The BR1 Pro 5G is Peplink's mid-range 5G mobile router. Single 5G modem, Wi-Fi 6, PoE input, edge computing with Docker, SpeedFusion SD-WAN, 1-year PrimeCare bundled. Built for vehicles, vessels and branch sites where 5G needs to actually work.
This is the HW3 hardware revision with the Qualcomm X65 modem. SKU MAX-BR1-PRO-5GK-T-PRM. The current shipping variant; supersedes the older HW2 (X62, 5GN SKU).
What you get
- 5G with the X65 modem. Latest-generation Qualcomm chipset, 5G NSA and SA, sub-6 GHz, full UK and global band coverage.
- 1 Gbps router throughput. The realistic ceiling for your traffic, the headline number that actually matters.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). 2x2 MU-MIMO, dual-band, recommended for 1 to 150 connected users.
- 2.5 Gbps WAN port with surge and ESD protection, plus 1x Gigabit LAN.
- 802.3at PoE input. Power over Ethernet simplifies installation in awkward locations.
- Edge computing. Docker support, 8 GB internal storage. Run lightweight containers directly on the router.
- Railway certified. EN50155 rolling stock, EN45545-2 fire protection, EN61373 shock and vibration. Plus FCC, CE, RoHS, E-Mark.
- 1-year PrimeCare included. InControl 2 cloud, 5 SpeedFusion peers, FusionHub licences, warranty cover.
Built for
Vehicles. Coaches, vans, broadcast trucks, emergency response. Ignition-sensing 12V power input, vehicle-mount Mobility 42G antenna pairing, GPS tracking via InControl, EN61373 shock and vibration certified.
Vessels. Yachts, work boats, offshore. Pair with Antenna MAX or MAX S for high-gain coverage at sea. SpeedFusion bonds cellular, Starlink and shore Wi-Fi into one unbreakable connection.
Branches. Pop-up shops, construction sites, temporary offices, retail back-of-house. 5G as primary, Ethernet WAN as backup, instant deployment via InControl Cloud Provisioning.
The honest take
The BR1 Pro 5G is the sweet spot in Peplink's mobile range right now. It's the model we recommend most often for SME vehicles and small branch deployments. Here's why.
It's a 5G router that doesn't lie about throughput. The X65 modem can theoretically negotiate 4.1 Gbps on the cellular side, but the router itself processes traffic at 1 Gbps. That's the true ceiling. Anyone telling you a single-modem mobile router does multi-gigabit real-world throughput is selling marketing slides. Verizon's own Open Development certification confirms the BR1 Pro 5G hits around 900 Mbps real-world on a strong 5G signal, which is exactly what you'd expect from a 1 Gbps platform with cellular overhead.
The HW3 revision matters. Peplink quietly shipped HW3 in late 2025. Three things changed: the modem moved from Qualcomm X62 to X65 (more bands, better carrier aggregation, more reliable in marginal coverage), 802.3at PoE input was added, and Docker edge computing landed with 8 GB of onboard storage. If you're shopping for a BR1 Pro 5G, get the HW3. The HW2 is not bad, but it's last-generation now and the spec gap is meaningful in the field.
SpeedFusion is the differentiator. This is the bit Cisco, Cradlepoint and Sierra Wireless can't replicate in software. SpeedFusion bonds multiple WANs, smooths packet loss, and fails over instantly. On the BR1 Pro 5G you get 400 Mbps unencrypted SpeedFusion throughput, 200 Mbps with 256-bit AES encryption. Two PepVPN peers built in, five with PrimeCare, and the option to scale to ten or twenty with a software licence (PVN-LC-10 or PVN-LC-20). For most SME use cases, five peers is plenty.
PrimeCare is bundled, not a hidden upsell. The first year of InControl 2 cloud management, FusionHub licences, the five-peer SpeedFusion entitlement and warranty cover are all included in the box price. After year one, you renew via PRM-C-1Y or move to PrimeCare+ (PCP-C-1Y) for advanced support. We'll quote you a refresh price when your renewal comes round.
It's railway certified. EN50155 for rolling stock, EN45545-2 for railway fire protection, EN61373 for shock and vibration. We've seen these deployed on light rail, coaches and emergency response vehicles. The form factor (146 x 140 x 29 mm, 720 g) fits where a half-1U enclosure won't.
When it's not the right fit
You need true dual-modem redundancy. The BR1 Pro 5G has one 5G modem. If you need two cellular paths active simultaneously (broadcast remotes, mission-critical fleet, defence-grade resilience), step up to the BR2 Pro 5G or MAX Transit Duo Pro.
You're on a tight budget. The BR1 Mini 5G at £509 is the entry point. It loses Wi-Fi 6 (Wi-Fi 5 instead), has lower throughput, and no PoE input. Fine for a small POS or single-camera install, not for branch routing.
You need multi-gigabit branch throughput. Branch sites with 100+ active users on 5G should look at the SDX or B One 5G with an external 5G adapter.
Not sure which BR1 fits? Talk to a PCE-certified specialist. Email info@thetechfactory.co.uk.
Specifications
| Cellular | |
|---|---|
| Modem | 1x embedded 5G (Qualcomm X65) |
| Cellular | 5G mode | NSA and SA, sub-6 GHz |
| 5G bands (5GK) | n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n13, n14, n18, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 |
| LTE bands | B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B12, B13, B14, B17, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, B28, B29, B30, B32, B34, B38, B39, B40, B41, B42, B43, B46, B48, B66, B71 |
| Cellular throughput (theoretical) | 5G 4.1 Gbps DL / 900 Mbps UL. LTE Cat-20 2 Gbps DL / 211 Mbps UL |
| Wi-Fi | |
| Standard | |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| MIMO | 2x2 MU-MIMO |
| Bands | Simultaneous dual-band 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz |
| Modes | AP and Wi-Fi-as-WAN |
| Networking | |
| WAN / Ethernet | WAN | 1x 10/100/1000/2500M Ethernet, surge and ESD protection |
| LAN | LAN | 1x 10/100/1000M Ethernet |
| Router throughput | 1 Gbps |
| Recommended users | 1 to 150 |
| SpeedFusion | |
| Throughput (no encryption) | 400 Mbps |
| Throughput (256-bit AES) | 200 Mbps |
| Peers built in | 2 |
| Peers with PrimeCare | 5 |
| Peers with PVN-LC licence | 10 or 20 |
| SIM and connectivity | |
| SIM slots | 2x Nano-SIM (4FF), single active |
| eSIM | Peplink eSIM, BYO eSIM (2 profiles) |
| Other | RemoteSIM via SIM Injector, FusionSIM compatible |
| Edge computing | |
| Container support | Docker |
| Storage | 8 GB internal |
| Antennas | |
| Cellular connectors | 4x SMA |
| Wi-Fi connectors | 2x RP-SMA |
| GPS connector | 1x SMA |
| Power | |
| AC adapter | 100-240V to 12V DC, UK plug supplied |
| DC input | 10-30V via Power Port |
| Power | PoE | 802.3at |
| Consumption | 8W nominal, 19W max |
| Physical and environmental | |
| Physical | Dimensions | 146.8 x 140.3 x 29.3 mm (5.78 x 5.52 x 1.15 in) |
| Weight | 720 g (1.59 lb) |
| Operating temperature | -40°C to +65°C |
| Humidity | 15% to 95% non-condensing |
| Compliance | |
| Certifications | Certifications | FCC, CE, RoHS, E-Mark, EN61373 shock and vibration, EN50155 railway rolling stock, EN61000 EMC, EN45545-2 railway fire |
| Management and warranty | |
| Management | Management | InControl 2 cloud, web admin, REST API, Peplink App for iOS / Android |
| Support | Warranty | 1-year limited (extendable via PrimeCare or PrimeCare+) |
What's in the box
- 1x BR1 Pro 5G router
- 4x LTE/5G antennas (ACW-235)
- 2x dual-band Wi-Fi antennas (ACW-341)
- 1x GPS active antenna (ACW-232)
- 1x 12V 2A 4-pin power supply with UK plug (ACW-632)
- Quick start guide
Recommended antennas
The supplied paddle antennas are fine for desk and bench use. For vehicles, vessels or fixed installs, you'll want a proper external antenna.
- Mobility 42G (ANT-MB-42G-S-B-6 black or ANT-MB-42G-S-W-6 white). 4x4 cellular plus Wi-Fi and GPS in a single low-profile dome. Magnetic or thru-bolt vehicle mount. The standard recommendation for coaches and vans.
- Antenna MAX (ANT-MAX). Enclosed 4x LTE/5G, 2x Wi-Fi, 1x GPS. IP67 for fixed outdoor and harsh environments.
- Antenna MAX S (ANT-MAX-S). Higher-gain version of MAX for marine and long-range.
- Slim 40G (ANT-SLM-40G-S-B-6). Low-profile alternative to Mobility 42G.
Recommended add-ons
- PrimeCare extension (PRM-C-1Y/2Y/4Y or PCP-C-1Y/2Y/4Y for PrimeCare+). Keeps cloud management, peer counts and warranty cover live beyond year one.
- 10ft DC power cable (ACW-634). For hardwired vehicle installs.
- Vehicle Cigarette to Molex Power Cable (ACW-643). Convenient temporary install.
- Peplink 4-Pin Micro-Fit to USB-C Power Cable (ACW-791).
- IPsec X.509 Licence (MAX-BR1-ADV). Upgrades VPN to certificate authentication.
- SpeedFusion Connect data plan. Instant SD-WAN bonding without standing up your own FusionHub.
How it compares
| BR1 Mini 5G | BR1 Pro 5G (HW3) | BR2 Pro 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G modems | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 5G chipset | X62 | X65 | X65 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Router throughput | 600 Mbps | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps |
| SpeedFusion (AES) | 100 Mbps | 200 Mbps | 200 Mbps |
| WAN port | 1 GbE | 1x 2.5 GbE | 1x 2.5 GbE |
| LAN ports | 2x GbE | 1x GbE | 4x GbE |
| PoE input | No | Yes (802.3at) | Yes |
| Edge computing | No | Yes (Docker, 8 GB) | Yes |
| Recommended users | 1-60 | 1-150 | 1-300 |
| Best for | POS, single camera | Vehicles, vessels, small branch | Broadcast remote, large fleet |
| Price (inc PrimeCare) | £509 | £939 | POA |
Frequently asked questions
Is the BR1 Pro 5G compatible with Starlink?
Yes. Plug Starlink's Ethernet output into the WAN port. Bond it with cellular via SpeedFusion for instant failover and combined throughput.
What size SIM card does it take?
Nano-SIM (4FF). Two slots, single active. eSIM also supported with two profiles via Peplink eSIM or BYO.
Can it run on PoE?
Yes, 802.3at standard. Useful when the router needs to live somewhere without a power outlet (mast, ceiling, vehicle roof box) but you have a PoE switch nearby.
Does PrimeCare auto-renew after year one?
No. We'll quote you for renewal a few weeks before the existing entitlement expires. If you don't renew, the router still works but you lose InControl, the FusionHub licence, and peer count drops back to two.
What carriers is it certified for?
The 5GK SKU has US carrier certifications for AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (including C-Band) and FirstNet. For UK and EU, FCC and CE apply. Works with all major UK carriers (EE, Vodafone, Three, O2).
What's the difference between PrimeCare and PrimeCare+?
PrimeCare+ adds advanced 24/7 technical support and faster RMA. For most UK SME deployments PrimeCare is plenty. PrimeCare+ makes sense for mission-critical fleets.
Can I use SpeedFusion without a FusionHub?
Yes, two ways. Site-to-site SpeedFusion between two Peplink devices works directly. SpeedFusion Connect (Peplink's hosted service) gives you bonded SD-WAN without standing up your own hub. For full control or many sites, you'll want your own FusionHub.
How does the X65 compare to the X62?
More bands, better carrier aggregation, faster theoretical ceiling (4.1 Gbps vs 4 Gbps). In practice, the X65 holds onto marginal signals better and switches between bands more reliably. Worth the upgrade if you're buying new.
Does it have a built-in firewall?
Yes. Stateful firewall with DoS prevention and web blocking. Plus full SpeedFusion VPN, IPsec (with the MAX-BR1-ADV licence), PPTP, L2TP and OpenVPN.
How quickly can I deploy it?
With InControl Cloud Provisioning, configuration is pushed before the device leaves our warehouse. Plug it in, it gets your config, you're online. Typical hands-on time is 10 minutes if SIM and antenna are ready.
Do you offer trade pricing for installers?
Yes. Email trade@thetechfactory.co.uk for an account.
Resources
- Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5G datasheet (PDF)
- Hardware reference guide (PDF)
- User manual and firmware downloads
- Peplink case studies
Need help choosing?
The Tech Factory is a Peplink Gold Partner with an in-house engineering team that deploys these globally. If you're not sure whether the BR1 Pro 5G is the right fit for your deployment, talk to us before you order. We'll size and quote properly first.
Email info@thetechfactory.co.uk or call +44 (0)1788 550000.
Router-side SpeedFusion throughput: up to 400 Mbps unencrypted, 200 Mbps with 256-bit AES.