Future-proof router advice in EU

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

I've recently bought a TP-Link Archer AX23 (without too much investigation beforehand). I was pointed out that this device isn't that future-proof. And since I'm also looking for a new switch/AP I've decided to use the AX23 for that. So I'm looking for a new router.

To answer the usual questions:

  • ISP connection: 400 Mbit up and down
  • Wi-Fi needs: both 2.4GHz and 5GHz
  • need for Gigabit Ethernet: yep. Working with a NAS and video files
  • need for USB ports: nope
  • Family members/devices: There are 5 of us. All with a phone, we have 3 laptops and 2 TVs that use streaming (1 is wired via ethernet). And a bunch (about 30) other (mainly IoT) devices (printers, smart home stuff) Heaviest simultaneous usage is probably 2 laptops with video calls and a TV playing. Have 3 VLans atm.
  • What other services do you want? I plan to upgrade my NAS to a Synology ds423+ and will probably run some containers on it (Home Assistant, Media server, file server, perhaps more). Planning to run a VPN so I can access my home network from the outside (could host that on the NAS though)
  • where the fiber internet enters the house I need to plug in 4 ethernet cables (besides the WAN): 1 for my NAS, 1 for an IoT-device and 2 for ethernet cables to a TV and an AP that's located on the 3d floor.
  • We live in a 3 stories high brick house / concrete floors in the Netherlands
  • Price range: about 150

I'm not an OpenWRT newbie and know how SSH/putty works. I don't mind (and sometimes like) tweaking settings, but if possible I like to prevent spending time to debrick a device.

I've been looking for a device that has:

  • a WAN and at least 4 x 1Gb ethernet ports
  • wifi 6 capable
  • total wi-fi capacity of at least 2.9 Gbit
  • flash: at least 32 MB
  • memory/storage: at least 256 RAM

There's this Dutch website called Tweakers that lists and compares almost all gear that is for sale in the Netherlands. Here's a link to a page that uses the aforementioned criteria, plus is cheaper then 160 EUR (here's the Google Translated version)

I started to check all the currently available devices in the OpenWRT ToH. Only the following models were listed:

  • GL.iNet GL-MT6000 (flint 2) (EUR 160, equals about 160 USD atm)
  • asus tuf gaming ax6000 (EUR 155)
  • asus tuf gaming ax4200 (mo3100) (EUR 115)
  • cudy wr3000s ax3000 (EUR 60) (page on the ToH doesn't exist yet, but install procedure was mentioned here in the Newcomer 2025 topic)

Perhaps models on Amazon aren't listed on the page I mentioned. Feel free to add a model to the shortlist, as long as it comes with an EU plug.

Any thoughts?
The Cudy does stand out with its price...

2

Edit: Recent routers might come with secure boot enabled, and might not be easily flashable! Check the support thread for up-to-date info.

Since you're in NL:

or get one, or a few for that price (and send one to me :sweat_smile:), on Marktplaats. It has an involved flashing procedure though.

Otherwise, I'd got for MT6000 as it's flashable out of the box.

3

If you want future proof then split out the functions. Relying on an 'all in one' box is not the way to go.

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4

I have 2 T56's already flashed with OpenWrt listed on marktplaats. Should meet al your requirements and is cheaper than all the routers on your list.

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5

T-56, any day of the week.

Yes, flashing is a bit complicated, but it'll still only take you 5 mins, once you have serial hooked up.

6

https://openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi

Aim for "filogic" mt79xx , they happen to have 2.5gbe ports to future proof em.

Ive got this long ago at much higher price
https://www.bol.com/be/nl/p/asus-tuf-ax4200-gaming-router-aimesh-dual-band-zwart/9300000126639954/
note no 2.5gbps lan, probably smth else is more futureproof.

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7

If you are a daredevil with some extra cash you could go with the Asus Zenwifi BT8.

Its a (brand new and therefor expensive) Triband Wifi7 router that does not even have OpenWRT support.

However, since at least one OpenWRT developer have one working and says that support is on its way - it sounds very future-proof, and it is available all over Europe.

8

Future proof is like supported, maybe, in 2 years? In EU it is like since yesterday.

9

GL.iNet Flint 2 (MT-6000) is an wifi6 router with 2x2.5g ethernet (wan + 1 lan) and 4x1g ethernet.

It has 1 GB RAM and 8 GB eMMC. Very easy to flash. Runs SQM for my 500/500 connection perfectly. WiFi has been solid for me (though I live in an apartment). I would strongly recommend it, if you have the budget for it.

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10

It's also 3.5x more expensive than the T-56, but you get an 8GB eMMC for that extra cash.

11

I bought it on black Friday sale, so it wasn't that bad (I think it was 25% off? Can't quite remember). Also the T-56 seems to be ISP specific. I can only find things in Dutch (and the OpenWRT page). Doesn't seem to be available in the rest of the EU (I'm in Sweden).

It is supposedly a rebranded Zyxel ex5601, but I can't find that for sale either?

12

It's only that if you get it in NL used/BNIB without warranty. I'm trying to buy one from NL and it's probably going to be less than 2x with shipping. And that's excluding the flashing hassle. I'm still probably getting it (if shipping works out), but it's definitely not a blanket recommendation, if you're outside NL and don't have the tech skills to reflash it. Whereas I can get a retail with warranty MT6000 within days and flash it out of the box through a web UI. So it depends on what you value more.

Summary

I sometimes feel like @frollic works either for Odido/T-Mobile or Zyxel :sweat_smile:

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13

The seller ships to SE, if you ask them.
You could also PM @Anteus, they were interested in getting one shipped to SE too.

You were gonna reflash it anyway ?
For the price of one MT6000 you get three T-56s, if you're worried, buy two, for redundcy, it's still cheaper.

I wish I did, or at least had percentage on the sales :expressionless:

I just feel the GL-MT6000 is seriously overpriced, in comparison, and people don't seem to mind, at all.

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14

Plus, MT-6000 will cost $335 ($210 device/shipping + %60 import tax) in Turkey

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15

Thread says EU, so that's kind of irrelevant :wink:

60% is f-ing steep though.

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16

I don't disagree. Some local stores are selling it for €250+ :dizzy_face: Not as bad as Turkey, I guess.
Again, I still think it's a good choice if you want something working out of the box with OpenWrt support. And I don't see all that many modern alternatives sold in retail in EU.

17

I'm avoiding them, not only because of their pricing, but also because they claim (or claimed) their devices ship with Openwrt OOTB.

18

I just got two T-56 from wifilinks shipped to Sweden. Shipping cost was €27,50

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19

Hi.
Just bought it a few days ago for 50€ (42€ on amazon.es).
I have created the TOH and wiki pages. Installation is easy.

The WR3000H is even better, it's already supported in snapshot and should be in 24.10 (not .0)

20

Kind of. Yes it is a modified old OpenWRT (21.x I think?), it has a custom gui, but you can also go to advanced and get to luci. You can get access via ssh etc as well of course, and the normal UCI tools. I do believe they patched the kernel though with some mediatek sdk, unfortunately.

Switching to a modern stock openwrt is just a sysupgrade away, and that is really nice. I did this after clicking around (out of curiosity) in the default gui for a couple of minutes. I recommend everyone who gets one does this.

It is expensive though, not going to disagree there. Especially if it isn't on sale (which it seems to be quite frequently). Likely to be on sale more often as the Flint 3 comes out. Which looks like it will not be mediatek unfortunately, and thus not a nice device for stock openwrt.