What's your favourite cheap OpenWrt device 2018? (topic for testing)

#1

Please mind that this topic is only for testing the implementation of an user editable recommendation list in this forum. It is not meant to be an actual live topic and you shouldn't use it as such.

This page is "wiki", i.e. every logged in user can edit it.

Criteria for adding devices to this list

  • Must be supported by OpenWrt
  • Must be cheap, i.e. cost less than $50 / €50
  • Must be available somewhere for purchasing

How to add

  • Sort in your model alphabetically.
  • Add your favourite device (model), the reasons why you favour it over other devices and the price to the table.
  • If available, link the model to the respective devicepage at openwrt.org.
  • Please keep the reason text as short as possible in order to keep the table compact and easily readable.

Favourite cheap devices

Model is my favourite because... Price
$yourmodel $your_reason_for_favouring_this_device 777,-¥
Archer C7 v2/v4 16MB ROM, 128MB RAM, ar71xx / MIPS, 3x3:3 2.4/5GHz bgn+ac closed source Qualcomm WiFi, decent WAN->LAN throughput (300 Mbps), 2x USB 2.0 $30-40 (used)
Cisco Meraki MX60/MX60W Low-power CPU w/TCP and encryption acceleration, 512MB RAM/1GB Flash, NAT throughput ~600Mbps, MX60W has miniPCIe slot ~$20-40 (w/expired OEM license)
DIR-505 small formfactor, directly pluggable into wall outlet, 8MB ROM, 64MB RAM, fully opensource ath9k based 150Mbit 2,4ghz wifi 10-20,-€ (used)
DIR-860l rev B1 routes at gigabit speeds, most opensource WiFi AC driver (MT76), cheap, plenty of flash & RAM. B1 rev may be hard to find. 80,-€
GL.inet ar750 small, AC & BGN radios, 16/128MB, microSD slot, microUSB power, vendor-installed with openWRT (albeit hidden behind simple web page) £42, ~$40?
Netgear WNR2200 8MB ROM, 64MB RAM, USB, fully opensource ath9k based 300Mbit 2,4ghz wifi 1-10€ (used)
Netgear WNDR 3700v4 128 MB ROM, 128 MB RAM, USB, 5 ethernet 1 gigabit ports, opensource ath9k, Dual band 2.4 GHZ + 5 GHZ wifi simultaniously 15-25$ (used)
TL-MR3020 Rev. 1.x small formfactor, low power consumption, fully opensource ath9k based 150Mbit 2,4ghz wifi 5-15€ (used)
TL-WR902AC small formfactor, low power consumption, v1 uses Atheros, v3 has Non-Free wifi (requires closed source to work) 50$
Western Digital My Net N750 Dual band, 128MB RAM/16MB Flash ~$20 (new)
x86 PC robust support, few hardware issues, unbrickable, routes and shapes a full gigabit + can provide additional services / containers / etc $50 to $5000 depending on config
Xiaomi Mi Router 3G Cheap and very powerful, essentially the same hardware as DIR-860L B1 but easier to find, usually ships from China 50,-€
ZBT-WE826 16MB ROM, 128MB RAM, Non-Free Mediatek wifi (requires closed source to work) 25$
NEXX WT3020 8MB ROM, 64MB RAM, smallest formfactor, 5V1A, N, lots of mods possible, completely open source 15-20$
GL.inet GL-AR300M-Lite 16MB ROM, 128MB RAM, small formfactor, 5V1A, AC ≤ 20$
8 Likes
What's your favourite cheap LEDE/OpenWrt device?
Cheap OpenWrt hardware to move first steps with OpenWrt
Residential Gateway Using 240.0.0.0/4 NetBlock
Residential Gateway Using 240.0.0.0/4 NetBlock
#2

Cool idea. I've just added the first device :slight_smile:

#3

Added one via mobile interface. Not too bad. Cool idea/feature.

Are edits traceable? Roll back or history etc? Just in case someone accidentally (or intentionally) ruined it?
Is it possible to set a certain trust level restriction on edits?

#4

grafik

Yes.

#5

I would recommend:

  1. Netgear WNDR 4700 and you can add a SATA drive inside it. or even an SSD . Has Simultaneous Dual Band (two Radio). About 60-90 bucks on ebay. 1 Ghz CPU, 256MB RAM, and 128MB of NAND. You can even run a LAMP server inside your home along with a DLNA.

  2. Netgear R6100 and you get 128MB RAM / 128MB Flash and two radio on wifi. On Ebay for about $20-40 bucks.

Have installed OpenWRT on these myself and absolutely loved the performance under a home setup.

1 Like
#6

I strongly recommend AGAINST WNDR4700 unless your router is in an isolated closet with soundproofing on the door or you're willing to do extensive physical modifications to replace it with a 120mm fan. Despite all the otherwise nice hardware, the fan on that thing is atrocious, and there's really not much better to replace it with without modifications, because at that fan size quiet means useless.

Funny that WRT1900ACS is on that list. I have one, but I wouldn't call it cheap :stuck_out_tongue:

#7

Please mind that this topic is only for testing the implementation of an user editable recommendation list in this forum. It is not meant to be an actual live topic and you shouldn't use it as such.

#8

Petteyg: The original Netgear firmware may not have spindown on HDD and in addition some of those machines may have had noisy fans. That may be the reason for all this reputation. The one I have is not noisy. And OpenWRT is Linux 4.4 with pretty mature hadd smartctrl and fan control.

Finally, this is about testing. Even though I would not hesitate installing in live settings too.

#9

The WNDR4700 DONT have to run with fan. The build in fan was planned for a hot 3,5" HDD. If you take a modern, low power ssd, then you dont need a fan. Also without any hdd/ssd you dont need a fan connected.

The WNDR4700 is great, fully free usable wifi router. It have ath9k based wifi (not that ath10k crap or other closed source wifi).
BTW: If you have such a device, please care good about that. There are not much of those devices existing on this planet.

#10

My vote for ZBT-826. Reliable, and cheap for the ample resources offered.
Also good as OEM-device, in case of volume orders.

#11

I vote against ZBT-826. It does not matter that it have that much of memory, when it have such a terrible Mediatek wifi device that cant run fully on free software.
I cant recommend any non ath9k based wifi device.

#12

Please use What's your favourite cheap LEDE/OpenWrt device? for discussions of specific devices and your opinions on them.

#13

I added some section headlines to post #1 for better structure.

Any other comments before we go live with this list?

#14

Perhaps limit the price to $30 / €30 for new devices and $15 / €15 for used devices ? 50 feels mainstream to me.

#15

Used devices, at least in San Francisco don't go for any less than $20, unless they're a complete piece of junk. $20 will barely buy lunch out. Anything below that many people now find easier to pitch in the trash.

I don't see why there should be a distinction between the new and used. It's around getting functionality for the amount paid.

Judging from the results Amazon returns on a search for "wifi router", "mainstream" is US$50-90. "Cheap" also should be contrasted with the enthusiast category, which is running close to US$200 at this time.

40-50 USD/EUR seems a reasonable cutoff, allowing not just the no-name imported devices, but also low-end/used devices from better-known manufacturers.

As long as there are price indications there of some sort (maybe two or three bands), I think it would be more helpful to have a somewhat broader range. I'd rather spend another $10-20 over the cheapest, barely functional, slow, imported by slow boat, to get a device that will be a lot easier to install and manage, provides 802.11ac, and isn't going to be obsoleted by the memory requirements in a year or two.

#16

In europe people also sell devices for 50cents, 1euro and so on. You can choose between different devices.

PLEASE dont put fulls working ath9k based wifi devices in the trash. Put this WLAN-AC closed-source crap in the trash if you like until someone have finally released a WLAN-AC device/driver that can run without closed-source software.

and btw: This is still a "topic for testing" and not for real discussion so far i understood

1 Like
split this topic #17

A post was merged into an existing topic: Is anybody working on linux 4.14 for ar71xx platform? Porting guide to ath79?

#19

This does not getting to ath79 however, what will be alternatives? Thanks!

#20

You have already a topic regarding replacement of DIR-505. Please stick to the already existing topic.