Starlink Power Consumption Calculator
Estimate power usage and costs for different Starlink satellite internet models
1. Choose Your Starlink Model
Standard / Gen 2
Original
Power: 110-150W Active, 45W Idle
The rectangular Starlink dish with higher power requirements.
Gen 3
Latest Standard Model
Power: 75-100W Active, 45-55W Idle
The newer Starlink dish with improved efficiency.
Mini
Portable
Power: 20-40W Active, 15W Idle
Compact portable version with significantly lower power consumption.
2. Usage Settings
Active use includes streaming, video calls, gaming, or heavy downloads
8 hours
Cold temperatures increase power consumption due to built-in heaters
Snow accumulation activates heating elements to melt snow
3. Electricity Cost
Average US electricity rate is about $0.15/kWh
Results
Power Consumption
Estimated Daily Usage:
0 kWh
Estimated Monthly Usage:
0 kWh
Estimated Yearly Usage:
0 kWh
Cost Estimate
Estimated Daily Cost:
$0.00
Estimated Monthly Cost:
$0.00
Estimated Yearly Cost:
$0.00
Power Savings Tip
Select a model to see specific power saving tips.
About Starlink Power Consumption
What Affects Starlink Power Usage?
- Active vs. idle operation (streaming, gaming, video calls use more power)
- Environmental conditions (snow and ice activate the dish heater)
- Ambient temperature (colder temperatures require more power for internal heaters)
- Model type and generation (newer models are generally more efficient)
Model Comparison
Model | Active Power | Idle Power | Snow Melt Mode |
---|---|---|---|
Standard / Gen 2 | 110-150W | 45W | Up to 175W |
Gen 3 | 75-100W | 45-55W | Up to 120W |
Mini | 20-40W | 15W | Up to 60W |
Note: This calculator provides estimates based on typical usage patterns and official Starlink specifications. Actual power consumption may vary based on firmware updates, individual usage patterns, and environmental factors.
Data sources: Starlink support documentation, user measurements from Reddit forums, and manufacturer specifications.
How Does This Calculator Work
Calculation Methodology
The Starlink Power Consumption Calculator uses a multi-factor approach to estimate power usage based on real-world data and official specifications. Here’s how the calculations work:
1. Base Power Consumption
Each Starlink model has different power requirements in both active and idle states:
- Standard/Gen 2: 110-150W active (average 130W), 45W idle
- Gen 3: 75-100W active (average 87.5W), 45-55W idle (average 50W)
- Mini: 20-40W active (average 30W), 15W idle
The calculator takes the average power consumption within these ranges for more accurate estimates.
2. Usage Time Calculation
The calculator divides your day into active and idle hours:
Active Hours = Hours you select (e.g., 8 hours)
Idle Hours = 24 - Active Hours (e.g., 16 hours)
3. Weather Condition Adjustments
When cold weather and/or snow conditions are selected, the calculator adds additional power consumption:
- Cold Weather: Increases power usage by approximately 15-25% (varies by model)
- Snow/Ice Present: Activates the snow melt functionality, which can increase power usage up to:
- Standard/Gen 2: Up to 175W (45W additional)
- Gen 3: Up to 120W (32.5W additional)
- Mini: Up to 60W (30W additional)
4. Daily Power Calculation Formula
Daily Power (kWh) = (Active Power × Active Hours + Idle Power × Idle Hours)
× Weather Factor × Snow Factor ÷ 1000
Where:
- Active Power is in watts
- Idle Power is in watts
- Weather Factor is 1.0-1.25 depending on temperature selection
- Snow Factor adds additional wattage when snow is present
- Division by 1000 converts from watt-hours to kilowatt-hours
5. Extended Calculations
Monthly and yearly calculations use the following formulas:
Monthly Power (kWh) = Daily Power × 30.4 (average days per month)
Yearly Power (kWh) = Daily Power × 365
6. Cost Calculations
Cost estimates are calculated by multiplying the power usage by your specified electricity rate:
Daily Cost = Daily Power (kWh) × Electricity Rate ($/kWh)
Monthly Cost = Monthly Power (kWh) × Electricity Rate ($/kWh)
Yearly Cost = Yearly Power (kWh) × Electricity Rate ($/kWh)
Data Sources and Accuracy
The calculator uses data compiled from:
- Official Starlink support documentation
- User-reported measurements from Reddit forums and Starlink communities
- Published technical specifications from SpaceX
- Independent testing reports from users in various environments
While the calculator provides a good estimate, actual power consumption may vary based on:
- Firmware versions and updates
- Signal strength in your location
- Number of obstructions in your satellite view
- Specific usage patterns (video streaming vs. basic web browsing)
- Ambient temperature variations beyond simple “cold” vs “normal” settings
Model-Specific Considerations
- Standard/Gen 2 uses more power but provides reliable performance for most residential installations
- Gen 3 offers better efficiency while maintaining high performance
- Mini is optimized for low power environments like RVs, off-grid locations, and portable applications
Regular Updates
This calculator is periodically updated as new information becomes available about Starlink power consumption patterns. The last update was in May 2025.
Feedback and Improvements
If you have measured power consumption for your Starlink system that differs significantly from our estimates, please share your data to help us improve the calculator’s accuracy.