5 Best Outdoor Access Points in 2023: Get Faster Browsing Experience Anywhere
Fast internet speeds shouldn’t be restricted inside homes. Now that more people are going out, we think it’s about time to bring lightning-fast speeds outdoors, too. And what better way to do it than installing outdoor wireless access points, right?
Outdoor access points eliminate dead spots outside homes or offices. They also boost the Wi-Fi signal within their range. So regardless of outdoor conditions, a reliable internet connection is the least of your worries.
If you’re scouting for the best access points in 2023, you’re in the right place. We’ve carefully selected and weeded out the best products in the market just for you.
Before you buy an outdoor access point, read on.
Table of Contents
- What is an outdoor access point?
- Best Overall: TP-Link EAP225 Wireless Gigabit Outdoor Access Point
- Best High End: NETGEAR (WAX610Y) Wireless Outdoor Access Point
- Best Value: Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-AC-Mesh Pro
- Best for Businesses: Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-AC-M
- Best for Offices: EnGenius EWS850AP
- What to look for in an outdoor access point
- The Bottomline
What is an outdoor access point?
Outdoor access points are devices that networks use to convert wired connectivity into signals broadcast over Wi-Fi. Instead of only relying on wireless routers, access points broadcast a more robust internet signal and provide a broad wireless coverage.
They can also handle more connections simultaneously, making them ideal for large offices or buildings.
A great outdoor access point must be able to tolerate extreme temperatures. Plus, it must be waterproof. So worrying about a faulty AP isn’t a big problem whether it’s rainy or sunny.
Best Overall: TP-Link EAP225 Wireless Gigabit Outdoor Access Point
| Wireless Standards | Wi-Fi 5 |
| WiFi Speeds | 1.2 Gbps |
| PoE | Yes (802.3at/af) |
| Ethernet Port: | 1× Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels |
| Antenna | 2 external antennas |
We love the TP-Link EAP 225 because it’s one of the most affordable options on the market. It’s loaded with features that make it an excellent choice for any small business or home office.
Even though the EAP 225 doesn’t support WiFi 6, its current specs and features make up for it. Some of our favorite features include dual-band connectivity, which ensures that you can always connect to the strongest signal.
It has a total of 1167 Mbps throughput. The 2.4 GHz frequency channel goes up to 300 Mbps. Then the 5GHz channel goes up to 867 Mbps.
It supports 2×2 MU-MIMO technology, beamforming, and two high-power external antennas. This allows the access point to manage more connected devices to a wide area.
We also like the device’s compact design, which comprises an IP65 standard material. The EAP225 is dust and waterproof, making it ideal for use in various environments.
The EAP225 also comes with other features like:
- Airtime fairness
- Band steering
- Load balance
- Rate limit
You can manage and set up the device on the Omada software controller or the app. The application allows you to change the SSID and password, set up guest networks, view connected devices, and more. You can also create schedules and set up rules to control when and how your devices connect to the network.
Best High End: NETGEAR (WAX610Y) Wireless Outdoor Access Point
| Wireless Standards | Wi-Fi 6 |
| WiFi Speeds | 1.8 Gbps |
| PoE | Yes (802.3at/af) |
| Ethernet Port: | 2.5 GbE port |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels |
| Antenna | 3 internal antennas |
The Netgear WAX610Y is an outdoor version of WAX610. The WZX6010Y is dustproof and waterproof. It’s protected with a P2i nano-coating, and it meets the IP55 rating, which means it can operate under any outdoor conditions.
The next-gen technologies like Wi-Fi 6, MU-MIMO, and OFDMA give you fast speeds, wide wireless signals, and higher capacity. The 2.5 GbE port secures lightning-fast wired connections.
It supports 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz channel and 1200 Mbps on the 5GHz channel. What’s fantastic about the WAX610Y is it can deliver 40% more throughput to all connected devices on the 5GHz band. At the same time, it gives up to 70% more throughput to all devices on the 2.4 GHz band. These speeds allow more clients to enjoy equally fast and reliable internet speeds.
It also has a 1-year free subscription to Insight, which is Netgear’s centralized management software. Using the Netgear Insight app, you can manage and monitor stats and even install the access point.
What we love about this is on top of its specs and features, it’s very versatile and future-proof. With its current specs and built-in technologies, you won’t have to upgrade any time soon.
It’s highly ideal for schools, offices, and restaurants. All connected devices can enjoy a stable internet connection and a good throughput.
Best Value: Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-AC-Mesh Pro
| Wireless Standards | Wi-Fi 6 |
| WiFi Speeds | 1.75 Gbps |
| PoE | Yes (802.3at/af) |
| Ethernet Port: | 2 x 1 Gigabit (RJ-45) ports |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels |
| Antenna | 3 internal antennas |
The Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-AC-M-Pro is an outdoor access point that offers wide coverage, high performance, and reliable internet speeds for its price. It also has a lot of impressive features, making every penny worth it.
It’s a dual-band AP that supports up to 1750 Mbps throughput. The 2.4 GHz band supports up to 450 Mbps, and the 5 GHz channel goes up to 1300 Mbps.
The UniFi UAP-AC-M-Pro supports 3×3 MU-MIMO technology and OFDMA, which allows the AP to manage more connected devices and deliver fast internet connections.
So whether clients are browsing, taking the work outside, or just chilling in the park, they can get stable WiFi connections.
On top of that, the UniFi AC Mesh Pro has an omnidirectional antenna that provides broad 360-degree coverage. It’s also expandable up to 183 meters. You can also expand the network and create a WiFi ecosystem in the office or your business.
What we love about this is it’s straightforward to use and set up. Plus, it comes with excellent features.
The UniFi AC Mesh Pro is a plug & play device. Using the app, you can set up other settings and manage your main network. It also comes with the following features:
- RF Map and performance feature
- Real-time status
- Automatic UAP detection
- Spectral analysis
- Airtime Fairness
- Band steering
- Guest portal/ hotspot support
- Multi-site management using UniFi controller
The device’s industrial design ensures that it can withstand any outdoor conditions. So whether it’s rainy or sunny, client devices can still enjoy fast internet speeds.
Although the UniFi AC Mesh Pro is a bit expensive, the specs make it a sound investment. This is true if you want to install it on campuses and corporate buildings.
Best for Businesses: Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-AC-M
| Wireless Standards | Wi-Fi 5 |
| WiFi Speeds | 1.2 Gbps |
| PoE | Yes (802.3at/af) |
| Ethernet Port: | 1× Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels |
| Antenna | 2 external antennas |
The Ubiquiti UniFi AC Mesh is the AC Mesh Pro’s sister access point. They have similar features, but the AC Mesh is more suitable for providing business wifi.
The UAP-AC-M delivers a total of 1167 Mbps maximum throughput. The 2.4 GHz channel delivers up to 300 Mbps maximum speeds. Then the 5 GHz channel supports 867 Mbps top speeds.
On top of that, it provides simultaneous, dual-band, 2×2 MU-MIMO technology. Additionally, it is a cost-effective, scalable, and easy-to-deploy enterprise-grade indoor Wi-Fi access point. It is available in single-pack and five-packs.
The AC Mesh can be used both indoors and outdoors. It can withstand all weather conditions, making it the ideal choice for businesses that need to stay connected.
Since it’s usable indoors and outdoors, it can be used as a portable access point. This saves businesses more money as it is more practical and budget-saving.
It’s also ideal for businesses near parks or locations where the AP needs to be taken down or set up quickly.
Best for Offices: EnGenius EWS850AP
| Wireless Standards | Wi-Fi 6 |
| WiFi Speeds | 1.2 Gbps |
| PoE | Yes (802.3at/af) |
| Ethernet Port: | 1 x 2.5 GbE port |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels |
| Antenna | 4 omnidirectional external antennas |
The EnGenius EWS850AP is the best access point for offices for its versatility and excellent performance. With WiFi 6, it guarantees a fast internet connection to offices and corporate buildings.
It delivers up to 1774 throughput. The 2.4 GHz band supports up to 574 Mbps. Then the 5 GHz supports up to 1200 Mbps. Average-sized offices with high-density client users can surely benefit from these speeds.
The EWS850AP supports MU-MIMO and has 4 omnidirectional antennas that boost wireless signals. This makes it perfect for offices with multiple devices that need a strong and reliable signal.
The IP67-rated weatherproof/dustproof housing is designed to withstand harsh environments and protect the device from the elements. The device is safe and secure whether you’re dealing with extreme heat, cold, or dust.
In addition to the features mentioned above, the access point also offers the following features:
- Auto Channel Selection
- Auto Transmit Power
- Wireless STA (Client) Connected List
- Guest Network
- Fast Roaming
- Pre-Authentication
- PMK Caching
- Band Steering per SSID
- Traffic Shaping per SSID/per user
- VLAN Per SSID
- Backup/Restore Settings
- Auto Reboot
- E-Mail Alert
- Site Survey
With these features, the access point is the perfect solution for anyone looking to improve their entire network.
What to look for in an outdoor access point
There are a few things to remember when choosing an outdoor access point for your office or business.
- Scale the space that you need to cover. An outdoor access point with a range of up to 300 feet will be sufficient for most small businesses. But, if you own a larger space, you may need an outdoor access point with a range of up to 600 feet.
- Consider the number of users using the outdoor access point. If you have many users, you will need an outdoor access point that can handle a lot of traffic.
- Consider the environment you will use the outdoor access point. If you’re using it in an area with many obstructions, you’ll need an outdoor access point with a good range.
- Consider the price of the outdoor access point. Outdoor access points can range in price from around $100 to over $1000. Choose the outdoor access point that fits your budget and your needs.
The Bottomline
In the search for the best outdoor access points in 2023, the 5 models above ticked all the boxes. But remember that the best devices for your business and office are the ones that suit your needs and budget.
Knowing your needs before you start looking can save you time, money, and frustration.
We hope this article helps you choose the outdoor access point for your office and business needs.
