s about Ubiquiti switches often arise.
s about Ubiquiti switches often arise.
Hello everyone, welcome to my first post. Please accept any small mistakes—I’m new around here and excited to start setting up my own network. I’ve been heavily influenced by Ubiquiti’s tutorials, and I feel most comfortable with the basics now. My main dilemma is choosing between the USW-Lite-16-POE and the USW-Lite-8-POE models.
I’m trying to understand if there are significant differences between these two 8-port options that a beginner should know. Also, I’m wondering if adding the extra capacity of the 16-port switch makes sense given its higher cost.
My setup plans include using a UCG-Ultra as my router and a U7-Pro as my sole access point (the most affordable 6 GHz AP). I’ve included a network diagram to illustrate how I envision organizing the connections. The USW-Flex-Mini will let me run short cables from the surrounding areas into my Sonos system, with one cable looping back to the switch.
I appreciate any guidance you can provide!
Don't choose the U7-Pro. It doesn’t really belong in the “Pro” category—it’s more like a “U7-Lite” version, sharing many of the same trade-offs we saw with the U6-Lite. Currently, few devices support Wi-Fi 7, and the U7-Pro’s performance is lacking, offering only basic 2x2 MIMO instead of the stronger 4x4 found in the U6 Pro and U6 Enterprise. It also heats up more, consumes more power, and unless you’re using a 2.5GbE switch, the 2.5G uplink port on the U7 is largely ineffective. The 6 GHz band is useful only if your devices are in close proximity, which is usually not the case. Save around $30 and opt for the U6 Pro if you don’t have many Wi-Fi 6E devices competing for bandwidth, or invest a bit more for a U6-Enterprise that delivers superior speed and reliability. The U7-Pro doesn’t justify its price given the limited options and performance constraints.
I'll be staying in a studio apartment with everything in the same room as the AP. I was considering using a 6GHz band to reduce interference from neighbors' networks. Is the U7 that strong? Since I'm living alone and plan to hard-wire an iPhone, laptop, and Nintendo Switch, I thought a 2x2 setup would work. Also, any tips on choosing the right switch? I'm having difficulty understanding the differences between all these options. Thanks!
The Ultra can handle more PoE+ ports. I own a Lite-16 at two sites and it functions properly without problems. It supports powering several UniFi APs together. You should choose based on how many devices you plan to connect. It's wise to have additional ports. While Ubiquiti switches aren't essential unless you need advanced features, the UCG also offers ports. Do any of these devices support WiFi 6E or 7?
My phone and laptop work fine. The Nintendo Switch doesn’t but it’s rarely used beyond local Mario Kart with friends, so I’m not too concerned about its network connection. I don’t believe I need the advantages of managed ports, though I’m not sure. The only thing I’m thinking about adding later is a NAS, which seems to fit well with the extra ports in either of the 8 port switch setups.
Your strategy seems effective, though the final choice hinges on your upcoming needs. I believe the USW-Ultra might be too much for what you need, while the USW-Lite-8-POE fits well with your planned scenario. I began using Ubiquiti a few years ago in an apartment setting. My first configuration included a gateway (USG-3P) and one AP (UAP-AC-Pro) paired with a POE injector. I connected everything using a basic unmanaged TP-Link switch, which performed admirably. As my space expanded, I added more devices like the USW-Lite-16-PoE, two U6-Lites, and several USW-Flex-Minis. The U6-Lites handle roughly 15 to 20 devices per 5GHz without any problems. Mostly Google speakers, WYZE cameras, and a few phones or smart TVs are in use. If you prefer a budget-friendly start, I recommend at least the UCG-Ultra paired with a U6-pro and POE injector. Still, the USW-Flex-Minis offer good value since I own around four of them around my home, often behind TVs. The Flex Mini version is handy because it can run on USB-C if a POE setup isn’t possible.