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I not too long ago reviewed the very good EnGenius ECW536, which now serves because the central entry level in my house.
The EnGenius ECW536 launched at $1000 however was not too long ago decreased to $500, making it probably the most inexpensive 4×4 MIMO WiFi 7 AP with 10GbE.
Extra not too long ago, EnGenius has launched the inexpensive ECW526. It prices $200 much less and reduces the spec to 2×2 MIMO however retains the 10GbE uplink, so in concept, it ought to present the same throughput to its dearer counterpart, however not fairly as properly geared up to deal with giant numbers of customers.
EnGenius ECW526 vs ECW536 Specification
| Function/Specification | ECW526 | ECW536 |
| Wi-Fi Commonplace | 802.11be (WiFi 7) | 802.11be (WiFi 7) |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz |
| Max Knowledge Charges | 2.4 GHz: 700 Mbps | 2.4 GHz: 1,400 Mbps |
| 5 GHz: 2,900 Mbps | 5 GHz: 5,800 Mbps | |
| 6 GHz: 5,800 Mbps | 6 GHz: 11,600 Mbps | |
| MU-MIMO | 2x2x2 | 4x4x4 |
| SU-MIMO | 2x2x2 | 4x4x4 |
| Antenna Acquire | 2.4 GHz: 5 dBi | 2.4 GHz: 5 dBi |
| 5 GHz: 6 dBi | 5 GHz: 6 dBi | |
| 6 GHz: 6 dBi | 6 GHz: 5 dBi | |
| Ethernet | 1 x 10GE Port (PoE+) | 1 x 10GE Port (PoE++) |
| 1 x 10GE Port | ||
| Energy Supply | PoE: 802.3at, 12VDC/2A Energy Adapter | PoE: 802.3bt, 12VDC/3A Energy Adapter |
| Max Energy Consumption | 21W | 38W |
| Extra Interfaces | 1 x DC Jack 1 x Reset Button | 1 x DC Jack |
| 1 x Reset Button | ||
| Max Concurrent Customers | 512 | 512 |
| Administration Options | A number of BSSID, VLAN Tagging, QoS, SNMP, Quick Roaming | A number of BSSID, VLAN Tagging, QoS, SNMP, Quick Roaming |
| Wi-fi Safety | WPA2-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3-PSK, WPA3-Enterprise | WPA2-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise, WPA3-PSK, WPA3-Enterprise |
| Working Temperature | 0°C to 40°C | 0°C to 40°C |
| Storage Temperature | -40°C to 80°C | -40°C to 80°C |
| Humidity (non-condensing) | Working: 90% or much less, Storage: 90% or much less | Working: 90% or much less, Storage: 90% or much less |
| Dimensions | 190 x 190 x 39.5 mm | 230 x 230 x 37 mm |
| Weight | 720 g | 1270 g |
| Package deal Contents | Entry Level, Ceiling Mount Base, Ceiling and Wall Mount Screw Equipment, T-rail Mount Equipment, Product Card | Entry Level, Ceiling Mount Base, Ceiling and Wall Mount Screw Equipment, T-rail Mount Equipment, Product Card |
Unboxing
This entry level follows the identical design because the ECW536 however it’s bodily a lot smaller, which is interesting for my SOHO surroundings because the ECW536 is gigantic.
The opposite massive distinction is that the ECW526 solely has a single 10GbE port. Similar to the ECW536, this additionally has a further 12V DC port permitting you to energy it with out POE.
EnGenius Cloud & Set Up
The setup and settings are all equivalent to the ECW536 and principally the identical as all the opposite EnGenius entry factors other than the WiFI 7 options.
As I’ve coated this extensively earlier than you possibly can consult with my earlier EnGenius ECW536 overview.
WiFi 7 Settings
Beneath the entry level settings, you possibly can change the radio and SSID settings. These embody:
- Radio Settings:
- Channel
- Channel Width
- Goal Tx Energy
- Minimal Bitrate
- Shopper Restrict
- Dynamic Channel Choice
- Shopper Balancing
- Mesh
- Zero Wait DFS
- SSID Settings:
- Kind (Wi-fi / SmarCast(Requires Professional)
- Enabled Radio Bands
- Safety Kind
- Multi-Hyperlink Operation (MLO)
- 802.11r
- 802.11w
- Default VLAN
- Shopper IP tackle (NAT/Bridge/Tunnel)
- Dynamic Shopper VLAN Pooling (requires professional)
- Utility Evaluation
- Superior setting together with L2 isolation, mDNS Forwarding, Band Steering, BCMC Suppression
Take a look at Set Up
For testing, I used:
WiFi 7 Efficiency
Multi-Hyperlink Operation (MLO)
Multi-Hyperlink Operation (MLO) is a game-changing functionality debuting in Wi-Fi 7. By leveraging MLO, a Wi-Fi 7 gadget can set up a number of concurrent connections throughout totally different frequency bands, together with 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. This progressive strategy permits gadgets to harness the total potential of the accessible spectrum, leading to important efficiency enhancements.
One of many key advantages of MLO is the substantial enhance in throughput. By aggregating a number of channels throughout totally different bands, Wi-Fi 7 gadgets can obtain a lot increased information charges in comparison with earlier generations. That is notably advantageous for data-intensive purposes like high-resolution video streaming, giant file transfers, and digital actuality experiences.
Furthermore, MLO helps cut back latency by effectively managing site visitors throughout a number of hyperlinks. Latency-sensitive purposes, corresponding to on-line gaming and real-time collaboration instruments, can drastically profit from this characteristic. By dynamically choosing the optimum hyperlink for every information packet, MLO ensures that vital info is delivered with minimal delay.
MLO additionally excels in reliability. In difficult community situations or congested environments, MLO allows gadgets to seamlessly change between totally different frequency bands. This adaptability enhances the wi-fi connection’s total stability and resilience, minimising disruptions and guaranteeing a constant person expertise.
There are caveats, although. To totally reap the benefits of this characteristic, each the entry level and consumer gadgets have to assist Wi-Fi 7 and MLO.
From my expertise, there have solely been restricted gadgets that assist it. On the time of writing, Home windows doesn’t assist it, and this is because of be rolled out with Home windows 24H2.
The Netgear Orbi RBE973 makes use of it on the backhaul channels and this offered probably the most profitable implementation of MLO I’ve seen up to now.
Once I reviewed the ECW536, it appeared that the Xiaomi 14 used it however you needed to toggle the choice within the settings. When testing the ECW526 with the IQOO 12, I observed this confirmed the 2 bands it was connecting to throughout the settings, so it was positively utilizing MLO.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely states it has MLO, however I’m sure it isn’t presently used.
Testing MLO with the IQOO 12 didn’t actually yield the outcomes I might have favored to see. There was solely a small enhance in throughput in comparison with 6GHz by itself. Although it’s attainable my hacked collectively 10GbE community is limiting the efficiency.
And it isn’t nearly throughput, connecting to each 5GHz and 6GHz on the identical time ought to present extra dependable connectivity.
- EnGenius ECW526: 3170 Mbit/sec
- EnGenius ECW536:
6GHz WiFi Throughput
As a result of the ECW526 has a 10GbE port, it could outperform most different choices available on the market on the identical value level or much less.
Whereas I get pleasure from getting the quickest throughput attainable, it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate whether or not it’s price working a 10GbE community only for the sake of an additional 500Mbps because of the costly nature of 10GbE and the upper energy consumption.
- Shut Vary
- EnGenius ECW526 10GbE: 2948 Mbit/sec
- EnGenius ECW526 2.5GbE: 2382 Mbit/sec
- EnGenius ECW536 10GbE: 3262 Mbit/sec
- EnGenius ECW536 2.5GbE POE: 2441 Mbit/sec
- Netgear Orbi RBE973: 3312 Mbit/sec
- Ubiquiti U7 Professional: 2460 Mbit/sec
- Zyxel NWA130BE: 2376 Mbit/sec
- Down One Flooring (wooden ground)
- EnGenius ECW526 10GbE: 2039 Mbit/sec
- EnGenius ECW536 10GbE: 1774 Mbit/sec
- Netgear Orbi RBE973: N/A
- Ubiquiti U7 Professional: 2068 Mbit/sec
- Zyxel NWA130BE: 1898 Mbit/sec
- Throughout one room throughout a corridor & via a brick partitions
- EnGenius ECW526 10GbE: 691 Mbit/sec
- EnGenius ECW536 10GbE: 1654 Mbit/sec
- Netgear Orbi RBE973: N/A
- Ubiquiti U7 Professional: 1427 Mbit/sec
- Zyxel NWA130BE: 1425 Mbit/sec
5GHz WiFi Throughput
- Shut Vary
- EnGenius ECW526 10GbE: 1879 Mbit/sec
- EnGenius ECW536 10GbE: 1934 Mbit/sec
- Netgear Orbi RBE973: 1810 Mbit/sec
- Ubiquiti U7 Professional @ 160MHz: 1771 Mbit/sec
- Zyxel NWA130BE: 1512 Mbit/sec
- Down One Flooring (wooden ground)
- EnGenius ECW526 10GbE : 1167 Mbit/sec
- EnGenius ECW536 10GbE: 1558 Mbit/sec
- Netgear Orbi RBE973: 1458 Mbit/sec
- Ubiquiti U7 Professional: 1450 Mbit/sec
- Zyxel NWA130BE: 1323 Mbit/sec
- Throughout one room (via a brick wall)
- EnGenius ECW526 10GbE: 979 Mbit/sec
- EnGenius ECW536 10GbE: 1571 Mbit/sec
- Netgear Orbi RBE973: 1585 Mbit/sec
- Ubiquiti U7 Professional: 1568 Mbit/sec
- Zyxel NWA130BE: 1511 Mbit/sec
For each 5GHz and 6GHz, the ECW526 did appear to underperform with vary, however with the AP positioned centrally to my home, it may present a good throughput for all rooms in my house.
2.4GHz WiFi Throughput
I solely did fundamental testing for two.4Ghz as most individuals now use this solely for IoT, and the throughput isn’t that essential.
- EnGenius ECW526 10GbE: 283 Mbit/sec
- EnGenius ECW536 2.5GbE POE: 337 Mbit/sec
- Ubiquiti U7 Professional @ 40MHz: 342Mbit/sec
- Zyxel NWA130BE @ 40MHz: 312Mbit/sec
Energy Consumption
The ECW526 is rated for a most energy draw of 21W, which is kind of a bit decrease than the 38W for which the ECW536 is rated.
With the entry level powered through the DC port and linked to my change through 10GbE, the AP persistently consumes 20 to 21 watts, in keeping with my TP-Hyperlink Tapo good plug.
Worth and Different Choices
The EnGenius ECW526 has an RRP of $299, and it’s presently unavailable within the UK.
The EnGenius ECW536 began with an RRP of $1000, which is the same value to different 4×4 MIMO WiFi 7 entry factors, nevertheless it was not too long ago discounted to $499.
The TP-Hyperlink Omada EAP773 might be the closest AP by way of specs as it’s a 2×2 MIMO AP however advantages from a 10G ethernet port. That is accessible through Newegg for simply $165.11 and within the UK for simply £172.
The Unifi U7 Professional Max is $279, and it has 4×4 MIMO on the 5GHz band however is restricted to 2.5GbE. The two×2 MIMO Unifi U7 Professional is simply $189.
The Zyxel NWA130BE BE11000 is simply $179 and has the same spec because the Unifi U7 Professional.
Total
I cherished the EnGenius ECW536. It has been the best-performing entry level I’ve ever examined. Regardless that it isn’t low-cost, it undercuts nearly all competing choices with 4×4 MIMO and 10GbE.
As a small workplace/house workplace person, the EnGenius ECW526 offers nearly the identical efficiency however $200 cheaper. In my situation, the one factor I actually miss is the extra 10GbE port, which is handy for a community like mine that has been cobbled collectively through the years.
For bigger installations, this might complement the ECW536 properly to cowl much less dense areas, or alternatively, you get three ECW526 entry factors for lower than a pair of ECW536.
My principal criticism of this AP is that choices for competing manufacturers are maybe extra interesting for companies and shoppers who’re restricted by funds and never but dedicated to a cloud ecosystem. The TP-Hyperlink Omada EAP773 is sort of half the value, it additionally has a 10GbE port, however the dBi is way decrease at 3 vs 6 dbi.
EnGenius ECW526 WiFI 7 Entry Level Assessment
Abstract
As a small workplace/house workplace person, the EnGenius ECW526 offers nearly the identical efficiency because the ECW536 however $200 cheaper and the 10GbE port permits it to outperform most different inexpensive WiFi entry factors.
Professionals
- Excellent peak throughput
- One of the crucial inexpensive WiFI 7 entry factors with 10GbE
Cons
- Costlier than the equally specced TP-Hyperlink Omada EAP773
- Vary just isn’t fairly nearly as good as different fashions
I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Enthusiastic about all issues know-how, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cellular, wearables, and good house gadgets.
As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related know-how, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits permit me to carry a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the newest tech tendencies.
In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Info Methods Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the know-how curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has persistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high know-how blogs within the UK. With my dedication to know-how and drive to share my insights, I intention to proceed offering my readers with partaking and informative content material.
