Mercusys · Released 2022

Mercusys MR90X (MR90X v1)

OpenWrt compatibility: Fully supportedup to 25.12.6
Our recommendation: Advanced Users Only

Difficult installation
Hardware revision warning

Lots of hardware for the money (Filogic 830, AX6000, 2.5 GbE), but installation needs soldering for the serial console.

CPU: 4-core · 1.6 GHz · ARM 64-bit
RAM / Flash: 512 MB / 128 MB
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6
Fastest port: 2.5 GbE

Tested by us: No. Specifications and compatibility independently researched from manufacturer and OpenWrt documentation.· Last reviewed Oct 10, 2026

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Quick answers

Does it support OpenWrt?: Yes, with official images since OpenWrt 23.05.0; latest release with images: 25.12.6.
Is installation easy?: Expert only. Solder the missing serial resistors, connect a serial console, boot the OpenWrt initramfs over TFTP, set the bootloader variables, then sysupgrade.
Is it powerful enough for WireGuard?: WireGuard suitability: Excellent. 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?: Yes: 1× 2.5 GbE.
Would we buy it today?: Only if you are comfortable soldering; otherwise spend a little more on an easier router.Opinion
What should I buy instead?: Consider GL.iNet Flint 2. See Alternatives below.Opinion

Overview

Editorial opinion

The MR90X v1 packs MediaTek's quad-core Filogic 830, 4×4 Wi-Fi 6 and a 2.5 GbE port into an inexpensive router from TP-Link's budget brand.

Installing OpenWrt requires the serial console, and the board is missing two resistors on the serial lines, so you have to solder them or bridge the pads. Once installed, it is a very capable router.

OpenWrt compatibility

Factual data

Synced Oct 21, 2026

OpenWrt support: Fully supported
Support status: Current stable release
First release with images: 23.05.0
Latest release with images: 25.12.6
Snapshot only: No
Target: mediatek/filogic
Build profile: mercusys_mr90x-v1, mercusys_mr90x-v1-ubi
Recovery methods (OpenWrt wiki): U-Boot web recovery

OpenWrt device page ↗Download in Firmware Selector ↗

Hardware revision warning. Only hardware version v1 is supported. Check the label before buying.

Source: official OpenWrt build data and Table of Hardware, data as of Oct 20, 2026, 11:45 AM UTC.

Hardware specifications

Factual data

SoC: MediaTek MT7986BLA (Filogic 830)
CPU architecture: ARM 64-bit (aarch64)
CPU cores: 4
CPU clock: 1.6 GHz
RAM: 512 MB
Flash storage: 128 MB NAND
Expandable storage: None
USB: None
Power: 12 V / 2 A DC

Source: openwrt.org

Network and Wi-Fi

Factual data

Wired

Ethernet ports: 4
Layout: 1× 2.5 GbE (WAN/LAN) + 3× 1 GbE
WAN speed: 2.5 GbE
LAN speed: 1 GbE
Multi-gig ports: 1× 2.5 GbE
VLAN support: Yes

Wireless

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 · AX6000 · 2.4 / 5 GHz
Standards: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz: Yes / Yes / No
Max wireless speed: 6.0 Gbps (theoretical)
Radios: 2
Wi-Fi chipset: MediaTek MT7975 (4×4)
Antennas: 8 external

Installation difficulty

Editorial opinion

Installation difficulty: Expert only
Usual method: Solder the missing serial resistors, connect a serial console, boot the OpenWrt initramfs over TFTP, set the bootloader variables, then sysupgrade.
Recovery difficulty: Hard
Recovery method: Serial console and TFTP.

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

SQM (bufferbloat control)Excellent

Access point useExcellent

MeshGood

VPN performance

Factual data

WireGuard throughput: Benchmark not yet tested
OpenVPN throughput: Benchmark not yet tested

WireGuard suitabilityExcellent

OpenVPN suitabilityGood

Suitability ratings are our estimate from the CPU and architecture, not measurements. See the methodology.

Pros and cons

Editorial opinion

Pros

Quad-core Filogic 830 and 512 MB RAM
4×4 AX6000 Wi-Fi
2.5 GbE port
Low price

Cons

Installation needs soldering and a serial console
No USB
Only v1 is supported

Editorial scores

Editorial opinion

Overall: 6.8 / 10
OpenWrt friendliness: 7.0 / 10
Ease of installation(higher is easier): 2.0 / 10
Performance: 8.0 / 10
VPN performance: 8.0 / 10
Value: 9.0 / 10

Where to buy

Amazon
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Other regions (2)

Amazon UK
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Amazon Deutschland
Germany · Check availability
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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

GL.iNet Flint 2 (GL-MT6000)9.2

Fully supportedHighly Recommended

Wi-Fi 6 · 1 GB RAM · 2.5 GbE · ~$159

Same platform without soldering.

Compare side by side →

Related guides

Start with how to install OpenWrt or browse all OpenWrt guides.