BPI-R4 Router (4GB RAM Version)

This board has completely exceeded my expectations in terms of both performance and versatility. As a networking enthusiast, it offers everything I need and more. First and foremost, the WiFi 7 support is a game changer. The wireless performance is outstanding, providing ultra-fast speeds across both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Whether I’m streaming 4K content or working remotely, the BPI-R4 delivers a seamless and lag-free experience. It’s fantastic to see such cutting-edge technology in a product like this. The MediaTek MT7988A SoC is a powerhouse. Running demanding applications like a NAS server and handling multiple connected devices is no issue for this router. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into the hardware, and it definitely shows in the smooth, reliable performance. The 2 x 10GbE SFP ports and 4 x Gigabit Ethernet ports are a perfect touch for anyone needing high-speed, wired connectivity. This setup is future-proof and perfect for high-throughput tasks, from large file transfers to setting up a robust home server. What I absolutely love about the BPI-R4 is the OpenWRT support. This gives me full control over my network and allows me to tailor the router to my exact needs. It’s incredibly customizable, whether it’s setting up VLANs, managing traffic, or securing my smart home devices. The flexibility is unmatched. The BPI-R4 is also the perfect solution for my Smart Home Gateway. It has no problem managing multiple devices simultaneously, offering stability and fast response times. Plus, with its security features powered by OpenWRT, I feel confident in my network’s protection. Overall, this is a highly capable, feature-rich, and customizable router that offers incredible value. If you’re looking for a powerful networking solution for home automation, NAS, or even small business needs, the Banana Pi BPI-R4 is definitely worth considering. I more than happier with my purchase !!

The good: Works well as a mobile hotspot with OpenWRT when a Quectel RM520N-GL is added. Fan is nearly silent. The case gets warm, but not hot. The bad: Wifi is low power and has short range. It is also not easy to get the configuration correct. I don't think the drivers are ready for prime time yet. Still a work in progress. I would recommend skipping the wifi 7 board and adding access points. Also, the SFP ports are picky about what network interface modules are used.

With the powerful SoC, high-speed network ports and so many expansion slots, Banana Pi R4 isn’t just a router, it has become a homelab Linux server platform. I am running a compiled version of Openwrt 24.10.2 to replace the old TPLINK-AC1900/Openwrt. Everything was so easy to configure, customize and modify. Other than some compatibility issues with different SFP modules, I have not encountered any real issue so far. And It has been stabilized for a few weeks to support 30+ devices in 4 different VLANs, VPN, a media server and more. What is also amazing is the low power consumption. It is truly a wonderful router platform for the next 5+ years with some room to expand. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to take full control of home networking.

While the vendor does supply their own forked version of OpenWRT - if you want to get actual OpenWRT which is kept up to date and open you're gonna find yourself in a bad spot with this setup. The reason why is that the eeprom has bad transmission power values programmed into it for some reason nobody can understand. There is a thread on github (openwrt issue 17489) that explains this. I did a hexdump on mine, and sure enough it had the same bad values. This is for a card purchased in June of 2029 but the issues go back very early. There are SOME that have the eeprom values set correctly, but do you want to risk getting one that doesn't? Until the banana pi folks come out with a solution to flash the wifi card eeprom with proper values, or openwrt implements a work around, I'd avoid this card.

I've been tinkering with Raspberry Pi's for years, I thought I would take the plunge and jump into the Banana Pi world with processors and hardware that was geared more towards a multitude of tasks. This is working great so far, I'm running a custom version of Ubuntu 24.04 and a virtualized OpenWrt instance. I'm able to also run Samba, Home Assistant and Apache. I'm very happy, and I would recommend this device and this company.

The device unfortunately did not boot the first few times into its OS until I looked up the manual and adjusted the dip switches to have it boot from onboard ROM. The device has WiFi 7, recognizes the card, but from the firmware on the device it would not host any APs that I could connect to. I have been troubleshooting for days now in order to compile openwrt from scratch to throw onto an extra SD card that I have laying around. Would avoid this product if average consumer, if you're willing to get your hands dirty and tinker with the operating system you might want to give it a shot. I think I got unlucky with the unit I recieved but I am committed to trying to make it work.

Good router board designed for OpenWrt (vanilla snapshot works great for me). It’s quiet, performs well, and feels stable even under load. Setting it up was a breeze - everything came together quickly, and it was ready to go with minimal effort. Out-of-the-box compatibility with the Quectel 5G modem module (get a heatsink for the modem module). Overall, this board offers solid performance and ease of use for anyone looking to run vanilla snapshot OpenWrt.

It took a bit for the driver development for the BPI-R4-NIC-BE14/MT7996 card to be stable in mainline-bound Linux kernel, but it is officially the best WiFi access point now (and will be even better once the BPI-R4-NIC-BE19/14 antenna + 4x radio WiFi module is released). Great as standalone access points (running Ubuntu 24.04/hostapd off the SSD, for LTS+unattended-upgrades), and even better as wireless bridges - I was able to replace/augment my previous MoCA 2.5Gbit setup by using 2x BPI-R4 (one as AP + other as client/bridge for satellite room connectivity as a switch).

Venditore e spedizione top. Prodotto eccezionale, manca il modulo wifi7 ma deve essere ancora commercializzato

We are very satisfied with both the product quality, the fast delivery and customer service.Very good customer service! Special thanks to Runfat, who resolved our issue within hours. Solutions are always found for any issues, and problems are handled quickly and very professionally.

Order fulfilled fast, complete and in good shape. Even had one TTL to USB converter in the box that was really nice and handy. Keep in mind, this is a router development board, not a ready and out of the box router solution for daily use. Firmwares might be unstable and closed-source.

The Banana Pi BPI-R4 is a highly versatile board designed for advanced networking applications. It can function as an Internet router thanks to its high-performance network ports or be upgraded to a Wi-Fi 7 router with compatible modules. If you need mobile connectivity, it allow you to integrate 4G/5G modules, making it ideal for a portable wireless router. The BPI-R4 comes with a stock version pre-installed on the NAND memory, allowing for immediate use and quick functionality tests. However, for an optimal experience, I strongly recommend using a microSD card as the primary storage for the operating system. The official guides and documentation make installation straightforward, even for less experienced users, ensuring a hassle-free setup. One of the highlights of my experience was the exceptional customer support provided by WayPonDEV. Their team was not only quick to respond but also incredibly knowledgeable and professional. Over the course of more than a month, they patiently guided me through the entire process, answering all my questions and helping me choose the right product for my needs. Their support was not just courteous but also highly competent, making a real difference in my buying experience.