Ubiquiti Networks Enterprise AP Unifi Review

If you are looking to enjoy a seamless home network with the absolute best throughput speeds throughout your entire home, you should invest in building a custom home network. Designed for maximum coverage and speed, Ubiquiti Unifi devices are business-grade hardware that can be incorporated in homes easily. Let us take a look at its top features and analyze its performance.

Due to the use of standard networking hardware, I have struggled with weak and unstable connections in various parts of my home, leading to endless frustrations when I am watching my favorite Netflix show. As a result, I realized that most standard consumer-grade routers just do not cut it for my home connection needs. So, I decided to search for a fast and reliable network that I could build, which led me to the discovery of enterprise routers.

I came across Ubiquiti Unifi, an enterprise networking hardware that has entirely changed my networking experience. Ubiquiti is a reputable brand in the networking niche, known for manufacturing the best enterprise-grade products, including network switches, wireless technologies, and cloud management capabilities, among other products. Their enterprise-grade networking gear differs from regular consumer-grade routers in various aspects, including speed, performance, and range, and they also cost more. With that being said, it also requires some certain amount of network knowledge to operate these routers. Thanks to Ubiquiti Unifi routers’ versatile performance, now my home network is fast, strong, and stable, and there are no dead spots throughout my home.

Ubiquiti Unifi review and breakdown

Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway (USG)
  • 3 Gigabit Ethernet ports, CLI management for advanced users
  • 1 million packets per second for 64-byte packets

The Unifi router is a modern business-grade router that performs both router and gateway functions, making it quite popular for home and workplace use. Different from previous enterprise routers from Ubiquiti, Unifi comes with a more modern design and feel. It is also very user-friendly. It features easy setup and configuration processes, provided you have some networking knowledge.

The unit comes in a rectangular shape with a metallic casing and a matte finish. It is available in white, black, or blue, and comes with optional access points. With the help of its access points, it can efficiently work as a mesh system, as the access points serve as secondary router devices placed at different locations of the house to boost and propel the signal. The access points feature a white bowl-like shape and have a single RJ45 Ethernet port for a wired connection to the central unit. However, they can also be connected wirelessly.

Unifi is a high-performance bandwidth router that provides a total throughput speed of 3000 Mbps with 300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1733 Mbps on the 5GHz band. When tested in the real world, its speed was about 100 Mbps, which is relatively high. It also has a coverage range of about 5000 square feet when connected to two access points. The router comes with five high-speed ports, including one LAN port, three gigabit RJ45 WAN ports, and one multi-purpose WAN/LAN port. It is also powered by a robust 4 x 4 dual-band processor for maximum efficiency.

Furthermore, Unifi devices function differently from traditional home networks. They come with various devices that work independently to form the network. Some of these distinct pieces include the controller that serves as the network’s brain as it enables you to control and set up multiple devices from a single interface. There is also a Unifi gateway, which is the device that offers the internet connection and comes with firewall protection and various insights about your network. Other hardware devices in the unit include switches, which allow you to plug hardwired devices into the ports for network extension, and access points that beam the wireless connection to other devices, like laptops, PCs, gaming products, and phones. Other impressive features of this device include the ability to create virtual LANs, Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), and Intrusion Detection (IDS) and Prevention (IPS) capabilities.

On the negative side, Ubiquiti Unifi devices come with complex firmware that may be a process to work around, especially if you do not understand how IP networks function. Also, the router app does not provide you with reliable customer support, although you will rarely need any help.

What we liked;

  • High and reliable speeds of up to 100 Mbps
  • Wide coverage of up to 5000 square feet
  • Modern and attractive design that blends well with any home décor
  • Comes with five high-speed Ethernet ports
  • Exceptional security features
  • Compatible with all operating systems, including Linux, Mac OS, Android, and Windows
  • Lifetime warranty

What we didn’t like;

  • Somewhat expensive
  • No customer support
  • Complex to set up and configure it for those who do not have networking knowledge

View Price on Amazon

Ubiquiti Unifi specifications 

Model
Ubiquiti Unifi
Type
Enterprise router
Wi-Fi technology
Wi-Fi 5
Speed bandwidth
300 + 1733 Mbps
Range Coverage area
Up to 5000 square feet
Frequency band
2.4 and 5 GHz (Dual)
Operating temperatures
-10 – 70°C
Wireless encryption
128-bit encryption
Security protocol
WEP, WPA-Enterprise, WPA-PSK (WPA/WPA2, TKIP/AES)
MU-MIMO and beamforming technology
Yes
Home network control
Ubiquiti Unifi Router App
Availability

 Ubiquiti Unifi features

Design and structure

With dimensions of 1 x 1 x 1 inch and a mass weight of 12.3 ounces, the Ubiquiti Unifi is an average-sized rectangular router enclosed in a metallic box with a simplistic desktop router design. Its metallic enclosure ensures EMI protection and a durable enterprise look that will last for years to come.

The package comes with a Unifi three-port enterprise gateway with Gigabit Ethernet, an eight-port Gigabit Unifi switch that supports PoE (power-over-Ethernet), and a Unifi Cloud Key device that contains the Unifi controller software. It also comes with two optional access points with two Ethernet ports and supports MU-MIMO and Beamforming technology.

Available in white, blue, and black, the Unifi also has four ports at its front and a power button. It also has a modern design and finishing that blends well with any home décor. The unit also comes with one USB 2.0 port for extra connectivity abilities.

Speed and performance

One of the essential factors to consider when purchasing a router is its performance. The Unifi router is a dual-band device with a total throughput speed of up to 3000 Mbps (300 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1733 Mbps on the 5GHz band). Powered by a 4 x 4 dual-band processor, the router guarantees a seamless and robust network connection for your high bandwidth activities, including 4k/8k video streaming and online gaming.

The unit also features MU-MIMO technology that enables it to communicate with multiple devices, reducing the time that each device waits for a signal, making your internet connection faster and more reliable. Alternatively, its Beamforming technology directs and focuses the wireless signal towards your connected devices rather than allowing it to spread in all directions, from your router’s antenna. Unifi also uses 802.11ac Wave 2 technology (Wi-Fi 5), and has a 2GB RAM, 16GB of storage, and uses 26W of power.

Security and Network Control

With the Ubiquiti Unifi business-grade router, users have access to WEP, WPA-Enterprise, and WPA-PSK security protocol, which also offers 128-bit encryption, ensuring you have a secure network. The router also comes with two optional access points that can work as a mesh system, allowing you to create a single network using a single SSID for hassle-free roaming throughout your home.

The Unifi Security Gateway allows users to create virtual network segments for network traffic management and security. Its site-to-site VPN encrypts and secures private data communications traveling between connected devices on the network. Additionally, the unit also has top QoS abilities that prioritize video and voice traffic for lag-free and clear calls and video streaming.

Who is it best suited for?

The Ubiquiti Unifi is perfect for homes and businesses with multiple Smart devices, in need of high bandwidth. It is also ideal for huge homes that require fast, reliable, and wide coverage.

Are there any alternatives to the Ubiquiti Unifi?

Yes. Among the alternative routers to the Ubiquiti Unifi are the pfSense, MikroTik Routers and Switches, and Cisco Meraki MX.

Features of the alternative routers

Model
Netgate SG-3100
MikroTik RB951Ui-2HnD
Cisco Meraki MX 64
Type
Router
Router
Router
Recommended for
Small to medium businesses
Home and office
Medium to large enterprises and very large homes
Wi-Fi technology
802.11 ac
802.11 ac
802.11ac
Speed bandwidth
Up to 3.6 Gbps
Up to 3.5Gbps
Up to 1.2Gbps
Frequency band
2.4 and 5 GHz ( dual band)
2.4 and 5 GHz
2.4 and 5 GHz
Operating temperatures
0 – 65 ° C
-20– 50 ° C
0 – 45 ° C
Wireless encryption
128-bit encryption
128-bit encryption
128-bit encryption
Security protocol
WPA 2
WPA 2
WPA 2
MU-MIMO and beamforming technology
Yes
Yes
Yes
Home network control
Web-based GUI
MikroTik RouterOS
Local management web service on the appliance
Availability

Final Verdict: So, should you get the Ubiquiti Unifi?

Yes. The Ubiquiti Unifi offers you the maximum throughput that you would require for your high bandwidth activities such as large file transfers, online gaming, and 4K/8K video streaming simultaneously. Additionally, it provides an extended signal range, ensuring full home Wi-Fi coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Unifi USG and EdgeRouter Lite?

Ubiquiti Unifi is primarily GUI-based, even though it also has a command-line interface (CLI), while EdgeRouter Lite offers a more advanced and CLI-based configuration.

Does Unifi have a mobile app?

Yes, Unifi has several mobile apps, including one that allows users to view reports and configuration settings and adopt new devices to the network.

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