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.
15 Best DD-WRT Routers in 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
| Features | Advanced QoS; Beamforming support; Free backup software; Parental controls; Airtime Fairness technology |
| Processor | Dual-core processor |
| Max Download Speed | Up to 450 + 1,300Mbps |
| Dimensions | 11.22 x 7.26 x 1.97 in |
| Weight | 1.65 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years |
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: Very fast NAS performance; Great for gaming and streaming; Capable feature set.
- Cons: A bit more complicated setup procedure.
2. Netgear R7000
| Features | Dynamic QoS for gaming and streaming; Prioritized bandwidth; Automatic installation; Free backup software; Beamforming |
| Processor | 1Ghz dual-core processor |
| Max Download Speed | AC1900 Wi-Fi / 600 + 1,300Mbps |
| Dimensions | 11.22 x 7.26 x 1.97 in |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 year (90 days of technical support) |
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: Incredibly stable performance; Long-range coverage; Class-leading USB performance.
- Cons: None really.