PS I ended up getting this different router and wrote a guide for installing to it.
Now, despite the GL.iNet being a non-stock/not-vanilla OpenWRT by default (having proprietary elements), it is still perhaps easier than other options, since it allows easier flashing of stock openWRT, meaning you can buy it and quickly install OpenWRT. And there is someone working on official support for the Flint gl-ax1800 (a nice option).
That routers official support is waiting to be added, see here.
But for now you can also search GL.inet brand in the Table of Hardware for other model options.
But in terms of "easiest/fastest", I don't know of any pure/vanilla openWRT options to purchase ready made, until openWRT release their own. Only other things I've seen:
1.LinkSys seems to offer some openWRT router options: https://youtu.be/wbQigr3RRJo
- I discovered https://privaterouter.com/ from this video searched (not a very trustworthy YT channel BTW), which seems to be a custom build of OpenWRT with Docker integration.
- But I don't know whether it's trustworthy
- A potential red flag is that it's made by a VPN company
What are your thoughts on it?