RouterFreak Reviews, Tips and Tools for Network Engineers
Although complex to install, OpenWRT offers a great range of packages, updates, support, and stability to users who want to benefit from the advanced features of third-party firmware instead of the original firmware installed on a router.
The best router for OpenWRT should include a multi-core CPU of 700 MHz to handle traffic and other router activities, and a minimum of 128 MB RAM for greater stability when using the firmware.
We also advise the router to operate the WiFi 6 standard for ultra-fast internet speeds, reduced latency, and great coverage.
Do note that not all routers are compatible with OpenWRT, so you need to look at the product specifications carefully.
Turris Omnia is our top choice for the best router for OpenWRT as it comes with powerful hardware that can handle gigabit traffic and you can use it as a home server, print server, or NAS. It also has a built-in virtual server that runs any Linux distribution even Debian or Ubuntu without risking the main system. The WiFi 6 technology ensures that you have better performance and faster speeds on your devices.
The Linksys E8450 is another great choice as it comes with WiFi 6 technology that provides you with increased ranges and faster speeds for more devices. The Dual-bands and internet speed of up to 3.2 Gbps allow you to chat, game, stream, and surf without losing your connection. It has a coverage of up to 2500 sq. ft. and can handle more than 25 devices at the same time for gaming, streaming, and creating a smart home.
The Linksys Max-Stream MR8300 is a budget-friendly option that allows you to experience extremely fast wireless speeds and upgrade your home WiFi. This Tri-Band router is ideal for households that thrive on entertainment as it can deliver higher speeds of up to 2.2 Gbps to your entire home. It comes with WiFi coverage of up to 2000 sq. ft. and has enough bandwidth for 20-plus devices.
We’ve tested 20 different routers with OpenWRT installed and compared performance outcomes in terms of speed, stability, and coverage.
We have narrowed down the choice to the top 8 products which have been reviewed in this article.
Best OpenWRT Router (2024)
- Best Overall: Turris Omnia
- Runner-Up: Linksys E8450
- Budget Friendly: Linksys MR8300
- Most Stable OpenWRT Router: Dynalink DL-WRX36
- Open WRT Router With A SIM Card Slot: TAKTIKAL
- Pre-Installed OpenWRT: GL.iNet GL-AX1800
- For Gaming: NETGEAR Nighthawk R8000
- Easy Installation: Linksys WRT3200ACM
Below are the reviews of the 8 best OpenWRT routers including their performance, design, and specification features to enable you to decide which product to purchase.
Understanding each product and what it can offer in terms of coverage, speeds, security, and performance will ensure that you can operate OpenWRT well and have stable connections throughout your home or business.
1. Turris Omnia (Editor’s Choice)
Design
Turris Omnia comes with powerful hardware that can handle gigabit traffic and you can use it as a home server, print server, or NAS.
It also comes with a built-in virtual server that runs any Linux distribution even Debian or Ubuntu without risking the main system.
Turris Omnia uses WiFi 6 technology to ensure that you have better performance and faster speeds on your devices.
Performance
The router has a powerful CPU and two USB ports which you can use for storing and sharing files.
It has a unique internal network setup amongst home routers as it uses three gigabit lines to provide more configuration options and better performance.
If you have a Fiber To The Home (FTTH) type of connection, you can insert the correct SFO module and use Omina to replace your current network devices.
The mini PCIe LTE modem and USB can be used to create a backup connection and be activated when the main connection is unavailable.
You can easily program the twelve diodes by adjusting flashing intervals, brightness, color, or disabling the nighttime mode.
Turris Omnia always guarantees a smooth data transfer as it comes with four powerful antennas, and you can add two more LTE antennas if you want.
This OpenWRT router contains three mPCle slots that provide enough space for WiFi cards as well as a disk controller or LTE modem.
The core components get automatic updates for the lifetime of the device to ensure that your home is protected from new cyber threats.
The distributed adaptive firewall also protects against internet attacks.
Who It’s For
The Turris Omnia is an OpenWRT router that delivers better performance and faster WiFi speeds as well as provides advanced security for your devices and network.
Specs
- Speed: 5 Gbps
- Range: Good coverage
- Bands: Dual-Band
- Wireless Protocol: 11ax
- Ports: 5 Ethernet, 2 USB
- Processor: 6 GHz Dual-Core ARM
- RAM: 2GB
Pros
- Powerful antennas.
- Adjustable RGB LED.
- Better network throughput.
- Backup connectivity.
- Great security features.
Cons
- None found.
2. Linksys E8450 (Runner-Up)
Design
The Linksys E8450 comes with WiFi 6 technology that provides you with increased ranges and faster speeds for more devices.
The Dual-bands and internet speed of up to 3.2 Gbps allow you to chat, game, stream, and surf without losing your connection.
The Linksys E8450 has a coverage of up to 2500 sq. ft. and can handle more than 25 devices at the same time for gaming, streaming, and creating a smart home.
Performance
The Linksys E8450 allows you to double the amount of bandwidth in your network because of the simultaneous dual-band streaming.
You are assured of the strongest connection possible as the wireless signals are transmitted on the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands simultaneously.
This means that you can select your lane based on whether you want performance or range.
The Linksys E8450 comes with built-in mesh technology to ensure you have full WiFi coverage in your home and it allows you to integrate other products that are compatible with Linksys.
The MU-MIMO technology enables the E8450 to simultaneously send and receive data streams which provides up to four times more capacity for more smart home and gaming devices.
You can set up the E8450 using your browser on a tablet, smartphone, or computer with the easy steps provided. Additionally, you can manage your WiFi network using the browser.
Parental Controls is an advanced security feature that enables you to block specific websites and limit online time for your kids.
We also tested the separate guest network sharing feature which was easy to set up and provided guest access while protecting personal data.
Who It’s For
The Linksys E8450 is recommended for individuals who are looking for a high-performing OpenWRT router that can deliver faster speeds and stronger connections.
Specs
- Speed: 2 Gbps
- Range: 2500 sq. ft
- Bands: Dual-Band
- Wireless Protocol: 11ax
- Ports: 4
- Processor: 4GHz Dual-Core
- RAM: 512MB
Pros
- Easy to set up.
- Smarter security for a safe online experience.
- Allows for simultaneous streaming.
- Has mesh technology.
- More device-handling capacity.
Cons
- Issues with resetting the password.
3. Linksys MR8300 (Budget Friendly)
Design
The Linksys Max-Stream MR8300 allows you to experience extremely fast wireless speeds and upgrade your home WiFi.
This Tri-Band router is ideal for households that thrive on entertainment as it can deliver higher speeds of up to 2.2 Gbps to your entire home.
The Linksys MR8300 comes with a WiFi coverage of up to 2000 sq. ft. and has enough bandwidth for 20-plus devices.
Performance
The Linksys MR8300 uses Tri-Band and MU-MIMO technology to provide high-speed WiFi to several devices at the same time so that you can browse the internet, stream 4K media, and play online games as if every device had its dedicated router.
The built-in mesh WiFi makes this router future-proof as you can easily add a Linksys Velop node to expand your coverage as your WiFi needs grow.
The MR8300 works seamlessly with the Velop nodes, so you do not need to manually switch between networks.
The Linksys app allows you to easily set up the MR8300. Just download the app, choose a name and password for your network, and then connect your devices.
Also, you can use the app to closely manage and monitor your home WiFi remotely using your tablet or smartphone.
Although available at an affordable price, the Linksys MR3800 has a sufficient quad-core CPU of 716 MHz and 512 MB RAM, to handle the tasks and packages included in the OpenWRT firmware.
MR8300 supports wired connections as it comes with 4 ethernet ports that you can use to connect printers, shared storage devices, and other supported peripherals to your network.
Who It’s For
The Linksys MR8300 is a budget friendly OpenWRT router that delivers superfast WiFi to all the connected devices and wireless coverage for your entire home.
Specs
- Speed: 2 Gbps
- Range: Up to 2000 sq. ft.
- Bands: Tri-Band
- Wireless Protocol: 11ac
- Ports: 4 Ethernet
- Processor: 716Mhz Quad-core
- RAM: 512MB
Pros
- High performance.
- Comes with intelligent mesh technology.
- You can expand easily expand your coverage.
- Connects to more devices at the same time.
- Easy to set up and manage.
Cons
- Does not allow expressVPN router connection.
4. Dynalink DL-WRX36 (Most Stable OpenWRT Router)
Design
The Dynalink DL-WRX36 comes with WiFi 6 technology which provides faster speeds and 75% less latency.
The Qualcomm 2.2 GHz Quad-Core processor is ideal for OpenWRT as it delivers faster connections and reduces buffering when video streaming, web browsing, and gaming.
The DL-WRX36 has an extensive coverage of up to 4800 sq. ft. and allows you to connect up to 200 devices at the same time.
Performance
The Dynalink DL-WRX36 features revolutionary OFDMA technology that enables data to be transferred in a subcarrier with higher efficiency and lower latency.
Operating the WiFi 6 standard, the 1024-QAM delivers 25% higher data-transmit capacity compared to WiFi 5.
The 4*4 MU-MIMO technology enables the DL-WRX36 to simultaneously communicate with multiple devices.
This means that you can connect more devices, more efficiently with faster connections. Beamforming technologies focus signals to your favorite devices for better performance.
The DL-WRX36 supports the latest WPA3/WPA2 security protocol to protect from cyber-attacks and stronger WiFi encryption for your overall network. Other security features include Firewall and Guest WiFi access.
We tested the Dynalink App which enables you to easily set up the DL-WRX36, and were very impressed by how user-friendly the app is.
You can also use Google Assistant to turn on and off the guest WiFi network.
The four internal smart antennas help to provide better WiFi performance. The USB port supports SAMBA and FTP servers for local data storage.
The five Ethernet ports enable you to create faster connections to more wired devices.
Who It’s For
The Dynalink DL-WRX36 is an OpenWRT router that provides the most stable and smoother WiFi connections for multiple devices at the same time.
Specs
- Speed: 6 Gbps
- Range: 4800 sq. ft.
- Bands: Dual-Band
- Wireless Protocol: 11ax
- Ports: 5 Ethernet, 1 USB
- Processor: 2 GHz Quad-Core CPU
- RAM: 1024 MB
Pros
- Easy to set up.
- You can create more connections.
- Reduced buffering and lower latency.
- Wider coverage.
- Allows for simultaneous streaming.
Cons
- Basic interface.
5. TAKTIKAL 5G/4LTE (Open WRT Router With A SIM Card Slot)
Design
The TAKTIKAL 5G/4LTE OpenWRT router will take your business and home into the new age of WiFi technology.
It has a 3G/4G/5G multi-mode module with Qualcomms X62 chipset and Quectels RN520N-GL modem paired with a 256MB DDR3 memory and an MT7621A Dual Core 880MHz processor.
This plug-and-play router is ideal for 5G SA and NSA modes. It is compatible with most cellular providers around the world and it will automatically configure when connected to Verizon, T-Monile, and AT&T for more practicality.
Performance
The TAKTIKAL 5G/4LTE comes with a custom OpenWRT interface that is powered by Goldenorb which provides you with the flexibility of customizing your settings with advanced tools and features.
You can easily configure the APN, TTL, OpenVPN, Band Locking, Dynamic DNS, Port Forwarding, Load Balancing, and Connection Failover among others within the interface.
The MU-MIMO technology enables you to connect multiple devices to the router at the same time and experience fast and stable connections.
This long-range dual-band router also comes with four detachable 5G antennas that give the option to install 5G antennas to increase the WiFi reception.
The TAKTIKAL router is easy to set up as all you need to do is insert your SIM card and turn it on, then connect your devices right away, or use OpenWRT to customize the router if you want more options.
Who It’s For
The TAKTIKAL 5G/4LTE is suitable for individuals who are looking for an OpenWRT router with a SIM card that can improve the internet speed and access at the office or home.
Specs
- Speed: 1000 Mbps
- Range: Great coverage
- Bands: Dual-Band
- Wireless Protocol: 11n, 802.11b, 802.11ac, 802.11g
- Ports: 5 Ethernet, 1 USB
- Processor: MT7621A Dual Core 880MHz processor.
- RAM: 256MB
Pros
- Has a plug-and-play design.
- Effective and stable connection.
- Easily customize the settings.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- Troubleshooting is challenging.
6. GL.iNET GL-AX1800 (Pre-Installed OpenWRT)
Design
The GL.iNET GL-AX1800 comes with WiFi 6 technology and can achieve speeds of up to 1.8 Gbps (1200 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 600 on the 2.4GHz band) so that you can enjoy smoother gaming, streaming, video calls, and more.
The GL-AX1800 comes with four non-removable antennas which provide a coverage of up to 1500 sq. ft.
Performance
The GL.iNET GL-AX1800 uses the revolutionary OFDMA technology to communicate with multiple devices, efficiently allocate channels, and help you increase efficiency and capacity.
This also enables you to connect up to 120 devices at the same time.
The GL-AX1800 comes with the latest security features such as IPv6 and WPA3 encryption.
It also supports more than 30 VPN services on OpenVPN and WireGuard, which encrypts data shared within the network so that you can access any files or webpage remotely and securely.
An additional Adguard feature blocks repetitive ads and online trackers, enabling you to enjoy your content with no interruption, meaning your data and network are protected from cyber-attacks.
The in-built OpenWRT firmware enables you to fully customize and optimize your devices, and the additional storage allows you to install applications of your choice.
The five Gigabit ports enable you to create an Ethernet backhaul so that you can enjoy better 4K streaming, gaming, and video conferencing with your family and friends. Additionally, the USB 3.0 port provides faster data connectivity.
Who It’s For
If you are looking for a router with pre-installed OpenWRT that comes with the latest WiFi 6 technology, the GL.iNET GL-AX1800 is a good option.
It also comes with lag-free and faster throughput as well as a good number of security features.
Specs
- Speed: 1800 Mbps
- Range: Up to 1500 sq. ft.
- Bands: Dual-Band
- Wireless Protocol: 11ax
- Ports: 5 Ethernet
- Processor: 2GHz IPQ6000 Quad-Core
- RAM: 512MB
Pros
- Extended security features.
- Comes with WireGuard and OpenVPN
- Can handle up to 120 devices.
- Decent throughput and speeds.
- Comes with the latest WiFi 6 standard.
Cons
- Operates on older OpenWRT firmware.
7. NETGEAR Nighthawk X6 R8000 (For Gaming)
Design
The Netgear Nighthawk X6 R8000 allows you to easily upgrade the WiFi coverage and experience as it comes with Tri-band streaming and range-boosting Beamforming antennas for reliable, fast WiFi throughout your home.
The R8000 can achieve speeds of up to 3200 Mbps allowing it to handle demanding activities such as multi-player online gaming and 4k Ultra-HD streaming. It has a coverage of up to 3500 sq. ft and can connect to 50 devices.
Performance
The Netgear Nighthawk X6 R8000 intelligently chooses between three bands to maximize speed and minimize interference for your many smart wireless devices.
Beamforming technology ensures that bandwidth-intensive devices like gaming consoles get stronger signals for smoother and more stable connections.
The QoS allows you to prioritize the devices on the network that need more bandwidth. We tested QoS with a gaming connection and the feature worked well, noticeably enhancing the stability of the gaming connection.
Smart Parental Controls ensures that your kids have an online experience that is safe and free from harmful content while NETGEAR Armor provides an automatic shield of security for your entire network and devices.
The four high-speed Ethernet ports allow you to have wired connections to your devices including streaming players, computers, and gaming consoles.
The two USB ports allow you to create personal cloud storage which you can access remotely and share a printer and storage drive with any connected device.
To ensure that your network is safe and secure, the R8000 supports WPA2 wireless security protocols.
Additionally, it comes with DoS, Guest WiFi access, VPN, Firewall, and more to strengthen the security of your WiFi network.
You can pair the Netgear R8000 with Amazon Alexa and use it to voice control your network.
Who It’s For
The NETGEAR R8000 is suitable for users who are looking for a gaming OpenWRT router as it delivers faster and more reliable speeds for demanding tasks, especially gaming.
Specs
- Speed: Up to 3200 Mbps
- Range: Up to 3500 sq. ft.
- Bands: Tri-Band
- Wireless Protocol: 11ac
- Ports: 4 Ethernet, 2 USB
- Processor: 1GHz Dual-Core
- RAM: 256MB
Pros
- Extensive coverage.
- Fast and reliable connections.
- Better performance.
- Simultaneous streaming.
- Prioritizes gaming and streaming applications.
Cons
- Issues when updating firmware.
8. Linksys WRT3200ACM (Easy Installation)
Design
The Linksys WRT3200ACM is powered by an enterprise-grade dual-core processor, which allows it to deliver the lowest latency and handle even the heaviest network traffic, leading to a responsive and fast home network with no lagging.
The WRT3200ACM has two dedicated frequency bands with a combined internet speed of up to 3.2 Gbps.
The 5 GHz band provides speeds of up to 2.6 Gbps for video streaming and online gaming while the 2.4 GHz band delivers speeds of up to 600 Mbps which is suitable for older wireless N and G devices as well as lighter internet activities.
Performance
The Linksys WRT3200ACM is equipped with innovative Tri-Stream 160 technology, providing extreme, untouched WiFi speed without lag.
Tri-Stream 160 doubles the 5GHz band’s bandwidth to power data-heavy activities with fast speeds.
The WRT3200ACM works in clear airspace that traditional routers do not have because it has an FCC DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) certification.
This certification triples the number of channels available at 80MHz and makes Tri-Stream 160 possible.
The MU-MIMO technology enables the WRT3200ACM to handle high-bandwidth online activities at the same speed and same time.
This means that several users can play online games, stream HD/4K movies, download files, and listen to music without experiencing buffering or lag at up to three times the speed of a router without MU-MIMO technology.
The Smart WiFi app makes setting up the Linksys WRT3200ACM easy. Additionally, the app allows you to get real-time information about your home network, prioritize your devices, send guests WiFi passwords, and set parental controls.
Prioritizing your devices that need more data enables you to avoid lag and overcome bandwidth limitations. Parental Controls help to restrict access to inappropriate content, block specific devices from using the internet, and control usage.
USB 3.0 allows you to connect an external storage device to share or transfer files across the network at faster speeds compared to USB 2.0.
The four Ethernet ports enable you to transfer data ten times faster for high-speed connectivity for activities such as wired gaming.
You can connect a network printer or an eSATA or USB hard to the USB 2.0 hybrid port.
Who It’s For
The Linksys WRT3200ACM is an OpenWRT router that is easy to install, moderately priced, and offers faster speeds, better connection capability, and greater coverage.
Specs
- Speed: 3200 Mbps
- Range: Up to 3000 sq. ft
- Bands: Dual-Band
- Wireless Protocol: 11ac
- Ports: 4 Ethernet, 2 USB
- Processor: 3GHz Dual-Core Marvell Armada-385 88F6820
- RAM: 512MB
Pros
- Good coverage and device support.
- Comes with QoS and MU-MIMO.
- Fast 5GHz throughput.
- Has multiple customizations.
- No lag and buffering.
Cons
- It’s hard to buy a brand-new device these days.
Factors To Consider When Looking For The Best OpenWRT Router
OpenWRT Compatibility
Not all routers are compatible with OpenWRT so you will have to identify products, such as those reviewed in this article, that are compatible.
For a router to be compatible with OpenWRT it needs to have the system-on-a-chip (SoC/target) that is supported by OpenWRT, have a minimum of 16 MB Flash, and ideally 128 MB RAM.
Only certain network manufacturers enable their routers to access the third-party firmware, features, and customizations offered by OpenWRT, while others offer limited compatibility.
For example, products with Broadcom WiFi chipsets only have limited OpenWRT compatibility due to chipsets having limited FLOSS driver availability.
Performance
When searching for the best OpenWRT router, the device’s performance in terms of WiFi speed and coverage is crucial to maximize the benefits of the firmware.
OpenWRT is compatible with WiFi 5, WiFi 6, and WiFi 6E routers, as well as mesh systems.
WiFi 6 / 6E offers significant technological advances compared to WiFi 5 routers, working well on gigabit internet plans while having three frequency bands (additional 5 GHz for WiFi 6 and 6 GHz on WiFi 6E) enhances performance by reducing network congestion.
In terms of coverage, OpenWRT-compatible routers should cover a minimum of 2,000 sq ft to ensure the network reaches all corners of the home.
CPU & RAM
The central processing unit (CPU) of a router needs to handle various tasks such as firewall, connection tracking, VPN, and SQM.
As internet speeds have increased, the ability of a single-core CPU to handle all these activities at once has become a challenge.
OpenWRT-compatible routers should have a multi-core MIPS CPU, where one processor manages general traffic and the other manages instantaneous demands. The ideal OpenWRT routers have a minimum of 700 MHz CPU.
In terms of RAM, the higher the MB the better the stability of OpenWRT operation. 32 MB is the minimum RAM required, however, for top performance, we recommend a minimum of 128 MB RAM.
FAQs
Are All Routers Compatible With OpenWRT?
Not all routers are compatible with OpenWRT due to specific manufacturer designs that may restrict the use of third-party software.
Devices with Broadcom chipsets for example do not have the FLOSS drivers required for OpenWRT.
OpenWRT routers need a minimum of 32 MB RAM to operate OpenWRT effectively as well as having a MIPS CPU.
What Are The Benefits Of Using An OpenWRT Router
Running OpenWRT on a compatible router enables improved performance with over 27,000 packages available for installation.
These include features such as bufferbloat controls which reduce network latency and block ads to declutter the web experience.
In terms of security, OpenWRT is actively updated to provide the latest protection from cyber-attacks, and you can securely access your home network remotely using WireGuard or OpenVPN servers.
Which Is Better, OpenWRT or DD-WRT?
In terms of performance level, OpenWRT far exceeds DD-WRT as it is a more advanced firmware package with a greater range of features, a significant user community, and improved customization.
DD-WRT can be viewed somewhat as the gateway into third-party operating systems as it has fewer features but is very easy to install and operate, with the VPN configuration taking a few minutes.
How Do I Install OpenWRT On My Device?
There are four installation methods for OpenWRT. You can install via OEM firmware, via Bootloader and an Ethernet port, via Bootloader and Serial port, or via JTAG. All of which are detailed on OpenWRT’s installation page.
The simplest method to install is to use the OEM firmware (the firmware of the router).
First, open the WebUI on a web browser and then install the OpenWRT factory firmware via the ‘Firmware Upgrade’ option. Next, reboot your router and the OpenWRT firmware should be installed.
Final Words
Hopefully, this guide has helped you decide which OpenWRT router to buy for your specific needs.
If it is still difficult to decide, our recommendation is the Turris Omnia as it comes with powerful hardware that can handle gigabit traffic and you can use it as a home server, print server, or NAS.
It also has a built-in virtual server that runs any Linux distribution, even Debian or Ubuntu without risking the main system.
The WiFi 6 technology ensures that you have better performance and faster speeds on your devices.
Refer to the buying guide section for more information on the factors that you need to consider when buying an OpenWRT router.
