🛒
If you’re unhappy with the U7 Pro or the U7 Pro Max due to their internal fan but can’t afford the fan-less UniFi E7, Ubiquiti has something that will change your mood.
Today, the networking vendor announced the official availability of its next-gen Flagship UniFi access points, the U7 Pro XG and U7 Pro XGS, which are reasonably priced at $199 and $299, respectively.
As the name suggests, these models are similar to the previous U7 Pro models, but they offer some significant improvements.
Update: The in-depth review of the U7 Pro XGS is available here.
Ubiquiti U7 Pro XG vs. U7 Pro XGS: Fanless flagship UniFi access point.
The two new access points, from the top, share the same look as previous models. They are round Wi-Fi 7 broadcasters with a ring of status lights in the middle.
However, their improvements begin on the underside, where both have a heavy metal base, like the case of the E7, which works as the heatsink. As a result, no internal fan is needed to keep the hardware from overheating.
So, in a way, the new U7 Pro XG and U7 Pro XGS are the first Flagship UniFi access points with the thermal solution of the Enterprise category.
Tip
Ubiquiti has a few categories of Wi-Fi access points, including:
- Flagship: These are high-performance, ceiling-mounted access points.
- Outdoor: Weatherproof APs that can be mounted to poles outside or conveniently placed on a surface indoors.
- Enterprise: Top-capacity APs with 1,000+ client support, long-range 6 GHz performance, and 10 GbE PoE connectivity with native high-availability architecture for critical enterprise environments.
- Wall: These are sleek APs that plug directly into a wall outlet for meshed connectivity or transform an Ethernet drop into an AP.
- Mega Capacity: APs that are designed for stadiums or amphitheaters with a very high density of connected devices.
- Bridging: Devices that serve as a high-performance network bridge without the wire.
A UniFi access point can belong to multiple categories. The E7 Audience, for example, is an enterprise outdoor access point with mega capacity.
Furthermore, both the U7 Pro XG and U7 Pro XGS models each feature a 10GBASE-T uplink port, as indicated by their model names. Hinted how you might wonder? Let me elaborate on these seemingly cryptic monikers:
- U7 is short for UniFi hardware with Wi-Fi 7 support.
- Pro is for professional, which is part of the Flagship category.
- XG literally means 10G, referring to the 10Gbps uplink ports.
- S (in the U7 Pro XGS) is for a dedicated spectral scanning radio that helps improve coverage and performance in crowded environments.
That said, the two new APs are essentially the same, with the Pro XGS being more capable due to an additional radio and a slightly higher tier with more spatial streams. The table below compares their hardware specifications to those of the previous U7 Pro and U7 Pro Max.
Hardware specifications: U7 Pro XGS vs. U7 Pro Max vs. U7 Pro XG vs. U7 Pro
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | U7 Pro XGS | U7 Pro Max | U7 Pro XG | U7 Pro |
| Wi-Fi Bandwidth | Tri-band BE15000 | Tri-band BE11000 | ||
| 1st Band 2.4GHz (channel width) | 2×2 BE: Up to 688Mbps (20/40MHz) | 2×2 BE: Up to 688Mbps (20/40MHz) | 2×2 BE: Up to 688Mbps (20/40MHz) | 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) | 2×2 BE: Up to 4.3Gbps (20/40/80/160/240MHz) | ||
| 3rd Band 6GHz (channel width) | 2×2 BE: Up to 5.7Gbps (20/40/80/160/320MHz) | 2×2 BE: Up to 5.7Gbps (20/40/80/160/320MHz) | ||
| Dedicated Spectral Scanning Radio | Yes | No | ||
| Backward Compatibility | 802.11ax/ac/n/g/a/b | |||
| Max Concurrent Clients | 500 | 300 | ||
| Max SSIDs | 8 per band | |||
| Max TX Power | 2.4GHz: 23 dBm 5GHz: 29 dBm 6GHz: 24 dBm | 2.4GHz: 23 dBm 5GHz: 29 dBm 6GHz: 23 dBm | 2.4GHz: 23 dBm 5GHz: 26 dBm 6GHz: 24 dBm | 2.4GHz: 22 dBm 5GHz: 26 dBm 6GHz: 23 dBm |
| Antenna Gain | 2.4GHz: 4 dBi 5GHz: 6 dBi 6GHz: 6 dBi | 2.4GHz: 4 dBi 5GHz: 6 dBi 6GHz: 5.9 dBi | 4 dBi 5 dBi 5.8 dBi | 4 dBi 6 dBi 5.8 dBi |
| Multi-Link Operation (MLO) | Yes | |||
| Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) | No | |||
| Zeo-wait DFS | Yes | No | ||
| Real-Time Spectral Analysis | Yes | No | ||
| Wi-Fi Coverage (estimate) | 1,750 ft² (160 m²) | 1,500 ft² (140 m²) | ||
| Power over Ethernet (PoE) | 802.3bt (PoE++) | 802.3at (PoE+) | 802.3at (PoE+) | 802.3at (PoE+) |
| Max Power Consumption (estimate) | 29W | 25W | 22W | 21W |
| Internal Cooling Fan | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Uplink Network Port | 1x 10GBASE-T | 1x 2.5GBASE-T | 1x 10GBASE-T | 1x 2.5GBASE-T |
| Security | WPA, WPA2, WPA3 | |||
| Local Web-based Management | No (as a standalone AP) | |||
| Cloud-Management (UI account required) | Yes (free) | |||
| Mobile App | UniFi | |||
| Mode | Access Point | |||
| Dimensions | Ø8.5 x 1.3″ (Ø215 x 32.5 mm) | Ø8.1 x 1.8″ (Ø206 x 46 mm) | Ø8.1 x 1.3″ (Ø206 x 32.5 mm) | Ø8.1 x 1.8″ (Ø206 x 46 mm) |
| Weight (with mounting accessories) | 1.8 lb (800 g) | 1.5 lb (680 g) | 1.7 lb (750 g) | 1.5 lb (680 g) |
| LED | Color-changing (White/blue) ring LED | |||
| US Launch Price (Compare prices and specs!) | $299 | $279 | $199 | $189 |
Notably, the U7 Pro XG and U7 Pro XGS are enhanced versions of the U7 Pro and U7 Pro Max, respectively, featuring a more efficient thermal solution (fanless) and a 10Gbps uplink. They are designed to deliver both improved performance and enhanced longevity (due to the absence of moving parts).
If you’re unsure which to choose, the U7 Pro XGS is the best among the four, although in terms of performance, it’s expected to be comparable to the U7 Pro Max. Thanks to the dedicated spectral scanning radio, both are more suited to a crowded environment.
All these APs share two commonalities. First, they use the uplink port as the sole powering method—there is no power port or power adapter. To use any of these, you’ll need a Power-over-Ethernet switch or injector. To be sure, pick the PoE++ power sender. Second, neither has the AFC feature, which has been available only in the Enterprise category so far, as is the case with the E7.
Familiar UniFi access points
Despite the new hardware specifications and design, the U7 Pro XG and U7 Pro XGS will functionally be the same as the rest of the Wi-Fi 7 UniFi access points. Specifically:
You can use each as a standalone access point that adds Wi-Fi 7 to any existing network powered by any router. In this case, you’ll need to use the UniFi mobile app for the initial setup and management, as there is no local web server, unlike with many other business access points.
However, like any UniFi access point, you should pair these two as a single broadcaster or multiple units as part of a UniFi Wi-Fi system with a UniFi gateway. In this case, it’s best to use a 10Gbps PoE++ switch to achieve the best performance. Regardless of which one you use, a UniFi gateway can quickly adopt it via a single click, and your network will be up and running in just a matter of minutes.
Availability and pricing
The U7 Pro XG and U7 Pro XGS are now available, with retail prices of $199 and $299, respectively. They are a tad more expensive than the U7 Pro and U7 Pro Max.
Their availability is definitely welcome news for fans of the UniFi ecosystem. However, if you have already bought the U7 Pro Max or U7 Pro, there’s no need to be upset. The new APs, while improved, won’t make a significant difference if you have a broadband connection of 2.5Gbps or slower. And while the new thermal design is excellent, the internal fan in the older U7 Pro and U7 Pro Max doesn’t mean the hardware won’t last for a long time. So, there’s no need to rush to upgrade.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a new UniFi access point today, the U7 Pro XGS and U7 Pro XG are surely worth considering more than previous models. So, consider one today! When you’re at it, consider also grabbing one of the UniFi gateways below—I’d recommend the UCG-Fiber, which features a PoE+ out port to host a U7 Pro XG, as your primary gateway for your network.
Update: The in-depth review of the U7 Pro XGS is available here.
Top 5 Best UniFi Gateways to Build an Advanced Network
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| Name | Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Fiber (UCG-Fiber)’s Rating | Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Gateway Max (UCG-Max)’s Rating | Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR7)’s Rating | Ubiquiti UniFi Express 7 (UX7)’s Rating | Ubiquiti UDM Pro Max’s Rating |
| Price | – | – | – | – | – |
| Rating | |||||
| Description | |||||
| Statistics | |||||
| Buy this product |
Hi Dong,
Thank you very much for your many articles, including reviews. I took the plunge to purchase the Cloud Gateway Fiber and have been very pleased that it’s been plug and play so far. When you reviewed one or more of the many ginormous WiFi 7 routers (for example, the TP-Link Archer GE800), you said something to the effect that they need to be large due to the basic physics. So, why doesn’t that same logic apply to the Ubiqiti U7 Pro XGS (or their compact WiFi 7 routers/access points)?
Thanks and have a great day
The same logic does apply those integrated UniFi consoles, Rick. The UX7 and UDR7 are mid-tier in terms of Wi-Fi performance. You need to use a separate (and large) UniFi access points to get the best Wi-Fi performance. The E7 is an example.
How useful is spectral scanning?
If you use the AP in a crowded environment, where there are many other Wi-Fi broadcasters of different networks, it’s very helpful since it automatically optimizes the connection of your AP and its clients. Otherwise, it’s a good tool for you to visualize the air space as shown in the screenshot of the U7 Pro Max in the review here.
Dong do you have an article on how to read the analysis and what we should look for when using it? if not that would be awesome if we can get one.
There’s not much to it. You only need to understand what a Wi-Fi channel is and the meaning of the dBm.
How does the u7-XGS compare to the E7? im looking for something for my 1500Sqft house. I prefer to have one AP inside. If I need more coverage id prefer to have it be on outside patio only.
Performance-wise, the XGS is similar to the U7 Pro Max. Both are a tier lower than the E7. Any of them will likely work out for you when placed at the center.
Hello Dang, I have three level home, would you suggest 3 x U7 Pro XG + UCG-Fiber or 3 x Unifi Express 7 + UCG-Fiber? i mean U7 Pro XG and Unifi Express 7 both have exact same specs, but Unifi Express 7 have one extra port all at same price? is there some config i am missing in U7 Pro XG which is not there in Unifi Express 7? are both comparable at same price and have same bands?
As long as you use wired backhauling, either is fine, Jax. They differ mostly in the design. And your assessment on the ports is correct. Maybe you can even mix the two and eliminate the need for a PoE switch or an injector and use the money for a couple of SFP+ to 10GBASE-T adapters Good luck!
Now if only they would expand their 10G-Base switching offerings. Lots of multi-gig switch offerings, but outside of the XG24 there isn’t much to be desired.
They do have a bunch but they are all huge rackmount switches, Kyle. You can use any switch, though.
Why is Unifi still putting out access points that have 2×2 on 6 GHz? At these price points, I expect more.
Good question. I’d not get too hung up on the specs. However, you can get the Enterprise 7.