Differences Between Ubiquiti Access Points: UAP-AC-Pro Vs. UAP-nanoHD

Just a few years ago, we were writing about how a relatively new player in the network equipment world was making a big name for itself. Because of their low cost and high-quality products, Ubiquiti has become a favorite network equipment brand for many IT Professionals, business owners, and procurement managers. The market disruption and their rise to fame are unsurprising, given that Ubiquiti provides quality enterprise-grade equipment at a fraction of the cost of their competitors. Even after a couple of years of expansion, it’s encouraging to see Ubiquiti sticking to its core mission of providing quality networking equipment at affordable prices to the masses.

We did a side-by-side comparison review of the UAP-AC-Lite and the UAP-AC-PRO last year. So we thought we’d continue the tradition by comparing a newer Ubiquiti Access Point to its predecessor. Ubiquiti recently announced and released their newest access point, the UAP-nanoHD. People have also asked us, “Which Access Point should I get, the UAP-AC-Pro or the UAP-nanoHD?”

Our response is a disclaimer that there is no “one answer” to this question. It is determined by your requirements, the devices that will be connected, and the purposes for which you will use it. Understanding these basic questions about your wireless network requirements will help you determine which product might be a better fit. Also, because both products are somewhat similar, we hope that this article provides some value and insight to assist you in making your decision.

Here are Specifications for the UAP-AC-Pro or the UAP-nanoHD

The AC pro has a 2.4GHz rate of 450Mbps, while the nanoHD has a rate of 300Mbps. If any of your devices can only operate at 2.4GHz, the AC Pro would be a better fit for your needs due to the higher throughput on that radio. If you have more devices on 5GHz, the nanoHD is the better choice due to its higher 5GHz speeds of 1733Mbps vs the AC Pro’s 1300Mbps.

MU-MIMO and the Future of WiFi

The nanoHD also has a more advanced MU-MIMO and is more “futureproof” than the AC Pro. The difference in MU-MIMO performance is significant between the UAP-AC-Pro (which only has Single User/SU-MIMO) and the UAP-nanoHD. MU-MIMO is a “AC” only technology, so if you’re deploying in an environment where most devices are on the 5g radio, the performance on the nanoHD will be exponentially faster. It’s simply because the nanoHD can process more signal information and send it to more devices at the same time. It has more power to delegate information traffic from the same band radio signals and encounters less bottlenecked traffic (often referred to as “lag” or “lag spikes”) in data transmissions. One thing to keep in mind is that MU-MIMO only applies to downlink connections, which means routers and access points can send signals to multiple users at the same time; however, end-user devices, such as mobile phones or laptops, must still take turns sending data to the wireless router or AP, though they can use SU-MIMO to send multiple streams when it’s their turn. Simply put, it is preferable to deploy in environments where end users download more than they upload, which is the typical scenario for most businesses.

Which Ubiquiti Access Point Should I go For? The UAP-AC-Pro or the UAP-nanoHD?

Again, because there is no “right or wrong” answer to the question of which access point to purchase, it becomes more of a question of what your needs are, and whether it will allow for some room for growth and scalability should you require it. Another thing to keep in mind is that technology will undoubtedly advance and improve in the near future, and new product releases should be expected.

Will you be content with getting the AC-PRO to save money and hold you over until the next generation of products comes out? Or would you rather get the nanoHD and know you’ll be good for a few years? This kind of planning and thinking will ensure that your network remains relevant and serves your needs while remaining open to expansion when the time comes.

If you have a very limited budget, the AC-PRO will be the clear winner. However, the nanoHD remains a better value, costing only slightly more than the AC-PRO and incorporating cutting-edge technologies. With 5g technology on its way to becoming the standard for devices, the nanoHD would be an excellent investment in future-proofing your wireless network.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, when you use Ubiquiti equipment, you’ll save a lot of money on quality equipment, ease of deployment, and management. So, in comparison to other comparable products, you’re getting a good deal for the quality. If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, the nanoHD is the better long-term investment. The price difference isn’t much higher than the AC-Pro, and it allows you to be ready for future devices that will use 5g radios. If you’re on a tight budget, the AC-Pro is still a very relevant and capable product, but it may require an upgrade much sooner than the nanoHD as more devices transition to 5g and use the newer radios.

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