Looking for a new router

"Mesh" only makes sense if you have three or more devices, where there are alternate paths. A wireless extension can be done using WDS for most Qualcomm/Atheros-based routers running current OpenWrt.

Hardwired installs are far superior to wireless, if you can run the cable. Any "repeater" setup1 at least halves your available wireless bandwidth on the "remote" station.

Edit: Oops, didn't see

Edit: If you were running more in the 500-700 Mbps range, I would have suggested the ipq40xx SoC, which I'll leave as a "budget" option. An ipq40xx-based all-in-one also would make a good AP if you upgrade to an x86_64-based router and managed switch in the future.

My recommendation would be to look at ipq40xx-based devices in that price range as your primary router and run the trustworthy, but slowly aging Archer C7v2 as the remote AP (after flashing current OpenWrt, ath79 build).

The Linksys EA6350(v3) has recently been available as low as £34 through Amazon UK and is running around US$75 through Amazon US. At the first price, it was a steal. I think it's a good value at US$75. The ZyXEL NBG6617 is no longer available in the US, but it and other options may be more available in your part of the world.

I run a "sister" of the EA6350 for most of my APs, but still have one of my five Archer C7v2 units up and running as well. The ipq40xx wireless is notably better than the older chip set in the Archer C7v2.

Edit: For 1 Gbps

If you want do do anything but just route/NAT that speed (such as "SQM", bandwidth shaping, traffic prioritization), you probably need an x86_64-based router or might be able to get away with an mvebu-based device. x86_64-based routers (dual NICs required) and a managed switch are likely above €150, and don't include wireless.



There are some good suggestions in the post below (ignore the title)

1 On the same radio, which is the case for most all-in-one, wireless routers at this time.

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