Unifi Express: Network controller, Firewall, Mesh Unit!!

[@TheIceMan9304]

Netflix sharing device for the In-laws 😂

[@nixxblikka]

I have to say you make excellent videos. Not bullshit talking just plain straight information in a structured way.

[@Airbear50]

I just got mine. I have no idea how to set up the entire unifi meshing Network in my home. It took about 20 minutes to set up and my entire home is online. Very user friendly. I amazed how small it is and no lag at all. I am runing 40 Devices.

[@Reedith]

Thank you for switching to dark mode it really saves my eyes on my OLED phone screen when I'm watching in bed at night

[@jetblast1212]

Cody, it's great that Ubiquiti let you have the first look at this product; it has the ability to bring UniFi to the masses. I can see a lot of use cases for a device like this. Good job Cody.

[@webluke]

I think the crazy thing about this is that the UI store still had it in stock 2 hours after this video. They do seem to be getting better at having things in stock. This is a much better device than the Gateway Lite. This would be great for having at a family's house that you help them with their network, low cost, good performance, and remote control.

[@kewltune4683]

Great review! And thank you for using dark mode…i was able to follow along a lot easier since i’m visually impaired.

[@deonh9303]

Looks like a replacement for the Amplifi Routers. I loved the latter and used quite a few for home deployments - they were rock solid little devices with very good coverage.

[@itsLaUziCuh]

I just bought this router and i hit 921 download and 900 upload on wifi6 with my iPhone 15 pro max, you have to change your wifi settings to max so you can hit the full speeds you are paying for:)

[@SeattleSandro]

As soon as these are back in stock, I'm getting two to set up at my parent's house. I think this would be perfect for them. They've got an old Netgear modem that my mother hates because it looks like a dead spider.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Keep checking the store they keep going in and out of stock

[@SeattleSandro]

@@MactelecomNetworks I got a notice this morning that they were back in stock and I was only able to get one. I will snag my second one soon, I'm sure.

[@niikon]

Missing IDS and IPS is kind of a deal breaker for me, would've considered upgrading from my UAP+USG3+UCK setup if it had better IDS/IPS performance.

[@wodn184fn8]

Thats an awesome debice for a home sitemagic setup.

[@backupaddict1356]

I think this will be ok for most small businesses and home.

[@atomycal]

Always the first to review new Ubiquiti devices! Awesome stuff!

[@rodaleach]

Positioned to compete with the Eero in the consumer market. Looks like these will drop right into an Apple TV wall mount.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

There will be a magnetic mount coming out as well

[@QuikTechSolutions]

Good video Cody. Definitely see this device as a solid home user mesh solution.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Thanks 🙏 ya it works really well going to set one up at my dads house

[@humblyright]

Just purchased 2 from your website!

[@Rohan876x]

I will use one for my Airbnb (Jamaica) but hopefully I can control it remotely or VPN into it from the USA . I also will get the outlet to remotely shutdown or restart in case needed for guest. Hope that will work

[@Sierra_Victor]

I think the UX is a bit too cut down for 150$. UDR for 200$ gets 4x4 MIMO, IPS/IDS, a few PoE ports, and the ability to run UniFi Protect for a few cameras. If I'd be deploying for family members, I know I'd do a UDR and PoE to something like a U6 Lite, and have way better results for the same price as 2x UXs.

[@kulaak-krii]

I sent my UDR back after I found out the GB WAN port is pointless as WAN throughput is limited to 700Mbps. If the UDR was a true 1Gb device it would win.

[@vildibuks]

Dark mode. Love it

[@zapoqx]

Probably dumb to ask, but out of curiosity and theoretic even at the cost of expense, couldn't one just get both a Gateway Lite and This if they want the IDS/IPS features, and attach say a Flex Mini between the 2? So you would use the WAN port for the UXG-Lite for internet, then LAN port to switch, then LAN port from UX to switch to allow 3 other ports opened for whatever that needs physical connections and would be an in general smaller footprint while being a bit more powerful than a UDR?

[@jeffrobertson8977]

Great video! I have one question, as an MSP can this be managed by a self hosted controller and used as a router/AP or does it only function as an AP when connected to a self hosted controller?

[@jessielees]

what a weirdly fragmented ecosystem with some of these products when all I really want is a UXG lite with onboard console to run networking only + 8 port poe switch + wall/ceiling mounted poe access point ... ..but no... they have to go out of their way to make this more complicated than necessary... this is a cool product for the right use case mind you... it just doesnt fit my needs and Im stumped why they put networking console in this box but not the new gateway lite...

[@philiptalbert458]

Can the Express be used as an AP/Controller to compliment the UXG-Lite? Seems like a good pair.

[@JasonsLabVideos]

ALRIGHT THATS ITS !!!! FINE pull my hair ! I'm going to buy one !

[@Vijaythalapathy28]

Noooo what about Alta labs

[@JasonsLabVideos]

I hope they put out a router soon too !! @@Vijaythalapathy28

[@viparc]

maybe stupid question I was looking at the UDM, but when i see this, is this a good option for me? I have a lot of smart devices in my home and are on the limit of 60 clients, can i still use the Express? and if i have 2 units, can i controle 120 clients or is that impossible?

[@sylvainleblanc5208]

Does this unit have the ability to use public wifi as Internet Provider and share wifi at the same time, Looking for a scenario about older parent that have wifi supply to all appartement in a building, but want them to be secure behind a firewall ?

[@Reedith]

So this is like an alternative to a dream machine It seems like one of these unified Express paired with a cloud key Gen 2 Plus would be great for most people I would love to see a new cloud key in the same form factor and then a rack unit where you can rack both of them next to each other

[@kelemvor3333]

My UDR just died. Would this be a good replacement since all I actually use is the Network (not Protect, Talk, etc).

[@yekurtal5697]

Would it be possible to connect the second express wired and with pass through?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Yup you can

[@BrownRA]

I really want this, I want to use this as my travel router for hotels and AirBnB. Do a Site-to-Site to my network and feel like I’m at home from all around the world! #NetworkInABox

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Yup it works really well for that

[@BrownRA]

@@MactelecomNetworks nice, the only bit I’m unsure of is will I need a travel modem as well? I want to avoid using a Sim (4G/5G modem) as that will cause double NAT issues!

[@cheese123468]

@@MactelecomNetworksDoes it work with a captive portal?

[@user-zg3rp8kq6w]

Good

[@My_Special_k]

looking at a 24P switch to go with this for a mates house... will the express manage it like the UDM will?

[@tomblazek]

Awesome overview! Would you recommend this or the Dream Router for a 2500 sq foot home? I would use either this or the Dream Router, and 1 or 2 AP's. Thanks!

[@perryuploads776]

Can you use the Unify Express to bridge connections ? Like for example. This is a fiction btw. Branch A has a LAN switch with network 10.1.1.x running DHCP, they want to connect Branch B that has a own LAN switch. To connect these 2 branches we want to use WiFi between the branches. So Unifi Express will connect to Branch A LAN switch and gets an ip-adress from the DHCP , and will use the WiFi radio to connect to another Unifi Express running at Branch B. That Unifi Express will also get an ip-adres from Branch A. So basically the Unifi Express is bridging the LAN connection over the WiFi. So every clients that are physically connected to Branch B LAN switch will get lease IP-adresses from Branch A. Thanks Cody

[@Traumatree]

I finally got one of these and it seems I am plagued like many before me, I am limited at ~30Mbps on WiFi for the upload. My firmware is at the latest and I don't get why this happens when I see my PHY up/down to be above 500Mbps. I have no speed limit profiles whatsoever so, is this a defective unit? Transfers via the wire is good at ~900ish Mbps in up/down. Any hints?

[@PaulVanCotthem]

If I configure a UniFi Express as a WiFi access point, can I use its WAN port for a connection to my laptop and its LAN port for connection to my switch? Will my laptop then get internet access via the WAN port? Note: The switch is connected to the internet via a second UniFi Express.

[@cheese123468]

Are you able to login to a hotel network with this unit, specifically a captive portal? Would rather use this device for that purpose if possible.

[@YaGr-ip3ub]

Yeah if that’s works, I will buy one or more. Hopefully it works or an update will bring it!

[@Bob_Smith19]

Highly doubt it.

[@joaoaroeira9878]

if the Router / Modem provided by the ISP does not allow Bridge mode and you are forced to use its NAT and DHCP would it still be possible to create a wifi network with some express units avoiding double nat? In that case what major features would be missing ?

[@mrbob9713]

I'm dealing with overheating issues on an out of warranty Dream Machine and this looks like a sufficient replacement. Is there a graceful way to adopt an Express into my existing infrastructure and then "promote" it as the primary controller or do I have to get out the ladder and hard reset all my devices?

[@bitpickersplace494]

I know that this is a bit off topic but…..I think it’s great that Unifi comes out with new products, but most of the time, there is no rhyme or reason to it. They introduce something new in there product line, but then it goes no where. Take for example, Enterprise 24 PoE. It’s a good switch that I purchased for my home lab because it has POE and 12 ports of 2.5gb connections. There are other enterprise products that offer similar specs. But ….. what about a flex switch that offers 2.5gb? I would think that something along that line would be high on the let’s do list. I would love to replace my other “flex” switches that I have around my home to get the performance increase. Other companies and pc hardware companies have jumped on it.

[@user-on5dy5ps1v]

Hello - When using in Gateway/Mesh mode - Main Express to a secondary Express - Is the LAN port active on both ends?

[@Voiceguitar]

I am confused... the wifi 6 band is greyed out. Is it not built in?

[@Wmbrt]

Ubiquiti have said they'd be releasing a magnetic wall mount; could you check whether the base of the device is ferromagnetic by testing it with a magnet?

[@soesbetech]

Hey Cody does this replace my current router

[@modem7cyber]

Would you be able to do a unifi express + opnsense + unifi switch vid (similar to your previous vid on pfsense)? This seems like the perfect device for this scenario.

[@user-un7zm8np5x]

I have a dream router. Can i use the unifi express and mesh it wotht the UDR so i can get more coverage thru my house. Thanks!

[@chriso6018]

Is this capable of replacing a USG and UCKG2 and still able to manage two switches 5 or 6 APs?

[@prumyancev]

What is your opinion Amplify or Express for the home mesh system?

[@tedev]

i am confused about this device. they just released the "new USG" Gateway lite which is just a router..... now this.... is the UniFi Express a gateway or is it a "cloud key + access point" or is it "cloud key + access point + gateway"? both of them cost the same money

[@KarimiSolomon]

feels like the latter is true

[@mikegill1669]

The UXG Lite is just a gateway and requires you to provide a controller. It also operates at gig speed with all the security enabled. The Express is a small all in one unit (network only) but does have any of the security options as it’s underpowered for them.

[@rcorrea26]

can you do a video setup on connecting your Bell fiber internet connecting to your UDM Pro? I have 3\3 plan however the best i can get is 1.5gb down. Not sure if there is a setting i'm missing. I'm running it on ADMZ from the gigahub modem. i was told to turn off threat management and turn on smart queues. Just wanted to know how you ran yours. Thanks :)

[@FedericoCappelli]

I bought 2 to replace the router provided by the broadband company and I sent them back 4 days later :( The WIFI coverage of the two devices in mesh was WAY less and much more unstable of the old router, very disappointed.

[@hufartd]

Can i connect directly into the ONT with the right username and password and ditch the isp modem router?

[@clintrowland354]

Great videos and always have the best detail!!!! When using app.diagrams i was wondering what option you use for the connected lines to have movement ?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Thanks for watching. It’s called flow animation

[@clintrowland354]

Thank you!!!@@MactelecomNetworks

[@VinayJhinkoe]

Could this mesh with the existing wifi 6 ap's like the u6 lr or u6+? Also can you control those accespoints with this unifi express?

[@ronald0122]

Yes

[@alexmand8003]

Great video, got a new sub from me, can you confirm are you able to change your WIFI channel on the Unifi Express?

[@JimtheITguy]

YAY new things

[@jg6536]

Can you manage any other stand alone AP using it for mesh?

[@jmaxmotovlog1887]

There's no voucher management on this controller?

[@PreDaToReLeaSeD]

would have loved to see some nordVPN speedtests

[@bertrant691]

Hi Cody, do you know whether it possible to use port 443 when configuring a vpn server on this device?

[@wasabe520]

Could you daisy chain them together to make a wired network in a house with different floors?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

I didn’t try but I’m pretty sure you can

[@koppjoseph]

Can this device sit beneath the UDMP in my topology?

[@dlm7000]

I don't know if this has already been asked but can this replace my cloud key?

[@FrancoisDigitel]

will the SD-WAN "Magically connect remote offices together." require a fix IP to connect to the main UDMP ?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

You need one public IP and the rest can be behind NAT

[@petedoyle]

I might have missed it- will it do line rate internet routing for wired clients? (or, say if using it as a controller for Wifi 6E clients connected to a U6 Enterprise)

[@MactelecomNetworks]

It does 1gb inter-vlan routing as well as internet speed

[@ibrahimkesetovic7869]

As I see there...as of UniFi aplication it can only run Network...not protect or anything else... I see this product more as a AmpliFi Alien router since it has Mesh capability. I wpuld say this would be a perfect of also old people that they get upgrades of their networks nowdays but still they keep using a mode/router that is from God knows which year of production. 😅😊 It's a great device to be honest & I may also grab one for myself as an add-on to my travel gear...better to have own Wi-Fi and not like those crazy Hotel Wi-Fi's with limited speeds 2 Mbps...😅 I got new provider in Germany with unlimited mobile data plann just so I can share my Wi-Fi Hotspot and not cry waiting for the movie to load up for hours with 2 Mbps internet from the hotel. 😅

[@HutchCA]

I have a USG 3P now and I can get ~900 down on a gigabit connection. Still not clear if this would be an upgrade or if throughput is slower.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

you would get roughly the same. It has a 1gb connection

[@SpencerHartmann]

A you wire two of them together to one as an AP one or do they have to be meshed wireless

[@MactelecomNetworks]

You can wire it in and it would adopt like a standard AP

[@IgorMasyuk]

Hi, is it possible to use Unifi Express with Unifi Door Access solutions?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

This only host Unifi network. You would have to buy a cloud key Gen 2 plus along side this is you want to use access

[@chadgarceau8109]

What's the least expensive way to go about getting a unifi security gateway that runs unifi os and get 4 wired cameras? This unit and an nvr or is the se still the way to go with the built in poe switch?

[@Surfinsam927]

depending on the cameras you're looking at, a cloud key gen 2+ or udr would be your cheapest options but the nvr might be worth the extra $100

[@sward86]

Is it possible to disable routing and have sit behind a ISP router and just use it as a Unifi OS console, use it as a cloud key affectively?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Nope I don’t believe so

[@DarkStern88]

So it is not an upgrade from UDR

[@corbynt]

Can you connect a second Unifi Express via wire to use as wired AP instead of mesh?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

yup you can it would adopt just like a normal AP

[@mikegill1669]

How would these two units be connected? LAN port to LAN port? Does that limit wired connections to two units? Thinking if LAN to WAN then more could be daisy chained.

[@fthorsen]

​@@mikegill1669you would connect a switch at the main Express if you need LAN ports, and connect the second Express to the same switch

[@JuergenTolksdorf]

I would, thanks, but it't out of stock.

[@mattb7406]

Why nord vpn when away? Why not vpn built into udm?

[@USSJeff]

Soooo this has a higher throughput than the UDR? The only downside of my UDR is that it maxes out at 700.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

It does. But the UDR has ids ips this does not

[@jamienorth4328]

Great Video - Can you use this device behind a firewall and still use the SDWAN feature?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Should be able to. If you’re talking about the magic vpn one of you Unifi consoles would need a public ip

[@jamienorth4328]

Yeah, was talking about placing this behind a Sonicwall that has the public IP address / but forward the SDWAN traffic to the express box that is only plugged into the private network. If the express box needs the actual WAN public IP address, it won't work for my situation, until it has some more advance IPS/IDS functionality and could replace a true next gen firewall. but still pretty cool.. thx again@@MactelecomNetworks

[@Transamws6prg]

Is this Unifi’s version of their Amplifi Instant router and mesh WiFi AP?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Seems to be pretty close to that

[@BartAertgeerts]

In terms of AP, how would you compare it to a U6 Mesh if I want to extend my setup?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

I would imagine the U6 mesh would be a better AP. It have wifi 6 4x4 whereas this has wifi 6 2x2

[@bckpcz]

What about temperature of device? Is it hot as U6 mesh or it is colder? Im asking becouse a lot of ubiquiti devices of gen 6 getting really hot lately. And there is only 60+ devices on website, if you use it as simple AP (have UDM SE) will it handle more? I want this, becouse i do have my U6 Pro on desk, not great for signal... but cant get it to the ceiling... :(

[@Bob_Smith19]

In another review the top hit 132°F, not good.

[@bckpcz]

@@Bob_Smith19 132 is nice, u6 mesh hitting 65 deg C

[@SpencerHartmann]

Can it do site magic vpn? Thinking of one for my family that lives out of the country

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Yup it can

[@NateRowley90]

Question, could I adopt unifi AP's or switches through this?

[@williamp6800]

Absolutely yes.

[@user-px5on4vh1l]

Does it support adding the UAPs as added access points?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

You can add additional access points like the Unifi 6 pro

[@SeanChYT]

How is the VPN performance? Same as the UXG-Lite or different?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Seems about the same

[@doyou121]

Does the new Express offer authentication/tickets for guest WiFi?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Just checked and it looks like you can do a voucher system

[@CharlieSierraBroadcasts]

Can you adopt APs like U6 Pro on UniFi Express?

[@RyanAdil]

No

[@JamesSturge]

Not bad, maybe a replacement for TPLINK Deco.

[@mausse]

Is it possible to mix it with tplink deco!?

[@JamesSturge]

@@mausse No

[@ananamusly]

Good device for grandma 😂

[@francisco.lizarraga]

can these be meshed to a udm pro or does it have to be wired ?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Would have to be wired. If you have an access point adopted to your UDM pro then it can mesh to that AP

[@darrenchen9075]

Amplifi Replacement?

[@robtaylor1424]

My question too

[@sirnicolas21]

can this host a UNVR or you need a controller that can run protect?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

You would need a controller that runs protect

[@kutalon]

So it's $129 for Lite and $149 for version with controller and Wi-Fi, why would you prefere Lite with such small difference?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

If you want IDS/IPS you would go for the lite

[@kutalon]

@@MactelecomNetworks Missed that one, thanks!

[@lordcarnorjax8599]

Looks like a really nice product but my worry would be about the embedded controller corrupting with power loss. At least the cloud key gen 2's had a battery for this.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

I mean at the price point you could buy two. If one fails just loud the Unifi os backup

[@lordcarnorjax8599]

@@MactelecomNetworks Feature enhancement, the UniFi Express units sync and can be primary & backup nodes for the controller, the backup taking over if the primary fails.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

@@lordcarnorjax8599 now that would be neat

[@rufioh]

60 clients total, or 60 wireless clients?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

That I’m unsure of. I would think 60 wireless clients but could be wrong

[@photon92]

I have a couple of questions about it: 1. Can it do PPSK? 2. Ever since I heard about the Express I wasn't really sure what the point was. However, the travel router is fantastic. Would it be possible to to connect to another WiFi signal and dish that back out? I doubt it since their other offerings don't do that.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

It does ppsk not sure how you’d connect to the wifi. You would need a physical cable attached to the wan port

[@photon92]

@@MactelecomNetworks Thanks for the info. It's been a while since I've been to a hotel or Airbnb but I don't recall a network port being simple to get to if at all usually...

[@Bob_Smith19]

@@photon92You won’t find them in any hotels. I travel for work and a travel router needs to be able to connect to the hotel WiFi easily. No MAC cloning or other nonsense. It’s why I’m still using a cheap TPlink, easy to login through the captive portal.

[@bsem68]

Do these work with site magic? Edit... checked their website specs and it does support site magic :)

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Yup it does. I may do another video on the vpns :)

[@mvrck-pb5pk]

@@MactelecomNetworkslooking forward to that. Thanks.

[@KennethHaldbk]

What about magic site to site vpn?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

It works with site magic

[@Highqman1974]

Isnt this just an Amplifi Instant?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Nope cause it runs Unifi network

[@Highqman1974]

@@MactelecomNetworks I understood that already. But its just the same piece of equipment running different software.

[@MactelecomNetworks]

If you're planning on buying the Unifi Express, UDM Pro/SE , UNVR/Pro and want to support me use the affiliate links below :) ▶ Unifi Express Direct Affiliate Link: store.ui.com/us/en/pro/products/ux?a_aid=MacTelecom ▶Ubiquiti USA Affiliate Link: store.ui.com?a_aid=MacTelecom ▶Ubiquiti EU Affiliate Link: eu.store.ui.com/?a_aid=MacTelecom

[@backupaddict1356]

Is the Affiliate stuff back in UI?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

@@backupaddict1356 it is. Pretty sure it’s a closed program but can’t speak on that 100%

[@fthorsen]

Do the affiliate links only work with the US store?

[@MactelecomNetworks]

@@fthorsen I believe in the EU as well

[@Vijaythalapathy28]

Thank you and will do

[@kairu.kun.z]

Too bad it’s still limited to 1gb ports