MikroTik L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN Review

The MikroTik L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN is a versatile wired-first router with built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6, eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, a 2.5G-capable SFP interface, PoE support, USB 3.0 and RouterOS v7.

It is best understood not as a traditional consumer Wi-Fi router, but as a professional MikroTik router with wireless capability added on top. That makes it particularly interesting for Kenyan businesses, small ISPs, network technicians, CCTV installers, offices and advanced home users who need more Ethernet connectivity and RouterOS flexibility.

MikroTik positions the L009 as the successor to the older RB2011 family and says it can be up to four times faster in many workloads while adding a modern ARM processor, more memory, Gigabit Ethernet across all eight ports, PoE and 2.5G SFP support.

You can view the MikroTik L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN or browse other MikroTik products in Kenya.

MikroTik L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN at a Glance

The L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN combines several professional networking features in a compact design.

Key specifications include:

• 8 × Gigabit Ethernet ports

• 1 × SFP interface with 2.5G support

• dual-core IPQ-5018 processor

• 800 MHz CPU frequency

• 512 MB RAM

• 128 MB NAND storage

• 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6

• dual-chain wireless

• up to 574 Mbps advertised wireless data rate

• RouterOS v7

• RouterOS Level 5 licence

• USB 3.0 Type-A

• PoE input

• Passive PoE output on Ether8

• RJ45 serial console

• passive cooling

These specifications make it a strong option for wired networks where Wi-Fi is useful but is not the main reason for purchasing the router.

Design and Build Quality

One of the first things you notice about the L009 is its distinctive MikroTik design.

The red metal enclosure gives it a professional appearance and also helps with passive heat dissipation.

Because the router uses passive cooling, there is no internal fan generating noise. This can be useful in:

• offices

• home labs

• retail businesses

• reception areas

• network cabinets

The chassis is compact enough for desktop or wall installation, while an optional rackmount kit allows multiple L009 units to be mounted together in a 1U rack arrangement. MikroTik specifically designed the enclosure so that up to four units can fit within one rack space using the appropriate mounting accessories.

Performance Review

The L009 uses a dual-core IPQ-5018 ARM processor running at 800 MHz with 512 MB RAM.

That does not make it one of MikroTik's most powerful routers, but it represents a substantial improvement over older products such as the RB2011.

MikroTik's own benchmark results show approximately 3.4 Gbps routing throughput using large 1518-byte packets in fast-path testing. With 25 firewall filter rules, its published routing result is approximately 970 Mbps using the same packet size. Real-world performance will depend greatly on packet size, firewall rules, queues, VPN configuration and other RouterOS services.

For many small and medium networks, that level of performance is more than sufficient.

The L009 is particularly suitable for networks involving:

• Gigabit internet

• multiple VLANs

• firewall rules

• business routing

• CCTV networks

• hotspot services

• moderate PPPoE workloads

• bandwidth management

For substantially heavier ISP workloads, however, products such as the RB4011, RB5009 or CCR series may provide more processing headroom.

Eight Gigabit Ethernet Ports

One of the strongest reasons to buy the L009 is its port count.

Unlike many modern routers that provide only four or five Ethernet interfaces, the L009 includes eight Gigabit Ethernet ports.

This gives network administrators much greater flexibility.

For example:

Ether1 — WAN

Ether2 — Office LAN

Ether3 — CCTV

Ether4 — Access points

Ether5 — Servers

Ether6 — VoIP

Ether7 — Management

Ether8 — PoE-powered device

You can also bridge ports together or separate them using VLANs according to the network design.

For businesses and installers, the additional ports may reduce the need to add a separate switch immediately.

2.5G SFP Support

The L009 includes one SFP cage that supports both standard Gigabit SFP and compatible 2.5 Gigabit connectivity.

This is one of its strongest future-facing features.

It can be used for:

• fibre uplinks

• connecting to an ISP network

• connecting to a managed switch

• backbone links

• server-room connections

This makes the L009 particularly useful where your internet connection or internal network may eventually exceed standard Gigabit speeds.

MikroTik states that the switch chip has a 2.5 Gigabit full-duplex link to the CPU for most ports, while Ether1 has its own dedicated Gigabit full-duplex CPU connection.

Wi-Fi 6 Review

The L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN includes Wi-Fi 6, but there is an important limitation:

It is 2.4 GHz only.

The wireless interface supports:

• 802.11b

• 802.11g

• 802.11n

• 802.11ax

with a maximum advertised PHY rate of 574 Mbps.

This is both a strength and a weakness.

The advantage

2.4 GHz generally provides better wall penetration and compatibility with devices such as:

• IoT devices

• CCTV devices

• older phones

• printers

• smart devices

• sensors

One independent owner reported stable practical Wi-Fi results around 90–100+ Mbps in a clean 20 MHz channel environment, although individual results will vary according to interference, channel width and client capabilities.

The disadvantage

There is no built-in 5 GHz radio.

That means users looking for very high Wi-Fi throughput for laptops, smartphones and modern Wi-Fi devices may still want a separate 5 GHz or dual-band access point.

This is why the L009 is better viewed as:

A professional wired router with useful 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi

rather than:

A premium all-in-one Wi-Fi router.

An independent long-term user came to essentially the same conclusion, describing the L009 as particularly useful when considered as a wired router with "bonus" 2.4 GHz wireless rather than as a replacement for a high-performance dual-band access point.

RouterOS v7

One of the strongest reasons to choose any professional MikroTik device is RouterOS.

The L009 runs RouterOS v7 with a Level 5 licence.

RouterOS allows you to configure:

• DHCP

• NAT

• firewall

• VLANs

• PPPoE

• hotspot

• VPN

• bandwidth queues

• load balancing

• multi-WAN

• routing protocols

• failover

• scripts

• traffic monitoring

This makes the L009 far more configurable than most ordinary consumer routers.

For network technicians and ISPs, that flexibility is one of the product's biggest selling points.

Container Support

Because the L009 uses an ARM processor and RouterOS v7, it also supports RouterOS container functionality where correctly configured.

MikroTik specifically highlights potential uses such as running a Pi-hole-style DNS filtering service or combining the USB port with an LTE modem.

This makes the L009 particularly interesting for:

• home labs

• network administrators

• developers

• advanced ISP deployments

It offers considerably more flexibility than a typical basic router.

USB 3.0 Port

The L009 includes a full-size USB 3.0 Type-A port.

Potential uses include:

• compatible LTE/4G modems

• external storage

• container-related storage

• network monitoring applications

MikroTik specifies a maximum USB current of 1.5 A.

The USB port makes the router more versatile for custom projects and backup connectivity.

PoE Input

The L009 supports 802.3af/at PoE input, meaning the router can be powered through Ethernet instead of using the DC power connector when used with compatible PoE equipment.

MikroTik specifies an input voltage range of 24–56 V.

This can make network cabinet and professional installation layouts cleaner.

PoE Output on Ether8

Ether8 supports Passive PoE output.

That can be useful for powering compatible equipment such as:

• MikroTik access points

• wireless CPEs

• other compatible networking devices

However, this is Passive PoE, so installers should always verify voltage compatibility before connecting equipment.

Do not assume that every PoE device can safely be powered from Ether8.

L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN for ISPs

The L009 can be useful for smaller ISP and WISP networks.

RouterOS provides features such as:

• PPPoE

• subscriber profiles

• VLANs

• Simple Queues

• PCQ

• firewall rules

• hotspot

• routing

• network monitoring

Small ISPs can also combine MikroTik networking equipment with Tajira for billing and subscriber management.

For example:

Tajira → customer and package management

MikroTik L009 → routing, PPPoE and bandwidth enforcement

As an ISP grows, however, traffic and subscriber numbers should be monitored carefully. Larger deployments may require more powerful MikroTik routers.

L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN for Businesses

The L009 is arguably even better suited to small and medium-sized businesses.

A business can use the router to separate:

• staff

• management

• guest Wi-Fi

• CCTV

• VoIP

• servers

using VLANs.

The eight Gigabit interfaces make it easier to connect multiple parts of the network, while the SFP port provides an upgrade path for fibre or higher-speed uplinks.

The built-in Wi-Fi can serve basic wireless requirements, although organizations with many users should deploy dedicated access points.

L009 for CCTV Installers

CCTV installers should find the L009 particularly interesting.

It provides enough physical ports to connect several network segments while RouterOS can manage:

• CCTV VLANs

• firewall policies

• remote access

• VPN

• failover

• multiple WANs

You could, for example, keep CCTV cameras and NVRs on a dedicated VLAN while preventing them from accessing sensitive office devices.

For professional CCTV networks, this is much better than putting every device on one unrestricted subnet.

L009 for Hotels and Apartments

Hotels and apartment internet providers can also use the L009 for smaller deployments.

Possible applications include:

• guest Wi-Fi

• staff network

• CCTV

• hotspot

• internet failover

• VLANs

• bandwidth control

However, the built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi should not be expected to provide complete wireless coverage across a hotel or apartment building.

Dedicated access points should be deployed for larger properties.

MikroTik L009 vs RB2011

The L009 was designed as the modern successor to the RB2011.

The improvements include:

• faster ARM processor

• more RAM

• all-Gigabit Ethernet ports

• Wi-Fi 6

• 2.5G-capable SFP

• USB 3.0

• container support

• improved PoE options

MikroTik claims the L009 can be up to four times faster than the RB2011 depending on workload and configuration.

For anyone still using an RB2011, the L009 is therefore a logical modernization option.

L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN vs L009UiGS-RM

The MikroTik L009UiGS-RM uses the same general L009 platform but does not include the integrated Wi-Fi radio.

Choose the L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN when:

• you want built-in Wi-Fi

• you need 2.4 GHz coverage

• you have IoT devices

• you want an all-in-one compact installation

Choose the L009UiGS-RM when:

• you already use dedicated access points

• Wi-Fi is unnecessary

• the router will remain inside a rack

• your deployment is predominantly wired

L009 vs RB4011

The MikroTik RB4011iGS+RM is more suitable when raw routing performance is the priority.

The RB4011 offers:

• stronger processing capability

• ten Gigabit Ethernet ports

• SFP+ 10G connectivity

The L009 offers:

• newer architecture

• 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6

• USB 3.0

• 2.5G-capable SFP

• lower entry cost

For demanding ISP or enterprise routing, the RB4011 is generally the stronger platform.

For smaller business networks and deployments that benefit from built-in Wi-Fi, the L009 may offer better value.

Advantages of the L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN

The strongest points of the L009 include:

• eight Gigabit Ethernet ports

• 2.5G SFP capability

• built-in Wi-Fi 6

• RouterOS v7

• VLAN support

• PPPoE

• bandwidth management

• PoE input

• PoE output

• USB 3.0

• container capability

• fanless operation

• compact professional enclosure

• good upgrade from RB2011

Disadvantages of the L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN

No router is perfect.

The main limitations include:

No 5 GHz Wi-Fi

This is probably the biggest disadvantage.

Customers expecting high-speed modern wireless performance may need a separate access point.

Only Dual-Core CPU

The CPU is more than sufficient for many business networks, but heavy ISP workloads, advanced VPN use and large numbers of firewall or queue rules may justify moving to the RB4011, RB5009 or CCR series.

RouterOS Learning Curve

RouterOS is extremely powerful, but beginners may find the number of configuration options intimidating.

Users coming from normal home routers should expect some learning.

One SFP Interface

The 2.5G capability is useful, but larger networks requiring several fibre interfaces will need a MikroTik switch or higher-end router.

Who Should Buy the L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN?

The router is particularly suitable for:

• small businesses

• professional offices

• network technicians

• CCTV installers

• small ISPs

• WISPs

• home labs

• schools

• retail businesses

• apartment internet providers

• advanced home networks

Who Should Not Buy It?

Consider another MikroTik product if:

• you primarily want high-speed Wi-Fi

• you require 5 GHz wireless

• you need multiple 10G interfaces

• you operate a very large ISP

• you require much higher routing performance

In those situations, a dedicated access point combined with an RB5009, RB4011 or CCR router may make more sense.

MikroTik L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN Price in Kenya

The MikroTik L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN price in Kenya depends on supplier availability and current market conditions.

When comparing prices, consider the complete feature set:

• eight Gigabit Ethernet ports

• 2.5G SFP

• Wi-Fi 6

• PoE

• USB 3.0

• RouterOS Level 5

It can potentially replace several separate networking components in a smaller deployment.

You can view the current MikroTik L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN listing or compare additional MikroTik router prices in Kenya.

Additional products can also be explored through Orbitlink Solutions.

Our Verdict

The MikroTik L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN is a strong professional router for buyers who value Ethernet connectivity and RouterOS flexibility more than cutting-edge wireless performance.

Its biggest strengths are:

• eight Gigabit ports

• 2.5G-capable SFP

• RouterOS v7

• PoE

• USB 3.0

• compact fanless design

• Wi-Fi 6 for 2.4 GHz devices

Its biggest weakness is the absence of 5 GHz Wi-Fi.

For this reason, we would recommend viewing the L009 primarily as a wired professional router with useful integrated 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, rather than as a high-end wireless router.

For businesses, installers and smaller ISP environments in Kenya, it offers an appealing balance between price, connectivity and functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MikroTik L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN good?

Yes. It is a strong choice for wired business and professional networks that need eight Gigabit ports, SFP connectivity, RouterOS and basic Wi-Fi 6.

Does the L009 have Wi-Fi 6?

Yes. It supports 2.4 GHz 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with dual-chain wireless and a maximum advertised PHY rate of 574 Mbps.

Does MikroTik L009 support 5 GHz?

No. The L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN has a 2.4 GHz wireless radio only.

How many Ethernet ports does the L009 have?

It has eight Gigabit Ethernet interfaces.

Does L009 support 2.5Gbps?

Its SFP interface supports compatible 2.5G connectivity.

Is L009 suitable for an ISP?

Yes, for appropriately sized ISP deployments. Larger subscriber networks should consider more powerful models depending on bandwidth and RouterOS workload.

Is L009 better than RB2011?

Yes, as an upgrade platform. MikroTik says it offers significantly better performance together with Gigabit ports, modern ARM processing, PoE, Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5G SFP support.

Is L009 better than RB4011?

Not in raw routing performance. The RB4011 is generally better for demanding routing, while the L009 offers newer features such as built-in Wi-Fi 6 and USB 3.0 at a different price/performance level.

Where can I buy L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN in Kenya?

You can view the MikroTik L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN on MikroTik Kenya and compare it with other available MikroTik routers.

Final L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN Review

The L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN fills an interesting position in MikroTik's product lineup.

It provides significantly more flexibility than an ordinary home router without requiring customers to immediately move to higher-end MikroTik hardware.

For a small business, technician, CCTV installer or growing ISP, the combination of eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, 2.5G SFP, Wi-Fi 6, PoE and RouterOS makes it a highly versatile networking platform.

If your priority is professional wired networking with some integrated wireless capability, the L009UiGS-2HaxD-IN is easy to recommend.

If your primary requirement is fast 5 GHz Wi-Fi or substantially higher routing performance, consider using a dedicated MikroTik access point or moving to a more powerful router.

Visit MikroTik Kenya to compare the L009 with other MikroTik routers and networking equipment available in Kenya.