Ubiquiti U6-LITE UniFi 6 Lite Access Point

Product Information

Ubiquiti has announced six Wi-Fi 6 models so far, and it’s a safe to assume more are coming. We don’t have any details on what those other models will look like, all we can right now is speculate. The most obvious missing models are replacements for the AC-HD line. All the WI-Fi 6 models announced so far are dual-band, but the U6-HD could be tri-band, with two 5 GHz radios. I’ll be interested in testing those when they come out. 2.5 Gbps Ethernet uplink ports are also likely for those models.

The U6-Mesh is my default recommendation for outdoor UniFi wireless networks. The AC-Mesh and AC-Mesh-Pro are still workhorses, and their superior antenna options make them better options in some situations. I’d still lean towards the U6-Mesh due to the higher performance with Wi-Fi 6 devices, but that’s just me. I don’t think there’s a big rush to upgrade from an AC-Mesh or AC-Mesh-Pro, but for new installs and upgrades the U6-Mesh is the new benchmark. Without using DFS channels (which can conflict with radar, and aren’t universally supported) the normal 5 GHz spectrum only supports three true 80 MHz channels, and one 160 MHz wide channel. The actual number of available channels varies by country. The U6-Pro is the newest of the three, and it is also a big step up from the U6-Lite. The U6-Pro also offers more transmit power, higher-gain antennas, more spatial streams, and more overall performance than the U6-Lite. The U6-LR and U6-Pro are both IP54-rated, meaning they are partially dust and splash resistant. They can be used in a protected outdoor area, like under a porch roof, but you wouldn’t want to install them in an unprotected outdoor area.The 5 GHz band of the U6-Lite is equipped with 2x2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology, boasting a radio rate of 1.2 Gbps. This ensures fast and reliable wireless connections, making it ideal for data-intensive tasks and high-density environments where network performance is crucial. Versatile 2.4 GHz Band In-wall models are handy if you have Ethernet run to a wall plate. The three models I've tested aren't the best to compare because I don't have a AC-In-Wall-HD, or a Wi-Fi 5 model from Omada. Once again UniFi and Omada APs are generally the best value. The Instant On AP11D and AP17 are the worst value on a pure performance per dollar metric, but hopefully they'll be replaced with Wi-Fi 6 models soon. Multi-device throughput should see a significant throughput increase, due to multi-user MIMO improvements and OFDMA. OFDMA is a technology borrowed from LTE cellular modems. It’s main impact on Wi-Fi is that it breaks up a wireless channel into smaller Resource Units (RU), and each RU can be assigned to a specific client. There are up to 9 clients per 20 MHz channel, and up to 36 users per 80 MHz channel. Clients can also request and use multiple RUs at once if they need more bandwidth. Powering your access point is a breeze with the included 802.3af PoE adapter. Plus, with its plug-and-play capabilities, you can have your network up and running in no time. Adopt in Minutes with UniFi Network Application

The process of removing the top cover is not easy because, just like on the UAP-AC-Pro, Ubiquiti pretty much glued the two parts together. So, a hairdryer + prying tool + lots of patience (and a cut on a finger) was all I needed to manage to detach the upper part. It’s obvious that it’s almost impossible to open up the Ubiquiti U6 LR without leaving some marks, so the warranty is most likely gone if you attempt to do the same. Also, opening the device will remove any resistance to dust or water. In any case, after finally gaining inside access, I was greeted by an interesting metallic plate with an intricate antenna design at the top (reminds me of the Zyxel WAX650S and the WAX630S). Ubiquiti U6-LR Teardown. The AC-Mesh and AC-Mesh-Pro are still relevant, but are also due for an update. Ubiquiti hasn’t replaced these models with direct replacements, but they have made newer outdoor APs that can be considered instead. Wi-Fi 6: U6-Mesh Now, let’s see how the WiFi 6 client device behaves when it’s connected to the 5GHz network, 160MHz channel bandwidth. And the performance is good, especially near the access point because upstream, I saw an average of 888Mbps and downstream, it went up to 546Mbps. The throughput was good even at 30 feet, going to 377Mbps upstream (and 282Mbps down) while at 45 feet and roughly -72dB in signal strength, the speed went slightly underneath 200Mbps. Ubiquiti U6-LR vs Zyxel WAX630S vs EnGenius ECW220S vs TP-Link EAP660HD Ubiquiti U6-LR vs Zyxel WAX630S vs Zyxel WAX650S.

Ubiquiti UDR UniFi Dream Router WiFi 6 Router (AX)

The other two antennas as for the Bluetooth and the other is named SA (no idea what it means). The PCB along with the antenna plate can be detached from the bottom side (they’re held only by a heat pad) and this way, it’s possible to see the large metallic plate that Ubiquiti has put here and it’s useful for taking the heat away from the components and to push it outside. Experience the future of wireless connectivity with the Ubiquiti U6-Mesh UniFi Indoor/Outdoor WiFi 6 Access Point. This access point boasts high-efficiency 4x4 WiFi 6 (802.11ax) technology, ensuring your network runs smoother and faster than ever before. Whether you're streaming, gaming, or working from home, you'll appreciate the enhanced performance and reliability that this cutting-edge technology delivers. Blazing Fast 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz Bands

With every foot of free space and every obstruction, a Wi-Fi signal attenuates and gets weaker. 5 GHz signals attenuate faster, and provide around half the range of 2.4 GHz. When deciding on how many access points you need, a good general rule is don’t expect 5 GHz coverage to extend further than 2 walls or 30 feet away. Some APs like the U6-LR extend this circle out a bit, but with the others APs, roaming to 2.4 GHz or getting low SNR 5 GHz performance is possible at the far edges. When the signal dropped to -88dB (at about 70 feet), the throughput was barely usable (14Mbps up and 1.4Mbps downstream). Switching to the 80MHz channel bandwidth, but keeping everything else intact, showed a slight decrease near the access point (compared to the 160MHz), but the throughput does look a bit better after passing 30feet (the signal strength also didn’t differ that much from the test using the 160MHz channel bandwidth). Ubiquiti U6-LR vs Zyxel WAX630S vs EnGenius ECW220S – Long-term speed test – 80MHz – Upstream – 5 feet. When further away, you can see the impact of the lower transmit power for APs like the U6-Lite. Higher power and higher spatial stream APs offer more distance, and can compensate with features such as beamforming. Range is where the U6-LR and U6-Pro show their biggest advantage over the U6-Lite. Higher gain antennas and higher transmit power allow them to reach further. A few extra dBm is enough to allow an AP to effectively cover a larger area. With a 5 GHz band offering 4x4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA, delivering a remarkable 4.8 Gbps throughput rate, and a 2.4 GHz band featuring 2x2 MIMO and a 573.5 Mbps throughput rate, you get the best of both worlds. Stream 4K videos without buffering, enjoy lag-free online gaming, and ensure a seamless browsing experience on all your devices. This access point is engineered for high-speed data transmission, so you can enjoy uninterrupted connectivity throughout your home or office. Seamless Performance with Full 4x4 MIMOIt’s worth noting that only the U6-Pro and U6-Mesh feature 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 6 support. None of the other models feature upgraded 2.4 GHz radios. The same goes for their 1 Gbps Ethernet ports — none of these models support 2.5 Gbps Ethernet. I’m hoping the inevitable U6-HD or U6-Enterprise support 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, since the new USW-Enterprise-24-PoE features 2.5 Gbps ports, and Ubiquiti doesn’t sell any APs which support that speed.