How long will a power station run Starlink?
See how many hours each Starlink dish runs on a 300 to 2,000 Wh power station, and which size fits the way you use it.
Quick answer: hours of runtime
These figures plan at the top of Starlink’s published power range and allow 15% for inverter loss, so real runtime is often a little longer.
| Dish | Planning watts | 300 Wh | 500 Wh | 1,000 Wh | 1,500 Wh | 2,000 Wh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink Mini | 40 W | 6.4 h | 10.6 h | 21.2 h | 31.9 h | 42.5 h |
| Standard Actuated | 75 W | 3.4 h | 5.7 h | 11.3 h | 17.0 h | 22.7 h |
| Gen 3 dish | 100 W | 2.5 h | 4.2 h | 8.5 h | 12.8 h | 17.0 h |
| Older Performance (Gen 1 and 2) | 150 W | 1.7 h | 2.8 h | 5.7 h | 8.5 h | 11.3 h |
How much power each Starlink uses
| Dish | Average draw | Where the figure comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Starlink Mini | 20 to 40 W (15 W idle) | Starlink Help Center |
| Standard Actuated | 50 to 75 W | Starlink specs as reported by retailers |
| Gen 3 dish | 75 to 100 W | Starlink Help Center |
| Older Performance (Gen 1 and 2) | 110 to 150 W (45 W idle) | Starlink Help Center |
Starlink renames its kits from time to time, so match yours by the label or the app. Draw changes with temperature, location and use, and melting snow raises it above the average, so plan with the high end.
The formula
Runtime in hours = rated watt-hours × 0.85 ÷ the dish’s watts. The 0.85 allows for inverter loss.
Powering a Starlink Mini
Starlink says the Mini can run on 12 to 48 V DC at 60 W, or on a 100 W USB-C Power Delivery supply (20 V, 5 A) with its USB-C accessory. The included supply is a 115 V AC adapter. A power station with a 12 V DC output or a 100 W USB-C port can power it without the AC inverter, which saves some energy.
Picks for a Starlink Mini, about 700 Wh a day
A Mini averaging 30 W for 24 hours uses 720 Wh a day, or roughly 930 Wh once you allow for losses and a reserve. These sizes match.
Picks for a Gen 3 dish used about 10 hours a day
At 100 W for 10 hours the dish uses 1,000 Wh a day, or roughly 1,300 Wh with losses and a reserve. These sizes match.
Add your other gear
Starlink is rarely the only thing you run. Add your fridge, laptop and lights in the home backup power calculator or the camping power calculator to get one battery size for everything. Want to see what else a power station can run? See the runtime by device guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does Starlink use power when it’s idle?
Yes. Starlink lists about 15 W idle for the Mini and 45 W for the older Performance dishes, so leaving it on all day still adds up.
Can a small power bank run a Starlink Mini?
Only if it meets the Mini’s power requirements, such as a 100 W USB-C Power Delivery output. Even then, a 100 Wh battery lasts only about two hours at 35 W.
Does weather change how much power it uses?
Yes. Starlink says power use varies with temperature, location and use. Snow melting makes the dish draw more.
Related guides
Estimates only. Measure your own dish with a plug-in watt meter for the real figure. Figures last checked October 2026.