We'll start by summarising the Ubiquiti U7-Outdoor UniFi WiFi 7 Key Points, scroll down halfway to skip to the comparison between the two models
The Ubiquiti U7 Outdoor is a Wi-Fi 7 access point designed for outdoor use. It has an aluminium back and a plastic front, with the aluminium helping to disperse heat. The device has an IPX6 rating, meaning it can withstand high-pressure water from any direction. The U7 Outdoor comes with multiple mounting options, including a back plate, and can be pole-mounted. It is also heavier than the U7 Pro Max.
Key specifications include:
Spatial Streams: 4
Coverage: Up to 465 square meters
Connected Devices: Supports over 200 devices at once
Uplink: 2.5 Gbps
Antennas: Features both internal and external antennas
Frequency Bands: Operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with both being 2x2 MIMO. It does not have a 6 GHz band.
The Ubiquiti UnIFi U7-Outdoor offers both directional and omnidirectional antenna options, and both are included in the box. The directional antennas are better for sending a signal over a long, direct path, while the omnidirectional antennas are designed to provide coverage to a wider area, such as a garden.
During a test without external antennas, the directional signal dropped significantly once the line of sight was broken by a wall. With the omnidirectional antennas installed, the signal was lost completely at a distance where the directional antennas still maintained a connection. The omnidirectional antennas are useful for covering a wide area, while the directional option is better for extending signal strength in a specific direction. The device's settings allow the user to select the antenna type (built-in or omnidirectional) and enable an "outdoor mode" to comply with local regulations.
The device's software includes features such as:
A new analyser and packet capture tool.
TX retries, which show how each spectrum is performing.
Channel usage insights, which can guide the user in selecting the best channel.
Environmental scans to identify the best channels to use.
Here's a comparison of the Ubiquiti U7-Outdoor and the Ubiquiti U6-Mesh access points.
Let the battle begin!
Key Differences
Wi-Fi Standard: The most significant difference is the Wi-Fi standard. The U7 Outdoor uses the latest Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) standard, while the U6 Outdoor (specifically the U6 Mesh) uses the older Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard.
Antennas: The U7 Outdoor includes both a built-in directional antenna and external omnidirectional antennas, giving you more flexibility. The U6 Mesh has an internal omnidirectional antenna.
Uplink Speed: The U7 Outdoor has a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet uplink, whereas the U6 Mesh has a 1 Gbps Ethernet uplink.
Weatherproofing: The U7 Outdoor has an IPX6 rating, which protects against high-pressure water jets. The U6 Mesh has an IPX5 rating, which protects against low-pressure water jets.
Sorry no 6 GHz Band: The U7 Outdoor operates on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, but does not have a 6 GHz band. Some Wi-Fi 6 devices, like the U6-Enterprise, do have a 6 GHz band, but the U6-Mesh does not.
Spatial Streams: The U7 Outdoor has 4 spatial streams (2x2 on 2.4 GHz and 2x2 on 5 GHz). The U6 Mesh has 6 spatial streams, which are often cited as being better for meshing, but the U7 Outdoor has more advanced antenna options for better range.
Max Client Count: The U7 Outdoor supports over 200 concurrent clients, while the U6 Mesh is rated for over 300.
Coverage: The U7 Outdoor has a larger stated coverage area, with the directional antenna providing coverage up to 465 m² (5,000 ft²) in open spaces. The U6 Mesh has a coverage area of 140 m² (1,500 ft²).
Power: The U7 Outdoor is powered by PoE+, while the U6 Mesh uses standard PoE.
So in summary, the U7-Outdoor has better WiFi coverage, Antenna Options, uplink speed & weatherproof rating and the advantage of Wi-Fi 7 Speeds
The U6-Mesh has better spatial streams and more concurrent clients