren’t using it. So you’ll only pay for that extra RV service during the months you are traveling.
Maybe I did not phrase my question correctly. If I buy the high performance unit, can I use my existing base station when I travel with a second antenna without incurring more expense. So, is the base station what we pay monthly for? Or is the antenna what we pay monthly for? Thanks
Each antenna requires a separate line of service.
Hello, I have DSL ($60 per mo) with average speeds of 30 download and 6-7 upload and have 0 hope of getting anything better for at least 5-8 years. Is SL worth it for me? If I get it I would like the HP but have already placed my order and been offered best service. If I cancel my order and reorder it will I get the option for HP? Lot to decide here but if I go SL I want the best service I can get.
High Performance is just the upgraded hardware, not upgraded service. It won’t be any faster because the limitation right now isn’t hardware, it’s the Starlink network. If you got Best Effort, do not cancel! You will lose your spot in line. Reach out to support and see if you can upgrade to the HP dish, but it’s a waste of money in my opinion.
With Starlink, you’ll get better download speeds, but similar upload speeds as your current DSL. If you need more download speed, it will be worth it.
Thanks Noah, sounds like i will just give the standard a try first and see how it does. If I have much trouble keeping the connection then I will consider the HP dish. Thank you sir!!
Can the cable for the regular performance dish be connected to the high performance dish? Or is it a whole new setup with a new cable through the wall, etc. That setup was kind of painful. With Starlink now offering a discount I am considering it.
My question too!
It’s a different cable. It’s 82 feet long, and designed to connect to the power supply (not the router like with Standard). Also has to handle more power for the HP dish.
I have had the residential rectangle (second gen?) dish for the last year. I live between two mountains and THOUGHT that was my obstruction issue but now that it is winter and the trees have shed their leaves my reception is better fewer dropped phone calls if any. WOULD the $2500 upgraded dish help with the trees/leaves being the issue? Is there a guarantee if I upgrade? Can I return the $2500 dish if the performance is NOT better? Please advise.
It depends on the obstructions. If you have a big tree right over the dish, not even the HP version will handle that. But if you have some minor obstructions that cause intermittent drop outs, it can improve reliability due to the larger field of view to see more satellites. As for a guarantee, I suggest asking Starlink customer support when you contact them about the upgrade. I assume they would honor the 30 day return policy just as if you bought a new kit. But be sure to ask Starlink to confirm when you request the upgrade.
The cheaper option would be to mount the dish higher, whether that means a tower, higher on the roof, etc.
I have Starlink RV at my house in Central Missouri as we were unable to get home service. We use a 3rd party “streaming box” for our television. We have a real difficult time streaming sports events without lots of buffering, yet we do not have a problem otherwise. Is there an accessory, different dish or some fix that would eliminate all of the buffering?
Missouri is a very congested area, so RV traffic is being deprioritized. Many services like Netflix have fancy streaming algorithms that smooth uneven download rates out. I’m guessing this sports streaming service isn’t as fancy, and has trouble with the variable download rates caused by the RV service. I would just make sure you don’t have obstructions in the Starlink app, that’s about all you can do.
I’m out in semi-rural southern Oregon, 20 acre parcels, very mountainous. I do have CenturyLink cable but ranges from 2 -8 mbps depending on users. I downloaded and used your siting app from my rooftop and it determined to be acceptable location. Is your high performance package the way to go? And can I expect 50+ mbps reliably?
It’s not any faster than the Standard dish, I don’t think it’s a good value so I would recommend the Standard. The new spec for Starlink is 20-100 mbps, most people see 50+ reliably.
Does Starlink really only do 50-200 MPS? I was looking to switch, but that’s not any faster than my current cable setup. And with no $600 startup fee.
Yes, the spec is 50-200 mbps. It’s satellite internet, it’s not meant for people like you with access to cable internet. Satellite will be slower and more expensive, cable is better. Stick with cable.
Far as Im concerned I have the first gen version 2 round dish(grey base) and i think they just reshaped the first gen dishes which does everything the new high power dish does except maybe working better in extreme heat, the first gen had higher power, larger field of view, harder coating, built in ethernet port and cost around $2500 to build so it makes ya wonder now if this wasnt why they discontinued the gen 1 to only reshape it later on and sell it as the extreme high power dish for its actual cost of production? Far as efficiency a quick scroll back through the reddit starlink threads will show you how much issues the newer rectangle base model dish has had since it came out and how little the round first gen dishes had since the beginning.
when will this be available in the Philippines.. It says 4th quarter and this is 4th quarter.
It’s anybody’s guess, as the ETA is very broad (3 months).
Wider field of view so make sure you will not introduce any new obstructions with this new dish. Or else you’ll have a worse connection even though you bought a bigger and fancier dish.
Not necessarily. You can think of the Standard dish FOV as the “minimum” required for Starlink tracking. The HP dish has more than minimum, so any additional obstructions in the “extra” FOV wouldn’t cause issues. Starlink actually recommends the HP to people with obstructions due to the wider FOV and possibility of better tracking and reliability.
I live in Rhode Island on the ocean with frequent salt spray. Does the High Performance package have different/improved salt resistance compared to the Standard hardware option? I have unobstructed southern exposure and need advice which system to buy. Thanks!
I think I already emailed you a response, but just in case, the HP dish does offer more water resistance. If cost isn’t an issue HP is what I would recommend. I don’t think salt would be much of an issue for either hardware option. The antenna is made mostly of plastic and the mast is coated.
So I am a Starlink Residential customers now and pay $110 per month. So how much is a upgrade in hardware from the Standard to High Performance dish? And if I buy the new High Performance dish, am I required to send the Standard dish back to Starlink? Thank you.
When you upgrade, they’ll charge you the $2500 equipment fee for High Performance. You own your old dish, you don’t have to return it. If it’s been within 12 months, I believe they offer a partial refund if you do decide to return it.
I live in the Tropics in north Queensland Australia, our cable TV is via sateliate and during our rain events we loose TV, would it be the same issue with starlink, we would be paying for the Business plan to get the better dish & speed
Light and moderate rain wouldn’t be a problem for the High Performance dish. Heavy downpours will interrupt the signal.
Hi
I want hardware for starlink in iran
Ordered the residential High Performance dish option, you have to reach out to support, order the dish, and then once it arrives they will switch the service over to the new dish.
You were able to upgrade from an existing Standard dish, or is this new service?
Existing service for me
Thanks for the feedback. I’ll update the article to reflect these reports.
ordered standard dish kit, but am remote so has yet to arrive.
Wish to upgrade to high performance, as am arctic.
But unable, within account login, to find purchase/upgrade option.
Must I be active
You will need to contact Starlink support to request an order upgrade:
https://www.starlinkhardware.com/how-to-contact-starlink-customer-support/
Have done so, but believe they’re swamped.
Please expand on this – “The router, cables, and mounts are also different. The High Performance dish is larger, and isn’t compatible with other Starlink mounts.”
When browsing through HP dish mounts the options appear identical to those of the standard dish. No P/N to cross reference as check.
Guessing the shaft diameter, into base, might be heftier.
Or, just the base legs are broader to support the increase in dish.
I need to change this. The cables, power supply, and base are indeed different, but it looks like the mast is the same diameter (1.3 in) on both Standard and High Performance, so the mounts are all the same. Looks like the router is also the same model. My mistake, I will update this to avoid further confusion!
Please, steer me if you can, to more specifics regarding the residential HP dish. Over many weeks of contact, accommodation was secured to upgrade, even allowing for the lack of FED EX regionally. and the tendering to other carriers for delivery.
The HP has dish, base, p-supply and router. Within is a length of specialty cable also, one end Ethernet, the other looking identical to one router cable end connection at the power supply. No Ethernet port found vacant., as expected. Almost seems as if the intent is to remove the router to use ethernet.
It was -33 this morning when the HP arrived, and connecting atop roof mast will require quite a bit of disconnect and cable penetrations to remove/replace, so I’m being cautious.
Also, have yet to find the quick connection sketch. Only a reference to a wall hanger for the p-supply. Googling so far seems to reference mostly mobile use, not residential. These are a bit new.
I do have now, an ethernet adaptor, in use. Hoping for active use of both.
Have you a link to any more in-depth articles.
Appreciate your patience with folks
This is the only setup guide I know of for the High Performance dish, it shows a basic connection diagram:
https://api.starlink.com/public-files/StarlinkInstallGuide_Business_English.pdf
It sounds like you have it connected correctly. The router is connected to the power supply via the Ethernet port on the power supply. Most customers of the Business service are going to use their own router, so I believe that’s why they did it this way. Most will not use the Starlink router or the cable that goes from the power supply to the router. They will just plug their own router or network into the Ethernet port on the power supply. My advice, if you need multiple Ethernet ports, would be to buy an “unmanaged switch”. This gives you multiple Ethernet ports. Use an Ethernet patch cable to plug one port of the switch into the Starlink power supply. Use another port to plug in the Starlink router (if you want to use it). And then you have several other Ethernet ports available if you wish. No need for the Ethernet Adapter this way.
Hope this helps. I don’t have much experience with the High Performance dish, haven’t had a chance to get hands on with it myself. Maybe I will try to buy one and do a setup tutorial one of these days.
Thanks here, again.
If the router is bypassed and that specialty cable jumps directly to PC or switch, can/will the dish obtain updates as needed? Seems removal of the router may also remove phone app communication.
Or, like the standard, employ the ethernet adapter to employ both.
The router isn’t necessary for dish updates. The modem is in the dish itself. It’s capable of internet access without the router, so it can download updates without it.
Thanks Noah,
The kit arrived with all cables preconnected, with no additional ethernet port anywhere. I was not clear on that.
The included cable, male/ethernet, matches a router to p-supply on the other end, so I assumed router bypass.
It all remains in box as I consider possibility, before swapping the standard for HP. Need to consider possibility while still online.
Appreciate this
Aside from the general congestion of Starlink in our area, I don’t feel a big jump in service speed from our previous DSL, the only other downside we’ve noticed is the instability with service and service black-out during our daily thunderstorms. We live in FL, so terrain isn’t the issue as it’s flat virtually everywhere in the southern portion where we are, but the rain is a daily event. Will this help us feel the full effects of what Starlink bragged to be for us?! We run a business, so the cost is not as impossible to manage.
While no satellite internet is immune from the effects of heavy rain, the High Performance dish will perform better than the Standard. Even the original, round dish performs better than the newer rectangular dish. There is a consensus in the various Starlink communities on this issue, and it mainly has to do with power efficiency. The rectangular Standard dish uses much less power than the High Performance or round dish, at the cost of signal reliability in certain weather events. So I have no doubt that the even more robust High Performance dish would do better for you in the rain.
If this is for business use, I think it’s worth a shot. Worst case scenario, it doesn’t improve your experience, and you can simply return it and either go back to the regular dish or go back to DSL.