Banana Pi

Banana Pi BPI-R4

Expert rating8.5 / 10

SoC:: MediaTek Filogic 880 (MT7988A)
Memory:: 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4
Wireless:: WiFi 7 (optional module)
Networking:: 1x 10GbE SFP+
Price:: $189

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Manufacturer: Banana Pi Last updated: 2026-09-12

Banana Pi BPI-R4 Review

Banana Pi BPI-R4 is an OpenWrt router board built around MediaTek's Filogic 880 networking SoC, offering a 10 Gigabit SFP+ port, dual 2.5GbE, and WiFi 7 module support in a form factor aimed squarely at prosumer and small-business router builders.

The BPI-R4 pushes DIY OpenWrt routing into genuinely high-end networking territory: a 10GbE SFP+ uplink and WiFi 7 support are specs you'd expect on a $400+ commercial router, not a $200 hobbyist board, making it a serious option for fiber-to-the-home connections faster than gigabit.

Built for Multi-Gigabit Internet

With 10G SFP+ alongside dual 2.5GbE ports, the BPI-R4 is one of the few DIY router boards actually capable of routing multi-gigabit fiber connections at line rate, a segment most consumer and even prosumer routers still struggle to serve affordably.

WiFi 7 Ahead of the Curve

Support for WiFi 7 add-in modules positions the BPI-R4 ahead of most currently-shipping consumer routers, appealing to networking enthusiasts who want to build a cutting-edge OpenWrt router before mainstream WiFi 7 routers mature.

Comparison to Alternatives

Against the FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S and R6S, the BPI-R4 is a significant step up in raw networking throughput and future-proofing (10GbE, WiFi 7) at a correspondingly higher price. It's overkill for typical gigabit home connections but the clear choice once fiber speeds exceed 2.5Gbps.

Our verdict

Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.

Expert rating8.5 / 10

The strongest DIY OpenWrt router board for multi-gigabit fiber connections, if you actually have the bandwidth to use it.

Best for

Multi-gigabit fiber home routing (2.5G-10G)
Future-proof WiFi 7 OpenWrt router builds
Small business network gateways

Not for

Standard gigabit or slower internet connections
Budget-conscious router projects
General-purpose desktop computing

Specifications

What these specs mean

Identity

Brand	Banana Pi
Model Number	BPI-R4

Processor

SoC Model	MediaTek Filogic 880 (MT7988A)

Memory

RAM Type	LPDDR4

Storage

Onboard Storage	8GB eMMC + microSD, optional M.2 SATA/NVMe

Physical and software

Official OS	OpenWrt

CPU Architecture	ARM
Memory	8 GB
Storage Type	eMMC
Has AI Accelerator / NPU	No
Wireless	WiFi 7
GPIO Header	Yes
Price	189 USD
Use Case	NAS / Server

FAQs

What are the key specifications of the Banana Pi BPI-R4 (Single-Board Computer/MediaTek Filogic 880/Quad-Core Cortex-A73/WiFi 7/10GbE Router Board)?

Key specs for the Banana Pi BPI-R4: SoC MediaTek Filogic 880 (MT7988A), CPU Architecture ARM, Storage Type eMMC, Storage 8GB eMMC + microSD, optional M.2 SATA/NVMe, Processor Quad-Core Cortex-A73 up to 2.0GHz, Memory Options 4GB or 8GB.

Will the Banana Pi BPI-R4 (Single-Board Computer/MediaTek Filogic 880/Quad-Core Cortex-A73/WiFi 7/10GbE Router Board) work with my current setup?

The Banana Pi BPI-R4 (Single-Board Computer/MediaTek Filogic 880/Quad-Core Cortex-A73/WiFi 7/10GbE Router Board) lists SoC is MediaTek Filogic 880 (MT7988A). Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.

Who is the Banana Pi BPI-R4 (Single-Board Computer/MediaTek Filogic 880/Quad-Core Cortex-A73/WiFi 7/10GbE Router Board) best suited to?

Best suited to: Multi-gigabit fiber home routing (2.5G-10G); Future-proof WiFi 7 OpenWrt router builds; Small business network gateways.

What are the drawbacks of the Banana Pi BPI-R4 (Single-Board Computer/MediaTek Filogic 880/Quad-Core Cortex-A73/WiFi 7/10GbE Router Board)?

Not the best fit for: Standard gigabit or slower internet connections; Budget-conscious router projects; General-purpose desktop computing.