Checked yesterday and this morning and they were sold out. I literally checked about 5 minutes before watching your video and they were available, managed to snag one 👌
Thank you Willie for all the hard work, I've been watching your videos for many years , and this Unifi Express it seems is the upgrade step for my 5 remote offices which USGs are deployed. I hope the S2S vpn will work just fine with Sonicwall at the main office.
Regarding the IPS / IDS discussion, per Ubiquiti (UI-Glenn), “Suspicious Activity is IPS/IDS, it doesn't support it.” Sounds like the trade-off for WiFi and a controller, is no packet inspection or advanced security features.
There's some upside for putting at your grandma's house, but if you're installing anywhere that might need other applications such as Protect, you might consider something else. You could always pair it with an NVR, but at that point you need a rack, and why not have a UDM Pro if you have a rack. Obviously, if it only supports 60 clients then it is less powerful than their dedicated APs which work great. Also, no IDS/IPS, but most people looking at this probably aren't too concerned about that. For what it is, a full replacement for an ISP/home router for only $149 or whatever, it's great.
Wish it had a USB port to use for tethering to a phone or hotspot that way it could behave like a full out travel router like those from gl-iNet. Which it had that hw versatility with the Unifi OS.
Does it really just supports only up to 5 connected UniFi Network devices, including other UniFi Express units, switches, and WiFi access points??? Can you test that please! Thanks
Great video as always! A question from an MSP perspective, can this new device be managed by a self hosted controller and used as a router and not just an AP?
Looks great! I'd really love to see a full test on a 1 gig connection, with and without IPS/IDS. Hopefully it can perform a little better than the UDR.
Good morning! Have you seen anything real world as far as throughput with IPS/IDS turned on? Tough to tell if it performs more like a UDR, or a UXG lite. It would be great if it had full line rate with those features turned on!
I just asked the same question. it would be nice to have the option to put it in "bridge mode" if people are using a different router. hopefully we will get a definitive answer.
I'd be interested in coverage on this. Right now, I have a U6-Mesh that gives very adequate coverage in my nearly 1800 sf, single level home. If this provided equal coverage, it could take the place of the Mesh, my ageing USG and my CK-G2.
Hi there, thx for the video. Great job 🙂 Did I understand correctly that the UniFi Express can also be used as a “WLAN/LAN converter” (client mode)? Background: on my site i do have a full UniFi deployment (UDM Pro, USW, several APs). So I have full WLAN coverage. But i have a LAN-only device, which i need to connect to my network. But, LAN is not available there. So, should it be possible, to place a UniFi Express there, which mesh up with my existing unifi environment and then i plugin the LAN-only device to the LAN port of the UniFi Express device?
This looks promising. Question, Could I add an 8-port switch to the Unifi Express and connect my computers, peripherals, and other existing unifi AP's?
So my take on this is that it's for the home user where they can have a Unifi eco system without requiring a cloud key or cloud controller. The UXG-Lite from last week is for those in the business / MSP space that have a cloud controller and they can then just hook it in. If you desire Talk, Protect or other apps, then you're looking at the CK and UDM devices. Fair statement?
This is 100% correct in my assessment. You can't join this to a self hosted controller or cloud controller. It has to be either stand alone or another UniFi OS (UDM, UDR, UDW, UX) device if you're adopting it in.
Fair do. I'll have a think re what I'll be doing. I've recently put a pfsense 2.7 install at my parents, but it's over "complicated" compared to what this offers. I certainly could be tempted to put it in at theirs along with a spare AP I have (FlexHD) in wired backhaul. Their on a CGNAT / IPV6 900/900 connection in the UK. Me I prefer to play with kit, pfsense, opnsense, Sophos XG, Unifi, Cisco CBS switches and so forth. TBH got stack of £££ in kit sat on the shelf or powered off it's ridicolous. I like the Cisco CBS switches, but they dropped the ball with the CBS software. Work wise I've recently installed Cisco 9K switches at TOR! So complete contrast.@@WillieHowe
With Unifi WiFi do you generally leave the settings on Auto or do you change the power levels? I change the channels and have experimented with power settings. @@WillieHowe
The website says the following: "Manages up to four additional UniFi Network devices when operated as a gateway" So as a gateway, you can only connect for example 4 AP's to this gateway and you're done, right?
What kind of processor is in this? I can't find it on their site but supposedly the dual core processor is in the Dream Machine struggles when managing with the app/UI controller?
@@WillieHoweany update on this? I’m also seeing mixed messages on this as well. In my case I have a 3rd party router way more powerful than the Express so I would only want to use the Express in a controller/AP combo and not as a router.
Hi Willie, I don't have any UNIFI equipment on my network today but I'm thinking aboiut getting the UDR but nowhere to be found!! maybe the unifi express could do for me instead!! I have a serious question, my ISP router assigns the same subnet 168.192.1.xx, will this be an issue for the unifi express?
does it have the option to bypass the gateway and bridge it to an existing router? If so it's an absolute Eero Killer! For example, my mom's home has verizon fios and fios cable boxes. in order for the cable boxes to work you have to use the fios router. In this situation I would like to put the unifi express in bridge mode and have the fios modem gateway perform the routing.
You could also put the fios boxes in IP Passthrough/bridge mode and let Unifi Express handle the network. AT&T also requires the use of their equipment for their fiber internet. I put their equipment in bridge mode and I let the UDR handle the network traffic, it works great! @bretschwartz
Client has a MIFI and wants to use it for WAN. Can you use this to connect to the MIFI and does it support something similar to bridgemode or IP Passthrough? What would be the max up/down if the MIFI supports 802.11ac? There’s some great questions in the feed so I hope get to answer those. Thanks.
in for this, was thinking since the mobile router is locked, but my company uses all verizon. This may be a good trade off for when i travel and need to do some network routing testing
I've heard that you can't disable NAT on it. Is it in both modes AP and Router/controller or if I use it as an AP it will totally disable any router/modem/controller/NAT/DHCP capabilities?
So looking at getting one of these for my home in addition to one switch lite 16 poe, two switch flex mini, two U6-IW APs and one AC mesh but the unifi express has a limit to the network devices it can adopt, how do I increase its capacity or mitigate this?
The link I followed said it's sold out already. Doesn't matter too much - the Canadian site only shows coming soon - and they don't deliver to Canadia from the US. 😜
So how is this different than the UDR? Will this unit just not run the other applications for Voip, Security, etc? Instead of using two of these, why wouldnt you use one of these and a U6+ as a secondary AP?
Can this take the place of a USG and UCKg2 with two switches and 4 APs? Will it control multiple devices? I’m assuming since it’s Network, it will but is there a limit?
Also, how about a migration from Cloud Key Gen 1 to UniFi Express video. Ordered this because I can't upgrade to Unifi 8 while still using a CK Gen1 and my USG died too (NEAT!). This couldn't have come out at a better time for me. Hope it arrives quickly.
Great review as always Willie! Does this mean for SoHo users, Eero (heaven forbid) had the right model... a network with a main unit and other units meshed together wirelessly or wired. Seems the UniFi direction for small networks is the AIO device model. Does anyone know if the 60 client limit is based on the wireless radio capacity constraint... not the router/firewall capacity?
I noticed the UDR went out of stock a week or so ago. Looks like the Unifi Express is now out of stock. I hope its just a temporary outage on the UDR because they stole all the LCMs for the Unifi Express ;)
@@WillieHowe I had a thought. You mentioned it offered to restore from one of your other UDMs. If that's the case, could you hang it off a UDMP as an AP, and if you lost your UDMP to failure, reset the UI Express and temporarily repurpose it as the gateway while you wait for a replacement?
I have many locations running CloudKey Gen 1's (Stuck on 7.2.97) - where all it does is control the network (no protect or anything else) would this thing work to replace those?
I am in the same boat. what are your locations using for a router? I am under the impression that you have to use the unifi gateway and can't bypass it or bridge it to the existing router.
the fact that this and the USG lite isn't double WAN, like its predecessor and many other $50 routers is just idiotic. Many small networks run a secondary ISP for backup, and don't need a $500 gateway. This USG :"replacement" is completely useless for the networks i run. Been waiting patiently for a USG replacement... like the scene from Dumb and Dumber, just when we thought Ubiquiti couldn't get any...
“Just because its tiny doesn’t mean its not mighty”. I said that to her but she didn’t believe me 😂
You win the Internet today.
Checked yesterday and this morning and they were sold out. I literally checked about 5 minutes before watching your video and they were available, managed to snag one 👌
Thank you Willie for all the hard work, I've been watching your videos for many years , and this Unifi Express it seems is the upgrade step for my 5 remote offices which USGs are deployed. I hope the S2S vpn will work just fine with Sonicwall at the main office.
It should. If you have issues reach out and we can assist.
Regarding the IPS / IDS discussion, per Ubiquiti (UI-Glenn), “Suspicious Activity is IPS/IDS, it doesn't support it.”
Sounds like the trade-off for WiFi and a controller, is no packet inspection or advanced security features.
100% my next Router/Controller/AP.
Happy Wednesday Willie! 😊
Is it compatible with site magic?
There's some upside for putting at your grandma's house, but if you're installing anywhere that might need other applications such as Protect, you might consider something else. You could always pair it with an NVR, but at that point you need a rack, and why not have a UDM Pro if you have a rack. Obviously, if it only supports 60 clients then it is less powerful than their dedicated APs which work great. Also, no IDS/IPS, but most people looking at this probably aren't too concerned about that. For what it is, a full replacement for an ISP/home router for only $149 or whatever, it's great.
Perfect gift for parents/siblings 🥸🤓😎
Wish it had a USB port to use for tethering to a phone or hotspot that way it could behave like a full out travel router like those from gl-iNet. Which it had that hw versatility with the Unifi OS.
Thanks for providing this timely content - very good job!
Does it really just supports only up to 5 connected UniFi Network devices, including other UniFi Express units, switches, and WiFi access points???
Can you test that please! Thanks
Thanks for this. Does it support the VLAN device assignment features (e.g. password based / device level Virtual Network Override)?
Great video as always! A question from an MSP perspective, can this new device be managed by a self hosted controller and used as a router and not just an AP?
Great question! Will find out!
@@WillieHowe Awesome, routing/AP capability in a cheap device like this would be great for many of our clients!
Would also love to know the answer to this!
This is definitely the spiritual successor to the apple AirPort Express.
Looks great! I'd really love to see a full test on a 1 gig connection, with and without IPS/IDS. Hopefully it can perform a little better than the UDR.
It doesn’t support IPS/IDS. You need the new UXG Lite gateway for that.
Good morning! Have you seen anything real world as far as throughput with IPS/IDS turned on? Tough to tell if it performs more like a UDR, or a UXG lite. It would be great if it had full line rate with those features turned on!
Ids isn’t supported in this device
@@danfreudend what's the diference from this to the USG?
Could this take the place of a Cloud Key and just function as a controller and access point (not being used as a gateway/router)?
I just asked the same question. it would be nice to have the option to put it in "bridge mode" if people are using a different router. hopefully we will get a definitive answer.
wow you got them and Cody too.
Nice compact travel router with vpn back to my network... Nice
Willie, can the Lite be used with a router Alien, are there any inconvients? can you list some of the benefits?
I'd be interested in coverage on this. Right now, I have a U6-Mesh that gives very adequate coverage in my nearly 1800 sf, single level home. If this provided equal coverage, it could take the place of the Mesh, my ageing USG and my CK-G2.
Hi there, thx for the video. Great job 🙂
Did I understand correctly that the UniFi Express can also be used as a “WLAN/LAN converter” (client mode)?
Background: on my site i do have a full UniFi deployment (UDM Pro, USW, several APs). So I have full WLAN coverage.
But i have a LAN-only device, which i need to connect to my network. But, LAN is not available there.
So, should it be possible, to place a UniFi Express there, which mesh up with my existing unifi environment and then i plugin the LAN-only device to the LAN port of the UniFi Express device?
We will have to test!
This looks promising. Question, Could I add an 8-port switch to the Unifi Express and connect my computers, peripherals, and other existing unifi AP's?
Yes, same as people have done for years with the USG-3 and USG-Pro-4.
Magnificent!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Does the UX also support IDS/IPS? If so, wthat will enabling these features do to throughput?
Willie, can we use it to extend the mesh of an existing Alien router?
So my take on this is that it's for the home user where they can have a Unifi eco system without requiring a cloud key or cloud controller. The UXG-Lite from last week is for those in the business / MSP space that have a cloud controller and they can then just hook it in. If you desire Talk, Protect or other apps, then you're looking at the CK and UDM devices. Fair statement?
This is 100% correct in my assessment. You can't join this to a self hosted controller or cloud controller. It has to be either stand alone or another UniFi OS (UDM, UDR, UDW, UX) device if you're adopting it in.
Fair do. I'll have a think re what I'll be doing. I've recently put a pfsense 2.7 install at my parents, but it's over "complicated" compared to what this offers. I certainly could be tempted to put it in at theirs along with a spare AP I have (FlexHD) in wired backhaul. Their on a CGNAT / IPV6 900/900 connection in the UK. Me I prefer to play with kit, pfsense, opnsense, Sophos XG, Unifi, Cisco CBS switches and so forth. TBH got stack of £££ in kit sat on the shelf or powered off it's ridicolous. I like the Cisco CBS switches, but they dropped the ball with the CBS software. Work wise I've recently installed Cisco 9K switches at TOR! So complete contrast.@@WillieHowe
With Unifi WiFi do you generally leave the settings on Auto or do you change the power levels? I change the channels and have experimented with power settings.
@@WillieHowe
@@WillieHoweUI confirmed on the forum it can be adopted to Self Hosted as an AP I think.
@@Nobodyjbh14 I couldn't get it to work
The website says the following: "Manages up to four additional UniFi Network devices when operated as a gateway"
So as a gateway, you can only connect for example 4 AP's to this gateway and you're done, right?
Any combination of UniFi gear that equals 4 additional pieces of gear
I am confused.. Why would I get this for my small clients over the UDR that has four ports and PoE? Thanks for all you do Willie!
maybe because of the speed, a UDR is not a gigabit router
What kind of processor is in this? I can't find it on their site but supposedly the dual core processor is in the Dream Machine struggles when managing with the app/UI controller?
I currently have 2 U6 Mesh in mesh mode, do you think this will be a better option?
Only if you need or want a Unifi gateway router . Your U6 Mesh access points are more powerful than the built in wifi 6 inside the Unifi Express.
Can the Express be used as an AP/Controller to compliment the UXG-Lite? Seems like a good pair.
I'm seeing mixed messaging on this. Going to have to test and report back.
@@WillieHoweany update on this? I’m also seeing mixed messages on this as well.
In my case I have a 3rd party router way more powerful than the Express so I would only want to use the Express in a controller/AP combo and not as a router.
The guy that hates cloud, just signed his unit into the cloud..
So that MFA can be enabled. Listen to the entire reason. I still have complete local control.
Easy there!!! @@WillieHowe
Can it be used as a CloudKey? Setting up devices like UXG-Lite, Switches, U6s, etc? @@WillieHowe
Hi Willie, I don't have any UNIFI equipment on my network today but I'm thinking aboiut getting the UDR but nowhere to be found!! maybe the unifi express could do for me instead!! I have a serious question, my ISP router assigns the same subnet 168.192.1.xx, will this be an issue for the unifi express?
Nope. All the brands you see here on the channel will set the LAN to something different than the WAN.
does it have the option to bypass the gateway and bridge it to an existing router? If so it's an absolute Eero Killer! For example, my mom's home has verizon fios and fios cable boxes. in order for the cable boxes to work you have to use the fios router. In this situation I would like to put the unifi express in bridge mode and have the fios modem gateway perform the routing.
No. No UniFi OS console can have nat disabled.
UGH! if they want to compete with Eero , they are going to have to come up with a "bridge mode" option. @@WillieHowe
You could also put the fios boxes in IP Passthrough/bridge mode and let Unifi Express handle the network. AT&T also requires the use of their equipment for their fiber internet. I put their equipment in bridge mode and I let the UDR handle the network traffic, it works great! @bretschwartz
Client has a MIFI and wants to use it for WAN. Can you use this to connect to the MIFI and does it support something similar to bridgemode or IP Passthrough? What would be the max up/down if the MIFI supports 802.11ac?
There’s some great questions in the feed so I hope get to answer those. Thanks.
in for this, was thinking since the mobile router is locked, but my company uses all verizon. This may be a good trade off for when i travel and need to do some network routing testing
I've heard that you can't disable NAT on it.
Is it in both modes AP and Router/controller or if I use it as an AP it will totally disable any router/modem/controller/NAT/DHCP capabilities?
If it's an AP, it's only an AP.
I am confused... the wifi 6 band is greyed out. Is it not built in?
Wifi6 is 5ghz and 2.4ghz - wifi6e and WiFi 7 support 6ghz.
What does the LCD display when it's setup as an access point with a UDM-Pro as the controller?
Hmmm, reminds me of the Apple AirPort Express.
Looks like the 2008 Apple Airport express
I believe some of the ubiquity folks came from Apple
I guess if my uap-ac-lr's go EOL, I could replace them with these?
So looking at getting one of these for my home in addition to one switch lite 16 poe, two switch flex mini, two U6-IW APs and one AC mesh but the unifi express has a limit to the network devices it can adopt, how do I increase its capacity or mitigate this?
Get a UXG Lite and CKGen2+
Any idea of max connection speeds with IPS enabled?
It doesn't have ids/ips
Nice video!
The link I followed said it's sold out already. Doesn't matter too much - the Canadian site only shows coming soon - and they don't deliver to Canadia from the US. 😜
If I have a UDR, is this an upgrade? I have 2 U6 pro and 2 AC mesh outdoor, a US16 Poe
Possibly but I don't know that the UDR is old enough to get replaced yet -- but it's your money.
@@WillieHowe thank you. I guess it’s not a real upgrade to spend money on
So how is this different than the UDR? Will this unit just not run the other applications for Voip, Security, etc? Instead of using two of these, why wouldnt you use one of these and a U6+ as a secondary AP?
One LAN port, no PoE.
@tim_biller can you still adopt in other unifi aps?
@@tshadleyYes, but you’ll need a switch for more than one AP.
Also, no IPS / IDS packet inspection capability with the express. Also, only connects to a max of 5 additional devices.
@@dhsemp good info. Thanks for sharing¡
Can this take the place of a USG and UCKg2 with two switches and 4 APs? Will it control multiple devices? I’m assuming since it’s Network, it will but is there a limit?
Supposed to be limited to 5 UniFi devices.
@@WillieHowethat’s what I read as well but I’m curious if anyone has tested this.
Hi Willie, do you know whether it possible to use port 443 when configuring a vpn server on this device?
Would this handle 4x 4k cctv cameras and site2site vpn?
I’m wanting to replace my router. I need PPPOE and Vlan tag 201 (Centurylink fiber). Would this device be able to do this?
Yea
Also, how about a migration from Cloud Key Gen 1 to UniFi Express video. Ordered this because I can't upgrade to Unifi 8 while still using a CK Gen1 and my USG died too (NEAT!). This couldn't have come out at a better time for me. Hope it arrives quickly.
Do you have a backup from your cloud key?
@@WillieHowe Yes.
Could you run "UniFi Express" as an cloud key with the "Unifi Lite" as the main unit?
This is the question everyone are asking, but no one knows the answer to.
I don't believe so. The new hardware notice on the forum indicates it either works in AIO mode or AP Only Mode.
@@Nobodyjbh14 so you wouldn't be able to adopt an express to another express as the gateway at a second site?
@@oryandunn no and they only recommend 5 devices managed by it. It's definitely not got the resource to be doing multisite.
Great review as always Willie!
Does this mean for SoHo users, Eero (heaven forbid) had the right model... a network with a main unit and other units meshed together wirelessly or wired. Seems the UniFi direction for small networks is the AIO device model.
Does anyone know if the 60 client limit is based on the wireless radio capacity constraint... not the router/firewall capacity?
I'm sure you can go above it, but if they're recommending 60 users I would say it's probably hardware constraints all the way around
I noticed the UDR went out of stock a week or so ago. Looks like the Unifi Express is now out of stock. I hope its just a temporary outage on the UDR because they stole all the LCMs for the Unifi Express ;)
I'm sure they'll be back!
@@WillieHowe I had a thought. You mentioned it offered to restore from one of your other UDMs. If that's the case, could you hang it off a UDMP as an AP, and if you lost your UDMP to failure, reset the UI Express and temporarily repurpose it as the gateway while you wait for a replacement?
detailed
Like the beard!
i'm guessing the 60 clients only applies to wireless aspect of it
Nice.
I have many locations running CloudKey Gen 1's (Stuck on 7.2.97) - where all it does is control the network (no protect or anything else) would this thing work to replace those?
I am in the same boat. what are your locations using for a router? I am under the impression that you have to use the unifi gateway and can't bypass it or bridge it to the existing router.
Ciscos, if that's the case - surely they have something in the works to replace the cloud keys coming !
Hi
Do you know if this can be included in „Unifi Magic Site to Site VPN“ ?
Thx
Yes it can.
awesome
Thx
Is VPN wireguard supported?
Yes
@WillieHowe Thank you for your reply. I tried to buy one using your link, and it is sold out, unfortunately
Nice overview would like to no if does the site magic site to site vpn please?
Not available
SOLD OUT!
the fact that this and the USG lite isn't double WAN, like its predecessor and many other $50 routers is just idiotic. Many small networks run a secondary ISP for backup, and don't need a $500 gateway. This USG :"replacement" is completely useless for the networks i run. Been waiting patiently for a USG replacement... like the scene from Dumb and Dumber, just when we thought Ubiquiti couldn't get any...
This or UDR for $50 more get 4x4 mimo and a poe switch
the UDR doesn't have a built in cloud key (does it?)
I reported and thumbs down the traitor
Can it be used as a router??
That was the first half of the video.