15 Best DD-WRT Routers in 2022
Last updated January 10, 2022
Without any doubt, DD-WRT routers are perhaps the best way to experience everything your Web connection has to offer. By getting a capable router and installing DD-WRT firmware, you get a whole arsenal of advanced tools that let you control, fine-tune, and optimize your Web browsing experience. Features like parental controls and content filtering, advanced optimization for different online activities, online privacy protection, and protection against malware are just the tip of a giant iceberg. However, the big question here is - what are truly the best DD-WRT routers right now? Well, let us tell you - you've come to the right place!
Before we get started, let's answer some common doubts. First of all, yes - it's true that DD-WRT routers can be quite expensive. However, we fully understand that our readers want options for different budgets and routers suitable for different needs. That's the reason why we'll go over a sizeable list of the best DD-WRT routers, providing answers to all your questions. And also, make sure to closely inspect the specs of your chosen router before buying it. This will help you make sure that you can use your Web connection up to its full extent, especially its speed.
How to Choose the Best DD-WRT Router?
If you're looking for a DD-WRT router, you probably want a device that offers granular control over your Internet connection. This means taking a close look at numerous options and inspecting their specs and feature sets. Here's what you need to know.
- Specifications: First and foremost, you must take a look at the specs. While some routers bring single-core CPUs, you'll find more powerful CPUs and plenty of RAM in higher-end models. Some cheap DD-WRT routers could bring barely capable specs that can run only the built-in system and installing third-party firmware could provide to be problematic.
- Connectivity Options: While a 2.4GHz connection might be sufficient for basic Web browsing, you will need to rely on a 5Ghz connection for more advanced tasks. In general, it's highly recommended to stick to 5Ghz for streaming in HD and 4K, and for playing multiplayer games.
- DIY Flashing or Pre-Flashed: You can just buy a router directly from the manufacturer and do the firmware flash upgrade yourself. This is the cheaper option, but it means voiding the warranty of a new router and running the risk of turning the machine into a paperweight if you do it wrong. The second choice is to buy it pre-flashed from a third-party company. You’ll still get a warranty and the router is tested to work properly with DD-WRT before it ships to you.
Best DD-WRT Routers
So, let's wait no more. Here are the 15 best DD-WRT routers in 2022. Let's go over their specs and quick descriptions, so you can easily decide on which one to buy.
1. NETGEAR R6700
If you decide to go with the R6700, you'll get a complete package at a very interesting price. In many ways, it's similar to our next suggestion but also brings a few interesting compromises that average home users wouldn't mind.
First of all, this router brings a well-known design that's unique to routers made by NETGEAR. The company has included one front-placed USB 3.0 that can be used for external storage devices. This allows you to easily create entertainment hubs and access those from different devices. There's also one more interesting thing. You'll get three high-power antennas that are not only adjustable but removable as well.
In terms of performance, NETGEAR R6700 supports networks of up to 1,750 Mbps divided into two channels. And also, let's not forget to mention that this device brings top-rated results in terms of storage performance.
- Pros:Â Very fast NAS performance; Great for gaming and streaming; Capable feature set.
- Cons:Â A bit more complicated setup procedure.
2. Netgear R7000
The R7000 may sound more like a military aircraft than a network router, but there’s a reason its name comes up often among VPN and DD-WRT fans. This router from NETGEAR is a consistent favorite and makes the top router lists of many outlets. One of the main reasons for this is the affordable price point. At well under two hundred bucks, this AC1900 dual-band router provides a lot of throughput for the money.
This router comes equipped with a 1GHz dual-core CPU. It’s an 802.11ac dual-band router with a total throughput of 1900 Mbps. Thanks to its power transmission system, this router has quite the footprint and NETGEAR says that it’s suitable for very large homes. Along with the standard four Ethernet ports, you’ll also find two USB ports on the back of the machine. One is a USB 2.0 model suitable for a printer or other low-bandwidth device. The second port is USB 3.0 and is perfect for attaching a USB 3.0 hard drive or flash stick so that you can share files across your home network.
The R7000 Nighthawk is a truly affordable high-throughput router for people who have a lot of square footage to cover and need a fast network. And also, it performs shockingly-well for the price. If you'd like to check other routers made by this manufacturer, we have our guide to the best NETGEAR routers available now.
- Pros:Â Incredibly stable performance; Long-range coverage; Class-leading USB performance.
- Cons:Â None really.
3. Linksys WRT-3200ACM
When it comes to the best Linksys routers, the WRT-3200ACM model is one of the top-rated. This is a real beast in terms of its performance and specs, and we recommend it to those who really want the very best.
Inside of this router, Linksys has packed a 1.8Ghz dual-core CPU, 512 MB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage. There are four Ethernet ports, a USB 3.0 port for sharing files and an eSATA port for file transfers. Aside from using the built-in software, you can install a custom DD-WRT management option to fine-tune this router to your needs.
What's unique about the WRT-3200ACM router is the fact that it brings support for 160Mhz channels which can double its total bandwidth on the 5Ghz band. Therefore, it's clear that we're talking about a router made for power users.
- Pros:Â Outstanding file transfer speeds; Support MU-MIMO; Flawless wired connectivity.
- Cons:Â Not the best 2.4Ghz speeds.
4. Asus RT-N66U (N900)
At the moment, the RT-N66U is one of the most popular DD-WRT routers on the market. It's been available for a while now and it's price had dropped in the meantime. On the other hand, this router brings capable features that should meet the needs of above-average home users.
If you take a closer look at the RT-N66U, you'll see that it brings support for 802.11ac - which isn't the latest nor the fastest Wi-Fi standard. However, it can still support Web connections of up to 900Mbps, which is definitely more than what many of us will ever need. It's also worth noting that you'll get two USB 2.0 ports (which means there no USB 3.0 here) which should still serve you well in terms of creating a digital media center.
All in all, it's easy to see why the RT-N66U is one of the best DD-WRT routers right now. It comes at an affordable price while bringing quite capable features. You can rely on its power to give you a pleasurable Web browsing experience while any tradeoffs.
- Pros:Â Capable wireless performance; Strong feature set; Redesigned GUI.
- Cons:Â Some features could be better implemented (VPN, DLNA).
5. ASUS RT-AC88U
Those of you looking for something more robust should pay attention to ASUS' RT-AC88U. Just by the looks for this DD-WRT router, you can conclude that you're dealing with something powerful. Perhaps the most prominent design feature of this router is its antenna design. We're talking about 4T4R (4 transmit, 4 receive) antennas, which is why this router is recommended for large homes.
As you can expect, this is a dual-band router. It offers 5Ghz connectivity of up to 2,100 Mbps and 2.4Ghz connectivity of up to 1,000 Mbps. It also includes 8 Gigabit LAN ports, and there's a single USB port as well (with data transfer rates of up to 100 MB/s). All of this is powered by a 1.4Ghz dual-core processor - which is also beneficial if you want to run DD-WRT on this router.
It's also important to note that ASUS has done a wonderful job of designing its own custom firmware. You get to tweak even the smallest of details, and you can access this router via a dedicated Android/iOS app. Of course, to fully unlock its power, you'll need DD-WRT.
- Pros: Nicely designed; Great for large homes; Dual-band connectivity; Capable CPU.
- Cons: Only one USB port on offer. Not the most affordable option.
6. Linksys E2500
Based on the hugely popular Linksys' E3200 model, the E2500 brings a very interesting design and plenty of new options. You will get to use both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz networks, in addition to four LAN ports and one WAN port. The device is designed to be as inconspicuous as possible and it doesn't bring any status lights whatsoever.
The initial setup process takes less than 5 minutes thanks to the included CD that brings the Cisco Connect software. Of course, since this is a DD-WRT router, you can install custom software and fine-tune it to your liking. If you decide to stick to the built-in software, you'll get to prioritize activities like gaming or streaming, set port forwarding, as well as FTP and HTTP servers. Finally, you should know that this router brings a very steady performance and you'll hardly encounter a dropped connection. All in all, a very reliable and one of the best affordable DD-WRT routers, for sure.
- Pros:Â Good signal strength at distance; Easy setup and management.
- Cons:Â No bridge or AP mode.
7. D-Link DIR-878
Even though it brings a similar name to our previous suggestion, you can think of DIR-878 as a more powerful option. If you're willing to spend a bit more, you can get access to the latest technologies and Web standards.
First of all, we think you're going to love the way this router is designed. It brings a modern design and fits nicely into any room. Then, there's a whole series of interesting features. The DIR-878 supports the latest 802.11ac standard and can be used for beamforming. You can install it in a matter of minutes and you'll get to use an intuitively designed Web interface through which you can fine-tune its settings. And when it comes to its performance, you can use both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz networks, combined up to 1.9Gbps which should make any Web-related task as smooth as possible. All in all, the DIR-878 truly brings a lot of value for its price, which is why we believe this is one of the best DD-WRT routers right now.
- Pros:Â Good value; Four LAN ports; Dual-band support; Beamforming.
- Cons: No USB ports.
8. D-Link DIR-859
When it originally appeared on the market, D-Link's DIR-859 received plenty of rave reviews. In the meantime, this model managed to stick to its original success and it's in production, which tells a lot. However, the price is now more affordable than ever before, which is why this model was highlighted in our article on DD-WRT routers under $100.
The DIR-859 is a dual-band router and it supports both 2.4Ghz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. Thanks to its three non-detachable antennas, it sends out a very signal and covers quite a large area. It should also be noted that you can expect top of the line performance no matter which channel you're using, up to 1,750Mbps in total. The only downside is that you won't find USB ports here, which means that connecting printers of creating media hubs isn't a possibility.
- Pros: Very easy to manage; Strong performance on 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz.
- Cons:Â Missing USB connectivity.
9. GL.iNET GL-AR150
You are most probably surprised by the size of its router. As you can see, it's quite small and it's lightweight. That's because the GL-AR150 is meant to be a travel-friendly router. As such, it can turn any wired connection into a wireless one, and reap number benefits along the way. And of course, since we're talking about this product in our article on the best DD-WRT routers, it supports this kind of firmware as well.
You need to know that the GL-AR150 supports Web speeds of up to 150Mbps. Also, it comes with a single USB port. This means that you can also use this router with different types of external storage options. This kind of modular design is really hard to come by, especially when it comes to affordable routers.
- Pros: Pocket-sized; Powerful processor; Easy to use; Fully programmable.
- Cons: Relatively limited bandwidth.
10. D-Link DIR-866L
Next, we have D-Link's DIR-866L and as you can see, this is the most affordable DD-WRT router you can get. You might find some that cost a few dollars less but trust us that they're not worth your time.
The DIR-866L brings dual-band performance and you can decide whether you want to use 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz (typically used for media streaming and gaming). You can expect a very reliable performance thanks to the company's high-powered built-in amplifier. On top of that, you get to use D-Link's mobile app to control the router remotely and check vital stats. And finally, you should know that you can take advantage of the device's USB port to share files and media. All in all, you get plenty of value for the price.
- Pros:Â Quite affordable; Easy setup; Great performance at 2.4Ghz and 5GHz.
- Cons:Â Can't work as a media bridge; Somewhat limited mobile apps.
11. Linksys EA6700
In case you're a fan of Linksys' products, you can spend a bit more on the EA6700. This is the company's top of the line model as well as the very first router that brings the next-generation wireless standards.
This device brings a very streamlined design and you even mount it vertically. If you take a closer look, you'll see a series of ports on the backside. There's one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 port. Then, there are four Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a set of standard control buttons. When it comes to its performance, you must know that there are 6 internal antennas with high-power amplifiers. This is more than enough to provide an incredibly smooth performance. To fine-tune the device, you can use the built-in software or install your own.
- Pros:Â Amazing performance (2.4Ghz and 5GHz); Smart Wi-Fi; USB 3.0 support; Simple management.
- Cons:Â Only four Gigabit Ethernet ports.
12. D-Link EXO DIR-869
When it comes to routers, and even DD-WRT models, you'll see that many of them look alike. Tech companies aren't usually willing to take big risks in terms of design decisions. And if they do, we're usually talking about the least affordable routers. However, D-Link's EXO might be an exception to this rule.
The EXO DIR-869 comes with a triangular design and sharp edges all around. It comes equipped with four Ethernet (Gigabit) ports, one WAN port - and sadly, it's missing any USB ports which truly is a shame. On the upside, it supports the latest Wi-Fi standard and it's dual-band based, which means that you can get pretty fast Web connection by using this router. And thanks to its external antennas, this model should cover pretty large homes with ease.
- Pros: Interesting design; Dual-band connectivity; Excellent range.
- Cons:Â No USB ports.
13. TP-Link Archer C9
Despite its somewhat odd design, TP-Link's Archer C9 might just be the perfect router for average home users. It brings plenty of power under the hood as well as a few features typically found in more expensive models.
Since this is a DD-WRT router, we first need to take a look at its internals. The C9 model comes with a 1Ghz dual-core processor and has 128MB of RAM. This means that running DD-WRT firmware should not produce any issues, whatsoever. Once you decide to connect your devices, you can count on 2.4Ghz and 5GHz networks with a total bandwidth of up to 1,900Mbps - which is what really stands out here. And on top of all of this, the C9 includes USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, which means that connecting other devices is a possibility.
There's really nothing not to like about this product, and we strongly believe that even more advanced users should be covered well.
- Pros: Offers amazing value; Great wireless coverage; Plenty of bandwidth; Removable antennas.
- Cons: No major remarks.
14. D-Link AC5300 Ultra (DIR-895L)
Ultra by name, ultra by nature. That’s really the only way to describe this router behemoth. This router has a 1.4 GHz dual-core CPU on deck. It also uses the same tri-band technology for a combined throughput somewhere in the range of 5,300Mbps. Likewise, we are once again treated to four pairs of antennas. Four for receiving and four for sending.
With all that physical transmission ability, it’s unlikely your household will run out of WiFi bandwidth anytime soon. Four Gigabit Ethernet ports are present to no one’s surprise. They are flanked by two USB ports. The typical USB 2.0 printer port and the fast USB 3.0 port for USB storage.
There seems to be little difference between this router and the ASUS AC5300 (the following suggestion in our article) when it comes to specifications, so we doubt that anyone except perhaps the benchmark-obsessed could even tell the difference in performance between the two if any. However, brand-loyalty and design language may be the dividing factor for you. In the end, whether you go with the D-Link or the ASUS, you’ll have a blazingly-fast DD-WRT router to play with.
- Pros:Â Upgradeable antennas; Futuristic appearance; Excellent performance; Strong wireless signal.
- Cons:Â Missing wireless bridging.
15. ASUS RT-AC5300
The AC5300 is much more than just a conversation starter. This is a high-end hardware platform for a next-generation home networking experience. Combined with DD-WRT, this router is a force to be reckoned with. This model has at its heart a high-performance 1.4 GHz dual-core CPU. This is backed up by 512 MB of RAM. While this is not the fastest set of specifications we’ve ever seen on a router, it’s a perfect level for high-end home use.
The AC5300 is a little short on any sort of special hardware features. It has the standard 4x Gigabit Ethernet ports, a single WAN port, and one USB 3.0 port. The eight antennas are removable though, although we personally wouldn’t touch them since they are core to the aesthetic.
The ASUS AC5300 is a router that is focused on network performance above all else. For the price, you’d be hard-pressed to find something with better wireless performance. If you want to use high-speed NAS, 4K streaming or other high-bandwidth local services, this router will serve you well. It’s an excellent choice for those who need a large, fast WiFi footprint without shelling out for enterprise-class hardware. Without any doubt, this is one of the world's best DD-WRT routers.
- Pros:Â Attractive design; Great built quality; Premium support; Top-rated performance.
- Cons:Â Wireless bridge not supported.
What's the Best Entry-Level DD-WRT Router?
If you're ready to make some compromises, you can find easily plenty of reliable entry-level DD-WRT routers. Our strong recommendation would be Linksys E2500 which brings dual-band connectivity, LAN and WAN ports, and comes with an easy setup. Another interesting pick would be GL.iNet's travel-friendly router.
What's the Best Mid-Range DD-WRT Router?
When it comes to mid-range DD-WRT routers, you can find plenty of interesting options. For example, NETGEAR's R6700 comes as a really interesting option that brings plenty of value for its price - and it's one of the most popular routers overall. If you'd like to expand your options, we recommend D-Link's DIR-878, which comes equipped with everything you need to upgrade your Web browsing experience.
What's the Best High-End DD-WRT Router?
As you can expect, this is where you can find all-in-one DD-WRT routers. These might be pricey, but they check all the right boxes. For example, NETGEAR's R700 comes with many advanced features promising to bring out the best of your Web connection. If you need an ultra-powerful router, you should be more than happy with Linksys' WRT-3200ACM, which has been one of the bestselling routers for a while now.
Dear readers, that would be all we've prepared for our guide to the best DD-WRT routers in 2022. In case you have any questions, make sure to post them in the comments section below. And also, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks!
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