Ever feel like your home internet is a bit slow or not as safe as it could be? Maybe you’ve heard about pfSense and how it can make your network super powerful, but you’re not sure where to start. It’s like wanting to build a fortress for your internet, but you don’t know which bricks to use!
Choosing a Mini PC to run pfSense can feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. There are so many different types, and it’s tough to know which one has enough power without costing too much. You want a computer that’s strong enough to handle all your internet needs but also small and quiet. It’s a common problem for people who want better control over their online world.
But don’t worry! This blog post is here to help. We’ll break down exactly what you need to look for in a Mini PC for pfSense. You’ll learn about the important features that make a difference, and we’ll even give you some tips to help you pick the perfect one for your home. By the end, you’ll feel confident in making your choice and ready to build your dream network.
Our Top 5 Mini Pc For Pfsense Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Mini Pc For Pfsense Detailed Reviews
1. Beelink EQ14 Mini PC
Rating: 9.3/10
Get ready for a powerful and portable computing experience with the Beelink EQ14 Mini PC. This compact powerhouse packs a 13th Gen Intel N150 processor for smooth daily tasks and entertainment. Its sleek, vent-free design with a built-in power supply makes it ideal for travel and a clutter-free desk. This mini PC is designed for speed, efficiency, and versatility, handling everything from work to streaming with ease.
What We Like:
- Faster Performance: The Intel Twin Lake N150 processor is quicker than the N100, making your computer run faster.
- Large Storage and Expandable: It comes with 16GB RAM and a 500GB SSD, and you can add up to 4TB more storage, so you have plenty of space for all your apps and files.
- Great Graphics: The Intel UHD Graphics deliver smooth visuals for watching videos and everyday use.
- Quiet and Cool: The special cooling system keeps the PC quiet and prevents it from overheating.
- Fast Networking: With 2.5G Dual LAN and WiFi 6, you get super-fast internet for streaming and downloading.
- Easy Device Connection: Bluetooth 5.2 connects your wireless devices easily.
- Connects to Your Phone: The Intel Unison app lets you see photos, send messages, and make calls from your PC.
- Quick Data Transfer: USB3.2 ports move files very quickly.
- Versatile Use: It’s great for home entertainment, office work, and even as a home server or firewall.
- Built-in Power: No external power brick is needed, just one cable.
What Could Be Improved:
- Single Channel RAM: While 16GB is good, dual-channel RAM could offer even better performance for very demanding tasks.
- Expansion Slot Details: The description mentions dual M.2 slots, but specifics on whether they are NVMe or SATA would be helpful for advanced users.
The Beelink EQ14 Mini PC is a fantastic option for anyone needing a powerful, compact, and versatile computer. It offers excellent performance for its size and price, making it a smart choice for many different uses.
2. Glovary Firewall Mini PC Quad Core N150
Rating: 8.8/10
The Glovary Firewall Mini PC is a powerful and versatile little computer designed for serious networking tasks. It’s built with a 12th Gen Twin Lake N150 processor, offering four cores and four threads that can reach up to 3.6 GHz. This makes it super fast for its size. You can connect up to three displays in 4K, which is great for monitoring your network. It comes with Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, but you can easily switch it to other systems like OPNsense, Linux, or OpenWrt, making it a flexible choice for any network setup.
What We Like:
- It has six 2.5GbE LAN ports, which is amazing for building a robust firewall or router.
- The DDR5 RAM and dual NVMe SSD slots mean it’s fast and can store a lot of data.
- It’s fanless, so it runs super quietly.
- The TF card slot and VESA bracket add extra convenience.
- It supports AES-NI, which is important for security.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it’s fanless, it does support an optional fan for better cooling if you push it hard.
- The default Windows 11 Pro might not be everyone’s first choice for a firewall.
This Glovary Firewall Mini PC is a fantastic option for anyone needing a high-performance, flexible network appliance. It packs a lot of power and features into a small, quiet package.
3. VNOPN Fanless Firewall Appliance Intel N3700/N3710 4C/4T
Rating: 9.2/10
The VNOPN Fanless Firewall Appliance is a compact and powerful mini PC designed for network security and routing. It features an Intel N3700 processor, four Intel LAN ports for robust connectivity, and support for popular firewall operating systems like pfSense. This fanless design ensures quiet operation and low power consumption, making it ideal for 24/7 use.
What We Like:
- The Intel N3700 processor offers good performance for its class, outperforming older models like the J3160/N2940.
- Equipped with four Intel i225/i226 Ethernet ports, providing excellent network connectivity and stability for firewall and routing tasks.
- Supports dual displays with HD and VGA outputs, adding versatility.
- Comes with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB mSATA SSD, with options to upgrade storage.
- Its fanless design means it runs silently and consumes very little power (6W TDP), perfect for continuous operation.
- The small form factor and included mounting bracket allow for easy placement and space-saving.
- Offers useful features like Auto Power On, Wake on LAN, and PXE boot.
What Could Be Improved:
- The RAM is limited to a single SODIMM slot, with a maximum support of 8GB, which might be restrictive for very demanding applications.
- Users need to reinstall the operating system themselves if they want to use it as a firewall/soft router, which could be a hurdle for beginners.
- While upgradeable, the initial mSATA SSD size is 128GB, which might be small for some users’ needs.
This mini PC is a solid choice for tech enthusiasts and experienced users looking to build their own network gateway or firewall. Its compact size and silent operation make it a practical addition to any home or small office network setup.
4. UDPTCP Fanless Mini PC
Rating: 9.3/10
Looking for a powerful and flexible mini PC? The UDPTCP Fanless Mini PC is a compact powerhouse designed for serious tasks. It boasts a Celeron N2840 processor, perfect for running various operating systems like Windows and Linux. This mini computer is built for stability with its 6-layer PCB board. Its fanless design means it runs quietly and efficiently.
What We Like:
- The Celeron N2840 processor is efficient and capable for many tasks.
- It supports dual displays with 4K resolution, making visuals sharp.
- Two Gigabit Ethernet ports are great for networking and setting up a mini router.
- It offers a wide range of ports, including USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI, VGA, and two RS232 COM ports.
- The fanless design ensures quiet operation and lower power consumption.
- It’s compatible with many operating systems, offering great flexibility.
- Features like Auto Power On and Wake On LAN add convenience.
What Could Be Improved:
- The product comes without RAM or an SSD, which means you’ll need to purchase these separately.
- The DDR3L memory type is an older standard.
This UDPTCP Mini PC offers a lot of potential for users who want to build their own powerful and customized system. It’s a solid foundation for a home server, a network appliance, or a versatile desktop.
5. Sharevdi Fanless Firewall Mini PC 4X 2.5GbE i226 Ethernet Gigabit LAN NIC Intel N100(up to 3.4GHz) Network Gateway Soft Router
Rating: 8.5/10
The Sharevdi Fanless Firewall Mini PC is a compact powerhouse designed for network enthusiasts and small businesses. It packs a punch with its Intel N100 CPU and multiple high-speed Ethernet ports, making it ideal for setting up your own firewall or network gateway.
What We Like:
- Powerful Intel N100 CPU handles demanding network tasks smoothly.
- Four 2.5GbE Intel i226 Ethernet ports ensure stable and fast network connections.
- Fanless design means silent operation and dust resistance, perfect for 24/7 use.
- Versatile I/O includes plenty of USB, COM, and HD ports for various connections.
- Supports popular open-source firewall systems like pfSense and Ubuntu Linux.
- Energy-efficient with a low 6W TDP, saving on electricity costs.
- Compact size (16*13*4.8cm) makes it easy to place anywhere.
What Could Be Improved:
- The shell can get hot during use, which is normal but might be noticeable.
- Storage expansion is limited to M.2 SSDs and does not support HDD.
- Maximum RAM support is 16GB, which might be limiting for very advanced users.
This mini PC offers a robust and quiet solution for building your custom network setup. It’s a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient firewall or soft router.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Mini PCs for pfSense
Are you looking for a small, powerful computer to run pfSense? pfSense is a free, open-source firewall and router software. It can make your home or office network much more secure and faster. A mini PC is a great choice for pfSense because it’s small, uses little power, and is often quiet. Let’s find the best one for you.
Key Features to Look For
1. Processor (CPU)
The CPU is the brain of the mini PC. For pfSense, you don’t need the fastest CPU, but it needs to be good enough. Look for Intel Celeron, Pentium, Core i3, or i5 processors. These are common and work well. More cores and a higher clock speed mean it can handle more tasks at once.
2. RAM (Memory)
RAM is like the computer’s short-term memory. pfSense needs enough RAM to work smoothly. 4GB of RAM is usually enough for most home users. If you plan to use many extra features or have a very busy network, 8GB is better. More RAM helps prevent slowdowns.
3. Network Interfaces (NICs)
This is super important for a pfSense box! You need at least two network ports (NICs). One port connects to your modem (WAN), and the other connects to your home network (LAN). Some mini PCs have built-in NICs, but often you’ll want a mini PC that can take extra network cards. Look for Intel NICs; they are known for being reliable and working well with pfSense.
4. Storage (SSD)
pfSense doesn’t need a lot of storage. A small Solid State Drive (SSD) is best. SSDs are much faster than old Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). A 32GB or 64GB SSD is usually plenty of space for pfSense and its logs. Fast storage helps the system boot up quickly.
5. Power Consumption
Mini PCs are great because they use very little electricity. This saves you money on your power bill and is good for the environment. Most pfSense-ready mini PCs use between 10 and 30 watts.
6. Fanless Design
Some mini PCs have no fans. This means they are completely silent. This is a big plus if you want your network equipment to be quiet. Fanless designs also mean fewer parts can break.
Important Materials
The case of a mini PC is often made of aluminum. Aluminum helps keep the PC cool, especially if it’s fanless. The internal components, like the motherboard and power supply, should be of good quality. Reputable brands usually use better materials.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Improving Quality:
- Intel Network Cards: These are the gold standard for pfSense. They are known for stability and performance.
- Solid Build Quality: A sturdy case and well-made internal parts mean the mini PC will last longer.
- Good Cooling: Whether it has a fan or is fanless, good cooling prevents overheating and keeps the PC running smoothly.
- Reputable Brand: Buying from a known brand often means better support and quality control.
Reducing Quality:
- Cheap, Unbranded Network Cards: These might not work reliably with pfSense.
- Low-Quality Components: Using cheap parts can lead to instability and a shorter lifespan.
- Poor Cooling: An overheated PC can crash or perform badly.
- Limited Expansion: If you can’t add more network ports later, it might limit your future options.
User Experience and Use Cases
Using a mini PC for pfSense is a great way to upgrade your network. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it kind of device for most people. Once you set it up, it just runs in the background, protecting your network. It’s perfect for:
- Home Users: To create a secure and fast home network.
- Small Offices: To protect business data and manage network traffic.
- Tech Enthusiasts: For those who love to tinker and customize their network setup.
The user experience is generally excellent. You get a dedicated device that’s more powerful and flexible than most off-the-shelf routers. It’s a small box that can make a big difference in your digital life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What kind of processor is best for pfSense on a mini PC?
A: An Intel Celeron, Pentium, Core i3, or i5 processor is a good choice. They offer a good balance of power and efficiency for pfSense.
Q: How much RAM do I need for pfSense?
A: 4GB of RAM is usually enough for basic pfSense use. If you plan to use many features or have a busy network, 8GB is recommended.
Q: How many network ports (NICs) do I need?
A: You need at least two NICs: one for your internet connection (WAN) and one for your local network (LAN). Some mini PCs have more, or you can add them.
Q: Are Intel NICs really that important?
A: Yes, Intel NICs are highly recommended because they are known for being reliable and having excellent compatibility with pfSense.
Q: What type of storage is best for a pfSense mini PC?
A: A small Solid State Drive (SSD) is best. pfSense doesn’t need much space, and an SSD makes the system boot up and run faster.
Q: Do I need a powerful mini PC for pfSense?
A: No, you don’t need a super powerful PC. A mid-range mini PC with the right specs will handle pfSense very well.
Q: Can a fanless mini PC run pfSense?
A: Yes, fanless mini PCs are excellent for pfSense. They are silent and have fewer parts to break.
Q: What are the benefits of using a mini PC for pfSense instead of a regular router?
A: Mini PCs offer more power, flexibility, and advanced features than most standard routers. You can customize your network more easily.
Q: Where can I buy a good mini PC for pfSense?
A: You can find them on online stores like Amazon, eBay, or from specialized computer hardware retailers. Look for brands known for mini PCs.
Q: How do I install pfSense on a mini PC?
A: You will need to download the pfSense installer, create a bootable USB drive, and then boot the mini PC from that drive to begin the installation process.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.