A mini PC with two Ethernet ports can make a compact pfSense firewall, but port count alone does not tell you whether it fits your network. NIC model, processor, cooling, and storage options matter just as much.
These five picks span basic gigabit gateways, fanless multiport 2.5GbE appliances, and a higher-powered mini PC for a home lab. The right choice depends on your internet speed, planned features, and tolerance for setup work.
Best 5 Mini PCs with Dual Nic for Pfsense Picks for 2026
Serial-Port Pick
UDPTCP N2840 Dual-LAN Barebones Mini PC
- Two Gigabit Realtek LAN ports
- Two RS232 COM ports
- No RAM, SSD, or preinstalled OS
Best For: DIY router builds needing serial ports
Ready-to-Configure Pick
Sharevdi J4105 Four-Port Firewall PC
- Four Intel i226-V 2.5GbE ports
- 8GB RAM and 240GB mSATA SSD included
- Seller reports pfSense testing
Best For: Four-port firewall builds with included hardware
Wi-Fi-Equipped Barebones Pick
- Two Gigabit Realtek LAN ports
- Listed dual-antenna Wi-Fi hardware
- Requires RAM and mSATA SSD
Best For: DIY dual-LAN builds needing listed Wi-Fi hardware
Dedicated Firewall Pick
MOGINSOK Four-Port 2.5GbE Appliance
- Four Intel I226 2.5GbE ports
- Silent, fanless design
- Confirm CPU and included RAM/SSD
Best For: Quiet firewall builds needing four physical ports
Versatile Desktop Pick
- Dual 2.5GbE RJ45 ports
- Core i5-12600H with 16GB RAM
- Verify NICs for pfSense use
Best For: Dual-Ethernet buyers wanting a multipurpose mini PC
Serial-Port Pick – UDPTCP N2840 Dual-LAN Barebones Mini PC
Among mini pcs with dual nic for pfsense, this N2840 model is a barebones option for buyers who also need serial connections. It has two Gigabit Realtek LAN ports and two RS232 COM ports, but ships without RAM, storage, or a preinstalled OS.
Best For: A DIY router build that needs two wired network ports and RS232 connections.
Pros:
- Two Gigabit Ethernet ports provide separate physical network connections.
- Two RS232 ports add flexibility for serial-connected equipment.
- Offers a DDR3L SO-DIMM slot plus SATA and mSATA storage connections.
Cons:
- Requires separate RAM and storage before setup.
- The older dual-core N2840 and DDR3L platform are modest compared with the quad-core option here.
The extra serial ports make this the more specialized of the two barebones N2840 picks. The notes list OPNsense and other operating systems as compatible, but do not confirm a pfSense test, so verify your intended installation before buying.
Ready-to-Configure Pick – Sharevdi J4105 Four-Port Firewall PC
If you are comparing mini pcs with dual nic for pfsense, this Sharevdi box goes beyond two network ports: it supplies four Intel i226-V 2.5GbE ports. Its quad-core J4105 supports AES-NI, and the listed configuration includes 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 240GB mSATA SSD. The seller says it has been tested with pfSense.
Best For: Buyers who want four wired ports and included memory and storage for a firewall setup.
Pros:
- Four 2.5GbE Intel LAN ports allow more wired connections than either dual-port model.
- Includes 8GB RAM and a 240GB mSATA SSD.
- Fanless aluminum enclosure and included VESA bracket offer flexible placement.
Cons:
- Seller states that it does not support an HDD.
- Memory and mSATA expansion are listed as limited to 16GB and 512GB, respectively.
This is the most directly documented pfSense choice in the group and needs fewer separately purchased components. Four ports may be more than a basic WAN/LAN setup requires, but they leave room for additional wired segments.
Wi-Fi-Equipped Barebones Pick – UDPTCP N2840 Dual-LAN Mini PC
This entry in the mini pcs with dual nic for pfsense category pairs two Gigabit Realtek RTL8111H LAN ports with dual-antenna Wi-Fi hardware. It is a barebones N2840 machine, so you will need to add compatible DDR3L RAM and an mSATA SSD before putting it to work.
Best For: DIY builders who want two wired ports and the listed Wi-Fi hardware in one small PC.
Pros:
- Two Gigabit LAN ports suit a basic two-interface wired layout.
- Dual-antenna Wi-Fi is listed alongside the wired connections.
- Two USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0 ports provide peripheral connectivity.
Cons:
- No RAM or mSATA SSD is included.
- The supplied notes do not document pfSense testing.
Choose this over the other barebones N2840 model if its Wi-Fi hardware and extra USB 3.0 port better match your needs; choose the other if RS232 ports matter. Confirm OS and wireless-device support for your planned firewall configuration before purchase.
Dedicated Firewall Pick – MOGINSOK Four-Port 2.5GbE Appliance
Among mini pcs with dual nic for pfsense, this MOGINSOK appliance goes further with four Intel I226 2.5GbE ports. Its fanless design and low-power Intel N100 make it a practical choice for a dedicated router with separate WAN, LAN, and additional network connections.
Best For: A quiet, dedicated pfSense or OPNsense box needing more than two physical network ports.
Pros:
- Four Intel I226 2.5GbE ports provide flexible physical connections.
- Fanless chassis runs silently; the N100 is rated at 6W TDP.
- Listing specifies 8GB DDR5 RAM, a 128GB SSD, and AES-NI support.
Cons:
- Listing mixes an 8GB/128GB configuration with barebones wording; confirm the included memory and storage.
- Listing mentions both N100 and an N150 shipment; confirm the processor before ordering.
The extra ports are the main reason to choose it over a basic dual-NIC mini PC. Verify the exact hardware configuration and use a pfSense release with appropriate I226 support.
Versatile Desktop Pick – MINISFORUM NAB6 Lite
For buyers comparing mini pcs with dual nic for pfsense, the MINISFORUM NAB6 Lite offers two 2.5GbE Ethernet ports alongside a Core i5-12600H, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 500GB SSD. It makes the most sense if you also want a capable general-purpose mini desktop rather than a dedicated firewall appliance.
Best For: Buyers who want dual Ethernet for a potential firewall setup plus enough hardware for desktop or other computing tasks.
Pros:
- Two 2.5GbE RJ45 ports provide separate wired connections.
- Core i5-12600H and 16GB RAM offer substantially more compute hardware than a basic router box.
- 500GB PCIe 4.0 SSD and pop-up housing support convenient storage upgrades.
Cons:
- Active cooling makes it a different fit from a fanless firewall appliance.
- The supplied listing does not establish pfSense compatibility or identify the Ethernet controller models.
The NAB6 Lite is attractive when the mini PC may serve other roles, but confirm its NIC hardware and operating-system compatibility before buying it specifically for pfSense.
How We Picked the Best Mini PCs with Dual Nic for Pfsense
We focused on systems listed with at least two wired Ethernet ports, then compared their stated NIC speeds, processors, cooling designs, and included memory and storage. The selection covers inexpensive gigabit hardware, dedicated fanless firewall appliances, and a general-purpose mini PC with more compute headroom. Listing details can change, so confirm the exact configuration and port specifications before ordering.
Quick Comparison
The two Celeron N2840 systems are basic dual-gigabit options for modest connections and simple firewall duties. The fanless J4105 appliance adds four listed Intel 2.5GbE i226-V ports, useful when you want separate physical interfaces for WAN, LAN, and additional networks. The N100/N150 appliance also lists four Intel i226 NICs, plus 8GB DDR5 RAM and a 128GB M.2 drive in the specified configuration. The MINISFORUM NAB6 Lite pairs dual 2.5GbE ports with a Core i5-12600H, 16GB RAM, and a 500GB SSD, making it the compute-heavy choice rather than the minimalist firewall choice.
Key Buying Factors for Mini PCs with Dual NICs for PfSense
Ports and NIC Compatibility
Two physical ports are enough for a straightforward WAN-to-LAN setup; four give you more flexibility without relying on VLANs or an additional managed switch. Check the controller model, not just the advertised 2.5GbE speed. Intel i226 adapters are common in newer appliances, but support depends on the pfSense version you install. Verify compatibility with your intended pfSense release before buying.
Performance and Features
Choose for your actual workload, not processor branding alone. Basic routing and firewall rules demand less than high-speed VPN, intrusion detection, or extensive traffic inspection. Older N2840 hardware is best considered for lighter-duty deployments; the J4105 and N100/N150-class appliances offer more room for a dedicated gateway, while the Core i5 system makes more sense if you also need substantial processing capacity.
Cooling, Storage, and Installation
Fanless boxes avoid fan noise and moving parts, but still need airflow around the chassis. A more powerful general-purpose PC may be less appealing where silence and low power use are priorities. Check whether RAM and storage are included, whether the unit supports your preferred boot drive, and whether you can access the BIOS to set boot and power-recovery behavior. Do not assume that a PC sold as a firewall arrives with pfSense installed.
Who Should Buy Which Mini PCs with Dual Nic for Pfsense?
Pick an N2840 dual-gigabit model if price is the priority and your connection and feature needs are modest; compare their display, serial-port, and wireless provisions only if those matter to your installation. Choose the J4105 four-port appliance for a fanless dedicated router with multiple physical network segments. Consider the N100/N150 four-port configuration for a newer, compact 2.5GbE gateway, but verify which processor ships because its listing names both. Choose the MINISFORUM NAB6 Lite when extra CPU power, memory, and storage are worth a larger, general-purpose system. For any of these Mini PCs with Dual Nic for Pfsense use, verify the exact hardware revision and current OS support before committing it to your network.
