Differences Between Ubiquiti Access Points: UAP-AC-LITE Vs. UAP-AC-PRO

We’ve had a lot of interest since we announced that we now sell Ubiquiti WiFi access points and other hardware. Ubiquiti is a relative newcomer to the WiFi game, but they’ve made a big impression in a short period of time. Why? Because they provide enterprise-grade equipment at significantly lower prices than the competition. They’re so low that they’re competitive in the consumer market while still providing high-quality equipment.

Naturally, there are tradeoffs. Ubiquiti takes a “minimaxed” or “no-frills” approach to its products, especially when it comes to software. Their equipment lacks the high-level automation found in competitors like Meraki, as well as fancy features built into the firmware like firewalls and anti-virus software. When you purchase Ubiquiti access points, you are essentially purchasing an access point and nothing more.

However, when Ubiquiti costs a fraction of even their lowest-cost competitor, there’s a strong case to be made for purchasing them. Furthermore, they have a very nice Dashboard GUI system that is still simple to use – it just requires administrators to be a little more hands-on and supply their own security solutions.

But, as a new brand, we’re getting a lot of questions about the equipment’s capabilities, particularly the differences between the AC-LR and AC-PRO models. As a result, we wanted to address it while also clarifying the differences between other common access point models.

Understanding the Primary Ubiquiti Access Point Models

What is the difference between AC-LR and AC-PRO?

The AC-LR is a specialized device designed for situations where you need to broadcast a WiFi signal over a long distance using high-gain antennas. It has a maximum range of approximately 600 feet, whereas most other models only broadcast up to approximately 400 feet.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that WiFi is a two-way street. Many receiving devices, especially smaller ones like cell phones, lack the transmitting capability to broadcast 600 feet back to the AP, causing the connection to drop. As a result, situations, where its long-term applications are applicable, are uncommon.

The AC-PRO, on the other hand, has a 400-foot range but a 3×3 MIMO array on the 5GHz band, compared to the AC-2×2 LR’s array. As a result, the AC-PRO provides approximately 33% faster 802.11ac speeds. In addition, the AC-PRO has a secondary Ethernet port for direct hardware connections.

As a result, even though it is slightly more expensive, the AC-PRO is generally a better investment than the AC-LR.

What is the difference between the UAP-AC-LITE and the UAP-AC-Pro?

The AC-LITE is Ubiquiti’s entry-level model, with prices frequently falling below $100. As a result, it is one of the most affordable 802.11ac access points on the market today. It is, however, Ubiquiti’s slowest model, with maximum speeds of 300Mbps on 2.4GHz and 867Mbps on 5GHz.

As a result, it’s more of a consumer-level device that could also suffice for a single small office or home office with low bandwidth requirements. It’s not a risky purchase at this price. It’s also surprisingly small and can be attached almost anywhere, which could be useful for those who work in cramped quarters.

However, it will not be able to handle the workload of some of the larger models.

Is the extra money worth it for the AP-AC-HD?

The AP-AC-HD, which costs roughly three times as much as the AC-PRO, is at the top of Ubiquiti’s line. Even so, it’s still not much more than the low end of most other brands’ product lines.

The AP-AC-main HD’s selling points are its faster speeds (up to 1.7Gbps total) and more onboard software features than the other models. It is capable of performing tasks such as guest control and URL filtering. The AC-AC-HD is an excellent choice for hospitality businesses looking for a low-cost solution for providing guest WiFi access, such as cafes or hotels. It is without a doubt the most cost-effective product on the market for such applications.

Of course, if you wanted to take advantage of its faster speeds, it could also be used in an office. Two LAN ports provide additional flexibility in implementation.

Look to Ubiquiti UniFi APs if you need high speeds on a budget.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the goals and capabilities of the main Ubiquiti access point models. They aren’t the most feature-rich APs on the market, but they can easily make a case for themselves if you need a low-cost solution for adding basic high-speed 802.11ac and 802.11ac wave 2 to your home office, business, or hospitality establishment.

To learn more about Ubiquiti Access Points for sale in Nairobi, Kenya, contact Rapidtech Digital Solutions Ubiquiti Access Point shop today.