How to choose best 5G Industrial Router?
1. The best 5G industrial router depends on specific needs. When choosing a 5G industrial router, consider these factors:
- Connectivity Requirements: Number of devices, data speed, and latency needs.
- Environmental Conditions: Temperature, humidity, vibration, and protection against dust and water.
- Security Features: Encryption, firewalls, and secure boot options.
- Power Options: DC power, PoE, or other options.
- Scalability: Ability to accommodate future growth and additional devices.
- Vendor Support: Firmware updates and technical assistance.
This report compares three leading models: RUTX50, M357-5G, and Yhiott R5000, evaluating their key features, performance, and suitability for industrial use cases.
2. Key Specifications Comparison
Category | RUTX50 | M357-5G | Yhiott R5000 |
5G Modes | SA/NSA | SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
CPU | MT7621A | MT7981B | MT7981B |
5G Module Brand | Quectel | Quectel | |
Max Data Rates | Downlink: 3.4 Gbps (5G NSA); 2.4 Gbps (5G SA); Uplink: 900 Mbps (5G SA) | Downlink: 2.5 Gbps; Uplink: 400 Mbps (5G NSA) | Downlink: 3.4 Gbps (5G NSA); 2.4 Gbps (5G SA); Uplink: 900 Mbps (5G SA) |
LTE Support | LTE Cat 6 (up to 300 Mbps downlink) | LTE Cat 12 (up to 600 Mbps downlink) | LTE (up to 1.6 Gbps downlink; 200 Mbps uplink) |
5G Bands | Global coverage (n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79) | EMEA/APAC focus (n1, n3, n7, n8, n28, n38, n41, n78) | Model-specific: R5000G (global), R5000E (EMEA/APAC/Brazil), R5000C (China) |
WiFi Standard | IEEE 802.11ac (WiFi 5) | IEEE 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | IEEE 802.11ax (WiFi 6) |
Max WiFi Connections | Up to 100 | Up to 128 | Up to 100 |
Interfaces | 5x Gigabit Ethernet (2x WAN/LAN configurable), 2x SIM slots, RS232/485 | 4x Gigabit Ethernet (1x WAN, 3x LAN), 1x SIM slot, RS232/485 | 1x WAN (Gigabit), 4x LAN (Gigabit), 1x SIM slot, 4x SMA (5G), 2x SMA (WiFi) |
VPN Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec, GRE | IPsec, L2TP, PPTP, OpenVPN | WireGuard, OpenVPN, GRE, IPsec (up to 10 IPsec tunnels) |
Industrial Reliability | -40°C to 75°C operating temp; IP30; hardware watchdog | -40°C to 70°C operating temp; IP30; watchdog timer | -40°C to 75°C operating temp; IP30; dedicated hardware/software watchdog |
Power Requirements | 12-57 VDC; PoE (802.3af/at) support | 12-48 VDC; <15W max power consumption | 12-36 VDC or PoE 48V; <19W max power consumption |
Management | RMS (cloud); SNMP v3; FOTA | Cloud; SNMP v2/v3; FOTA | Free cloud monitoring; SNMP v1/v2/v3 |
Additional Features | GNSS (GPS/GLONASS); dual SIM failover | GPS support; traffic management | External GPS module (NMEA-0183); |
Firmware updates | Free updates will be released periodically till the End of Production date. | Free updates will be released periodically till the End of Production date. | |
Technical support | 5 years after the End of Production date | 5 years after the End of Production date | |
Warranty | 1 year free | 1 year free | 1 year free |
Price | 560~800 USD | 480~600 USD | 350~420 USD |
3. Detailed Analysis
3.1 Network Performance
- Yhiott R5000 leads in 5G NSA downlink speed (3.4 Gbps) and 5G SA uplink speed (900 Mbps), making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications like remote surgery or AI-driven manufacturing.
- M357-5G offers strong LTE performance (Cat 12, 600 Mbps downlink), suitable for regions with mixed 5G/LTE coverage.
- RUTX50 balances 5G and LTE capabilities, with reliable dual SIM failover for mission-critical networks.
3.2 Wireless & Connectivity
- All three support 5G SA/NSA, but Yhiott R5000 and M357-5G feature WiFi 6 (802.11ax) for faster wireless speeds and more concurrent connections (up to 100 and 128, respectively), outperforming ’s WiFi 5.
- RUTX50 offers flexible Ethernet ports (2x configurable WAN/LAN), useful for complex network setups, while Yhiott R5000 provides 4 dedicated LAN ports for stable device connections.
3.3 Security & Reliability
- Yhiott R5000 stands out with rich VPN options (including WireGuard) and 10 IPsec tunnels, enhancing secure remote access. Its hardware/software watchdog ensures uninterrupted operation in harsh environments.
- RUTX50 and M357-5G offer robust security (firewalls, MAC filtering) but with fewer VPN protocols compared to Yhiott.
- All meet industrial temperature standards (-40°C to 75°C), with IP30 protection against dust, suitable for factory floors or outdoor deployments.
3.4 Management & Power
- Yhiott R5000 and RUTX50 provide free cloud management (Yhiott Cloud, RMS), simplifying remote monitoring. requires a proprietary cloud platform.
- M357-5G has lower power consumption (<15W), beneficial for battery-powered setups, while Yhiott R5000 supports PoE 48V for flexible power sourcing.
4. Conclusion
- Yhiott R5000 is the highest cost performance, WiFi 6-dependent applications (e.g., smart manufacturing, autonomous driving) with its superior 5G speeds and security features.
- RUTX50 is frequently cited as a top contender for its robust performance, security features, and rugged design.
- M357-5G suits low-power, LTE-reliant environments (e.g., remote sensors) with its efficient power use and strong LTE Cat 12 performance.
Note: Specifications for RUTX50 and M357-5G are based on public data as of 2024. For the latest details, refer to manufacturers’ official documentation.