10 Best Pfsense Router 2025 in the United States

The Protectli Vault FW4B is designed for users seeking a compact and efficient firewall solution. With its Intel Quad Core Celeron J3160 processor and 8GB of RAM, it delivers decent performance for network security tasks, making it suitable for home users or small businesses looking to protect their networks. The four Gigabit Ethernet ports ensure that you can connect multiple devices, allowing for a robust wired network setup.

One of the notable strengths of the FW4B is its fanless design, which means it operates silently and consumes less power, making it an environmentally friendly choice. The 120GB mSATA SSD provides ample storage for pfSense and other open-source software, although users should be aware that no operating system comes pre-installed, so some technical setup is needed.

On the downside, the Celeron processor is relatively modest, which may limit its performance in more demanding scenarios, particularly for advanced users who require higher throughput or have multiple high-bandwidth tasks running simultaneously. Additionally, while it supports various software solutions, those unfamiliar with network configurations might find the initial installation and setup a bit challenging. In terms of dimensions, its compact size (4.5 x 4.3 x 1.5 inches) makes it easy to fit into tight spaces, but it may not have the extensive hardware expandability options that some users might expect from larger systems.

The MOGINSOK Firewall Appliance Mini PC is a compact and fanless router designed with pfSense and similar firewall OS in mind. Its Intel Alder Lake-N100 processor with 4 cores and up to 3.4 GHz speed offers efficient and quiet performance, suitable for handling typical home or small office network security tasks. The included 8GB of DDR5 RAM and 128GB PCIe 3.0 SSD provide fast memory and storage to run the firewall software smoothly while allowing room for logs and additional applications.

One standout feature is the four Intel I226 2.5 GbE network ports, which support faster-than-standard wired connections, making it ideal for users wanting better throughput than typical 1 GbE routers. The fanless design ensures silent operation and lower power consumption, which is great for always-on use. It also supports AES-NI encryption, helping to speed up secure VPN connections. The mini PC form factor (about 5.7 x 5.7 x 2.1 inches) means it fits easily into tight spaces and can be placed discreetly. It supports multiple OS options, including pfSense, OPNsense, and others, offering flexibility depending on your firewall preference.

Some models come with 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD, but the barebone version requires you to buy and install RAM and storage yourself, which could be a hurdle if you’re not comfortable with hardware upgrades. Additionally, users might need to update drivers and BIOS to ensure full compatibility with certain systems. The price and support position it as a niche product, best suited for users who want a dedicated, professional-grade firewall appliance rather than a casual or beginner device. This MOGINSOK mini PC is a solid choice for small businesses or tech-savvy home users needing a quiet, powerful, and customizable pfSense router with multi-gigabit network ports, though it requires some setup effort and is less plug-and-play than simpler consumer routers.

The Protectli Vault Pro VP2420 is a well-designed mini PC that serves as an excellent pfSense router, ideal for users seeking a secure and compact networking solution. One of its standout features is the Intel Celeron J6412 processor, which offers decent performance for routing tasks, especially with its quad-core design and AES-NI hardware support for encryption. The inclusion of 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 120GB SSD ensures that the device can handle multiple connections and tasks efficiently, making it suitable for small to medium-sized networks.

The four 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports are a significant plus, allowing for high-speed wired connections, which is essential for optimizing network performance. Its fanless and silent design means it can be placed in any environment without adding noise, making it a good choice for home or office settings.

There are some drawbacks to consider. While the device is OS agnostic, requiring users to install their preferred open-source software can be a hurdle for those who are not tech-savvy. Additionally, the lack of pre-installed software may lead to a steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with networking configurations. The absence of wireless capabilities (notably, it's reliant on wired connections) might also limit its appeal for users looking for a fully wireless router solution. The form factor is compact, measuring just 5.75 x 5 x 2 inches, making it easy to fit into tight spaces. The Protectli Vault Pro VP2420 is a commendable option for those looking for a reliable, compact pfSense router, especially if they're comfortable setting up the software themselves.