Looking Beyond the HEIGAOLAPC N100 Fanless Firewall Mini PC? 6 Alternatives Worth a Look

How these alternatives compare

Glovary N150 Fanless Firewall Mini PC

The Glovary N150 steps up with six 2.5GbE ports instead of four, offering more flexibility for complex network topologies. It retains the fanless, silent design of the HEIGAOLAPC model, ensuring zero noise in your home lab. The chassis is slightly larger, measuring 7 inches long, which may require more rack space. You get DDR5 memory speed, a noticeable upgrade over standard configurations, though storage remains at 128GB. This unit suits users who need extra LAN ports for advanced monitoring or multiple network segments without sacrificing quiet operation.

Glovary F3 Fanless Firewall Mini PC

The Glovary F3 takes a different approach with an Intel J3710 processor, which is older and less powerful than the N100. It prioritizes compatibility with OPNsense and other firewall OSes over raw processing speed. The design is bulkier, measuring 6.3 inches in length, and it lacks the modern efficiency of the Alder Lake chip. You still get fanless cooling and 2.5GbE ports, making it suitable for dedicated firewall roles where high throughput is not the primary concern. Choose this if you need a stable, quiet router that handles basic packet filtering without demanding high CPU resources.

VNOPN Fanless 4-Port Firewall Mini PC

The VNOPN F12 offers four 2.5GbE ports in a very slim chassis, measuring only 1.46 inches in height. It uses a fanless design for silent operation, similar to the HEIGAOLAPC unit. The processor is not explicitly listed, but it is positioned for basic routing and network segmentation tasks rather than heavy virtualization. You get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, matching the original's capacity. This model is ideal for small offices or users who need reliable network segmentation without the need for high-end processing power or extensive expansion options.

Glovary Fanless Quad-LAN Mini PC

The Glovary J4125 model features four Gigabit Ethernet ports instead of the 2.5GbE ports found on the HEIGAOLAPC unit. It uses an older Intel J4125 processor, which provides stable performance for basic routing but lacks the speed and efficiency of the N100. The fanless design ensures quiet operation, suitable for home labs. You get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. This choice is best for users who prioritize stability and legacy compatibility over high-throughput networking. It is a solid, quiet option for basic network management tasks where gigabit speeds are sufficient.

CWWK N100 4-Port 2.5GbE Firewall Mini PC

The CWWK N100 matches the HEIGAOLAPC model with an Intel N100 processor and four 2.5GbE ports. It also features fanless cooling for silent operation. The key difference lies in the memory configuration, which uses DDR5 RAM for potentially faster data processing. Storage is limited to 128GB, similar to the original. This unit is a practical alternative for small-scale routing tasks. It offers comparable networking capabilities and processing power, making it a viable choice for users who need a compact, silent firewall with modern memory standards but do not require expanded storage or additional port options.

Thdeukoty Fanless Core i7 Industrial Mini PC

The Thdeukoty i7-5500U model offers significantly more processing power with a dual-core Intel Core i7 processor, though it is much older than the N100. It lacks multiple high-speed Ethernet ports, having only standard Gigabit connectivity, which limits its use as a high-throughput firewall. The fanless design ensures quiet operation, and it includes legacy COM ports useful for industrial control applications. You get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. This unit is best for industrial settings requiring legacy serial connections and silent operation, rather than modern home networking or high-speed routing tasks.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

HEIGAOLAPC Fanless N100 4-Port Firewall Mini PC

Best for: Silent home firewall and router deployment

Processor

Intel Alder Lake-N N100

Installed RAM

8GB

Storage Capacity

128GB

Ethernet Ports

4x 2.5GbE

Operating System

Windows 11 Pro

Memory

8GB RAM

View on Amazon: HEIGAOLAPC Fanless N100 4-Port Firewall Mini PC Affiliate link

This fanless mini PC uses an Intel N100 processor with four 2.5GbE LAN ports. It includes 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The design supports silent operation for 24/7 use. You can install router OS like OPNsense or OpenWrt. It also works with Windows 11 and Linux. The compact size fits small spaces while offering dual HDMI outputs.

Pros

• Four 2.5GbE LAN ports for high-speed networking
• Intel N100 quad-core processor for efficient performance
• Fanless design ensures silent and reliable operation
• Supports multiple OS including OPNsense and Windows 11
• Expandable storage with M.2 SSD and TF card slots

Cons

• 8GB RAM may limit heavy virtualization tasks
• 128GB SSD offers limited space for large datasets
• SR-IOV is not available for advanced network passthrough

Good fit if

• You need a quiet firewall for a home lab
• You want to run OPNsense or pfSense without extra hardware
• You require multiple high-speed Ethernet connections

Skip if

• You need more than 8GB of RAM for your workload
• You require SR-IOV support for virtualization
• You prefer a system with active cooling for higher performance

Verdict: HEIGAOLAPC N100 Fanless Firewall Mini PC suits users needing a compact, silent router with four 2.5GbE ports. It is ideal for home labs running OPNsense or OpenWrt, provided 8GB RAM meets your needs.

2 Also great

Glovary N150 Fanless Firewall Mini PC

Best for: advanced network monitoring and firewall tasks

Processor

Intel N150

Installed RAM

8GB

Storage Capacity

128GB

Memory Type

DDR5

Graphics

Intel UHD Graphics

Ethernet Ports

6x 2.5GbE

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This fanless firewall mini PC uses the Intel N150 processor, a 12th Gen upgrade to the N100. It features six 2.5GbE i226V LAN ports for robust network monitoring. The system includes 8GB of DDR5 RAM and supports OPNsense. You get triple display output via HDMI and Type-C. The aluminum chassis ensures quiet operation without active cooling.

Pros

• Six 2.5GbE LAN ports for high-speed connectivity
• Intel N150 processor with up to 3.6 GHz boost
• DDR5 memory for faster data processing
• Triple display support with 4K@60Hz capability
• Fanless aluminum design for silent operation

Cons

• Only one DDR5 SO-DIMM slot limits maximum RAM upgrades
• Base model lacks a pre-installed SSD in some configurations
• Weight of 2.65 pounds is bulkier than standard mini PCs

Good fit if

• You need six 2.5GbE ports for complex network setups
• You want a fanless design for silent operation
• You require DDR5 memory for better performance

Skip if

• You need more than one RAM slot for future upgrades
• You prefer a lighter device under 2 pounds
• You require a pre-installed operating system without extra steps

Verdict: Glovary N150 6 LAN Firewall Mini PC fits users needing six 2.5GbE ports and DDR5 speed in a silent, fanless chassis.

3 Also great

Glovary F3 Fanless Firewall Mini PC

Best for: quiet home lab firewalls

Processor

Pentium J3710

Installed RAM

8GB

Storage Capacity

128GB

Memory Type

DDR3L

Graphics

HD Graphics

Ethernet Ports

4 x 2.5GbE

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The Glovary F3 uses a Pentium J3710 quad-core processor for firewall tasks. It features four i225V 2.5GbE LAN ports for robust network handling. The unit includes 8GB DDR3L RAM and 128GB storage. Its fanless aluminum design ensures quiet operation. This appliance supports OPNsense and Linux for network security management.

Pros

• Four i225V 2.5GbE LAN ports
• Fanless aluminum alloy body
• 8GB DDR3L RAM included
• Supports OPNsense and Linux

Cons

• Older J3710 processor limits throughput
• DDR3L RAM is slower than modern DDR4/DDR5
• Only one mSATA slot for storage expansion

Good fit if

• You need a quiet, fanless firewall appliance
• You want four 2.5GbE ports for home labs
• You prefer OPNsense compatibility

Skip if

• You require high-performance virtualization
• You need DDR4 or DDR5 memory
• You want modern i226V network controllers

Verdict: Glovary F3 J3710 Fanless Firewall Mini PC suits users needing a quiet, dedicated firewall with multiple 2.5GbE ports. It fits home labs prioritizing OPNsense compatibility over raw speed.

4 Best budget

VNOPN Fanless 4-Port Firewall Mini PC

Best for: Basic home network routing and segmentation

Processor

Intel J3710

Installed RAM

8GB

Storage Capacity

128GB

Memory Type

DDR3

Ethernet Ports

4x Intel i226 LAN

Use

Firewall

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This VNOPN mini PC uses an Intel Pentium J3710 processor with four cores and four threads. It includes four Intel i226 2.5GbE LAN ports for robust networking. The unit comes with 8GB of DDR3 RAM and a 128GB mSATA SSD. Its fanless aluminum chassis ensures quiet operation for 24/7 use. It supports pfSense, OPNsense, and Proxmox VE for home labs or small offices.

Pros

• Four Intel i226 2.5GbE LAN ports
• Fanless aluminum chassis for quiet operation
• Supports pfSense and OPNsense
• Compact 5.28 x 5 x 1.46-inch size

Cons

• Older J3710 processor limits throughput
• Uses slower DDR3 RAM
• Only supports mSATA storage

Good fit if

• You need four 2.5GbE ports
• You want a fanless design
• You run pfSense or OPNsense

Skip if

• You require high-performance routing
• You need DDR4 or DDR5 memory
• You prefer NVMe storage

Verdict: VNOPN Fanless Firewall Mini PC offers four 2.5GbE ports and fanless cooling for basic routing tasks. It fits small offices needing reliable network segmentation without high processing power.

5 Also great

Glovary Fanless Quad-LAN Mini PC

Best for: Quiet home lab routing with four Gigabit ports

Processor

Celeron J4125

Installed RAM

8GB

Storage Capacity

128GB

Memory Type

DDR4

Graphics

UHD Graphics 600

Ethernet Ports

4x 1GbE

View on Amazon: Glovary Fanless Quad-LAN Mini PC Affiliate link

This fanless mini PC uses a Celeron J4125 processor with four cores and four threads. It includes four Gigabit Ethernet ports and 8GB of DDR4 RAM. The aluminum chassis supports long-term operation without noise. You get 128GB of storage and multiple expansion slots for industrial or home lab use. It suits users needing stable, low-power network security appliances.

Pros

• Four Gigabit Ethernet ports for multi-LAN routing
• Fanless aluminum design for quiet operation
• Celeron J4125 processor with low power consumption
• Supports up to 32GB RAM via SO-DIMM slot
• Includes RS232 COM port for industrial use

Cons

• Only Gigabit Ethernet, not 2.5GbE
• Older J4125 processor limits throughput
• No 2.5GbE network ports

Good fit if

• You need a quiet, fanless router for home labs
• You require four Gigabit LAN ports
• You want an industrial PC with RS232 support

Skip if

• You need 2.5GbE network speeds
• You require high-performance gaming or rendering
• You want the latest processor generation

Verdict: Glovary J4125 Fanless Firewall Mini PC fits users who prioritize quiet operation and four Gigabit ports over raw speed. It is a solid choice for stable home lab routing.

6 Best premium

CWWK N100 4-Port 2.5GbE Firewall Mini PC

Best for: Small networks needing 2.5G LAN ports

Processor

N100

Installed RAM

8G

Storage Capacity

128G NVMe SSD

Memory Type

DDR5 4800MHz

Ethernet Ports

4 x 2.5GbE

Networking

2.5G LAN

View on Amazon: CWWK N100 4-Port 2.5GbE Firewall Mini PC Affiliate link

This CWWK N100 firewall mini PC offers four 2.5GbE LAN ports for robust network management. It uses DDR5 4800MHz RAM and includes 8GB of installed memory with a 128GB NVMe SSD. The unit supports dual displays via HDMI and DisplayPort. You will find this setup suitable for home labs or small office routing tasks that require dedicated 2.5G connectivity.

Pros

• Four Intel i226-V 2.5GbE LAN ports
• DDR5 4800MHz memory support
• 128GB NVMe SSD storage
• Dual display output via HDMI and DP

Cons

• Only 8GB of RAM installed
• 128GB storage capacity is limited
• Requires fan installation for cooling

Good fit if

• You need four 2.5GbE ports for a home lab
• You want DDR5 memory for future upgrades
• You require dual display outputs for monitoring

Skip if

• You need more than 8GB of RAM pre-installed
• You require more than 128GB of storage
• You prefer a completely fanless design

Verdict: CWWK N100 Firewall Mini PC fits users who need four 2.5GbE ports and DDR5 memory for network tasks. It is a practical option for small-scale routing but offers limited storage and memory.

7 Best intel core i7

Thdeukoty Fanless Core i7 Industrial Mini PC

Best for: industrial control with legacy serial ports

Processor

Intel Core i7-5500U

Installed RAM

8GB

Storage Capacity

128GB

Memory Type

DDR3L

Graphics

Intel HD Graphics 5500

Ethernet Ports

2 x Gigabit LAN

View on Amazon: Thdeukoty Fanless Core i7 Industrial Mini PC Affiliate link

This industrial mini PC uses an Intel Core i7-5500U processor with 8GB DDR3L RAM and a 128GB mSATA SSD. It features a fanless design for silent operation and includes two Gigabit LAN ports suitable for firewall setups. The unit supports Windows 10 Pro and offers dual monitor output via HDMI and VGA. You get two COM RS232 ports and multiple USB connections for industrial peripherals.

Pros

• Intel Core i7-5500U processor for strong single-core performance
• Fanless design ensures zero noise and dust resistance
• Two Gigabit LAN ports support dual network interfaces
• Includes two COM RS232 ports for industrial equipment

Cons

• Uses older DDR3L RAM instead of modern DDR4 or DDR5
• Only includes two Gigabit LAN ports compared to four or six on competitors
• mSATA SSD limits storage expansion speed compared to NVMe drives

Good fit if

• You need an industrial PC with COM ports for legacy hardware
• You require a fanless system for dusty or noisy environments
• You want a dual-Gigabit LAN setup for basic routing or firewall tasks

Skip if

• You need four or more Gigabit Ethernet ports for advanced routing
• You require modern DDR4 or DDR5 memory for better multitasking
• You want an NVMe SSD for faster storage performance

Verdict: Thdeukoty i7-5500U Fanless Mini PC is a solid choice for industrial applications needing legacy COM ports and silent operation, but its limited Ethernet ports and older memory standards make it less ideal for modern high-throughput firewall roles.

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