ZyXEL EX5601: OpenWrt Compatibility Report

ZyXEL EX5601 router
Image: OpenWrt Table of Hardware, CC BY-SA 4.0

The ZyXEL EX5601 runs OpenWrt 25.12.5 on the mediatek/filogic target, and has been supported since 23.05.0. Its WiFi 6 (AX) wireless on the mt76 driver rates excellent for open-source driver support (0.95/1.0), installation is rated moderate, and we have no current US retail listing for it.

Drivers: Excellent (0.95) WiFi 6 (AX) Install: moderate

Hardware data and retail listings last checked .

Discontinued. This model is no longer sold new, so this page is kept as a reference for people who already own one. See current alternatives.

Where to buy

We have no current retail listing for the ZyXEL EX5601, which is no longer sold new. See current alternatives for devices you can still buy today.

Specifications

SoC MediaTek MT7986A
CPU 4 cores @ 2000 MHz
RAM 1024 MB
Flash 512 MB (NAND)
Ethernet ports 5 (2.5G)
USB 1x 3.0
WiFi generation WiFi 6 (AX)
Radios 2.4GHz: b/g/n/ax · 5GHz: a/n/ac/ax
WLAN hardware MediaTek MT7986A, MediaTek MT7976AN, MediaTek MT7976GN
WLAN driver mt76
OpenWrt target mediatek / filogic
Package architecture aarch64_cortex-a53
Current release 25.12.5
Supported since 23.05.0
Install method see git-commit
Install difficulty moderate
Power supply 12 VDC, 3.0A via barrel
Device type Home router
Estimated throughput 2000 Mbps
Availability not_available

Installing OpenWrt on the EX5601

Installation on this device is rated moderate. Expect to use a recovery mode, TFTP or a vendor tool rather than a plain web upload. Documented methods: see git-commit.

Multiple install images, follow directions, do not use the 2.5Gbit ports for the flashing procedure.

Flashing third-party firmware can brick a router and usually voids the warranty. Always check that the firmware image matches your exact hardware version.

Hardware versions

The EX5601 ships in several hardware revisions with different chipsets. Match the version printed on your device label before flashing.

Version Target Current release WLAN hardware
T1 shown above mediatek/filogic 25.12.5 MediaTek MT7986A, MediaTek MT7976AN, MediaTek MT7976GN
T0 mediatek/filogic 25.12.4 MediaTek MT7986A, MediaTek MT7976AN, MediaTek MT7976GN

Still sold and well supported

Sinovoip Banana Pi BPi-R3 Mini

WiFi 6 (AX) Drivers: Excellent $109

Huasifei WH3000

WiFi 6 (AX) Drivers: Excellent

GL.iNet GL-MT6000 (Flint 2)

WiFi 6 (AX) Drivers: Excellent $170

Not sure which fits? Take the 60-second quiz.