EnGenius ECW520 WiFi 7 Access Point Review – Cloud7 2x2x2 Tri-Band WiFi 7 AP for just $189

I’ve been a fan of EnGenius through the years and used their merchandise for many of my networking wants at dwelling earlier than switching to Unifi, which I solely did as a result of that’s what the MSP I work for makes use of.

My one criticism of their merchandise was that the pricing was not very accessible for dwelling customers or small companies with restricted budgets.

Within the case of small UK MSPs, most shoppers are extraordinarily price-sensitive and baulk on the thought of paying increased costs for good-quality {hardware}, so my previous criticisms really feel much more legitimate now. From my expertise, Unifi has managed to ascertain a major presence amongst small companies, MSPs, and faculties as a result of its broad product vary and inexpensive value factors.

EnGenius has been slowly introducing extra inexpensive {hardware} to compete with Unifi. Zyxel additionally has some unbelievable, inexpensive entry factors, however I hardly ever see these utilized in small companies across the UK.

The EnGenius ECW520 is the newest inexpensive WiFI 7 entry level. That is priced at $189, making it the identical RRP because the Unifi U7 Professional. In the mean time, there isn’t any phrase on UK availability, however it would possible be accessible quickly.

Associated Critiques

Options

• Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 design with legacy assist
  The entry level is constructed on a three-radio Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) platform, but it surely nonetheless works with earlier Wi-Fi requirements, so older units aren’t unnoticed.
• Excessive theoretical throughput throughout all bands
  On paper, you’re taking a look at speeds as much as round 5.8 Gbps on the brand new 6 GHz band, 4.3 Gbps on 5 GHz, and roughly 700 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. Clearly, these are ultimate figures, however they provide you a sign of the bandwidth headroom accessible.
• 2.5 GbE port with PoE++ assist
  A single 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port handles the backhaul, with assist for each 802.3at and higher-power 60W PoE injectors. Which means you possibly can run it on a single cable for each information and energy over distances as much as 100 metres.
• Safety with WPA3 included
  Encryption requirements embrace WPA3, with fallback to WPA2-AES if wanted. That covers each trendy and barely older enterprise deployments.
• Cloud-based administration and mesh functionality
  The unit is designed to run underneath EnGenius Cloud, so you possibly can provision, monitor and troubleshoot remotely. It additionally helps each normal AP mode and mesh mode, so it will probably both substitute a wired entry level or lengthen protection wirelessly.
• Simple onboarding and upkeep
  Units will be rapidly enrolled with a QR scan after which centrally configured. Updates, monitoring, and ongoing diagnostics are dealt with remotely by means of the Cloud interface.
• Scalable administration at no additional price
  In contrast to some competing platforms, there isn’t a tough cap on the variety of entry factors you possibly can handle. Every thing is dealt with by means of the EnGenius Cloud app, which works wherever with an web connection.
• Self-optimising mesh networking
  In case you deploy a couple of entry level, the mesh system mechanically balances connections, tweaks channel use, and recovers from node failures with none handbook intervention.

The complete specification is on the backside of this submit, as it’s a lengthy desk.

Channel Width

Previously, considered one of my criticisms of EnGenius was the restricted channel width choices; 5 5GHz was restricted to 80Mhz when manufacturers like Unifi allowed you to make use of 160Mhz.

With the launch of WiFi 7, the issue was repeated, with UniFi permitting 240MHz and EnGenius being restricted to 160MHz.

EnGenius now permit as much as 240MHz region-dependent.

Admittedly, there may be not a lot sensible use for 240MHz you probably have a couple of entry level, however it’s good to have for individuals who can profit from it.

Unboxing / Design

Whereas most APs look nearly equivalent between a model’s fashions, this new AP has a barely totally different design with rounded edges. With it being a 2×2 MIMO AP and solely 2.5GbE, the general measurement of it’s affordable.

You’ve got a single 2.5GbE port, adopted by a DC12V barrel port, in case you don’t have entry to PoE. I doubt many individuals would use this however it’s a good function to have and one thing many different manufacturers lack.

Set Up

The setup is equivalent to that of all different EnGenius merchandise and may be very easy. For brand spanking new EnGenius customers, you have to to arrange an account with cloud.engenius.ai and create an organisation and community.

You’ll be able to then pre-set up your SSID and WiFi settings.

If you find yourself prepared so as to add the entry level, you possibly can manually add merchandise on the web site utilizing the serial quantity, or you probably have the EnGenius Cloud To-Go app, you possibly can scan the QR code and assign it to your community.

It should undertake the community settings, and also you then have the choice to customize the settings on the AP itself.

EnGenius Cloud Settings

You get all of the options discovered on the way more costly fashions, aside from among the security measures which are accessible on the S fashions, such because the ECW230S.

Customisation is in depth, with choices to alter channels, channel width, accessible bands and accessible SSIDs per AP.

Efficiency

Throughput checks appear considerably moot when evaluating equally spec’d units when I’m solely utilizing one shopper system. Issues like 2×2 / 4×4 MIMO will make no real-world distinction. With 10GbE-equipped units, it’s generally doable to exceed 2.5Gbps, however I hardly ever discover that this can be a sustainable pace long run.

However this can be a evaluate, and we have to have goal outcomes, so right here you go:

WiFi 7 (6GHz)

WiFi 7 (5GHz)

WiFi 7 (2.4GHz)

Worth and Various Reasonably priced WiFi 7 Entry Factors

The RRP of the EnGenius ECW520 is an inexpensive $189.

EnGenius additionally has the ECW516L, which is a 2x3x3 tri-band design priced at $199.

This locations it on the similar value level as the favored Unifi U7 Professional, which has an nearly equivalent specification with 2.5GbE and 2x2x2 tri-band.

For an additional $10, I’d argue the U7 Professional XG is extra interesting; it’s the similar spec because the Professional, however you then get a ten GbE port to maximise throughput.

Unifi does have cheaper choices, together with the U7 Lengthy Vary at $159 and the U7 Lite at $99, however these each lack a 6Ghz band.

TP-Hyperlink Omada has the EAP772, which is a contact cheaper at $170, which can be successfully the identical spec. In addition they have dual-band choices at cheaper value factors, such because the EAP723, which is on the market for $90.

The Zyxel Nebula NWA130BE seems to be essentially the most inexpensive choice, which is on the market for $160, and has the identical WiFi specs, however has a slight benefit of twin 2.5GbE ports, which you should utilize to daisy chain different units to. You most likely wouldn’t try this in a enterprise surroundings, however it is rather helpful for dwelling customers.

Lots of IT professionals advocate HPE Aruba, however they don’t have a WiFi 7 AP, but. The WiFi 6E S1T23A is on the market for £213.

General

The EnGenius ECW520 is one other good addition to the EnGenius product vary, which permits them to compete with considered one of Unifi’s hottest entry factors.

From an MSP perspective, EnGenius appears to be a greater choice than Zyxel Nebula and particularly TP-Hyperlink Omada, with TP-Hyperlink receiving plenty of dangerous press not too long ago because of the US-China disputes.

The one actual gripe is that, regardless of being attractively priced, EnGenius lacks the in depth product vary overlaying all value factors that Unifi provides, and restricts some options to a professional subscription.

One factor I can’t touch upon is the standard of EnGenius buyer assist. For Unifi, it’s principally non-existent, which is the primary argument by MSPs or inner IT departments for not utilizing them.

General, although, the EnGenius ECW520 is a wonderful WiFi 7 entry level, and I may give it a robust advice.

Specification

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Keen about all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cell, wearables, and sensible dwelling units.

As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits permit me to deliver a singular perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the newest tech developments.

In my tutorial 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 expertise curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has persistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many prime expertise blogs within the UK. With my dedication to expertise and drive to share my insights, I goal to proceed offering my readers with partaking and informative content material.