Which all-in-one router (i.e. a modem, router and access point all in one) do you recommend? Or what is the highest spec one?
Do you intend to use OpenWRT?
Highest spec would be carrier grade xeon or epyc, rack mountable, 90dB noise, 50kg/100lb weight, dozens of connectivity ports.
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You realize that there are at least half a dozen totally different types of 'modems'?
(POTS/ V92.bis, VDSL, DOCSIS/ cable, 4g/ 5g, 'ftth' (ONT), …)
If we're in the market for anachronistic connection schemes, how about ADSL, T1/E1, SHDSL, SONET/SDH? Not to mention asynchronous/synchronous serial? =P If they just want a modem, they obviously want 300 baud acoustic coupled modem. /sarcasm
I can only speak for the "Australian" context.
Depends on your location whether you can get a "certified" "modem" of the correct technology in your location that will actually run Openwrt. Can't just go importing for example a VDSL modem from overseas. Similarly with 4G/5G some home broadband SIM's are locked to the vendor/carrier provided equipment. So then you're in hopefully put it in bridge mode territory.
I recommend buying something that you can easily replace in the future. So DSA on the switching is in. Similarly needs good upstream support. So mt76? Other than that depends on budget, power, noise, form factor.
As per brada4, carrier grade/"edge" computing server with add in cards. Think SE450 edge server, hpe edgeline etc.
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Forgot to add that, oops.
ADSL / VDSL2.
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What's the location / intended carrier? VDSL2 has band plan / band profiles? Plus whether you care about getting something actually certified for your regulatory domain....
Do you intend to use OpenWRT?
Yes
UK. My broadband provider is BT.
Didn't know about needing to be certified...
Ah. Just talking about being cautious in general about importing foreign RF equipment. You preferably want something designed for your carrier, or your carrier will support on the phone in case of sync issues?
Hence my recommendation would be get something that is sold in your country and/or provided by your carrier even if it doesn't support openwrt and then put it in bridge mode.
But I can't speak for the UK so I have no idea if there are any VDSL2 modems that support openwrt for you =(
I only have a local, Australian example:
A number of people got away with it by importing foreign VDSL2 modems for example in Australia. Then the carrier (NBN) changed their band plan / band profile and minimum feature level changed for the VDSL2 modems. Which means a foreign VDSL2 modem which used to work doesn't. And similarly an older VDSL2 modem which didn't have a firmware upgrade available no longer worked with the carrier.
Only personal example I have is with cisco VDSL2 modems for the Australian market.
Edit:
no idea, but this is something random I found when googling vdsl compatibility band profile band plan, allnet.de?
https://www.allnet.de/ftp-downloads/allnet/vdsl/Band_Plan_and_Band_Profile_Compatibility_Test.pdf
There is one from BT which is supported. I guess I was wondering if there's one you recommend over this (e.g. faster speeds), or do you think this one makes more sense.
500MHz Mips34Kc isn't exactly "highest spec" =P Nor is 128MiB ram =P
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That's what I thought... 
So will this thing edit: (your existing modem) sync and work in bridge mode at your line rate, and you just need faster routing / wifi / more cpu / more ram etc?
If this already supports openwrt, and can bridge / sync at your max speed, only reason I can see to not bridge and just use it as a modem and get another router / wifi AP is power consumption / form factor/ "because I can".
edit:
If you don't have the linked modem already, what would you be missign out on if you bridged your existing modem? Line stats so you can easily log them?
My existing all-in-one modem/router is BT Smart Hub 2 (Home Version) which can't bridge at all. (Business version can bridge though)
I thought it would be a nice-to-have to replace with another all-in-one modem/router supported by OpenWrt for power consumption considerations. But if my needs/performance are better served with, say, getting the Business version of the one I currently have, put in bridge mode, and then get a dedicated OpenWrt-supported router, I can definitely do that.
Awesome. Thanks for clarifying. I'd have to leave it to others to recommend VDSL2 modems that are compatible with BT.
Again no experience with BT.
But I think next is what your sync rate / data rate from ISP?
edit: I think that modem supports g.fast?
Going back to speaking about routers / wifi.
If you want "best all in one" (i.e. with wifi) IMO you're talking MT76 platform. filogic target.
I would go for a separate switch + router + WAP + bridged modem setup. As although that multiplies out the number of separate configurations. It minimises churn if you want faster switching, faster router, faster wap and/or change internet access technology.
So, noise / power consumption / budget / form factor/ performance requirements?
e.g Spain replaces DSL with PON in cities, i'd say you can get some second hand routers for 1€ + shipping or buy couple when on vacation.
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BT Fibre 2
Normal download: 36-40 Mbps.
Normal upload: 5-6 Mbps.
Minimum guaranteed download: 33 Mbps.
So basically any VDSL2 modem can do that over bridge mode?
IMO cheapest in my area which can do SNMP + vdsl bridge is cisco gear.
edit: but in terms of recommendations, anything that you can get root shell on is going to be fine to get easy line stats if you ever want to log them.
but yeah I guess cheapest BT VDSL2 modem or compatible that can do bridge mode?
We're now in terms of internal networking performance and any applications you want to run.
In terms of routing, almost anything can do SQM @ 50Mbps?
What other applications do you need?
How fast do you need your wifi?
How fast do you need to switch for internal wired clients?
Budget I suppose is less of a concern(?)
Performance - anything that can at least match what I currently have. If I can do more, why not?
Certainly yes to noise, power consumption and form factor.
Then openwrt one + vdsl bridge? =P
There's lots of recommendations for gl.inet GL-MT6000?