7 Best DD-WRT Routers (Reviews For Better Network Security)

DD-WRT Routers Compared

1. NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S R7800 AC2600

Best DD WRT Router

If you’re on the search for the router that offers the biggest bang for your buck, then you’re in for a real treat with the NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S R7800 AC2600.

The best DD-WRT WiFi router isn't perfect, as we did find their web interface a bit less user-friendly than others, but overall it’s a wonderful choice, especially if you don’t want to pay a ton of money.

As far as appearance goes, we liked the sleek black, which goes with everything. However, the array of antennas around the top is a little less pleasing to the eyes, so you may want to stick it in a corner where it remains unnoticed by guests.

Recommended for up to a whopping 45 devices, you can rely on it to consistently stream videos and audio, play games, video chat, and much more.

Not only that, but you have four wired Ethernet ports for you to plug in computers, game consoles, and whatever else needs super-speedy connection.

Two USB 3.0 connections are great for hooking up printers or storage drives so you can kind of make your own “cloud” storage with full security measures.

To minimize interference, you have MU-MIMO capabilities to ensure your devices operate at frequencies where they’ll perform their best.

With a data transfer rate of 2.53 Gbps and a 1.7GHz processor, uploading large files or backing up your computer will be a breeze.

2. ASUS RT-AC66U AC1750

Best ASUS DD WRT Router

If you’re on a budget and don’t know where to look for the best cheap DD WRT router, look no further! The ASUS RT-AC66U AC1750 is just the model for you.

With robust security systems and coverage of up to 3,000 square feet, it's perfect for keeping your network safe and reliable. It may not be the fastest out there, but speeds are still impressive, especially when you remember that this model is the best dd-wrt router under $100.

With 4 ethernet ports, you'll easily hook up devices that need as much speed as possible, such as laptops or gaming consoles. You'll also receive one 3.0 USB and one 2.0 USB for device hookups like printers.

The appearance is neither here nor there, with a texture black enclosure and a somewhat compact size. However, it doesn't come with removable antennas, so that's important to note for where you plan on placing it.

You can mount it on the wall, sit it flat on a table or floor, or kept in a semi-vertical position.

With a max speed of 1750 Mbps and a 1GHz processor, it's notably slower than the previous model on our guide but still high-performance.

Installation was one of the easier processes we’ve been through, as it comes with a convenient setup CD. You can expect your router to be up and running in around just 10 minutes.

3. TRENDnet TEW-818DRU AC1900

Best Wireless Router for DD WRT

For wireless performance, the TRENDnet TEW-818DRU AC1900 is one of the top performers out there. Thanks to the dual-band wireless USB adapter, if you're looking for a super speedy close-proximity connection to your computer, it’s hard to beat this DD WRT router.

With 4 external antennas, it does look a bit spider-like, but it’s also compact enough that you can choose to move it to a more conspicuous space should you choose. The antennas are also removable and adjustable if you’d rather put it in a more visible area.

With speeds of up to 600Mbps on 2.4GHz and up to 1,300Mbps on the 5GHz band, it’s quite fast though we found it was slightly more inconsistent when used across the home. Of course, this will depend on your home’s layout and overall size as well.

Supporting beamforming technology, it further speeds up wireless connections so you never have to worry about lagging.

Installation was nice and straightforward as the package came with a CD which featured all necessary drivers, a user guide, and a physical Quick Start Guide.

On top of that, one-touch connection lets you connect simply by touching the WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) button!

With up to 1300 Mbps wireless AC and 600 Mbps wireless N, it’s more than speedy enough for most households. High-speed USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports make it easy to hook up external storage devices as well, to create your own storage cloud without having to rely on 3^rd-party sources.

As it comes pre-encrypted with its own special password, it’s ultra-convenient and even allows you the option to make an isolated guest network.

Moreover, we loved the parental controls on this best DD WRT WiFi router, allowing you to control access to the websites of your choosing, while also selecting which devices have access to your router.

4. Linksys WRT3200ACM

Best Router to Flash DD WRT

If you need speed, then the Linksys WRT3200ACM should be one of your top contenders. 

If you're looking to flash DD WRT on your router, you need something powerful, with ample RAM and processing power. It is often considered the best router to flash DD WRT, and it comes as no surprise that the Linksys WRT3200ACM is one of the most popular on the market today.

The price is in line with other top-quality models, so you should expect to pay a bit more, but you are getting what you pay for here.

The robust 1.8GHz dual-core processor combined with wireless data speeds of up to an impressive 3200Mbps is an excellent option for those who need something that will handle anything they throw at it.

Streaming, large file transfers, and more are all no problem for the WRT3200ACM. Lagging is now a thing of the past. 256MB of flash storage will ensure your router works seamlessly with DD WRT so you can have full control over your network like never before.

4 ethernet ports, a USB 3.0 great for file sharing, and a USB 2.0/eSATA combo port are also handy for file transfers. For full customization and management, you can use their user-friendly app all from the convenience of your smartphone or tablet.

Send guests passwords to their own WiFi network, set up precise parental controls, prioritize devices, and just about anything else you can imagine.

5. D-Link EXO AC1750 DIR-869

Best Budget DD WRT Router

If you’re looking for one of the best DD WRT routers out there but don’t want to spend a lot of money, check out the D-Link EXO AC1750 DIR-869.

As the best budget DD WRT router, it offers features typically found only on premium-priced models while remaining affordable for most consumers.

As far as appearance goes, the AC1750 is high-class. Its orange-and-black color scheme is definitely modern but not distracting. You’ll find 4 antennas in total that also look quite sleek, though are not detachable.

Setup is relatively quick and easy, letting you set it up without a computer through their mobile app if you'd like. However, we did find regular web setup to be faster.

The downside is that if you need to connect an external storage device or printer into your router, you’re out of luck as it doesn’t have any USB ports. It’s a bit odd, but if you don’t need them, it’s not a big deal anyway.

However, you do get 4 ethernet ports that support 2.4 and 5 GHz. Intelligent QoS Backwards Compatible WPS is very convenient, and we also found coverage even over a 4,000 square foot home to eliminate all dead spots.

You can help ensure proper coverage throughout your home with the intuitive web user interface. It was one of the better, more user-friendly options in our experience. These are only a few of the reasons why the AC1750 is considered the best cheap DD WRT router!

6. TP-LINK Archer C7

Best TP Link Router for DD WRT

The best TP link Router for DD WRT is undoubtedly the Archer C7, which is one of the fastest we’ve seen for a router at this price. Easy to install and coming with an array of settings, it’s also one of the most convenient to use.

The sleek, all-black design is one of the more attractive DD WRT routers out there and with its compact size, won’t be a hassle to place in a more public space should you like to. There are 3 external antennas, however, which are not detachable.

While there are speedier routers on our guide, you’ll end up spending much more for just a slight boost in quickness.

Coming with 5 ethernet ports, this DD WRT recommended router is designed to work with any internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly to it.

It also has a USB 2.0 port, which is nice to use with an external storage device or printer, though we would have liked to have a 3.0 as well.

Streaming in 4K on various devices is now no hassle with speeds of up to 1750 Mbps. We experienced no buffering nor lagging, and coverage ensured dead spots were also a thing of the past.

Finally, we loved the TP Link tether setup, which made installation and management intuitive from both at home and remotely.

7. ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000

Best DD-WRT Gaming Router

Gaming requires a lot of speed and power, and the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 has more than enough for even the most avid gamers.

The first of the new WiFi 6-capable routers, which offers a more efficient signal and future-proofs your router, provides great performance at close range but actually gets better as distance increases!

If you have a large home or just a complicated layout, you can take advantage of high-speed WiFi from every corner.

With a monstrous base and 8 swiveling antennas, it looks like something you'd find in a virtual world. You won’t want to hide this one out of sight, with the ASUS logo illuminated with RBG lighting.

You simply can’t get better connectivity than this best DD-WRT gaming router, with a tri-band design, 4 gigabit LAN ports, one 2.5G Base T Ethernet connection, and two USB 3.0/3.1 ports.

Thanks to these, you’ll always be ready for battle, and will be able to experience your graphics better than ever.

Coming with a quad-core 18GHz processor, a whopping 1GB of RAM and 256MB of flash memory, and the ability to reach up to lightning-fast 10.8 Gbps, you’ll never have to deal with buffering or dead spots again. Moreover, it comes with AiProtection to keep internet threats at bay.

Why Use a Router with DD-WRT?

IPV6 Functionality

Right now, most of us are using IPv4 for devices and pushing online traffic where it needs to go. However, it's frankly a bit outdated and doesn't even have enough addresses for how many devices we have.

IPv6 is growing in popularity; however, there are still quite a few routers out there than can't easily run it. DD-WRT can!

Improved Router Strength

Your average router firmware typically constricts its full capabilities. With DD-WRT, you can maximize the functionality of the router you already have (also commonly referred to as "overclocking").

Improved Customization

You seriously get full control over each function of your router with DD-WRT. You can completely block your network whenever you want, adjust your firewall’s functionality, restrict certain kinds of activity, and much more.

More Reliability

You probably wouldn’t spend money on an unreliable router, right? Well, if you want the best results, you’ll use DD-WRT. Using Linux, you don’t have to rely on iffy corporations just looking to make a buck every time they change their services.

Better Quality of Service (QoS)

Here, we’re referring to overall performance. With DD-WRT, you’ll experience smoother operation with less lagging and errors.

As you can configure your devices and bandwidth to your needs, you’ll be able to pick which kinds of activity receive more. 

Perhaps you work from home and need all the bandwidth you can get for video conferences. You can now make that a reality!

Larger WiFi Range

You will now be able to take your standard router and configure it to operate as a range extender, amplifying your signal to reach farther devices. You can even extend wifi outside if the router is good enough.

These are, of course, just a few benefits you’ll receive by using DD-WRT.

Related: Do Colleges Track Wifi Network Activity?

Important Features of a Good DD-WRT Router

Comparing DD-WRT Routers vs. Regular Routers

You may be wondering why you even need a DD-WRT router. They’re typically more expensive, after all! However, you get full control over your entire router with DD-WRT capabilities.

Regular routers, in contrast, are limited in many ways. With DD-WRT routers, you can extend your network’s range, expect faster performance with fewer glitches and lagging, and the ability to adjust controls and customization.

If you're a heavy gamer or simply require plentiful bandwidth in your household, you'll love the flexibility and performance DD-WRT routers can provide. 

Related: Cisco Vs Juniper Routers Comparison Guide

Recommended DD-WRT Set Up & Configuration

Now, let’s go through how to set up and configure your DD-WRT compatible router.

Where to Download Firmware

This link right here is a reliable place you can download DD-WRT firmware.

How to Install VPN on a Router

First, make sure your router has at least 8 MB of flash memory (yours should if it’s from our guide).

Related: VPN Vs Firewall Differences Explained

Common DD-WRT Router Questions

Is DD WRT legal?

Yes, it is!

Is it better to buy a pre-flashed router, or should I flash it myself?

That all depends on you. If you're not particularly tech-savvy, you may just want to spend the extra money and purchase a pre-flashed model.

Is it possible to uninstall DD-WRT and revert to stock firmware?

Yes, you can.

Will installing DD-WRT speed up my router?

Almost always, yes. This is one of the many benefits.

What are common operating issues with using DD-WRT routers? How can I fix them?

1. IP Conflict

If your gateway router/device is using the IP 192.168.1.1, you may have issues when accessing your router after flashing it as both devices are trying to use the same IP. To fix it, simply change the IP of one of the devices.

2. Firewall Issues

If your router has integrated firewalls, they may cause connection issues. First, try disabling all firewall-related settings to see if this fixes the connection problems.

3. DD-WRT Firmware Versions

There may be a chance you’re using a malfunctioning DD-WRT firmware version. Simply head back to this link and download a different one.

Which is better, DD-WRT or OpenWRT?

DD-WRT is based on OpenWRT, though it is much easier to install and manage. While it doesn't support quite as many as OpenWRT, you'll find that almost all of the most popular models are supported.

Which is better, DD-WRT or Tomato?

DD-WRT offers many more features than Tomato and supports more models as well. However, this makes it more open to more bugs as it does have more feature options. Tomato is slightly easier to flash, but for most people, that's not worth selecting it over DD-WRT.

Conclusion

Now that you’re practically a pro on the best DD-WRT routers currently available, which one will you be using for your home? No matter which one you select, you can rest easy knowing it’s a top-notch product.

However, we do still recommend the NETGEAR Nighthawk X4S R7800 AC2600. You're simply not going to find the incredible speeds, power, and user options anywhere else for the price. We hope our guide has helped you match with the perfect DD-WRT router for you!