need a good Access Point

katka · February 20, 2022

any good access point with good signal that can penetrate strong walls on a aprox 200 square metters house with 2 floors?

budget: maximum 250 $ and must be easy to configure (install or set up as other people say)

waiting for advice, thanks

leadeater · February 20, 2022

Ubiquiti APs and a Cloud Key would probably be the way to do for you, however with the Cloud Key would be over budget.

Have a look at getting 2x U6-Lite. You may be able to get a cheaper solution by finding a supplier that has stock of the older generation products and then you might be able to squeeze in the Cloud Key for better management but at only 2 APs there isn't a great need for it so don't worry about that much.

arkinvader · February 20, 2022

I agree with leadeater about the Ubiquiti AP's, but in regards to a budget if all you need is networking (not Ubiquiti Protect Cameras or there other services) you can run the Ubiquiti Controller off a Raspberry Pi. I personally have been doing this for the last couple months, in an effort to spread out the cost of Ubiquiti gear as well as stock availability. I find it works great. Really isn't too technical, in my opinion, expect a little command line and some flashing of a SD card but that's about it.

Here is the guide I used and there are some helpful YouTube videos out there as well: https://pimylifeup.com/rasberry-pi-unifi/

I am using a Pi 3b+, but really can run on any Pi with a network port to make it have a more reliable connection. Then if you later want to get a Cloud Key or a Dream Machine/Router you can and run something else on the Pi later.

In regards to the AP itself, make sure to check which one you get as many require Power over Ethernet and would require an injector or a switch with that built in. Ubiquiti sells them as well as Amazon and so on for relatively cheap. Ubiquiti software is great and easy to manage out of the others I have used,( Google Home, TP Link as well as Netgear) there phone app basically can do it all, with some basic first time configuration on the web portal.

Hope this helps!

wseaton · February 20, 2022

Another vote for two Ubiquiti AC lites. One for each floor.

All my Ubiquiti environments are managed by their local controller software, which last time I checked is free (unlike Meraki and Ruckus), and runs off any Windows or Linux PC or laptop.....for free.

Sjaakie · February 21, 2022

As mentioned by @wseaton you can just run the software on your pc when you want to adjust some settings. Once set it will keep running like that without the software running.

You only need it 24/7 for the guest portal or if you want to gather statistics.

@fruit bat I don't think there are AP's available that penetrate multiple floors / strong walls so if you're able to run some network cable it's definately worth it to get multiple AP's

Needfuldoer · February 21, 2022

Ex-enterprise access points are very inexpensive on the used market. You could easily cover your entire house for less than half your budget.

The HP 560 has a web UI, and can run in autonomous mode without a controller. There are several sellers on eBay in the US with quantities of them in stock for $20 a pop. Just add a power supply or PoE injector.

voyager_ · February 25, 2022

Yet another supporter here for Ubiquiti products, you can easily run the controller software on a pi. It uses very little reasources. I have mine running in a windows vm since I need it for my camera anyways. Ive never had any issues. Its easy to backup configs and save them to other devices incase you have an issue down the road. Two of my access points have been running for 6 years and while they are by no means the fastest thing anymore they still work perfectly. I dont have to do restarts here and there like I used to with netgear or Linksys. They just work and Ubiquiti seems to support the hardware for years! my two access points are still getting updates. Check around on ebay or facebook market place just make sure you look carefully at what model your buying. I made that mistake with and Pro access point and didnt realize that it was from 2012 or something. It still works though, just as well as my other two. I just made it the dedicated access point for all of the smart devices for the house and they have zero connection issues.

FINAL WARNING! UBIQUITI HARDWARE MAY SEND YOU DOWN THE RABIT HOLE! I started with one and they slowly multiply. Now I have a couple of switches, USG security gateway, 3 access points and a desire for some updated ones......... you have been warned......