I've been building home networks for decades, but it's only recently that I've started building my own routers, and it's had a bigger impact than any other improvement I've made. I've used custom firmware before on factory hardware, but being able to make decisions about which hardware to use and which software packages to install calls out to me.

Some of that is due to not liking vendor lock-inor the lowest-cost design of most consumer routers, but it's also the freedom to use the advanced network features I want to make my home network better. Things like better security, faster update cadence, and higher-quality hardware all make my network better, and it's taught me a lot about networking in the process. That means every network I touch from now on benefits from the journey, not just improving the home network I'm using right now.

I learned a ton while doing it

This will make my network better over time rather than quick fixes that I'd forget

If you're perfectly happy with a simple network setup, that's awesome. Some days, I wish that I could stifle the itch to tweak and add complexity to my home network, but I've learned more in the short time I've been using a router I built than I did in years of using off-the-shelf models. I now have a much better understanding of DNS and the other technologies that underpin the Internet. A better view of subnets and when to use them, and a deeper understanding of network security.

That last one I'd rather put back in the bottle, as it makes the Internet even more scary, but I know how to guard my home network a little better, and that healthy paranoia is a good thing. I've also learned about myself, which things I care about on my home network, the services I need to handle my digital life, and the things that I have zero interest in maintaining.

I'm in complete control of the configuration

Good-bye to artificial restrictions on what I can use or control

I've built custom routers from old PC parts, mini PCs better suited to the task, and SBCs, and one thing stands out. The only restrictions are those I create. What I mean by that is that I'm in charge of every aspect of the specifications, not the manufacturer. I can build a tower PC and stuff it with SFP+ PCIe cards to run fiber around my home, or simplify down to the essentials with a mini PC with two Ethernet ports, going to a network switch and an external Wi-Fi access point.

I can set the LAN port speeds and types I want, use multiple WAN ports for connection bonding or failover, add storage for simple NAS functions or to run advanced software packages on the router, or anything else that I can think of that will work with the operating system installed. I can set up VLANs, advanced QoS, and other enterprise-level features that used to be limited for home use. And with most router software being either BSD or Linux-based, that's a lot of options for building the security and service stack that I want on my home network.

I can now choose what services I want to run

Integrated VPNs, adblocking, reverse proxies, and more are a few clicks away

When I was using an off-the-shelf router, my home network was limited to those services and tools the router manufacturer wanted me to use. I can't really fault them for that, as the hardware inside was limited as well, and anything else might have degraded the overall experience. But now that I'm running a custom-built router, I have a much wider range of services to use, from reverse proxies to security suites, remote access tools, and VPNs.

The fun doesn't stop there, as I can run custom DNS servers or segment my network to keep the home lab away from my home network, add from dozens of officially supported plugins, or even build my own packages from source. All of this is wrapped in regular OS updates, something that router manufacturers are slow to do. Any one of these features would improve your home network, but taken together, they cascade into a much better networking experience.

I can use my choice of OS

This is a bigger improvement than it sounds

Building a custom router with open-source software is all about choice, both in the hardware you use and the software you run on it. Some of these have paid subscriptions, but most have a community version that's free to use, and all offer options for plugins and tools you can add later once your new router is up and running. It's worth noting that most of these don't support Wi-Fi routers, or if they do, it's mostly older models that use Wi-Fi 5, since drivers for newer Wi-Fi versions haven't been released to the community.

You've got plenty of options to choose from:

The OpenBSD or Linux-based operating systems on this list are your best bet for building the router you want. I've used most of this list extensively, and my favorites are OPNsense, OpenWRT, and IPFire, but depending on the hardware you're using, some of the other options might suit your needs more closely. And nothing is stopping you from building a custom router and putting your existing Wi-Fi router into AP-only mode to provide wireless connectivity, thereby preventing it from becoming e-waste.

Detailed traffic monitoring and security options

To make my home network better I need to know what's going on

To keep your home network in tip top condition, you need to know what's actually happening on it. Most routers don't really show you that much about the traffic flowing through it, but by adding some monitoring tools to the operating system I'd picked for my DIY router, I could see real-time traffic flows. This also gives me insights into which interfaces are using the most bandwidth, which apps and services are hogging the capacity, and other nuggets of information that could be turned into actionable upgrades.

But it's not only monitoring tools that can be added to custom routers, Intrusion Detection Systems and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IDS and IPS) can be easily added, and having them on the router gives you visibility into all aspects of your home network. That way, the systems can work in concert to keep threats out, or stop threats from sending your precious data outside your home network in the unfortunate event you get malware or other unwanted software on the wrong side of your firewall.

Building my own router is the single most rewarding thing I have done for my home network

I've learned more from building my own router and configuring it than I have in years of using off-the-shelf units, and the best part is that I can keep upgrading it to fit my needs. The one thing it can't really do is supply PoE++ so that my smart home is powered by a single set of cables wherever possible, but that's one reason managed switches exist. My home network is faster, more intelligent, and more secure, and there's a certain level of pride in knowing I had a hand in that, even if all I did was assemble hardware and software developed by others.