GL.iNet · Flint · Released 2021
GL.iNet Flint (GL-AX1800)
- OpenWrt compatibility
- Fully supportedup to 25.12.6
- Our recommendation
- Older Hardware
Capable Qualcomm-based router whose official OpenWrt support arrived late; the Flint 2 is the better buy today.
- CPU
- 4-core · 1.2 GHz · ARM 64-bit
- RAM / Flash
- 512 MB / 128 MB
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6
- Fastest port
- 1 GbE
Tested by us: No. Specifications and compatibility independently researched from manufacturer and OpenWrt documentation.· Last reviewed Oct 10, 2026
Quick answers
- Does it support OpenWrt?
- Yes, with official images since OpenWrt 25.12.0; latest release with images: 25.12.6.
- Is installation easy?
- Moderate. Check the OpenWrt device page for the correct image and method; GL.iNet's U-Boot web recovery can be used to flash it.
- Is it powerful enough for WireGuard?
- WireGuard suitability: Good. Benchmark not yet tested.
- Does it have enough RAM and flash?
- 512 MB RAM, 128 MB flash. Plenty of room for VPN, SQM, ad blocking and extra packages.
- Does it have 2.5 GbE?
- No. Fastest wired port: 1 GbE.
- Would we buy it today?
- Only at a clear discount. Otherwise spend a little more on the Flint 2.Opinion
- What should I buy instead?
- Consider GL.iNet Flint 2. See Alternatives below.Opinion
Overview
Editorial opinionThe original Flint uses a Qualcomm IPQ6000 with 512 MB of RAM. GL.iNet's stock firmware is built on a Qualcomm SDK fork of OpenWrt; official upstream OpenWrt images arrived much later, with the qualcommax/ipq60xx target.
Upstream OpenWrt does not use Qualcomm's proprietary NSS packet acceleration, so wired routing relies on the CPU. For new purchases the Flint 2 offers more of everything for a modest price difference.
OpenWrt compatibility
Factual data- OpenWrt support
- Fully supported
- Support status
- Current stable release
- First release with images
- 25.12.0
- Latest release with images
- 25.12.6
- Snapshot only
- No
- Target
qualcommax/ipq60xx- Build profile
- glinet_gl-ax1800
Source: official OpenWrt build data and Table of Hardware, data as of Oct 20, 2026, 11:45 AM UTC.
Hardware specifications
Factual data- SoC
- Qualcomm IPQ6000
- CPU architecture
- ARM 64-bit (aarch64)
- CPU cores
- 4
- CPU clock
- 1.2 GHz
- RAM
- 512 MB
- Flash storage
- 128 MB NAND
- Expandable storage
- None
- USB
- 1× USB 3.0
- Power
- 12 V / 1.5 A DC
Source: www.gl-inet.com
Network and Wi-Fi
Factual data- Ethernet ports
- 5
- Layout
- 1× 1 GbE WAN + 4× 1 GbE LAN
- WAN speed
- 1 GbE
- LAN speed
- 1 GbE
- Multi-gig ports
- None
- VLAN support
- Yes
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6 · AX1800 · 2.4 / 5 GHz
- Standards
- 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
- 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz
- Yes / Yes / No
- Max wireless speed
- 1.8 Gbps (theoretical)
- Radios
- 2
- Wi-Fi chipset
- —
- Antennas
- 4 external
Installation difficulty
Editorial opinion- Installation difficulty
- Moderate
- Usual method
- Check the OpenWrt device page for the correct image and method; GL.iNet's U-Boot web recovery can be used to flash it.
- Recovery difficulty
- Easy
- Recovery method
- U-Boot web recovery: hold the reset button while powering on, then open http://192.168.1.1 from a computer with a static IP.
Our rating of how hard a first installation and an unbrick are for someone comfortable with a web interface. Always follow the official device page for exact steps.
Performance
Factual data- NAT routing throughput
- Benchmark not yet tested
- SQM (cake) shaping limit
- Benchmark not yet tested
VPN performance
Factual data- WireGuard throughput
- Benchmark not yet tested
- OpenVPN throughput
- Benchmark not yet tested
Suitability ratings are our estimate from the CPU and architecture, not measurements. See the methodology.
Pros and cons
Editorial opinionPros
- Quad-core CPU and 512 MB RAM
- USB 3.0 port
- Familiar GL.iNet hardware and recovery
Cons
- Official OpenWrt support is recent
- No hardware NSS offloading in upstream OpenWrt
- Gigabit ports only
- Superseded by the Flint 2
Editorial scores
Editorial opinion- Overall
- 6.8 / 10
- OpenWrt friendliness
- 6.5 / 10
- Ease of installation(higher is easier)
- 7.0 / 10
- Performance
- 6.5 / 10
- VPN performance
- 7.0 / 10
- Value
- 6.5 / 10
Where to buy
- Check price at Amazon (opens in a new tab)AmazonCheck availability
- Check price at GL.iNet Store (opens in a new tab)GL.iNet StoreCheck availability
- Check price at AliExpress (opens in a new tab)AliExpressCheck availability
Other regions (3)
- Check price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab)Amazon UKUnited Kingdom · Check availability
- Check price at Amazon España (opens in a new tab)Amazon EspañaSpain · Check availability
- Check price at Amazon Deutschland (opens in a new tab)Amazon DeutschlandGermany · Check availability
Typical street price around $100 (editorial reference, not a live price). Prices are shown only if updated in the last 24 hours and may change; the retailer’s price at checkout applies. We may earn a commission from these links at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure
Alternatives
Editorial opinion
Related guides
Start with how to install OpenWrt or browse all OpenWrt guides.