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:
- [x] Comparatively low price
- [x] Supports WPA3
- [x] Supported by OpenWRT
- [x] 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.
Tbh, if you’re really serious about getting customizable home infrastructure, just get (or cobble together/upcycle a thin client into) a 2-port router, a good switch (managed/unmanaged as your needs dictate), and a solid WAP.
This. My first serious network upgrade was splitting out the router/firewall, Wifi, and switching to a Ubiquiti Edgerouter Lite, 8 port Netgear managed switch, and a Ubiquiti AP Pro.
It ended up being around the price of a night hawk, but I had way better control over the firewall/NAT rules and it made future upgrades less painful as I could just target the switching vs WiFi for a change.
As a side note, nearly all wifi routers that I’ve come across can act as just a access point. My current setup is using the Orbi mesh wifi system to get a decent signal to my attic bedroom.