MikroTik hEX Router Guide — Buy in Lebanon
The MikroTik hEX Family: Lebanon's Most Popular Budget Routers
The MikroTik hEX series has been the default budget router for network engineers, small ISPs, and home power users in Lebanon for years. Five models cover every use case from basic home routing to powering remote access points and cameras. The hEX (RB750Gr3) leads the pack as the most-sold MikroTik router at HI-GAIN, followed closely by the hEX S (RB760iGS) with its SFP port and the hEX PoE (RB960PGS) that powers connected devices directly.
All five hEX models are stocked at HI-GAIN's warehouse in Dora, Beirut. As Lebanon's authorized MikroTik distributor since 1990, we sell genuine units with local warranty and RouterOS support.
Complete hEX Family Comparison
Each hEX model targets a specific budget and feature set. Here is a head-to-head comparison of all five models on verified specifications:
| Specification | hEX | hEX S | hEX PoE | hEX lite | hEX PoE lite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | RB750Gr3 | RB760iGS | RB960PGS | RB750r2 | RB750UPr2 |
| CPU | MT7621A, 2-core 880 MHz | MT7621A, 2-core 880 MHz | QCA9557, 1-core 800 MHz | QCA9533, 1-core 850 MHz | QCA9531, 1-core 650 MHz |
| CPU Threads | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RAM | 256 MB | 256 MB | 128 MB | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Ethernet Ports | 5x Gigabit | 5x Gigabit | 5x Gigabit | 5x Fast Ethernet | 5x Fast Ethernet |
| SFP Port | No | Yes (1.25G) | Yes (1G) | No | No |
| USB Port | Yes (USB 2.0) | Yes (USB 2.0) | Yes (USB 2.0) | No | Yes (USB 2.0) |
| PoE Output | No | Port 5 only | Ports 2-5 (af/at + passive) | No | Ports 2-5 (passive only) |
| microSD Slot | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| IPsec HW Acceleration | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| The Dude Server | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Max Power Draw | 10W | 11W | 54W | 2W | 51W |
| RouterOS License | Level 4 | Level 4 | Level 4 | Level 4 | Level 4 |
hEX (RB750Gr3): The Best-Seller
The MikroTik hEX RB750Gr3 is the most purchased MikroTik router at HI-GAIN. The dual-core MT7621A at 880 MHz with 4 threads and 256 MB RAM handles NAT, firewall rules, simple queues, and VPN tunnels for networks with up to 50 devices. Five Gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB 2.0 port, and a microSD slot provide all the connectivity a small office or home needs.
Throughput Performance
MikroTik's tested throughput for the hEX reaches 1,972 Mbps with 1518-byte packets in both bridging and routing modes. With small 64-byte packets, throughput drops to approximately 530 Mbps — still sufficient for typical Lebanese internet connections topping out at 100-300 Mbps on fiber or 4G LTE.
IPsec Hardware Acceleration
The MT7621A chip includes hardware IPsec acceleration, which the hEX lite and hEX PoE lack. For site-to-site VPN tunnels between branch offices, this feature boosts encrypted throughput significantly. A small business in Beirut connecting to a branch in Jounieh via IPsec can expect near-wire-speed encryption on the hEX.
hEX S (RB760iGS): SFP + PoE on Port 5
The hEX S adds two features over the standard hEX: a 1.25G SFP cage and passive PoE output on Ethernet port 5. The CPU and RAM are identical (MT7621A dual-core, 256 MB). The SFP port accepts standard 1G SFP modules for direct fiber connections — useful when the router sits near a fiber patch panel or media converter rack.
The PoE output on port 5 passes through the same voltage applied to the router's input (up to 57V). This is enough to power a single MikroTik access point like the mAP lite or an outdoor radio without a separate injector. The hEX S is the go-to choice for small setups where the router powers one downstream device.
hEX PoE (RB960PGS): Power Four Devices from One Router
The hEX PoE RB960PGS provides PoE output on ports 2 through 5 — enough to power four IP cameras, access points, or VoIP phones directly. When powered with 48-57V input, it supports both passive PoE and 802.3af/at on output ports. Per-port output is 1A max, with a combined limit of 2A across all four ports.
The single-core QCA9557 at 800 MHz with 128 MB RAM is less powerful than the hEX or hEX S CPU. This means the hEX PoE handles fewer firewall rules and queue trees before saturating. For pure switching with PoE and light routing, it excels. For heavy firewall or VPN workloads, pair a standard hEX as the router with a separate PoE switch.
The hEX PoE also includes an SFP port for fiber connectivity, matching the hEX S in that respect.
hEX lite (RB750r2) and hEX PoE lite (RB750UPr2): The Budget Options
The hEX lite is the most affordable MikroTik router available. Its single-core QCA9533 at 850 MHz with 64 MB RAM and five Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) ports handle basic routing for DSL connections or as a secondary router in a lab environment. The 2W power draw means it runs indefinitely on a small 12V battery — practical during extended Lebanese power outages.
The hEX PoE lite (RB750UPr2) adds passive PoE output on ports 2-5 (1A per port, 2A total) to the lite platform. At 650 MHz with 64 MB RAM and Fast Ethernet ports, it is strictly a budget PoE solution for powering a few low-draw devices. It ships with a 24V 2.5A power adapter to enable PoE output.
Both lite models lack Gigabit ports, which limits them to 100 Mbps per port. For any internet connection faster than 100 Mbps, step up to the standard hEX or hEX S.
Which hEX Model to Buy: Decision Guide
- Home office with fiber internet up to 300 Mbps, no PoE needed: hEX (RB750Gr3) — best price-to-performance ratio in the family.
- Small office needing fiber SFP connection or one PoE device: hEX S (RB760iGS) — SFP cage and passive PoE on port 5.
- CCTV or WiFi deployment needing to power 2-4 devices: hEX PoE (RB960PGS) — 4-port PoE output with af/at and passive support.
- Lab, testing, or DSL connection under 100 Mbps: hEX lite (RB750r2) — cheapest MikroTik router available.
- Budget PoE for a few low-power devices on slow links: hEX PoE lite (RB750UPr2) — passive PoE on Fast Ethernet.
Lebanese users upgrading from a hEX to something more powerful should consider the MikroTik hAP AX3 for WiFi 6 capability, or the RouterBOARD series for wired-only routing with more CPU power.
Lebanon-Specific Considerations
Power Outages and UPS Sizing
The hEX draws just 10W and the hEX lite only 2W. A 12V 7Ah UPS battery keeps a hEX running for roughly 8 hours — enough to outlast most Lebanese grid outages. The hEX PoE draws up to 54W when powering devices, so UPS sizing must account for the connected load, not just the router itself.
Concrete Wall Performance
The hEX family is wired-only — no WiFi radios. For wireless coverage through Beirut's reinforced concrete walls, pair any hEX router with dedicated access points. The hEX PoE powers MikroTik APs directly, while the hEX and hEX S require separate PoE injectors or a PoE switch for wireless expansion.
Dual-ISP Failover
RouterOS on every hEX model supports dual-WAN failover. Connect one ISP to port 1 (WAN) and a second ISP or LTE dongle (via USB on supported models) to port 2. Configure failover scripts in RouterOS to switch automatically when the primary link drops. This is one of the most requested configurations at HI-GAIN for Lebanese businesses dealing with unreliable single-provider connections.
Where to Buy MikroTik hEX Routers in Lebanon
HI-GAIN stocks all five hEX models at our Dora, Beirut warehouse. We provide:
- Genuine MikroTik hardware with manufacturer warranty
- RouterOS configuration assistance for home and business setups
- Same-day pickup in Beirut or shipping across Lebanon
- Competitive pricing — contact HI-GAIN for pricing on any hEX model
Check hEX stock and availability on our website. Browse our full MikroTik catalog or visit the MikroTik routers in Lebanon hub for all routing options.