Luma vs. Ubiquiti – the battle between the mesh networks
Mesh networks are great because they allow you to spread out your internet connection throughout your home – but which mesh network router do you go for? We compare two of these routers in this article, the Luma vs. Ubiquiti.
The market has a wide variety of routers and choosing one is confusing when you have no idea what to look for. Hopefully, our comparison review of these two routers will give you a better idea on what to expect, what works for you, and what you can choose depending on the needs you have.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Luma and Ubiquiti?
Luma |
Ubiquiti (Winner) |
|
Dimensions (inches) |
4.6 x 4.6 x 1.2 |
6.2 x 5.1 x 2.1 |
Throughput speeds |
291.5 Mbps |
800 Mbps |
Number of Ethernet ports |
2 |
Between 1 and 4 (depends on your specific needs) |
Luma vs. Ubiquiti – How they compare
Approach they use in their operation
Both of these routers use a mesh configuration to operate, although they will employ different approaches to creating the mesh network. For the Luma, it is all about easing the setup process whether you are experienced in networking technology or just a beginner dipping your toes into it. Its design and setup mechanism makes it very easy to operate.
The design of the Luma is a hexagonal shape, measuring 4.6 x 4.6 x 1.2 inches, making it easy to hide away if you want to, or put it on your table. The appearance is also not the same as other routers, since it takes on a hexagonal shape (most routers will take on a rectangular shape).
The Ubiquiti is also small, though not as much as the Luma. It comes in measurements of 6.2 x 5.1 x 2.1 inches, and its basic operation will require you to have some networking knowledge – making it a challenge for beginner users or when your knowledge on this sphere is limited. You will require to experience a learning curve with the Ubiquiti much more than the Luma.
The design, on the other hand, is a soft white finish, and there are many LED colors that indicate different statuses of the router, in contrast to the Luma that only has one color. Device upgrades are in indicated by an alternation of blue and white, fully blue indicates complete rebooting, fully white indicates the process of rebooting is ongoing, and flashing blue indicates the device locator is under activation from the router.
Wi-Fi speeds and performance
In the Luma, you can expect to see a 2×2 arrangement. This allows it to deliver 2 independent lanes of data traffic, and it will maximize their efficiency by use of beam forming (this directs signals to the right receiving antennas), and MU-MIMO technology (this helps in traffic management). The dual band setup leads to a maximum combined throughput of 1.3 Gbps.
The Luma will disappoint when you try to use it in a crowded environment though. Since you cannot separate the 2.4 ad 5GHz channels, this reduces the combined throughput significantly to only 291.5 Mbps. It also makes the Luma have the shorter arrangement between the two, which makes its use more efficient as a mesh type rather than one router on its own.
The Ubiquiti modifies this approach slightly, as each channel has its own configuration to increase the efficiency and speed of the connection. The 2.4GHz channel uses a 3×3 port arrangement, along with a maximum speed of 826 Mbps, and the 5GHz channel uses a 2×2 port arrangement, giving it a speed of 928 Mbps. This also makes it among the fastest choices, and can bear the demands of your devices much better than a Luma can.
The setup process
The overall observations we get of the setup process in the two routers is that the Ubiquiti is more challenging, while the Luma is quite easy and does not need much from you.
The Luma app automates the whole process of setting up the network, although it is quite long so you will need patience. On the other hand, the Ubiquiti router will need you to have some networking background.
The major problem we have with the Ubiquiti is the setup of the WAN/ICMP network, which will force you to disable it for the network to be safe to use – and you will need to go to the CLI (command line interface) part of the browser setup page in order to disable it. Aside from disabling this, you will need additional protection mechanisms such as firewalls, VPNs, and antiviruses.
Luma vs. Ubiquiti – A comparison review
Luma router – Overview
- Fastest home on the block: Ultra-fast WiFi delivered to every square inch of your house. No dead zones....
- Serious security: All-day, every-day security automatically scans and neutralizes any virus or malware,...
The Luma router is the expensive choice between these two options, but its advantages lie somewhere else: it is very easy to use, comes in a compact design, and has reliable connections that are very easy to set up. It will let you setup mesh networks very easily to increase your home coverage, though the main drawback is its lack of extensive customization.
They come in a compact size, and will not share the same appearance with the Ubiquiti. They are also compact enough to hide in a bookshelf, and you can also place them on your coffee table or anywhere else on display as they will not interfere in the arrangement of anything else. They have power cords that will keep them in their place, and the LED approach is using a single light in contrast to the multicolor types of LED lights in many routers.
If you want to maximize its benefits, you can use up to 10 of the devices at the same time, although this will really depend on the size of your home. If you have a small apartment, for instance, one or two Luma routers should be enough for your needs.
Luma also has an app, and this will only operate in portrait mode. It displays various aspects you want to monitor during use, such as the current upload and download speeds. There is not much you can adjust though, which is quite disappointing if you are an experienced networker (though first-time users will be fine with it despite its limitations).
Pros
- Its performance is good and quite reliable
- Gives you plenty of opportunities for parental controls
- The setup process is quite easy
Cons
- The individual units have very short range
- It is quite expensive
- Lacks software for PC and Mac
- Limitations in the customization ability
Ubiquiti router – Overview
- Product Type:Networking Router
- Item Package Dimension:7.112 cm L X 10.16 cm W X 14.986 cm H
Like the Luma, the Ubiquiti router (which includes a variety of brands such as Edgerouter and Amplifi) is a mesh network, although it is the budget-friendly option of the two choices. Theonly problem that it has is the challenge it presents when you are setting it up, since you will need prior knowledge of networking technology, as well as Ethernet cables present. This is mainly because the Access Points, or APs, as they are called, will connect to the Ethernet ports and broadcast Wi-Fi signals from there.
Aside from the Ethernet cable and prior networking knowledge, you will also require a router and modem, and then install the app for Ubiquiti (this app is widely available for PC, Mac, and Linux, and has an easy setup app for Android).
The controller app is the greatest strength and weakness of the Ubiquiti system, and this is where your knowledge of networking comes in. If you do not know, then you must be willing to go through the learning curve that comes with it. This system will give you plenty of network functionality, especially if you want to do so at the enterprise levels, without breaking the bank to buy it. It will also allow you to adjust the manual assigning of Wi-Fi frequencies, control the bandwidth use and access time for kids, and set up a guest pass mode.
In summary, the Wi-Fi connection it provides is fast and reliable, but the main challenge is setting it up as it requires patience and commitment from you.
Pros
- Very adaptable to a variety of needs and it gives good coverage
- Its design allows for multiple mounting options
- Easy to scale and very customizable
- It works well with a wide range of devices
- It includes useful apps
Cons
- Challenging for beginners and non-tech-savvy people
Verdict: So which is better? The Luma or Ubiquiti?
While all mesh networks will be great for their ability to extend your home coverage, and both of these options are good for different circumstances, the Ubiquiti is a better choice. This is because of its overall reliability when connecting to the internet, and it never loses its connection even at longer router distances.
Frequently asked questions
When I am using the Ubiquiti, can I use a third-party device to control the Unifi security gateway?
Well, the short answer is yes. However, it is also important to note that third-party devices have certain limitations in this system, as they will not allow you to adjust parts of the centralized management system, which the Unifi controller provides. These include the access points, switch, and topology of the system.
Can a Luma router accommodate satellites?
Yes. All Luma kits will include 1 or 2 satellites, although you can connect more if you want. Regardless of the number, you will use the wireless backhaul to connect the satellites to the router, and the Wi-Fi speed will reduce as you add more satellites.
