Final words and verdict
For a first product launch, designed in collaboration between OpenWrt and Banana Pi teams, both companies were successful in building a user-friendly router, and fulfilled that promise. While it features only two Ethernet ports, which some might view as a drawback, this device stands out for its seamless installation process, robust OpenWrt support, and pre-assembled construction. This out of the box design removes the need for installing and adding additional accessories, such as heat sinks or enclosures, ultimately reducing your overall costs and ultimately making the users life a lot simpler.
The pricing of this product falls short in comparison to the Banana Pi BPI-R4, which retails for approximately $100.00 (excluding the case). The Banana Pi R4, however, features a lot more interfaces, enhanced hardware and additional RAM, making it a more attractive option among the two.
Should you buy it?
The answer is generally affirmative, but it really depends on your individual requirements. OpenWrt presents a few compelling advantages, such as integrated built-in PoE (Power over Ethernet) support that can be utilized extensively. The inclusion of the mikroBUS socket is a great enhancement, enabling seamless connections between controllers and sensors on the board. This feature makes it ideal for a wide range of projects and developments across various industries, including smart home applications.
Pricing and Availability
Initially unveiled in January 2024, the router’s developer samples were rolled out in April, with early units auctioned at the OpenWrt Summit held in Cyprus on May 18-19. The exciting news is that the OpenWrt One is now widely available on AliExpress for just $89, which includes a full kit with sturdy metal enclosure, a PoE module, three antennas, and a power supply.
It’s a mistake to compare the router with BPI R4.
Compare it with BPI R3. Unfortunately Openwrt One looses in every possible category including price.
OpenWrt may have prioritized profit over customer value, which could be considered a strategic mistake.
no, check out the latest news of TP-Link. This Chinese company has been selling these insecure routers, sometimes at costs lower than what it takes to manufacture. This is truly an alarming issue, certainly consumers in the US have been given unrealistic prices for decent router hardware, and much of our internet infrastructure is based on highly insecure hardware. If you have a TP-Link router, try breaking in with password “1234” it’s scary how simple it can be!
You can always consider purchasing an Asus router may come at a higher price point, it generally offers enhanced security. It’s important to note that the lower price of open-source-based routers is not necessarily a cause for concern. These routers tend to be more affordable due to their DIY nature, which often means less direct customer support and software.
I believe the OpenWrt community offers significant advantages over manufacturer firmware. However, the lack of a standardized method for evaluating the security of routers remains a concern. Same goes with electric cars and other products.
There are not free gifts.
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I got myself one and sadly I must say the wireless range and connection stability is way worse than a Cudy WR3000 that uses the same SoC and comes at 1/3 of the price. So I had to pull back.
I didn’t notice any difference in connection range or stability problems when I compared performance to one of my stronger Chinese routers.
Again, it depends if you have a lot of walls that might interfere with signal reception. You can check the latest update, maybe there are improvements or tweaks in newer OpenWrt releases.
You can also buy WiFi signal boosters on AliExpress and check if it helps.