Starlink Mini 2 - The 5 Big Changes (And Who It's Really For)
Starlink just officially announced details and preorders for the Starlink Mini 2. In my new video I break it down into five takeaways: what changed, what actually matters, and who should (and shouldn't) buy one.
The 5 biggest changes
- It's thinner and heavier. About half an inch slimmer, so it slides into a bag more easily, but roughly a pound heavier.
- The battery is built in. Up to 4.5 hours of runtime, a swappable pack, and it can even charge your phone.
- Wi-Fi 6. More coverage and speed around camp than the Mini 1's Wi-Fi 5.
- The price is complicated. The Mini 1 is down to $149. The Mini 2 launch pre-order is close to $1,000, and there's a catch I explain in the video.
- It does a different job. This is the one that matters most when you're deciding.
Bonus: it finally has a 1/4"-20 mounting thread. I've been adding that to Starlink mounts for years, so I'm happy to see it built in. It makes it easier to mount it on a tripod with a ball head, which I think is the #1 thing you can do to be a better more reliable connection.
Mini 1 or Mini 2?
The Mini 1 is a component. You wire it into your rig and run it all day. The Mini 2 is grab-and-go. I think of it as a better cellular hotspot, one that works anywhere you can see the sky.
In the video I walk through the trips where the Mini 2 makes the most sense: the mobile office, the weekend car camper, the paddle trip, and the overlander parked under the trees. I also explain why, if you already have a Mini 1 built into your rig, I don't see a big reason to upgrade.
What I still want to know
Nobody has one in hand yet, so there are real questions to answer. How fast are uploads? What's the battery life in the field, not just on paper? Does the narrower 55° field of view help or hurt? And will current mounts handle the extra weight and the new battery and cable layout?
I'm getting a Mini 2 to field test, and if the mounts need rethinking, I'll design and 3D print new ones and share them with you.
Watch the full video for all five takeaways and my take on who the Mini 2 is really for. Want every spec? My Mini 1 vs. Mini 2 comparison post has the side-by-side infographics. You can also grab my free Starlink Field Guide to get updates when something important changes.