Best DD-WRT Routers [2023]
The DD-WRT Routers harness the power of Open-Source technologies, allowing you to tweak your home or office network to get better security, wider coverage, faster speeds, and much more.
DD-WRT is an Open-Source firmware for routers that you can use to get more out of your router. Think of it as an Operating System for your router that allows you several functionalities like you would on your desktop computer.
You can install a VPN, a Traffic Manager, a Firewall, and pretty much any other software on the router to protect and empower the entire network rather than individual nodes. And that’s not all; using DD-WRT, you can ramp up the signal’s power so that wireless signals cover a wider area, allowing more devices to connect to it.
Thus, it is ideal for office networks where you’ll need that added layer of security to prevent malicious attacks on your company’s precious resources. Further, the network management tools will allow you to manage the network by allowing you to prioritize data packets for more sensitive tasks. So, network administrators will love the flexibility and added customizations these routers bring.
However, DD-WRT routers are not for everyone; you have to be familiar with the flashing (read installation) process as you run the risk of voiding the warranty or, worse, “bricking” the router.
But some routers come with DD-WRT pre-installed, allowing you to skip the installation part and go straight to the customization of the network setting.
We’ve curated a list of the best DD-WRT routers, which includes pre-installed DD-WRT routers. We’ll review each and highlight what makes them the best. Next, we’ll discuss the key considerations to keep in mind when you want to buy a DD-WRT router. And we’ll close by answering a few frequently asked questions.
Comparison of the Best DD-WRT Routers
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | ASUS RT-AC5300 Router | Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 Processor: Broadcom BCM47094 1.4GHz Flash: 128MB RAM: 512MB Coverage: 5000Sq.Ft. Devices: N.A. | Buy on Amazon |
 | D-Link Wi-Fi Router (DIR-882-US) | Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 Processor: MediaTek MT7621AT 880MHz Flash: 16MB RAM: 128MB Coverage: 1800Sq.Ft. Devices: 15 | Buy on Amazon |
 | ASRock G10 Gaming Router | Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 Processor: Qualcomm IPQ8064 1.4GHz Flash: 128MB RAM: 512MB Coverage: N.A. Devices: N.A. | Buy on Amazon |
 | Linksys WRT3200ACM | Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 Processor: Marvell 88F6925 1.8GHz Flash: 256MB RAM: 512MB Coverage: N.A. Devices: N.A. | Buy on Amazon |
 | NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router (R7000) | Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 Processor: Broadcom BCM4709A0 1.0GHz Flash: 128MB RAM: 258MB Coverage: 1800Sq.Ft. Devices: 30 | Buy on Amazon |
 | TP-Link Archer C3200 Wi-Fi Router | Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 Processor: Broadcom BCM4709A0 1.0GHz Flash: 128MB RAM: 258MB Coverage: N.A. Devices: N.A. | Buy on Amazon |
 | Linksys EA9500 Wi-Fi 5 Router | Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 Processor: Broadcom BCM4709C0 1.4GHz Flash: 128MB RAM: 258MB Coverage: 3000 Devices: 25 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Buffalo AirStation N300 (WHR-300HP2D) | Wireless: Wi-Fi 5 Processor: MediaTek MT7620A 580MHz Flash: 8MB RAM: 64 M.B. Coverage: N.A. Devices: N.A. | Buy on Amazon |
Table of Contents
- Comparison of the Best DD-WRT Routers
- 1. ASUS RT-AC5300 Router – DD-WRT Router with the Best Coverage
- 2. D-Link Wi-Fi Router (DIR-882-US) – Best DD-WRT Router for 4K Streaming
- 3. ASRock G10 Gaming Router – Best DD-WRT for Gaming
- 4. Linksys WRT3200ACM – Best Open-Source DD-WRT Router
- 5. NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router (R7000) – DD-WRT Router with VPN
- 6. TP-Link Archer C3200 Wi-Fi Router – Most Customizable DD-WRT Router
- 7. Linksys EA9500 Wi-Fi 5 Router – Best Triband DD-WRT Router
- 8. Buffalo AirStation N300 (WHR-300HP2D) – Cheapest DD-WRT Router
- Best DD-WRT Routers – Our Buying Guide
- Bands and Bandwidth
- Multi User – Multi Input Multi Output (MU-MIMO)
- Specifications
- Coverage and Connected Devices
- Ports
- Can I install DD-WRT on any Router?
- Can I use DD-WRT to increase the wireless range of my router?
- Does DD-WRT support VPN?
- Is DD-WRT free?
1. ASUS RT-AC5300 Router – DD-WRT Router with the Best Coverage
7 Best DD-WRT Routers in 2023 [Tried & Tested]
While the capabilities of the DD-WRT firmware can lift up the restrictions of the stock firmware on your router, you can’t install the open-source firmware on any random device. And, if you’ve decided to take control of your home network by installing DD-WRT, you’ll need to get a compatible router. But which one?
Compatibility with DD-WRT is a major aspect before flashing DD-WRT on a router. But that’s not the only factor to look into. There are many other things to consider, such as speed capabilities, coverage area, etc. So, I tested 24 routers compatible with DD-WRT and qualified the 7 best options for 2023 that tick all the boxes:
- Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk X6
- Best Open-Source: Linksys WRT3200ACM
- Best for Medium Homes: D-Link DIR-882-US
- Best WiFi Range: ASUS RT-AC68U
- Best for Streaming: Netgear R6700
- Best Budget Router: TP-Link A7
- Cheapest Option: Linksys E2500 N600
Do You Need DD-WRT?
Almost every modern wireless router has stock firmware that allows you to optimize your wireless network, set parental controls, etc. However, there are certain limitations, if you’re interested to use your router’s hardware to the fullest potential, then you might need the DD-WRT firmware. But if you’re okay with the features provided by the stock firmware, you don’t have to.
Installing open-source firmware like DD-WRT, Tomato, OpenWRT, etc gets your router a whole arsenal of features and tools to fine-tune, control, and optimize your network usage experience. Features like content filtering and parental controls, online privacy protection, advanced optimization for separate online activities, and malware protection are just a drop of water in a vast ocean.
7 Best DD-WRT Routers in 2023
To provide my readers with the best routers that support DD-WRT, I installed it on 24 models and observed them against several aspects. It includes suitability with DD-WRT, wireless and wired speeds, and coverage, and listed ones that passed with flying colors.
Before we start, let me mention that DD-WRT routers can be expensive. But, I understand that my readers want options suitable for different needs and budgets. I have gone for a sizeable list to let you get your ideal device. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
1. Best Overall: Netgear Nighthawk X6
- Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- 2.4GHz Speeds: 600 Mbps
- 5GHz Speeds: 1300 + 1300 Mbps
- WiFi Range: Up to 3,500 Sq Ft
- Number of Devices Supported: 50
- Processor: 1GHz Dual-Core
- RAM & NAND Memory: 256MB + 128MB
The Netgear Nighthawk X6 is a versatile and reliable router that stands out in the space of DD-WRT routers with its tri-band operations and in-built Genie software. Besides, I was extremely impressed by its ease of installation and overall performance it delivers alongside boasting high-grade security. These weren’t to be seen in its preceding model, Nighthawk R7000.
Why is it a suitable choice?
To be honest, this DD-WRT-compatible router is a sitting beast. With a powerful 1GHz dual-core processor and ample flash storage, you won’t have to worry about storing the firmware, settings, and passwords. Besides, its high-speed performance, simple setup, and increased controls compared to its competition take the router at the top of my list.
The thing that makes it a good router for DD-WRT is its ease of installation, courtesy of the sophisticated Genie software setup wizard. Following the instructions, you can install and set up the firmware within minutes. Connect your router to the website and let the wizard do the magic. Once it’s done, get ready to explore a whole lot of features.
Getting started on security, you get the most up-to-date features, including WPA/WPA2 enterprise encryption alongside NAT or Network Address Translation firewalls and Stateful Packet Inspection, among others. As a result, it’s not just about the popular VPN connection.
Also, installing the DD-WRT firmware makes controlling the router much easier. You can toggle through the available security features using the app besides checking through the connected devices and regulating other of its aspects.
Wireless Speeds
Integrating an additional 5GHz band, this Netgear router offers a lot more on the speed front. Boasting maximum throughput speeds of 3.2 Gbps, it seems fair to pair the device up with any internet plans with Gigabit speeds.
And doing the same, I extracted download and upload speeds at 970 Mbps and 215 Mbps, respectively, on the 5GHz band. The additional band facilitated a few extra Mbps by clearing out the congestion and taking the data through available channels, leading to faster data transfer. Besides, the MU-MIMO technology also helped in this respect.
On the other hand, the overly congested and low-frequency 2.4GHz band has a respective speed output of 525 Mbps and 115 Mbps for downloads and uploads. The speeds seemed perfectly fine for handling bandwidth-intensive tasks like online gaming, 4K streaming, and video conferencing, sending emails and browsing social media.
WiFi Coverage & Connections Capacity
Apart from speed, I found the device excels in its coverage aspect. With 6 powerful antennas, the router can dissipate strong signals across a 2,600 Sq Ft area or an average-sized apartment or workspace. Besides features like Beamforming+, MU-MIMO, and advanced QoS, you will get 5 signal bars on the devices you connect.
I connected 28 devices to my father’s workspace without experiencing any speed drops. Taking up the devices a bit higher would work, but there might be a drop in a few Mbps, which is enough, especially for low-bandwidth tasks like emailing and browsing social media.
Ports & Connectivity
Netgear hasn’t been lenient in giving out the ports, and with 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, there’s a possibility for you to create an Ethernet backhaul. It gives you an extra possibility to boost your speeds a notch and let your bandwidth-hogging devices enjoy a few extra Mbps and run at a constant throughput.
In conclusion, Netgear Nighthawk X6 is a reliable router that comes with some high-end features to qualify as the best DD-WRT router. Easy installation, multiple customizations, greater speeds, coverage, and others make it climb to the top of my list. The only disadvantage of this device would be its price, which is much higher than other routers on my list.
