KAMRUI Essenx E1

Starry Hope Rating
3.5

Updated on

Photo of KAMRUI Essenx E1

The KAMRUI Essenx E1 is a compact and versatile Mini PC designed for users seeking a balance between performance and portability. Powered by the Intel Processor N97 or Intel Processor N150, this device features four cores and a maximum clock speed of 3.60 GHz, making it suitable for everyday computing tasks such as web browsing, office work, and media consumption. It comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, offering a modern and secure operating system experience immediately.

With up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD, the KAMRUI Essenx E1 ensures smooth multitasking and fast storage performance. Its small footprint (3.94 x 3.94 x 1.18 inches) makes it ideal for tight spaces, and the included VESA mount allows for convenient placement behind a monitor or on a wall. Connectivity options include dual HDMI ports for multi-display setups, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, and support for Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. This Mini PC is practical for home offices, media centers, or light productivity tasks.

ProsCons
Compact and lightweight design, ideal for small spacesLimited to single-channel RAM, which may impact performance
Pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro for a modern OS experienceBluetooth 4.2 is outdated compared to newer versions
Dual HDMI ports support multi-monitor setupsLacks a built-in SD card reader
Expandable storage with M.2 NVMe PCIe3.0/SATA SSD support (up to 2TB)No support for 2.5-inch SATA drives
Includes VESA mount for flexible installationWi-Fi 5 is slower than the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard
Quiet operation with active coolingLimited to one Ethernet port with 1Gbps speed
16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD provide solid performance for daily tasksNot suitable for heavy gaming or demanding workloads

KAMRUI Essenx E1 Comparison Chart

KAMRUI Essenx E1

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KAMRUI Essenx E1

KAMRUI Essenx E1

KAMRUI Essenx E1

KAMRUI Essenx E1

KAMRUI Essenx E1

Price

List Price: $189.99

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List Price: $299.97

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List Price: $459.99

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List Price: $256.49

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List Price: $251.99

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Version8GB/256GB/Intel N15016GB/512GB/Intel N9716GB/512GB/Intel N15016GB/1TB/Intel N15016GB/256GB/Intel N97
Performance Rating4.35.04.94.95.0
Operating SystemWindows 11 ProWindows 11 ProWindows 11 ProWindows 11 ProWindows 11 Pro
ProcessorQuad-core 3.60 Ghz
Intel Processor N150
Quad-core 3.60 Ghz (max 3.60 Ghz)
Intel Processor N97
Quad-core 3.60 Ghz
Intel Processor N150
Quad-core 3.60 Ghz
Intel Processor N150
Quad-core 3.60 Ghz (max 3.60 Ghz)
Intel Processor N97
GPUIntegrated Intel UHD GraphicsIntegrated Intel UHD GraphicsIntegrated Intel UHD GraphicsIntegrated Intel UHD GraphicsIntegrated Intel UHD Graphics
RAM8 GB16 GB16 GB16 GB16 GB
Internal Storage256 GB512 GB512 GB1 TB256 GB
Dimensions
width x length x thickness
3.94 x 3.94 x 1.18 inches
(100.08 x 100.08 x 29.97 mm)
3.94 x 3.94 x 1.18 inches
(100.08 x 100.08 x 29.97 mm)
3.94 x 3.94 x 1.18 inches
(100.08 x 100.08 x 29.97 mm)
3.94 x 3.94 x 1.18 inches
(100.08 x 100.08 x 29.97 mm)
3.94 x 3.94 x 1.18 inches
(100.08 x 100.08 x 29.97 mm)
Weightunknownunknownunknownunknownunknown
WiFiWi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
BluetoothBluetooth 4.2Bluetooth 4.2Bluetooth 4.2Bluetooth 4.2Bluetooth 4.2
Ethernet1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps1 Ethernet port at 1 Gbps
HDMI2 Full-Size HDMI Ports2 Full-Size HDMI Ports2 Full-Size HDMI Ports2 Full-Size HDMI Ports2 Full-Size HDMI Ports
DisplayPortNo DisplayPortNo DisplayPortNo DisplayPortNo DisplayPortNo DisplayPort
VGANo VGA PortsNo VGA PortsNo VGA PortsNo VGA PortsNo VGA Ports
USB Ports2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3
2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0
2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3
2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0
2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3
2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0
2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3
2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0
2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3
2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0
Thunderbolt PortsNoNoNoNoNo
OCuLinkNoNoNoNoNo
Internal SATA PortsNo SATA portsNo SATA portsNo SATA portsNo SATA portsNo SATA ports
Card ReaderNo Card ReaderNo Card ReaderNo Card ReaderNo Card ReaderNo Card Reader
Headphone Jackcombocombocombocombocombo
FanlessNoNoNoNoNo
VESA MountYesYesYesYesYes
In the BoxMini PC, 1x Mounting Bracket, 1*HDMI Cable, 1*Power Adapter, 1*Instruction ManualMini PC, 1x Mounting Bracket, 1*HDMI Cable, 1*Power Adapter, 1*Instruction ManualMini PC, 1x Mounting Bracket, 1*HDMI Cable, 1*Power Adapter, 1*Instruction ManualMini PC, 1x Mounting Bracket, 1*HDMI Cable, 1*Power Adapter, 1*Instruction ManualMini PC, 1x Mounting Bracket, 1*HDMI Cable, 1*Power Adapter, 1*Instruction Manual
Expandability1 x DDR SO-DIMM Slot, 1 x M.2 2280 Slot.1 x DDR SO-DIMM Slot, 1 x M.2 2280 Slot.1 x DDR SO-DIMM Slot, 1 x M.2 2280 Slot.1 x DDR SO-DIMM Slot, 1 x M.2 2280 Slot.1 x DDR SO-DIMM Slot, 1 x M.2 2280 Slot.

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Detailed Look at the KAMRUI Essenx E1 Mini PC

The KAMRUI Essenx E1 is engineered for users who value a compact yet capable computing solution. Its Intel Processor N97, with four cores and a maximum clock speed of 3.60 GHz, is well-suited for light to moderate workloads such as document editing, streaming, and web browsing. Paired with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, the device ensures smooth multitasking, although its single-channel memory configuration may slightly limit performance compared to dual-channel setups. The Intel UHD Graphics provides sufficient power for basic graphical tasks, including 4K video playback, but it is not designed for intensive gaming or professional-grade graphics work.

Storage is another highlight of the KAMRUI Essenx E1. The 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD delivers fast boot times and quick access to files, and the device supports expandability with an additional M.2 slot that accommodates SSDs up to 2TB. This flexibility makes it a practical choice for users who may need more storage in the future. However, the lack of support for 2.5-inch SATA drives or a built-in SD card reader might be a drawback for those who rely on these storage options.

Connectivity is robust for a device of this size. The dual HDMI Type-A ports allow for multi-monitor setups, which can enhance productivity for office tasks or provide an immersive media experience. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 ensures wireless connectivity, while the single Gigabit Ethernet port offers a stable wired connection. Additionally, the VESA mount included in the box makes it easy to attach the Mini PC to the back of a monitor or a wall, keeping your workspace clutter-free. While it lacks modern features like Wi-Fi 6 or Bluetooth 5.0, the KAMRUI Essenx E1 offers a well-rounded package for everyday use.

Reviewer Insights on the KAMRUI Essenx E1

Independent coverage of this exact model is thin, which is typical for a white-label budget mini PC, but two reviewers put a unit through real use rather than spec-sheet recitation, and between them they cover both processor options this page lists.

AndroidPCtv’s Kim tested the Intel N150 build (16GB/512GB) in January 2025 and ran a full bench pass. The figures are modest by design: power draw measured 8W at idle and about 12W in normal use, peaking at 29W under load, while the unit pulls 0.9W when off. Thermals stayed in hand, with the CPU sitting near 40°C at idle and topping out at 71°C (69°C while gaming) as it held 2.8 GHz under sustained load. Noise capped at 38 dBA; in Kim’s words, “At idle you can hear almost nothing and in games it is audible, but not much more noise rises in all scenarios.” On raw speed the verdict was measured: “the performance as we see is somewhat higher than the Intel N100, about 15%, but we can not expect miracles.” The review also flagged a hardware detail the spec sheet glosses over, namely that the shipped drive was a “somewhat slow” M.2 2280 SATA SSD rather than the faster NVMe the slot can accept, and the 16GB of DDR4-2666 ran in single channel. For media the unit fared better, decoding AV1, VP9 and HEVC up to 4K60 in hardware and streaming Netflix and YouTube at 4K.

On gaming Kim was blunt that the Intel UHD graphics (24 execution units, up to 1.0 GHz) is “suitable for games in 1080p or 720p quality, it is not suitable for games with a lot of 3D load,” with League of Legends running at “a fairly spare frame rate” and Fortnite where “we do not have a good experience.” That tracks with the chip’s place in 2026: the N150 is a 2025 Twin Lake refresh that lands at a PassMark multi-thread score near 5,478, essentially level with the older N97’s 5,791 and far below the Core and Ryzen silicon in pricier mini PCs. Newer does not buy more speed here; the N150 is a mild update to the N100 line rather than a generational jump.

Andrew Comeau of Life Beyond Tech bought the N97 version (16GB/256GB) during a 2025 Prime Day sale for $139.98 and pressed it into service as a desktop replacement after his tower died. His read after a couple of days of near-exclusive use: “I’ve been using it almost exclusively for two days now and can’t see much difference between its performance and that of a full-size PC. It starts in seconds,” with the only hitch a Camtasia video render he could not measure against another machine. He landed firmly on value: “the Essenx would be a great deal even at twice the price. For a machine under $150 that frees up so much space and uses less power than a regular PC, I’m very impressed.” His writeup is also useful for the rough edges: first-boot Windows updates took about an hour and a half, the machine briefly forgot his Wi-Fi network across reboots until he cleared stale entries under Manage Known Networks, and a DisplayPort monitor was stuck at low resolution until he swapped a VGA adapter for a proper HDMI-to-DisplayPort cable.

Customer Reviews of the KAMRUI Essenx E1

Owner feedback on the KAMRUI Essenx E1 skews positive. The recurring praise centers on quiet operation, easy plug-and-play setup with Windows 11 pre-installed, and more performance than the budget price suggests. Several owners run it as a living-room or travel PC, and one moved it to Linux without trouble. A verified buyer named Qpgmr installed Linux Mint and reported “The box is completely silent and heat management kept temps from every rising, even during heavy loads like encoding video while simultaneously installing large apps.”

Light, browser-and-office workloads come up repeatedly as the sweet spot rather than gaming. A verified buyer named dbsox, after a couple of weeks of use, wrote that “The PC boots very quickly and has plenty of power for web browsing (lots of tabs open) and email.” Reviewer Mr. G, a verified purchaser, noted it “runs incredibly smooth” for such a small unit after three months.

Read more owner reviews on Amazon.

Conclusion: Who Should Consider the KAMRUI Essenx E1?

The KAMRUI Essenx E1 is a solid choice for users who need a compact, affordable Mini PC for light to moderate workloads. Its small size, VESA mount compatibility, and quiet operation make it ideal for home offices, media centers, or even as a secondary PC for casual use. The pre-installed Windows 11 Pro and expandable storage options add to its appeal for users who want a ready-to-use and future-proof device.

However, this Mini PC may not best fit users with more demanding needs. Gamers, video editors, or professionals requiring high-performance hardware might find the Intel Processor N97 and Intel UHD Graphics insufficient for their workloads. Additionally, those who rely on modern wireless standards or specific connectivity options like SD card readers may want to explore other Mini PCs like the KAMRUI Essenx E2.

For users looking to compare the KAMRUI Essenx E1 with other Mini PCs, Starry Hope’s Mini PC Comparison Tool is a helpful resource to find the best fit for their needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the RAM in the KAMRUI Essenx E1 be upgraded?

Yes, the KAMRUI Essenx E1 has one DDR SO-DIMM slot, allowing you to upgrade the RAM. However, keep in mind that it supports only single-channel memory, which may limit performance compared to dual-channel configurations.

What type of storage expansion does the KAMRUI Essenx E1 support?

The Mini PC includes an M.2 2280 slot that supports both NVMe PCIe 3.0 and SATA SSDs with capacities of up to 2TB. Unfortunately, it does not support 2.5-inch SATA drives or have a built-in SD card reader.

Does the KAMRUI Essenx E1 support dual monitors?

Yes, the device features two HDMI Type-A ports, allowing you to connect two monitors simultaneously. This makes it a great choice for multitasking or creating an extended display setup.

Is the KAMRUI Essenx E1 suitable for gaming?

The KAMRUI Essenx E1 is not designed for gaming. Its Intel UHD Graphics can handle basic graphical tasks and 4K video playback but lacks the power needed for modern gaming or graphically intensive applications.

What’s included in the box with the KAMRUI Essenx E1?

The package includes the Mini PC itself, a VESA mounting bracket, an HDMI cable, a power adapter, and an instruction manual. These accessories make it easy to set up and integrate into your workspace.

Does the KAMRUI Essenx E1 have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?

Yes, the Mini PC supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless connectivity. While these are functional, they are not the latest standards, so users requiring faster speeds or better range may need to look for alternatives.

Is the KAMRUI Essenx E1 fanless?

No, the KAMRUI Essenx E1 uses active cooling, meaning it has a fan. However, the device operates quietly, making it suitable for environments where noise is a concern.

Can this Mini PC handle heavy workloads like video editing or 3D rendering?

The KAMRUI Essenx E1 is best suited for light to moderate tasks such as web browsing, office work, and media playback. It is not designed for heavy workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, or gaming due to its Intel Processor N97 and integrated graphics.