LEO Satellite
Starlink Speed Test
Starlink delivers broadband from low-Earth-orbit satellites, making real internet possible far beyond cable and fiber footprints. Typical speeds land between 50 and 250 Mbps down with 20–60 ms latency — dramatically better than traditional satellite, but variable with congestion, obstructions, and weather, which makes regular speed testing genuinely useful.
What speeds should Starlink deliver?
Expect 50–250 Mbps down and 10–30 Mbps up on the standard residential service, varying by cell congestion and time of day. Latency of 25–60 ms is normal — low enough for video calls and most gaming, which older GEO satellite services could never manage.
Speed dips during heavy rain or snow (rain fade) and when trees or structures block the dish's view of the sky. A clear, unobstructed sky view is worth more than any router upgrade.
Slow Starlink speeds? Try this first
- 1Use the Starlink app's obstruction scanner — even a few percent obstruction causes brief dropouts that feel like slow internet.
- 2Check speeds at off-peak and peak hours; busy cells slow down evenings, and Starlink prioritizes its higher-tier plans during congestion.
- 3Mount the dish high with a full sky view; roof mounts almost always out-perform ground placements near buildings and trees.
- 4The Starlink router is basic — for larger homes, put it in bypass mode and use your own mesh system.