Firewall Mini PC N150 DDR5 8GB 256GB NVMe - Fanless 4 x 2.5GbE

Our review of the Firewall Mini PC N150 finds it aimed squarely at small offices, home labs, and network enthusiasts who need a compact, fanless appliance with strong routing and firewall capabilities. The single biggest reason to buy is its combination of a 12th Gen N150 quad core processor and four native 2.5GbE i226V ports, which deliver noticeably higher throughput than typical gigabit boxes while remaining power efficient and quiet. It is best for those who will run OPNsense, OpenWrt, or Linux-based router software and want DDR5 memory and NVMe storage in a compact chassis.

Key Features

• 12th Gen N150 Processor: A Twin Lake-N N150 quad core CPU with up to 3.6 GHz burst provides responsive packet processing and VPN throughput for small networks.
• 4 x 2.5GbE LAN: Four native i226V 2.5GbE ports offer higher LAN speeds for multi-WAN, VLANs, and LAN aggregation compared with gigabit-class appliances.
• DDR5 Memory Support: The single DDR5 SO-DIMM slot supports modern 4800 MHz modules and enables faster system responsiveness when running firewall or virtualization workloads.
• NVMe & Expandable Storage: An M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe3 x4 slot and a multifunction M.2 slot provide low-latency storage for OS and logging, plus an optional adapter path for extra drives.
• Fanless Aluminum Body: Passive cooling and an aluminum enclosure keep operation quiet, with an included 4-pin fan cable for optional active cooling in heavy use.
• Versatile OS Support: Works with OPNsense, OpenWrt, Linux and ESXi, making it flexible for dedicated firewall tasks or light virtualization.

Who It's For

This mini PC is ideal for IT professionals, small business owners, and advanced home users who want a compact hardware appliance to run OPNsense or other open-source router software. The 2.5GbE ports and DDR5 memory make it a good fit where multi-gig local networking and VPN throughput matter.

It is not the best choice for users who need a turnkey consumer router GUI with simple setup, or for deployments that require extensive built-in Wi-Fi; those users should look for a consumer appliance designed for plug-and-play Wi-Fi routing. Also consider larger rack or chassis hardware if you require many drive bays or redundant power.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Compact, fanless design with aluminum body that runs quietly in office environments.
• Four native 2.5GbE i226V ports deliver faster LAN throughput for multi-WAN or VLAN setups.
• Modern CPU and DDR5 support provide good performance for routing, VPNs, and lightweight virtualization.
• Flexible storage options with NVMe and multifunction M.2 slot for OS and logging.

Cons

• Some users report mixed VLAN and heat behavior under sustained heavy loads, so careful configuration and optional active cooling may be needed.
• Single SO-DIMM slot limits memory upgrade flexibility compared with dual-channel systems.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Firewall Mini PC N150 is a compact, capable appliance for users who need multi-gig LAN performance and flexible OS support. With a modern N150 CPU, DDR5 compatibility, and four 2.5GbE ports it offers strong value for small office and lab firewall tasks, though power users should plan for heat management and be aware of single-channel memory limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this run OPNsense out of the box?
Yes, it is compatible with OPNsense and the review found it runs well with that software, subject to standard configuration for NICs and services.

Does it need a fan to avoid overheating?
The unit is designed as fanless in an aluminum chassis, but some users report higher temperatures under sustained loads; an optional small 12V fan may help in heavy use cases.

How many drives can be installed?
It includes one M.2 2280 NVMe slot and a multifunction M.2 slot; a SATA 3.0 connection exists but cannot be used simultaneously with the multifunction M.2 in some configurations.