Starlink Mini Speeds in 2025: Real Test Results Revealed

Is the Starlink Mini Right For You?
5 Easy Questions To Find Out

By Loren Ross, Creator of Digital Nomad Lifestyle

Starlink Mini – Finally Freedom?

I’ve felt trapped these last few years. 

Sure I have more freedom than most, but I find myself tied to cities with better infrastructure, with fear that if I adventure off I won’t find good wifi.

From the moment I heard about the Starlink Mini I was excited! Finally, complete freedom! 

So I got a Starlink mini in 2024, and have been traveling the world using it giving a real, no BS review. See the complete guide to using a Starlink Mini here.

If you’re a digital nomad looking for reliable internet in 2025, this breakdown is for you.

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What Is Starlink Mini and Why Digital Nomads Are Eyeing It

Starlink Mini is a portable version of the original Starlink system, built specifically for mobility, lighter and more energy-efficient.

It’s not a budget satellite connection. It’s a compact powerhouse made for those of us who rely on fast uploads, video calls, and stable remote access.

Who It’s For:

• Freelancers needing stable Zoom calls across borders
• Digital nomads who work from rural or remote spots
• Creators who need reliable upload speeds

Starlink Mini Speeds by Location: My Real 2025 Test Data

After using it across more than 10 countries and 20 cities, here are the stats

Key Observations:

• Upload speeds regularly exceeded 10 Mbps—perfect for HD video calls and file transfers.
• Download speeds ranged widely but were often well over 100 Mbps, even in smaller towns.
• Latency stayed within acceptable limits for video conferencing across the board.

If you’d like to learn more about what these numbers mean. Check out my guide to getting fast wifi anywhere here!

How Does It Stack Up Against Traditional Starlink?

While the Starlink Mini’s download speeds occasionally dip, it shines in portability and power usage. For most remote workers, the Mini delivers more than enough bandwidth to work without friction—especially when paired with a wired Ethernet connection (which boosted performance in several cases).

5 Steps To Increase Internet Speeds With The Starlink Mini

1. Clear View Of The Sky!
   1. Upon my research it appears that if you’re in the northern hemisphere, the Starlink will want a clear view to the north.
   2. If you’re in the Southern hemisphere, the Starlink will want a clear view to the south.
   3. Pro tip – if you go to the app, then go to the Obstructions – and the “Verify Obstructions” feature you can take a screenshot of the sky to see how many obstructions you may get in each area. If you can get these pre-test to near zero obstructions you should be golden.
2. Give It Some Time
   1. Within 1 – 2 hours the wifi connection becomes very stable.
      1. Here are some test results I’ve done from Kingston, Jamaica
         1. Ideal Latency – Less than 100
         2. Ideal Packet Loss – Less than 1%
         3. Click here to learn more about wifi speeds

3. Stay Out Of Urban Areas
   1. For 2 Reasons
      1. The more Starlink users in the area, the slower the speeds will be.
      2. Clear Views of the sky are hard to find in urban areas
         1. Pro tip – If you’re in an urban area, try to find a hotel in a taller building with a rooftop that at least has a portion uncovered – then you’ll be solid. 
         2. I’m writing this now from a hotel in downtown Kingston, the wifi of the hotel is okay, but not reliable enough for video calls, however my Starlink is getting 150+ download speeds!
4. Ethernet Cord
   1. This won’t help with speed per se, but will make the internet speed more stable, which is just as important.
5. Upgrade Your Subscription
   1. The Starlink Mini’s standard packages will make you the lowest priority of all Starlink users.
   2. So if there is a lot of traffic, or issues with the connectivity, you’ll be the first person to lose wifi speed.
   3. However, purchasing a higher subscription will put you higher in priority if there’s congestion / issues.

The Good and the Frustrating

Pros:

• Fast enough for creative professionals and remote workers
• Low power draw makes it ideal for vanlife setups
• Surprisingly fast speeds, especially in remote areas
  

Cons:

• If you’re in an area with lots of users you will need to purchase a higher package, otherwise speeds won’t be great (see my wifi speed test from Runaway Beach as an example)
• Needs wide-open view of the sky — lots of trees, tall buildings, and even beautiful jagged Mountains, (if you’re in a place like Switzerland) can ruin connectivity.

You will always need a power source for it. So if you’re remote and without a power outlet, you’ll need either a battery pack, car outlet cord or solar panels. See my recommendations on alternative power sources here.

Is Starlink Mini the Right Fit for You?

Is the Starlink Mini Right For You?
5 Easy Questions To Find Out

Final Verdict After 30+ Speed Tests

Starlink Mini passed the test for me. From Croatia’s coast to Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, it delivered stable internet in places where 4G or café WiFi simply didn’t cut it.

It isn’t flawless, but it’s dependable—and that’s what matters when your income depends on staying connected.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast is Starlink Mini in real-world usage?
Based on testing across 20+ European locations, most speeds ranged from 60–170 Mbps download and 8–30 Mbps upload.

Does Starlink Mini work well for Video Calls – Zoom and Google Meet?
Yes. Speeds and high and latency remained below 50ms in most areas, which is ideal for smooth HD calls.

Can I use it across multiple countries?
Yes, Starlink Roam supports international usage (about 105 countries at the time of writing this) but always check coverage per country.

Do I need Ethernet to get good performance?
It helps a lot. Upload and stability were consistently better with a wired connection.

How much power does Starlink Mini use?
It pulls a decent amount of voltage, but significantly less than the original dish—making it perfect for larger battery setups, solar rigs, or off your cars energy source.

What’s the biggest downside of the Starlink Mini?
It’s not built for use in large urban cities. It’s too hard to get a clear view of the sky, and the network is usually very congested. For people who travel a lot, and are tired of searching for fast wifi in every new city they go to, I’d recommend the Solis Hotspot.

Is it worth the cost?
If you travel often and need dependable internet anywhere, yes. For city-based workers, probably not. I would recommend a Solis Hotspot.

Explore More Real-World Tools for Remote Life

Want honest reviews based on actual travel experience, not marketing fluff?
Check out my other guides and reviews: https://digitalnomadlifestyle.com/blog/

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