New Pepwave 5G Adapter Gives Existing Routers an Easy 5G Upgrade

Peplink has announced a new Pepwave 5G Adapter, a compact external modem designed to add 5G cellular connectivity to existing routers and other Ethernet devices.

Unlike Peplink’s recently released 5G Dongle, which adds cellular connectivity over USB-C, the 5G Adapter connects over Ethernet. This makes it compatible with a wider range of Peplink routers and other devices.

The Pepwave 5G Adapter is priced at $399 and officially releases on April 9, 2026.

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First look video coming soon.

Pepwave 5G Adapter Overview

The Pepwave 5G Adapter is essentially a standalone 5G modem with Ethernet designed to bring cellular WAN connectivity to existing routers and other Ethernet networking gear. Like the 5G Dongle and previous 5G Adapter models, it's an adapter, not a router, and therefore lacks routing or Wi-Fi capability.
It's primarily designed to provide a cellular WAN connection to a single device, like a laptop or almost any router.

The Pepwave 5G Adapter supports dual SIM, eSIM, and RemoteSIM, giving users several options for managing carriers and backup connections. The modem is an X62 from Quectel, the same as used in the 5G Dongle. It supports the following bands:

• 5G: n2, n5, n7, n12, n13, n14, n25, n26, n29, n30, n38, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n77, n78
• LTE: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71

This provides excellent coverage for North American carriers.

For SIM options, it supports dual nano-SIM slots and eSIM, allowing users to have multiple data plans on the device.

Connecting to the Device

The Pepwave 5G Adapter connects over wired Ethernet using a 2.5GbE port, allowing it to plug into a router’s WAN port like any other internet source.

Compared to the 5G Dongle, which relies on USB connectivity, the Ethernet-based design of the 5G Adapter makes it compatible with a much broader range of existing hardware, especially Peplink routers that don't support USB.

The 2.5GbE Ethernet port also supports Power Over Ethernet (PoE) in addition to Peplink's 4-pin 12V DC connector. PoE power provides more flexible installation options, as a single cable can be used for data and power.

Antenna Ports And GPS

Like the 5G Dongle, one of the biggest advantages of the Pepwave 5G Adapter is that it includes four external cellular SMA antenna ports, allowing it to be paired with high-gain or roof-mounted cellular antennas. It can also be used with the included standard paddle antennas.

Another difference from the 5G Dongle is support for GPS, as the 5G Adapter includes a GPS port and a GPS antenna.

Common Use Cases

For our audience, the Pepwave 5G Adapter will likely make the most sense as either a second WAN option and/or as an inexpensive way to add a 5G WAN connection to an existing system.

This could be particularly handy for those with older LTE or X55 Peplink routers, allowing them to get a more advanced 5G modem and another WAN connection without replacing the whole router.

It's not limited to Peplink, though, so it could be used to add a 5G WAN to just about any router.

How It Compares to the 5G Dongle And Other Adapter Options

The 5G Dongle, at the same $399 price, is similar to the 5G Adapter, but there are some important differences.

The primary difference is how the devices connect - USB-C vs. Ethernet.

The 5G Dongle connects over USB-C, making it a good fit for some Peplink routers and even direct computer use. The new 5G Adapter instead connects over Ethernet, which makes it more broadly compatible with routers and other networking hardware that support Ethernet WAN.

In practical terms, the 5G Dongle may be the better fit when USB connectivity is preferred or when plugging directly into a supported laptop or router.

Another difference is power. The 5G Dongle is powered via USB, while the 5G Adapter can use either PoE or 12V.

The Adapter also comes with GPS, while the Dongle does not.

The 5G Adapter is very similar in function to the Invisagig, another 5G Ethernet-enabled cellular adapter. However, the Peplink model is significantly cheaper at $399 compared to the MSRP of the Invisagig at $599. However, the Invisagig is usually available for $449.

Concluding Thoughts

Overall, the new Pepwave 5G Adapter is a useful way to add 5G connectivity without replacing existing hardware or to easily add a second 5G WAN connection to an existing mobile setup.

When considering the 5G Adapter, also check out the 5G Dongle to see which model best fits your needs.

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