A new debate recently emerged among Starlink users over Starlink Standard vs. High Performance.
SpaceX recently introduced the Starlink High-Performance dish that you can configure for residential use.
The dish has advantages and disadvantages over the Standard one, making it hard for some users to pick the best.
We break down everything you may want about High Performance and how it compares to Standard Starlink.
Table of Contents
- How Does the Starlink Dish Work?
- What Makes it High Performance?
- What is the Difference Between High Performance and the Standard Starlink?
- How Much Does it Cost?
- Can I upgrade My Existing Dish?
- Is High Performance Faster than Standard?
- Is High Performance Nomadic?
- So, is Purchasing a High-Performance Dish Worth It?
How Does the Starlink Dish Work?
Starlink transmits the internal signals between the satellite and your dish antenna, making it available via your router.
The dish and the antenna enable you to receive and send data from the satellites without depending on the traditional infrastructure.
The antenna can trace the nearest satellite signal in the sky to connect to. It is the satellite that it connects to that will transmit data to other satellites in the network.
The satellites communicate between themselves using lesser links. However, the data reaches the ground stations using radio frequency signals.
The ground station is a gateway between the global network and the global internet.
It receives the network signal from the satellite and transmits it to the internet backbone.
From there, the signal goes to its destination on the internet, reaching the user via the router terminal.
Internet satellite train around the earth
What Makes it High Performance?
What makes Starlink High Performance is simply the capability of the dish. The dish can withstand extreme conditions.
For instance, it can perform in extreme heat and wet conditions, including heavy snowfalls.
This makes it ideal even in polar and equatorial regions where Standard Dish would struggle.
The High-Performance dish is also larger in diameter.
This means it has a wider field of view and, therefore, is not affected by obstruction like the Standard dish.
What is the Difference Between High Performance and the Standard Starlink?
While there are several differences between these two types of Starlink dishes, the speed remains the same.
Even if you modify the Starlink High-Performance dish for residential use, the speed is similar to what the Standard residential dish will offer, which is 50 Mbps-200 Mbps.
Moreover, the flat High Perforation offers a download speed of 350 Mbps, similar to what the Starlink Business plan will offer you.
The obvious difference between these two dishes is the size.
The High-Performance Starlink dish is larger with a wider field of view.
To be precise, it is around 35% wider than Standard Starlink.
This enables it to connect to more satellites and have a more stable internet connection.
A High-Performance dish’s benefits include rain performance or the ability to work in extremely wet weather, snow melt capability, and extreme heat (over 35C or 95F).
On the downside, the Starlink High-Performance dish costs much more than the Standard Residential dish.
Besides, the dish requires high power; from the specification, it can use between 110w-150w.
Lastly, though High Performance has the potential for better coverage due to its ability to operate in extreme conditions, it is a new invention in its early stages.
Therefore, Starlink Standard still has better availability as of now.
Standard satellite dish on the floor
How Much Does it Cost?
You must pay a one-time fee of $2,500 for the high-performance dish.
This is much higher than an ordinary Starlink dish’s $599 one-time fee.
However, the monthly cost for residential use remains $110 for both high-performance and Standard Starlink.
Initially, you had to pay a monthly fee of $500 when it was only accessible for Business Plan.
Can I upgrade My Existing Dish?
Yes. Just create a support ticket with Starlink, and they will guide you.
Your upgraded dish will be larger with the ability to operate in extreme conditions. However, the monthly cost and speed will remain the same.
Is High Performance Faster than Standard?
High-performance Starlink for residential has a speed similar to that of Standard Starlink.
However, the high-performance dish Starlink is still setting up its services, and these are areas we are sure will improve soon.
If you want to experience a faster download speed, go for the flat high-performance dish. This dish promises up to 350 Mbps.
This is a speed similar to that of Starlink business and faster than the 50 Mbps – 200 Mbps you will get from regular Residential or RV Starlink.
Is High Performance Nomadic?
Yes. Like Starlink Residential customers, you can add a portability plan to a high-performance dish and use it outside the service address.
This means you can purchase a dish with a Residential plan, add portability and use it even in your RV or boat.
However, you can’t get it directly as an RV plan or upgrade it.
You only get it as a new order on the Residential Plan.
But as you may know, Residential Plan can operate as an RV when you turn portability on.
So, is Purchasing a High-Performance Dish Worth It?
You have more than enough reasons to purchase a High-Performance dish.
If you live in areas that experience either extreme heat or snowfalls, this dish can withstand such conditions.
If you need a larger dish that can offer more stable internet, the Starlink High-Performance dish is worth your money.
However, this dish doesn’t have a better speed than the Standard dish.
Flat High Performance offers internet speed similar to the Business Plan dish.
If you configure it for residential use, you will get a similar internet speed to that of Standard Residential.
