WiFi 7 router that is compatible with OpenWRT?

[Cromulent]

I've been using a TP-Link Archer AXE75 since July 2023 and have to say it works pretty well. The WiFi is stable and I never need to touch it but I need a router that supports OpenWRT and unfortunately it does not.

Since I'm looking at a new router I might as well get a WiFi 7 one as future proofing. I need it to have at least one 2.5Gb ethernet ports with the rest being at least 1Gb ethernet. WiFi signal strength is important.

Can anyone recommend one to me at all? I'd like to keep it reasonably priced if possible.

 

[Cromulent]

Would recommend splitting the router and Wi-Fi duties up if possible, you could be waiting a while for Openwrt and Wi-Fi 7

Fair point. I guess WiFi 6E would be fine as well but I'll look into separate WiFi options. Thanks!

 

[Cromulent]

If you care enough to run a decent router with custom firmware, it's only reasonable to expect you to segregate switching and wireless functions. Unifi feels like the obvious choice here, Omada perhaps, then again Deco tends to be inexpensive if you can live within it's limitations/simplicity.

My main goal is to run an OpenVPN client on the router but also having a decent firewall solution would be good.

 

[Cromulent]

GL.iNet Flint 3 might be what you want then

That looks perfect! Thank you.

 

[Cromulent]

Asus BT8 has snapshot support.

Just to confirm. Is it this one you mean?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus-zenwifi-bt8-1-pack-whole-home-tri-band-mesh-wifi-7-router-net-asu-03579.html

 

[Cromulent]

Just to confirm. Is it this one you mean?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus-zenwifi-bt8-1-pack-whole-home-tri-band-mesh-wifi-7-router-net-asu-03579.html

Before I go ahead and buy this router is there anything else I should consider first? I don't want to upgrade my router for a long time if possible so I want to make sure I'm getting the best I can get for the money.

 

[Cromulent]

I don't know specifically that much about Wifi and networking but I do know that the Wifi 7 standard hasn't been finalised and a lot of Wifi 7 stuff is provisionally labelled as Wifi 7 but may not be fully Wifi 7 in the future.

You might be better off getting a Wifi 6 unit with good MIMO specs over a wifi 7 with OK MIMO specs.

A quick and good example is the U6 Long-Range which has 4 x 4 MIMO config for both 2.4ghz and 5ghz which will throw the signal further than 2 x 2 which is the MIMO config most routers have.

you wanted OpenWRT so why not get a Wifi 6 OpenWRT router with good MIMO specs and get a good wifi 7 unit down the road once the standard has been finalised?

Just a thought.

Edit: I just looked, the UniFi 6 LR is OpenWRT compatible which I didn't know and is a good reason for me to also consider it. I was looking at a ruijie AP which is better value but is Chinese made so there is that concern with data routing and the CCP.

Thank you. They are good points. I'll have a hunt around.