Introducing the upgraded battery-powered Starlink Mini!

My Starlink Mini has completely transformed my lifestyle. It’s the main reason I can work remotely from my converted van, delivering fast and reliable internet in areas where traditional 4G and 5G signals fall short. The latest LinkPower 2 battery from PeakDo enhances the Starlink Mini by freeing it from power cables for hours on end.

While it may not seem significant, the benefits are substantial. I can park in the shade and position the Mini far away to avoid trees and other obstructions, as long as I’m within its Wi-Fi range. It even works perfectly on my dashboard without any long cables getting in the way, providing reliable data for navigating remote mountain passes while my wife works from the passenger seat.

I’ve been testing the second-generation LinkPower 2 battery over the past few weeks while traveling through the Pyrenees mountain range between France and Spain. The price of $219—up from $119 for last year’s model—might be a bit steep, but I can see many Starlink Mini users willing to pay that premium.

The LinkPower 2 battery fits snugly into the back of the Starlink Mini like a standard SpaceX mount. The connection is solid, but I wouldn’t trust it without a cage if you’re planning to use it on the roof of a moving vehicle. PeakDo does offer a compatible suction mount for those who prefer that option.

A short DC-to-DC barrel cable connects the 99Wh battery to the Starlink Mini, enabling truly wireless internet connectivity. The unit maintains the same size as the original and can still be controlled remotely via Bluetooth with a web app (iPhone users will need to download a specific app).

In addition to USB-C, the LinkPower 2 introduces 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 comes with the Starlink dish. It can also be charged with a new breakaway magnetic dongle included in the box, which could save your Starlink Mini from a disastrous fall if the charging cable gets snagged.

A new battery bypass mode lets you power the Starlink Mini directly when the LinkPower 2 is plugged into a power source. This feature reduces wear on the battery and helps keep temperatures down without needing to detach the battery every time.

During my testing, I consistently achieved about 5 hours and 30 minutes of runtime from a fully charged LinkPower 2. That’s an hour longer than the original LinkPower I tested last year. Keeping the LinkPower battery attached—whether it’s the first or second generation—provides far more options for powering the dish indefinitely, including from USB ports in your vehicle, an old power bank, or even a solar panel.

For instance, on a sunny day, I was able to extend the Starlink Mini’s runtime to over seven hours by connecting a small folding solar panel that produced a steady 7.3W to the LinkPower 2’s USB-C input. My Starlink Mini typically pulls around 18W in rural areas, and the USB-C ports in my van provide a steady 28W, easily offsetting that when placed on my dashboard.

Without the LinkPower battery, the Starlink Mini must be plugged into an AC outlet or a robust power bank capable of 100W (20V/5A) because it “will not work with USB PD ratings of 65W or lower.”

Charging the LinkPower 2 battery over USB-C tops out at 65W, taking about one hour and forty minutes to fully recharge. You can also set the maximum charge rate to 100W in expert mode if you want to speed up charging, though this may degrade the battery’s lifespan. USB-C charging is the fastest, followed by a 57W charge over the DC barrel jack and a 55W charge via the magnetic dongle. In a pinch, the bidirectional USB-C jack allows the LinkPower 2 to function as a traditional power bank, charging your phone or laptop at up to 65W.

PeakDo claims an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it should withstand a rain shower when stationary, but not when mounted on the roof of a moving vehicle. This rating doesn’t apply when charging cables expose the unit’s ports.

I’m so impressed with this battery that I’ve kept the LinkPower 2 attached to my Starlink Mini over the past few weeks, even when using external power. The power bank adds an additional 667g (1.47lb) to the 1.1kg (2.43lb) Starlink Mini, making it feel solid but still manageable with one hand. I even attached a magnet I bought online to the battery’s tripod mount to ensure it doesn’t blow off my roof—though it probably won’t, I’d be in a tough spot without my Starlink connection.

When I reviewed the original LinkPower last summer, it was priced at $119, so the jump to $219 for the LinkPower 2 is certainly concerning, especially since reputable 99Wh power banks with 100W USB-C PD outputs are available for less than half that. The original LinkPower 1 is still on the market, now priced at $159. I recommend opting for the cheaper version unless you really need that extra hour of battery life, the breakaway charging dongle, or the battery bypass feature offered by the LinkPower 2.