A new router won’t raise the speed Starlink delivers, and Starlink’s newer routers are already Wi-Fi 6. Buy one when you need more coverage, more wired ports, port forwarding, or a step up from an older Wi-Fi 5 Starlink router. The picks, with makers’ prices where they publish one (read October 29, 2026):
- Most homes, mesh: the TP-Link Deco X55 3-pack, Wi-Fi 6, rated by TP-Link for up to 6,500 sq ft, with three gigabit ports on every unit.
- A smaller home, or a smart-home hub: the eero 6+, Wi-Fi 6, $139.99 for one router or $299.99 for a 3-pack at eero’s store, 1,500 sq ft per router.
- One router, no mesh: the TP-Link Archer AX55, Wi-Fi 6, with one gigabit WAN port (the one that connects to Starlink) and four gigabit LAN ports for your devices.
- A Starlink Mini in a camper or cabin: the GL.iNet Beryl AX, a Wi-Fi 6 travel router powered over USB-C, $98.99 at GL.iNet’s store.
Do you need a new router for Starlink at all?
Start with the router you have. Starlink’s own routers compare like this on Starlink’s spec sheets and help pages:
| Starlink router | Wi-Fi | Coverage Starlink lists | Ethernet ports for your devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Router 3 (Standard kit) | Wi-Fi 6, tri-band | Up to 3,200 sq ft | Two LAN, plus a WAN port |
| Router Mini (V5 kit) | Wi-Fi 6, dual-band | Up to 2,200 sq ft | One LAN, plus a WAN port |
| Gen 2 Router (Standard Actuated kit), no longer sold | Wi-Fi 5, dual-band | Not listed on the pages read | None without the Ethernet Adapter |
| Starlink Mini (built-in router) | Wi-Fi 5 | Up to 1,200 sq ft | One |
The Router Mini’s coverage differs between Starlink’s own sheets: the Mini X sheet lists it at 1,300 sq ft.
So there are four reasons to buy your own:
- Your home is bigger than your router’s coverage. You can also add a Starlink mesh node instead; the Starlink mesh guide covers which nodes pair with which router.
- You need more wired ports. If that is all you need, Starlink’s cheaper fix is a switch: “If you need more ports, plug an Ethernet switch into a LAN port.”
- You need port forwarding or firewall rules. Port forwarding lets a device at home accept connections started from outside, such as a game server or a camera. Starlink says its “WiFi routers do not support port forwarding or firewall rules for IPv4 or IPv6.” On most plans a router alone won’t fully fix this; see the port-forwarding section.
- You have a Gen 2 Router, or a Starlink Mini, and want an upgrade. Both are Wi-Fi 5. Starlink says “The Gen 2 router uses dual-band Wi-Fi 5,” and of its replacement: “If your Wi-Fi signal is limiting your speed, Router 3 adds range and Wi-Fi 6.” The routers below are Wi-Fi 6 too.
If none of those fit, keep the router Starlink sent you.
How fast does a router need to be for Starlink?
Not very. Starlink’s specifications page says users “typically experience download speeds between 45 and 280 Mbps, with a majority of users experiencing speeds over 100 Mbps,” and lists the expected download on its Residential plan as 80 to 400 Mbps (megabits per second).
Every router on this page has gigabit wired ports, and their makers rate their Wi-Fi well above 400 Mbps: eero says the 6+ delivers “wireless speeds up to 940 Mbps,” and TP-Link and GL.iNet rate their three picks at 2,402 Mbps on 5 GHz. Those are best-case figures, and each maker measures differently, but they leave a lot of room above what Starlink delivers. A Wi-Fi 7 router can’t raise Starlink’s speed past what the dish gets, so for Starlink, spend the money on coverage instead.
Which router should you buy for Starlink?
| Router | Type | Wi-Fi | Wired ports | Maker’s coverage | Maker’s price (October 29, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link Deco X55 | Mesh, 3-pack | Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000) | Three gigabit per unit | Up to 6,500 sq ft (3-pack) | Check price on Amazon |
| eero 6+ | Mesh | Wi-Fi 6 | Two 1 GbE per router | 1,500 sq ft per router | $139.99 one, $299.99 3-pack |
| TP-Link Archer AX55 | Single router | Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000) | One gigabit WAN, four gigabit LAN | “3 Bedroom Houses” | Check price on Amazon |
| GL.iNet Beryl AX | Travel router | Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000) | One 2.5G WAN, one gigabit LAN | Not given | $98.99 |
Starlink makes no promises about any of them: “Starlink does not guarantee performance or compatibility with third-party networking equipment.”
TP-Link Deco X55: the mesh pick for most homes
The Deco X55 3-pack covers about twice the area Starlink lists for the Router 3: TP-Link rates it for up to 6,500 sq ft, against 3,200 sq ft, though that is three units against one, and each maker’s own estimate. Each of the three units has three gigabit ports, so a TV or game console in a far room can plug into the nearest one. The units link to each other over Wi-Fi, or over Ethernet if you can run cable between them: TP-Link says “Wireless connections and optional Ethernet backhaul work together to link Deco units.” Backhaul is the link between mesh units. TP-Link’s AX3000 label is roughly its two bands’ top rates added together, 574 Mbps and 2,402 Mbps, and its page lists port forwarding among the settings. TP-Link’s page shows no price; it links to Amazon.
eero 6+: for a smaller home
The eero 6+ is $139.99 for one router, $239.99 for two or $299.99 for three at eero’s store. eero lists 1,500 sq ft of coverage per router, two 1 GbE (gigabit Ethernet) ports on each router and support for “75+ devices,” and the router doubles as a smart-home hub for Thread, Zigbee and Matter devices.
One thing to check before you buy: eero also sells a cheaper eero 6+ extender, and eero says it “does not have ethernet ports and cannot connect directly to your modem.” Starlink connects to your router over Ethernet, so the first eero has to be a router, not an extender.
TP-Link Archer AX55: one router for a smaller home
If your home is small enough for one router and you mainly want wired ports or port forwarding, the Archer AX55 is a single Wi-Fi 6 router with one gigabit WAN port, four gigabit LAN ports and a USB 3.0 port. TP-Link lists it for “3 Bedroom Houses,” and its settings include port forwarding. TP-Link’s page shows no price.
GL.iNet Beryl AX: for a Starlink Mini
The Starlink Mini’s built-in router is Wi-Fi 5 and covers up to 1,200 sq ft. The Beryl AX is a pocket-sized Wi-Fi 6 travel router with a “2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port,” and it takes power over USB-C at 5 V and 3 A. On a Mini, Starlink’s setup is “Ethernet to Mini’s port and Bypass mode.” Bypass mode turns off the Mini’s own Wi-Fi so your router runs the network. One thing you need is not in the Mini’s box, the cable. Starlink says “Use the official 15 m Mini Starlink Ethernet Cable (Starlink cable). A non-Starlink cable can break Mini’s waterproof seal,” and the Mini’s spec sheet says “Mini Starlink Cable not included.” The Beryl comes with a USB-C power supply; away from a wall outlet, it needs a USB-C source that delivers 5 V at 3 A. Plug the Starlink cable into the Beryl’s WAN port. For the rest of the Mini kit, see Starlink Mini accessories.
Starlink mesh node or your own mesh kit?
If coverage is all you need, Starlink sells its own mesh routers, and they need no bypass mode: Starlink’s Mini page says “Do not use Bypass when Router Mini is your Starlink router.” On October 29, 2026, Starlink’s public shop listed the Router Mini at $60 and the Router 3 at $120. Starlink’s mesh page puts the Router Mini at “About 2,200 sq ft (204 m²)” for “Small or medium homes, apartments, simple setups, and dead spots,” and the Router 3 at “About 3,200 sq ft (297 m²),” “Tri-band with a dedicated backhaul,” for “Larger or busier homes, and homes with many devices.” Starlink also says: “Use no more than three Starlink Mesh routers.”
| Option | Maker’s price (October 29, 2026) | Coverage its maker gives | Needs bypass mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add a Starlink Router Mini as a node | $60 | About 2,200 sq ft | No |
| Add a Starlink Router 3 as a node | $120 | About 3,200 sq ft | No |
| TP-Link Deco X55 3-pack | Check price on Amazon | Up to 6,500 sq ft for all three | Yes, on Standard, Standard Actuated and Mini kits |
| eero 6+ 3-pack | $299.99 | 1,500 sq ft per router | Yes, on Standard, Standard Actuated and Mini kits |
Each figure is its own maker’s estimate, not a side-by-side test, and Starlink’s own caveat applies to all of them: “Coverage estimates vary with layout, materials, Wi-Fi power, and interference.”
The choice comes down to what else you need. At $60, a Router Mini node costs less than any router here with a published price, and your network stays the one Starlink set up. Your own mesh kit is the way to go when you also want port-forwarding settings, which Starlink’s routers lack and TP-Link lists for the Deco X55, more wired ports, or you already own one. Either way, for a big house Starlink’s advice holds: “For a home over 6,000 sq ft, run Ethernet from the main router to the other routers or mesh nodes.”
How do you connect your own router to Starlink?
Starlink’s rule is that “Most Starlink kits support a third-party router or an existing network via Ethernet. The connection method depends on your kit.”
| Your kit | How your router connects |
|---|---|
| Standard (Router 3) | Turn on bypass mode in the Starlink app, then plug your router into LAN port 1 or 2, under the cover on the back of the Router 3; the leftmost port is the WAN port |
| V5 (Router Mini) | Turn on bypass mode in the Starlink app (Settings, Bypass Mode), then plug your router into the Router Mini’s LAN port; its WAN port takes the Starlink cable |
| Standard Actuated (Gen 2 Router) | Add the Starlink Ethernet Adapter, connect your router to it and turn on bypass mode; leave the Gen 2 router connected, because “That router powers the dish” |
| Starlink Mini | Turn on bypass mode and connect your router to the Mini’s Ethernet port |
Starlink’s own-router page describes the Standard kit differently: “Built-in Ethernet on the power supply. Connect Ethernet directly from the power supply to your router’s WAN port.” Use the port your own kit has.
On your own router, Starlink’s first instruction is to “Set the WAN interface to DHCP so it automatically receives an IP address from Starlink.” DHCP, the dynamic host configuration protocol, is how a router is handed its address automatically.
Know what bypass mode does before you turn it on: “When bypass mode is activated, the Starlink router’s WiFi features are completely disabled,” and “To disable bypass mode, you can perform a factory reset.” The other kits, from Enterprise to the Performance kits, are covered in the Starlink mesh and bypass guide.
Can you mix a mesh kit with Starlink mesh nodes?
No. Starlink’s mesh troubleshooting page says “Third-party mesh systems do not work with Starlink mesh nodes,” and the Router 3’s spec sheet says it is “Not compatible with 3rd party mesh systems.” Pick one system: either Starlink’s router plus Starlink nodes, or bypass mode plus a Deco, eero or other mesh kit.
Can your own router fix port forwarding on Starlink?
Only part of the way. A router with port-forwarding settings, such as the two TP-Link picks, gives you what Starlink’s router lacks, but on Starlink’s default internet address “The “default” IPv4 CGNAT policy does not allow inbound traffic.” CGNAT, carrier-grade network address translation, means your router gets an address from “private address space from the 100.64.0.0/10 prefix assigned to Starlink clients via DHCP,” not a public one. Starlink’s advice: “Customers needing inbound traffic should consider using a third-party router, and if IPv4 inbound traffic is needed, a Starlink service plan with the public IPv4 option.” That option, Starlink says, is “available to Local and Global Priority customers,” not Residential. The plans, the public IP option and IPv6 are covered in the Starlink mesh and bypass guide.
Starlink router questions
Will a new router make Starlink faster? Only if Wi-Fi is the bottleneck. Starlink’s expected download on its Residential plan is 80 to 400 Mbps, and the four routers picked here are rated above that. If your speed drops in rooms far from the router, more coverage helps; if it is slow even next to the router, Wi-Fi is less likely to be the cause, and the Starlink disconnects guide covers what to check.
Do you need Wi-Fi 7 for Starlink? No. Starlink’s expected speeds top out at 400 Mbps on the Residential plan, well under what a Wi-Fi 6 router is rated for. Starlink has announced a Wi-Fi 7 router of its own: Tesla North reported that “Starlink said on September 9, 2026, that its next-generation Router 4 brings faster peak speeds and indoor coverage of up to 3,500 square feet (325 m²),” and that “Starlink did not publish a price, a full country list, or a firm ship date in that announcement.” None of the Starlink help pages read for this guide on October 29 mention a Router 4.
Will the Starlink app still work with your own router? Partly. Starlink says “Some features of the Starlink app may not work as expected with a third-party router.”
Does Starlink work with eero or Deco? Yes, in bypass mode, as your main Wi-Fi in place of Starlink’s router, but not mixed with Starlink mesh nodes.
Not sure which Starlink kit you have? Every Starlink dish decoded tells them apart.
Sources (21)
- starlink.com Starlink Specifications (legal document)
- starlink.com Starlink Help Center: Can I use my own router with Starlink?
- starlink.com Starlink Help Center: What is bypass mode?
- starlink.com Starlink Help Center: Can I add a third-party router or mesh system?
- starlink.com Starlink Help Center: Does the WiFi router have any ethernet (LAN) ports to connect wired devices?
- starlink.com Starlink Help Center: How does the Router 3 compare to past versions?
- starlink.com Starlink Help Center: What IP address does Starlink provide?
- starlink.com Starlink Help Center: Starlink Mesh Issues
- starlink.com Starlink Help Center: How do I connect Starlink Mini to Router Mini?
- starlink.com Standard 4 X Specification Sheet (PDF)
- starlink.com V5 Specification Sheet (PDF)
- starlink.com Mini Specification Sheet (PDF)
- starlink.com Mini X Specification Sheet (PDF)
- starlink.com Starlink Help Center: What is Starlink Mesh?
- starlink.com Starlink Shop: Starlink V5 accessories
- starlink.com Starlink Shop: Standard 4 X accessories
- teslanorth.com Starlink Unveils Router 4 With Wi-Fi 7 and 3,500 Sq Ft Coverage
- eero.com eero 6+ (October 29, 2026)
- tp-link.com Deco X55 product page
- tp-link.com Archer AX55 product page
- gl-inet.com Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) product page
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