How to Choose the Right Ubiquiti Access Point for Your Home or Business
Ubiquity Access Points - The current market number one!
Ubiquiti UniFi is a series of access points created and manufactured to create an advanced WiFi network either at home or in an office or building setting, without using multiple routers.
Ubiquity has been busy adding depth to its Access Point range in recent times and there are many different solutions available, therefore for someone not familiar with how they work, you'll need to know some basics. Also, ask yourself some questions and then you'll be on the right path.
In this blog, we will focus on your requirements first by asking you the questions, then based on your answers this should give you an idea of what type of spec you need to be looking for.
Following this we will take a look a three examples Ubiquity have on the market in 2023 that are suitable for different answer to the questions.
Choosing a Ubiquiti UniFi access point
As we just mentioned above we need to ask some questions to figure out what level of access point you might be in the market for so we are going to take a closer look at:
How many users will be using it at one time?
If you are looking at a busy household of say 4-6 people then you won't need to be looking at a high-spec access point.
At the same time, you will still want a solution that likely covers more than 1 floor, maybe also outdoor space as well, and may have multiple devices being used at once. In a busy house you can have:
- Netflix
- Browsing
- Gaming
- ZOOM meetings
- Podcasting and more...
Going on at any one time, so naturally you still need a very good meah system that covers a good amount of space and gives you no interruption but you don't have the same amount of users as an office would.
Ubiquity currently has access points that can handle between 300-600+ users simultaneously without any interference with the Ubiquiti UniFi 6 access point range. Especially with their 'Scalable Enterprise WiFi Management' it really gives offices a lot of choices for what they specifically need.
How much WiFi range do you need?
When you are looking at the best Ubiquiti access point for a home then you want to consider the number of square meters you need to cover as different systems have different coverage areas.
You will find their devices will say LR - this is for Long Range and therefore will transmit a stronger signal and may be enough for you to cover what you require with just one access point. Naturally, the coverage area is described with each one of their access point products.
If it is not enough then they can cover you with their 'Mesh plug-and-play'. With this, you can plug these sleek-looking satellites around your home that link up to the main box and cover everything.
For a business, one access point is unlikely to meet your requirements so their Mesh application may be the best to be looking at.
Do you need connectivity outside?
The beauty of the 'Mesh Plug-and-play' range is that they are not just sleek and unassuming in their design but they are also waterproof, meaning you can link one up and plug it in outside.
They could be simply wall-mounted for offices or homes or atop a pole perhaps. This way no patio, garden, shed, garage or swimming pool doesn't have the same internet coverage as you experience inside the home.
The same as Floors 1,2 and 3 are all getting equally good uninterrupted coverage as each other in an office setting.
Do you need a subtle access point?
Well, you've come to the right place as Ubiquity thought very carefully about their Mesh systems and the fact that a home, for example, would have 4 different access points plugged in in different places.
If they were normal routers that would be too appealing would it? So they are contemporary and modernistic in design, therefore blending in the background and in some cases looking like subtle lighting in the background.
This is useful for a slightly cluttered home or office environment. And the fact that many are wall-mounted can be a relief so they don't take up any desk or sidewall space.
Three of Ubiquities Access Points on the Market in 2023
We will point out three different options you have and their specifications and put them into the following categories:
So let's get started:
Higher End
Ubiquiti UniFi Wi-Fi 6 Enterprise WiFi 6E Access Point - Ceiling-mounted
Let's take a look at the tech aspect:
- WiFi 6 Which covers all 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands
- 1 x 2.5GbE RJ45 Port with PoE In
- Aggregate Throughput Rate of 10.2 Gbps
- Powered using PoE+
The beauty of this package is it's accessible using any basic web browser with the UniFi app (iPhone or Android™).
The UniFi Controller software delivers low latency and high uptime performance and the U6 Enterprise supports up to 600+ clients at any one time. Ideal for highly condensed areas, offices and offices on more than one floor.
Also, the fact that is it ceiling mounted makes it perfect for pretty much any enterprise or large venue that needs it but wants it discreet.
In our opinion, this is one of the best Ubiquiti access points for business on the market today.
Mid Range
Ubiquiti Unifi U6 Mesh Wi-Fi 6
To be able to have their WiFi 6 and get a 4x4 Mu-/Mimo Mesh AP at this price range should be in everyone’s consideration.
- 4x4 WiFi 6 (802.11ax) - High-efficiency
- 5 GHz band with a 4.8 Gbps throughput rate (4x4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA)
- 2.4 GHz band with a 573.5 throughput rate (2x2 MIMO)
- 4x4 MIMO Operates at full on a 160 MHz bandwidth
- Powered using the 802.3af PoE (with the PoE adapter included)
This is extremely reasonably priced in the market, ideal for offices and homes.
The U6 Mesh produced extremely high performance, using a WiFi 6 access point with four streams. This provides premium signal meshing that will enhance wireless coverage in anyone's home or on anyone's office networks.
The fact that it runs on full 4x4 MIMO on 160 MHz channels means it creates a much speedier data transfer by creating uplinks that have a higher capacity than normal routers.
Great Budget Buy
Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-AC-LITE AP AC Lite 802.11AC
- Dual Radio Access Point including dual-radio
- Premium RF Performance
- Scalable Enterprise WiFi Management
- Ultra-Compact, Sleek Design
This little unit is your go-to for high‑performance wireless networks to have cost-effective deployment.
The main aspect of why we believe this is a great value buy is that it still comes with the scalable Enterprise WiFi Management facility. This enables it to deal with high-intensity traffic that can occur suddenly while still, providing seamless internet using low latency.
Plus as a little bonus, a POE Injector is also included!
SUMMARY
We hope this has given you an insight into some of the questions that you should ask yourself before you jump in and buy one. Certainly taking the time to read the specifications of each access point is a bonus. They are manufactured to supply a solution to a problem for everyone from apartments to mansions and from small shopfronts to office buildings. There is competition on the market but Ubiquity jumped out so far ahead of it, it will take some time to catch up. So if this is the type of solution you need, it's best to shop Ubiquity first.
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