Wifi 6: Zyxel vs. Ubiquiti

side-by-side comparison of the Zyxel NWA110AX and the Ubiquiti U6 Lite. Both are 802.11ax (aka: wifi 6) access points. In this video, I put both the APs thru downloading throughput tests using iPerf3. You will see not all 802.11ax wifi APs have the same performance.
You can read about the specs of the Zyxel NWA110AX here:
www.zyxel.com/...
You can read about the specs for the Ubiquiti U6-Lite here:
store.ui.com/c...
#wifi6
#Zyxel
#Ubiquiti
#nwa110ax
#u6lite

[@wififast6904]

The 10 meter through dry wall is a good testing showing the real performance that a user can get in a day to day use scenario.

[@NetworkAdvisor]

appreciate the input. ☺️ I'm working on the next video which covers the Ubiquiti U6 LR and the Zyxel NWA210AX. I'm going to be using a commercial environment which will be more realistic expectations for office use.

[@webfreezy]

Hmmm.. I have to deal with reinforced concrete and cellular concrete here in my apartment in Germany . I would have loved a similar test, but as the US uses mostly dry walls in general I understand that it's not that easy ;)

[@rimbi]

why do you compare these models? there is a big price difference (UniFi U6-Lite 105€ and Zyxel NWA110AX 216€)

[@mikebodamer4864]

Hi nice video but one thing that could confuse people, you used green and blue on the spreadsheet for Ubiquiti and Zyxel respectively and then when you did the bar graph you reversed the colors associated with the brand. So at first glance looking at the bar graph the Zyxel was out performed. I had this playing while doing something else and had to go back and rewatch because of catching a glimpse of the chart and not having the full context. We use both of these brands exclusively where I work and as someone else pointed out, the price point is not apple sto apples. We install Ubiquiti for a good for the price entry level solutions and Zyxel for a commercial grade business solution at 2-3X the price.

[@alsmith7316]

Not a fair comparison IMO. On paper the Zyxel is the better WAP. It has better specs and it costs more. I hope it would perform better. The performance difference is maybe more substantial then expected though. I think if you would have used one of the other Ubiquiti's that is priced closer to the NWA110AX the results would have been much different. This test was a stacked deck IMO. I do not own any of these, but looking to buy and do research. I find this test a bit of a waste of time. It is like saying the brand X midsize SUV is better than the brand Y compact SUV because it carries more people and more stuff. Well duh, it is a bigger SUV that costs more.

[@Marco-dr5ho]

I'm not sure this is fair comparison. The Zyxel is double the price of the Ubiquiti

[@NetworkAdvisor]

That is a fair observation Marco . However, they are both 802.11ax rated. Thank you for adding to the conversation. 😊

[@musaktk]

@@NetworkAdvisor well that is worth mentioning. Obviously cost of both changes the comparison even if they are 802.11ax rated there are other parameters necessary for performance, including hardware and cost.

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Point taken. I mentioned it briefly in the intro to the video that I was asked by Zyxel to do that comparison with those specific models (it was a sponsored video). As an IT architect, I would want to know the difference in performance. Which would help me understand why I should be paying more. I do appreciate the comments (even dissenting ones). Thank you. 😊

[@wififast6904]

@@NetworkAdvisor The two AP has similar spec, 2x2 11AX.

[@Arrachneide]

@@wififast6904 Not sure about that since the U6-lite seems to work on WiFi 4 on the 2,4Ghz and WiFi 6 on the 5 Ghz. => Check Ubiquiti website. The NWA110AX works on WiFi 6 on both bands. => Check Zyxel website It may vastly explains the price difference. Moreover, the U6-Lite has no availabilities in Europe... while the NWA110AX can be bought everywhere.

[@khanoff13]

This is very test as it should be! Thanks a lot.

[@SpressoMan]

Outstanding comparison! These videos are SO informative and helpful when weighing which network hardware to invest in.

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Thank you James. 😊

[@morten1]

Also worth noting: The Ubiquiti uses PoE, meaning it's powered via the ethernet cable itself (if your setup supplies PoE), so you can have one single cable for both power and connection. The Zycel uses a power adapter. I want to have PoE but my wall ethernet outlet doesn't deliver it, so I have to go with the Zyxel

[@ericsmugala5587]

The Zyxel NWA110AX supports POE...

[@MichaelSmith-fg8xh]

Cost-wise this is not a good comparison… for the same price as the Zyxel you can go to the top of the range in Ubiquiti (U6 LR or Pro) and still have enough change to buy the U6 lite

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Thanks Michael. I appreciate viewer comments and insight. 😊 So,I went and looked on Amazon. Here in the U.S. I can get a Ubiquiti U6 lite for about $140 USD. And, I can get a Zyxel NWA110ax for about $130. Maybe in other parts of the world the prices are a lot different? 🤔

[@MichaelSmith-fg8xh]

@@NetworkAdvisor The current price on Ubiquiti's US store is $US99.... but yeah, the Zyxel price I was using (in EU) is mid 200's

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Ahh, Good to know. Sharing your knowledge here helps everyone. Thank you Michael. 😊

[@ovalk]

Do the newer ZyXel APs work well with an existing network of older ZyXel APs? If I put one of these with my existing 6103D APs will they play well together?

[@Reappee]

As others have already pointed out: comparing two products with a 2-3x price difference is pointless and misleading. At that point it's just an ad... and a questionable one at that. The ubnt is actually a better bang for the buck.

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Thanks you for watching. You’re definitely entitled to your opinion. However, I disagree with your assertion that the NWA110ax is 2x-3x the price of the U6 lite. A quick look on google shopping shows they both can be purchased for around $180USD.

[@wmsyap]

Should compare U6lite with NWA50AX, but for me meshing ubiquiti is pain in the @ss, mesh AP often gets into isolated mode, maintaining unifi controller also difficult job, so I quit ubiquiti altogether

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Ha Wilson! Your timing is perfect. I have a video coming out next which reviews the setup of the NWA50AX and also compares it to the U6 lite. 😀

[@capm19]

excelente, muchas gracias, muy buena la prueba

[@NetworkAdvisor]

De nada. Gracias por ver este video. 😊

[@Felix-ve9hs]

Damn I missed it 😅 Thanks for the Video

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Well, I'm flattered you cared that MUCH!😀

[@chip80211]

Good vid. The reason the Lite is slower on 2,4 Ghz might be because (as many people miss on the datasheet) that their 2,4 Ghz radio is not WiFi6, on the Lite version (they had to save money somewhere right ? :-) ) - On 5Ghz I have no explanation , except poor "craftsmanship". :-) ---- PS : 40mhz channel in 2,4Ghz ??!?!!? ... Didn't we all agree that there is a special place in hell for people who do that ? :-)

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Ahahha Thomas, those are some helpful insights. Thank you. 😊

[@Jp421JP]

Does anyone know if you can turn off the 2G radio completely in the Zyxel?

[@AceBoy2099]

What all is needed for one of these (zyxel) setups? I have a xgs1930-28HP would I need another router for dhcp and gateway work or do the APs do that? That's the video I'd like to see, how to setup the Zyxel hardware from start wire (ISP modem) to end point (connect PC and browse the internet) with each step/piece at least mentioned.

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Hmm. That’s a tall ask. But I will think about it. Thanks for the comment 😊

[@AceBoy2099]

For future readers, I went with a new netgear router to be able to handle dhcp, port forwarding, and such, I suppose I'd need another piece of hardware if I didn't use that. Now to figure out the APs without creating multiple networks of the same name(s)...

[@marurup]

Arenøt you missing the whole point of wifi6, by only testing with 1 device. Almost any router/AP will handle 1 device (regradless of the number of strems)

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Oh definitely agree! I know One of the major advantages of Wi-Fi 6 is its way more efficient way of handling multiple devices simultaneously because of the much more efficient use of the spectrum. However this was a series of test that was provided to me for this video. Great observation and thanks for mentioning! 😄

[@herlandermesquita947]

ubiquiti at this moment just NAME... quality of products... bahhhhh

[@isbestlizard]

Does the NWA110AX come with a 1gbe or 2.5gbe uplink? Can you confirm it works at 2.5gbe if it claims to?

[@NetworkAdvisor]

The 110ax has a 1gbe connection I believe.

[@wififast6904]

I've got an U6 Lite, strangely I can only adopt this AP after reset factory default by pressing the hardware reset button. Not sure anyone come across to the same situation.

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Hmm... not sure. Will keep an eye out though. 😊

[@Imtiyaz5power]

👏👍👍👍👍

[@paulb5884]

I also have a u6 lite but I measured 600 to 750 mbps average with iperf3 testet on a iPad Air 4gen and with 1,5meters distance.

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Right Paul. That is what I thought I should get too. Do you happen to have some wifi analysis tool that tells you if you’re connecting on the 80MHz channel width? I really think that is the issue here. I fought with it for hours trying to get the speed up above 500Mbps.

[@paulb5884]

@@NetworkAdvisor I haven’t any analysis tool but I have manually set the 5ghz channel width to HE80 and the transmit power to high.

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Thanks Paul. I am pretty sure I checked that, but I will look again. Even the folks at Zyxel were telling me the Ubiquiti U6 lite 5g should be faster. 😁

[@erikbakke5401]

I measured 600-700mbps with u6 lite set to 80mhz on dell laptop and my iPhone

[@NetworkAdvisor]

I wonder what the problem was. Interestingly though, when Internet searched the problem, I got a lot of hits. So, its not just me. Thanks for sharing Erik. 😊

[@atce1014]

Apparently the WAX610D can do 160Mhz bandwidth, something that looks very rare for APs. Have you tested the 160Mhz?

[@NetworkAdvisor]

In another video I did comparing the Zyxel NWA210 vs. the U6LR, I did put both of those AP's in 160Mhz mode. Tricky part was getting the client(s) to stay connected at that bandwidth. But, when it did, I saw great speeds with the laptop (iphone, not so much). Great questions. You must be pretty in-the-know on this stuff. :-)

[@atce1014]

​@@NetworkAdvisor Ah cool, I'm trying to find a good AP, really want 900Mbps to my laptop, which I get with my Nighthawk router currently which is 160mhz. I thought Wifi6 might make up for the lack of 160Mhz in many products but it doesn't quite get there.I'm 99% sure I am now going to get an NWA210. Cheers for the vid!

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Yes, with NWA210 at 160hz, the laptop should get 900Mbps. You can manage the AP with an app on the phone. Or, consider the nebula web management portal. The base license is free.

[@NetworkAdvisor]

You probably saw this video already? Zyxel NWA210AX vs. Ubiquiti U6 LR Speed Test kzbin.info/www/bejne/epTMh4t_eKaSidE

[@davidwright6105]

Yea, sure I can run these tests myself. I don't have companies sending me free stuff to test.

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Agreed. Thanks for watching 😊

[@cpt.hindsight]

Many of my internet providers(?) comes with zyxel routers, and they all suck big time. Have 500/500 and they cant handle two cellphones at the same time without loading time and delays..

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Hmm. Not worked with those. I have used at set of their powerline adapters for about 3yrs now and they have been rock solid. Thanks for watching and contributing to the conversation.

[@bulcub]

This really means NOTHING!! how about attaching pc's, laptops, tv, alexa, etc and then run the tests?? I'd rather see this under load!!

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Totally agree. Unfortunately, I only have like 3 endpoint devices that are 802.11ax . So if I had done a multi endpoint load test, it would have essentially been testing the AC (wifi 5). But excellent point. 😊

[@mingh0327]

yeah yeah, you just like comparison with a iphone se2 and a iphone 15 pro max WTF?

[@NetworkAdvisor]

Thanks for watching 😀