I'm looking for recommendations for a cheap, and basic OpenWRT router

I used to use an old Linksys WRT54GL v1.1 router for the purpose of testing homelab setups, but I have recently found that, as of 2022, it is unsupported by OpenWRT. So, I am now looking for a router to replace my old one. I don’t need anything fancy – I just need a router with WiFi connectivity (2.4GHz is fine, but 5GHz is, of course, appreciated, if possible), and a few LAN ports (gigabit would be nice, but it is not a necessity). By no means does it have to be a new model of router. So long as it supports a current version of OpenWRT, and satisfies my hardware requirements, it will be an acceptable recommendation

unsaid0415 ,

openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128 and find something that has 2022 or 2023 in the “Available” column with an actual numeric version rater than “snapshot”?

SpacePirate ,

Having just researched this, I purchased the Dynalink AX3600 (DL-WRX36). While it’s not as simple as a drop in firmware reflash, it offered the best speed and performance for not significantly more effort; Wifi 6, USB 3.0 ports, and full MIMO antenna support.

I also considered the following:

  • Buffalo WXR-5950AX12
  • Linksys E8450 (5GHz ax only)
  • Netgear WAX202
  • Xiami AX9000

openwrt.org/toh/…/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi

umbrella ,
@umbrella@lemmy.ml avatar

how is wifi6 performing with openwrt on this box? i hear it cant do hw accel yet?

sxan ,
@sxan@midwest.social avatar

“Cheap” being relative, I think GL.iNet products are reasonably priced, and their software is OpenWRT with a customized web interface. $40 for their small, portable WiFi 5 Opal; $95 for their WiFi 6 “home” router; $130 for the WiFi 6 Opal. The Opals work fine for covering a 1br apartment, but have 2 eth ports. The bigger one (Flint?) has 4.

umbrella , (edited )
@umbrella@lemmy.ml avatar

since your priority seems to be software support for openwrt and considering that you have ancient hardware doing the job just fine, you should go for an archer c7, it has 80211n wifi and 5ghz to boot and decent headroom for shenanigans.

you can get one brand new pretty cheap, even cheaper used.

great openwrt support too, cause its cheap and popular.

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

I bought a Linksys router from Walmart that has WiFi 6 and is well supported

Kalcifer OP ,
@Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works avatar

What model?

Lrobie ,

I use a Belkin RT3200 (same hardware as Linksys E8450). They go for pretty cheap on ebay and I have no complaints.

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