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In this post, I will provide you with a list of the best fanless Mini PC available on the market today, helping you make an informed decision for your computing needs.
Fanless Mini PCs are small, sleek, and powerful machines that pack a punch without the extra noise. By utilizing passive cooling techniques such as heat sinks and thermal conductivity, these devices dissipate heat efficiently, ensuring optimal performance without the distracting hum of a fan. If you’re seeking a mini pc that you can put in your study room or bedroom, then fanless Mini PCs are an ideal solution.
The benefits of fanless Mini PCs extend beyond their silent operation. These devices are highly energy-efficient, consuming significantly less power compared to traditional desktop computers. They also produce less heat, contributing to a cooler and more comfortable working environment. Additionally, their compact form factor makes them highly portable, allowing you to take your computing power on the go.
Here’s the summary of the Best Fanless Mini PC:
| Fanless Mini PC | Link to Product |
|---|---|
| Protectli Vault FW4C | See details at Amazon |
| ATOPNUC Fanless Mini PC | See details at Amazon |
| HUNSN RS34g Micro Firewall Appliance | See details at Amazon |
| MeLE PCG02 Pro Fanless Mini PC | See details at Amazon |
| NEOSMAY Mini PC | See details at Amazon |
Note: Some manufacturers tend to change the internal components like the WiFi chipset or processor without changing the product name or model number. Therefore, thoroughly check the specifications of the Mini PC before purchasing.
5 Silent Fanless Mini PC
1. Protectli Vault FW4C
The first fanless mini pc on this list is the Protectli Vault FW4C. It is equipped with Intel Pentium J3710 Quad Core (64-bit) processor along with AES-NI hardware support.
Protectli FW4C is available in a variety of RAM and storage options along with a barebone version (No RAM, No Storage) where you have to provide your RAM and storage to complete the build.
As for networking, the Vault FW4C ships with four Intel 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, ensuring faster data transfer rates than the 1 Gbe port. Moreover, it also has two USB 3.0, two HDMI and one RJ45 COM Port.
If you want a fanless mini pc to use as a firewall for your home or small office, then Protectli Vault FW4C is a great choice as it is compatible with popular firewall solutions like pfSense, OPNsense and Untangle. FW4C also support Coreboot (Opensource) BIOS and is VESA-mountable.
Key Features of Protectli Vault FW4C:
- Intel Pentium J3710 Quad Core at 1.6 GHz (Burst to 2.6 GHz).
- AES-NI support.
- 4 x Intel 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet NIC ports, 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45 COM Port.
- Compatible with firewall solutions such as pfSense, OPNsense and Untangle.
- Silent and Fanless Mini pc.
- Available in Barebone (no RAM, no SSD) version for maximum customizability.
2. ATOPNUC Fanless Mini PC
ATOPNUC AG40 Mini PC ships with an Intel Celeron N4020 processor. It is a 2-core 2-thread CPU with a base frequency of 1.1 GHz and Burst frequency of up to 2.8 GHz along with Intel UHD 600 graphics.
With 4GB RAM and 128 GB eMMC storage that can be expanded with 2.5-inch HDD/SSD, you can use this mini pc for web browsing, light office work etc.
AG40 also has a variety of ports which includes one type-c port, two USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, one VGA port, one HDMI port and one 1000 Mbps Ethernet LAN port. Apart from that it also includes one Micro-SD card slot and audio jack.
Moreover, it also has built-in Dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0, through which you can easily connect to the internet and connect your Bluetooth peripherals like headphones, controller etc. without the need for any Bluetooth dongle.
One of the greatest features of this fanless mini pc is that it offers a selection of pre-installed operating systems. You can choose between Ubuntu or Windows.
Although it is the cheapest mini pc on this list, it is not as powerful as other mini pcs mentioned in this list. However, if you want a fanless mini pc for light tasks or projects and is also compatible with Linux, then ATOPNUC AG40 is a great choice.
Key Features of ATOPNUC:
- Intel Celeron N4020, 2C/2T, Base 1.1GHz, Burst 2.8GHz.
- Intel UHD Graphics 600.
- 4GB DDR4 & 128GB eMMC storage.
- 1 x Type-C, 2 x USB 2.0, 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI, 1 x 1000Mbps Ethernet, 1 x Audio jack and 1 x Micro SD card slot included.
- Built-in Dual-band (2.4G, 5G) WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0.
- Silent and Fanless Design.
- Pre-installed Ubuntu or Windows OS.
3. HUNSN RS34g Micro Firewall Appliance
HUNSN RS34g is a four-port mini PC that is bundled with an Intel Celeron J4125 CPU along with AES-NI support. It is a great alternative to the Vault FW4C mentioned previously.
Just like the Vault FW4C, RS34g is also available in many RAM and storage options along with a barebone version for maximum customizability.
This fanless Mini PC has 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI and 4 x LAN ports. The four LAN ports are 2.5 GbE ports which are faster compared to the 1 GbE ports.
The quiet and fanless design of this mini pc makes it an ideal choice for home and office environments. Moreover, it is compatible with many freebsd-based router solutions and Linux distros. When compared to Protectli Vault FW4C, Hunsn RS34g is also a budget-friendly option.
Key Features of HUNSN RS34g:
- Intel Celeron Processor J4125 CPU (up to 2.70 GHz).
- Intel NIC.
- AES-NI Support.
- Available in 4GB/8GB/16GB DDR4 RAM variants.
- 1 x mSata SSD and 1 x 2.5 inch SSD/HDD, HDMI, 2 x USB3.0, VGA, RST, 4 x 2.5GbE LAN ports.
- Quiet Fanless design.
- Compatible with pfSense, OPNsense, Untangle and popular Linux Distros.
- Available in Barebone (no RAM, no SSD) version.
4. MeLE PCG02 Pro Fanless Mini PC
MeLe PCG02 Pro ships with Intel Celeron J4125 Quad Core Processor. It is 4 cores, 4 threads CPU with a base frequency of 2.00 GHz and a burst frequency of 2.70 GHz.
PCG02 Pro includes 8GB RAM and comes in many storage variants ranging from 128 GB – 512 GB. Moreover, it has built-in WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2.
Although it is a small-sized fanless mini PC, it has many ports that include two HDMI 2.0 output ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports and two Type-C ports (One for power input and the other for output). Apart from that, it also has one Kensington Lock slot, one Gigabit Ethernet port, one 3.5mm Audio Jack and one Micro-SD card slot that support Mirco SD card up to 2TB.
MeLe PCG02 Pro has a compact size and will easily fit in your pocket just like a smartphone. This makes it very convenient for people who want to keep a mini PC with them while on the move.
I have also made a list of the best Mini PC sticks; you can also check that out if you are interested in Mini PCs small enough to fit in your pocket.
Key Features of MeLE PCG02 Pro:
- Intel Celeron J4125 Quad Core Processor.
- 8GB LPDDR4 RAM with 128GB/256GB/512GB storage.
- WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 included.
- 1 x Kensington lock slot, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet Port, 2 x HDMI 2.0 Output, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 x Type-C Power input, 1 x Type-C output port, 1 x 3.5mm earphone jack, 1 x Micro-SD card Slot.
- Silent and Fanless Design.
- Small Design with Vesa Mount support.
5. NEOSMAY Mini PC
The last fanless mini pc on this list is the Neosmay Mini PC which is equipped with the Intel Celeron Pentium N6005 processor. It is a quad-core CPU with 4 threads that has a base frequency of 2.00 GHz and a burst frequency of 3.30 GHz.
Neosmay Mini PC utilises dual-channel RAM which can be upgraded up to 32 GB. The one I am mentioning here ships with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB M.2 2280 SATA SSD storage. Moreover, it has built-in WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
The case is built using anti-static material and is equipped with a heat sink for heat dissipation. Its fanless design makes it noiseless during operations.
It has got one HDMI, VGA and display port, through which this mini pc can support a triple display setup. Not only that, this mini pc includes four USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, one LAN port, one audio jack, one Mic and one Micro SD card slot.
Multiple interfaces, fanless design, and upgradable memory make this Mini PC a great choice for day-to-day home, office or school work.
Key Features of NEOSMAY Mini PC:
- Intel Celeron Pentium N6005 CPU.
- Dual-channel DDR4 RAM; upgradable to 32 GB.
- M.2 2280 SATA SSD storage.
- Built-in WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
- 4 x USB 3.0 Port, 2 x USB 2.0 Port, 1 x HDMI, 1 x VGA, 1 x Display port, 1 x 1000 Mbps LAN port, 1 x Audio Jack, 1 x Mic and 1 x Micro SD card slot.
- Support triple Display.
- Silent and Fanless Design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fanless Mini PCs are designed to be power efficient and generally are not equipped with powerful CPU and GPU that are necessary for demanding tasks like video editing and gaming.
You will need a Mini PC with GPU and high-performance CPU to have a smooth gaming or editing experience. These types of Mini PCs generate a lot of heat and require a fan for proper heat dissipation or else the internal components will be damaged.
Since these Mini PCs only generate a small amount of heat, heat sinks and thermal conductive cases are often efficient to keep them cool. They transfer heat away from the internal components to the surrounding environment. This ensures optimal performance without the need for noisy fans.
Upgradability varies depending on the specific model of the fanless Mini PC. Some devices offer the flexibility to upgrade certain components like RAM and storage, while others have fixed configurations. Thereof, check the specifications and product details of the Mini PC you’re interested in to determine its upgrade options.
The prices of fanless Mini PCs will depend on the brand and the components used in the Mini PC. They might be more expensive than entry-level traditional desktop computers. However, there are options available at various price points to suit different budgets.
Yes, there are many fanless Mini PCs available in the market that are an excellent choice to set up as a firewall. Their compact size and silent operation make them perfect for both home offices and small offices (SOHO).
However, before purchasing any Mini PC to use as a firewall, make sure it fulfils the requirements of the firewall software you wish to install. I have written a separate post related to pfSense hardware and OPNsense hardware. These posts contain the list of Mini PCs that are compatible with the two popular FreeBSD-based firewall solutions – pfSense and OPNsense.
Conclusion
By eliminating the need for noisy cooling fans, fanless Mini PCs provide a peaceful working environment, free from distractions. When selecting the fanless Mini PC, consider your specific needs and preferences. Evaluate factors such as processing power, storage capacity and connectivity options to ensure that you find the perfect match.
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