Your Starlink kit runs 24/7, 365 days a year. Like any electrical device, it draws power. The question is how much — and what that actually means for your electricity bill.
There’s no single answer. It depends on which model you have, the climate where you live, and your local electricity rates. But we have Starlink’s official specs, so you can calculate your own cost in about five minutes. Here are the numbers for every kit — Standard, Mini, and Performance — with a quick monthly cost table in USD.
Power Consumption by Model (Official Starlink Data)
Starlink publishes power specs in its help center. These figures include the antenna, router, power supply, and cables — everything that comes in the box.
- Starlink Standard Actuated (the original rectangular dish). Average: 50-75W. Idle: 20W.
- Standard 4 and Standard 4X (the latest models). Average: 75-100W. Idle: 20W.
- Starlink Mini (the laptop-sized portable kit). Average: 20-40W. Idle: 15W.
- Starlink Performance Gen 1 and Gen 2 (the high-capacity kit). Average: 110-150W. Idle: 45W.
Key point: idle is when the system is powered on but not actively transferring data. Most of the time, your Starlink runs at average power, not idle. Consumption also climbs in winter because the dish activates a heater to prevent snow buildup.
How to Calculate Your Monthly Cost
It’s easier than it looks. You only need three numbers.
Step 1: Identify your model. If you’re not sure, check Starlink’s kit identification guide. The Standard is a medium-sized white rectangular dish, the Mini fits in a backpack, and the Performance is large and heavy.
Step 2: Calculate daily consumption. Multiply your model’s wattage by 24 hours and divide by 1000. For a Standard Actuated (75W): 75 x 24 = 1,800 Wh → 1.8 kWh per day. That’s 54 kWh per month.
Step 3: Check your electricity bill. Find what you pay per kWh. In the US, the national average is about $0.17/kWh, but rates vary widely by state — from $0.10 in some areas to $0.30+ in others.
Step 4: Multiply. 54 kWh x $0.17 = $9.18/month for a Standard Actuated at the US average rate.
Quick Monthly Cost Table (USD)
- Starlink Mini: $5-9/month in electricity
- Standard Actuated: $9-11/month
- Standard 4 / 4X: $10-12/month
- Performance Gen 1/2: $15-19/month
These estimates use the US average rate of $0.17/kWh. Your actual cost depends on your local rate, but now you know how to calculate it yourself.
Recommendations and Warnings
Winter drives up the bill. The dish’s snow melt heater can increase consumption by 15-30% in cold climates. That’s normal, not a defect.
Powering off at night saves money. Starlink doesn’t have a low-power mode you can set from the app. But you can put the kit on a timer — off at midnight, back on at 6 AM — and cut up to 25% off your monthly consumption. Just note that if the router doesn’t power back on, check our guide on what to do when your Starlink router won’t turn on.
Compared to a regular router. A typical WiFi router draws 10-15W, which costs about $1.50-2.00/month. Starlink uses 5 to 10 times more. It’s not alarming, but it’s noticeable on your bill.
If you’re on solar. A Standard kit consumes about 1.8 kWh per day. You’ll need a battery bank of at least 200Ah to run it through the night. The Mini, with half the draw, is far more off-grid friendly.
Rates vary by region. The table above uses US averages. If you’re in Europe, Asia, or elsewhere, check your local kWh rate and plug it into the calculation — the math is the same.