How to pick AP models, plan coverage, avoid overlap problems, and mount APs for reliable WiFi.
Choosing and Placing UniFi Access Points
Good placement beats buying the most expensive AP.
Choosing a model (general guidance)
| Need | Direction |
|---|---|
| Small office / home | U6 Lite, U6+ , or newer U7 Lite class |
| High density (many clients) | U6 Pro / Enterprise grade with better radios |
| Outdoor | Dedicated outdoor models — do not use indoor APs outside |
| 6 GHz support | U6 Enterprise / U7 series where clients support WiFi 6E |
Check current UniFi datasheets for your region — model names evolve.
Coverage vs capacity
- Coverage: signal reaches every desk ( RSSI better than about -67 dBm for VoIP/video ).
- Capacity: enough airtime when many devices are active in one room (conference rooms, classrooms).
Add more APs at lower power rather than one AP at max power in large spaces.
Mounting height and location
- Ceiling mount centered in open areas when possible.
- Avoid: metal ceilings, elevator shafts, thick concrete walls, microwave/kitchen interference for 2.4 GHz.
- Hallway APs can cover adjacent rooms if walls are drywall; brick/concrete needs APs inside each heavy area.
Channel planning (basics)
- 2.4 GHz: use only channels 1, 6, 11 (non-overlapping); prefer fewer APs on 2.4 when 5 GHz covers the space.
- 5 GHz: more channels; still avoid co-channel overlap on adjacent APs where possible.
- Use UniFi Insights → WiFi to scan before finalizing.
PoE requirements
- Most modern APs need 802.3af (PoE) or 802.3at (PoE+) — verify switch budget before adding APs.
- Insufficient PoE causes random reboots or weak radios.
Mesh vs wired
| Wired uplink | Wireless mesh |
|---|---|
| Preferred always | Backup only |
| Predictable performance | Halves throughput per hop |
| Lower latency | Sensitive to placement |
Naming and documentation
Rename APs in UniFi OS: SITE-AP-Floor2-East — saves hours in support tickets.
After install checklist
- [ ] All APs adopted and on current stable firmware
- [ ] Min RSSI / band steering tested with real devices
- [ ] Walk test with WiFi analyzer or UniFi client list
- [ ] Guest SSID on separate VLAN
See UniFi AP Troubleshooting if clients drop or roam poorly.