How Many Watts Does a Starlink Use

Brief Answer: Starlink typically uses between 50 to 75 watts during normal operation, with peak usage reaching around 150 watts for a high-performance dish. This makes it possible to run on portable power stations and solar generators.

Starlink's high internet speeds are becoming very popular, but many people have reservations about how many watts Starlink uses. As you are already paying for the Starlink subscription, the overhead power cost must be minimized. The standard Starlink router, including the antenna and power cables, consumes between 50W and 75W when connected to low Earth orbit (LEO satellites) and about 20W when connected to the internet without network usage.

Starlink is an internet service that provides high-speed internet in both populated and remote areas. It consists of about 12,000 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). The Starlink network is available in 54 countries, and over one million customers have already subscribed to the services. Jackery Solar Generators are portable and powerful battery backup solutions that can run most appliances including Starlink Internet setup.

AI Takeaways

• The Gen 1 Standard Circular Starlink dish averages between 65 and 50 watts.
• The Gen 2 Standard Actuated Starlink dish consumes between 50 and 75 watts.
• The Gen 3 Standard Starlink dish consumes the least power, on average, between 75 and 100 watts. This includes all the equipment, such as the antenna, router, power supply, and cables.
• The service fee is about $99 monthly, and a $500 equipment fee.
• The power consumption costs approx $7.50 monthly at 26 c/kWh.
• The cost of power consumption of a Starlink is over $100 yearly.
• How to use Jackery with Starlink.
• How long can Jackery run a Starlink.
  

How Many Watts Does A Starlink Use?

Starlink systems use between 20 to over 150 watts, depending on the specific dish model and activity level, with the Starlink Mini using the least at 20 - 40W, and the High Performance dish consuming the most, around 110 - 150W. The power consumption varies with activity, with dishes using more power while active and less when in an idle state.

Definition Of Amps, Volts, Watts, Running Watts, Rated Watts, Watt-Hours.

It is essential to know the basic terminologies to learn how many watts Starlink uses in different scenarios.

Ampere (A):

Ampere shows how much electricity flows through the electronic devices in one second. When the number of amps increases, the current(amp) flowing through the device per second increases.

Volt or Voltage (V):

Volts show the amount of energy given to an electric circuit. They are the unit of voltage, and a device's rating usually remains constant.

Watts (W): 

Watts shows how much energy an electronic device consumes and indicates how powerful the device is. Power is calculated by multiplying voltage by the number of amps;

W = V x A

Watt-hour (Wh):

Watt-hours (Wh) shows the battery's capacity. It is calculated by multiplying the number of Amps by the voltage.

What are the Factors Affecting Starlink Wattage Consumption?

Starlink's power consumption is affected by its model and generation, with newer models like Gen 3 offering better efficiency, and factors such as network activity (data usage) and environmental conditions like weather and physical obstructions that require the dish to work harder. Let us discuss the common factors affecting the Starlink's power consumption:

Network Activity

The number of devices connected to the router and the amount of data they request directly affect Starlink's power consumption. The more data required, the more power the dish and router will consume. This means video streaming, downloading large files, playing video games, and using video calls, which means more power consumption.

Weather

A clear sky without clouds or weather obstructions like heavy precipitation is far better for Starlink's performance and, eventually, power consumption.  

Physical Obstructions

Physical obstructions, such as trees or hills, also affect Starlink's power consumption. The dish might have to re-establish connections with satellites, and, therefore, the power consumption may increase.

How Many Watts Does a Starlink Use On Average?

The Standard Starlink square dish and hardware consume about 45-75 watts when the hardware is actively in use, though it may draw more power during booting and configuring. When there is no activity, the power consumption may drop to 20-30 watts.

How Many Watts Does A Starlink Use At High Performance?

When actively used, the High-Performance Starlink dish and hardware consume about 110-150 watts. Again, it may draw more during booting and configuration. The power consumption can be as low as 45 watts in an idle state.

Source: Starlink

For Scott, an engineer living in rural Wisconsin, power is a survival through blizzards, ice storms, and summer blackouts. Tired of the noise and upkeep of gas generators, he turned to the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus, which seamlessly connected to his home’s existing system and powered essentials like the fridge, well pump, and WiFi in minutes. With a smaller Jackery always in his car for road trips and fishing weekends, he values the same things in energy as he does in engineering: simplicity, reliability, and peace of mind. Read Scott’s full Jackery story.

How to Use Jackery with Starlink

Jackery Solar Generators combine Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, which work together to absorb sunlight and generate electricity suitable for appliances like Starlink. Simply unfold and place the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels under direct sunlight to absorb the sun's energy and generate DC electricity. 

The pure sine wave inverter can then be connected to the Jackery Portable Power Station to convert DC to AC to charge the appliances. You can connect the Jackery Portable Power Station with the Starlink to start the charging process. 

Using Jackery Solar Generators and Starlink Mini, you can enjoy all-day high-speed Internet anywhere. These small solar generators are easy to carry and charge outdoor appliances for long hours for a comfortable trip. 

Note: Jackery Portable Power Stations come with a floating neutral setup. To use them with Starlink, you need to connect a neutral-ground bonding plug to create the proper ground reference and avoid connection issues.

Elon Musk tweeted on X that basic camping solar panels and a small battery can power a Starlink all day. 

Basic camping solar panels plus a little battery will power Starlink all day https://t.co/hDK91prZwj

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 11, 2024

How Long Can Jackery Run A Starlink

The standard Starlink dish consumes about 1 kWh daily. If you use a larger, in-motion dish, the consumption can be doubled.  

The subscription fee for Starlink Roam service is $65 - $125 per month, whereas it is around $323 - $1268 for Starlink Boat service.

We have discussed above and found that Starlink power consumption is not a small expense. Switching to an alternative power source can help you save a considerable amount of money on grid power. Solar power generators are suitable alternative power sources for running a Starlink as they are portable, compact, waterproof, and have a library-level noise rating. These features make them perfect for both outdoors and indoors.  

The Jackery Solar Generators are available in a wide range depending on size and capacity. Considering how many watts Starlink uses, the Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus and Jackery Solar Generator 500 are the recommended generators for this purpose. You can calculate the running time by using the Running Time Calculator available on each product page. Visit the product page you are interested in, scroll down to find the calculator, and enter the appliance's wattage to get an estimated runtime.

Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is a portable compact generator, yet it has a capacity of 288Wh, which is enough to run your Starlink connection. You can easily carry it along for outdoor adventures, in your RV, and for camping trips. Apart from your Starlink, you can use it for Xbox, camera, Bluetooth speaker, etc. Since it can be charged through solar panels, wall outlets, and carports, you won't have to worry about power even in remote locations.  

How long can the Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus run your equipment? Here is a list of running hours of standard devices on a fully charged generator.

• Standard (Active) 50 - 75W = 3.2 - 4.8H 
• Standard (Idle) 20W = 12.2H 
• Mini (Average) 20 - 40W = 6.1 - 12.2H 
• Mini (Idle) 15W = 16.3H 
• High Performance (Active) 110 - 150W = 1.6 - 2.2H 
• High Performance (Idle) 45W = 5.4H

Who Should Buy This 

If you are looking for a compact solar generator that can run most outdoor appliances, including Starlink Internet, for hours or even days, then the Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is an ideal solution. 

Customer Review 

I bought this to charge my laptop and phone while I'm working from a boat. So far I'm impressed with the charging capacity. After charging my 15" Pro once, my phone twice, and running a fan for 45 minutes, it was still at 60%. I'm recharging it with the solar panels today, so I'll have to see how well that works. Overall, good purchase.

— Devin.

Jackery Solar Generator 500

Jackery Solar Generator 500 is a compact yet powerful solar generator that allows you to run most of your camping equipment for longer hours. It has a capacity of 518 Wh, enough to run even multiple small-sized devices simultaneously using various output ports on the generator. It is safe to use indoors with no gas emissions and a reliable battery management system. Its temperature resistance at high and low temperatures and waterproof rating allows it to be used outdoors without any issues.

The following list summarizes the running time of appliances on fully charged 500.

• Standard (Active) 50 - 75W = 5.8 - 8.8H 

• Standard (Idle) 20W = 22.0H 
• Mini (Average) 20 - 40W = 11.0 - 22.0H 
• Mini (Idle) 15W = 29.3H 
• High Performance (Active) 110 - 150W = 2.9 - 4.0H 
• High Performance (Idle) 45W = 9.7H

Who Should Buy This 

If you want to power small to midsize appliances, including Starlink Internet, computers, laptops, etc., in remote locations or during outages, the Jackery Solar Generator 500 is an ideal solution. 

Customer Review 

I have owned my Jackery 500 for over 2 years now and I keep finding more and more ways to use it! I started by using it for electronics like a phone, computer, speakers, lights, and my Wi-Fi hotspot. Soon I realized it powered all my hair styling tools (hear that girls!). My Jackery 500 is just an amazing and helpful addition to my camping life!

— Rosy Laden.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is the next-gen charging solution that can safely charge Starlink for long hours. It's faster and stronger than other versions, making it the ultimate companion for power needs. It features multiple output ports to charge other outdoor appliances like phones, lights, etc., during camping or overlanding. 

Here is the list of Starlink models and their running time when they are charged by the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2:

• Standard (Active) 50 - 75W = 12.1 - 18.1H 
• Standard (Idle) 20W = 45.4H 
• Mini (Average) 20 - 40W = 22.7 - 45.4H 
• Mini (Idle) 15W = 60.6H 
• High Performance (Active) 110 - 150W = 6.0 - 8.2H 
• High Performance (Idle) 45W = 20.2H

Who Should Buy This 

If you have a small home office and wish to keep Starlink Internet, printers, scanners, computers, and other home appliances running, then the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is a reliable choice. 

Customer Review 

It surpassed all of my expectations. It does exactly what I need to do and it's small enough that I can take it with me.

— L.H.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is the essential home backup solution that can not only power Starlink Internet but also other appliances, such as refrigerators, lights, computers, printers, etc. If you have a home office and don't want your work to be interrupted, you can consider this Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000. It has dual-sided handles, so you can easily transport the solar generator from your home office to the kitchen or living room.

Here is the list of Starlink Internet appliances that you can run with the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000, and for how long: 

• Standard (Active) 50 - 75W = 26.9 - 36.3H 
• Standard (Idle) 20W = 62.2H 
• Mini (Average) 20 - 40W = 42.1 - 62.2H 
• Mini (Idle) 15W = 70.6H 
• High Performance (Active) 110 - 150W = 15.2 - 19.8H 
• High Performance (Idle) 45W = 39.0H

Who Should Buy This 

If you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages or blackouts and want to keep your work appliances powered, this Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is the ideal solution.

Customer Review 

I love my Jackery and recently used it on a fishing trip in the mountains, where I could not recharge my electric trolling motor on the boat easily. I took my jackery down the boat dock and recharged the battery after each day of fishing. The Jackery was quiet, charged the boat up quickly, and I was able to spend more time on the water!

— Will H.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus is a powerful, essential home backup solution that can run most appliances, such as Starlink Internet, refrigerators, space heaters, etc. If you need an uninterrupted power supply for Starlink in remote locations or when outages happen for long hours, you can consider going ahead with this solar generator. It has a telescoping handle and wheels, so you can roll this home battery backup anywhere you go. 

Here is the list of the Statlink Internet appliances that you can run with the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus, including their running times:

• Standard (Active) 50 - 75W = 31.4 - 42.3H 
• Standard (Idle) 20W = 72.5H 
• Mini (Average) 20 - 40W = 49.1 - 72.5H 
• Mini (Idle) 15W = 82.3H 
• High Performance (Active) 110 - 150W = 17.7 - 23.1H 
• High Performance (Idle) 45W = 45.5H

Who Should Buy This 

If you want a powerful, essential home backup solution that can run most household appliances during multi-day outages, you can consider the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus.

Customer Review 

Very easy to set up, solar charge, great support! Going to buy more batteries!

— Mike Palmer.

Conclusion

How many watts does Starlink use? A standard Starlink router uses an average of 50 and 75W when connected to LEO satellites. The power consumption drops to around 20W when connected to the internet without network activity. It is important to note that Starlink's standard and RV dishes use the same electricity in active and dormant modes. On the other hand, the high-performance Starlink dish consumes 110-150W when active.