WiFi technology hasn't been standing still – it’s been constantly evolving. There are now many network options available at affordable prices, even for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
For example, the 802.11ax (also known as WiFi 6) WiFi standard recently displaced 802.11ac as the current standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs), boasting faster speeds and allowing for higher bandwidth apps. There are also many ways to set up your network, including using access points (APs), of which there are many types available.
Click here to read more about what 802.11ax wireless can mean for your business.
Choosing the best APs for your business can be challenging with all these options. Fortunately, the following guide will provide the details you need to make an informed decision about the best WiFi APs for your business.
An SMB wireless access point (WAP), also known as an enterprise WAP, is a hardware device that provides the crucial connection between your WiFi network and your devices. It's essential to differentiate an SMB WAP from a consumer WAP.
Remember, most homes don't need a lot of WiFi coverage because they are relatively small, and they don't need to provide WiFi access to as many devices. One can also argue that the network isn’t ‘critical’ like a business network is. Routers with built-in APs (also known as wireless routers) tend to be good enough for consumer use.
Conversely, SMBs require higher-level APs than what you'd find in a consumer wireless router used in homes. SMBs typically require more WiFi coverage and faster and more reliable speeds, for a greater number of devices. A basic consumer-grade wireless router simply won't do.
That is why businesses need to invest in SMB or enterprise WAPs. These more sizable APs help expand the range of a WiFi network, while also providing greater security, higher speeds, and better device management capabilities.
When it comes to adding WAPs, businesses have two main options: mesh networks or standard wired installations.
Mesh networks are an increasingly popular option for many businesses because they offer reliable performance and stronger coverage. Mesh networks use multiple APs to create a single, unified network.
These APs communicate with each other, creating an interconnected network (mesh) that can provide strong coverage and efficient data routing throughout your office. If one of the AP fails, the next nearest AP normally will pick up the slack of the failed AP.
One downside of mesh networks is that speeds usually suffer because one of the radios inside the AP is going to be used for backhaul traffic. There is also a limit to the number of APs that can be in a mesh so this option won’t work for large networks. Professional wireless APs, unless otherwise noted, are always individually wired back to a switch.
Standard wired installation is the more traditional approach to adding APs. It involves connecting multiple APs via ethernet network cable back to a network switch. This setup is the most effective, but it often requires a lot of wiring and configuration to get up and running.
WAPs offer a variety of benefits for businesses. First and foremost, they provide a much more reliable connection than consumer-grade routers.
As mentioned earlier, most consumer wireless routers can't offer the same coverage and speeds that businesses need, so investing in a higher-end SMB or an enterprise-grade AP is wise. With that in mind, the following are some of the additional benefits of using a WAP:
Now that you have a pretty good idea of how beneficial wireless APs can be for your business in general, let's focus on some of the best models currently on the market as of this writing. The following are the highest-quality wireless APs available for SMB use:
The Cisco Meraki MR57 is a high-end, cloud-managed 802.11ax (also known as WiFi 6) WAP device that offers superior performance and range.
It's an ideal solution for medium-sized businesses with complex network needs. It's a WiFi 6E device, which means it can transmit over the newly allocated 6 GHz spectrum, allowing for greater speed even with more users on the network.
The Meraki MR57 comes with a tri-band configuration, which means it can also operate in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrums, as well as 6 GHz. The MR57 also boasts Dual 5 Gbps multigigabit Ethernet ports, full-time WiFi location tracking, and separate radios dedicated to Bluetooth, radiofrequency (RF) management, and security.
The Aruba AP-635 was the first enterprise-grade WiFi 6E AP available on the market, meaning it was the first WAP capable of transmitting at the newly allocated 6 GHz spectrum. Like the Cisco Meraki MR57, the AP-635 can also operate in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrums.
As a result of its tri-band capabilities, the AP-635 offers wider channels with less interference. This means that it's perfect for delivering faster speeds for applications that require a lot of bandwidth and low latency, such as high-definition (HD) video.
Other features include two Ethernet ports, role-based access, and both on-premises and cloud management options. Finally, security features include WPA3 and Enhanced Open, along with WPA2-MPSK for stronger encryption and authentication.
The Cisco Catalyst 9166i is the perfect solution for large businesses that need reliable and secure wireless coverage. It's a tri-band 802.11ax WAP device that delivers impressive speeds and range.
In addition, it comes with two Ethernet ports, WiFi 6E technology for an extended range, and advanced security features. It also offers the option to switch network management from on-premises to cloud-based management – or vice versa – with ease.
The Catalyst 9166 also boasts Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.1, which allows location-based asset tracking, wayfinding, and analytics. Additional features include AP power optimizations, which help reduce your network's power consumption, and environmental sensors, which can detect temperature, pressure, and humidity levels.
TP-Link WAPs are known for allowing you to connect multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously while also allowing you to create small, but scalable high-speed wireless networks.
The TP-Link EAP660 HD in particular has a lot going for it, including 802.11ax connectivity, 2.4 and 5 GHz support, and cloud support. In fact, remote access is incredibly user-friendly due to their Omada Cloud application, which is available in mobile versions on Android and iPhone.
Finally, it also boasts support for up to 16 service set identifiers (SSIDs), which means that you can segment your wireless network into multiple virtual networks. It also has a quad-core CPU and 2.5Gb Ethernet port – and on top of all that, it's available at a relatively low cost compared to other WAP models.
The Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-AC-PRO is an enterprise-grade AP device that provides low latency, high availability and offers WiFi connectivity coverage for up to 122 meters.
Like all Ubiquiti WAP models, the UAP-AC-PRO allows you to control and manage your wireless devices centrally from their UniFi controller software, which you can run in a Network Operations Center (NOC) or from the cloud.
The UAP-AC-PRO supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands in addition to 3x3 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology, which is perfect for supporting critical system applications as well as high-density networks.
There are a lot of excellent WAPs on the market, but choosing the right one for your business can be a challenge. Even though they are all of excellent quality, the one that is right for your business will depend on your specific needs. The following are some of the factors that you should consider when choosing the right WAP:
The range and coverage of the WAP are crucial factors to consider. Not all WAPs are created equal; some offer better range and coverage than others. Make sure to look for a WAP that can cover the area you need it to.
You may want to consider an AP model with external antennas that can be adjusted for better coverage. Also, there are different types of antenna to help you achieve the specific radio signal pattern for the best signal performance.
If you have a large space to cover, a WAP that provides coverage for the area you need will save you money over having to use additional APs to extend your coverage.
The speed of the WAP is also an essential factor to consider. Speed refers to the rate at which information travels. The speed of a WAP model is designated by a rating that is often measured in bits per second (bps). The higher the bps, the faster the WAP will be.
For example, a WAP supporting the 802.11n protocol will reach at least 300 Mbps. However, a WAP supporting 802.11ax protocol can travel up to 9.6 Gbps.
Carrying capacity refers to the number of users a WAP can handle without degradation in performance. For example, if your business is expecting a large number of concurrent users, you'll need to make sure the WAP can handle them.
Additionally, don't just base your carrying capacity needs on your existing users – look ahead at what your business may need in the future.
Consider the remote management features offered by each WAP. Look for a WAP that offers integrated cloud management tools so you can manage it from anywhere. Remote management allows you to make changes quickly and easily, even if you're out of the office, thereby helping you keep your network running efficiently.
Security is a top priority when it comes to WAPs, so make sure the one you choose has robust security features. Look for features such as WPA3-Enterprise encryption, 802.1X authentication, and other features that keep your network safe and secure. Without the necessary security features, your business will be at a greater risk of a cyberattack or data theft.
Many enterprise-grade WAPs now offer BLE integration, which can be useful for certain applications. BLE can be beneficial in several ways. For instance, it can be used to locate specific devices or users, provide proximity-based services, and more.
Environmental sensors can help monitor temperature, humidity, and other conditions. This can benefit businesses that need to monitor specific environmental conditions, such as server rooms or warehouses.
If your business uses or plans to use the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, look for a WAP with integrated IoT radios. This will allow your WAP to easily connect and communicate with IoT devices, such as wireless sensors, cameras, and more, making it easier to manage and monitor your IoT network.
Whether setting up a new network or upgrading an existing one, investing in the right WAPs can be a great way to future-proof your business' network. With the right WAPs, you can ensure that your network can handle all of your current needs and any additional ones that may arise in the future.
By considering all the above factors and researching different models, you can find the perfect WAP for your business. The key is ensuring it has enough range, speed, capacity, security features, and other functions to meet your specific requirements.
By investing in quality WAPs, you can get your network ready for the future and ensure that it is reliable and secure for years to come.