UAP Pro vs. UAP-AC Pro- Which is a better access point for your network?
Access points can help you eliminate dead spots and help stabilize your home network. Considering the already existing variety in the network market, let us take a look at the UAP Pro and the UAP-AC Pro.
Without a high performing access point, working from home or even from your office can be very hectic. For this reason you would need a faster and more reliable network. Ubiquiti’s Unifi UAP Pro and the UniFi UAP-AC Pro are among the possible solutions to your network difficulties. The table below shows their features and differences between them.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the UAP Pro and the UAP-AC Pro?
Model |
UAP Pro |
UAP-AC Pro (Winner) |
Wi-Fi technology |
802.11ac |
802.11ac |
Frequency band |
2.4 and 5 GHz (dual) |
2.4 and 5 GHz (dual) |
Throughput speed |
450 + 300 Mbps |
450 + 1300 Mbps |
Range |
400 feet |
400 feet |
Availability |
UAP Pro vs. UAP-AC Pro- How do they compare?
Speed and Performance
The performance of both the UAP Pro and the UAP-AC Pro has been optimized using simultaneous dual band functionality with 3 x 3 MIMO technology on both the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands. However, the difference comes in when it comes to the bandwidth speed of the two access points. The UAP Pro has throughput speeds of 300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 450 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. The UAP AC-Pro, on the other hand, has throughput speeds of 450 mbps on the 2.4 GHz frequency band and 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. With this in mind, the UAP-AC Pro provides you with faster internet than the UAP Pro.
Design and Structure
The UAP Pro and UAP- AC Pro are both unique in design however their size dimensions and weight affect their portability and ease of deployment. The UAP Pro is a large and bulky access point with its size dimensions at 16.54 x 15.75 x 11.81 inches and a weight of 12.7 ounces. The UAP Pro is a relatively small access point with its size dimensions at 7.74 x 7.74 x 1.38 inches and it is a light 0.77 lb. access point. The UAP-AC Pro is a smaller and more portable access point than the UAP Pro which makes it easier to deploy.
UAP Pro vs. UAP-AC Pro – A Comparison Overview
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 access point comes in a sleek white design and has been fitted with mounting hardware that allows you to easily mount it to your wall or ceiling based on your preference. It is a large access point with size dimensions of 16.54 x 15.75 x 11.81 inches and it is a bulky access point with its weight at 12.7 ounces. This tampers with its portability and the ease of deployment.
It is powered using the PoE adapter that it comes with and it offers simultaneous dual band functionality with 2 x 2 MIMO technology on the 2.4 GHz frequency band and 3 x 3 MIMO technology on the 5 GHz band. It has unlimited scalability which allows you to expand your home network using multiple access points. Additionally, it has throughput speeds of 300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band and 450 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band. It further provides you with Wi-Fi coverage on a range of up to 400 square feet throughput your home.
Its normal operating temperatures are set at -10 – 75 ° C and when the non-condensing humidity is between 5 and 95 %. It allows you to configure and administer your access point easily using the Ubiquiti Controller Software. Within this software, you are able to access features such as advanced security settings, map loading, automatic Ubiquiti device detection and real time status. Unfortunately, a notable downer on this particular access point is that it tends to experience technical issues with the Firmware update Version 1.2.
Pros
- Allows concurrent connection of multiple devices
- Allows for guest traffic isolation
- Has advanced QoS
Cons
- Problems with Firmware version 1.2
- It is bulky
- Slow throughput speeds
UAP- C Pro
- Manage Your Networks from a Single Control Plane
- Intuitive and Robust Configuration, Control and Monitoring
Ubiquiti seems to have employed a minimalistic approach when it came to executing the design of the Unifi UAP-AC Pro. It comes in a round shell-like design that comes with a white matte finish. Additionally, it has an LED indicator towards the middle top part. The behavior of the LED indicator identifies the status of your access point and your network. It is a relatively small access point that measures 7.74 x 7.74 x 1.38 inches and is equally light with a weight of 0.77 lbs. this way it is able to comfortable fit in spaces around our wall/ceiling and its portability allows you to enjoy convenience during its deployment.
Unfortunately, you may not see any ventilation cut outs on the UAP-AC Pro access point which makes it prone to overheating. The only way to avoid its overheating is by ensuring its operating temperature range is within -10 – 70 °C. Its weatherproof rubber design allows it for use in both indoor and outdoor environments however you should always keep it under some shade because it is subject to damage by water. Apart from that, it remains operational when the non-condensing humidity is between 5 and 95 %.
The performance of the UniFi UAP-AC Pro is optimized using a powerful Qualcomm Athens QCA9563 chipset and a 750 MHz processor. With its throughput speeds of up to 450 Mbps on its 2.4 GHz frequency band and up to 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz frequency band, you are able to enjoy a fast internet experience. In addition to that, it is featured with 16 MB of flash memory and 128 MB of RAM which comfortably supports hundreds of devices on your connection log. When it comes to connection capabilities, it comes with2 Gigabit Ethernet ports in which the main port connects your UAP-AC Pro to your router or switch and the other secondary one is for bridging.
Also, its USB 2.0 port increases its connectivity capabilities as it allows you to connect your access point to a Public Address system. It has been further equipped with a Unifi Controller software with advanced features that allows you to configure and administer your home network. With this software you are able to keep track of the latency, the LAN and WAN devices that are active on your network and the throughput speeds of your UAP-AC Pro.
Pros
- It allows for both manual and cloud configuration
- It supports wireless uplink
- It has excellent wireless performance
- It has advanced feature for network control and management
Cons
- It is prone to overheating
- It does not come with an Ethernet cable in its package
Conclusion
Looking at all the features of the UAP Pro and the UAP-AC Pro, the main differences between them are seen in their speed, performance and design. It is easily deductible that the UAP-AC Pro offers you a faster, stronger and reliable network compared to the UAP Pro.
Final Verdict- So which is better, the UAP Pro and the UAP-AC Pro?
The UAP-AC Pro is the clear winner when compared to the UAP Pro. This is simply because it offers you fast throughput speeds on your connected devices, easy deployment options and a reliable network. Aside from that it allows you to comfortably manage and monitor your network and access point with ease.
FAQs
Do I always have to use the UniFi controller to administer my UAP-AC Pro?
No. you have the option of using the mobile app as well but the advantage of using the UniFi controller is that you are able to access more features.
Does my UAP-AC Pro come with a PoE injector?
Yes. The UAP-AC Pro comes with a PoE injector included in its package.
