Home and Office Ubiquiti Access Point Solutions in Kenya
Let’s begin by contrasting Ubiquiti UniFi access points for home and business. Unifi access points are widely used in home networks and small businesses.
The UniFi access point comparison table below shows the current selection of access points suitable for home and small office networks. I left out some of the older models, such as the old Unifi Lite, because the WiFi 6 version is only slightly pricey.
Note:
We’ve divided the table into two sections: the first contains all ceiling and wall-mounted access points, and the second contains In-Wall and Range Extenders.
Unifi Access Points Comparison |
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U6 Lite | U6 LR | U6 Pro | U6 Enterprise | U6 Mesh | FlexHD | nanoHD | ||
Wifi 6 | 6E | |||||||
2.4 Ghz Speed | 300 Mbps |
600 Mbps |
573 Mbps |
573 Mbps |
573 Mbps |
300 Mbps |
300 Mbps |
|
5 Ghz Speed | 1200 Mbps |
2400 Mbps |
4800 Mbps |
4800 Mbps |
4800 Mbps |
1733 Mbps |
1733 Mbps |
|
6 Ghz Speed | 4800 Mbps |
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Concurrent Clients | 300+ | 300+ | 300+ | 600+ | 300+ | 200+ | 200+ | |
MIMO | 2×2 OFDMA |
4×4 OFDMA |
4×4 OFDMA |
4×4 OFDMA |
4×4 OFDMA |
4×4 | 4×4 | |
Max TX Power 2.4Ghz | 23 dBm | 26 dBm | 22 dBm | 26 dBm | 26 dBm | 23 dBm | 23 dBm | |
Max TX Power 5Ghz | 23 dBm | 26 dBm | 26 dBm | 22 dBm | 22 dBm | 26 dBm | 26 dBm | |
Antenna Gain 2.4Ghz | 2.8 dBi | 4 dBi | 4 dBi | 3 dBi | 3 dBi | 1.6 dBi | 2.8 dBi | |
Antenna Gain 5Ghz | 3 dBi | 5.5 dBi | 6 dBi | 5.3 dBi | 5 dBi | 4 dBi | 3 dBi | |
Antenna Gain 6hz | 6 dBi | |||||||
MU-MIMO | ||||||||
Outdoor | IP54 | |||||||
Sec. Ethernet Port | 4 | |||||||
Skins |
UAP-U6-Lite – UniFi 6 Lite
The first access point we’ll look at in this UniFi AP comparison is the UniFi 6 Lite access point, which is the entry-level model of UniFi Access Points. Its compact design makes it simple to mount, and with custom skins, you can make it blend in with the rest of your home. Because the new Wifi 6 models do not include a PoE Injector, you will need to purchase a PoE switch, such as the US-8-60W, to power the access point.
UAP-U6-Lite Specifications
- WiFi 6 (Only for 5Ghz band)
- 4Ghz 2×2 MIMO at 300 Mbps
- 5Ghz 2×2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA at 1200 Mbps
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 160 x 32.65 mm
This is your primary access point for home use. It is inexpensive, small, and provides excellent performance. It is advisable for you to buy two small models and distribute them throughout the house rather than one large model.
UniFi 6 Long Range – UAP-U6-LR
The UniFi 6 access point’s long-range model is slightly larger and intended to cover a larger area. Its antennas have a high gain, allowing it to pick up your phone’s weaker wireless signal over a longer distance.
UAP-U6-LR Specifications
- Wifi 6 (Only for 5Ghz band)
- 4Ghz 4×4 MIMO at 600 Mbps
- 5Ghz 4×4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA at 2400 Mbps
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 220 x 48 mm
Because the UAP-U6-LR is IP54 rated, it can also be used in a semi-outdoor environment. If your home has multiple floors, or if you only have one access point, the U6-LR is a great choice to mount on the ground floor (and use the lite models for the other levels).
UAP-AC-LR UniFi Access Point
This is the older version of the long-range model. According to the specifications, the LR is slightly better than the new Unifi 6 Lite access point. But only on the 2.4GHz band.
Another advantage of the UAP-AC-LR is its sensitive antenna, which allows it to pick up clients from a greater distance. If you don’t have much money, use this “older” long range model near your living area and the 6 lite of the other locations.
UAP-AC-LR Specifications
- 4Ghz 3×3 MIMO at 450 Mbps
- 5Ghz 2×2 MIMO at 867 Mbps
- Indoor/semi-outdoor – IP54
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 7 x 43 mm
UniFi 6 Pro – UAP-U6-Pro
The Unifi 6 Pro is a next-generation high-performance access point for home and enterprise users. It can reach 4.8 Gbps over the air using the 44 5Ghz channels, ensuring a reliable and fast wireless network connection in dense environments. Unlike other WiFi 6 models, the U6 Pro supports WiFi 6 on both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands.
UAP-U6-Pro Specifications
- Wifi 6 (both 2.4 and 5Ghz band)
- 4Ghz 4×4 MIMO at 600 Mbps
- 5Ghz 4×4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA at 4800 Mbps
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 197 x 35 mm
UniFi 6 Enterprise
At the time of writing, the first UniFi access point that supports the new WiFi standard 6E is available. This means that it has a 6 GHz channel in addition to the 2.4 and 5 GHz channels. The access point only has one 2.5 Gbps ethernet port. This means that you’ll need to connect it to a 10Gbit switch to fully benefit from WiFi 6E’s throughput, which is primarily focused on concurrent clients.
The UniFi 6 Enterprise is an excellent access point if you need to support a large number of clients and want to be prepared for the future. However, for most home users, the Enterprise access point is overkill.
UniFi 6 Enterprise Specifications
- Wifi 6E (2.4, 5Ghz and 6 Ghz band)
- 4Ghz 4×4 MIMO at 573Mbps
- 5Ghz 4×4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA at 4800 Mbps
- 6Ghz 4×4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA at 4800 Mbps
- 5 Gbps Ethernetport
- 600+ Clients
- 220 x 48 mm
Ubiquiti UniFi FlexHD
Not everyone has the ability to mount their access points to the ceiling or wall. That is where the Unifi FlexHD enters the picture. This small and sleek design allows you to place insight, for example, on a cabinet. The Flex HD can also be purchased with a ceiling or wall mount.
UniFi FlexHD Specifications
- 4Ghz 3×3 MIMO at 300 Mbps
- 5Ghz 4×4 MIMO at 1733 Mbps
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 48 x 160 mm
- Indoor and outdoor use
If possible, place your access points on the ceiling, or high on a wall if this is not possible. If neither of these options are viable, the UniFi FlexHD may be a viable option. Keep in mind that any furniture between the user and the access point reduces signal strength.
We can also find the new Unifi 6 Mesh in the Rapidtech Digital Solutions Ubiquiti shop in Kenya, which has the same design as the FlexHD and will most likely replace it in the near future. More information can be found in the outdoor section.
UniFi In-Wall HD UAP-IW-HD
The In-Wall HD access point is intended to convert an Ethernet wall jack into a two-port access point. Despite the fact that the specification appears to be adequate, the access point’s effective range is limited. This is because you installed the in-wall access point at a very low level, causing all of your furniture to block/decrease the wireless network signal.
The older UniFi In-Wall access point is obsolete, which means it will no longer receive functional or security updates, so I excluded it from the Unifi AP comparison. The HD model has the advantage of having four Ethernet ports and a fast 5GHz processor. Furthermore, the built-in antennas have higher gain and transmit power than the previous model.
UAP-IW-HD Specifications
- 4Ghz 2×2 MIMO at 300 Mbps
- 5Ghz 2×2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA at 1200 Mbps
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 160 x 32.65 mm
A good application for in-wall access points is to fill in the gaps in your wireless network. Where your signal is too weak. For instance, in your office or bedroom.
Ubiquiti UniFi NanoHD – UAP-NanoHD
This was one of Ubiquiti’s most popular access points. The nanoHD has a small diameter but outstanding performance. The nanoHD’s advantage was always that you could get custom skins for it, and it could support a large number of concurrent clients.
But, with the release of the Unifi 6 Lite, I believe that has changed. Both have nearly the same throughput, with the 5Ghz being slightly faster. The 6 Lite, on the other hand, supports WiFi 6 with OFDMA, allowing it to handle more clients concurrently.
UAP-NanoHD Specifications
- 4Ghz 2×2 MIMO at 300 Mbps
- 5Ghz 2×2 MU-MIMO at 1733 Mbps
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 160 x 32.65 mm
Unifi BeaconHD – UAP-BeaconHD
If you need to extend your wireless network but don’t have enough room for an extra network cable, you can use a UniFi BeaconHD. It’s essentially a wireless network repeater. It’s preferable to use a regular access point connected via Ethernet cable, but if that isn’t an option, you can use a repeater.
However, ensure that the wireless network signal strength is adequate where the beacon is placed. Because if your BeaconHD has a bad connection, the clients downstream will suffer greatly.
UAP-BeaconHD Specifications
- 4Ghz 2×2 MIMO at 300 Mbps
- 5Ghz 4×4 MU-MIMO at 1733 Mbps
- Only power needed
- 170 mm x 112 mm x 32 mm
Ubiquiti UniFi Outdoor Access Point
Ubiquiti provides a few outdoor-capable UniFi access points. We’ve written a more in-depth guide to the outdoor access points, which you can find in this article. To keep all of the UniFi AP comparisons in one place, We’ll mention them briefly here as well.
Some models, such as the UniFi 6 Long Range, are semi-outdoor rated (IP54). They can be installed under an eave or porch, for example, but they do not provide true outdoor access. (You can subject them to rain.)
If you are looking for an outdoor UniFi access point, the UniFi Mesh and Mesh Pro are the best options. Furthermore, the FlexHD can be installed safely outside.
If you want a UniFi Wifi 6 outdoor access point, you’ll have to wait a little longer. The Unifi 6 Mesh is a new mesh access point that is now available at Rapidtech Digital Solutions.
Unifi Outdoor Access Points Comparison |
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Mesh | 6 Mesh | Mesh Pro | FlexHD | |||||
Wifi 6 | ||||||||
2.4 Ghz Speed | 300 Mbps |
300 Mbps |
450 Mbps |
300 Mbps |
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5 Ghz Speed | 876 Mbps |
2400 Mbps |
1300 Mbps |
1733 Mbps |
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Concurrent Clients | 100+ | 300+ | 250+ | 200+ | ||||
MIMO | 2×2 | 4×4 OFDMA |
3×3 | 4×4 | ||||
Max TX Power 2.4Ghz | 20 dBm | 23 dBm | 22 dBm | 23 dBm | ||||
Max TX Power 5Ghz | 20 dBm | 26 dBm | 24 dBm | 26 dBm | ||||
Antenna Gain 2.4Ghz | 3 dBi | 3 dBi | 8 dBi | 1.6 dBi | ||||
Antenna Gain 5Ghz | 4 dBi | 6 dBi | 8 dBi | 4 dBi | ||||
MU-MIMO | ||||||||
Wall mount | ||||||||
Pole mount | ||||||||
Fast mount |
Mesh Unifi – UAP-AC-M
At the time of writing, this is Ubiquiti’s go-to access point for outdoor installation. The UniFi Mesh models have the advantage of having antennas designed for long-range mesh performance. As a result, they are ideal for covering large outdoor areas. Keep in mind that wired is always preferable, but this is not always possible outside.
UAP-AC-M Specifications
- 4Ghz 2×2 MIMO at 300 Mbps
- 5Ghz 2×2 MIMO at 867 Mbps
- 2 RP-SMA connectors
- 353 x 46 x 34 mm
Unifi 6 Mesh – U6-Mesh
At the time of writing this article the 6 Mesh is available at RApidtech Digital Solutions. With a similar design to the FlexHD and a similar name, I believe the Unifi 6 Mesh will replace the FlexHD and Unifi Mesh in the near future.
The specifications of the access point appear to be excellent, and the mounting options are extremely versatile (desktop, wall, pole, and ceiling)
U6-Mesh Specifications
- Wifi 6 (Only for 5Ghz band)
- 4Ghz 4×4 MIMO at 600 Mbps
- 5Ghz 4×4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA at 2400 Mbps
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 48 x 159 mm
Unifi Mesh Pro – UAP-AC-M-PRO
The Mesh Pro has three dual-band antennas, allowing it to reach higher speeds. However, the three antennas make it a good base station for your outdoor mesh network. A mesh network uses one radio to communicate with the other access point (creating a wireless bridge), and the other to connect to the clients.
UAP-AC-M-PRO Specifications
- 4Ghz 3×3 MIMO at 450 Mbps
- 5Ghz 3×3 MIMO at 1300Mbps
- 2 Ethernet ports
- 343 x 181 x 60mm
UniFi Access Point for Business and High-Density Areas
The high-density and enterprise models are the final access points in the UniFi AP comparison.
These models are typically not required in a typical home network or small/medium office. The access points are built for a specific purpose, such as handling a large number of concurrent users or covering a large area.
Unifi Access Points Comparison |
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HD | XG | SHD | BaseStation XG | |||||
Wifi 6 | ||||||||
2.4 Ghz Speed | 800 Mbps |
800 Mbps |
800 Mbps |
– | ||||
5 Ghz Speed | 1733 Mbps |
2x 1733 Mbps |
1733 Mbps |
3x 1733 Mbps |
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Concurrent Clients | 1000+ | 1500+ | 1000+ | 1500+ | ||||
MIMO | 4×4 | 4×4 | 4×4 | 3x 4×4 | ||||
Max TX Power 2.4Ghz | 25 dBm | 25 dBm | 25 dBm | – | ||||
Max TX Power 5Ghz | 25 dBm | 25 dBm | 25 dBm | 25 dBm | ||||
Antenna Gain 2.4Ghz | 3 dBi | 6 dBi | 6 dBi | – | ||||
Antenna Gain 5Ghz | 4 dBi | 8 dBi | 6 dBi | 15 dBi | ||||
MU-MIMO | ||||||||
Outdoor | IP54 |
IP67 |
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Sec. Ethernet Port | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
UniFi HD – UAP-AC-HD
The UniFi HD is intended for high-density environments such as a school or concert hall. The UniFi HD has two ethernet ports, one of which can be bridged to another access point or used as an additional uplink.
The HD’s antenna design differs from that of the other UniFi access points. It is intended to serve a large number of clients in a small area. As a result, the wireless network will not reach as far as the other access points. Keep this in mind as you place the UniFi HD.
UAP-AC-HD Specifications
- 4Ghz 4×4 MIMO at 800 Mbps
- 5Ghz 4×4 MU-MIMO at 1733 Mbps
- Indoor/outdoor – IP54
- 220 x 42mm
Dedicated hardware offload for QoS, Guest Control, and client management ensures high throughput and reduced latency.
Unifi SDH – UAP-AC-SHD
This is the secure version of the Unifi HD. The main distinction between the two is that the SHD is intended for use in secure environments such as hospitals and banks. The SHD is equipped with a dedicated dual-band radio that constantly monitors and protects wireless network traffic.
It also comes with airTime and airView. The former provides real-time visibility into channel utilization at the packet level, while the latter provides real-time visibility into the RF environment across all available channels.
UAP-AC-SHD Specifications
- 4Ghz 4×4 MIMO at 800 Mbps
- 5Ghz 4×4 MU-MIMO at 1733 Mbps
- Indoor/outdoor – IP54
- airTime
- airView
- WIPS
- 220 x 42mm
UniFi XG – UAP-UXG
If 1000 concurrent clients are not enough, the UniFi XG is the next step. This access point is intended for high-density environments, such as concert halls or large auditoriums, where there are many people in a small space.
It has the same security features as the SHD and two 44 5Ghz radios, for a total throughput of 3466 Mbps.
To get the full performance of the UniFi XG, you’ll need a 10Gbit Ethernet infrastructure.
UAP-UXG Specifications
- 4Ghz 4×4 MIMO at 800 Mbps
- (2) 5Ghz 4×4 MU-MIMO at 1733 Mbps
- Indoor/outdoor – IP54
- airTime
- airView
- WIPS
- 228 x 50mm
UniFi Wireless BaseStation XG – UWB-XG
If you need to cover a large area with a large number of people, such as a venue or stadium, the Wireless BaseStation is the access point you need. It has an incredible throughput of 5 Gbps and can support up to 1500 concurrent clients.
The BaseStation only has a 5GHz Tri-band radio, so no 2.4GHz radio. You can choose between Small Cell and Large Cell setup, allowing you to optimize the installation for maximum coverage.
UWB-XG Specifications
- (3) 5Ghz 4×4 MU-MIMO at 1733 Mbps
- Indoor/outdoor – IP67
- airTime
- airView
- WIPS
- 471mm x 275mm x 95mm
Conclusion
In conclusion, we hope this UniFi AP comparison guide assists you in selecting the best Ubiquiti access point for your home or office network. If possible, choose WiFi 6 models; they’re a little harder to come by right now, but you’ll be ready for the future with these new models. We have a huge collection of Ubiquiti Networking products in Our Rapidtech Digital Solutions Ubiquiti shop in Kenya at the best Ubiquiti prices in Kenya. The product lines include Ubiquiti Routers, Ubiquiti Switches, Ubiquiti POE Injectors, and Ubiquiti Antennas.