The UniFi U7 Pro (Wireless Backhaul) is a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 access point designed for large offices that must be connected to a router or controller to function. In this review, we connected it to the UniFi Dream Router 7 and tested it with a wireless backhaul configuration. It has a single 2.5Gbps PoE+ RJ45 port that's used for both power and networking. It's designed to be wall or ceiling-mounted, with the necessary hardware included in the box.
We also tested this router using a wired backhaul configuration in a separate review. Make sure to check out our detailed analysis of this access point in wired and wireless backhaul modes.
Note: Since the UniFi U7 Pro is an access point and not a router, we tested it as a satellite unit connected to a UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR7), which served as our base unit. This means that our verdict scores and the scores in our range tests are largely determined by the UDR7's performance, and should not be used to compare this access point to other routers that we've tested.
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Our Verdict
The UniFi U7 Pro is a very good access point for apartments when used in a wireless backhaul configuration, but it's not primarily intended for this use. It must be connected to a compatible router or controller and requires power over Ethernet+ (PoE+) to function. It's designed to be wall or ceiling-mounted, which can necessitate drilling holes that may not be renter-friendly. Its performance depends on factors like the layout of your home, its construction materials, the router you connect it to, as well as your wireless network's topography, which is likely different from the testing conditions in our lab. With that in mind, the access point doesn't deliver significantly better range or speeds than the UniFi Dream Router 7 (which acted as the 'Base Unit' in our testing) in a standalone configuration. That said, the access point could still provide benefits in environments where your base unit doesn't give good coverage.
Good range.
Drop in speeds due to mesh penalty.
The UniFi U7 Pro is a good access point for larger homes when used in a wireless backhaul configuration. It needs to be connected to a router or a controller to function, and it's designed to be wall or ceiling-mounted, which can mean drilling holes in your walls or ceiling. Its performance is also largely determined by your home's layout and construction materials, which are likely different from the testing conditions in our lab. It doesn't deliver significantly better speeds or range than the UniFi Dream Router 7 that we used as the 'Base Unit' in our testing, but it can help with coverage in parts of your home that may not be well served by your primary access point.
Good range.
Drop in speeds due to mesh penalty.
Note that most of the score for this performance usage is determined by the results of the Interior Short Range test, and for much of it, our testing device was connected to the UniFi Dream Router 7. There's a measurable but expected drop in speeds while connected to this access point due to the nature of using wireless backhaul.
Drop in speeds due to mesh penalty.
The UniFi U7 Pro has good range in a wireless backhaul configuration. It maintains steady speeds over longer distances and can effectively extend the range of your network.
Good range.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The UniFi U7 Pro doesn't have any variants. Accessories like a paintable polycarbonate cover and a wall-mount arm are available from Ubiquiti. You can see a photo of our unit's label here.
Popular Router Comparisons
The UniFi U7 Pro is a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 access point that must be connected to a router or controller to function. You can use it in either a wired or wireless backhaul configuration. For this review, we tested it using wireless backhaul to the UniFi Dream Router 7. It has a single 2.5Gbps power over Ethernet+ (PoE+) port that's used to power the device and for networking (if using a wired backhaul).
In this configuration, it performs similarly to mesh routers like the eero Pro 7 and the ASUS ZenWiFi XT9. There's a fairly substantial speed penalty when you connect to it while it's configured with a wireless backhaul to your router. While this is common and expected for wireless mesh networks, it takes a bigger hit than many dedicated mesh systems like the TP-Link Deco BE63 and the eero Max 7. Using it in a wired backhaul configuration delivers much better results.
If you're looking for more options, check out our recommendations for the best Wi-Fi routers, the best mesh Wi-Fi systems, and the best Wi-Fi routers for large homes.
Test Results
Note that the Depth With Cables measurement is the same as the Depth measurement because this access point is designed to be ceiling or wall-mounted, and the Ethernet port on the underside of the device is recessed, keeping the cable hidden.
This access point has a single 2.5Gbps PoE+ port, which is used for both networking and powering the device.
In this review, we powered it using a PoE+ adapter from Ubiquiti and connected it to the UniFi Dream Router 7 with wireless backhaul.
- Wall/ceiling mount backing plate
- Wall/ceiling mount plate (AP side)
- Wall/ceiling mount template with level
- T-bar mounts x 2
- M3 Philips mounting bolts x4
- M3 Philips screws x4
- M3 short Philips screws x2
- 6#-32T screws x2
- Lock nuts x4
- Drywall mounting screws x4
- Large allen key
- Small allen key
- Pry tool
This access point includes a wall/ceiling mount and necessary hardware. Ubiquiti also sells an arm style mount.
We tested this access point by connecting it to the UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR7) using a wireless backhaul. We achieved the 'Base Unit (5GHz)' and 'Base Unit (6GHz)' results with our test laptop connected to the UDR7, and the 'Satellite Unit (5GHz)' and 'Satellite Unit (6GHz)' were obtained while connected to the UniFi U7 Pro access point.
Note that the 'Base Unit (5GHz)' and 'Base Unit (6GHz)' results are different from the results in the UDR7, UniFi U6 Pro (Wired Backhaul), UniFi U6 Pro (Wireless Backhaul), and UniFi U7 Pro (Wired Backhaul) reviews, despite using the same testing configuration. This is because the tests were conducted on different days where the ambient wireless environment explains the discrepancies.
If you'd like to learn more about the differences between wired and wireless backhaul, as well as a more detailed analysis of our results, check out our Wired vs Wireless Backhaul article.
We tested this access point by connecting it to the UniFi Dream Router 7 (UDR7) using a wireless backhaul. We achieved the 'Base Unit (5GHz)' and 'Base Unit (6GHz)' results with our test laptop connected to the UDR7, and the 'Satellite Unit (5GHz)' and 'Satellite Unit (6GHz)' were obtained while connected to the UniFi U7 Pro access point.
The 'Highest Speed' result was achieved while connected to the UDR7, so it's not reflective of the maximum speeds that this access point may be capable of.
A measurable speed penalty is present when connected to the access point, but this is expected when using access points with a wireless backhaul. To learn more about this, check out our article about mesh Wi-Fi range.
Note that at the time of writing, the UniFi U7 Pro doesn't support multi-link operation (MLO), but UniFi has indicated the feature is coming soon and will be provided via software update.