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Ubiquiti’s UniFi E7 Review (vs. U7 Pro Max): The First Real Wi-Fi 7 Indoor Access Point

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The Enterprise 7 or UniFi E7 is the latest in Ubiquiti’s Wi-Fi 7 access points—in case you wonder why “7” and not “8” or any other random number. The name is a bit different from the convention used for the previous model of the same class, the U6 Enterprise, which features Wi-Fi 6E.

Here’s the bottom line: If you’re looking for a top-tier Wi-Fi 7 broadcaster, the UniFi E7 is it. This access point has everything to justify its $499 retail cost and is an easy recommendation for those with a UniFi console who want to add Wi-Fi 7 to their network, whether it’s a home or a small office. Get one today!

On the other hand, if you can tolerate slightly less coverage and some excessive heat, the U7 Pro Max offers a similar experience for much less.

Dong’s note: I first published this post as a preview on January 29, 2025, and updated it to an in-depth review after thorough hands-on testing on February 3, 2025.

The Ubiquiti UniFi E7 comes with mounting accessories and nothing else
The Ubiquiti UniFi E7 comes with mounting accessories and nothing else.

UniFi E7: A big and powerful Wi-Fi 7 access point

Unlike the U6 or previous Wi-Fi 7 UniFi APs, such as the U7 Pro Max, which are each a single device, the UniFi E7 is one of the three variants first announced in early December 2024.

It’s also the first one to be available, and you can buy it today. The other two, the E7 Campus and E7 Audience, require further certifications for the AFC feature and will ship later in the year. (These two are outdoor hardware made primarily for large-scale applications.)

The Ubiquiti UniFi E7 has a heavy metal base
The UniFi E7 is a large access point with a heavy metal base.

Fanless design

Out of the box, the E7 is huge. It’s not the biggest Wi-Fi access point I’ve seen, but it’s up there, and it’s one of the heaviest, too, thanks to the all-metal base.

This base is where it’s all the rage as it seems to function as a heatsink by design, allowing the AP to remain relatively cool, as I experienced during my week-long trial. It’s worth noting that the mounting accessories also consist of a few heavy metal pieces, likely to further the heat-dissipating effort.

As a result, unlike the U7 Pro Max (and U7 Pro), which has an internal fan, the E7 is fanless—I didn’t open it to check, but there are no ventilation openings all around the unit, and it was utterly silent during operation. The omission of the internal moving parts is welcome news to Ubiquiti fans who have been disappointed with the U7 Pro and Pro Max on this front.

Around the edges, the E7 has a color-changing ring of status light. This light can be pretty bright, but you can manage it via the UniFi mobile app or the interface of a UniFi gateway (console) to which the AP is attached.

Dual PoE++ ports with official AFC support

UniFi E7 AFC warningUniFi E7 AFC hardware options
The UniFi E7 offers extensive radio and Wi-Fi customization. Note the AFC warning, the LED management, and the fact that the 6GHz uses the 160MHz channel width by default.

On the underside, at the south end, the AP has an opening big enough for two network cables. Why two? There are two PoE++ ports: a 10GBASE-T and a Gigabit—you can use either or both at a time. In the latter case, the Gigabit will work as the backup.

I feel the Gigabit port is somewhat redundant. Chances are it’ll never be used, and there’s no option to make it work as a regular LAN port to host a wired device. It would be great if this port could work as a PoE-out and allow you to connect another PoE device to it. That’s not the case. The E7 doesn’t have the PoE power forwarding function like the Flex 2.5G PoE.

The AP doesn’t have a power port—to use it, you need a PoE++ or an injector, and neither is included.

In terms of Wi-Fi, the UniFi E7 is a more powerful device than the U7 Pro Max, with a much better 6GHz band. Additionally, as an enterprise-class device, it can handle double the number of concurrent clients and has more extensive Wi-Fi coverage.

Most significantly, the E7 is the first UniFi access point—in fact, the first on the market—to officially feature Wi-Fi 7’s AFC. This feature allows it to have more extensive coverage on the 6GHz band in the region where it is allowed.

The AFC feature of the E7 lineup allows for 6dBm of additional broadcasting power. Considering that the E7’s starting max-broadcasting power is not as high as that of the outdoor E7 Audience and E7 Campus, its 6GHz range is the most modest among the three. Still, the AP showed noticeably better coverage on this band than other Wi-Fi 7 broadcasters I’ve tested.

Ubiquiti UniFi E7 vs. U7 Pro Max
Ubiquiti UniFi E7 vs. U7 Pro Max: The former (bottom) is a much larger access point.

The table below shows the hardware specs of the UniFi E7 in comparison with the U7 Pro Max.

UniFi E7 vs. U7 Pro Max: Hardware specifications

UniFi E7u7 pro max thumb
ModelUniFi E7U7 Pro Max
NameUbiquiti UniFi E7 Access PointUbiquiti UniFi U7 Pro Max Access Point
Wi-Fi StandardsTri-band BE21000Tri-band BE15000
1st Band
2.4GHz

(channel width)
2×2 BE:
Up to 688Mbps
(20/40MHz)
2nd Band
5GHz

(channel width)
4×4 BE: Up to 8.6Gbps
(20/40/80/160/240MHz)
3rd Band
6GHz

(channel width)
4×4 BE: Up to 11.5Gbps
(20/40/80/160/320MHz)
2×2 BE: Up to 5.7Gbps (20/40/80/160/320MHz)
Backward Compatibility802.11ax/ac/n/g/a/b802.11ax/ac/n/g/a/b
Max Concurrent Clients1000500
Multi-Link Operation
(MLO)
Unavailable at launch
(to be added via firmware)
Automated Frequency Coordination
(AFC)
YesUnavailable at launch
(to be added via firmware)
Max. TX power2.4GHz: 23dBm
5GHz: 30dBm
6GHz: 24 dBm (or 30dBm with AFC)
2.4GHz: 23dBm
5GHz: 29dBm
6GHz: 23dBm
Antenna Gain2.4GHz: 5dBi
5GHz: 6dBi
6GHz: 6dBi
2.4GHz: 4 dBi
5GHz: 6 dBi
6GHz: 5.9 dBi
Estimate Wi-Fi Coverage
(indoor)
2000 ft²
(185 m²)
1,750 ft²
(160 m²)
Power over Ethernet 
(PoE)
802.3bt
(PoE++)
802.3at
(PoE+)
Max Power Consumption43W25W
Internal Cooling FanNoYes
Network Port1x 10Gbps Multi-Gig PoE++,
1x 1Gbps Multi-Gig PoE++
1x 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig PoE+
SecurityWPA, WPA2, WPA3WPA, WPA2, WPA3
Local Web-based Management
(as a standalone AP)
No
Cloud-ManagementYes
(free)
Mobile AppUniFi
ModeAccess Point
Dimensions 
(W x D x H)
9.8 x 9.8 x 1.7 in
(250 x 250 x 43.5 mm)
Ø8.1 x 1.8″ (Ø206 x 46 mm)
Weight
(with mounting accessories)
4 lb (1.8 kg)1.5 lb (680 g)
LEDColor-changing (White/blue) LED
US Retail Cost
(at launch)
$499$279
Hardware specifications: UniFi E7 vs. U7 Pro Max
Ubiquiti UniFi E7 topUbiquiti UniFi E7 underside
The top and underside of the Ubiquiti UniFi E7 access point. Note the two PoE++ ports and the cable door on its underside.

Enterprise 7: A typical UniFi access point

Despite the new design and powerful hardware, the E7 is set to be a typical UniFi access point. In fact, it’s simply a Wi-Fi 7 version of the U6 Enterprise.

The E7 can work as a standalone access point, as a quick Wi-Fi 7 upgrade, you can add to any existing network. However, you’ll need to use the UniFi mobile app to manage it—it does not have a local web user interface.

As UniFi hardware, though, it’s best used in a network hosted by a Ubiquiti UniFi console, such as the UDM-SE or Cloud Gateway Max. Now, that’s where it shines as part of an advanced enterprise-class system.

Like all UniFi APs, the E7 is immediately detected when physically connected to a UniFi network. You can then choose to “adopt” it with a single click from the console’s interface (or the UniFi mobile app). After a couple of minutes, it’s ready to work by picking up the console’s existing Wi-Fi settings within the UniFi-OS’s Network application, which was recently upgraded to version 9. And that’s it.

You can use the E7 as a standalone router via the UniFi mobile app
You can use the E7 as a standalone router via the UniFi mobile app. In this case, opting for a UniFi account will give you a host of extra features, including remote management. Still, you’ll miss a lot of advanced features until you use it with an UniFi “router”.

You can use the E7 as the only Wi-Fi broadcaster or as part of a mesh system when multiple UniFi APs are in use, including those of different standards and classes, such as the U7 Pro Max or U6 Enterprise. In this case, they all will share the common settings—model-specific features, such as AFC, remain at the supported unit(s).

As a system, Uniquiti’s UniFi offers one of the most, if not the most, advanced and in-depth customizations/features, all presented in an easy-to-handle interface applicable to all users, ranging from home to enterprise.

Ubiquiti UniFi E7: Excellent overall performance

I tested the UniFi E7 over a week with multiple switches (including the Flex 2.5G PoE and the Enterprise 8 PoE) by itself or in tandem with the U7 Pro Max and the U6 Enterprise, and it worked flawlessly.

As mentioned, the the AP was utterly silent and was the least hot UniFi APs I’ve tested. It wasn’t exactly “cool”, far from that, but I could rest my hands on its underside indefinitely. That gotta be significant, considering the U7 Pro Max was so hot that I felt I could make an omelet with it.

The Ubiquiti UniFi E7 long Range Wi Fi PeformanceThe Ubiquiti UniFi E7 Short Range Wi Fi Peformance
The UniFi E7’s real-world Wi-Fi performance when tested with clients of different standards.

In terms of real-world data rates, there are a few things to keep in mind:

The hardware doesn’t feature MLO yet, which will likely be added via future firmware updates. It’s worth noting that this feature doesn’t play a significant role, considering this is a wired Wi-Fi broadcaster, and the only significant benefit of this feature—the reliability—is handled by the UniFi console’s effective band-steering feature.

Speaking of wired connections, the E7 is a top-tier broadcaster with a 10Gbps uplink port. So, it’s natural that you’d expect top speeds from it. And the AP wasn’t slow—far from it, as shown on the charts—I tested it with the Zyxel XS1930-12HP, which has plenty of 10Gbps PoE++ ports.

However, it remained largely a Gig+ broadcaster, though that could be because of the receiving end—there are only 2×2 Wi-Fi 7 devices on the market, which I used for the testing.

In terms of broadband speed, out of my 10Gbps fiberoptic plan, I got around 2100Mbps at best. So it did break the 2Gbps barrier, but only on the 6GHz band at a relatively close range within a line of sight.

What is Gig+

Gig+, or Gig Plus, conveys a speed grade faster than 1Gbps but slower than 2Gbps. So, it’s 1.5Gbps, give or take a couple hundred megabits per second, and it’s not speedy enough to qualify as Multi-Gig Ethernet or multi-Gigabit. Intel coined the term to call its Wi-Fi 6E client chips—the AX210 and AX211—to describe their real-world speeds.

Gig+ applies to the sustained speeds of Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7—via a 2×2 at 160MHz connection—or Internet speed. It’s generally not used to describe wired network connections.

It’s worth noting that if you use the AP at its default settings, you’ll get modest real-world performance. Like all enterprise-class devices, the hardware comes prioritized for reliability rather than raw performance.

In the case of the E7, by default, none of its bands use the highest channel width. For example, the hardware automatically picks 80MHz for the 5GHz band and 160MHz for the 6GHz. To get the best performance, you’d have to manually change the radio settings, which I did for the tests. (In real-world usage, where testing isn’t a daily thing, there’s no need to tinkle with the settings.)

Other than that, the UniFi E7 performed hiccup-free during my intensive real-world trial, and it passed my 3-day stress test without any issues. It also had excellent band-steering when I used a single SSID for all three bands and, when working with the U7 Pro Max, showed smooth, seamless hand-off. However, all that was more the credit to the UniFi console that I used, the UDM-SE in this case, than the APs themselves.

As expected, the E7 had an excellent range—similar to that of the Aus ZenWiFi BQ16 Pro. It’s tricky to put the Wi-Fi range in a specific number, but per my rough calculation, it can handle around 2300 ft2 (215 m2) of indoor space when placed at the center, which is better than what Ubiquiti claims. Still, your mileage will vary. What you can count on, however, is the fact that its 6GHz band has about the same range as that of the 5GHz, even better at times, thanks to AFC, which can be a pleasant surprise.

Ubiquiti UniFi E7's Rating

8.5 out of 10
The Ubiquiti UniFi E7 Wi Fi 7 AP
Performance
8.5 out of 10
Features
9 out of 10
Ease of Use
8 out of 10
Value
8.5 out of 10

Pros

10Gbps PoE++ port with top-tier Wi-Fi 7 specs to deliver excellent Gig+ performance with extensive 6GHz range thanks to AFC

Seamless integration with an UniFi console to deliver a robust mesh system with lots of advanced and useful features

Simple to set up and manage

Cons

No PoE injector included; 2.4Ghz performance could be better

No MLO (at launch) or local web user interface as a standalone AP

The takeaway

Ubiquiti’s Enterprise 7, better known as the UniFi E7, is an excellent Wi-Fi 7 access point. It was the first to have the much-anticipated AFC feature, and it is currently one of the top Wi-Fi 7 broadcasters.

That said, if you have a network without Wi-Fi or want to upgrade your system to Wi-Fi 7, the E7 is a great choice. That is especially true if you’re using a UniFi console. If so, give it a go today! With some tweaking (or even without), you’ll be happy with it.

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19 thoughts on “Ubiquiti’s UniFi E7 Review (vs. U7 Pro Max): The First Real Wi-Fi 7 Indoor Access Point”

  1. Hi Dong,

    Thanks for the review, I have been awaiting this eagerly. I need a bit of advice, if you don’t mind?

    I’m currently looking into replacing an Apple Airport Extreme 802.11ac which is currently covering our two-floor house (125 m2 base) and is placed more or less in the center. Worst coverage is around RSSI -75 dBm (5 Ghz, 80 Mhz) upstairs. It works, but we are clearly at the very edge here.

    I’m thinking about either Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 (not Pro, I’m in Europe) or Cloud Gateway Max + UniFi E7 (+ PoE power injector). The hope is that one AP will do the trick as a wired backhaul between two Asus ZenWiFi BQ16 is beyond tricky to achieve for me.

    Top speed is not of absolute importance upstairs, but the family will have no patience for any failure so reliability in coverage is paramount. If an Apple Airport Extreme can do, right?

    Final ‘constraint’ is that the AP must be white and look decent as it will be placed on a bookshelf in the middle of the Livingroom. So, the ‘black spider’ APs are out of the question, hence Asus BQ16, UniFi E7 (or TP-Link Deco BE85).

    Reply
    • I’d go with the UCG-MAX and the E7, Nils. With it, you have some wiggle room with its placement, too. Note, though, that some of your existing devices might not work by the default settings, but you can tweak it or create a special SSID for them. Good luck!

      Reply
      • Hi Dong,

        Thanks a lot for the quick reply and recommendation! Did you by chance experience any difference in coverage depending on whether the E7 is placed vertically or horizontally?

        In case somebody is wondering why I need an advanced router, I have to use VLAN-tagging (to a specific tag) in order to use it directly with my internet provider (instead of using their’s as a middle man).

        Reply
        • Access radiation patterns for each access point can be found at the following URL

          https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005212927-AP-Antenna-Radiation-Patterns

          The installation documents imply that the access points can be mounted vertically but the radiation patterns suggest that a horizontal should give better coverage

          Fortunately I have a single story home, so was able to run cables through my loft space easily

          I have to say that I whilst the sticker shock for the E7 is high it is an awesome device

          One other thing that was not clear in the review is that the E7 uses the same mounting plate as the U6 Pro & U6 Enterprise access points

          Reply
          • Hi Stuart,

            Thanks a lot for those access radiation patterns, they give me a good idea about how to place the E7.

            Ceiling mount doesn’t look to be a great idea for me actually, as that would harm coverage on the second floor (backside radiation is not ideal but that is by design of course).

            Luckily I can place the E7 both vertically and horizontal on the bookshelf while testing.

            All the best, Nils

        • Technically, per the dBi values, it’s desgined for ceiling mount so elevated horizontal is the best. But in reality, the position make little difference. Also, if you have two floors, the vertical position might be more suitable. You just have to try it and see which one fits you best before mounting it permanently. Note that when used with an UniFi console, the AP can do a lot of things, including automatcially giving connected device more “attention”. For example, at a disctance, a device might see week signals at first, but once connected, it migth slowly get higher or even full bars. etc. Adn this one can handle up to 1000 clients (I’ve never tried with more than a few dozen).

          There’s no need to explain why you want an advanced, router. We all have complexes. 🙂

          Reply
          • Thanks a lot Dong, those access radiation patterns are intersting – and also a really nice touch to their overall support. Getting more and more impressed with Ubiquiti so I guess I’m at the point of no return now! 😊

            Yeah, best to just try the placement of the E7 out once I get it. Could even be a bit of fun.

            Again, thanks for the review and the fast replies!

            All the best, Nils

  2. Is a 7 pro enough for two apartments of 50 square meters, one located on the 1st floor and the other on the ground floor? The apartments are wagon style one below the other. Thank you congratulations for what you are doing.

    Reply
  3. Great review Dong.
    I have 4 of U7 Pros and they have been fantastic after updating to latest official firmware. They don’t have AFC right now. My question is whether these will get AFC in future or we’re stuck with an inferior product? The 6Ghz range is laughable at best and is really useless when it is beaten by 5Ghz.

    Reply
  4. Why does it say the app needs an account? You can bypass the Ubiquiti account screen then setup and run the network without the cloud account.

    Reply
    • That’s generally the case of the web interface for the console, Derrick. I started the UniFi app awhile back and it did require an account at the time. Maybe that has changed, I’ll check and update the post accordingly. Thanks for the input!

      Reply
  5. The E7 has the hardware to support MLO, but it doesn’t have software support for it. UI says they will enable it in version 7.2.x of the firmware.

    Reply
    • Yeap, Richard. That’s generally the case with Wi-Fi 7 currently. MLO is quite irrelevant for AP, though, unless you want to use them in a wireless mesh system. Thanks for the input, though.

      Reply
  6. Hi Dong
    I just installed mine yesterday with a Trendnet POE power injector to one of the SFP+ ports on my UDM SE, as I purchased the Unifi Pro Max 24 POE before the Pro HD 24 POE which would have been a brilliant option for me, which I might do anyway if I decide to add a second E7
    The E7 replaced a U6 Enterprise using the same ceiling mount as the U6 range.
    The set up was easy and connected at 10Gb network speed and after the update things have been working just great.
    However I did run a speed test on the unit at 680K down which was disappointing compared to the U6 Enterprise it replaced which returned 970K on a gigabit link
    To be fair I did run another test latter that showed better results, but is something I will keep an eye on
    All told I am pleased that the install was easy and completed in less than 15 minutes which included the upgrade
    The only downside is that the LED lights are very bright which can be a distraction, fortunately you can change the intensity and the colour in the network settings of the device

    I look forward to seeing your in depth review

    Reply
    • Wi-Fi always fluctuates, Stuart. I’d just pick the fastest result as the score. Thanks for sharing the experience!

      Reply

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