The improved battery-powered Starlink Mini is here | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersArchivesStoreVerge Product UpdatesSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.The improved battery-powered Starlink Mini is hereComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...ReviewsCloseReviewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ReviewsScienceCloseSciencePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ScienceTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechThe improved battery-powered Starlink Mini is hereQuickly untether from an unhinged world.by Thomas RickerCloseThomas RickerDeputy EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Thomas RickerMar 21, 2026, 7:29 AM UTCLinkShareGiftAll hail true remote access.Thomas RickerCloseThomas RickerPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Thomas Ricker is 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 20 years.My Starlink Mini has radically changed the way I live. It’s the biggest reason I can work remotely from my converted van, providing fast and reliable internet in places that traditional 4G and 5G data signals don’t reach. Peakdo’s latest LinkPower battery makes the smallest Starlink terminal even better by setting it free from power cables for hours at a time.While that might not sound like a big deal, I can assure you it is. For example, I can park in the shade and place the Mini far away to avoid trees and other obstructions, just so long as I’m within reach of its Wi-Fi signal. It even works on my dashboard without any long cables to snag, providing reliable data for navigating down remote mountain passes while my wife works from the passenger seat.I’ve been testing PeakDo’s second generation LinkPower 2 battery for the last few weeks as I travel around the Pyrenees mountain range that borders France and Spain. The $219 price — up from $119 for last year’s model — is annoying, but I can also see many Starlink Mini owners paying that premium.8Verge ScorePeakDo LinkPower 2$219$219The GoodDelivers over 5 hours of untethered Starlink Mini InternetPowers Starlink while simultaneously recharging for indefinite useNew magnetic breakaway charging dongle Makes Starlink placement easier without long cables to snagThe BadExpensive for a 99Wh power bankJanky web app$219 at PeakDoHow we rate and review productsLike its predecessor, the LinkPower 2 battery slots right into the back of the Starlink Mini like a standard SpaceX mount. The connection is firm, but I wouldn’t trust it without a cage if you’re planning to use it on the roof of your moving vehicle. PeakDo offers a compatible suction mount if that’s your thing.With the LinkPower 2 battery attached, I can put the Starlink Mini over 50 meters away when I’m parked in the shade.A short DC-to-DC barrel cable connects the 99Wh battery to the Starlink Mini for truly wireless internet connectivity. The unit is the same size as the original and can still be controlled remotely over Bluetooth with a web app (iPhone users need to download a special app).In addition to USB-C, the LinkPower 2 adds a native DC barrel input that matches the Starlink Mini’s power port. This allows you to charge the battery using the power cable that ships with the Starlink dish. It can also be charged with a new breakaway magnetic dongle, included in the box, that could save your Starlink Mini from a devastating fall if the charging cable is accidentally snagged.A new battery bypass mode allows you to power the Starlink Mini directly when the LinkPower 2 is plugged into a power source. This reduces wear on the battery and helps keep temperatures down, without requiring you to detach the battery every time.During my testing I consistently got about 5 hours and 30 minutes of runtime off a fully charged LinkPower 2. That’s an hour longer than the original LinkPower I tested last year. And leaving the LinkPower battery – either the first or second gen – attached to the Starlink Mini provides far more options to keep the dish powered indefinitely, including from USB jacks installed in your vehicle, an old power bank, or even a solar panel.For example, on a sunny day I was able to extend the StarLink Mini’s runtime to over seven hours by attaching a small folding solar panel that produced a steady 7.3W to the LinkPower 2’s USB-C input. My Starlink Mini pulls an average of about 18W in rural locations, and the USB-C jacks installed in my van produce a steady 28W to easily offset that when placed on my dashboard.Without the LinkPower battery attached, the Starlink Mini has to be plugged into an AC jack or a beefy power bank capable of 100W (20V/5A) because “Starlink Mini will not work with USB PD ratings of 65W or lower.”I screwed a strong magnet into the tripod mount on the back of the LinkPower 2 for easy placement on my van.Keeping the LinkPower 2 charged from my vehicle’s factory USB-C jacks while the Starlink Mini is in use.Ready to trickle charge off a small solar panel for extended use.The app is a bit janky but it’s better than climbing on the roof to find out how much battery power is left.By default, charging the LinkPower 2 battery over USB-C tops out at 65W, needing about one hour and forty minutes to fully recharge. You can also set the max charge rate to 100W in expert mode if you want to speed up charging while potentially degrading the battery’s lifespan. USB-C charging is the fastest, followed by a 57W charge I saw over the DC barrel jack, and 55W charge over the magnetic dongle. In a pinch, that bidirectional USB-C jack also lets the LinkPower 2 act as a traditional power bank to charge your phone or laptop at up to 65W.PeakDo claims to have an IP65 rating against dust and water ingress. That means it should hold up to a rain shower when stationary, but not when mounted to the roof of a moving car. The rating also doesn’t apply when charging cables expose the unit’s ports.PreviousNext1/12The new breakaway magnetic dongle lets you charge the battery without risk of someone tripping over the cable and sending the Mini crashing to the ground. I like this battery so much that I’ve just left the LinkPower 2 attached to my Starlink Mini over the last few weeks, even when I’m bypassing it with external power. The power bank adds an additional 667g (1.47lb) to the 1.1kg (2.43lb) Starlink Mini, making it feel solid, but not too heavy to handle with one hand. I also screwed in a magnet I purchased off Amazon into the battery’s tripod mount to ensure it doesn’t blow off my roof — it probably won’t, but if it did I’d be in a world of hurt without my Starlink connection.When I reviewed the original LinkPower last summer, it cost $119, so the jump to $219 for the LinkPower 2 is certainly alarming, especially when reputable 99Wh power banks with 100W USB-C PD outputs cost less than half that. The original LinkPower 1 is still available, only now it costs $159. I recommend buying the cheaper version unless you really need that extra hour of battery life, the breakaway charging dongle, or the battery bypass feature available on the LinkPower 2.Photography by Thomas Ricker / The VergeFollow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Thomas RickerCloseThomas RickerDeputy EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Thomas RickerAccessory ReviewsCloseAccessory ReviewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Accessory ReviewsReviewsCloseReviewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ReviewsScienceCloseSciencePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ScienceSpaceCloseSpacePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All SpaceSpaceXCloseSpaceXPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All SpaceXTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechWork anywhereCloseWork anywherePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Work anywhereMost PopularMost PopularThis is Microsoft’s plan to fix Windows 11Google Search is now using AI to replace headlinesBelkin’s wireless HDMI adapter freed me from a long annoying cable when I travelMarc Andreessen is a philosophical zombieValve’s huge SteamOS 3.8 update adds long-awaited features — and supports Steam MachineThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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The improved battery-powered Starlink Mini has fundamentally altered the capabilities of remote internet access, offering a significant upgrade to the original model. Thomas Ricker, a co-founder and deputy editor of The Verge, details his experience with PeakDo’s LinkPower 2 battery, designed to liberate the Starlink Mini from its tethered operation. The core innovation centers around the battery’s extended runtime – exceeding 5 hours – facilitated by its untethered operation, allowing for deployment in areas previously inaccessible due to signal obstructions, such as shaded locations or remote mountain passes. Ricker’s testing in the Pyrenees mountain range showcased the battery’s versatility, demonstrating its capability to maintain a stable internet connection while parked in shaded areas, even extending the runtime to over seven hours when paired with a solar panel.

The LinkPower 2 battery introduces several enhancements beyond the original model, including a magnetic breakaway charging dongle to mitigate the risk of damage from cable snagging, a bidirectional USB-C port for powering external devices and acting as a portable charger, and a battery bypass mode. This mode prioritizes direct power from external sources, optimizing battery lifespan and managing temperature. Ricker’s meticulous testing revealed an average runtime of approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes with the LinkPower 2, a substantial improvement over the previous generation. Furthermore, the battery’s compatibility with various charging methods – USB-C, DC barrel, and magnetic dongle – increases flexibility and adaptability for diverse charging scenarios. The inclusion of an IP65 rating, although limited by the mounting context, adds a layer of protection against environmental factors. Ricker acknowledges the price increase from the original LinkPower model ($119 to $219) noting it is a premium that many Starlink Mini users would willingly pay. He also highlights the importance of considering battery options based on individual needs, recommending the cheaper original LinkPower when a full hour of additional runtime isn’t necessary, and acknowledging the unit's added weight of 667g (1.47lb). Overall, the LinkPower 2 battery significantly elevates the Starlink Mini’s practicality and versatility, solidifying its position as a viable solution for remote internet access.