Router recommendation request

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hi everyone, hoping to get some router recommendations.

Internet speed: 600Mbps advertised, 415-525 via Ookla speed test. No plans to upgrade
Wi-Fi: 6. Though I would appreciate use of 6E's 6GHz band, my devices (M1 Air and iPhone SE Gen 2) are not 6E compatible as far as I can tell. I don't plan on upgrading either anytime soon.
Gigabit Ethernet: Preferably, yes, though my speed is below 1 Gbps. Anything higher is likely unnecessary.
USB Ports: I don't plan on connecting much via USB, but if that changes, USB 3.0 or USB-C (if routers have those nowadays) would be nice
Number of people/devices: Usually just me. I have 3 devices connected on a regular basis and could see that increasing to 5, no higher.
Other services: I don't plan on running my own VPN. I would be interested in running a home server, but it may make more sense to choose a dedicated device for that down the road.
Living arrangement: I live alone in a small apartment, so no access points necessary.
Budget: <$200 ideally, but the lower the better. Aiming to minimize price while still meeting all my needs
I've been recommended the Flint and Flint 2 so far, but details are scant on why exactly these are good or why to buy the Flint 2 over the Flint given my modest needs.

Thoughts?

2

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

3

Dynalink DL-WRX36

4

.... which I don't think can be bought any more.

in EU T-56
in US ASUS TUF-AX6000
globally GL-MT6000

If OP wants something cheaper, the Cudy ??3000 devices.

1 Like
5

I might have bought the last one, seriously. Right after Amazon listed them as unavailable.

Could be on eBay, Craigslist, etc.??? I'm getting 700+ Mbs download over wifi on my 1 Gbs ISP connection, while streaming FuboTV. It was a very good upgrade for me at ~ $60 retail.

6

at $60 it def was, was a good deal at $80 too, when they released it, two years ago.

In EU, it's blown out of the water by the T-56, at 40€ + S&H.

7

Can you say a little more about the GL-MT6000, and why you might recommend for or against downgrading to the Flint 1? I think I'm settling on either of those, but the Cudy WR3000 may win out due to the price difference.

8

nothing really, but it's a safe bet, and easy to flash.
gl.inet devices are nice, but def not cheap.

if you want something cheaper, you'll have to tell us where you live.

9

Oh my bad, I should have mentioned it sooner. I'm in the US. I checked out the ASUS TUF-AX6000 you mentioned for folks in US, but on Amazon, it's more expensive than even the Flint 2, which I was already feeling was a bit pricey.

I read on Reddit that the Flint 2 goes on sale often for around $100. If that's true (is it, in your experience?), not sure whether to wait for that or not.

10

If you're in the US just spend $15 for Linksys MX4300. End of thread.

11

If you can get it at $15, also not sure it'd deliver 530mbit without using an NSS image.

12

Do you mean buying it used/refurbished?

13

w00t sells them at $15-20, from time to time.

14

Ah, I see, thanks. Now I'm stuck between waiting for the sale or buying now expecting tariffs to increase the price of things, but I suppose that's a personal consideration. Either of the Flint models or the Linksys MX4300 should do for me so I will probably end up with one of those.