UAP-AC HD vs. Pro –Which access point is an added advantage to your Wi-Fi network?
Aside from its previous wave 1 access points, Ubiquiti is seeking to improve your network by developing wave 2 access points which support the most recent Wi-Fi technologies. Let us expound on the features of the wave 1 UAP Pro access point and the wave 2 UAP-AC HD access points to deduce which of the two is an added advantage to your Wi-Fi network.
If you are looking to upgrade your network, you should perhaps consider factors such as added Wi-Fi coverage, reliability and high performance. At the same time, technology keeps advancing as time goes by and it would be more practical for you to pick out a futuristic network device so that you would not have to constantly replace it to match your new devices. This way you don’t really need to bargain when it comes to durability.
Generally, the UAP-AC HD and the UAP-Pro are completely different in terms of speed, capacity, connectivity and their technology. Picking out the right one for your commercial deployment, home or office would be quite easy in this case because one entirely outshines the other. The table below shows their leading features and highlights their differences.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the UAP-AC HD and the UAP Pro?
Model |
UAP-AC HD (Winner) |
UAP Pro |
Wi-Fi technology |
Wave 1 |
Wave 2 |
Frequency band |
2.4 and 5 GHz (dual) |
2.4 and 5 GHz (dual) |
Throughput speed |
800 + 1733 Mbps |
450 + 300 Mbps |
Antenna |
4 x 4 MIMO |
3 x 3 MIMO |
USB |
USB Type-C |
USB 2.0 |
Beamforming technology |
Yes |
No |
Link Aggregation |
Yes |
No |
Availability |
UAP-AC HD vs. Pro- How do they compare?
Speed and Performance
The UAP-AC HD has throughput speeds of up to 800 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz and up to 1733 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and covers a range of up to 400 feet. The UAP Pro, on the other hand, delivers throughput speeds of up to 450 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz and up to 300 Mbps on the 5 GHz to your connected devices. On that note, the UAP-AC HD provides faster bandwidth speeds than the UAP Pro.
Design and Structure
Both the UAP-AC HD and the UAP Pro have a white saucer like design which raise the aesthetic fabric of your home. However differ in terms of size and weight. The UAP Pro has its size dimensions at 16.54 x 15.75 x 11.81 inches and weighs about 12.7 ounces which makes it a bulky access point. The UAP-AC HD on the other hand has its size dimensions at 8.66 x 8.66 x 1.89 inches and weighs about 1.83 lbs which means that it is a small and light router. Generally, the UAP-AC HD is smaller and more portable than the UAP Pro.
Technology
The UAP-AC HD and the UAP Pro have both been fitted with MU-MIMO technology which allows you to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With this technology both the UAP-AC HD and the UAP Pro which improves communication between the frequency bands in such a way that it speeds up your network. The difference however is that the UAP-AC HD has 4 x 4 MIMO simultaneous dual band functionality and the UAP Pro has 3 x 3 MIMO simultaneous dual band operation. This means that the UAP-AC HD provides you with a stronger and reliable network than the UAP Pro.
UAP-AC HD vs. Pro – A Comparison Overview
UAP-AC HD
- Connectivity technology: Ethernet
The UAP-AC HD is among the most powerful access points by Ubiquiti. It is powered by a Qualcomm QCA9994 chipset and its performance has been optimized by the 4 x 4 MIMO technology on both frequency bands. Its simultaneous dual band radio functionality provides you with fast throughput speeds on your connected devices and gives you a more reliable network for all your bandwidth activities. It has total throughput speeds of 2533 Mbps which is distributed as 800 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1733 Mbps on the 5GHz band.
In addition to that, it has been designed with a tough rubber casing that makes it weather proof meaning that you can use it for both your indoor and outdoor environment. However, when placing it outdoors you should ensure that there is some kind of shade around it because it may not be able to withstand extremely harsh weather conditions. Its wall and ceiling mounting kits give you multiple deployment options based on the space on your home.
Aside from that, you can power the UniFi AC HD using the 802.3at PoE supported power injector or a switch. It has two gigabit Ethernet ports but its package does not come with an Ethernet cable included. The main Ethernet port is for uplink and the secondary one is for bridging. It also comes with one USB Type C port which makes it more future proof.
Pros
- Weather proof and waterproof for outdoor use
- Easy set up and configuration
- Fast throughput speeds
- Reliable network coverage
- Cloud management of multiple access points
Cons
- Package does not come with a network/ Ethernet cable
UAP Pro
- Ubiquiti UniFi UAP Wireless Access Point/Bridge 11b/g/n enterprise Wi-Fi System
- 23dBm, Wall/Ceiling (Kits included), 48V .5A PoE Adapter included
The UAP Pro comes as a largely designed router with a sleek design. It has its size dimensions at 16.54 x 15.75 x 11.81 and weighs about 12.7 ounces. Its size does not allow it to fit into small spaces so you may need to create a lot of room when mounting it. It comes with both ceiling and wall mounting kits for easy placement around your household. In addition to that, the UAP Pro is powered using a PoE adapter which allows you to provide power and data to your network using a single cable. Its Gigabit Ethernet ports allow you to establish wired connections to your access point.
Its performance has been optimized by the simultaneous dual band operation with 2 x 2 MIMO on the 2.4 GHz frequency band and 3 x 3 MIMO on the 5 GHz band. Aside from that, this particular access points is able to cover a range area of up to 400 feet around your home. This way you are able to roam around your home freely without worrying about dropping signals. However, when you move your devices beyond this recommended range coverage area you are bound to experience connectivity failures.
Apart from that, the UAP Pro has total throughput speeds of 750 Mbps which is distributed as 300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 450 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. These throughput speeds may affect the stability on your high bandwidth activities. It has unlimited scalability features which allow you to build your network by expanding your connection log. Advantageously, it comes with the virtual Ubiquiti Controller software which allows you to configure and administer your UAP Pro easily. With this software that is accessible on any web browser, you are able to keep track of the devices on your network and you are able to access advanced security options seamlessly. Unfortunately,
Pros
- You are able to access advanced QoS options
- Comes with guest traffic isolation
- You are able to expand your connection log
- Reliable network
Cons
- Problems with firmware version 1.2
- Bulky and large
Conclusion
With improved network technology on your access point, you are able to enjoy a faster, stronger and reliable network.
Final Verdict- So, which is better- the UAP-AC HD or the Pro?
The UAP HD-AC is better than the UAP Pro. With advanced network technology, it is more futuristic and it provides you with fast throughput speeds for all your connected devices and stable Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home.
FAQs
Can I use my UAP-AC HD in my backyard?
Yes. The UAP-AC HD is an outdoor unit designed with a tough rubber and plastic material that makes it durable, weatherproof and slightly waterproof.
What is the range coverage area of my UAP-AC HD?
It has been designed to cover an area of 400 feet. If you want longer range coverage throughout your home, you can add more units to your network.
