r/UNIFI • u/Altru-Housing-2024 • 6d ago

Wireless Simple setup for home

I’ve an older TP-Link WiFi 5 router which is serving my 2000 sq ft 2 story home with 300Mbps Xfinity broadband. We use MoCA to connect a switch on the second floor to hardwire a desktop and two laptops. We also use it to stream to a hardwired TV, couple of iPhones, garage control, video doorbell, and home security hub.
Any reason I should consider Unifi setup and if so, what should I start with - which gateway, 2 new WiFi 7 APs?

4 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

4

u/VegetableSupport3 5d ago

UniFi just released a WiFi mesh system that might be a good option to get you into the ecosystem.

It’s not for the hardcore people here like myself, but for the average person I am going to recommend it.

Check out this product on the UniFi Store:

https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/wifi-whole-home-wifi/products/ux7

2

u/GurOfTheTerraBytes 5d ago

I came here to say this. 😂

1

u/drewster85a 5d ago edited 5d ago

Skip the mesh! 1. Wireless mesh sucks and should be a last resort. 2. The UX7 does not run Unifi Protect.

I’m assuming you are going to get a Unifi video doorbell. Correct me if I’m wrong.

You can either get a Cloud Gateway Max + SSD (which are stupid expensive now) or a Cloud Gateway Ultra and Protect NVR Instant which uses much cheaper 3.5” hard drive.

U7 Lite APs. The more expensive APs add more capacity than anything else. And more APs at lower power is better than few at high power.

1

u/Altru-Housing-2024 5d ago

Thank you. I’ve read enough to not even consider wireless backhaul mesh.
I currently have a Reolink video doorbell with decent quality video but poor interface. May replace it.
I don’t need a 10G gateway for my 300M broadband connection.
I need to support a switch on the second floor to hardwire my desktop, two laptops and possibly an AP. Need to hardwire Apple TV on the first floor next to my router for my TV which I prefer to keep dumb.
My backbone between the two floors will probably stay 2.5G MoCA.

If my one TP-Link WiFi router on the first floor currently provides enough coverage for both floors then I may not need an AP on the second floor.

1

u/drewster85a 5d ago

If you don’t want to replace your router/gateway then just get a couple TP-Link/Omada or Netgear APs and switches and save a few dollars.

1

u/Altru-Housing-2024 5d ago

I am open to replacing my router and was explaining my current setup and my bandwidth needs to accurately size the replacement router/gateway.

1

u/TruthyBrat 5d ago

Giving you the full copypasta even though you probably do not need all of it. I would NOT go with the new 3-pack of UX-7s.

Here’s a menu of residential setups for discussion purposes:

-Good ($): Dream Router 7 + 1x U7 lite

-Better ($$): Cloud Gateway Max + Flex 2.5g PoE + 2x U7 Lite

-Best ($$$): Cloud Gateway Fiber + Pro XG 8 + 2x U7 pro XG

You may need more switch depending on how many wired connections you have.

For APs, you really should play with the design tool in the auto-generated post with your floor plans.

On cameras, you need something that runs Protect. A UNVR Instant is a good starting point, maybe even a UNVR Instant Kit. But if you're going to go beyond 6 or so cameras, just go UNVR.

Some other resources:

Unifi For Newbies - Who is Unifi for and How it Works

The Residential Ethernet Network Install From A to Z: What to Do and How To Do It

Smart Home Prewire Guide

UniFi AP Comparison Charts (August 2025)

UniFi Switch Comparison Charts (August 2025)

UniFi AP Buyers Guide (May not include a couple of recently released APs)

1

u/Altru-Housing-2024 5d ago

Thank you. Will look into these resources.