// gear i actually run
The MikroTik gear I point people to for learning RouterOS on real hardware without spending much: small routers, an outdoor LTE option, and the mounts and PoE bits that go with them.
The links below are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. I only list gear I actually use or would recommend. Full disclosure.
A cheap, full RouterOS router — the box I tell people to learn MikroTik on. Everything RouterOS does, at a price where bricking it while learning does not hurt.
The dual-band step up from the plain hAP — adds 5GHz so you can practice multi-band Wi-Fi and a more realistic setup. Still inexpensive.
A pocket-sized dual-chain AP and router for travel or a tiny remote site. RouterOS in something that fits in a bag.
An outdoor LTE unit for failover or rural connectivity where wired isn't an option. Niche, but the right tool when you need cellular as a backup WAN.
The matching passive PoE injector for powering MikroTik gear (9-48V), with gigabit pass-through. Buy it with the unit so you are not improvising power.
The bracket made for aiming the LHG dish at a tower. If you are deploying the LHG outdoors, you need a real mount, not zip ties.
The general QuickMount kit for wall or pole mounting MikroTik outdoor units. The unglamorous part that makes an outdoor install actually hold up.
MikroTik is the cheapest way to learn real routing on real hardware. Start with a hAP, break things, reset, repeat. The outdoor and mount items are only relevant if you are deploying outside.
Free download
The pre-deploy checks I run before any network goes live. Free, no spam.