UniFi home networking guides
Everything a homeowner needs to plan a UniFi system: what the equipment does, how many access points a house needs, what it costs, how it compares with mesh kits, and how UniFi Protect cameras work. Start anywhere — each answer is written to stand on its own.
Planning
Decide whether UniFi is right for your home, and what it will take.
- What is UniFi?UniFi is a line of network equipment from Ubiquiti: internet gateways, PoE switches, Wi-Fi access points, and …Read
- Is UniFi good for a home?Yes, especially for larger homes, homes with cameras, and anyone who wants one dashboard for Wi-Fi, switching …Read
- How many Wi-Fi access points does my house need?Plan roughly one access point per 1,200 to 1,800 square feet per floor, with one added for outdoor areas or a …Read
- Where should UniFi access points be installed?Mount access points on the ceiling — or high on a wall — near the center of the area each one serves, one per …Read
- How do you plan a UniFi network for a new home?Plan the cable before the equipment. Decide an equipment location, run Cat6 to one ceiling location per floor …Read
Costs
What the equipment costs, and how installation is priced.
- How much does a UniFi home network cost?Equipment for a typical two-access-point home with a gateway and a small PoE switch usually runs a few hundred…Read
- How much does professional UniFi installation cost?Professional UniFi installation is usually priced as cable runs plus mounting plus configuration time, not as …Read
Comparisons
UniFi against the alternatives, with a recommendation.
- UniFi or mesh Wi-Fi?If you can run a cable to each access point, UniFi will outperform a wireless mesh noticeably — higher sustain…Read
- UniFi or Eero?Eero is simpler and a good choice for a small home with no wiring. UniFi gives better coverage control, real s…Read
- UniFi or Google Nest Wi-Fi?Nest Wi-Fi is the easier product: set it up from a phone in minutes and never look at a setting again. UniFi i…Read
- Which UniFi access point should I choose?For most homes, a current-generation indoor ceiling access point per floor is the right choice; add an outdoor…Read
- Mesh Wi-Fi or wired access points?Mesh is fine for smaller, open homes where the units can see each other clearly. Wired access points are bette…Read
Design
Laying out a system that performs in a real house.
- How do you design a UniFi network for a large home?Design from coverage zones outward: one access point per floor per wing, wired back to a single equipment loca…Read
- How many Ethernet drops should a new home have?Plan two drops at every TV location, desk and office wall, one ceiling drop per floor for a Wi-Fi access point…Read
- How do you build a home network rack?A home rack holds the incoming service, gateway, PoE switch, patch panel and any camera recording, in a ventil…Read
- How do you get UniFi Wi-Fi to a detached garage or ADU?Run a cable to the structure and put an access point inside it. For runs under about 300 feet, direct-burial o…Read
- How do you get good outdoor Wi-Fi with UniFi?Mount a weather-rated access point outside, under a soffit or eave, fed by an outdoor-rated PoE cable, and aim…Read
Cameras
UniFi Protect for residential security cameras.
- What is UniFi Protect?UniFi Protect is the camera side of UniFi: PoE cameras that record locally to a gateway or NVR with its own st…Read
- Is UniFi Protect good for home security cameras?Yes — for homeowners who want continuous local recording, no per-camera subscription and reliable performance,…Read
- How many security cameras does a house need?Four to six cameras covers most homes: front door, driveway, both sides or gates, and the back yard. Larger pr…Read
- Wired or wireless security cameras?Wired PoE cameras are more reliable: one cable carries power and video, recording is continuous, there are no …Read
- Where should home security cameras be installed?Cover the ways people reach and enter your home first: front door, driveway and approach, back door or patio, …Read
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UniFi solutions
- I want a UniFi network in my homeUniFi home networks, designed and installedRead more
- I want UniFi Wi-Fi that works everywhereUniFi Wi-Fi installation for whole-home coverageRead more
- I want UniFi Protect cameras on my homeUniFi Protect camera installation for homesRead more
- I want Wi-Fi outside the houseOutdoor UniFi Wi-Fi for patios, pools and yardsRead more
- I am building a home and want UniFiUniFi for new construction homesRead more
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