Today, Peplink officially released a new dual modem router option, the MAX BR2, priced at $599.
This router has some nice features but also some significant downsides for RVers, boaters, and nomads looking for a new router for their connectivity arsenal.
To start, the MAX BR2 does have dual cellular modems, but it only comes with low-end Cat-4 modems. Cat-4 is a standard over a decade old and below the Cat-7 minimum that we recommend.
Additionally, the router only comes with Wi-Fi 5 when the standard for 2024 is at least Wi-Fi 6. The MAX BR2 also has slow internals with a rated throughput of only 300Mbps, making it easy to be overwhelmed by multiple fast connections.
On the plus side, the router supports USB tethering of smartphones (iOS is not yet supported), mobile hotspots, and USB modems, which provides another WAN option. The router also comes with five Gigabit Ethernet ports—1x WAN and 4xLAN, including one that supports Power Over Ethernet as an option to power the router. As with most Peplink routers, a second WAN is available via Peplink's vWAN feature.
While it's always nice to see dual-modem options from Peplink, the MAX BR2 is too low-end to appeal to most of our audience of mobile users looking for a mobile home internet replacement. Peplink intends this router for more industrial and Internet-of-Things (IoT) uses that require reliability and not performance, and for that purpose, it's a capable choice.
The BR2 is available starting today from Peplink retailers for $599.
Key Mobile Internet Related Considerations:
- The MAX BR2 is a lower-end device with only Cat-4 LTE modems, Wi-Fi 5, and slow internals
- The MAX BR2 is primarily intended for industrial and IoT use that prioritizes redundancy over performance
- Most nomads looking for a cellular router will likely be better served by a higher-end device
For more information:
Related Content at the Mobile Internet Resource Center:
- Guide: Selecting Mobile Routers
- Gear Center: Peplink BR1 Mini & BR2 Routers
- Gear Center: Peplink Product Line-Up
- Learning Center: Peplink for Mobile Internet
Related Updates:
Mobile Internet Resource Center (dba Two Steps Beyond LLC) is founded by Chris & Cherie of