Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Rock-solid Wi-Fi connectivity is one of those things that people take lightly, but it is not a given. And for me, it’s more than a simple necessity. As someone who has worked remotely for over a decade, this is the backbone of my livelihood.
Over the past decade and a half, I have spent thousands of dollars chasing down seamless connectivity in my apartment. From expensive routers to DIY mesh solutions and, more recently, mesh routers with dedicated backhaul connectivity, my pursuits have shown me the way to balance speed with range, but the right solution has always eluded me.
I’ve spent thousands of dollars on Wi-Fi routers, but they rarely worked as advertised.
On paper, a single mesh router with three access points should be more than enough to blanket a 2400-square-foot apartment in suite Wi-Fi. However, none of those solutions worked for me, despite the promise of full-house connectivity on the sticker. Clearly, it’s time to take things to the next level.
The first step in solving a problem is to clearly identify the said problem. In my case, it was easy. Thick walls of brick and rebar are not only a deterrent to high-speed Wi-Fi, but can also serve as a Faraday cage. Sure, I can get 2.4Ghz signals throughout the house, but the drop in speed from 300Mbps to less than 5Mbps is unacceptable. So with a little upgrade to running CAT 6a Ethernet cabling, it’s time to tackle the Wi-Fi beast.
Make the right choice: Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi Do You Need a Hardwired Connection?
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Right off the bat, one thing was clear, my requirements far outweighed the capabilities of most consumer hardware. I needed a solution that was somewhat future-proof, convenient enough to combine a few different use cases, and it had to be upgradeable without switching the whole system. The Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro was a perfect fit.
Ubiquiti takes an Apple-like approach to networking hardware. Unlike Pfsense or DD-WRT, Ubiquiti gives you a lot of power but hides it behind a shiny interface. I needed a solution that was easy enough for the average user to figure out that I’m not around to administer. Ubiquiti’s companion app (Play Store) is a pretty elegant way to log in remotely and diagnose any problems with the network.
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Dream Machine Pro also differs in that the router does not have a Wi-Fi access point at all. Its only job is to act as the brainchild of my home network. The router connects to my 24-port power-over-Ethernet capable switch to talk to the wider network. The entire system is designed keeping in mind that the Ethernet cabling will act as a backhaul between the access points. It beats competing mesh routers for the same airwaves to talk to each other, and guarantees future-proofing at up to 10Gbps on CAT 6a. An added benefit is that I can replace individual access points as and when needed to better accommodate my needs.
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
For my apartment, I settled on a combination of one Unifi 6 long-range and two Unifi 6 light access points. While I wanted to adequately balance the load of over 70 client devices, for most users, two access points should suffice. I’ve also got access points to the ceiling for maximum range. Since they are powered directly via Ethernet, there is no reason to run a power cable. As it turns out, that’s “all” for maximizing connectivity in my home and getting full-speed internet even in the far flung places.
There’s more to a high-end system than just range and speed.
However, the superior range and speed aren’t the only reasons I’ve opted for a system designed for business use cases. You see, I’ve been keeping a close eye on my Internet-connected devices for the past year or so. It’s amazing to see how often your smart home devices call the phone home, often to servers in China. There is simply no telling the type of data being shared.
ConnectedHow I Consolidated My Smart Home Using Home Assistant
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not too eager for any private organization to tap into my security cameras or keep a complicated profile when I get home via motion or door sensors. That’s why I’m actively moving my smart home devices under local control, whether through software or by switching the hardware myself.
My colleague Roger recently talked about putting smart home devices on a separate network. While his article provided easy solutions, it did not solve the problem of feeding your data to offshore servers. With the Dream Machine Pro, I’m able to set up a VLAN and separate all my smart home gear from talking to the Internet. This is a big step towards keeping your data private. It also won’t break functionality like casting or airplay if you enable multicast support in the VLAN.
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
I’ve always been a little wary of cloud-connected security cameras. By design, cameras like Xiaomi share private data with cloud servers. Additionally, their reliance on unreliable microSD cameras and the need to find a power socket close to the camera has proved cumbersome more than once. I’m also against the idea of paying a subscription fee on top of buying an expensive security camera.
Ubiquiti’s high-end router comes with its Ubiquiti Protect security suite built-in. In fact, you can slide the hard drive directly into the router and it can record all of your security footage. Using a combination of Ubiquiti cameras, PoE, and a 2TB hard disk inserted into the router, I was able to take back full control of my home security system. All data is stored securely on the router itself, and I can log in remotely to check information.
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Look, there’s no denying that switching to a prosumer setup costs a lot more money than taking the Google Nest Wifi pack off the shelf at Best Buy. However, for what you spend in initial costs, you save in long-term upgradeability, better connectivity and, most importantly, peace of mind.
The initial set up is a lot more expensive, but it pays off in the long run.
Being able to have fine-grained control over my network, seamless connectivity throughout my home, and a great home security system. The all-in-one unit is worth its weight in gold to me. If you’re struggling with your home Wi-Fi, or just need a more powerful solution, I’d urge you to go down the Ubiquity route. I believe you will not look back.
Are you satisfied with your current Wi-Fi solution?
100 votes
Yes.
37%
It works quite well. I’m not looking for an upgrade.
39%
No, I will upgrade to a mesh system.
10%
No, I’m looking at pro solutions like Ubiquiti.
14%
notes
