When shopping for a 12V Starlink Mini power supply for your car or adventure vehicle, most available options have either a cigarette plug or an Anderson plug input. Either will power your Starlink internet setup effectively (including when using the long factory Starlink cable) and efficiently (saving you hundreds of watt-hours compared to using an inverter). However, each is designed with a specific application in mind, so you must choose one that perfectly suits your situation.
Key Differences Between Cigarette Plug vs Anderson Plug 12V Starlink Mini Power Supplies
- A 12V Starlink Mini cigarette power supply has a cigarette plug input.
- A 12V Starlink Mini Anderson power supply has an Anderson plug input.
- A Starlink Mini 12V cigarette power supply can be used in any vehicle.
- A Starlink Mini 12V Anderson power supply creates a tight, waterproof connection.
Setting up Starlink Mini power off a cig-Plug socket
Setting up Starlink Mini power off an Anderson-Plug socket of battery box
Summary of Cigarette Plug vs Anderson Plug 12V Starlink Mini Power Supply
A Starlink Mini 12V cigarette power supply is the most versatile 12-volt adapter you can get for powering your Starlink Mini setup while off-grid. It features a cigarette plug input that plugs into a standard cigarette lighter socket in your car, van, truck, or RV. This means you can use it in any vehicle, since the cigarette socket is still the standard automotive DC outlet.
On the other hand, a Starlink Mini 12V Anderson power supply is ideal if you need a 12-volt adapter that can withstand rough off-grid conditions. It creates a tight, click-lock connection that won’t disconnect under heavy vibration when travelling on rough, rocky/ corrugated roads. The connection is also lightly water-resistant for outdoor use, and you can make it fully weatherproof with heavy-duty tape or a dedicated “weatherproof case”.
The past few days I’ve been going through the Treklo Cig Adapter and Treklo Ando Adapter, both of which are 12V Starlink Mini power supply systems for vehicles. In the chart below, you’ll notice that almost all their other attributes are the same, except for the input type.
| Treklo Boosted Starlink Mini 12V Cig Adapter | Treklo Boosted Starlink Mini 12V Ando Adapter | |
| Type of Input | Cigarette lighter plug | Anderson plug |
| Material | aluminium, tough ABS | aluminium, tough ABS |
| Approximate Weight | 250 grams | 250 grams |
| Input voltage | 10 – 28V DC | 10 – 28V DC |
| Output Voltage | 30V DC | 30V DC |
| Type of Output | Female Starlink DC5521 socket | Female Starlink DC5521 socket |
| Max Wattage | 120 Watts | 120 Watts |
| Weatherproofness | IP67 | IP67 |
| Install Difficult | Plug & Play | Plug & Play |
Which 12V Starlink Mini Power Supply Should I Get?
The 12V Starlink Mini power supply you choose for your off-grid adventures depends on the available DC outlets and where you’ll be travelling.
If your vehicle has both a cigarette outlet and an Anderson socket, we recommend getting both a cigarette adapter and an Anderson adapter. You can use the cigarette adapter for temporary Starlink Mini setups, including when switching between vehicles. Then, you can mount the Anderson adapter permanently in your vehicle.
If you can only afford one, though, consider getting:
- Starlink Mini 12V cigarette adapter if you need a 12-volt power accessory that you can use in almost any vehicle. As I’ve just mentioned, the cigarette lighter socket is still the standard DC outlet in vehicles (and even boats).
- Starlink Mini 12V Anderson adapter if you need a 12-volt power accessory that can withstand high levels of vibration without disconnecting. It’s also the better choice for outdoor installation, as you can make the connection fully resistant to water and dust.
