Peplink is a large and respected company in the high-end mobile networking space, particularly well known for providing cellular connectivity for everything from fleets of vehicles to cruise ships to dispersed corporate offices.
This Gear Center entry covers Peplink's most affordable Pepwave MAX "mini" routers, as well as other low-performance, low-cost routers such as the BR2.
In general, the MAX BR Mini routers are smaller, less expensive, and less capable than Peplink's pro series. But they also cost a lot less, which makes them a potentially good value for those seeking an entry level router that provides just the essentials.
Differences from Non-Mini Versions
Here are the essential differences from the Mini's big brothers, the MAX BR1 and MAX Transit:
- The Minis are physically smaller.
- By default, the Minis can only use cellular as an upstream WAN connection. WiFi-as-WAN, Ethernet WAN, and failover features are disabled in the Minis - but these features can be unlocked with an extra fee:
- A one-time $99 Feature Pack Purchase
- Active Primecare subscription ($49/year) - one free year of PrimeCare is included with the router purchase.
- The Ethernet ports on some models are only Fast Ethernet (100Mbps).
- Some Minis only come with single-band 802.11n 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and the Wi-Fi radio is less powerful.
- The Mini routers have slower internal components with less peak throughput.
Generally, the Mini routers are less capable and have fewer features, but they also cost less.
Product Specifications
MAX BR1 Mini 5G
The 5G version of the MAX BR1 Mini, offered with and without Wi-Fi. The non-Wi-Fi model was released in 2024, and the Wi-Fi in 2025 - these are the most current versions.
For most of our audience, this is the version of this router model to focus on for those seeking an entry level 5G router that provides just the essentials.
The MAX BR1 Mini 5G is the little brother of the MAX BR1 Pro 5G (our review) - which is our one of our top picks for those seeking a more powerful single 5G router.
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MAX BR1 Mini 5G with Wi-Fi - $649 MAX BR1 Mini 5G - $599 Full Timer 5G Internet Bundle
Specifications
- Model:
- Non Wi-Fi: MAX-BR1-MINI-5GN-T-M-PRM
- Wi-Fi: MAX-BR1-MINI-5GN-T-PRM
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: 60
- Wi-Fi Router:
- MAX-BR1-MINI-5GN-T-M-PRM: None - No Wi-Fi
- MAX-BR1-MINI-5GN-T-PRM: Yes
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) - Simultaneous Dual-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
- Wi-Fi Antenna/Ports: 2x RP-SMA/Female Antenna Port
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Available for an additional fee or with Prime Care
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address:
- Address: 192.168.50.1
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: 3x Gigabit Ethernet - 1x LAN/WAN, 1xLAN and 1xLAN with PoE, 1x vWAN with PrimeCare
- Router Throughput: 300 Mbps / 60 Mbps Encrypted
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 (Quectel RM520N)
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Dish (Auto Switching)
- 5G Bands: x62: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n13, n14, n18, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79
- LTE Bands: x62: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
- 4G/3G: HSPA+ 850/1900/2100MHz
- Carrier Certification: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
- MIMO Support: 4x4
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: x62: 3.4 Gbps Down / 900 Mbps Up
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: Mid-Band & Low-Band 5G can be combined
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-20 (Max Theoretical Speed: 2 Gbps Down / 150 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: At least 5x Download, 3x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 4x SMA/Female Antenna Ports, Basic Indoor Antennas Included
- SIM Slots: 2 Nano
- Dimensions: 5.0 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
- Other Ports: GPIO
- Power Source: 10v – 30v DC or PoE
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Data Usage Tracking, Auto Failover, Integrated GPS, Band Locking, Load Balancing, SpeedFusion Bonding, Synergy, vWAN
- Retail Price:
- Non Wi-Fi: MAX-BR1-MINI-5GN-T-M-PRM: $599.00
- Wi-Fi: MAX-BR1-MINI-5GN-T-PRM: $649.900
- PrimeCare: First year free, then $49/yr
MAX BR1 Mini HW3 (LTE)
The Peplink MAX BR1 Mini HW3 is a redesigned and upgraded version of the previous BR1 Mini HW2 model. WiFi-as-WAN, Ethernet WAN, and some other features are disabled, but you can purchase a "feature pack" to unlock these features, or they also come with an active PrimeCare subscription.
This model only supports LTE, which at this juncture we no longer recommend for most of our audience. It is available with a Cat-4, Cat-6, or Cat-7 - with Cat-7 being the lowest modem category we recommend.
The Cat-4 was Released in July 2024, and this model is designed primarily for industrial and IoT applications. The Cat-7 was released in November, 2024.
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MAX B1 Mini HW3 (Cat-7) - $479
Specifications
- Model: MAX-BR1-MINI-LTEA-US-T-PRM
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: 60
- Wi-Fi Router: Yes
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) - Simultaneous Dual-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
- Wi-Fi Antenna/Ports: 2x RP-SMA/Female Antenna Port
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Available for an additional fee or with Prime Care
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: Not Specified
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: 3x Gigabit Ethernet - 1x LAN/WAN, 1xLAN and 1xLAN with PoE, 1x vWAN with PrimeCare
- Router Throughput: 300 Mbps / 60 Mbps Encrypted
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
- LTE Bands:
- Cat-4: 2, 4, 5, 12/17, 13, 14, 66, 71
- Cat-6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12/17, 13, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41
- Cat-7: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12/17, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71
- 4G/3G Bands:
- Cat-4: HSPA+: Bands 2, 5
- Cat-6: WCDMA/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+: Bands 1, 5, 8
- Cat-7: HSPA+: Bands 2, 4, 5
- Carrier Certification: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
- MIMO Support: 2x2
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category:
- Cat-4: (Max Theoretical Speed: 150Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up)
- Cat-6: (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up)
- Cat-7 :(Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down/ 150Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: 2x Download (Cat-6 and Cat-7 models)
- LTE Performance Category:
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA/Female Antenna Ports
- SIM Slots: 2 Nano
- Dimensions: 5.0 x 4.2 x 1.4 inches
- Other Ports: GPIO
- Power Source: 10v - 30v DC or PoE
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Data Usage Tracking, Auto Failover, Integrated GPS, Band Locking, Load Balancing, SpeedFusion Bonding, Synergy, vWAN
- Retail Price:
- Cat-4: $349.00
- Cat-6: $449.00
- Cat-7: $479.00 - recommended
- PrimeCare: First year free, then $49/yr
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MAX B1 Mini HW3 - Cat-7
MAX BR2
The MAX BR2 is a basic Cat-4 or Cat-7 LTE dual modem router with USB WAN support, 4x LAN and 1x WAN Gigabit Ethernet ports, and multiple power options, including POE-in. Cat-4 modems released in July 2024, Cat-7 modems released in November 2024. Cat-7 is the lowest mode category we recommend for most of our audience.
The MAX BR2 seems at first glance to be the little brother of the MAX BR2 Pro (our review), but it's more like an infant with low-performance hardware.
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MAX BR2 (Dual Cat-7)
Specifications
- Model:
- Cat-4: MAX-BR2-LTE-US-T-PRM
- Cat-7: MAX-BR2-LTEA-US-T-PRM
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: 60
- Wi-Fi Router: Yes
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) - Simultaneous Dual-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
- Wi-Fi Antenna/Ports: 2x RP-SMA/Female Antenna Port
- Wi-Fi as WAN: Yes
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password:
- Address: Not Specified
- Password: Not Specified
- USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Ethernet Ports: 5x Gigabit Ethernet - 1x WAN, 3xLAN and 1xLAN with PoE in, 1x vWAN with PrimeCare
- Router Throughput: 300 Mbps / 60 Mbps Encrypted
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Dual LTE
- Modem Module or Chipset:
- Cat-4 LTE: (Quectel EC-25)
- Cat-7 LTE: (Sierra Wireless EM7411)
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
- 5G Bands: None
- LTE Bands:
- Cat-4: 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 66, 71
- Cat-7: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12/17, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71
- 4G/3G: HSPA+ 850/1900/2100MHz
- Carrier Certification: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon
- MIMO Support: 2x2
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category:
- Cat-4: (Max Theoretical Speed: 150 Mbps Down / 50 Mbps Up)
- Cat-7: (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down/ 150Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation:
- Cat-4: None
- Cat-7: 2x Download
- LTE Performance Category:
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 4x SMA/Female Antenna Ports (2 per modem), Basic Indoor Antennas Included
- SIM Slots: 4 Nano (2 per modem)
- Dimensions: 6.89 x 5.12 x 1.61 inches
- Other Ports: None
- Power Source: 10v – 30v DC or PoE
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Data Usage Tracking, Auto Failover, Integrated GPS, Band Locking, Load Balancing, SpeedFusion Bonding, Synergy, vWAN
- Retail Price:
- Cat-4: $599.00
- Cat-7: $699.00 - recommended
- PrimeCare: First year free, then $99/yr
View our Peplink product line overview and articles - co-authored with our education & action partner at MobileMustHave (who offers advanced support, guidance and discounts to our members):
News, Videos & Status
We have had some brief hands-on time with a MAX BR1 Mini series but have not focused on these entry-level devices as they are generally not very interesting to our core audience.
Related Video Overviews:
Related News Center Articles
Alternatives to Consider
Here are cellular routers that are our current top picks:
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Purchasing Options
Purchasing Links & Disclaimer
We don't sell stuff, we are primarily member funded. Some links below may be affiliate links (see our disclaimer), which also helps fund MIRC.
The vendors displayed below provide larger discounts to our MIAs that we have negotiated instead of displaying affiliate links while they are logged in.
MIA Discounts - Learn & Save!
Our Mobile Internet Aficionados (MIA) get special discounts from the below vendors. Members please check for discount codes before ordering. With savings up to 11% off, you could save more than your membership cost!
Members - check the Member Discounts page for some potentially substantial savings on purchasing Pepwave routers.
- MobileMustHave
- MAX BR1 Mini 5G
- MAX BR1 Mini 5G with Wi-Fi | Full Timer 5G Internet Bundle
- MobileMustHave Internet Bundles (discounted kits with antenna & other options / member discounts stack - learn more)
- MAX BR1 Mini (HW3) Cat 7
- MAX BR2 (Dual Cat 4)
- MAX BR2 (Dual Cat 7)
Tip: Peplink has a habit of refreshing products with new hardware/features and keeping the same model name making it easy to accidentally purchase the older version. MIRC endeavors to keep the links in this section up to date with the latest version outlined in this guide. When in doubt check the part number.
Peplink enforces pricing policies prohibiting discounting below a set "minimum advertised price" to the public. Be cautious if you see a lower price on the internet as that is often a sign of older model or potentially an unauthorized Peplink dealer which may cause issues with warranty claims.
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But you might not need a router in your setup. Here's a quick video overview the variety that routers come in:
For more on learning about mobile routers and how they might fit in your setup, follow up with our educational resources:
Mobile Internet Resource Center was founded by Chris & Cherie of 