I’m looking to buy a router for home use, on which I plan to install OpenWRT. After some research, I have come across the TP-LINK Archer AX23, which checks all of the boxes I have:
Comparatively low price
Supports WPA3
Supported by OpenWRT
Has at least three LAN ports
However, before I and my dad go and buy one, it has to pass the final test: the forums.
Has anyone used this router before? What was your experience? Can I do better, or have I found the best router ever made? Please share your thoughts.
I’m not familiar with the TP-LINK Archer AX23, but given it checks all of your boxes, it seems pretty good.
In case you’re still considering other routers, you might want to look at GL.iNet. I’ve heard good things about them and most of their routers check your boxes too.
I actually did have a look at GL.iNet, and I quite like the Flint (the Velica didn’t have enough LAN ports), but it’s a bit pricier so I’ll probably only go for it if there’s some big problem with the Archer.
Sometimes, just because a router has openWRT doesn’t really mean it’s able to handle a bunch of modules with it. For example, the archer C6 does support openWRT but I wasn’t able to properly add DNS blocklists or DoH.
First thing to ask yourself: what do you want to use it for? If you want to self host some ad blocking such as AdGuardHome or Pihole, and specially if you want to put a VPN in it, you might need some more horsepower.
For example, Compare - GL.iNet brings you the max speed each device is able to deliver with openvpn/wireguard. No other manufacturers will get you this information, but in openwrt specific fora people will have firs-hand experience.
Knowing about nothing of router hardware, it says here that it has a dual-core cpu running at 880MHz. The GL-A1300 from the GL.iNet link is a 717MHz quad-core and delivers 190mbps on wireguard. So I’m guessing the ax23 doesn’t have the juice to run a VPN unless you have a connection no faster than ~100mbps.
