Any under $60 router suggestions for Homelab

Question

I want to upgrade my router from tplink archer a5 [1] due to constant connection drops and lack of Gigabit support.I would like to know how do I go about shortlisting a new router for my homelab. The netgear and ubiquiti options seems really expensive. Are there any options under $60?I'll be mostly streaming from my Jellyfin server or accessing files on my NAS over tailscale.[1] https://www.tp-link.com/in/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-a5/

runjake · Accepted Answer

You said router, so I'm going to assume you meant a router and not a router/wireless access point combo.
I used the NanoPi R4S for a bit with DD-WRT and it did really well and would saturate a gig link. Note that this is a router, and not a wireless access point.
https://www.friendlyelec.com/index.php?route=product/product...
PS: If by connection drops you mean wireless, you should investigate the causes of these drops instead of blindly replacing wireless hardware. The TP-Link Archer series is generally considered pretty decent wireless gear for home use.
Make sure you're using 5 ghz and not 2.4 ghz. Check the TP-Link's logs. Check your client's logs for drops.

hello_computer · Answer

If your switch supports vlans, you can use just about any cheap computer (ARM SBC, or some old desktop off of ebay) as a firewall+router combo. That is, on the switch plug the internet modem into vlan A (access), assign LAN ports to vlan B (access), and use the last port to trunk vlans A & B to the cheap computer. From there, you can use vanilla linux or BSD to firewall & route between the two vlans. Only suggesting this because finding something cheap with more than one NIC is a tall order. Best practices, no. Cheap, yes.If you can get a super-cheap PC, decent gbit nics can be found for under $15, and that would eliminate the vlan nonsense.

warrenm · Answer

This one's $50 at my local Walmart - https://www.walmart.com/ip/TP-Link-Archer-AC1900-Dual-Band-M...4 GigE wired ports

bell-cot · Answer

Guess: You ruled out the Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X, because it doesn't also do WiFi?(Not to say that's a great product, but you're not going to get "great" on a $60 budget.)

mindcrash · Answer

Any hardware which can run OPNsense, OpenWrt or DD-WRT.Personally I would look at a SOC platform like Banana Pi, Nano Pi or Nano PC.

nashashmi · Answer

The tp links are mesh ready. Do you need mesh?

guilhas · Answer

I usually go on ebay and search openwrt

Any under $60 router suggestions for Homelab

This one's $50 at my local Walmart - https://www.walmart.com/ip/TP-Link-Archer-AC1900-Dual-Band-M...
4 GigE wired ports

Guess: You ruled out the Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X, because it doesn't also do WiFi?
(Not to say that's a great product, but you're not going to get "great" on a $60 budget.)

Any hardware which can run OPNsense, OpenWrt or DD-WRT.
Personally I would look at a SOC platform like Banana Pi, Nano Pi or Nano PC.

The tp links are mesh ready. Do you need mesh?

I usually go on ebay and search openwrt