Ubiquiti lite vs. Pro – Which offers the best range?
Ubiquiti Lite and pro are one of the most popular wireless access points in the market. They come at an affordable price and with cool features to ensure you enjoy the best Wi-Fi speeds in the market. Here we examine the two access points key features.
In the age of improved Wi-Fi technologies, there is often a lot of confusion whether one should purchase a router, separate modem or Wi-Fi access point. The modem is a device that receives and sends internet signals to the ISP. Most of the modern routers have the modem as a component of it – they are bundled together. A Wi-Fi access point is a device that helps you create your own Local area network. They will be connected to a switch, hub or router.
If you are living in a large office then Wi-Fi coverage can be limited. This is where you purchase range extenders to increase the coverage. In most large buildings you will find the router in a central place then the other rooms using the extenders for coverage. In this review, we examine the Ubiquiti lite and pro and tell you which offers the best coverage.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Ubiquiti lite and pro?
Model |
Ubiquiti Lite |
ubiquiti Pro |
Dimensions (inches) |
6.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 |
7.74 x 7.74 x 1.38 |
Weight (lbs.) |
1.65 pounds |
0.77 |
Processor |
N/A |
Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 750MHZ chipset |
Switch |
Atheros AR8033 (Ethernet PHY only) |
QCA8334 |
Maximum range (feet) |
400 |
600 |
Speed |
300Mbps at 2.4GHz and 867Mbps at 5GHz |
3×3 MIMO 450Mbps for 2.4GHz and 1,300 Mbps for 5Ghz |
Ubiquiti lite vs. pro – How do they differ?
Broadcast range and speed
The Ubiquiti lite has some high gain antennas that give it the power to broadcast over an extended range – specifically 600 feet. On the downside is that the devices you are broadcasting to may not have the capacity to broadcast back at those ranges. This means you are going to experience some drop connection levels. The AC-Pro range is limited to 400 feet but it does come with a 3×3 MIMO array for its 5GHz frequency. When compared to the lite you get speeds that are 33% faster.
When it comes to speeds the lite is a bit slow clocking in 300Mbps for its 2.4GHz band and 867Mbps for its 5GHz band. It comes at an affordable price hence making it suitable for home or small business use. The AC-pro has maximum theoretical speed of 450Mbps for the 2.4GHz band and 1,300Mbps for the 5GHz band.
Hardware specifications
The Ubiquiti lite measures 6 inches/160mm while the pro is the size of a smoke detector measuring 200mm/8 inch. You can position the units on your walls or ceiling. The lite comes with one Ethernet port. You will have to power it over the Ethernet with a non-standard 24v. The Pro uses two Ethernet ports – main and secondary port. It also has a USB port. The main port will support standard 802.2af/at PoE or the passive 48v. All these ports in both the lite and pro are located beneath the unit. The LED light is circular in nature and located on top of the units.
Both the lite and the Pro use the same Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 802.11b/g/n wireless SOC. The chip is capable of clocking speeds of up to 750MHz. The design for the two units has changed a lot since Unifi entered the consumer market. Before, all that they cared about is loading a badly designed router with lots of features and cool hardware and the market would readily accept it. The highly competitive consumer market has become bigger and this has meant that they have to spend more time in developing attractive units. On the outside the Ubiquiti Lite and pro do not have the many LED lights common with other routers. You only have one circular light which changes colors depending on the status of the unit.
Setup and Installation
Unlike your regular router, setting up the Ubiquiti lite and pro is a bit complicated and not as easy as other routers. This is because when it was first introduced it was not meant for the consumer market. When it comes to installation the first thing you need is connect your unit to a computer through the secondary port then use the main Ethernet port to connect to the power source. You will need to install the UniFi controller to your computer as it is the main tool from which to setup the unit. Like most routers you will be asked to setup your timezones, location and new passwords/usernames.
Since there has been increasingly popularity of the router among home owners, the manufacturers decided to have a mobile app developed. This is available for Android and all you will need to do is scan the QR code and the application will automatically detect the device. You can also access the controller through cloud and this helps you manage your router on the go.
Ubiquiti lite vs. pro – A Comparison Overview
Ubiquiti lite – Overview
- Ubiquiti Networks networks Unifi AC Lite AP Wi-Fi 802.22
- 2.4 GHz Speed : 300 Mbps, 5 GHz Speed : 867 Mbps
The UniFi UAP AC lite measures 160mm in diameter compared to the Pros 200mm. It comes with 2×2 AC1200 antennas that are capable of supplying up to 867Mbps for the 5Ghz band and 300Mbps for the 2.4GHz band. It is also armed with a single Ethernet compared to the pros two. The Ubiquiti lite has a signal range of 122m/440ft.
Management and installation of the device is through the UniFi network controller software. The application can be installed on both PCs and mobile phones. Once you are done with installation, it becomes quite easy to configure the device automatically. The best part about the lite is how affordable it is.
The UniFi lite comes with the latest 802.11ac technology that ensures reliable and fast internet connection. The 802.11ac is 5 times stronger than the previous 802.11n.
Pros
- Decent price
- Latest 802.11ac technology
- Compact design suitable for small offices
- Easy to install and setup
Cons
Comes with only one Ethernet port
Ubiquiti pro – Overview
- 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 Ubiquiti pro is a popular wireless access point among small business owners and homes. The Ubiquiti is round faced and white matte colored. The LED light from the device is underneath. The unit is lightweight at 0.77lbs and measures 7.74 x 7.74 x 1.38 inches.
The UAP pro is a device that you mount on your ceiling or wall. It does not have any feet to enable it be positioned horizontally. You will find some screws that come with the device that help you in mounting. On the downside the unit does not come with any Ethernet cable or PoE adapter. It also does not have considerable number of air vents, meaning it can get hot easily.
The LED light is a singular blue circle. This shows you the status of your unit. You will need to know how to interpret it. When it is white it means the device is ready for configuration, constantly flashing white means the unit is booting, solid blue light means the device is working fine. While the LED light is a great addition, for new owners this can be a bit confusing as you will constantly need to consult your manual to interpret the lights.
Access is through two Gigabit Ethernet ports. The main port is used for connecting the access point to a router, switch or PoE injector. The secondary Ethernet port is used for bridging purposes. The Ethernet ports are located at the bottom of the device. The Ubiquiti pro runs on Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 750MHz chip. For the 5Ghz band you have a QCA9880 802.11a/n/ac chipset and for the 2.4Ghz a Qualcomm Atheros QCA9563 b/g/n chipset. The theoretical speeds are 1,300MHz for the 5Ghz band and 450MHz for the 2.4GHz band.
The Ubiquiti Pro is configured through a controller. This means the first thing you need to do is connect it to an access point then to your computer. You will then need to install the UniFi controller to your computer then run through the instructions. Due to the popularity of the access point among homeowners, it now comes with a mobile app.
Pros
- Host of features like band steering
- Fast speeds and range
- Easy to setup and install
- High performance during multi-client load testing
Cons
- Hard to find features in Unifi GUI
Conclusion: Which is better: Ubiquiti Lite or Pro?
The Ubiquiti Pro is the better access point in this review. Firstly, it comes with two Ethernet ports as opposed to the lite one. The round case is ideal for wall and ceiling mounting while still offering decent speeds and range. At 0.77lbs this is not a heavy device and the white matte finish makes it very attractive for home or office use. The Ubiquiti Pro is capable of delivering speeds of up to 1,300MHz for the 5GHz band and 450MHz for the 2.4GHz band.
FAQ
Between the Ubiquiti AC-LR and AC Pro which has the best range?
If you want to broadcast using high-gain antennas and for a longer range then the AC-LR is better than the AC pro. It will give you a maximum range of up to 600 feet, which is more than the average of 400 feet by its competitors. The AC Pro will broadcast over a range of 400 feet but on the 3X3 MIMO array. This means while it compromises on range you get a very good signal.
How much workload can the AC lite handle?
The AC lite is a small router that is designed as an entry level unit. In fact, it is one of the most affordable 802.11ac routers in the market. But, its speeds are not that good; it delivers 300Mbps for the 2.4GHz band and 867Mbps for the 5GHz band.
