Why IR300 is the go-to in IoT

When it comes to IoT deployments, most people focus on the devices—the sensors, the meters, the cameras, or the gateways collecting all the data. But none of that matters if your network connection is weak, unreliable, or too complex to manage at scale.

That’s why the choice of router isn’t just a detail—it’s a critical decision.

And in 2025, one device that’s showing up in a lot of smart deployments is the InHand IR300. It’s not flashy. It’s not oversized. But it’s doing the job everywhere from solar sites to smart cities to self-service kiosks.

Built specifically for industrial IoT environments, the IR300 gives you what you actually need: reliable LTE, compact design, rugged build, and easy remote management. No bloat. No drama. Just stable performance day in and day out.

In this blog, we’ll break down exactly why the IR300 is becoming a go-to choice for IoT integrators and enterprises and how it solves real-world challenges where consumer-grade routers just don’t cut it.

Who is the IR300 for?

When you’re building or scaling an IoT deployment whether it’s smart meters, digital signage, environmental sensors, or remote equipment monitoring—you don’t want a generic router. You need something compact, industrial, and built for always-on connectivity.

That’s exactly who the InHand IR300 is for.

This little powerhouse is made for system integrators, network engineers, and OEMs who want simple but powerful cellular connectivity in fixed or mobile IoT environments. From factories to solar farms, vending machines to security panels, if it talks to the cloud, the IR300 can help you connect it.

Brands and industries using IR300-style routers:

• Smart City infrastructure
  
• Industrial automation
  
• Renewable energy sites
  
• Transportation and fleet telemetry
  
• ATMs, kiosks, and digital retail tech
  

It’s not a router for everyone, it's a router for serious IoT players.

The Challenge: Why regular routers don’t cut it for IoT

IoT isn’t just about the internet it’s about reliability, remote access, and security at scale.

Traditional routers (even the good ones) usually fail in one or more of these areas when used in M2M or IoT setups:

• Too bulky for embedded environments
  
• No serial or DI/DO ports for machine communication
  
• Can’t handle industrial temps or voltage fluctuations
  
• Weak in security, especially for unattended systems
  
• Hard to manage remotely once deployed
  

And when you’re deploying hundreds or thousands of endpoints, even small gaps in reliability or control can turn into major operational nightmares.

This is where the IR300 stands apart. It’s not trying to be a home router. It’s designed for rugged, long-term IoT performance period.

The Advantage: What makes IR300 the go-to

Now the real reason you’re here is why is the IR300 such a standout choice?

Let’s break it down.

Built-in LTE/4G connectivity that just works

The IR300 comes with global LTE Cat 4 support (up to 150 Mbps DL), meaning you can deploy it almost anywhere. No extra dongles, no flaky USB modems. Just slot in a SIM and go.

If your site doesn’t have wired internet or if you need backup for it this router has you covered.

Compact and tough as nails

The fanless, metal housing is certified for industrial temperatures (-20°C to 70°C), making it ideal for harsh environments. Think dusty solar farms, freezing outdoor panels, or 24/7 factory lines.

And it’s DIN rail mountable, which is a must for control panels and enclosures.

Security that’s not an afterthought

From VPN tunneling (IPSec, OpenVPN, GRE, L2TP, etc.) to firewall rules and access control, the IR300 protects your data and your network from unauthorised access.

Plus, it supports multi-layer authentication and remote access management, making it perfect for enterprise-level deployments.

Easy cloud management with InHand Device Manager

Whether you’re managing 10 or 1000+ devices, you don’t want to SSH into every box.

The IR300 works with InHand’s cloud-based platform for remote configuration, firmware updates, monitoring, and troubleshooting. So your team can manage everything without rolling a single truck.

Smart I/O: It’s not just about internet

One of the things that sets the IR300 apart from generic LTE routers is its I/O capabilities.

It includes:

• 1 x DI (Digital Input)
  
• 1 x DO (Digital Output)
  
• 1 x RS-232 or RS-485 Serial Port (model-dependent)
  

Why does this matter?

Because in industrial and machine-to-machine environments, you often need to trigger relays, get sensor inputs, or talk directly to serial-based devices—like legacy PLCs, vending machines, or energy meters.

Having this flexibility built-in means you don’t need extra converters or microcontrollers to connect your IoT logic to the cloud. The IR300 is the bridge between your on-site equipment and your remote servers.

It’s like having an edge gateway in the body of a small router.

Real-World Use Cases: Where IR300 is already winning

Let’s make this more tangible. Here are a few places where the IR300 is already proving to be the go-to choice:

Smart Grids & Energy Monitoring

Utilities and solar energy companies use the IR300 to monitor substations, battery storage, and solar inverters—especially in rural or off-grid areas. The compact size and wide voltage tolerance (9–36V) make it ideal for solar-powered control boxes.

Fleet Tracking & Telemetry

Fleet integrators mount IR300 routers inside trucks, trailers, or service vehicles to track location, engine status, and fuel usage in real-time via CAN bus converters. The cloud platform makes it easy to manage hundreds of mobile routers from a central NOC.

Smart City Infrastructure

From air quality sensors to streetlight control panels, IR300 routers power smart city devices where Ethernet isn’t feasible. With dual SIM failover, the connection stays stable even if one network drops out.

Retail & Self-Service Kiosks

In vending machines, ATMs, digital signage, and POS kiosks, IR300 offers a secure, managed LTE connection that doesn’t rely on public Wi-Fi. Paired with VPN tunneling, it creates a secure channel back to your central application server.

Key Specs Breakdown (For the Nerds Who Want Details)

Ideal For

If you’re wondering whether the IR300 fits your project, here’s the short list:

• System integrators building remote IoT networks
  
• Enterprises needing edge routers with cloud control
  
• Industrial teams deploying sensors, HMIs, and meters
  
• Retail and fintech deploying unmanned kiosks
  
• Solar and energy companies building remote monitoring
  

Final Thoughts (and Where to Get It)

The IR300 isn’t flashy but it’s reliable, secure, and purpose-built for the real needs of IoT. It does exactly what it’s supposed to, even in rough conditions and hard-to-reach sites.

And in the IoT world, that kind of quiet performance? That’s gold.

Pro tip: Always check that your model variant includes the serial or I/O features you need. InHand offers several versions of the IR300 for different use cases.

Available now at All Ways Wireless

Whether you're building out an IoT fleet or need a rugged gateway for a specific deployment, the IR300 is ready to plug in and perform.

You can get it right now along with tech support and fast delivery at All Ways Wireless.