Best OpenWrt/LEDE Routers (Jan 2017)

The problem with modern wireless routers that they’re built for end-users, who have minimal or no technical experience and knowledge. For advanced users and geeks like us, we like to tweak things, use one device to its maximum capacity. OpenWRT, DDWRT and LEDE are firmwares for that reason. OpenWRT (and DDWRT, but from now on, I’ll just say OpenWRT) is a Linux distribution, aimed to embed devices, especially the routers or network devices. By installing OpenWRT, you unlock the whole world of possibility: better performance, better signal power, more advanced features (such as VPN server/client; QOS; BitTorrent client; web server; Mingle server; etc.), guest network, monitoring / logging.

Device Specifications

• CPU: 1.3GHz Dual Core
• Flash: 128 MB
• RAM: 512 MB
• SOHO-grade 5-port Ethernet switch
• 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 1 Gigabit WAN port
• Ports:
  • 1 x eSATA/USB 2.0 port
  • 1 x USB 3.0 port
• Antennas: 2 x Detachable

It’s not so surprise for the runner up for the position of Best OpenWRT Router: Linksys WRT AC1200. Even though Linksys WRT AC1200 is not as powerful as the AC3200, but it’s enough for most users.

The Linksys WRT AC1200 comes with a typical Linksys routers’ appearance: black and blue box, so there’s not much to talk about.

Although the WRT AC1200 doesn’t have whistles and bells like the WRT AC3200, but it’s definitely a good router.

Hardware

The most regconizable feature of the Linksys WRT AC1200 is that it comes with 2 detachable antennas. The Linksys WRT AC1200 packs with a dual core CPU clocked at 1.3 Ghz, and it’s plenty powerful compare to most routers on the market. Like many other Linksys routers, this router comes with 512 MB RAM and 128 MB flash. Again, I’ve never utilize completely 512 MB RAM at any given time, so that’s a lot to use. For advanced users, 128 MB flash won’t be enough, but remember, you can always use external storage with the two USB ports at the back of this router.

The Linksys WRT AC1200 can operate at dual band mode 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz to provide the best performance, cause in this day and time, the space is jam with wifi signals.

Software

Just like the Linksys WRT AC3200, the AC1200 shares many features such as Web setup wizards, Parental Controls, Dynamic DNS, Content Filtering.

OpenWRT compatible

Linksys WRT AC3200 is one of the routers that has the highest compatibility with OpenWRT firmware at the moment. Installing the OpenWRT firmware is as easy as pie: download firmware from OpenWRT website, install via web interface, wait, and profit.

Resources

OpenWRT Techdata: https://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/hwdata/linksys/linksys_wrt1200ac

Device Specifications

• CPU: Marvell 88F6820-A0 C180 @1.8GHz Dual Core
• Flash: 256 MB
• RAM: 512 MB DDR3
• SOHO-grade 5-port Ethernet switch
• 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 1 Gigabit WAN port
• Ports:
  • 1 x eSATA/USB 2.0 port
  • 1 x USB 3.0 port
• Antennas: 4 x Detachable

Due to no official support from the OpenWRT or LEDE project and enthusiastic supporters are still struggle to make OpenWRT compartible for Linksys WRT AC3200. Until there is stable firmware, official or unofficial, we will remove Linksys WRT AC3200 from the list of best routers for OpenWRT / LEDE.

It’s no doubt that the title of Best OpenWRT Router would belonged to a Linksys router, and above of all, the Linksys WRT AC3200 stands out the most. The very first brick of the OpenWRT Project was placed by Linksys, when they built firmwares for their routers based on opensource softwares. Since then, Linksys’s routers have the best compatibility to the OpenWRT firmwares.

Let’s take a look at the appearance, Linksys WRT AC3200 goes with the classic router’s look: a horizontal box with antennas. Some people may prefer routers with attractive looks, but not me. I want to hide my router somewhere no-one can ever find it, I want my router to operate in the back for days without any problem. Linksys WRT AC3200 is absolutely the beast for all my needs.

My house is about 1300 square feet, I placed the Linksys WRT AC3200 in my electrical closet on the first floor. And to my surprise, the Linksys WRT AC3200 can cover the house with Wifi signal without any problems.

Hardware

The heart of Linksys WRT AC3200 is a dual core CPU clocked at 1.8GHz with 512MB DDR3 RAM and 256MB flash. Now, that’s a beast for a router, and remember, you can always plug external storage to this router. With the powerful CPU and plenty of RAM, the Linksys WRT AC3200 is able to handle dual band of frequencies: 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. This is one important feature because our space is getting more and more kind of radio signal that might interrupt our wifi.

Furthermore, with a geek like me, 512MB RAM is more than enough to run several programs on this router with the OpenWRT. And honestly I’ve never used more than half of the RAM at any given time.

Linksys WRT AC3200 is equipped with the Tri-Stream 160 Boost Bandwidth technology, with the ideal condition, Linksys WRT AC3200 can transfer up to 2.6Gbps wirelessly. Another great feature of Linksys WRT AC3200 is the MU-MIMO (or Multiple Users – Multiple Inputs Multiple Outputs), allowing to transfer data to multiple devices at the same time, at the maximum speed.

It’s known that typical American citizen own 4 devices that have the ability to connect to Internet. My family have 6 members, and we have 40 Internet devices at our home, and Linksys WRT AC3200 haven’t let us down a single time.

Now, let’s talk about connectivity. The router has one Gigabit WAN port to connecting to your modem, and 4 Gigabit LAN ports to your local network. Linksys WRT AC3200 also comes with a USB 3.0 Type A port, you can plug external storage or a printer; and a USB/e-SATA for your external storage. We also have a Reset button, a 12 V DC port and a On/Off Switch on the back. There are nothing except antennas on the side, and only light indicators on the front.

Software

If you use the original firmware, you’ll be able to access plenty of end-user features: Web setup wizards, Parental Controls, Dynamic DNS, Content Filtering, etc. Linksys even went the extra miles to create a Smart-Wifi app to allow you control and monitors your network from anywhere in the world (as long as you and your router have Internet connection).

OpenWRT compatible

Although there’s no official firmware for the Linksys WRT AC3200 at the moment, because the router is fairly new (first available at September 10th, 2016), but the router will be officially supported in few months time. At the moment, we can use unofficial firmwares (firmwares that are built from stable and developement branches, and are maintained by third parties). To the time of writing this article, I find that the Mildly Customized Chaos Calmer [CC] Build by kaloz is the most stable firmware.

Resources

OpenWRT: https://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/linksys/wrt_ac_series

LEDE supported devices: https://lede-project.org/toh/views/toh_available_864

Device Specifications

• CPU: 1.7 GHz Dual Core
• Flash: 128 MB
• RAM: 512 MB
• SOHO-grade 5-port Ethernet switch
• 4 Gigabit LAN ports, 1 Gigabit WAN port
• Ports:
  • 1 x USB 2.0 port
  • 1 x USB 3.0 port
• Antennas: 4 x Detachable

ZyXEL Armor Z2 AC2600 is the kind of router that will catch your eyes on the first time: it has a metal look design and appearance gets the ideas from cars and robots.

Hardware

ZyXEL Armor Z2 AC2600 comes with a powerful CPU clocked at 1.7 Ghz dual core and 512 MB of RAM. One powerful horse for a wireless router. Four non-detachable antennas on the sides and back. You will find 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 1 Gigabit WAN port on the back of this router.

ZyXEL Armor Z2 AC2600 features MU-MIMO for maximum performance and Beamforming technology to focus its signal.

Software

ZyXEL Armor Z2 AC2600 has one of the best Web UI that I’ve ever seen. The most useful feature on the ZyXEL Armor Z2 AC2600 is the ability to monitor bandwidth on each device. The Setup Wizard is very intuitive, and it took me just few minutes to get the router ready to use.

LEDE compatible

ZyXEL Armor Z2 AC2600 is supported by the latest LEDE firmware. If you’re not familiar with LEDE, this firmware is based on OpenWRT as the OpenWRT project is having some internal problems.

Resources

LEDE techdata (with firmware link): https://lede-project.org/toh/hwdata/zyxel/zyxel_nbg6817

All the tests we performed in this article is for reference, as they’re not scientific, not performed by experts in this field. Please read those numbers with a grain of salt.

We placed the routers at 5 locations:

• Indoor 1: right next to router
• Indoor 2: 20 feets away from router with a thin wooden wall in between
• Indoor 3: 40 feets away from router with a cement wall
• Outdoor 1: 60 feets away from router
• Outdoor 2: 75 feets away from router behind a tree

Then we proceed to copy a large files between router and a laptop and measure the average speed.

We’re expecting to update this article monthly, and all the routers in this article are quite new as they were manufactured in 2016, so I don’t think there will much changes in 2018.

It’s no doubt that the Linksys WRT AC3200 is the best OpenWRT Wireless Router with many advanced technologies and the powerful and stable signal. But the 2 other contenders are very good, too. Buying which routers depends on your budget and personal reference.

If you think we miss any good candidate for the position of Best OpenWRT Routers, please kindly let us know.