Firebat R2 Mini PC Review - Tests, Gaming and Opinions

The Firebat R2 is a compact mini PC that offers more performance than the popular Intel N150 or N97, but with a processor that is already a few years old.

It's a reasonable option for office work, browsing, streaming, and retro emulation, although it's not quite a machine for demanding gaming or heavy creative workloads.

Its strong point is the price and the generous RAM and SSD configuration.

✅ Pros: 16GB DDR4 RAM (expandable), dual 4K output, VESA mount, compact design, Windows 11 included.
❌ Cons: 2017 architecture Ryzen 5 3500U CPU, Vega 8 GPU limited for modern gaming, Wi-Fi 5 in most variants.
🏁 Conclusion: Good for light multitasking and everyday use, not ideal for demanding gamers or content creators.

🛒 Where to Buy

• 🛍️ AliExpress (recommended):  FIREBAT R2 on AliExpress

• 🏪 Alibaba: FIREBAT R2

📦 Unboxing and Box Contents

Upon opening the Firebat R2 box, you will find the usual items for mini PCs in this range: the main unit, a compact power adapter, an HDMI cable, a VESA mount for attaching to the back of the monitor, a basic manual, and a quick start guide.

The packaging is adequate for a product in this price range; unpretentious but functional. The VESA mount is a practical feature that many direct competitors don't include.

📋 Technical Specifications

🎨 Design and Construction Quality

The Firebat R2 comes in silver/gray with a good-quality plastic finish for its price. Its dimensions of 111 × 119 × 41 mm make it slightly more compact than a Mac Mini; it fits perfectly behind a monitor with the included VESA mount or on a desk without taking up much space.

Cooling is passive plus a small internal fan, a typical solution in mini PCs of this category. The buttons and ports are well distributed: USB 3.2 and USB-C on the front for quick access, and HDMI and Ethernet on the back.

🖥️ Screen and Multimedia

The R2 allows you to connect two monitors simultaneously thanks to its two HDMI 2.0 outputs, each supporting resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz . This makes it ideal for dual-monitor setups in the office or for connecting to a 4K TV in the living room.

Multimedia playback is smooth: YouTube in 4K, Netflix, Prime Video, and Plex all work flawlessly thanks to the Radeon Vega 8's hardware decoding of H.265 and VP9 video. Audio is handled via a 3.5 mm jack or HDMI through the monitor or TV's speakers.

⚙️ Performance and Software

The Ryzen 5 3500U is a 2017/2018 processor, manufactured using a 12nm process and Zen+ architecture. It is significantly more powerful than an Intel N150 or N97 for multitasking, but clearly falls short of more recent generations like the Ryzen 5 5560U or the Ryzen 5 6600H.

Windows 11 comes pre-installed and activated on most units sold through AliExpress. The system boots in under 15 seconds thanks to the NVMe SSD. Regarding bloatware, Reddit users report that it arrives relatively clean, although it often includes some AliExpress apps or trial versions of Chinese software that should be uninstalled.

For everyday use—browsing with multiple tabs, Microsoft 365 office applications, video calls, streaming—the device responds smoothly. It doesn't get bogged down with 20 or 30 Chrome tabs open thanks to its 16 GB of RAM.

🔌 Energy Consumption and Cables

The Firebat R2 excels in this area: its base TDP is a mere 15W, making it a highly efficient machine for continuous office use or as a lightweight home server. Under maximum load, it can reach 25W, significantly lower than any conventional desktop PC.

The included power adapter is compact, and the proprietary power cable is standard. It doesn't include a DisplayPort cable or additional USB adapters, which is typical for this price range.

🌡️ Temperature and Noise (Actual Thermal)

The R2's cooling system combines a small active fan with an internal heatsink. In office use, the fan is virtually inaudible. Under sustained workloads or during gaming, the fan speed increases audibly, though not to an annoying degree according to Reddit users who have tested similar Firebat models.

Maximum temperatures under stress remain below 85°C on the CPU, an acceptable result for this type of form factor. No significant thermal throttling has been reported under normal use, although it's advisable not to cover it in summer or in poorly ventilated spaces.

🔗 Connectivity and Extras

• 🔵 USB: 2× USB 3.2 Gen 1 (front), 2× USB 2.0 (rear), 1× USB-C

• 🌐 Red: Ethernet Gigabit + Wi-Fi 5 (Bluetooth 5.2 o 4.2 según variante)​​

• 📺 Video: 2× HDMI 2.0, simultaneous dual 4K

• 🎧 Audio: Jack 3.5 mm combo​

• 📡 NFC: Not included

• 💧 IP Rating (water/dust resistance): Not certified

• 🔑 Fingerprint reader: Not included

The absence of a DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port may be a limitation for those using modern monitors with DP. However, the dual HDMI 2.0 ports perfectly cover most home and office setups.

🛒 Where to Buy

• 🛍️ AliExpress (recommended):  FIREBAT R2 on AliExpress

• 🏪 Alibaba: FIREBAT R2

🔧 Expansion and Upgrades

One of the best things about the Firebat R2 is that it does allow upgrades without technical difficulty:

• 🧠 RAM: 2 SO-DIMM DDR4 slots, expandable up to 64 GB total. You can easily replace the 16 GB module with two 32 GB modules.

• 💾 Primary SSD: M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slot, replaceable with drives up to 2 TB or more.

• ➕ Second M.2 slot: Yes, it includes a second free M.2 connector to add additional storage without removing the original.

• 💿 2.5" Bay: A 2.5" SATA bay has not been confirmed for this model.

This level of expandability is a very positive point compared to sealed mini PCs that do not allow any internal modification.

🆚 Comparison with Direct Competitors

💬 Reviews on Well-Known Pages

This section deserves special attention because the Firebat R2 receives very mixed reviews depending on the channel where it is purchased:

Reddit (r/MiniPCs):
Users are highlighting the positive performance/price ratio compared to Intel N-series processors, the RAM flexibility, and the two M.2 slots. The most common criticism is that the Ryzen 5 3500U is starting to feel outdated. There's also an important warning from Reddit: a user reported seeing the R2 at a very low price on TEMU (€132), which turned out to be a scam and the order was never shipped. It's recommended to buy only from verified AliExpress sellers or the official Firebat store.

AndroidPC.es:
The AndroidPC.es review highlights that the processor, although old, remains competent for everyday tasks and that the Vega 8 GPU is clearly superior to the Intel HD GPUs of cheaper competitors. It criticizes the fact that the price in some stores has risen too much for what the CPU offers.

AliExpress:
On AliExpress, the product has accumulated positive reviews focused on the unboxing experience and the correct functioning of Windows 11, although several buyers point out that the exact variant (Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6, DDR4 vs. DDR5) does not always match the description in the ad.

YouTube:
Several channels have published comparisons in 2026 focused on the "beats N150/N97" argument, which is justified in multi-threaded performance, although the validity of the R2 against newer, more efficient N-series processors remains to be seen.

🔬 Technical Tests

This section contains the most relevant performance data documented in real-world tests:

Productivity and CPU:

• The Ryzen 5 3500U clearly outperforms the Intel N150 and N97 in Cinebench R23 and multi-threaded benchmarks, thanks to its 4 physical cores + 8 threads compared to the N150's 4 cores/4 threads.

• In single-core performance, it falls short of the modern Intel N100, which is noticeable in applications that don't take advantage of multitasking.

Storage:

• The M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD offers estimated read speeds between 1,800 and 2,400 MB/s, significantly faster than low-end SATA SSDs. Boot time ranges from 12 to 17 seconds.

Temperature:

• In prolonged stress tests the CPU reaches between 80°C and 88°C, acceptable values ​​without noticeable throttling under normal ventilation conditions.

Graphics performance (GPU Vega 8):

• The Radeon Vega 8 falls short of the AM02's Radeon 660M, but outperforms low-end Intel UHD/Iris Xe in many scenarios.

🎮 Gaming and Emulation

The Firebat R2 isn't a top-of-the-line gaming machine, but its Radeon Vega 8 allows you to play some titles with reduced settings:

eSports games (720p, low-medium quality):

• Minecraft Java: 60–90 fps ✅

• League of Legends: 60–80 fps ✅

• CS:GO / CS2: 40–60 fps on minimum settings ⚠️

• Fortnite: 30–40 fps at reduced resolution ⚠️

Retro emulation:

• NES, SNES, GBA, N64, PS1: No problems ✅

• PS2 (PCSX2): Most games at 60fps ✅

• Nintendo DS / 3DS (melonDS / Citra): Bien ✅

• PSP (PPSSPP): Very good ✅

• GameCube / Wii (Dolphin): Playable in most titles ⚠️

• PS3 / Xbox 360: Limited or not recommended ❌

Modern AAA games: Not recommended for titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3 with mods, or next-generation games.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the Firebat R2 come with a licensed copy of Windows 11?
Yes, most official listings include an activated copy of Windows 11 Home, although it's advisable to verify this with the seller before purchasing.

Can more RAM be added?
Yes, up to 64 GB DDR4 with two SO-DIMM modules. The slots are accessible by opening the base of the device.

Does it have a DisplayPort output?
No, only two HDMI 2.0 ports. If you need DisplayPort, you'll need an HDMI-DP adapter.

Does it include an M.2 SATA or NVMe SSD?
NVMe PCIe 3.0, which is significantly faster than SATA.

Is it safe to buy Firebat from TEMU?
No. A Reddit user reported a direct scam in January 2026, buying the R2 from TEMU at an abnormally low price. Always buy from AliExpress with a verified seller or from the official store.

Is the Wi-Fi 5 or 6?
It depends on the variant. The official Firebat listing indicates Wi-Fi 5, although AndroidPC.es mentions Wi-Fi 6 in some listings. Check the exact listing before buying.

🏁 Final Conclusion

The Firebat R2 is a reliable mini PC for those who need a compact, low-power machine for home, office, 4K streaming, retro emulation, and light multitasking with dual monitors. Its biggest advantage over Intel N-series processors is evident in multithreaded workloads, and the RAM expandability up to 64GB and dual M.2 slots are real strengths for this price range.

However, the Ryzen 5 3500U is a 2017 CPU and is already showing its age compared to more modern chips like the Ryzen 5 5560U, 7430U, or 6600H, available in mini PCs at similar or only slightly higher prices. If the R2's price is considerably lower than those models, it could be a smart buy; if the difference is small, it's worth stretching your budget.

Ideal for: Office workers, students, home users, retro gamers, lightweight NAS servers, second 4K monitors, living room HTPCs.
Not ideal for: Gamers who want to play modern games, 4K video editors, programmers with heavy compilation workloads.

🛒 Where to buy it?

You can find the Firebat R2 at the following verified purchase links:

• 🛍️ AliExpress (recommended):  FIREBAT R2 on AliExpress

• 🏪 Alibaba: FIREBAT R2