iKOOLCORE R2
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The iKOOLCORE R2 is a tiny networking mini PC aimed at firewalls, routers, and home-lab servers rather than desktop use. Its defining feature is four 2.5GbE ports (three on Intel i226-V controllers, one Realtek over USB), which is what makes it a fit for pfSense, OPNsense, OpenWrt, or Proxmox. It comes with an Intel N95 (4 cores) or the faster 8-core Intel i3-N300, paired with soldered LPDDR5 (8GB or 16GB) and an M.2 2242 NVMe SSD up to 2TB.
For ports beyond the four NICs, it has USB-A 3.2 and a USB-C 3.2 that doubles as a DisplayPort 1.4a output, plus an HDMI 2.0 port, both 4K-capable. A full-copper heatsink with a PWM fan keeps the small chassis cool under load.
| Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Four 2.5GbE ports in a palm-sized chassis | The fourth NIC (Realtek over USB) can be finicky in pfSense/OPNsense | | Choice of N95 or 8-core i3-N300 | LPDDR5 RAM is soldered; no upgrades | | Low power; runs firewall/router/home-lab OSes | No microSD slot (the R1 Pro had one) | | Copper heatsink and PWM fan keep it cool | Wi-Fi is an optional add-in card, sold separately | | USB-C DisplayPort plus HDMI, both 4K | Single M.2 slot; storage is limited | | Compact home-lab node (reviewers' verdict) | Niche networking box, not a general desktop |
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iKOOLCORE R2 Comparison Chart
 iKOOLCORE R2 | iKOOLCORE R2 | iKOOLCORE R2 | iKOOLCORE R2 | |
| Price | List Price: $329.00 Amazon Prices: | List Price: $259.00 Amazon Prices: | List Price: $389.00 Amazon Prices: | List Price: $359.00 Amazon Prices: |
| Version | 16GB/512GB/Intel N95 | 8GB/128GB/Intel N95 | 8GB/512GB/Intel i3-N300 | 8GB/128GB/Intel i3-N300 |
| Performance Rating | 4.9 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Operating System | None (Barebone) | None (Barebone) | None (Barebone) | None (Barebone) |
| Processor | Quad-core 3.40 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz) Intel Processor N95 | Quad-core 3.40 Ghz (max 3.40 Ghz) Intel Processor N95 | Octa-core 3.80 Ghz (max 3.80 Ghz) Intel Core i3-N300 | Octa-core 3.80 Ghz (max 3.80 Ghz) Intel Core i3-N300 |
| GPU | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics |
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Internal Storage | 512 GB | 128 GB | 512 GB | 128 GB |
| Dimensions width x length x thickness | 2.96 x 2.96 x 2.05 inches (75.18 x 75.18 x 52.07 mm) | 2.96 x 2.96 x 2.05 inches (75.18 x 75.18 x 52.07 mm) | 2.96 x 2.96 x 2.05 inches (75.18 x 75.18 x 52.07 mm) | 2.96 x 2.96 x 2.05 inches (75.18 x 75.18 x 52.07 mm) |
| Weight | 0.93 lbs (0.42 kg) | 0.93 lbs (0.42 kg) | 0.93 lbs (0.42 kg) | 0.93 lbs (0.42 kg) |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ethernet | 4 Ethernet ports at 2.5 Gbps | 4 Ethernet ports at 2.5 Gbps | 4 Ethernet ports at 2.5 Gbps | 4 Ethernet ports at 2.5 Gbps |
| HDMI | 1 Full-Size HDMI Port | 1 Full-Size HDMI Port | 1 Full-Size HDMI Port | 1 Full-Size HDMI Port |
| DisplayPort | DisplayPort over USB-C, Type 1.4a | DisplayPort over USB-C, Type 1.4a | DisplayPort over USB-C, Type 1.4a | DisplayPort over USB-C, Type 1.4a |
| VGA | No VGA Ports | No VGA Ports | No VGA Ports | No VGA Ports |
| USB Ports | 2 USB 3, 2 USB-C (One USB-C PD power connection, one USB-C audio port backed by a Realtek ALC897 audio controller, one USB-C full sevice with DisplayPort) | 2 USB 3, 2 USB-C (One USB-C PD power connection, one USB-C audio port backed by a Realtek ALC897 audio controller, one USB-C full sevice with DisplayPort) | 2 USB 3, 2 USB-C (One USB-C PD power connection, one USB-C audio port backed by a Realtek ALC897 audio controller, one USB-C full sevice with DisplayPort) | 2 USB 3, 2 USB-C (One USB-C PD power connection, one USB-C audio port backed by a Realtek ALC897 audio controller, one USB-C full sevice with DisplayPort) |
| Thunderbolt Ports | No | No | No | No |
| OCuLink | No | No | No | No |
| Internal SATA Ports | No SATA ports | No SATA ports | No SATA ports | No SATA ports |
| Card Reader | No Card Reader | No Card Reader | No Card Reader | No Card Reader |
| Headphone Jack | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Fanless | No | No | No | No |
| VESA Mount | No | No | No | No |
| In the Box | Mini PC, 12V 4000mA DC adapter, USB-C to DC barrel jack adapter | Mini PC, 12V 4000mA DC adapter, USB-C to DC barrel jack adapter | Mini PC, 12V 4000mA DC adapter, USB-C to DC barrel jack adapter | Mini PC, 12V 4000mA DC adapter, USB-C to DC barrel jack adapter |
| Expandability | E-key socket available for optional Wi-Fi 6/6E cards. Single M.2 slot. | E-key socket available for optional Wi-Fi 6/6E cards. Single M.2 slot. | E-key socket available for optional Wi-Fi 6/6E cards. Single M.2 slot. | E-key socket available for optional Wi-Fi 6/6E cards. Single M.2 slot. |
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Detailed Insights into the iKOOLCORE R2
At 2.96 x 2.96 x 2.05 inches the R2 is tiny for a four-NIC box. The CPU choice is between the energy-efficient N95 and the faster 8-core i3-N300, both paired with 4800MHz LPDDR5 (soldered, 8GB or 16GB) and an M.2 2242 NVMe slot up to 2TB. The networking is the point: three Intel i226-V 2.5GbE controllers plus a fourth 2.5GbE port over a Realtek USB adapter, alongside the USB-A ports and the USB-C that carries DisplayPort 1.4a.
It runs the OSes a networking box needs, including Windows, Linux, pfSense, OPNsense, OpenWrt, Proxmox VE, VMware ESXi, and Unraid, and the AMI EFI BIOS supports Auto Power-on and Wake-on-LAN. Cooling is a full-copper heatsink with a PWM fan for the CPU, while the CNC metal top cover passively cools the SSD.
Reviewer Insights on the iKOOLCORE R2 Mini PC
Three trusted homelab/server channels reviewed this exact R2, and they line up: a quiet, low-power four-NIC box that earns its place as a compact firewall or home-lab node.
ServeTheHome
ServeTheHome reviewed the i3-N300 model and praised the four 2.5GbE ports in such a small chassis. They liked the changes over the R1 Pro, including the USB 3 port that doubles as DisplayPort 1.4a and the combo audio jack moved into a USB-C port, but noted the R1 Pro's microSD (TF) slot is gone and that the LPDDR5 RAM is soldered. With quiet cooling and low power in testing, they rated it a strong compact home-lab node.
Everything Smart Home
Everything Smart Home put it to work as a homelab server (a role where it sits alongside boxes like the MINISFORUM MS-A2), praising the CNC aluminum build and the mix of Intel and Realtek NICs. He ran VMs and containers and pushed several transcoding streams through it, and called out the power efficiency as a reason it suits an always-on homelab.
2GuysTek
2GuysTek reviewed the N95 sample and framed it as a balance of performance and power for a home lab or firewall. He flagged that the fourth, Realtek-over-USB NIC can be finicky under pfSense and OPNsense, found the i3-N300 a good middle ground, and recommended paying up for the 16GB RAM model over any 8GB version.
Conclusion: Who Benefits from the iKOOLCORE R2 Mini PC?
The iKOOLCORE R2 is built for one job and does it well: a tiny, low-power firewall, router, or home-lab node with four 2.5GbE ports and support for pfSense, OPNsense, OpenWrt, and Proxmox. For IT enthusiasts who want that networking in a palm-sized box, the three reviewers above all recommend it, with the 16GB i3-N300 model as the most flexible pick.
It is a niche box, not a general desktop. The RAM is soldered, there is one M.2 slot, and the fourth NIC (Realtek over USB) can need extra setup in firewall OSes, so plan around those before buying. To compare it with other models, use Starry Hope's Mini PC Comparison Chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the iKOOLCORE R2 be used as a firewall or router?
Yes. With its four 2.5GbE ports and support for pfSense and OPNsense, the iKOOLCORE R2 is built for firewall or router duty (note that the fourth, Realtek-over-USB port can be finicky in those OSes).
What processor options are available for the iKOOLCORE R2?
You can choose between two processors for the iKOOLCORE R2: the Intel Processor N95 with four cores or the more powerful Intel i3-N300 with eight cores, both offering solid performance for various tasks.
Is the RAM in the iKOOLCORE R2 upgradable?
No, the RAM is not upgradable. You'll have to choose between 8GB or 16GB of onboard LPDDR5 memory at purchase, which should be ample for most users.
Does the iKOOLCORE R2 support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?
The iKOOLCORE R2 has a standard E-key socket for optional Wi-Fi 6/6E cards, which can include Bluetooth capabilities, but these modules are not included by default.
What type of storage does the iKOOLCORE R2 support?
The iKOOLCORE R2 supports NVMe/SATA M.2 2242 SSDs with PCIe 3.0 x 2 interface, allowing up to 2TB of storage.
Can the iKOOLCORE R2 be powered by a USB-C charger?
Yes, the iKOOLCORE R2 can be powered by a USB-C charger that supports the PD protocol. It comes with a 12V 4000mA DC adapter and supports PD protocol GaN chargers.
What operating systems are compatible with the iKOOLCORE R2?
The iKOOLCORE R2 is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and various server and firewall platforms like pfSense, OPNsense, OpenWrt, Proxmox VE, VMware ESXi, and Unraid.
How many Ethernet ports does the iKOOLCORE R2 have, and what are their speeds?
The iKOOLCORE R2 has four Ethernet ports, each capable of 2.5G speeds. Three are driven by Intel i226-V controllers, and the fourth runs off a Realtek RTL8156 over USB 3.
What display outputs does the iKOOLCORE R2 have?
The iKOOLCORE R2 offers an HDMI 2.0 and Type-C display output, supporting 4K resolution at 60fps. The Type-C port also serves as a DisplayPort 1.4a.
Is the cooling system in the iKOOLCORE R2 efficient?
Yes, the iKOOLCORE R2 uses a full-copper heatsink, a PWM-controlled fan for the processor, and a CNC metal top cover for passive M.2 SSD cooling to maintain efficient temperature control.