Hardware for low-bandwidth, two-AP home office setup?

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

I'm new to OpenWRT and trying to decide what hardware to buy. I previously posted here and received great feedback, but after doing more research I have an updated list of requirements:

  • Home office environment with typically 1-3 devices connected at once
  • Devices may be used in the office or living room, which are far apart and separated by multiple walls
  • Does not need high bandwidth (my internet plan is only 48/48 Mbps)
  • Must have decent latency (for video calls, etc.)
  • Must support 2.4GHz wifi network (there is 5GHz signal interference in my area)
  • Must support Guest Wi-Fi using LuCI
  • Devices must be fully supported by the current release (OpenWrt 23.05.5)
  • Easy one-step install is a bonus
  • Cheaper is better after the other requirements have been met

Based on these requirements, I'm considering these setups:

  1. Wifi router for the office, connected to a wifi AP in the living room
  2. Two APs in parallel: wired router with at least two LAN ports, connected to one wifi AP in the office and another wifi AP in the living room
  3. Two APs in serial: wired router with one LAN port, connected to one wifi AP in the office, which is in turn connected to another wifi AP in the living room

I've been considering some combination of these devices:

  • One of the GL.iNet devices for easy OpenWRT install process; either a travel router (e.g. GL-MT3000) or a mini router (e.g. GL-MT300N V2). I think either of these could serve as a two-in-one device (wifi AP + router) or a standalone AP?
  • One of the NanoPi routers to serve as a wired router.

Does anyone have recommendations for which of these setups might be best, or suggestions for alternative setups that would meet my needs? Along with suggestions for affordable hardware with straightforward installation of the latest OpenWRT release?

2

Except perhaps for the easy install, the recommendations in your old thread, are still valid.

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3

Do you think posting your checklist twice will make answer any different -> optimal/ideal router for base and 20$ one for extender/dumb AP.

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4

Sorry, I should have taken the time to fully digest your reply to my previous thread. I don't fully understand all of the technical terms but I will take the time to research them later. Thanks for the feedback.

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5

Basically 2nd router just bridges APs with same names into same subnet.

6

I posted a follow-up question in my previous thread. Apologies for creating two threads, I would delete this one if I had that permission.

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