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Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT: New Raspberry Pi accessory released with NVMe SSD and 2.5G Ethernet expansion options

The Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT also brings NVMe SSD expansion to the Raspberry Pi 5 and other similarly-sized SBCs. (Image source: Radxa)
The Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT also brings NVMe SSD expansion to the Raspberry Pi 5 and other similarly-sized SBCs. (Image source: Radxa)
The Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT is a new accessory designed for the Raspberry Pi and other equivalently-sized single-board computers. Not only does the HAT bring dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet to the Raspberry Pi, but it also packs a slot for M.2 2280 SSDs too.

Radxa produces many single-board computers (SBCs) in the pursuit of usurpring the more popular Raspberry Pi ecoysystem. For example, the company often even borrows from Raspberry Pi's naming scheme with some of its devices like the Rock 5B Plus and the Rock 5T (curr. $226.99 on Amazon).

Now, the company has released an add-on board designed to expand the versatility of the Raspberry Pi 5 itself. As its name suggests, the Dual 2.5G Router HAT brings a pair of 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports to the Raspberry Pi 5 via the SBC's 40-pin GPIO header. For reference, these ports leverage the Realtek RTL8125B controller rather than MediaTek or Intel equivalents.

(Image source: Radxa)
(Image source: Radxa)

Also the new release contains an M Key slot for adding an M.2 2280 SSD. According to Radxa, SSDs can run at up to PCIe 3.0 x1 speeds over an IPEX connector. For some reason, while the company advertises the HAT as using FPC instead, it bundles an IPEX to FPC adapter in the box. As the images below show, the HAT ships with screws and standoffs, as well as a heatsink to prevent thermal throttling.

Currently, the Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT is available to purchase from AliExpress for approximately $40. Alternatively, the HAT can be picked up from Arace Tech for about the same price. Please see Radxa's wiki for more details.

(Image source: Radxa)
(Image source: Radxa)
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 04 > Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT: New Raspberry Pi accessory released with NVMe SSD and 2.5G Ethernet expansion options
Alex Alderson, 2025-04-16 (Update: 2025-04-16)