RT-AX1800S

I decided to go with ASUS RT-AX1800S instead. Turns out this router is rock solid with stock firmware and provides all the features I need. It has up to 3 separate guest networks, one of which I set up as IOT. It also allows me to use a custon DNS server (I use Pihole for DNS) and it is super good a

Yeah I've been running the RT-AX1800S for about 8 months now and it's been rock solid. The web interface is way better than TP-Link's garbage too, actually lets you configure stuff without wanting to throw it out the window

It definitely is not IMO. Mikrotik is a lot of fun and you get a ton of hardware for the price, but it's like being dropped in a foreign land without knowing the language and it doesn't act like any other common router interface, even with regards to verbiage, so online guides will be more scarce. Y

Based on needing a full router for less than $100, Asus is generally pretty great and fully featured OS with nearly the same functionality across all their hardware level tiers. The RT-AX57 for example can have 6 SSIDs, 3 on 2.4Ghz and 3 on 5Ghz. Asus supports their routers for far longer than most

I ended up getting ASUS RT-AX1800S (It's a Taiwanese company). It was manufactured in 2025 and made in Vietnam. Works great, nice web interface and fast speeds. Met all my concerns/budget requirements.