UniFi Wi-Fi Access Point Buyers Guide
Originally Posted: January 24th, 2021
Last Edited: March 18th, 2024
UniFi Wi-Fi Access Point Guide
Overview
Ubiquiti markets UniFi to prosumers and small businesses, but they can also make good home networks. UniFi offers more flexibility and features than typical consumer-grade equipment. If you are a networking nerd or you just want to build a powerful, cost-effective network, UniFi is worth considering.
UniFi networks are modular, so you can choose the components that fit your needs. Ubiquiti sells all-in-one Cloud Gateways if you want an easy way to get started. You can also assemble your own network by picking an appropriate UniFi gateway, UniFi switch, and UniFi Network controller. That leaves the most common question I am asked — which UniFi access point should I buy? It’s hard to make specific recommendations. My goal for this guide is to provide the info you need to decide for yourself.
There are many different models and types, spread over several generations. Refer to Ubiquiti's help article for a list of all UniFi AP models and generations. The main UniFi APs to consider are Wi-Fi 6, but those looking for high-end options can consider the Wi-Fi 6E models with 6 GHz — the U6-Enterprise and U6-Enterprise-In-Wall. Wi-Fi 7 models are starting to be released as well, but we've only seen one (the U7-Pro) so far.
If you’re interested in the performance of Wi-Fi 6 UniFi access points vs. older models, Aruba Instant On and TP-Link Omada, see my U6-Pro and U6-Mesh Review and Speed Comparisons. See the rest of my UniFi Network Comparison Charts and my Ubiquiti Guide for more details.
As of March 2024, this guide compares all UniFi Wi-Fi access points. I will continue to update this guide as more models are made available. Any pricing shown is the MSRP in Ubiquiti's US store, and most product links are Amazon affiliate links, which help fund this website and keep it ad-free.
Specialty UniFi APs
There are a lot of models to cover, so it helps to clear away some of the specialized models first. Unless you have a specific need for them, you can safely ignore most of these.
UAP-AC-EDU was an AC-Pro with a built-in loudspeaker. This model was discontinued and stopped receiving software updates in March 2021.
UAP-AC-SHD ($549) is an AC-HD with a 3rd radio, dedicated to RF monitoring using Ubiquiti’s AirView and AirTime.
UAP-XG ($799) and UWB-XG ($1499) — The XG models are overkill for most networks, especially home networks. The BaseStation XG (UWB-XG) can still be considered for very high-density 5 GHz coverage, if you can afford it.
UBB ($499) and UBB-XG ($999) — The UniFi Building Bridges are 60 GHz point-to-point bridges, meant for high-bandwidth links between two locations up to 500 meters (1640 feet) away.
In Wall
In-Wall models are meant to be mounted in a standard 1-gang wall box with Ethernet run to it. They provide Wi-Fi, and can also provide Ethernet connections for downstream devices thanks to a small built-in managed switch. They also feature PoE passthrough, which allows you to power a security camera, VoIP phone, or other PoE device.
AC-IW ($99) — 802.11ac Wave 1. The cheapest, oldest, and slowest model. One PoE passthrough and 2 gigabit LAN ports. Still OK as a budget option, but the U6-IW is significantly better for $80 more.
AC-IW-Pro — Discontinued and end of life.
AC-IW-HD ($179) — 802.11ac Wave 2. Higher performance than the basic AC-IW. One PoE passthrough and 4 gigabit LAN ports. Not shown in the US store, consider the U6 In-Wall instead.
U6-IW ($179) — Wi-Fi 6. Updated version of the AC-IW-HD. One PoE passthrough and 4 gigabit LAN ports.
U6-Enterprise-IW ($299) — Wi-Fi 6E, with a 2.5 Gbps uplink. It’s much wider than the others, but still fits in a standard single (or double) wall box. One PoE passthrough and 4 gigabit LAN ports.
Flexible and Outdoor
Flexible and Outdoor models are for mounting outdoors, or in area without Ethernet. They allow you to extend a UniFi network with wireless backhaul — radio to radio, rather than with a cable. You may see these referred to as “mesh” APs. To be clear, all 2nd generation or newer UniFi APs support wireless backhaul and can act as a “mesh” AP.
Without Ethernet, wirelessly connected access points act as a wireless bridge. One radio talks to your client device like a laptop, while the other relays it to the next-closest AP. Sometimes a single radio handles both directions, which effectively cuts your potential throughput in half. This is why wireless backhaul will generally have higher latency and lower speeds than wired backhaul. Despite the performance hit, it can be the best solution for certain situations.
These models are good choices to use in a wireless mesh network, thanks to their design and antennas made specifically for long-range performance. Most of these also have weatherproof enclosures, but you can use these indoors and with Ethernet, too. They’re flexible.
Always run Ethernet to your access points if you can, even these models. If you’re running Ethernet outdoors, make sure to use outdoor cabling, shielded RJ45 connectors, and properly ground your installation.
AC-Mesh ($99) — Outdoor, 2x2 802.11ac wave 1. Features removable antennas with RP-SMA connectors for the UMA-D and other external antennas. Consider the newer, but very similar, Swiss Army Knife Ultra (UK-Ultra) instead.
Swiss Army Knife Ultra ($89) — Outdoor, 2x2 802.11ac wave 1, just like the AC-Mesh. This is part of Ubiquiti’s new “Ultra” line of products designed to offer a lot of value, and is worth considering over the AC-Mesh as a low-end option. This with the Panel Antenna Ultra takes the place of the AC-Mesh + UMA-D.
AC-Mesh-Pro ($199) — Outdoor, 3x3 802.11ac wave 1. It has the highest gain of any UniFi AP, and it is still a good option for long-range outdoor coverage.
U6-Mesh ($179) — Indoor/outdoor, Wi-Fi 6 version of the FlexHD. This will offer the fastest speeds to nearby clients, but can’t quite match the range of the AC Mesh Pro, or the other models with an external antenna.
U6-Extender ($149) — Indoor only, Wi-Fi 6 version of the BeaconHD. This plugs into an electrical outlet and helps extend your Wi-Fi network when Ethernet isn’t an option.
From Low to High in Specs and Price (US MSRP Shown)
Swiss Army Knife Ultra ($89): A “new” Wi-Fi 5 AP for cheap outdoor Wi-Fi, with an optional directional antenna.
U6 Lite ($99): The smallest, cheapest Wi-Fi 6 AP for ceilings, walls, or shelves. Uses Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) for 2.4 GHz.
U6 Plus ($129): An upgraded U6 Lite with 160 MHz channel support, Wi-Fi 6 on 2.4 GHz, and newer internals.
U6 Pro ($149): The best overall Wi-Fi 6 flagship. Consider the U6-Enterprise if you want 6 GHz, and the U7-Pro if you want 6 GHz and Wi-Fi 7.
U7 Pro ($189): The first Wi-Fi 7 model. If you want higher MIMO or higher specs, you’ll have to wait. If you’re buying now, this is a good upgrade over the U6-Pro.
U6 Extender ($149): If you don’t have Ethernet but need to extend coverage indoors, consider the U6-Extender or the older BeaconHD.
U6 In Wall ($179): If you want an In-Wall model, this is the one you should consider first. Step up to the Enterprise model if you want 6 GHz coverage. Only step down to the old AC-IW if your budget is very tight.
U6 Mesh ($179): The Wi-Fi 6 version of the FlexHD, suitable for indoors or outdoors. Great for covering an outdoor area.
U6 Enterprise ($279): The first flagship/omnidirectional Wi-Fi 6E model, with a 6 GHz radio and a single 2.5 Gbps RJ45 Ethernet port. If you have any Wi-Fi 6E devices and a 2.5 Gbps wired network, this is the best you can get. I’d recommend this over the AC-HD for high-density networks, but the U7-Pro and future Wi-Fi 7 models are worth considering, or waiting for.
Don’t Be Afraid to Mix and Match
Since you can buy them individually, you may want a few different models. If you want maximum performance in one area, you can have a U6 Enterprise there, and then use a U6 Plus or a mesh AP to extend the network into less-used areas. If you want to expand coverage in the future, you don’t need to match the models you currently have. You can add any of them at any time, wherever you need them.
To be clear — Yes, you can mix Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 access points on your network. You’ll see the most benefit from Wi-Fi 6 and 6 GHz when your client devices support those features, but there is no harm in having a variety of APs and wireless standards.
A full discussion of 802.11 wireless standards is beyond the scope of this guide. I’m going to highlight the main differences, and the parts that are important for picking an access point. Ubiquiti hasn’t officially certified any of their recent access point models, but it’s helpful to understand the features that come with each generation. Refer to the linked Wikipedia pages for more depth.
Wi-Fi 4
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) focused on increasing speed. It was the first standard to leverage multiple antennas and break the 100 Mbps barrier. It brought higher data rates, frame aggregation, security enhancements, and many other improvements, the biggest of which was single user MIMO. With 40 MHz channels, MIMO, and multiple spatial streams, greater than 100 Mbps of throughput was finally possible. Wi-Fi 4 client devices are still around today, but mostly found in older or low-cost IoT devices.
All 802.11n UniFi APs are considered 1st generation models. They are all discontinued, and should no longer be used or considered for new installations. If you still have 802.11n access points in your network, upgrading will be a big improvement in network security, speeds, and capacity.
Wi-Fi 5
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) also focused on increasing speed. It was a big jump for 5 GHz, offering up to 80 or 160 MHz channel widths, up to 4x4 MIMO, and even more-efficient encoding. This resulted in significantly higher throughput than Wi-Fi 4. It also significantly increased complexity, so the certification was broken up into two waves.
AC Wave 1 certifications started in 2013, and allowed many aspects of the standard to be optional. AC Wave 2 certifications started in 2016. It increased some limits, allowing for additional spatial streams, and downlink MU-MIMO. 802.11ac mainly applied to 5 GHz, although many vendor chose to unofficially extend it to their 2.4 GHz radios as well. For most, Wi-Fi 5 is still in the “good enough” category. Upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 will not be as dramatic as the jump to Wi-Fi 4 or Wi-Fi 5.
UniFi AC Wave 1 Models: AC-Lite, AC-LR, AC-Pro, AC-Mesh, AC-Mesh-Pro, and AC-In-Wall
UniFi AC Wave 2 Models: nanoHD, FlexHD, AC-HD, AC-SHD, BeaconHD, In-Wall-HD, UAP-XG and BaseStation XG (UWB-XG)
Wi-Fi 6 and 6E
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) focused on efficiency and multi-client performance rather than increasing single-client speed. Wi-Fi 6 supports up to 8 spatial streams, MU-MIMO in both directions (uplink and downlink), up to 1024-QAM modulation, and WPA3 support for increased security. Wi-Fi 6 also supports OFDMA, which allows for channels to be divided into smaller units, similar to how cell phone networks operate.
Wi-Fi 6 certifications started in 2019, and most Wi-Fi devices sold today support this standard. Wi-Fi 6 operates in 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and now 6 GHz thanks to Wi-Fi 6E. Wi-Fi 6E is still 802.11ax — it just extends the standard into the newly unlocked 6 GHz spectrum. There is also Wi-Fi 6 Release 2, which mandated support for a few optional features including uplink MU-MIMO and three power saving features: broadcast target wake time (TWT), extended sleep time, and dynamic multi-user spatial multiplexing power save (SMPS). The 802.11 standard is more complex than ever.
The gain in single-client speeds is minimal, but Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E offer many advantages, and the best overall performance. Support for Wi-Fi 6 should be strongly considered when searching for new wireless networking equipment.
UniFi Wi-Fi 6 Models: U6-Lite, U6-Plus, U6-Pro, U6-LR, U6-Mesh, U6-Extender, and U6-In-Wall
UniFi Wi-Fi 6E Models: U6-Enterprise and U6-Enterprise-In-Wall
Antenna Differences
Another thing to consider: some models have equivalent radio specs, but differences in their antennas and how those antennas perform. An important part of picking the right model is understanding what kind of antenna you need, and how to mount it. Refer to Ubiquiti’s radiation patterns for more details.
Standard dome-shaped access points like the nanoHD and U6-Lite feature omnidirectional antennas which radiate in all directions. These are the best option for broad, even indoor coverage. Ideally, these should be mounted on a ceiling facing down, as they focus more of their signal out of the top of the dome. Mounting them on a shelf or vertically on a wall is OK, too.
The antennas for the In-Wall models, BeaconHD, and U6-Extender are designed to be mounted vertically, in an electrical box or outlet. These focus their signal in front and behind the AP, making them better at covering the floor they are on than the floors above or below. The In-Wall models also feature a small Ethernet switch inside, making them a good option for hotel rooms or a home entertainment center.
Mesh APs like the AC-Mesh and AC-Mesh-Pro offer slightly more directional antennas, making them suited for long-range wireless backhaul. These are usually used outdoors, but can also provide long-range indoor coverage, especially in hard-to-cover spaces like a large warehouse.
The FlexHD and U6-Mesh are meant to be mounted vertically, either on a tabletop, a pole, or in the ceiling with their ceiling mounting kit. They also make good mesh APs, and can be used indoors or outdoors.
Coverage - How Many APs Do You Need?
A critical part to wireless performance is how far you are from your access point. UniFi APs show an estimate of how much area they will cover. Most are somewhere between 90 m² / 1,000 ft² to 185 m² / 2,000 ft², but that is only an estimate. The area you place it in, how you mount it, what kind of antenna it is, and what obstructions are around it all play a big part in how far a single AP can cover.
Usually you don’t want to add too many APs close together, as that will cause other problems like co-channel interference and roaming issues. Using too few or placing them too far away will result in a weak signal and low throughput. Use the claimed coverage numbers as a guideline and apply your best judgement.
AC Lite (UAP-AC-Lite)
AC Wave 1 — AC1200
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 300 Mbps
5 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 867 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af PoE (15W) or 24V/48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 115m² / 1,250 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $89
The AC-Lite is an old basic omnidirectional AP, offering just-enough performance for most networks. It’s dual-band, supporting 2x2 SU-MIMO and data rates up to 867 Mbps. Like all 2nd generation or newer UniFi APs, it’s capable of functioning as a mesh AP using wireless backhaul. The AC-Lite used to be a good default option and is still fine to use, but it’s old enough now that I wouldn’t recommend it for new installations.
The Wave 1 APs like the AC-Lite are older, but they aren’t dead yet. Ubiquiti is still selling them, and probably will for a while. Even after the are removed from sale, software support should continue for the foreseeable future. The last AP EoL announcement gave over a year of notice, and I expect the same for the Wave 1 APs. The AC-Lite is still a decent basic access point, but newer models like the U6-Plus are the better investment.
AC Long-Range (UAP-AC-LR)
AC Wave 1 — AC1300
2.4 GHz — 3x3 MIMO, up to 450 Mbps
5 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 867 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af PoE (15W) or 24V/48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 185m² / 2,000 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $109
The AC-LR has a more sensitive antenna and higher transmit power than the AC-Lite, which increases range and improves performance for far away clients. It also has a slight edge in 2.4GHz performance, supporting up to 3x3 SU-MIMO.
Just like the AC-Lite, the AC-LR is nearing the end of the line. The same advice applies here. For around $100 the U6-Lite is the better overall option, and the U6-Pro or U6-LR are the better options if you want more range. Oddly enough, the AC-LR does have a better 2.4 GHz radio than the U6-Lite, due to Ubiquiti’s odd choice only upgrade the 5 GHz radio to Wi-Fi 6.
U6 Lite (U6-Lite)
Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz radio only) — AX1500
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 300 Mbps
5 GHz — 2x2 MU-MIMO, up to 1200 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af PoE (15W) or 48V Passive
PoE injector not included
Claimed Coverage — 115m² / 1,250 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $99
The U6-Lite is the entry model for Wi-Fi 6. It is the same size as the nanoHD, and uses the same mounting equipment and skins. It only supports Wi-Fi 6 on it’s 5 GHz radio. 2.4 GHz still uses a 2x2 802.11n/Wi-Fi 4 radio, which is disappointing.
My biggest complaint about the U6-Lite (and most of the Wi-Fi 6 models) is that Ubiquiti dropped the included PoE injector. Make sure you have a switch capable of delivering standard 802.3af PoE, or 48V passive PoE. If not, any standard 48V or 802.3af PoE adapter will work.
Another thing to note about the U6-Lite is Ubiquiti made a hardware revision which temporarily reduced it’s 5 GHz transmit power from 23 dBm to 17 dBm. Even now that it’s restored to the original spec, the U6+, U6-Pro, and U6-LR offer more range and more speed. The U6-Lite is still a good AP for covering smaller spaces, or for fitting into a multi-AP network, but for a few dollars more you’ll get a sizeable upgrade.
Note: Most PoE injectors are passive PoE, which can damage equipment if you’re not careful. If you don’t have one already, I’d recommend Ubiquiti’s U-PoE-AF, a PoE switch, or a standard 802.af PoE injector from a reputable brand for the U6-Lite.
U6+ (U6-Plus)
Wi-Fi 6 — AX3000
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 574 Mbps
5 GHz — 2x2 MU-MIMO, up to 2400 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af PoE (15W) or 48V Passive
PoE injector not included
Claimed Coverage — 140m² / 1,500 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $129
The U6-Plus is the newest omnidirectional Wi-Fi 6 model, and is essentially an updated U6-Lite. It is the same size and shape, with a lot of similarities. The U6-Plus uses some newer components and a higher-gain antenna, allowing it to cover more area than the U6-Lite. It also offers 160 MHz channels on 5 GHz, and switches to Wi-Fi 6 for 2.4 GHz.
For $30 more, it’s a big step up from the U6-Lite, but it’s also only $20 less than the U6-Pro. The U6-Lite and U6+ both use Mediatek, where the U6-Pro uses Qualcomm components. They’re all capable APs and they all have their own uses, but I’d vote for U6-Pro for most situations. The U6+ is a nice middle option in the middle though, and is one more reason to steer away from the U6-LR.
As with most of the Wi-Fi 6 models, the U6-Plus requires a separate PoE switch or PoE power supply.
U6 Long-Range (U6-LR)
Wi-Fi 6 (5 GHz radio only) — AX3000
2.4 GHz — 4x4 MIMO, up to 600 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 2400 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3at PoE+ (30W) or 48V Passive
PoE injector not included
Claimed Coverage — 185m² / 2,000 ft²
Indoor/Outdoor (IP54)
MSRP — $179
The U6-LR launched with the U6-Lite. It offered higher limits thanks to a more powerful radio, additional spatial streams, and a higher gain antenna. It stuck with Mediatek for the chipset, which gives it a disadvantage versus the Qualcomm U6-Pro and newer U6-Plus.
The U6-LR is the same size as the AC-HD, and uses the same mounting equipment. Like the U6-Lite, it only supports Wi-Fi 6 on it’s 5 GHz radio. 2.4 GHz still uses a 4x4 802.11n/Wi-Fi 4 radio. It also drops the included PoE injector. It also went through a hardware revision, removing the RGD LED but retaining the same transmit power and EIRP.
For the price, it’s at an awkward place in the lineup. Unless 2.4 GHz performance at range and some weatherproofing are important factors, I’d recommend looking at the U6-Plus. Even then, the U6-Pro is available for $30 less.
The U6-LR requires a separate PoE+ power supply. Use a PoE+ switch, the U-POE-AT, or a 30W 802.3at injector from a reputable brand.
AC Professional (UAP-AC-Pro)
AC Wave 1 — AC1750
2.4 GHz — 3x3 MIMO, up to 450 Mbps
5 GHz — 3x3 MIMO, up to 1300 Mbps
Ports — (2) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af (15W) or 48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 140m² / 1,500 ft²
Indoor/Outdoor (not for direct weather resistance)
MSRP — $149
The AC-Pro was the flagship of the AC Wave 1 lineup. The AC-Pro includes 3x3 SU-MIMO radios for both bands, and adds a 2nd Ethernet port for bridging to another device. It also has the benefit of being mounted outdoors — think under a porch roof, not somewhere directly exposed.
All of my advice about future support on Wave 1 APs applies to the AC-Pro as well. Unless you find it for a discount, any of the Wi-Fi 6 models are a better investment. For $149, the AC-Pro doesn’t make a whole lot of sense in 2023 when the U6-Pro is the same price, and the U6+ is cheaper. The one advantage the AC-Pro has is the 2nd Ethernet port and included PoE injector. If you are fine living without those, the Wi-Fi 6 models will be a big step up in performance.
U6 Professional (U6-Pro)
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) — AX5400
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 574 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MIMO, up to 4800 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af PoE (15W) or 48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 140m² / 1,500 ft²
Indoor/Outdoor (IP54)
MSRP — $149
The U6-Pro was Ubiquiti’s first dual-band Wi-Fi 6 model. It supports Wi-Fi 6 on both the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz, giving it an advantage over the older 2.4 GHz radios in the U6-Lite and U6-LR. It’s also between them in price, and I would argue it offers the best overall value.
The U6-Pro includes a 4x4 radio for 5 GHz, and a 2x2 radio for 2.4 GHz, and uses better Qualcomm components compared to those lower-end Wi-Fi 6 models. In my testing the U6-Pro offered more consistent throughput than the U6-LR, and only slightly less range. For most networks, the U6-Pro is the one I’d recommend.
As with most of the Wi-Fi 6 models, the U6-Pro requires a separate PoE switch or PoE power supply.
nanoHD (UAP-nanoHD)
AC Wave 2 — AC2100
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 300 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 1733 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af PoE (15W) or 48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 140m² / 1,500 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $179
The nanoHD is the entry model for 802.11ac Wave 2, offering more performance in the same small size as the AC-Lite. The nanoHD’s place in the lineup has largely been replaced by the Wi-Fi 6 models mentioned above. For $179, the U6-LR is much larger, but it is a better option. The U6-Lite and U6-Plus are the same size, and even the U6-Pro is available for less money. All of this makes the nanoHD a poor value at MSRP.
Like the other Wi-Fi 5 models, the nanoHD is still a very capable AP. You don’t have to rush out to replace it if you’re using one now. For new installations or upgrades, it wouldn’t be my first pick though. The nanoHD is still a good AP with a lot of life ahead of it, but it isn’t the default recommendation it used to be.
AC HD (UAP-AC-HD)
AC Wave 2 — AC2600
2.4 GHz — 4x4 MIMO, up to 800 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 1733 Mbps
Ports — (2) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3at PoE+ (30W) or 48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 140m² / 1,500 ft²
Indoor/Outdoor (not for direct weather resistance)
MSRP — $349
The AC-HD was the flagship of the AC Wave 2 line, exceeded only by the specialty UAP-SHD and UAP-XG. The AC-HD was made for networks with a lot of devices in a small area, and features an antenna specifically designed for small cell spacing and vertical coverage. The AC-HD also has dedicated hardware offload for QoS, Guest Control, and Client Management.
As always, the antenna differences are important. The AC-HD will not cover as widely as the long-range omnidirectional APs. It is meant for dense multi-AP deployments, not broad coverage. In most cases, especially home networks, the Wi-Fi 6 models are better options. You can get the U6-Entperprise and 6 GHz support for less, or save a lot by opting for one of the many Wi-Fi 6 models.
It’s worth noting the AC-HD is one of the few APs with two gigabit Ethernet ports. The 2nd can be used to bridge to another device, or combined into a 802.3ad-based link aggregation to support 2 Gbps uplink. The AC-HD requires 802.3at PoE+, so make sure you have a PoE+ switch or use the included power injector that is capable of that.
AC SHD (UAP-AC-SHD)
AC Wave 2 — AC2600
2.4 GHz — 4x4 MIMO, up to 800 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 1733 Mbps
Ports — (2) 1 Gbps RJ45, (1) USB-C
PoE — 802.3at PoE+ (30W) or 48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 140m² / 1,500 ft²
Includes additional security radio
MSRP — $549
The AC-SHD is similar to the AC-HD, but adds a 3rd radio for real-time monitoring. It includes slightly higher gain antennas for the client radios as well, but the main reason for the SHD’s existence are the security radios.
It was originally designed to monitor for security issues with UniFi’s Wireless Intrusion Prevention System, which Ubiquiti called AirView and AirTime. See this old datasheet (direct PDF link) if you’re curious. AirView was not implemented in version 7 of the UniFi Network application or the new UI, and has been deprecated. That makes the AC-SHD kind of an awkward product and a horrible value.
I’d generally never recommend the AC-SHD, especially for $549. I feel bad for those that purchased this, only to have the main reason for it’s existence abandoned.
U6 Enterprise (U6-Enterprise)
Wi-Fi 6E — AXE10200
2.4 GHz — 4x4 MIMO, up to 574 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 4800 Mbps
6 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 4800 Mbps
Ports — (1) 2.5 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3at PoE+ (30W) or 48V Passive
PoE injector not included
Claimed Coverage — 140m² / 1,500 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $279
The U6-Enterprise is the first Wi-Fi 6E model supporting 6 GHz. It’s an omnidirectional access point, the same size as the AC-HD. It’s large size and large price tag put it at the high-end of UniFi’s AP options, but the 6 GHz support justifies the extra expense. If you don’t have many 6 GHz clients yet, the U6-Enterprise is still a great AP for 2.4 and 5 GHz coverage.
Due to the 6 GHz support, 2.5 Gbps uplink, and overall excellent performance, this is the ultimate, top-of-the-line AP to get right now. See my U6-Enterprise preview and Wi-Fi 6E deep dive for more details.
U6 Enterprise In-Wall (U6-Enterprise-IW)
Wi-Fi 6E — AXE10200
2.4 GHz — 4x4 MIMO, up to 574 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 4800 Mbps
6 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 4800 Mbps
Ports — (1) 2.5 Gbps RJ45 uplink, (4) 1 Gbps downlink
PoE In — 802.3at PoE+ (30W) or 48V Passive
PoE Out — (1) 802.3af PoE (15W)
PoE injector not included
Claimed Coverage — 115m² / 1,250 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $299
The U6 Enterprise In-Wall is a Wi-Fi 6E model in an enclosure that can be mounted in a wall outlet or junction box. It is a big step up from the In-Wall-HD, offering 6 GHz support, a faster 2.5 Gbps uplink, and more claimed coverage. It’s also more expensive and larger. It will fit on a single outlet with the included mounting accessories, but the Enterprise In-Wall is the width of a double outlet.
Like other In-Wall models, it also has additional Ethernet ports available for other devices and PoE passthrough. if you provide the Enterprise In-Wall with 30W of 802.3at PoE+ or use a PoE+ injector, you can provide downstream power to one device. This could be a UniFi Protect camera, another AP, or any other PoE device. The additional Ethernet ports and PoE passthrough make the In-Wall models worth some of their compromises.
If you need the best in-wall AP you can get, this is the one.
AC In-Wall (UAP-AC-IW)
AC Wave 1 — AC1200
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 300 Mbps
5 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 867 Mbps
Ports — (3) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE In — 802.3at PoE+ (30W) needed for passthrough, can operate on 802.3af
PoE Out — (1) 48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 30m² / 300 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $99
The AC-In-Wall isn’t a model I’d recommend. This is a low-end AC Wave 1 model, with a weak antenna and only two downlink ports. If mounting an AP inside a electrical wall plate is what you are looking for, the U6-IW or In-Wall HD are both much better options.
I wouldn’t recommend the regular AC In-Wall unless you’re OK with its limitations and want to spend as little as possible. This model is coming up on it’s end of life, and in my opinion it shouldn’t be considered for most new installs. I’d only recommend the AC-In-Wall if you need this mounting style, and the budget is so tight you can’t afford around $80 more per-AP.
In-Wall HD (UAP-IW-HD)
AC Wave 2 — AC2100
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 300 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 1733 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45 uplink, (4) 1 Gbps RJ45 downlink
PoE In — 802.3at PoE+ (30W) needed for passthrough, can operate on 802.3af
PoE Out — (1) 48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 90m² / 1,000 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $179
The In-Wall HD is a big step up from the AC-In-Wall, but it’s not the best In-Wall model anymore.
It has 4 Ethernet ports, 1 of which supports PoE passthrough. It’s newer than the AC-IW, has more ports, supports AC Wave 2, and has an improved antenna. Despite that, this model is in a similar position as other AC Wave 1 and AC Wave 2 models, and is hard to recommend for new network installs or upgrades.
This model has since been updated to Wi-Fi 6 (see the U6-IW below). Since Ubiquiti doesn’t reduce the price as products age, buying the older generation doesn’t make sense most of the time. Unless you see it on sale, look for the U6 In-Wall instead.
U6 In-Wall (U6-IW)
Wi-Fi 6 — AX5400
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 574 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 4800 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45 uplink, (4) 1 Gbps RJ45 downlink
PoE In — 802.3at PoE+ (30W) needed for passthrough, can operate on 802.3af
PoE Out — (1) 802.3af (15W)
Claimed Coverage — 115m² / 1,250 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $179
If mounting an AP inside a electrical wall plate is what you are looking for, the U6 In-Wall is the best overall option right now. Like the In-Wall HD, it has 4 Ethernet ports, 1 of which supports PoE passthrough. The U6-IW upgrades to Wi-Fi 6, meaning it offers more performance and has more future software support than any of the other In-Wall models.
Like other In-Wall models, the U6-IW can function on 15W 802.3af PoE. For PoE passthrough to work, you need to provide the U6-IW with 30W 802.3at PoE+, so make sure your switch or PoE+ injector supports that. It doesn’t come with a power injector and is meant to be installed in a electrical wall box with Ethernet run to it, so make sure to consider that before purchasing.
If you want to add 6 GHz support and Wi-Fi 6E, consider the $299 U6 Enterprise In Wall mentioned above.
AC Mesh (UAP-AC-M)
AC Wave 1 — AC1200
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 300 Mbps
5 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 867 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af PoE (15W) or 24V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 140m² / 1,500 ft²
Indoor/Outdoor (Weather resistant)
MSRP — $99
If you are looking to mount an access point outdoors, the venerable AC-Mesh is the oldest, most basic option. All 2nd generation and newer UniFi APs can use wireless backhaul to function as mesh APs, but the AC-Mesh has detachable antennas that are well-suited for the task. These antennas can also be swapped out for the UMA-D, giving it even better long-range coverage over a 45 to 90 degree area. It’s the only current UniFi AP with that ability.
As with all APs, wireless backhaul will result in some trade-offs in performance. If you want the best performance, always run an Ethernet cable to your access points, including the AC-Mesh. The AC-Mesh is among the oldest UniFi APs. In most situations the FlexHD or U6-Mesh are the better options for new installations.
AC Mesh Pro (UAP-AC-M-PRO)
AC Wave 1 — AC1750
2.4 GHz — 3x3 MIMO, up to 450 Mbps
5 GHz — 3x3 MIMO, up to 1300 Mbps
Ports — (2) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af PoE (15W) or 48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 185m² / 2,000 ft²
Outdoor (Weather resistant)
MSRP — $199
If you need more outdoor Wi-Fi range and performance, the AC-Mesh-Pro is another old, but decent option with some unique advantages. The AC-Mesh-Pro offers 3x3 Wi-Fi 5 radios for both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, and has a 2nd Ethernet port for bridging. According to Ubiquiti it has a ”proprietary, MIMO-optimized, omnidirectional Super Antenna for exceptional 360° coverage, providing symmetrical long-range communications of up to 183 meters.”
I think the marketing department went a little far there, but it does offer additional performance over the standard AC-Mesh. With that extra performance comes a much larger size. The AC-Mesh is easy to hide, but the Pro model is more like a big white lunch tray. Seriously, It’s huge.
For most installs I’d recommend the newer U6-Mesh instead, but the AC Mesh Pro does have the highest gain antennas of any UniFi AP, making it a good choice for maximum outdoor range.
BeaconHD (UAP-BeaconHD)
AC Wave 2 — AC2100
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 300 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 1733 Mbps
Ports — None (power only)
Powered by standard AC wall outlet
Claimed Coverage — 90m² / 1,000 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $129
The BeaconHD is an indoor mesh-only model, designed to work with the UniFi Dream Machine or any other dual-band UniFi AP. It consumes an electrical outlet and turns it into an access point and night light. The light can thankfully be disabled. There are no Ethernet ports, so it cannot be wired, or provide a bridged connection to another wired device.
The BeaconHD has 4x4 5 GHz radio, and 2x2 2.4 GHz, roughly equivalent to a nanoHD. It does have higher-gain antennas than the nanoHD though, which make it better suited for a mesh network.
The U6-Extender is a Wi-Fi 6 replacement for the BeaconHD, costing $20 more. Unless your budget is tight, the U6-Extender or some other Wi-Fi 6 model are likely going to be the better buy.
U6 Extender (U6-Extender)
Wi-Fi 6 — AX5400
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 574 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 4800 Mbps
Ports — None (power only)
Powered by standard AC wall outlet
Claimed Coverage — 115m² / 1,250 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $149
The U6 Extender is a Wi-Fi 6 replacement for the BeaconHD. It is also an indoor mesh-only model, consuming an electrical outlet and turning it into an access point and optional night light. There are no Ethernet ports, so the U6 Extender cannot use wired backhaul, or provide a bridged connection to another wired device. It’s meant to extend a small Wi-Fi network when Ethernet isn’t a possibility.
The U6 Extender has 4x4 radio for 5 GHz, and 2x2 radio for 2.4 GHz, roughly equivalent to a U6-Mesh. The lack of Ethernet holds it back in real-world performance, so only consider this if you don’t have the ability to run Ethernet now or in the future. Also keep in mind that this will completely cover the electrical outlet you place it on top of. For $20 more, I’d recommend it over the BeaconHD, but both of these models come with compromises.
FlexHD (UAP-FlexHD)
AC Wave 2 — AC2100
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 300 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MIMO, up to 1733 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af PoE (15W) or 48V Passive
Claimed Coverage — 115m² / 1,250 ft²
Indoor/Outdoor (IPX5)
MSRP — $179
The FlexHD is an AC Wave 2 AP with a unique form factor, resembling a tall, skinny Coke can. Just like other AC Wave 2 models this has been surpassed by a Wi-Fi 6 model, making it hard to recommend at MSRP. Unless you find the FlexHD on sale, look for the U6 Mesh instead.
The best thing about the FlexHD (and the U6-Mesh) are the flexible mounting options. They can be used indoors and outdoors, and tabletop, wall, and pole mounting accessories are Included. Ubiquiti also sells an optional Ceiling Mount kit.
If you’re looking for an outdoor or mesh AP, the new U6-Mesh is the better option. If you’re looking for something indoors the FlexHD/U6-Mesh can work, but you may want to consider a normal omnidirectional model or In-Wall model instead.
U6 Mesh (U6-Mesh)
Wi-Fi 6 — AX5400
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 574 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 4800 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3af PoE (15W) or 48V Passive
PoE Injector Included
Indoor/Outdoor (IPX5)
MSRP — $179
The U6-Mesh is a Wi-Fi 6 upgrade of the FlexHD. It’s the same shape and size, and can also be mounted indoors or out. This is arguably the best UniFi AP to use outdoors because of Wi-Fi 6 support, even though it doesn’t have the antenna flexibility of the AC-Mesh, or the high gain of the AC-Mesh-Pro. You may see better long-range coverage from the AC models, but the U6-Mesh will provide higher throughput with Wi-Fi 6 clients nearby. The U6-Mesh also has an IPX5 rating, meaning it’s protected from rain at any angle, but not dust.
The U6-Mesh is also a good option for indoor coverage, if mounting an omnidirectional AP on the ceiling or wall isn’t possible. It works just fine sitting on a desk, and the customizable RGB LED ring can be disabled or turned off at night if you don’t want a bit of RGB flair.
Worth noting: the U6-Mesh does come with a PoE injector, unlike most of the Wi-Fi 6 models like the U6-Lite and U6-LR.
XG (UAP-XG)
AC Wave 2 — AC4300
2.4 GHz — 4x4 MIMO, up to 800 Mbps
5 GHz — (2) 4x4 Mu-MIMO, both up to 1733 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45, (1) 10 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3bt PoE++ (60W)
Claimed Coverage — 140 m² / 1,500 ft²
Indoor only
MSRP — $799
Need is always a tricky word when discussing purchasing advice. For all I know, you might actually need 10 Gbps uplink, dual 4x4 5 GHz radios, a 4x4 2.4 GHz radio, a dedicated security radio for AirView (that can’t be used in the new UI), and theoretical support for up to 1500 clients. Of course, if you just want to set some money on fire, the UAP-XG is still for sale.
The UAP-XG will require a 10 Gbps infrastructure to support it and 60W 802.3bt PoE++ to leverage it’s high-end capabilities. You should also be aware that the software features for the security radio have not been implemented in the new user interface of the UniFi Network application, and likely never will be.
If you’re looking for the top of the line, look at the Wi-Fi 6E U6-Enterprise instead.
WiFi Basestation XG (UWB-XG)
AC Wave 2 — AC5200
2.4 GHz — None
5 GHz — (3) 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 1733 Mbps each
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45, (1) 10 Gbps RJ45
PoE — 802.3bt PoE++ (60W)
Claimed Coverage — 465+ m² / 5,000+ ft²
Indoor/Outdoor (IP67)
MSRP — $1499
If you’re building a Wi-Fi network for your house, this model makes no sense. If you’re designing a Wi-Fi network for a stadium, this is an interesting option for high-gain, small cell coverage.
The BaseStation XG features three 5 GHz radios, each of which are 4x4 AC Wave 2. This allows you to broadcast on three unique channels, allowing more many more clients to be served by a single AP. With multiple UWB-XGs, you can scale up to an auditorium or stadium-sized wireless network with hundred or thousands of clients.
These are the most specialty of specialty models, and require careful planning, installation, and optimization. If you are planning a network which requires the use of the UWB-XG, you probably don’t need advice from me about model selection. It doesn’t support Wi-Fi 6 and I’m not sure if they will ever replace it with a new model that does, but there’s nothing else UniFi offers that can do what this model can do.
UniFi Dream Machine (UDM)
Wi-Fi 6 — AC2100 All-in-one UniFi OS Console
Runs UniFi Network and Identity applications
2.4 GHz — 2x2 MIMO, up to 300 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 1733 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45 WAN, (4) 1 Gbps LAN
PoE — None
Indoor only
MSRP — $299
The UniFi Dream Machine (UDM, $299) is an all-in-one UniFi OS Console. It combines a 4x4 AC Wave 2 access point with a 4-port gigabit switch, and router/firewall capable of IDS/IPS performance around 850 Mbps. The UDM isn’t just a router, switch, and AP though. It is what Ubiquiti calls a UniFi OS Console, which means it runs UniFi software. The UDM run the UniFi Network application, and it can’t be adopted by a self-hosted or cloud-based UniFi Network application.
The all-in-one nature of the UDM makes it a convenient and easy way to get into the UniFi ecosystem. It comes with some compromises, but it can be a good starting point for a new home or small business network. It’s starting to show it’s age a bit due to the lack of Wi-Fi 6, but it still has it’s place.
UniFi Dream Router (UDR)
Wi-Fi 6 — AX3000 All-in-one UniFi OS Console
Runs UniFi Network and one of the following: UniFi Protect, Talk, Access, or Connect
2.4 GHz — 4x4 MIMO, up to 600 Mbps
5 GHz — 4x4 MU-MIMO, up to 2400 Mbps
Ports — (1) 1 Gbps RJ45 WAN, (4) 1 Gbps LAN
PoE — (2) 802.3af PoE (15W) out
Indoor only
MSRP — $199
The UniFi Dream Router (UDR) is another all-in-one UniFi OS Console, similar to the UDM. It includes a wireless access point, 4-port gigabit switch, router/firewall, and runs the UniFi Network application. The UDR also features an upgraded 5 GHz radio supporting Wi-Fi 6, two PoE out ports, 128 GB of internal storage, and an SD card slot for expansion. The UDR runs the UniFi Network application, and can run one more: either Protect, Talk, Access, or Connect.
The UDR is an upgrade from the UDM in some ways, but a downgrade in others. It is limited by its dual-core CPU vs. the quad-core CPU in the UDM. This results in less than gigabit performance in a lot of scenarios, especially when using IPS/IDS or a PPPoE WAN connection. This is also why it can only run two applications at a time, with UniFi Network being one of them.
For $199, the UDR is another cheap and easy way to get started with a small UniFi Network or a few UniFi Protect cameras, but you’ll probably run into the performance limits as you expand. If the price and performance were bumped up a little, it would be a straightforward replacement for the UDM. As it is, you’ll need to pick which compromises you want to make.
All-in-One Limitations
If you want to step up to a bigger and more expensive setup, consider the UDM-Pro, UDM-SE, UDW, or building a network around your preferred brand of gateway/firewall. You don’t need to pick one of Ubiquiti’s gateways to build a UniFi Wi-Fi network.
For larger networks or networks spanning several locations, an all-in-one is likely not the best solution. It’s usually a question of scale: if you plan for dozens of switches, APs, or UniFi cameras, look elsewhere. You could consider the more powerful UDM-Pro or USM-SE, which offer most of the benefits of these small all-in-ones, while raising some of the performance and management limits. Refer to Ubiquiti’s UniFi OS Console resource calculator for more specifics.
One issue with all of the UniFi OS Consoles (UDM, UDR, UDM-Pro, UDM-SE, UDW) is that they run the UniFi Network Application themselves, and they can’t be managed by a hosted UniFi controller. Those that need the scale of a hosted controller should consider the UXG-Pro or a 3rd party firewall, with UniFi just handling switching and Wi-Fi. Building a UniFi network that way opens up a lot of options, and is usually a better fit for MSPs or larger multi-site networks.
For those looking to build a small UniFi network, all-in-ones can be a good option. My home network for a long time has been a UDM, with a few additional UniFi switches and UniFi APs to expand my wired and wireless network. If you want more details on the UDM and UDR, refer to my Ubiquiti Guide and my comparison of UniFi Routers.
My preview of the UniFi UXG-Max covering the specs, my initial impressions, and where it fits in the increasingly crowded UniFi gateway lineup.