OpenVPN Wi-Fi 7 Router Recommendation

[Shazb0t]

I've been running an RT-AC86U with Asuswrt-Merlin for several years and it's been starting to act up recently. I know the firmware support was EOL sometime ago so it's time to look at purchasing something new. I see there are some Wi-Fi 7 options with Merlin support available now. I run PIA VPN utilizing OpenVPN on my current router and have appreciated the hardware acceleration that the AC86U offers. Is there an optimal new choice out there with the same features to replace this router? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[bennor]

There is a specific subforum here for WiFi7 series routers. Maybe read through there, if you haven't done so already, to see what people are using and issues they may or may not be having with their routers.

ASUS BE Routers & Adapters (Wi-Fi 7)

Use this forum for posts related to the ASUS 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) devices.

www.snbforums.com

 

[Shazb0t]

There is a specific subforum here for WiFi7 series routers. Maybe read through there, if you haven't done so already, to see what people are using and issues they may or may not be having with their routers.

ASUS BE Routers & Adapters (Wi-Fi 7)

Use this forum for posts related to the ASUS 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) devices.

www.snbforums.com

I posted here because I intend to use Asuswrt-Merlin.

 

[RMerlin]

Depends on your needs. The RT-BE86U would be the direct replacement to your RT-AC86U. If you want 6 GHz support, then look at the RT-BE96U.

There's also the RT-BE92U, but I can't remember if it has AES acceleration, which you would want for your OpenVPN tunnel. It has weaker wifi than the others however.

I posted here because I intend to use Asuswrt-Merlin.

His advice is to look through the existing posts in that sub-forum to gather feedback from users of these other models. This might help you make a decision.

 

[bennor]

I posted here because I intend to use Asuswrt-Merlin.

Yes, and there are people using Asus-Merlin on their routers having discussions in that WiFi subforum. Further, like RMerlin indicates it was intended to help provide additional feedback on various WiFi 7 series routers to help with one's decision. If nothing else, discussions in that subforum may reveal issues specific to WiFi 7 routers regardless of firmware used that one may want to be aware of prior to purchasing a WiFi 7 series Asus router.