SOHO router(s), buy v build

Hi ALE folks,

I'm looking for 3-ish *good* SOHO routers.

I like separating the radio from the routing, i.e. the wireless
part is a separate piece of hardware & the router just routes.

CLI config?  Used to be we'd make a textfile config & TFTP it
into Ye Olde Cisco 2501 by the serial port. (Umm, do we even
HAVE serial porta anymore...?)

CLI/text config would be nice so I can keep up with config
changes a la source code controls/versioning.

Could use "a few" ports, say 4-6-ish.
Some kinda "fast low power" CPU like ARM-64.

Buy or build?
Buy would be something like Ubiquiti I guess?  Powerable by USB-C or POE...
What to build?  Any resources/recommendations/FAQs/Docs?
Build would mean I can use the likes of PFSense or DDWrt or other Linux
or *BSD-based software/firmware.
Protectli?  Routerboard?  Something else?

Over the years I've been pretty ok with Asus but they're kinda
fragile - power surge has taken a few of mine.  They appear
to score ok on non-spyware in their firmware (consent decree
some years ago IIRC but that's expiring I think). And they
run DDWrt fine.

Y'all's input welcome.  Thanks, -kc
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