Want to learn networking in depth
- Go for mikrotik
- Or reuse old computer into OpenSense

Want fancy setups & Flex
- Go for Ubiquiti

Long-term support, best in consumer class
- Go with ASUS.
- Go for specific models supported by Asuswrt-Merlin (Google why Asuswrt-Merlin is more superior than Asuswrt stock firmware)

Good hardware, bad long-term support
- Go for TP-Link
- Has many revisions, priority given to newer revision thou your model is new. E.g., TP-Link Archer BE3600 V1, TP-Link Archer BE3600 V2. In some cases, V1 will receive firmware updates, but again, it depends on the manufacture.

Bolehlah case
- Go for D-Link, Totolink, Xiaomi, Huawei, or Tenda.
- For D-Link, Totolink, go for models supported by Openwrt community.
- D-Link is known for various vulnerability and unpatched firmware.

I would recommend you to go with any of the models listed as in the supported list of Asuswrt-Merlin firmware - Asuswrt-Merlin Models

You can follow up the discussing at their official site here.

Additionally, if you like to play with scripts, you can use the following scripts on Asuswrt-Merlin firmwares: AMTM (Asuswrt-Merlin Terminal Menu) (You will be needing a dedicated 4GB/8GB/16GB/32GB thumbdrive for this purpose).

Yes. You can also access the web management in bridge mode by manual config computer ip & use LAN4.