The Best PoE (Power over Ethernet) Routers and Access Points

The TP-LINK Omada EAP230-Wall access point stands out for its configuration flexibility and support for multiple operating modes to create an effective targeted Wi-Fi infrastructure. It can operate independently or become part of the company ecosystem with centralized hardware-software or cloud management. The model is designed for simple home and commercial tasks, wireless internet distribution in the frequency range of 2.4 / 5 GHz with the possibility of disabling one of them. However, it should be noted that the number of simultaneous connections is limited compared to professional systems. The company offers a thoughtful and very user-friendly interface, where you can deploy a guest network, limit transmitter power and traffic speed, view and block clients, change security parameters, set a work schedule, and much more. The access point features a budget cost and is optimally suited for the hotel business, government institutions, schools, hospitals, and other places with cabinet zoning, private homes, deploying Wi-Fi in an office or apartment. The downside includes built-in non-removable antennas that do not allow expanding the coverage area if necessary.

The miniature device body adheres to the In-Wall concept and allows for quick installation into a junction box, but such work needs to be planned during the building design or apartment renovation. The input LAN port with PoE support implies remote power supply over twisted pair but is located on the rear side and complicates surface mounting. It is worth noting that the active power standard 802.3at is used, which regulates the power supply depending on the load and ensures efficient energy consumption.

The "Latvian" MikroTik hAP ac² joins the few routers of the brand for home use. Settling in an apartment, the device distributes internet to the "clientele" both wirelessly and over twisted pair, ensuring a stable high-speed stream and a large coverage area.

The model is assembled in an unremarkable "body" without protruding elements — antennas are hidden inside the wireless router's body. The device uses dual-band integrated antennas. On the back of the router, there are four gigabit LAN ports and one WAN supporting PoE. In wireless networks, hAP ac² offers a decent maximum speed of 300 Mbps (at 2.4 GHz) and 867 Mbps (at 5 GHz).

The device operates with a powerful "quad-core" Qualcomm IPQ4018 with a clock speed of 716 MHz and a RAM of 128 MB. The model's technological orchestra is conducted by the RouterOS system with flexible configuration capabilities. It is worth noting that for the average user, the system menu interface may appear overly complex and confusing.

The router can be "parked" vertically or in a lying position. While standing on a clear plastic base, a USB 2.0 port can be seen on the upper end of the device for connecting 3G/LTE modem or deploying an FTP server via the router. The model can also function in bridge and repeater modes. MikroTik hAP ac² is rightfully considered a favorite among budget wireless routers for home use or for "registration" in a small office.

Ubiquiti UniFi Swiss Army Knife Ultra access point offers an advanced set of software and hardware tools for deploying a Wi-Fi network in both home and outdoor conditions. The polycarbonate body is not susceptible to UV radiation and is protected by IPX6, so it withstands rain, strong winds, snow, and high humidity. Additionally, the device copes with extreme temperatures from -40 °C to +60 °C. The network gadget can be installed away from power sources thanks to a LAN with passive PoE support. The kit includes several mounts ensuring simple and reliable installation on the wall, ceiling, pole. An optional stand allows the gadget to be placed on a table.

The gadget's firmware includes standard functions for home, corporate, and public access, as well as some additional advantages. The main feature is the support for the trending seamless roaming (MESH), which allows switching between multiple points without dropping connection. Such a system allows creating an effective Wi-Fi system in government institutions, parks, hospitals, schools, preventing interruptions during testing and diagnostics, online communication, and learning. For signal transmission, the device employs a dual-band module of 2.4 / 5 GHz. A good addition to the built-in antenna are two sockets for external optional modules, which are relevant for expanding outdoor coverage. The access point boasts a decent gain coefficient for data transmission within a 115 m² radius. Among the software features, notable ones include full control over the wireless module's operation (schedule, traffic limitations, user blocking), Captive portal setup for corporate clients, and guest isolation.

MikroTik hAP ax3 is a dual-band AX1800 class router supporting Wi-Fi 6 standard. In total, the model provides data transmission bandwidth up to 1774 Mbps.

When connecting client devices at a 2.4 GHz frequency, the theoretical speed maximum reaches 574 Mbps, and at a 5 GHz carrier frequency — 1200 Mbps. Internet connection to the router can be done via a 2.5-gigabit WAN socket. By the way, PoE power supply can be directly supplied over twisted pair to the device (with a voltage of 18 to 28 V). This allows avoiding a separate power supply block or reserving power supply during electricity outages (from provider equipment or UPS with PoE support).

The model is assembled in a perforated body with an elongated shape and is equipped with two external antennas with gain coefficients of 3.3 dBi for the 2.4 GHz band and 5.5 dBi for 5 GHz. The router's coverage area comfortably encompasses a three-room apartment or a small country house. The device operates on the proprietary RouterOS — its menu interface may seem complicated to the unprepared user, but overall it provides maximally flexible configurations for wireless router settings.

The router has a USB 3.2 gen1 port, which can be used for deploying an FTP server or connecting an external LTE modem. The device can be placed both in a standard horizontal orientation and standing, for which a suitable stand is included in the package. For wall mounting, a couple of dowels from the standard delivery set will be useful.

The gigabit internet center Keenetic Voyager Pro KN-3510 operates in various roles: as a wireless router, Wi-Fi signal repeater, main device, or one of the links in a seamless MESH network.

"Voyagers" are presented on store shelves both individually and as a set of four (for MESH mode). The device's flat design allows for easy wall or ceiling placement, and PoE power support eliminates wire clutter from outlets — the model can be powered directly through twisted pair (via a blue WAN/LAN port with up to 1 Gbps bandwidth).

The device supports Wi-Fi in two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz with a data transfer rate up to 574 Mbps, and 5 GHz — 1201 Mbps. An onboard spectrum analyzer allows tracking Wi-Fi noise at the 5 GHz carrier frequency and selecting the cleanest channel. Meanwhile, the router is equipped with multi-threaded data transmission support MU-MIMO and the Beamforming "directed beam" technology. Somewhat disappointing are the router's weak internal antennas, but the aforementioned functions are designed to ensure quality signal transmission to connected client devices.

Managing "Voyager" operations is entrusted to the web interface, a mobile app for smartphones, or the Keenetic RMM system. The latter option is excessive for ordinary users — it is convenient for small and medium businesses. An alternative to this model is a related solution from Kinetic — a similar internet center Orbiter Pro KN-2810, which differs from the current version with a slower Wi-Fi 5.