Product Status Alert
In early 2024 Peplink introduced the B One Series of routers which has essentially replaced the Balance 20X.
While technically still available, the Balance 20X may be harder to find as Peplink has instated a minimum order requirement and long lead time for vendors.
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.
While Peplink's Pepwave cellular integrated routers are not specifically designed with individual mobile users in mind, Peplink does offer solid and well-supported products that many advanced users have grown to rely on.
In March 2020, Peplink released the Balance 20X which is marketed as a cellular backup solution for offices with wired connections. However, the Balance 20X can be used as a dedicated mobile router since it can run on DC power, has an integrated cellular modem with the option of adding a second modem via an expansion module, plus all the benefits of Peplink's Primecare.
Additionally, the Balance 20X includes support for USB tethering, ample ethernet ports, and an upgrade path for more advanced cellular thanks to a "Flex" expansion module that functions similarly to Cradlepoint's MC-400 modules. This Flex expansion module allows the addition of a second modem to give the router dual-modem capability.
The chassis however is a generation behind Peplink's Pro series of routers that feature more advanced LAN features.
In June 2022, Peplink announced a Cat-7 integrated modem in addition to the Cat-4, which is our recommendation for maximum performance and carrier support.
Specifications
- Models:
- BPL-021X-LTE-US-T-PRM (Cat-4 North American Version)
- BPL-021X-LTEA-US-T-PRM (Cat-7 North American Version - recommended)
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: 60
- Wi-Fi Router:
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) Simultaneous 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
- Wi-Fi Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA antenna ports
- Wi-Fi-as-WAN: Yes (with PrimeCare as of Firmware 8.3)
- 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 and 4x LAN, 1 vWAN included with PrimeCare)
- Router Throughput: 1 Gbps / 60 Mbps Encrypted
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Embedded Cat-4 Modem:
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12/17, 13, 14, 66, 71
- 2G/3G: WCDMA/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+: 2, 4, 5
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2X2
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-4 (Max Theoretical Speed: 150Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA
- SIM Slots: 2
- Embedded Cat-7 Modem (recommended):
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 7, 12/17, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71
- 2G/3G: WCDMA/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+: 2, 4, 5
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2X2
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-7 (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down / 100Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: 2x Download, 2x Upload
- Cellular Antennas: 2x SMA
- SIM Slots: 2
- Optional Flex Modules
- Cat-6 Flex Module :
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12/17, 13, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41
- 4G/3G: HSPA+ 850/1900/2100MHz - Global roaming supported.
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2X2 MIMO
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-6 (Max Theoretical Speed: 300Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: 2x Download
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA/Female
- SIM Slots: 2
- Cat-12 Flex Module:
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12/17, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 26, 29, 30, 32, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66
- 4G/3G: HSPA+ 850/1900/2100MHz - Global roaming supported.
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 2X2 MIMO
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-12 (Max Theoretical Speed: 600 Mbps Down / 150 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: 3x Download, 2x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 2x SMA/Female
- SIM Slots: 2
- Cat-18 Flex Module:
- Cellular Modem: Single 4G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Not Specified
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12/17, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 26, 29, 30, 32, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 66, 71
- 4G/3G: HSPA+ 850/1900/2100MHz - Global roaming supported.
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO
- LTE Performance:
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-18 (Max Theoretical Speed: 1.2 Gbps Down / 150 Mbps Up)
- LTE Carrier Aggregation: 5x Download, 3x Upload
- Cellular Antennas/Ports: 4x SMA/Female (Note: ports are too close together for paddle antennas)
- SIM Slots: 2
- 5G/Cat-20 Flex Module:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Module or Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 (Likely the Thales MV31-W module)
- Supported Networks and Bands: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint
- 5G Sub-6 Bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n28, n38, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79
- LTE Bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12/17, 13, 14, 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 - Global roaming supported.
- Carrier Certification: Not Specified
- MIMO Support: 4x4 MIMO
- 5G Cellular Performance:
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: Not Specified
- 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 (Note: ports are too close together for paddle antennas)
- SIM Slots: 2
- Cat-6 Flex Module :
- Embedded Cat-4 Modem:
- Dimensions: 6.3 x 10.3 x 1.3 inches
- Other Ports: GPS Antenna, USB WAN
- Power Source: 10v - 30v DC
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Data Usage Tracking, Auto Failover, Integrated GPS, Band Locking. PrimeCare Features - SpeedFusion bonding, Synergy, Wi-Fi as WAN, VLAN
- Retail Price: $399.00-449.00 (Cat-4) | $549.00 (Cat-7) - Limited time promo pricing - $449! Expires soon.
- Optional Modem Module Expansions: Cat-6 ($249.00), Cat-12 ($399.00), Cat-18 ($499.00), 5G ($699.00)
- PrimeCare: First year free, then $49.00/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 received an evaluation unit with the original Cat-4 embedded modem and a Cat-18 expansion modem module, courtesy of Peplink in July 2020. We completed testing and our full review is available to members below.
Here is our partner MobileMustHave's video on the newer Cat-7 Balance 20x, as of the 8.3 firmware that greatly enhances the features by adding Wi-Fi as WAN and VLAN with active PrimeCare:
Recent Related News Articles:
Alternatives to Consider
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Purchasing Options
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Cat-7 Model (recommended):
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Cat-4 Model:
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