MikroTik hEX vs hEX Refresh (E50UG) – Same Price, Smarter Hardware
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MikroTik hEX vs hEX Refresh (E50UG)
Same price. Very different internals.
MikroTik refreshed its most popular wired router without changing the price. In this article, we break down the real differences between the classic hEX (RB750Gr3) and the new hEX Refresh (E50UG), covering hardware, performance, use cases, and who should choose which model.
Overview
The hEX Refresh (E50UG) is the updated version of MikroTik’s best-selling wired router. Externally, it looks almost identical to the RB750Gr3. Internally, it is not.
The Refresh introduces a new ARM-based CPU, doubles the RAM, massively increases onboard storage, and improves internal switching bandwidth — all while keeping the same price point.
hEX vs hEX Refresh – Specification Comparison
| Feature | hEX (RB750Gr3) | hEX Refresh (E50UG) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | MT7621A (MIPS) | EN7562CT (ARM, Dual-Core) |
| CPU Frequency | 880 MHz | 950 MHz |
| RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Storage | 16 MB Flash + microSD | 128 MB NAND |
| Ethernet Ports | 5 × Gigabit | 5 × Gigabit |
| USB | 1 × USB | 1 × USB |
| Power Input | DC + Passive PoE-IN | DC + Passive PoE-IN |
| Voltage Range | 8–30 V | 12–28 V |
| Power Consumption | 5 W (no attachments) | 4 W (no attachments) |
| Cooling | Passive (fanless) | Passive (fanless) |
| Routing Throughput (1518B) | ~1.8 Gbps | ~4 Gbps |
The most important change is not cosmetic — it’s architectural. The hEX Refresh introduces a wider internal backplane and a modern ARM SoC, allowing LAN traffic to stay on the switch chip while only WAN traffic hits the CPU.
What Can You Deploy with hEX & hEX Refresh?
Both platforms run full RouterOS and support the same feature set, but the hEX Refresh handles those features far more comfortably under load.
- Edge routing and NAT for small networks
- Site-to-site and remote-access VPNs (IPsec, L2TP, WireGuard)
- Firewalling, DNS filtering, and content control
- CAPsMAN controller for small Wi-Fi deployments
- Hotspot and user authentication services
- Customer edge router for Gigabit service plans
The hEX Refresh’s extra RAM and NAND provide better buffering, more reliable logging, and smoother performance when running multiple services simultaneously.
Industries That Benefit Most
The hEX and hEX Refresh are widely used across industries where reliability, silent operation, and cost efficiency matter.
- Education: secure routing, content filtering, VPN access
- VoIP: low-latency routing and firewalling
- Video Surveillance: stable routing for camera networks
- Manufacturing & Industrial: fanless, reliable edge routing
- Small Offices & Home Networks: powerful wired gateway
- IoT & HVAC: monitoring panels and control systems
If your deployment involves heavier VPN usage or sustained high packet rates, stepping up to RB5009 or CCR2004 is recommended.
Where to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the hEX Refresh replacing the RB750Gr3?
Yes. The hEX Refresh is the logical successor with improved hardware at the same price point.
Do both models support RouterOS v7?
Yes, but the hEX Refresh runs RouterOS v7 more comfortably due to its ARM CPU and extra memory.
Is the microSD slot removed?
Yes. The hEX Refresh removes the microSD slot but compensates with 128 MB of onboard NAND, which is faster and more reliable.
Which one should I buy today?
For new deployments: hEX Refresh. For existing RB750Gr3 installations: upgrade when performance or memory becomes a concern.
Related Products
hEX Refresh
hEX
MikroTik-only network engineer and trainer, helping Canadian businesses design, deploy, and understand MikroTik networks since 2002.
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