Recommended Router (using Merlin FW)

[JGrana]

I have a friend that lives in a single story house, not too large - 2 bedrooms and kitchen, living room.

She presently has a Comcast combo cable modem with Wifi. This is not getting her the range she hoped for. She mentioned the cable installer told her to get a wifi extender...
She has an iPhone 7, a laptop with an Intel AC card and a new Samsung TV (2017) with AC class WiFi.

I told her it might be better to get a separate cable modem and good WiFi router.

It's down to either the RT-AC68U or the RT-AC86U (difference in price of ~ $42). I will be loading Merlins firmware.
She is on a somewhat limited budget.
I have owned the 68U (worked great) and am now running an 88U.
For the above size of house and devices, is the $42 extra for the 86U justified?

 

[joegreat]

If the budget is wide enough, you should always go for the latest model (86U) as it will give you long-term more joy...

I am also tempted to replace at least one of my 87Us with a 86U - would give me a boost on VPN and "some fun" to make it as rock solid as my setup now is...

 

[skeal]

Make sure that the router is compatible with the new 382 gpl. If it isn't that would be a bummer not beingable to use @RMerlin firmware.

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asuswrt-merlin-project-update.41065/

Hope this is some help or just ask @RMerlin himself.

 

[skeal]

I just seen this for information sake.

RMerlin
The RT-AC86U 382_18219 binary blobs are not compatible with GPL 382_18991, so 382.2 will not support the RT-AC86U, unless Asus releases a new compatible version within that development cycle.

 

[skeal]

I would review the models listed here:
http://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca
382.xx Stable:
RT-AC88U: 382.1_2
RT-AC3100: 382.1_2
RT-AC86U: 382.1_2

Going forward and older models may not be supported.

This is good advice for buying a new router.

 

[unsynaps]

If the budget is wide enough, you should always go for the latest model (86U) as it will give you long-term more joy...

I am also tempted to replace at least one of my 87Us with a 86U - would give me a boost on VPN and "some fun" to make it as rock solid as my setup now is...

Yeah I am still debating on replacing my 87 with a 86 even though there is no solid reason to do it other than 'its newer'.

Also with how long its taking to get 382.xx on it makes me wonder if its got one foot in the grave with Asus.

 

[e38BimmerFN]

I would review the models listed here:
http://asuswrt.lostrealm.ca
380.xx Stable:
All router models: 380.68_4

382.xx Stable:
RT-AC88U: 382.1_2
RT-AC3100: 382.1_2
RT-AC86U: 382.1_2

Going forward and older models may not be supported.

The main list is here for older builds of Merlin and routers:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/asuswrt-merlin-custom-firmware-for-asus-routers.7846/

 

[JGrana]

Thanks for all the good advice and guidance. I am leaning towards the 86U - loved my old 68U, but it is getting long in the tooth!

 

[RMerlin]

For 42$, I would get the RT-AC86U. It's a few years newer (which means that will extend its life expectancy), it has almost identical wifi performance, but comes with a much more capable CPU. If budget is an issue however, she won't lose much by sticking with an RT-AC68U and have no intention of using VPNs or USB disk sharing.