Looking for a budget router for a home (3 floors, 3000sq feet, 11 devices), because my current router is utter garbage

(bad range and doesnt support nat loopback, which makes me have to mess with dns far more than necesary, and all the messing around gets wiped out when the router restarts or unplugs itself and my computer caches the external dns server, i hate it so much please i need to get rid of it)

edit: it only has to cover maybe 1500sq feet, not 3000

  • It needs to be suitable for a small homelab. (ie: 4 ethernet ports and a functional webui)
  • preferably supports openwrt or some other open-source software, and i - would prefer to spend less than 70 CAD.
  • Wifi 6 is uneccesary as most devices in the house dont support it.

Thank you in advance!

  • Shady_Shiroe@lemmy.worldEnglish
    7·
    9 months ago

    A cheap (or used) mesh system is better than any router + extender crap, especially if you have a modem router combo that can’t even output decent speeds 10 feet away in straight view, at least this is my experience with it.

    • BlisterexeOPEnglish
      1·
      9 months ago

      any recommendations for one? Its hard to cut through all the marketing. (also my main issue with my current router is the terrible software, not the range)

      • xonigo@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        9 months ago

        I have some tp link deco mesh units I got refurbished from the official tp link eBay store. They work great and have good coverage. But it’s not open source and you need to use their phone app the manage them - but their app isn’t too bad. It does everything I need it to do