DD-WRT is arguably the most popular custom router firmware available in the market today, so it’s no surprise if you’ve been browsing the internet for best DD-WRT router list.
How we’ve made the router choices for this best DD-WRT router list? Well here’s how:
- Personal experience and use of every single router listed here.
- Range
- Speed
- Hardware
- Technology and standards available.
More technical explanations for the factors we’ve considered can be found at the bottom of this piece. For now, let’s get started.
What is DD-WRT?
This section is for those who tumbled upon this post without actually googling for “best DD-WRT router list”, in which case you might have some iota of doubt regarding DD-WRT.
Check out: Difference between DD-wrt or Tomato Firmware
DD-WRT is basically a custom router firmware, probably the most popular one and it helps you unlock your routers’ true potential, which otherwise on its stock (default) firmware, remain latent.
The performance increases in regards to speed, range, security, and protection against known loopholes.
The process of “flashing” (installing custom firmware) on your routers isn’t rocket science but it isn’t exactly a walk in the park either although Flashrouters is a company which makes it easier than that.
They let you buy pre-flashed, totally configured, use out-of-the-box routers from their best DD-WRT routers list.
Even though not all routers support DD-WRT and those which do aren’t all worth having, hence we’ve compiled here this best DD-WRT router list making sure only the best(est) routers make it into your homes.
So bottom line, DD-WRT is a kind of “supercharger” for your router, one you totally ought to have.
Also note that every single one of these routers support VPNs, and are in fact, pre-configured on demand by the Flashrouters team hence providing you the ultimate peace of mind when it comes to privacy and anonymity.
Best DD-WRT Router List
 Netgear NighthawkR9000 X10 AD7200 |  |  Great For Large Homes Perfect For 10+ Devices Works With All ISPs & VPNs Needs International Power Adapter Plug n Play Setup |   |
 Asus RT-AC5300 AC5300 |  |  Great For Medium To Large Homes Perfect For 10+ Devices Works With All ISPs & VPNs Compatible Worldwide Plug n Play Setup | |
 Linksys WRT3200ACMAC3200 |  |  Great For Large Homes NordVPN Client DD-WRT Router Perfect For 10+ Devices Works With All ISPs VPNs Compatible Worldwide Plug n Play Setup Available | |
The routers here spare you the hassle of going through all the research, learning all the security protocols and their differences or even buying & trying them all up.
We’ve done all that for you and simplified all that geeky-talk into layman’s language, so here goes.
1. Netgear Nighthawk R9000 X10 AD7200 DD-WRT FlashRouter.
Got a large very large home? Need to connect 20+ devices? Primary requirements being lag-free gaming and video-streaming of the highest quality? Congratulations, you’ve literally landed on the best router for the above-said purposes.
Before the Netgear Nighthawk R9000 X10 AD7000 came out, the Asus RT 5300 was dominating the #1 spot at this best DD-WRT router list, but we just updated and moved it to the #2 spot, you’ll see why.
Specs:
- Arguably, the “fastest” existing router (at this price range).
- Perfect for very large, mansion-like homes, great for 20+ devices.
- Latest 802.11AD WiFi Standards (no other router in this list boasts this).
- Processor: 1.7Ghz
- RAM: 1GB DDR3
- Flash Memory: 512 MB.
- Supports MU-MIMO
- 4 External antennas.
- PLEX Media Server supported (Only router in this industry offering this).
- Quad-stream (802.11ac+802.11ad).
- Beamforming+
- Link Aggregation
- 7 Ethernet Ports- 6LAN + 1 WAN
- 2 USB 3.0 Ports.
The primary attraction for the Netgear X10 AD7000 is its support for 802.11ad WiFi standards, which aren’t available yet on any of the other routers on this best DD-WRT router list.
It’s the successor for the 802.11ac standards, and nearly 3X times faster, while the AC standards were limited to 1.3Gbps, the 802.11ad standards can provide a throughput as high as 4.2Gbps!
Also, the 802.11AD standards do not use the 2.4Ghz or the 5Ghz bands, instead of function on a 60Ghz spectrum, hence being able to offer 3x faster speeds than the 802.11AC standards.
The throughput being offered is 7200Mbps (7.2Gbps) which without doubt is the fastest existing throughput compared to any other router at this price range. Coupled with its 4 external antennas featuring wave2 WiFi, the speed quite literally is unmatched.
It also supports Beamforming+, a newer, better version of Beamforming, which specially comes in handy in home-environments where devices are moved constantly, Beamforming+ is a technology which detects where your devices are located, and drops the signals exactly at that location, hence getting you maximum speed and stability regardless of location or movement of the devices.
It also supports MU-MIMO technology, which is rare for a Netgear router. MU-MIMO helps us connect to multiple devices, simultaneously, without having to queue up the transmission for any device hence resulting in maximum speed for every connected device.
As far as hardware goes, its 1.7Ghz Quad-core processors are again unrivaled and provide never-before data transfer, and upload/download speeds.
It totally wins its spot as the #1 name for this best DD-WRT router list because nearly every aspect of it is better than any other router on the list, that extends to Ethernet, USB ports, RAM and Flash memory as well.
It provides for 2 USB 3.0, 6 LAN + 1 WAN ports, all of which exceed all other router configurations on this list. Even the 1GB RAM and 512MB Flash memory is a “never-before” spectacle in the router industry (at this price range).
So, the one thing that can absolutely be promised is extremely fast data transfer, file-sharing or any other router-task which requires high CPU usage!
Earlier the Asus 5300 wooed us over with its Link-aggression feature, but the Nighthawk implemented that too, allowing us to combine two LAN ports and extract double wired speeds than normal single-port connections!
Bottomline, it’s meant to be challenged, and is perfect for normal gaming, VR-gaming and/or 4K video-streaming simultaneously! If you can think of an ultra high-end task, the Netgear X10 AD7000 can get it done!
2. Asus RT-AC5300 AC5300 DD-WRT
The ASUS RT-AC5300 is without doubt the logical alternative to the Linksys AD7000 in case you aren’t going for that one.
There are more than enough reasons why we’ve also listed it as the best VPN router for home (along with for small businesses).
Specs:
- For very large homes.
- Specially designed for lag-free gaming and 4K Video-streaming.
- Link aggression.
- Tri-Band (1X 2.4Ghz / 2X5Ghz).
- 802.11ac standards.
- Security: WPA2 Enterprise, WPA2 Personal Mixed, WPA Personal, , Enterprise Mixed, RADIUS, WPA Enterprise, WPA2 Personal, WPA2, WEP.
- Processor: 1.4GHz, Dual Core.
- Flash Memory: 128MB
- 4 External Ports: 1 WAN, 4LAN.
- RAM: 512 MB
- USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports.
- 4X4 External antennas.
- MU-MIMO technology supported.
This is here at the #2 spot on this best DD-WRT router list because this one is primarily custom-tailored for ultra high-end tasks such as gaming and 4K video-streaming too, just like the Netgear beast!
Must check: Best VPN Router with Tomato Firmware
The primary weapon it has in its arsenal is its tri-band support, it supports 2.4Ghz along with double 5Ghz bands, the throughput being 1000Mbps and 2167Mbps X2 on the 2.4Ghz band and the 5Ghz bands respectively.
The total throughput thus adds up to 5300Mbps (or 5.3Gbps) which is exemplary, in addition, it brings with itself the 802.11ac standards, the second-best router WiFi standards currently available in the market.
Along with this 802.11ac standards comes Beamforming, the technology which helps the router send the signals not in any general direction, but exactly where your devices are at, increasing the speed and stability extensively.
The security is strengthened to Fort-Knox level with every single encryption protocol, ranging from WEP to WPA-2 Enterprise being available, in other words, it’s secure.
When it comes to external antennas too, it beats nearly all the other routers out there by offering 8 of them, arranged in a 4X4 infrastructure, which boosts the overall speed and range of the router considerably.
MU-MIMO technology is another of the feathers in the cap of the router, MU-MIMO stands for Multiple User- Multiple Input Multiple Output, it helps the router connect to multiple devices and transmit data to them simultaneously, without making any one of them wait.
This makes sure none of the devices on your network suffer a speed lag, and are able to liberate their powers to their full potential.
The hardware configurations of the router too totally justify it as the #1 position holder in this best DD-WRT router list, with 1.4Ghz processor, 512MB RAM and 128MB flash memory it doesn’t leave anything to be complained about.
Another one of the features available on the Asus 5300 exclusively is its link-aggression feature, it basically lets us combine two LAN ports, and thus enabling us to get double the speed on wired Ethernet connections.
And finally, its advanced QoS helps you prioritize gaming and video-streaming whenever required, hence offering unprecedented performance. It also boasts built-in WTFast game accelerator, hence justifying my statement of it being custom-tailored for gaming.
Bottomline, it’s priced at same price as the Netgear X10 AD7200, while that is an obviously better choice, still if you need the power of 8 antennas instead of 4 (although it won’t make much difference) and you’re a loyal ASUS customer, this is the router for you.
3. Linksys WRT3200ACM AC3200 DD-WRT FlashRouter.
After Asus 5300, the other router which deserves a seat at this best DD-WRT router list is the Linksys AC3200.
- Adequate for very large homes.
- MU-MIMO supported.
- 512 MB RAM/ 256 MB flash.
- Supports Tri-stream (fastest 5Ghz band technology).
- Best in industry 1.8Ghz processors.
- 4 External antennas.
- Encryption protocols: WPA2 Personal, WPA2 Enterprise, WPA/WPA2.
- Beamforming available.
- Simultaneous dual-band: 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz.
- USB 3.0 and 2.0 (Esata ports).
Even though it’s priced at nearly half the price of the above two routers on this best DD-WRT router list, it doesn’t compromise on the features it offers.
To begin with , it offers dual-band frequencies, both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz, the throughput being 600Mbps + 2600Mbps respectively on both the bands hence adding up to 3200 Mbps.
It supports 802.11ac standards, hence supporting Beamforming as well allowing for great direction-oriented speed and stability.
It also is equipped with 4 external antennas, which add to the speed it offers with the help of its tri-stream technology, which double its speed on the 5Ghz band from 80MHz to 160MHz, hence offering 3X160MHz at 867Mbps = 2.6Gbps!
As for USB ports, it has a 2.0 USB port which doubles as an ESATA port, and an additional 3.0 port as well.
Its Dual-core 1.8Ghz processor is more than I expected at this price-range, with 512MBs or RAM and 256MBs of flash memory, all the tasks including data transfer and LAN to WAN transfers are supercharged!
MU-MIMO technology is another one of its wonders, allowing multiple device connections, simultaneously, resulting in maximum speed for those devices individually.
In a nutshell, if you’re tight on a budget and still need one from the best DD-WRT router list, this will be a perfect choice.
4. Netgear Nighthawk X6 R8000 AC3200
This one is the predecessor for the Nighthawk AD7200, and isn’t as advanced as its successor but gives the other routers in this best DD-WRT router list a run for their money.
Specs:
- Smart connect available.
- 2 USB Ports: 1X3.0 / 1X 2.0
- RAM: 256MB
- Beamforming+
- Processors: Broadcom 1Ghz Dual Core.
- Flash memory: 128 MB
- Tri-Band (1X2.4Ghz / 2X 5GHz)
- 6 external antennas.
- 802.11ac standards.
It supports 802.11ac standards, bringing in Beamforming+ along with it, which is an advanced Beamforming version from Netgear, bottom line; the router knows where your devices are located, getting us great speed and range.
Talking of speed and range, its 6 external antennas come in handy and work along with all the other features to attain the maximum speed and range goal.
Its tri-band frequency allows us to use both of its bands simultaneously, i.e. the 2.4Ghz and both the 5Ghz bands, so technically, it’s the same as using 3 different routers at the price of one!
The total theoretical throughput is 600Mbps (2.4Ghz) + 1300Mbps X 2 (5Ghz bands) adding to the total of around 3200 Mbps (3.2Gbps!)
It’s equipped with SmartConnect, a feature which automatically assigns all your devices to the best available band, hence they can perform their best, and keeps you out of the hassle having to manually assign a band to each.
The 1Ghz Dual-core processor too is more than enough for all router-tasks, coupled with 256MB RAM and 128MB Flash memory, CPU performance isn’t an aspect you’ll have to worry about.
Bottomline, if you need to connect to 10-15 devices, expect to play games and stream 4K videos, while not burning a hole in your pocket at the same time, the Netgear Nighthawk AC3200 is the answer.
5. Asus RT-AC87U AC2400 DD-WRT FlashRouter
The final name on this best DD-WRT router list is that of Asus AC2400. It won’t “impress” you per say, considering how you’ve been exposed to the superpowers of beasts like the Netgear X10 AD7200 or the Asus 5300, but as an individual router, it still tops the charts as one of the best DD-WRT routers 2017 and resembles quite a bit with Netgear AC3200.
Specs:
- Dual band frequencies. (2.4Ghz + 5Ghz)
- 4 External Antennas.
- 1Ghz Broadcom Dual Core Processor.
- 2 USB Ports: 2.0 & 3.0
- MU-MIMO available.
- 5 Ethernet ports: 4LAN + 1 WAN
- RAM: 256MB
- Flash Memory: 128MB
- Beamforming supported.
- Encryption Protocols: 64-bit WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise , WPA-Enterprise , WPS support, 128-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK
Like any other router on this best DD-WRT router list, the ASUS AC2400 too boasts 802.11ac standards and Beamforming.
The processor is a 1Ghz Dual Core Broadcom processor, the RAM and flash memory being 256MB and 128 MB respectively.
Ethernet ports too are alike any other router, with 4 ports being dedicated to LAN, and 1 to WAN.
Its Dual-band frequency gets a total throughput of 2400Mbps, and the availability of MU-MIMO further eases things out.
As for security protocols, it’s equally secure as the Asus 5300 which is around 2x its price.
Bottomline, it’s not extremely flashy, but when it comes to a best DD-WRT router list, this one definitely gets included.
Technical factors we paid attention to:
- Number of bands
In simplest of words, the number of bands determine how many frequencies your router can support. This in turn determines your speed and compatibility. Every single router listed below is at least dual-band or more.
- Processor and RAM
These determine the overall speed, task management and features of the router. Make sure to go with at least 128 MB RAM and multi-core processors. Most routers on this list offer you 512MB+ RAM.
- Unlocked/Flashed firmware
As the name suggests, every single router listed below will have DD-WRT pre-flashed! If you don’t know why it matters, read this guide on Tomato vs. DD-WRT to learn of the features and benefits.
- Advanced QoS
This list isn’t just for home routers but also routers for your small office. As a result, we’ve paid attention to the QoS. Most routers listed below will offer advanced QoS instead of the dull, dated, manual-config-requiring QoS.
In simpler words, you wouldn’t have to worry about bandwidth management, task prioritization and other chores. These QoS are advanced and self-adaptive!
- VPN
We’ve paid massive attention to this. Be it your home or office, security is of paramount importance, right? Govts. are getting more conservative, hackers more skilled and the internet more dangerous.
Fortunately, when you purchase any of these pre-flashed DD-WRT routers for your home or office, you can get them pre-secured with a VPN!
On the Flashrouter website, simply enter your VPN details and the company will set it up for you before shipping! You can literally use the router out of the box.
- Other advanced features
Beamforming, number of USB ports, encryption protocols and basically every other factor that exists in a router has been dissected, tested, and explained throughout this piece, wouldn’t you agree?
Final Words:
So, I don’t suppose it’s a secret that the Netgear X10 AD7200 is without doubt the best DD-WRT router on this list.
If that’s out of your pockets, you can go for the Linksys 3200 but the throughput is almost half compared to the Netgear X10 AD7200, still, it’s more than enough.
Bottomline is, the first two routers are premium, literally the best, specifically crafted for high-end gaming and 4K Video streaming, if those are your needs, you can’t find a better match.
If not, and your requirements are just great range and speed, feel free to pick any other of the beasts, they all are equally efficient.
Either way, let me know which router you feel actually deserves the #1 spot on this best DD-WRT router list from your perspective.
