Cheap easy-to-flash WiFi 6 AX Router

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

There's already a pretty long list of OpenWRT-supported WiFi 6 (AX) routers with a fairly detailed listing of their specs. However, missing from the table is the flashing method to be used with each particular router.

I'm looking for a cheap (below $50) WiFi 6 router that can be flashed with OpenWRT without the use of a hardware hack (e.g. opening the case) or a software exploit (e.g. kernel or web UI bugs as these can be patched and rendered inoperative).

This effectively rules out the Xiaomi routers as all of them AFAICT appear to be locked down. I'd prefer a method similar to the GL.inet routers which allow the flashing of third party firmware from the web UI.

However, I'm also okay with the use of command-line tools like ssh and mtd-utils, but only for routers that officially provide access to such tools.

2

Over your price point but this pretty well covers the above. OpenWrt One - celebrating 20 years of OpenWrt and https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one

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3

I just looking for a cheap AX device as a backup for my ASUS RT-53U (which I'm planning to upgrade to DSA) and to test the cheap AX USB adapters I bought (if it actually works as AX). So the One is nice but over-spec. Maybe when the price goes down I'd buy one.

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4

Cudy AX devices ? They need to be flashed twice, via the webui.

5

You can also buy the Linksys MX4300 cheaply. Installation from webui.

6

Good advice, it was on sale at w00t for $17 a couple of hours ago, OOS now.

7

Asus Ax53U, very easily flashable.

8

Where do you buy that?
Ok I checked, but its 90$, yet i can buy an 2Ghz quad core cpu routers, around 95$ or so. It needs better CPU specs. 1GB ram is sure nice, but very niche. Can you even run openwrt on RAM like alpine?

9

Not sure where you can buy that cheaply. But it costs at least $100 at AliExpress. Actually I'm not even sure where you can buy that model. I could only find the MX4200.

10

You quoted in USD, assumption was you were in US.
That device can only be bought (cheap) in US.

11

This doesn't seem to be a popular brand. The only model I can find is Wifi 5/AC.

12

How are we supposed to know what's '"popular" where you live ?

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13

That's actually the top result of my casual research. And might be the one I'll buy if nobody can suggest anything else. My main problem with the router is that Asus makes the ugliest looking routers around. At least when you compare them with the designs produced by the big Chinese and American companies (e.g. Xiaomi, Huawei, Linksys).

14

AliExpress? That should be the default for buying cheap gadgets. :grinning:

15

For me it wouldn't be, when the T-56 is 40€.

16

To be more specific, I'm looking for something that costs about the same price or less than the Asus AX53U, preferably manufactured by one of the bigger tech companies. Bigger in the sense that you can read up on the company in Wikipedia.

17

tp-link archer ax23 - less than 50$ here (in Romania)

18

Some random models (no clue if these are affordable in your unknown country)

Dynalink DL-WRX36
D-Link AQUILA PRO AI M30
ASUS RT-AX59U

19

Does doesn't tell us anything, since we don't know what it costs where you live.
You also incorrectly assume it's equally priced all over the world.

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20

This is also very good and very powerful too. Somewhat cheap too. Also small.