Understanding how to choose the best Ubiquiti access points can be quite an overwhelming experience once you see the endless list of Wi-Fi options. You are most likely going down this rabbit hole because someone told you that Ubiquiti Wi-Fi access point deployments are a much more respected business-grade solution, and the off-the-shelf products found at big box stores such as Best Buy and Office Depot simply aren’t doing the job.

While these hardware solutions are not ideal, these Wi-Fi access points get most individuals up and running and can solve many major issues when in a pinch. Upgrading to a solution that meets the needs of a scaling business desperate for network stability is usually when a company like ours comes in. We specialize in cable management and Ubiquiti access points deployments in San Diego when the big box store equipment is falling short and impeding the organization’s productivity.

I post articles like ‘Best Ubiquiti Access Points for Your Business’ for you to ultimately decide whether this is a DIY project or a place to gain more insight into the wonderful world Wi-Fi and cable management. So, let’s get started.

What is Ubiquiti Unifi?

The high-end wireless access points are typically managed by controllers separate from the access point itself. The UniFi^® Controller software introduced by the company called Ubiquiti is an affordable alternative to next-level access points provided by companies like Cisco, Aruba, or Ruckus.

The Ubiquiti Unifi line of products is full of powerful business-grade solutions, but they lack good support. The products were developed by former Apple engineers and contain some typically WTF Apple quirks like lacking SNMP (SNMP is a very important network device feature for business grade networking products that shares the health of the device to Managed IT companies such as us).

With that said, the Wi-Fi solution itself that we propose here is ideal for high-density client deployments requiring low latency and high uptime performance.

A single Ubiquiti UniFi Controller running in the cloud can manage multiple sites: multiple, distributed deployments, and multi-tenancy for managed service providers. The wireless access points in each location would need to be able to see the original controller in order to control them.

How do I choose the best Ubiquiti access point for myself?

Simply looking at the graph below is half the battle. There are generations (look for 5^th or 6^th generation) to consider along with indoor vs. outdoor or the ability to penetrate walls vs speed.

We provide a Ubiquiti Wi-Fi model selection dump later down the post for making your head spin but check out the new vs old Wi-Fi’s section to clear through the Ubiquiti clutter. Then, you can make a well-informed choice on how to proceed with the best Ubiquiti access points if it fits your fancy.

Extra Resources for Ubiquiti Support

• Ubiquiti IT Support – A helpful guide for all your Ubiqiuiti IT and basic networking related questions
• Ubiquiti Surveillance Cameras Support – Everything you need to know about the deployment of Ubiquiti surveillance cameras
• Ubiquiti Wifi Support – Our list of recommendations for Ubiquiti Wi-Fi products

Device generation and what’s in stock

Higher density and higher spatial streams on Wave 2 would shine if you’re expecting a lot of users in an area like a conference room or a lobby. For basic coverage, the wave 1 AP’s are fine, but they are getting old.

My recommendation is to consider something newer; I’d rather have a U6-lite than an AC-Lite for $99, but it all depends on what’s in stock and what price it is these days.

Grouped by generation:

• AC Wave 1
• AC Wave 2
• Wi-Fi 6
• Wi-Fi 6E and 60 GHz Bridge

• Ubiquiti Unifi AC Pro –
  • Our default choice for office suites
  • Dual-band WiFi 5 for high-density networks and critical system applications.

• • Not Bad – Access Point Pro WiFi 5 – Ubiquiti Inc.
  • The latest- Access Point U6 Pro – Ubiquiti Inc.

• Ubiquiti Unifi Long Range –
  • Seems ideal for warehouse
  • New – Access Point WiFi 6 Long-Range – Ubiquiti Inc.
  • Old – Access Point Long-Range – Ubiquiti Inc.

• Ubquiti Unifi Lite –
  • Good for basic needs
  • New – Access Point WiFi 6 Lite – Ubiquiti Inc.
  • Old – Access Point Lite – Ubiquiti Inc.

• Nano HD –
  • Supports 200 concurrent users
  • Access Point nanoHD – Ubiquiti Inc.

ProTip! To purchase and set up Ubiquiti access points requires a Cloud Key controller if you are not utilizing the Ubiquiti Unifi Dream Machine Pro. Make sure you purchase the Unifi Cloud Key if you already have a robust router in place.

• Controller –
  • Cloud Key Gen2 ($200) or Original Cloud Key ($100)
  • Reasonably priced controller and fairly easy to install.
    • Charger (USB C port) – https://amzn.to/31czkkW
    • USB C to USB C – Cable – https://amzn.to/39inf18 Note: Home Depot can be used as an alternative for the cable.

UNIFI APS – AC WAVE 1 – Older Generation

• Access Point Lite (AC-Lite)
• Access Point Long-Range (AC-LR)
• Access Point Pro (AC-Pro)
• Access Point Mesh (AC-Mesh)
• Access Point Mesh Pro (AC-Mesh-Pro)
• Access Point In-Wall (AC-In-Wall)

UNIFI APS – AC WAVE 2

• UniFi Dream Machine (UDM) — All-in-one Router/Controller/Switch/AP (not the Pro. Pro is for business)
• Access Point nanoHD (nanoHD)
• Access Point FlexHD (FlexHD)
• Access Point HD (AC-HD)
• Access Point SHD (AC-SHD)
• Access Point BeaconHD (BeaconHD) — No Ethernet ports, wireless backhaul only
• Access Point In-Wall HD (In-Wall HD)
• Access Point XG (UAP-XG)
• Wi-Fi BaseStation XG (UWB-XG)

UNIFI APS – WI-FI 6

• UniFi Dream Router (UDR) — All-in-one UniFi OS Console/Firewall/Switch/AP (not the Pro. Pro is for business)
• UniFi6 Lite (U6-Lite)
• UniFi6+ (U6-Plus) — Early access only
• UniFi6 Long-Range (U6-LR)
• UniFi6+ Long-Range (U6-Plus-LR) — Early access only
• UniFi6 Professional (U6-Pro)
• UniFi6 Mesh (U6-Mesh)
• UniFi6 Extender (U6-Extender) — No Ethernet ports, wireless backhaul only
• UniFi6 In-Wall (U6-IW)

Do you have a POE switch?

For optimized performance without the mess, the best Ubiquiti access points require POE from the Unifi line of products Ubiquiti offers. None of this is a requirement – you are inviting more problems if you don’t provide parity throughout your network environment. At the very least, make sure the switch is a managed POE switch and you have a business-grade router.

Access points are purchased

Congrats! You have done your research on the best Ubiquiti access points for your workplace, made the purchase, and are ready for the Ubiquiti Wi-Fi access point deployment. Unfortunately, purchasing equipment is just the start. Finding a qualified cable management professional for performing the cable runs, terminating the drop location and patch panel, and racking and patching the cable is no small endeavor.

We have preferred vendors that take the cable management drops and terminations very seriously – it’s an art to them. Serious, true IT professionals geek out on how cleanly installed an installation is, which is all an effort to avoid very difficult troubleshooting later. Pinched cables, faulty terminations, and poor runs will lead to disaster. Planning and doing it right the first time is the key to success.

Once the cable management is done, network engineers come in to perform the configuration for the Wi-Fi access point controller, router VLAN segmentation, and overall general securing of the network.

Best Ubiquiti Access Points for Your Business Summary

We have learned that buying the equipment without a plan for deployment is a huge mistake. Hiring a qualified cable management team and a project management team to oversee and configure the equipment will ensure a successful outcome for everyone involved.