The Radxa Cubie A5E is making waves in the single board computer (SBC) market as a compelling alternative to Raspberry Pi, offering impressive features at an attractive price point. Priced at just €27 ($26-27 USD) for the 4GB RAM variant, this compact powerhouse delivers exceptional value for makers, IoT enthusiasts, and home automation projects.

Compact Design with Powerful Specifications

Form Factor and Physical Design

The Cubie A5E stands out with its ultra-compact form factor, measuring just 56mm x 65mm—noticeably smaller than the Raspberry Pi 5. This palm-sized board packs an impressive array of features into its diminutive footprint, making it ideal for space-constrained applications and edge computing deployments.

Core Hardware Specifications

Processor: The heart of the Cubie A5E is the Allwinner A527 System-on-Chip (SoC), featuring an innovative octa-core ARM Cortex-A55 CPU configuration:

  • 4 cores running at 1.8 GHz
  • 4 cores running at 1.4 GHz

This dual-cluster design provides flexibility between performance and power efficiency, allowing the board to handle demanding tasks while maintaining reasonable thermal characteristics.

Graphics: The ARM Mali-G57 MC1 GPU supports:

  • Vulkan 1.1/1.2/1.3
  • OpenGL ES 3.2/2.0/1.1
  • OpenCL 2.2
  • 4K video decoding at 60fps (H.265, H.264, VP9, VP8)
  • 4K video encoding at 25fps (H.264)

Memory: 4GB LPDDR4 RAM with a 32-bit memory bus running at 2400MT/s, providing adequate bandwidth for multitasking and general computing tasks.

Connectivity: Where the Cubie A5E Shines

Network Options

One of the standout features of the Radxa Cubie A5E is its comprehensive networking capabilities:

Dual Gigabit Ethernet Ports: Both ports support 10/100/1000Mbps speeds, with one offering Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) support via an additional module. This makes the board particularly attractive for network-centric applications like routers, firewalls, or network-attached storage (NAS) systems.

Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2: Built-in wireless connectivity provides modern standards for IoT applications:

  • Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) offers faster speeds, better congestion handling, and improved power efficiency
  • Bluetooth 5.2 enables low-energy device connections for smart home accessories
  • External antenna support ensures reliable wireless performance

Storage and Expansion

M.2 M Key Connector: Perhaps the most significant advantage over entry-level Raspberry Pi boards is the onboard M.2 M Key slot supporting:

  • NVMe SSDs in the 2230 form factor
  • PCIe Gen 2 x1 lane connectivity
  • Read speeds around 366 MB/s (confirmed through testing)

This feature alone dramatically expands the board’s capabilities, offering fast, reliable storage for operating systems and applications—something that requires workarounds or isn’t available at all on comparably priced alternatives.

Additional Storage Options:

  • 8MB SPI Flash for bootloader
  • MicroSD card slot for flexible OS installation
  • Optional eMMC variants (16/32/64/128GB)

Ports and Interfaces

  • HDMI 2.0: Supports 4K output at 60fps
  • MIPI DSI: 4-lane connector for displays up to 1080p60
  • MIPI CSI: Configurable camera interface (2-lane or 4-lane) for AI vision applications
  • USB 3.0 Type-A: High-speed host port (5Gbps)
  • USB Type-C: Power input (5V/4A) and USB 2.0 OTG functionality
  • 40-Pin GPIO Header: Raspberry Pi-compatible expansion with I2C, SPI, PWM, I2S interfaces

Performance Benchmarks: How Does It Stack Up?

CPU Performance

Testing with the 4GB model revealed competitive performance relative to its price point:

Sysbench CPU Test (calculating prime numbers up to 20,000):

  • Total time: ~39 seconds
  • Throughput: ~2,500 events/second
  • Peak temperature: ~58°C (with metal case)
  • Performance: Approximately 3 seconds slower than Raspberry Pi 4

Geekbench Scores:

  • Single-core: 241
  • Multi-core: 1,005

The Cubie A5E actually outperformed the Raspberry Pi 4 in multi-core tests, demonstrating that the octa-core architecture provides tangible benefits for parallel workloads.

Memory Performance

MEMCPY: ~2,900 MiB/s Block Copy (1 KiB): ~4,000 MiB/s

Memory bandwidth exceeds the Raspberry Pi 4 in testing, though it falls short of the Pi 5’s LPDDR4X capabilities. The 32-bit memory bus with LPDDR4 provides adequate throughput for most applications at this price point.

Storage Performance

The M.2 NVMe slot delivers on its promise with PCIe Gen 2 x1 speeds:

  • Sequential read: ~366 MB/s
  • Confirms Gen 2 single-lane specifications
  • Significantly faster than microSD-only solutions

Network Performance

Dual Gigabit Ethernet ports tested successfully, though testing revealed one port consistently performed slightly slower than the other. Both maintained gigabit speeds but showed variance in iperf benchmarks.

Thermal Management

Without Cooling:

  • Idle temperature: ~70°C
  • Concerning for sustained workloads
  • Thermal throttling risk without active or passive cooling

With Metal Case:

  • Idle temperature: ~43°C (40% reduction)
  • Peak load temperature: ~75°C during intensive multi-core tests
  • Silent operation with no fan noise
  • Effective passive cooling through aluminum body and 3D cooling fins

The Radxa Metal Case 7264 is highly recommended for the Cubie A5E, measuring 72.6mm x 63.4mm x 30mm. It provides industrial-grade thermal performance while maintaining the board’s compact footprint.

Power Consumption: Efficient and Practical

  • Idle: ~2W
  • Under Load: ~6W (during Geekbench multi-core tests)
  • Recommended Power Supply: 5V/4A via USB Type-C

These power consumption figures make the Cubie A5E suitable for 24/7 operation in always-on applications like home servers, network equipment, or IoT gateways.

Software Support and Operating Systems

Available Operating Systems

Debian Linux: Official images based on Debian Trixie (pre-release) with Linux kernel 6.16 are available. During testing, the Debian image performed well despite being in pre-release status, though some features like HDMI output and temperature sensors were not fully functional in early builds.

Armbian OS: Community-maintained support provides alternative options, though standard support is not yet available. Features may be incomplete depending on build maturity.

Android 13: Official Android images extend the board’s versatility for media applications or mobile-style interfaces.

Documentation and Community

Radxa provides comprehensive technical documentation including:

  • Schematics (v1.10 and v1.20)
  • Component placement maps
  • 3D drawings for case design
  • Software downloads and development guides

Real-World Use Cases

Home Automation with Home Assistant

The Cubie A5E proves capable of running Home Assistant with Docker, including voice assistant components:

Whisper Speech Recognition (small-int8 model):

  • Speech-to-text conversion: ~11 seconds
  • Faster than Raspberry Pi 4 with the same model
  • Practical for voice control applications despite not matching cloud services

Piper Text-to-Speech: Successfully runs alongside Whisper for complete local voice assistant functionality.

Network Applications

Pi-hole DNS Ad Blocking: The combination of low power consumption, dual Ethernet ports, and adequate processing power makes the Cubie A5E excellent for network-level ad blocking:

  • Handles DNS queries efficiently
  • Gigabit networking ensures no bottlenecks
  • 4GB RAM provides headroom for blocklists
  • 24/7 operation at ~2W idle is cost-effective
  • NVMe storage ensures fast query processing

Network Attached Storage (NAS): While not designed as a high-performance NAS, the board’s features support basic file sharing:

  • Dual Gigabit Ethernet for network connectivity
  • NVMe support for fast local storage
  • Sufficient memory for file serving daemons
  • Low power consumption for always-on operation

Edge Computing and IoT

The compact form factor (56mm x 65mm), industrial-grade cooling options, and PoE support make the Cubie A5E ideal for:

  • Industrial automation sensors
  • Edge AI inference with the Mali GPU
  • Remote monitoring stations
  • Smart building controllers
  • Digital signage (4K HDMI output)

Media Applications

  • 4K Video Playback: HDMI 2.0 output supports 4K at 60fps
  • Codec Support: Hardware decoding for H.265, H.264, VP9, VP8
  • Streaming Server: Adequate performance for Plex or Jellyfin with appropriate transcoding settings

Price Comparison: Exceptional Value

Cubie A5E Pricing

  • 2GB RAM variant: €17 (~$18 USD) / €22 on AliExpress
  • 4GB RAM variant: €26-27 (~$27-33 USD depending on retailer)

Competitive Context

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W: €15-18

  • 512MB RAM
  • 1 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53
  • No NVMe option
  • Single-band Wi-Fi 4

Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB): €57

  • 1.5 GHz quad-core Cortex-A72
  • No NVMe slot (requires USB adapter)
  • Gigabit Ethernet (single port)

Raspberry Pi 5: €60+ (4GB model)

  • Superior performance
  • Higher power consumption
  • Significantly more expensive

The Cubie A5E offers a compelling middle ground: notably better than the Pi Zero form factor boards while costing roughly the same, and providing features like dual Ethernet and NVMe that even the more expensive Pi 4 lacks.

Advantages Summary

Exceptional Value: At €27 for 4GB RAM, the price-to-performance ratio is outstanding

NVMe Storage: PCIe Gen 2 NVMe support at this price point is remarkable

Dual Gigabit Ethernet: Ideal for network-centric applications and infrastructure projects

Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2: Modern wireless standards future-proof the board

Compact Form Factor: 56mm x 65mm is smaller than standard Pi boards

Thermal Solution Available: Metal case provides passive cooling without fan noise

Low Power Consumption: 2W idle makes 24/7 operation practical and economical

Versatile Software Support: Linux, Android, and growing community support

Limitations and Considerations

Software Maturity: OS images are still maturing; expect some features to be incomplete initially

Thermal Management: Requires metal case or heatsink for sustained loads

Performance: Not as powerful as Raspberry Pi 5 or high-end SBCs

Community Size: Smaller ecosystem compared to Raspberry Pi

Availability: Distribution network not as extensive as Raspberry Pi

Documentation: While improving, not as comprehensive as more established platforms

Who Should Consider the Cubie A5E?

Ideal Users

Budget-Conscious Makers: Those seeking maximum features per dollar spent

Network Enthusiasts: Projects requiring dual Ethernet (routers, firewalls, NAS)

Home Automation: Running Pi-hole, Home Assistant, or similar always-on services

IoT Developers: Compact size, Wi-Fi 6, and GPIO expansion support sensor networks

Learning and Education: Affordable platform for exploring Linux and embedded systems

Less Suitable For

Absolute Beginners: Raspberry Pi’s mature ecosystem and documentation may be easier to start with

High-Performance Computing: More powerful boards exist for demanding applications

Mission-Critical Applications: Software maturity and community support still developing

Commercial Products: Limited long-term availability guarantees compared to industrial SBCs

Conclusion: A Strong Contender in the Budget SBC Space

The Radxa Cubie A5E 4GB model represents exceptional value in the single board computer market. At €27, it delivers features typically found in boards costing twice as much, including NVMe storage support, dual Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and a capable octa-core processor.

While it may not match the raw performance of the Raspberry Pi 5 or the ecosystem maturity of the Pi 4, the Cubie A5E carves out a distinct niche. It’s particularly compelling for network-centric applications, home automation, edge computing, and anyone seeking modern features on a strict budget.

The inclusion of an M.2 NVMe slot alone makes this board stand out from competitors at similar price points. Combined with dual Ethernet ports and contemporary wireless standards, the Cubie A5E delivers a feature set that addresses real-world project requirements.

For makers, hobbyists, and developers willing to work with slightly less mature software ecosystems in exchange for superior hardware value, the Radxa Cubie A5E 4GB is an easy recommendation. It proves that you don’t need to spend top dollar to get a capable, feature-rich single board computer.

The board is available through various retailers including AliExpress and Arace Tech, with the metal case available as a separate purchase that’s highly recommended for thermal management.

Technical Specifications at a Glance

Component Specification
SoC Allwinner A527
CPU Octa-core ARM Cortex-A55 (4×1.8GHz + 4×1.4GHz)
GPU ARM Mali-G57 MC1
RAM 4GB LPDDR4 @ 2400MT/s (32-bit bus)
Storage M.2 M Key (NVMe PCIe Gen2 x1), 8MB SPI Flash, microSD slot
Video Output HDMI 2.0 (4K@60fps), MIPI DSI 4-lane (1080p@60fps)
Video Input MIPI CSI (configurable 4-lane or 2-lane)
Network 2× Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
USB 1× USB 3.0 Type-A, 1× USB 2.0 Type-C (OTG + Power)
GPIO 40-pin header (I2C, SPI, PWM, I2S, UART)
Power 5V/4A via USB Type-C
Dimensions 56mm × 65mm
Operating Systems Debian Linux, Armbian, Android 13
Price €27 / ~$27-33 USD (4GB model)

Testing conducted with 4GB RAM variant running Debian Linux with 6.16 kernel and Radxa Metal Case 7264 for thermal management. Performance may vary with different OS images and cooling solutions.