Assistance Needed for Optimizing WiFi Coverage in Large Home

[AmirKhamis]

I’m reaching out for your advice on selecting the best WiFi access points for my home. Currently, I have Ubiquiti gear with three access points connected via a Ubiquiti PoE switch, but I’m experiencing significant dead spots throughout the house. The home is quite large, and despite my current setup, the coverage is insufficient.

I’m looking for an ultra-high-performance solution that can provide robust WiFi coverage both inside and around the perimeter of the house. For example, I have three outdoor cameras that are struggling to maintain a stable connection, and unfortunately, I’m unable to install additional access points near these areas. Therefore, signal strength and range are my top priorities.

Since this is for home use, I’d greatly appreciate your recommendations on how to achieve better coverage using Meraki access points or any other solutions you think would fit my needs. I’m also available to discuss this over Webex if that would help. For reference, I work for Cisco.

Thank you in advance for your assistance, I’m looking forward to your insights.

Amir Khamis

[KarstenI · Accepted solution]

The UI APs are already known for a quite good coverage. A CW9166/CW9166D1 will give you much better service, but for coverage, there are more factors involved. But these two models will give you the maximum possible.

[PhilipDAth]

Personally, I'd stick with what you have but buy more APs until you fill out the coverage holes.

As a general rule of thumb, I typically allow an AP to have a radius of coverage of 10m for excellent coverage.  That means spacing the APs 20m apart (maximum).  This general rule will help you determine if you have enough APs at home.

If you swap to Meraki - you will still need the same number of APs to provide excellent coverage.

[AmirKhamis]

Thank you, @KarstenI  and @PhilipDAth , for your insightful responses. I have a follow-up question: If I purchase a CW9166 or CW9166D1, can I power them using my existing Unifi switch? Additionally, can these devices be configured to operate on the same network, or must they have a separate Wi-Fi ID?

[PhilipDAth]

Check out the data sheet.

https://documentation.meraki.com/MR/MR_Overview_and_Specifications/CW9166_Datasheet

You mostly need PoE+ (30W PoE).  Make sure your Ubiquity switch is POE+ rated.

There are some cases that require 30.5W - which means you would need UPOE (60W PoE).

Specifically note that 802.3af (15W PoE) is not supported in any cases.

[KarstenI]

PoE++ is needed for the USB port to be operational. Most installs don't need this port.

[KarstenI]

Mixing both worlds will likely give you (and your clients) some headaches. I would try to avoid it. And if done, only with different SSIDs.

[AmirKhamis]

Thank you once again for all your help. I believe I’m all set now and will continue with what I’ve learned from you.