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FriendlyELEC presented the NanoPi R5S as an open-source mini IoT gateway built around an unusual-for-its-size network layout: two 2.5GbE ports and one gigabit Ethernet port. The original R5S documentation dates its initial release to May 16, 2022; the model FriendlyELEC currently lists for sale is the R5S-LTS.
What FriendlyELEC announced
FriendlyELEC describes the NanoPi R5S as an open-source gateway device for IoT and networking projects, rather than simply a general-purpose single-board computer. Its standout feature is three wired Ethernet ports with two different link speeds. The original product history records an initial release on May 16, 2022, according to the NanoPi R5S Wiki.
Ports and networking
The manufacturer specifies two PCIe-connected 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports and one native gigabit Ethernet port. This gives the board multiple wired interfaces for gateway or network-appliance designs. Link speed describes the port capability; it does not establish how quickly a particular setup can route traffic. No independent throughput results are available here.
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Processor and NPU
FriendlyELEC lists a Rockchip RK3568B2 system-on-chip with a quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU rated up to 2.0GHz and NPU support rated at 0.8T. These are manufacturer specifications, not independently measured performance results. The NPU figure alone does not establish application speed or compatibility with a particular AI workload.
#1 Best Overall
- [WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER] NanoPi R5S Mini Router can support external USB wifi adapter. Simultaneous dual band with wireless speed 150Mbps(2.4G+433Mbps(5G).Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing
- [Open Source and Programmable] NanoPi R5S OpenWRT Router can support FriendlyWrt, a custom system based on the OpenWrt distribution. It is open source and ideal for developing IoT applications, NAS applications, smart home gateways and more.
- [DUAL GBPS ETHERNET PORTS] The NanoPi R5S Mini Router has three 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports: one directly extended from the SoC and the other two converted from a PCIe.gets around 934Mbits/second download and upload
- [LARGER STORAGE & EXTENSIBILITY] 4GB RAM LPDDR4X, 64GB eMMC 5.1 Flash, up to 128GB MicroSD slot/UHS-I; USB3.0 Host x2: USB Type A; 2.54mm 4pin-header;support USB-C, PD x1: Power Input supply, one Native Gigabit Ethernet and Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN and 2 LAN).
- [OS SUPPORT] NanoPi R5S WiFi Router also works with Android, Debian ,Ubuntu Desktop and Buildroot etc and works with headless systems as well. It supports decoding 4K60p H.265/H.264 formatted videos.
Other hardware and expansion
The documentation lists an M.2 Key M PCIe slot with NVMe support, a UHS-I microSD slot, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, HDMI, and USB-C power input. FriendlyELEC’s current R5S-LTS product page specifies that USB-C is for power input only, so it should not be counted as a data port.
Software support and the recent driver note
FriendlyELEC documents FriendlyWrt, Linux, and Android options for the R5S. Its current R5S-LTS listing names FriendlyWrt 25.12 and Linux 6.1 LTS among the available software images. The Wiki update history also records an August 6, 2026 RTL8125 driver update; FriendlyELEC says it improves 2.5G performance and reduces idle power. That improvement is the vendor’s claim, not an independent test result.
Rank #2
- [Open-Source Programmable] The NanoPi R5S OpenWRT Router supports FriendlyWrt—a customized system based on OpenWrt. Its open-source nature makes it an ideal platform for developing IoT applications, NAS solutions, smart home gateways, and more.
- [Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports] The NanoPi R5S mini router features three Ethernet ports: 1 x Native Gigabit Ethernet (RTL8211F-CG chip), 2 x PCIe 2.5G Ethernet (RTL8125BG chip).
- [Enhanced Storage & Expandability] The NanoPi R5S OpenWRT router features 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB eMMC 5.1 flash storage, supports MicroSD card expansion, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, 1 x USB 2.0 port, and USB-C interface support.
- [Operating System Support] The NanoPi R5S WiFi Router is compatible with Android, Debian, Ubuntu Desktop, Buildroot, and other systems, including headless operation. It decodes 4K60p H.265/H.264 video formats.
- [Endless Possibilities] The NanoPi R5S mini WiFi router board integrates multiple Ethernet ports, lightweight NAS, and video playback capabilities into one device. It serves as an indispensable platform for geeks, enthusiasts, and developers seeking limitless potential.
Original R5S versus the R5S-LTS listing
The original R5S Wiki and the currently listed R5S-LTS are related product references, but they are not the same label. The Wiki supplies the original product history and documentation; FriendlyELEC’s store currently lists the R5S-LTS. Check the listing and its selected configuration for the exact item and bundle being offered.
Price and availability
At the time the FriendlyELEC R5S-LTS product page was reviewed, it showed a price of $128 USD and “In Stock.” The listing offered a 4GB RAM/64GB eMMC configuration, bare-board or case options, and optional cable and microSD card. Price, stock, and selectable configurations can change; consult the seller page for current details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER] Nanopi R5C Mini Wifi Router Adopt Rockchip RK3568B2 Soc, with 4GB LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB eMMC; CPU: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 CPU, up to 2.0GHz; GPU: Mali-G52 1-Core-2EE, supports OpenGL ES 1.1, 2.0, and 3.2, Vulkan 1.0 and 1.1, OpenCL 2.0 Full Profile; NPU: Support 0.8T.
- [OPEN SOURCE and Programmable] It can support FriendlyWrt, a custom system based on the OpenWrt distribution. It is open source and ideal for developing IoT applications, NAS applications, smart home gateways, and more. It can also be used as a command line mode for geeks
- [Dual PCIe 2.5G GBPS ETHERNET PORTS] The NanoPi R5C Mini Router has dual PCIe 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports; M.2 WiFi(RTL8822CE) support 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac protocol,TX rate is 276Mbps,RX rate is 156Mbps.
- [LARGER EXTENSIBILITY & Interface] NanoPi R5C Router supports M.2 WiFi and Bluetooth Module, with M.2 Key E: PCIe2.1 x1, USB 2.0 x1 Ports；microSD: support UHS-I; USB: two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports; Debug: one Debug UART, 3 Pin 2.54mm header, 3.3V level ;1 x HDMI output interface; LEDs: 4 x GPIO Controlled LED (SYS, WAN, LAN, WL)
- [OS/Software] NanoPi R5C Portable Router Running Android, FriendlyWrt 22.03(64-bit), Debian Buster Desktop (64-bit), FriendlyCore Focal Lite(Base on Ubuntu 20.04), Buildroot; Kernel version: Linux-5.10-LTS/U-boot-2017.09.
Rank #4
- [WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER] NanoPi R5S can support external USB wifi adapter. Simultaneous dual band with wireless speed 150Mbps(2.4G)+433Mbps(5G).Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing
- [Open Source and Programmable] It can support FriendlyWrt, a custom system based on the OpenWrt distribution. It is open source and ideal for developing IoT applications, NAS applications, smart home gateways, and more.
- [DUAL GBPS ETHERNET PORTS] The NanoPi R5S has three 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports: one directly extended from the SoC and the other two converted from a PCIe.gets around 934Mbits/second download and upload
- [LARGER STORAGE & EXTENSIBILITY] 4GB RAM LPDDR4X, 64GB eMMC Flash,up to 128GB MicroSD slot/UHS-I, USB3.0 Host x2: USB Type A; 2.54mm 4pin-header;support USB-C, PD x1: Power Input supply, one Native Gigabit Ethernet and Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN and 2 LAN)
- [INFINITE POSSIBILITIES] NanoPi R5S mini wifi router is a board featured with multiple Ethernet ports, light NAS and video playing. It is a cannot-miss platform with infinite possibilities for geeks, fans and developers.
Rank #3
- [Wireless Protable Mini Router] NanoPi R5S Mini Router can support external USB wifi adapter. Simultaneous dual band with wireless speed 150Mbps(2.4G+433Mbps(5G). Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Also onboard Mali-G52 1-Core-2EE GPU & 0.8T NPU, making secondary development limitless in possibilities.
- [Open Source and Programmable] NanoPi R5S OpenWRT Mini Router can support FriendlyWrt, a custom system based on the OpenWrt distribution. It also works with OpenMediaVault, Android, Debian, Ubuntu Desktop and Buildroot etc, headless systems as well.
- [Built-in Rich Hardware] NanoPi R5S mini router onboard Rockchip RK3568B2 SoC (Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 CPU, up to 2.0GHz CPU), with 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB eMMC 5.1 Flash (up to 128GB MicroSD slot/UHS-I). USB3.0 Host x2; 1x M.2 NVME port; 2.54mm 4pin-header; One Native Gigabit Ethernet and Dual PCIE 2.5G Gigabit Ethernet ports (1 WAN and 2 LAN).
- [4K H.265/H.264 Video Decoder] NanoPi R5S Mini WiFi Router supports decoding 4k60P H.265/H.264 formatted videos and 1080P60 H.264/H.265 video encoder. It is open source and ideal for developing IoT NAS applications, NAS applications, smart home office gateways and more.
- [Three Gbps Ethernet Ports] The NanoPi R5S Mini Router has three 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports: one directly extended from the SoC and the other two converted from a PCIe. Gets around 941Mbits/second download and upload. Enjoy a stable network environment.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
