Starlink Router 4 arrives with Wi-Fi 7, PoE support, and better home networking
Starlink has introduced its next-generation home router, and it brings one of the biggest upgrades yet to SpaceX’s satellite internet hardware. The new Starlink Router 4 replaces the Router 3 as the company’s main home networking device and adds Wi-Fi 7 support for the first time.
The headline feature is the move to the 802.11be Wi-Fi 7 standard. Until now, Starlink routers relied on Wi-Fi 6, so Router 4 represents a major step forward for users with newer phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and other connected devices. However, this is not a full showcase of every Wi-Fi 7 feature. SpaceX has chosen a practical approach by using the familiar 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands instead of adding the newer 6 GHz band.
That decision should help with compatibility across older and newer devices, making Router 4 more useful for mixed households where not every gadget supports the latest wireless technology. In everyday use, the biggest improvements should come from stronger multi-device performance, better network efficiency, and more stable connections in busy homes.
The Starlink Router 4 also improves wired connectivity. It includes two Ethernet ports, a USB-C port, and support for Power-over-Ethernet, commonly known as PoE. This makes it easier to connect wired devices such as a desktop PC, network-attached storage, security equipment, or mesh extenders placed in hard-to-reach parts of the home.
For users who want to expand their network, the added Ethernet ports are especially useful. Instead of relying only on wireless mesh nodes, homeowners can wire in additional equipment for better reliability and lower latency. The port cover can be removed to connect third-party hardware directly through a LAN port.
Starlink says the Router 4 supports up to 510 connected devices and can cover spaces as large as 3,500 square feet. It uses a 4×4 antenna setup on 2.4 GHz and a 4×5 setup on 5 GHz, with technologies such as MU-MIMO and OFDMA to improve performance when many devices are online at the same time. These features should help in crowded network environments where smart home devices, streaming boxes, gaming systems, and mobile devices are all competing for bandwidth.
Security is handled through WPA2 and WPA3 support, giving users modern wireless protection. The router also includes a built-in LED status indicator, a physical factory reset button, and port covers designed to resist water. It carries an IP56 water resistance rating, although it is still intended for indoor placement.
The device is compact, measuring 1.8 inches by 8 inches by 4.5 inches and weighing about 0.9 pounds. It is rated to operate in temperatures ranging from -22°F to 122°F, or -30°C to 50°C.
Still, users should keep expectations realistic. Wi-Fi 7 does not automatically make a Starlink satellite connection faster. Current Starlink dishes are generally limited to around 400 Mbps, which is far below what Wi-Fi 7 hardware can theoretically handle. That means the Router 4’s most noticeable benefits will likely be better local network performance, improved responsiveness, stronger handling of many connected devices, and more flexible wired expansion.
The path to true gigabit Starlink speeds depends on SpaceX’s upcoming satellite upgrades. The company has discussed future gigabit performance, but that will require its next-generation V3 satellite constellation and Starship launch capacity. Until that network is fully deployed, the Router 4 is more of a future-ready home networking upgrade than an instant speed breakthrough.
Even so, the launch of the Starlink Router 4 is an important move. It brings Starlink’s home internet hardware closer to the latest premium router standards while preparing customers for the faster satellite network SpaceX aims to build over the next few years. For households with many connected devices, wired accessories, or mesh networking needs, the new router could make the overall Starlink experience smoother and more reliable.
