Starlink Mini NZ prices start at about $349 at retailers (up to $449), plus a Roam plan from $100 a month. The Mini is Starlink’s laptop-sized dish with the Wi-Fi router built in; it draws 25–40 W and runs from 12–48 V DC or a 100 W USB-C supply, which makes it a natural fit for campervans, boats and baches.
This guide is for travellers, boaties, bach owners and anyone who needs internet away from a fixed line. It covers what the Mini costs, how to power it, where it works and when the Standard dish is the better buy. If you are new to Starlink altogether, start with our Starlink NZ guide.
Key takeaways
- The Mini sold for $349–$449 at NZ retailers in September 2026, and most people pair it with Roam 100GB ($100/month) or Roam Unlimited ($235/month).
- It averages 25–40 W, about a third of the Standard dish, so a 100 Ah lithium battery runs it for well over a day.
- Power it from 12 V DC or a 100 W USB-C PD supply; underpowered power banks are a common cause of reboots.
- Roam plans allow in-motion use up to 160 km/h and cover inland waters and territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles.
- For a permanent home connection, the Standard dish has better Wi-Fi coverage and snow melt and often costs less upfront.
In this guide
What is the Starlink Mini?
The Mini is a compact Starlink dish, 298.5 × 259 × 38.5 mm and 1.10 kg (1.16 kg with its kickstand), with the router built into the back. The kit includes the kickstand, a 15 m DC power cable and a mains power supply, so there is no separate router box to find a home for.
Its built-in Wi-Fi 5 router covers up to 112 m² and up to 128 devices, which is plenty for a campervan, boat cabin or small bach. There is one latching Ethernet port for a wired device, but it uses Starlink’s own plug and the matching cable is sold separately. Like the Standard dish, it has a 110° field of view, is rated IP67 and works from −30°C to 50°C.
Starlink Mini price NZ: hardware and plans
In September 2026, JB Hi-Fi listed the Mini at $349 and Noel Leeming at $449, so shop around. Residential Max customers can also add an optional Mini with discounted Roam pricing, which is worth knowing if you already have Starlink at home. Our Starlink NZ plans and prices guide has the full price list and a cost calculator.
| Plan | Monthly price | Data | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roam 100GB | $100 | 100 GB, then unlimited low-speed data | Weekends away, occasional trips, the bach |
| Roam Unlimited | $235 | Unlimited | Living on the road, working remotely |
| Residential Max add-on | Discounted Roam | Varies | Households that already have Max at home |
| Standby mode | Small monthly fee | Low-speed data only | Pausing between trips |
Starlink Roam NZ: which plan suits the Mini?
Roam 100GB suits most people: a long weekend of streaming, maps and video calls uses a fraction of it, and after 100 GB you drop to unlimited low-speed data rather than being cut off. Roam Unlimited earns its $235 only if you live or work on the road. Between trips, pause either plan with Standby mode, which keeps a low-speed connection for emergency messages.
Roam plans cover inland waterways and territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles from shore. Further out, you need Starlink’s Ocean Mode, which is billed per GB. Roam also supports in-motion use at up to 160 km/h in authorised locations, and the Mini is on Starlink’s list of approved in-motion hardware, provided it is properly mounted.
Starlink Mini vs Standard: which should you buy?
The Mini wins on portability and power. The Standard dish wins almost everywhere else: its Router 3 covers up to 297 m² with tri-band Wi-Fi 6 and two Ethernet ports, it melts snow faster (40 mm an hour against 25 mm), and in some areas the hardware is free upfront on a residential plan. For a house you live in year-round, buy the Standard. For anything that moves, or a bach with no power to spare, buy the Mini.
Starlink Mini power consumption and battery life
Starlink rates the Mini at 25–40 W on average, with a 60 W maximum input. Over a day that is modest: six hours at 30 W is 180 Wh before losses. The catch is that it needs clean, steady power, and many of the Mini problems people report come down to the power supply rather than the satellites.
Starlink Mini battery and solar calculator
Enter your battery and how you’ll use the Mini. See how long it runs, how many days a charge lasts and the solar panel size needed to keep up.
Starlink rates the Mini at 25–40 W on average (60 W maximum input). Panel sizing assumes 75% of rated output reaches the battery. Sun-hours are rough NZ figures: NIWA’s SolarView example shows about 6.2 kWh/m² a day in December and 3 in June for a well-angled north-facing panel, and flat campervan roofs collect less.
Starlink Mini battery setups on 12 V
The Mini accepts 12–48 V DC directly, so it can run from a campervan or boat’s 12 V system without an inverter. A 12.8 V 100 Ah lithium (LiFePO4) battery holds 1,280 Wh; at 30 W that is roughly 36 hours of use. Keep the cable from the battery short and thick, fit a fuse, and remember that a 12 V system that sags under load is a common cause of random reboots.
USB-C power banks
With Starlink’s USB-C to barrel-jack cable, the Mini can run from a USB-C PD source that supplies at least 100 W (20 V at 5 A). Many power banks advertise 100 W but cannot hold it, so check the spec sheet. A 99 Wh power bank, the most you can usually carry on a plane, gives about two and a half to three hours.
Solar for the Mini
To keep a battery topped up, size the panel for your daily use and the season. The calculator above assumes three-quarters of the panel’s rating reaches the battery; for six hours a day at 30 W, that means about 60 W of panel in summer and 130 W in winter. NIWA’s free SolarView tool shows how much sun your exact location gets through the year.
Starlink Mini mount options
The kickstand in the box is fine at a campsite or on the bach deck. For anything more permanent, or for in-motion use, you need a proper Starlink Mini mount: pipe adapters for boat rails and poles, pivot mounts for roofs and walls, and vehicle mounts for roof racks are sold by Starlink and third-party makers. Whatever you choose:
- Secure it properly for travel. Starlink warns that improper installation for in-motion use can cause injury or damage and may void the warranty.
- Use marine-grade or stainless fittings near salt water, and rinse the dish and connectors after a salty trip.
- Leave slack in the cable and protect the connector from being yanked, especially on boats.
- Think about theft at trailheads and campgrounds; a lockable mount or taking it inside is cheap insurance.
For cables, adapters and longer power leads, see our Starlink accessories guide.
Where the Starlink Mini makes sense in NZ
Starlink Mini in a campervan
This is the Mini’s home ground. It runs from the van’s 12 V system, sets up in a minute at DOC campsites with no power, and on a Roam plan can stay connected while you drive if it is roof-mounted. The main thing to watch is tree cover: a campsite under beech forest may give you a bar or two of Wi-Fi and plenty of dropouts, so park with a clear view of the sky where you can.
Starlink Mini on a boat in NZ
Roam covers inland waterways and coastal waters to 12 nautical miles, which takes in most day trips and coastal cruising in the Hauraki Gulf, the Bay of Islands or the Marlborough Sounds. It is not safety equipment, though. Maritime NZ advises carrying at least two ways of calling for help that work when wet, such as a VHF radio and a distress beacon, and Starlink should be a third option, not a replacement.
Baches, work sites and emergencies
A Mini on Roam is often the simplest option for a bach you visit a few times a year, with no install and no second dish on the roof. It also suits tradies and farm contractors working away from coverage. Paired with a power bank, it makes a useful emergency kit for storms and power cuts, and our Starlink outage guide explains how to tell a Starlink fault from a local one.
Common mistakes with the Starlink Mini
- Using a power bank that can’t deliver 100 W. The Mini reboots or refuses to start.
- Running a long, thin 12 V cable. Voltage drop causes dropouts; keep runs short and thick.
- Leaving it on around the clock off-grid. At 25–40 W it will flatten a small battery overnight. Switch it off when you don’t need it.
- Expecting it to cover a big house. The built-in Wi-Fi reaches about 112 m². For a larger home the Standard kit’s Router 3 does better, and our Starlink Wi-Fi extender guide covers adding coverage.
- Ignoring obstructions. The Starlink app’s obstruction check works for the Mini too; use it before settling on a spot.
Once it is set up, run our NZ broadband speed test to see what you are getting at that location.
Our take
- Buy the Mini for campervans, boats, work sites and baches without a permanent install. Its low power draw is the real advantage.
- Buy the Standard dish for a home you live in year-round: better Wi-Fi, faster snow melt and often cheaper hardware.
- Start on Roam 100GB and only move to Unlimited if you live on the road.
- Budget for power: a 100 Ah lithium battery and 100–150 W of solar covers typical daily use for most of the year.
Prices, plans and Starlink’s in-motion rules change often. Figures were checked on starlink.com/nz, Starlink’s Help Centre and NZ retailer sites in September 2026. Nicegear is independent, sells nothing and has no commercial relationship with Starlink or any retailer mentioned.
Sources and further reading
FAQs
How much is the Starlink Mini in NZ?
NZ retailers listed the Mini at $349–$449 in September 2026 (JB Hi-Fi $349, Noel Leeming $449). On top of that you need a plan, usually Roam 100GB at $100 a month or Roam Unlimited at $235.
Can I use the Starlink Mini while driving in NZ?
Yes, on a Roam plan. Starlink allows in-motion use at up to 160 km/h in authorised locations and lists the Mini as approved hardware, but it must be securely mounted, not sitting loose on the dashboard.
How long will a Starlink Mini run on a battery?
It depends on the battery and how hard the Mini is working. At a typical 30 W, a 12.8 V 100 Ah lithium battery lasts around 36 hours and a 99 Wh USB-C power bank about two and a half to three hours.
Can the Starlink Mini run on 12 V?
Yes. It accepts 12–48 V DC with a 60 W maximum input, so it can run straight from a campervan or boat’s 12 V system. Use a short, heavy cable and a fuse to avoid voltage drop.
Does the Starlink Mini work on a boat in NZ?
Yes. Roam plans cover inland waterways and territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles offshore, and Ocean Mode is available further out, billed per GB. It does not replace a VHF radio or distress beacon.
What is the Starlink Mini’s power consumption?
Starlink rates it at 25–40 W on average, roughly a third of the Standard dish’s 75–100 W. That makes it practical to run from batteries and small solar setups.
