Guide · equipment
What the equipment costs
The hardware is the biggest one-time cost, and the one with the most options. Here is each path at today's price.
Short answer
Buying the standard kit costs $349 on starlink.com where offered; the Mini starts at $149. Renting replaces that with a one-time activation fee your checkout sets, with no monthly fee in select areas.
Every way to get the hardware
| Item | Amount | Source type | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy the standard kit on starlink.com | $349 | Press report | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Buy the Mini on starlink.com | $149 | Starlink support page | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Rent (Residential only): activation | varies by location; shown at checkout | unverified | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Rent: monthly rental fee | $0/mo | Press report | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Shipping | about $20 on rentals (reported); varies | unverified | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Rental not returned | full retail price of the kit if not returned within 30 days of cancelling | Starlink support page | Oct 5, 2026 |
A store kit is a fourth path: Best Buy, Home Depot and others sell kits at their own prices. You own it like a starlink.com kit, but it never gets the referral free month. Type the shelf price into store kit vs starlink.com to see which is cheaper for you.
A note on the Mini
The Mini is a smaller all-in-one kit, mostly bought for travel on a Roam plan. Its price was cut on Oct 2, 2026 and Starlink calls it a "starts at" price with no end date. We only price it here; power, setup and Mini-vs-Standard questions belong to sites that test it.
Extras that aren't in the kit price
- Mounts and poles. The kit includes a base. Roof, wall or pole mounts are extra and vary by mount type.
- Professional install. Included with Residential Max per Starlink's plan page; otherwise a local installer sets the price.
- Longer cable, mesh Wi-Fi, a UPS. Only if your home needs them. Check before you buy, not after.
- Sales tax on the kit, at your local rate.
If it doesn't work out
Starlink's 30-day policy gives a full hardware refund if returned undamaged within 30 days. Keep the box and every part until you're sure.
When it's the wrong buy
The honest exit. If one of these is you, the cheapest Starlink plan is still the expensive choice.
- You can get fiber, or reliable cable at a lower all-in price. Take it.
- 5G home internet works well at your address and costs less. Try it first; most carriers let you return it.
- Your checkout shows a large demand surcharge. Run the 3-year math in the calculator before you pay it.
- You need to pause a rental kit. Rental kits can't use Standby, so a seasonal place pays every month.
- Money is tight. Compare Lifeline-eligible and lower-cost options first at fcc.gov/lifeline.
Your next step
Run your own numbers first, then check your address. Only starlink.com can show your real kit options, promos and any surcharge.
Questions people ask
How much is the Starlink dish?
The standard kit is $349 on starlink.com where purchase is offered (secondary source, checked Oct 5, 2026). Some addresses see only a rental, or a regional discount, at checkout.
Is installation included?
The kit is built for self-install. Residential Max lists free professional installation and eligibility for an extra Mini kit. Mounts beyond the included base, cable runs and a roofer cost extra, and vary too much to quote.
Do I pay for the equipment every month?
Only on a rental, and only if your checkout shows a monthly rental fee. It's reported as $0/mo in select areas since July 2026 (it was $10/mo in June). A bought kit has no monthly hardware charge.