Best Router device for openwrt 2025
Best Router device for openwrt 2025
Best Router device for openwrt 2025
I am completely new to OpenWRT/Pi-hole and need a recommendation for a device that could run OpenWRT/Pi-hole on it to replace my current router. I'm not even sure if I used the correct wording in this sentence, lol.
I have checked:
- https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/9xkk75w3
- https://openwrt.org/supported_devices
- https://reddit.com/r/openwrt/comments/1e3t29i/whats_your_favourite_openwrt_router_which_would/
- https://openwrt.org/docs/techref/hardware/list
- https://openwrt.org/toh/recommended_routers
I need recommendations for devices to get some hands-on experience. And please explain the advantages of the devices you recommend a bit. There are indeed a lot of options listed on the internet, but not enough reasons are provided.
- I need Pi-hole because I want local DNS, but I guess OpenWRT could do the job as well.
- My current router does not support changing the DNS server.
- I need a simple substitute.
- I need good performance because it might need to connect to about 15 devices (though I have no idea what good performance means in terms of a router).
- So I guess a device with at least 256MB of RAM is needed.
- No limitation on price as long as it is not excessively expensive.
Users should consider multi-core, ARM-based (or x8664/AMD64) devices for mid-range and higher applications. (From https://openwrt.org/toh/recommended/_routers)
Thanks for your help in advance!
I bought an used Netgear Nighthawk X4S R7800 off Ebay for around $50 and it works well. Despite its age it's currently running Wireguard, Adguard and Dynamic DNS and it loafs along at below 1% CPU usage most of the time. I have about 30 devices connected locally and another 10 through WG.
If I were to buy new, the GL.iNet Flint 2 ($160) would be at the top of my list.
thank you! I will look into that!
If you get a Gl.inet router be aware that you can reflash the firmware with one based on the mainline OpenWRT kernel or also completely get rid of the gl.inet stuff and run straight OpenWRT. The flint 2 is a really nice router that has Adguard Home (PiHole competitor and arguably better) integrated for ease of use.