Ubiquiti Unifi - Is it Worth it? My Non-professional Perspective

Setting Up a Ubiquiti UniFi Network at Home: My Experience and Why I Switched

In this video, I’m diving into the process of setting up a Ubiquiti UniFi network in my home and across my property. After researching and watching countless videos on Ubiquiti, I decided to take the plunge and overhaul my entire home network. My goal with this video is to provide an entry-level perspective for those who might be considering the same move but aren’t deep into the networking world.

I’ll walk you through why I chose Ubiquiti, how I selected the right hardware for my needs, and the challenges I faced with my old equipment that led me to make the switch. I also cover the impact of a lightning strike on my property and how it prompted a complete network overhaul. Plus, I’ll give you an inside look at my specific setup, including the Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra, and share some insights on why Ubiquiti gear just works together so seamlessly.

If you’re curious about how well this system performs, I’ve got some real-world results and speed tests to share. And if you’re interested in the power of the UniFi management console, I’ll show you why it’s such a game-changer for troubleshooting and network management.

Finally, I break down the costs involved and compare them to my previous setup. Is it worth the extra investment? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Don’t forget to subscribe for more content, especially if you’re interested in seeing my upcoming video on setting up a Wi-Fi-connected smart barn!

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro: Why I Chose Ubiquiti
0:57 - Picking the Right Hardware
2:05 - Why the Old Equipment Had to Go
4:22 - The Lightning Strike Incident
5:20 - My Setup Overview
8:50 - Setting Up the UniFi Network
9:55 - The Issue with the UniFi Express Gateway
11:24- How Well It Works
12:20 - The Power of the Management Console
13:19 - Equipment to Watch Out For
14:53 - Cost Breakdown: Was It Worth It?

Links to Products Mentioned:

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[Kaotix_music]

Just moved to unifi everything except their cameras. UCG ultra, 2x 8 port Poe switches, 2 AP U6+ APs and I never thought having internet like this would make me this happy

[CBRDriver]

I remember a time that $100 would have been too much for me to pay for a router, but the more I learned, the more I realized the applicability of a more robust and more comprehensive home network, and the more I realized that the cost of Ubiquiti equipment and more specifically the Unifi Line was well worth it.

My network is by no means huge, but I'm able to offer a safe internet environment for my family without having to troubleshoot issues constantly.

As I continue to learn, I see what I CAN do, and wind up learning even more.
That in itself, makes Ubiquiti an investment in education as well.

[pitsnipe]

Setup a Unifi network in my hone two years ago, works great! I run the Dream Machine Pro, a 16 port PoE switch, a single access point, doorbell and camera. This year I setup a similar system at our church. I have heard that Ubiquiti was started by an ex Apple guy.

[joegomez]

Nice video. You did a great job setting up your network. The POE stuff can be confusing at first but it is really nice. If you want to get rid of another power cord and have enough ports and power from your flex switch you may consider a USB-C POE splitter to power the gateway.

I am an amateur network guy and love my ubiquiti equipment.

[icxf]

Awesome video. As someone looking to do their first complete Unifi setup throughout the house it was good to here your experience.

[dorianphillips]

I have had them for about three years. Love it. It is worth the cost. It provides flexibility I need that other equipment does not.

[jasonwuthrich]

I expanded into Unifi a lil while ago, I do run a rack at my home but only have a 24 port non poe switch and a few ac pro ap's, I am looking to upgrade into a poe switch and newer ap's, I love the interface and control I now have over the ISP router

[ecur]

I started with a small open 6U rack and bought the UDM Pro along with an 8 Port PoE switch, a couple of In Wall APS and the G4 doorbell camera. I must admit I got bit by the Ubiquiti bug and continued upgrading and adding more and more devices into my home network. Long story short I have a 9U main rack and another in my home office with a bunch of upgrades and added cameras around my house with an NVR Pro. My home network is solid with very minimal problems and I love it.

[cheeyuanng]

It is similar to the Apple vs PC experience. It just works, but at a premium.

Got mine for a year and works quite well.

[ragtop]

Nice setup! I have a similar situation with two out building spread out over our property. I used to use a wireless bridge (UniFi) and it worked well, but when putting in a sprinkler system recently I went ahead and added CAT6 to the buildings while doing it. Still all UniFi though with 5 access points spread out over the property.
The reason the flex switch doesn't come with a power device is because a lot of people connect them to an existing PoE switch to power it. The flex switch is usually a utility/secondary switch. It would be a waste to include the PoE injector and it not get used most of the time, not to mention to just make the overall price higher. You do have to plan for how you will power some of their devices, bust the ones that are standalone do usually include the AC adapter and/or PoE injector.

[williamstricklin]

I had mix of equipment also and finally switch over to Ubiquity about 3 years ago. I am not sorry in the lease bit. It never gives me a problem. Since that time, I have been slowly adding security cameras to replace older ones. The Protect software is part of the Unifi app software and is just as great.

[malk]

Love it. Been using ubiquiti since before unifi... Mini pci radios and madwifi Linux driver early 2000s lol. Also use a lot of airmax stuff. For APs would have considered u6 mesh or u7 outdoor which can do omnis like uap-ac-m. The uap-ac-m is several years old and due for eol. The uap-ac-m-prp already eol replaced by u6 outdoor pro. I would have done gigabeam or wave pico pair between house and barn. Mesh is great for 1 hop perhaps but can get ugly quick. I've rescued several campgrounds by using airmax backhauls instead of all mesh. Still looks great though and uap-ac-m have been a workhorse for me and projects to date! Cheers.

[PolarRed]

I have a UDM SE, USWAgg 10Gbe, USW Pro Max 16 POE, two Flex XG switches, U7Pro Wall, SAK Ultra and all the extra gear! I live in a 6 x 50m flat!!! Who say's you've got to just buy what you need? It didn't start out that way, it becomes an addiction. 😀 Great vid.

[wvansluisveld]

Thanks for the video, very helpful. I would have liked to see more about the network monitoring capabilities within the web ui or app.

[FOOL]

All the access points have mesh capabilities, just need to activate with a checkbox in one of the settings. The AC-mesh you went with will work but is dated now since it only supports wifi 5 and was made specifically in a time when mesh products were taking off publicly (an more ppl were understanding the technology). Going with the U7 you will notice better performance and coverage with less AP's. That being said if you decide to return and switch the ap-mesh to the U7 line or U6 avoid the U6 long-range (they've had a higher failure rate than other access points ~ can google about this).

But highly recommend returning and switching from the mesh units to U7 units since it supports wifi 7 and your future devices will have better connectivity as you replace them (phones, watches, laptops, tvs, etc. ). Even if its "ceiling" mount design you can still mount them to a wall or even leave on the floor an you will get great coverage/experience. From a brand new setup its counter intuitive to not be on the latest wifi standards.

[alaroche]

Have you made another video about your barn setup? I think you mentioned in this video that you were going to?

[paulbennett]

Been using UniFi for a few years now, wouldn’t use anything else. Great equipment and sensational app. Their cameras are also top quality.

[dj_paultuk]

If you have an old spare PC, then you can run UniFi Network Controller, which is free. So you dont need to buy the gateway and controller. I personally use an old Dell i7 mini PC running win10. Its been on for years and works great.

[MegaMastiffman]

Love mine I have a simple set up cloud gateway u6 etc and have found a lot of things I don’t even know what they are plus my neighbor has been running his apple 4k and a computer along with his oculus on my WiFi and I know because he asked me if I was having problems with my internet because he was after I blocked his devices well I said nope mine is fine. Again love mine

[ufomism]

Did you consider the u6 long range AP instead? I think all their APs mesh.