By Thomas Ricker , a deputy editor and Verge co-founder with a passion for human-centric cities, e-bikes, and life as a digital nomad. He’s been a tech journalist for almost 20 years.
Space internet is the reason I’ve been able to work from some very remote locations over the last two years, ever since I subscribed to what was then called Starlink RV. Now, SpaceX has launched the diminutive Starlink Mini. It changes the game for portable connectivity.
The $599 Starlink Mini combines the terminal and Wi-Fi router into a single dish that’s so efficient, it can be powered by a portable battery, despite needing to lock onto a constellation of Starlink satellites traveling at speeds of 17,000mph about 350 miles above the Earth.
Hell, the whole thing fits into a small backpack with room left over for a laptop, folding solar panel, and a pocket-size USB-C power bank, offering hours of connectivity. That makes the Starlink Mini ideal for anyone like me looking to combine remote work with off-grid adventures by foot, bike, boat, or van — either for an extended weekend trip or as a lifestyle.
I recently bought the Starlink Mini, which I’ve been testing when hiking, vanlifing, and at home in the city. It’s not quite as fast as my large and unwieldy residential dish, with its motorized stand and separate Wi-Fi router. But the Starlink Mini is more than capable of supporting connectivity speeds required for both work and play.