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WiFi 7, also known as 802.11be, is the newest and fastest version of WiFi, promising multi-gigabit speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity. As vendors start releasing WiFi 7 products, there is a lot of interest in these next-generation access points.
Until recently, all the WiFi 7 access points that have been announced are flagship products with high price points. The 4×4 Zyxel WBE660S which benefits from 1010GbE has an RRP of £950.
Ubiquiti is the first brand to buck this premium price trend with the U7 Pro, which launched with 2.5GbE and uses 2×2 radios for a much more affordable price of £170.
Zyxel has been quick to follow this up with their own affordable WiFi 7 access point.
Zyxel NWA130BE vs Ubiquiti U7 Pro Specification
| Model | Zyxel NWA130BE | Zyxel WBE660S | Unifi U7-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Class | BE11000 | BE22000 | BE9300 |
| Spatial Streams | 2x2 | 4x4 | 2x2 |
| Bands | Tri-Band | Tri-Band | Tri-Band |
| Uplink | 2.5GbE | 10GbE | 2.5GbE |
| Passthrough | 2.5GbE | 1GbE | N/A |
| Antenna Type | Ceiling | Smart | Ceiling |
| PoE | 802.3at / 24W | 802.3.bt / 41W | 802.3at / 21W |
| TX Power 2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz | 19/25/21dBm (EU) 27/25/23dBm (US) | 19/25/22dBm (EU) 29/28/23dBm (US) | 22/26/23dBm |
| Antenna gain 2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz | 3dBi / 4dBi / 4dBi | 3dBi / 5dBi / 5dBi | 4dBi / 6dBi / 5.8dBi |
| Street Price | $179 | $699.99 | $189 |
Zyxel NWA130BE The NWA130BE is a Tri-band BE11000 architecture device boasting a Qualcomm Quad-Core CPU for robust performance. It supports WiFi 7-supported devices and is designed to provide an unparalleled network speed and capacity. The device features 320MHz channels, exclusive to WiFi 7 devices, and a Qualcomm Quad-Core CPU. Moreover, it supports 4K QAM and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) capabilities, boosting data rates by up to 20% and reducing latency.
Ubiquiti U7 Pro is largely the same as it also uses a Qualcomm chipset and utilizes 2×2 radios in 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, which allows them to keep the price down.
Zyxel NWA130BE vs Ubiquiti U7 Pro Cloud Management
Both the Zyxel NWA130BE and the Ubiquiti U7 Pro offer cloud management platforms allowing users to configure, monitor, and control network devices remotely.
Zyxel’s NWA130BE utilises their Nebula cloud management platform, providing businesses with central management and full visibility of their networks. Nebula’s AI-powered WiFi Aid and Wireless Health features can automatically diagnose network access issues and resolve common WiFi issues, saving administrators time on tedious troubleshooting. With Zyxel, no extra hardware is required to run Nebula. There is a free to use tier but there are premium features walled off into a subscription service.
Ubiquiti’s U7 Pro, on the other hand, leverages the brand’s UniFi platform, which has been lauded for its intuitive user interface and comprehensive management capabilities. For Unifi, most customers will run a cloud controller on a server or a dedicated cloud key. When running a cloud controller/key, there are no additional fees.
Zyxel NWA130BE vs Ubiquiti U7 Pro Streams / WiFi Throughput
The Zyxel NWA130BE and Ubiquiti U7 Pro both offer impressive WiFi throughput, but their specific capabilities differ slightly. The NWA130BE boasts a tri-band BE11000 architecture, supporting speeds of up to 11Gbps and providing double the bandwidth capacity of WiFi 6/6E through its extra-wide 320MHz channels, exclusive to WiFi 7 devices with a theoretical throughput of 5764 Mbps on the 6GHz band.
The Ubiquiti U7 Pro offers a similar tri-band operation with 2×2 MIMO, or two spatial streams per band. The combined throughput is lower at 9.3Gbps
This configuration allows the device to maintain high-speed connections across all bands, providing a robust and reliable WiFi experience.
Zyxel NWA130BE vs Ubiquiti U7 Pro Ethernet
The Ethernet capabilities of the Zyxel NWA130BE and Ubiquiti U7 Pro also differ. The NWA130BE features twin 2.5G Ethernet ports, allowing businesses to leverage affordable 2.5G switches without the need for costly re-cabling. This design delivers greater flexibility and value for customers.
In contrast, the U7 Pro has a single 2.5 Gbps RJ45 uplink. While this is less than the NWA130BE, it is still more than adequate for most small to medium-sized businesses offering high-speed wired connectivity.
Zyxel NWA130BE vs Ubiquiti U7 Pro Power Requirements
In terms of power requirements, the Zyxel NWA130BE and Ubiquiti U7 Pro are quite similar. Both devices are powered using Power over Ethernet (PoE), which allows them to receive power and data over a single Ethernet cable, simplifying installation and reducing cabling costs.
The U7 Pro requires PoE+ (802.3at) with a reported power consumption of 21W. On the other hand, Zyxel uses the same PoE+ but has slightly higher power requirements with 24W.
Zyxel NWA130BE vs Ubiquiti U7 Pro Price
Both access points are priced attractively and one fo the most affordable ways to get WiFi 7 currently.
The Zyxel NWA130BE is reported to have an RRP of $179, whereas the Unifi U7-Pro is listed at $189/ £171.60. The Zyxel will be available to buy shortly while the Unifi is available now.
Overall
Both the Zyxel NWA130BE and Ubiquiti U7 Pro WiFi 7 Access Points offer strong features and performance at a reasonable price point. The choice between the two will depend on your specific requirements, such as the need for additional Ethernet ports, specific cloud management features, or price constraints. However, both devices offer a cost-effective way to upgrade to WiFi 7, promising faster speeds, better capacity, and improved WiFi experiences.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
