Starlink’s next generation V5 residential terminal is in production. Elon Musk confirmed the manufacturing milestone on 17 September 2026, quoting an earlier hardware announcement that first introduced the smaller, lighter, and more power-efficient home internet kit.
What V5 Brings
SpaceX’s fifth generation Starlink terminal is quite a step forward in most regards to V4, but it also has some very particular regressions.
Starlink V5 shares several similarities with the Starlink Mini, adopting a compact form factor and lightweight design. The terminal weighs approximately 1.1 kg (2.4 lb) and consumes between 35 and 50 watts, reducing the power requirements compared to V4’s average power draw of 75 to 100 watts.
Despite its smaller footprint, Starlink advertises speeds of 375+ Mbps, supporting streaming, video calls, gaming, and other everyday internet activities. The combination of a lightweight design and lower power consumption makes V5 an alternative for homeowners who want a simpler installation without giving up the performance needed for typical household use.
The reduced size also lowers structural load requirements, potentially making installation easier in locations where a larger terminal would be less convenient. For customers with specific mounting limitations, the smaller hardware could provide additional flexibility.
However, one of the largest limitations with V5 is its lack of support of connectivity on the move. In particular, V5 does not support Starlink Roam, so you can’t mount a V5 dish to your vehicle, RV, or boat. Instead, you’ll either need to jump up to a Starlink Performance dish, or step down to a Starlink Mini, once V4 stops being available.
Currently, the full-size V4 offers the best of all the worlds, without the limit of lacking Roam functionality, so if you want faster-than-Mini speeds without Performance pricing, now is your chance to get one.
Production Versus Rollout
Starlink has staggered the rollout of its V5 terminal since its introduction in mid-2026, with the kit initially available only in select areas. Musk’s confirmation really means that SpaceX has finished transitioning most production from the previous-gen V4, to the new V5. But it doesn’t mean that the V5 terminal will be immediately available to customers worldwide.
Manufacturing is one part of the process. Starlink must still distribute the hardware and expand availability across its service regions. The company has not provided a detailed deployment schedule, so it remains unclear when V5 will reach additional markets.
The production update also reinforces the direction of Starlink’s residential hardware, with a focus on reducing size and power consumption while maintaining performance. As production progresses, the smaller terminal could become an option for more customers looking for a lightweight installation.
For existing Starlink V4 users, V5 does not represent a direct performance upgrade based on the current network specifications. Instead, it offers an alternative for homeowners who prioritize a lighter, more compact terminal and lower power requirements.
