Find the right hardware for OpenWrt
Compare routers, check OpenWrt compatibility and find the best hardware for your network.
25 routers tracked · OpenWrt data last synchronised Oct 21, 2026 · How we evaluate hardware
Featured routers
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Wi-Fi 6 · 1 GB RAM · 2.5 GbE · ~$159
The easy pick for a main OpenWrt router: fast quad-core CPU, 1 GB RAM, two 2.5 GbE ports and painless installation.
Wi-Fi 6 · 512 MB RAM · 2.5 GbE · ~$89
Pocket-sized travel router with a 2.5 GbE port, 512 MB RAM and the easiest OpenWrt installation there is.
Wi-Fi 6 · 256 MB RAM · 1 GbE · ~$40
Remarkable hardware for the price, but installing OpenWrt means getting SSH access to the stock firmware first.
Wi-Fi 6 · 128 MB RAM · 1 GbE · ~$60
Cheap Wi-Fi 6 router with official OpenWrt support, but 128 MB RAM and 16 MB flash leave little room for extras.
Wi-Fi 6 · 512 MB RAM · 1 GbE · ~$100
A community favourite with years of solid upstream support; dated now, but still a dependable OpenWrt router.
No Wi-Fi · 4 GB RAM · 10 GbE · ~$110
A router board with two 10G SFP+ cages and 4 GB RAM; superb for multi-gig, but you assemble it yourself.
Best routers by use case
View all →- Best OpenWrt Routers for 2026Our top OpenWrt routers right now, from the easy all-rounder to the multi-gig enthusiast board.7 picks
- Best OpenWrt Routers Under $100Affordable routers with official OpenWrt support, and the compromises each one makes.6 picks
- Best OpenWrt Routers for VPNRouters with the CPU headroom to run WireGuard or OpenVPN for the whole network.5 picks
- Best OpenWrt Wi-Fi 6 RoutersWi-Fi 6 routers with open-source drivers and official OpenWrt support.6 picks
- Best OpenWrt Routers With 2.5 GbERouters with multi-gig ports for internet connections faster than 1 Gbit/s.5 picks
- Best OpenWrt Wi-Fi 7 RoutersWi-Fi 7 routers with official OpenWrt support, and what still needs work.3 picks
- Best OpenWrt Travel RoutersPocket-sized routers for hotels, trains and RVs that run official OpenWrt.4 picks
What “OpenWrt compatible” means here
OpenWrt is open-source router firmware. We check every router against the official OpenWrt build data and Table of Hardware, then explain the result in plain language.
- Fully supported
- Official stable OpenWrt images exist and the important hardware (Wi-Fi, switch, ports) works.
- Partially supported
- OpenWrt runs, but something does not work yet (for example one Wi-Fi band or hardware offloading).
- Snapshot only
- Support is new and only in development builds. Fine for enthusiasts; expect rough edges.
- Not supported
- No official OpenWrt images. Unofficial builds may exist, but we do not recommend buying it for OpenWrt.
Latest guides
View all →- Networking· VPN guide· Oct 7, 2026Route Selected Devices Through a VPN on OpenWrt
Split tunnelling on OpenWrt: send only some devices (or destinations) through the VPN with the pbr package.
- VPN· VPN guide· Oct 7, 2026WireGuard vs OpenVPN on OpenWrt
Which VPN protocol to use on an OpenWrt router, and why it matters more on routers than on computers.
- Security· VPN guide· Oct 7, 2026OpenWrt VPN Kill Switch
Make sure LAN traffic never leaves through your normal connection if the VPN tunnel goes down.
- WireGuard· OpenWrt guide· Oct 7, 2026Set Up a WireGuard Server on OpenWrt
Reach your home network securely from anywhere by running WireGuard on your OpenWrt router.
- VPN· VPN guide· Oct 7, 2026How to Install NordVPN on OpenWrt
Use NordVPN on an OpenWrt router with WireGuard (NordLynx) via the NordVPN API, or with OpenVPN.
- VPN· VPN guide· Oct 7, 2026How to Install Proton VPN on OpenWrt
Download a Proton VPN WireGuard configuration for routers and import it into OpenWrt.