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The Zyxel NWA130BE is without doubt one of the first inexpensive WiFi 7 entry factors obtainable to customers and small companies. It guarantees multi-gigabit wi-fi speeds utilizing the most recent 802.11be customary, and it’s the greatest various to the just lately launched UniFi U7 Professional.
Associated Content material
Specification
Zyxel NWA130BE vs. WBE660S
Zyxel additionally has the flagship WBE660S, which is priced at round £700. It’s largely the identical, simply larger and higher.
The WBE660S has 4×4 MIMO for every bang, giving it:
4×4 BE: As much as 11530 Mbps4×4 BE: As much as 8646 Mbps4×4 BE: As much as 1376 Mbps
The 4×4 design accommodates a bigger variety of shoppers whereas retaining throughput, and it’s helpful for vary and beamforming. Nevertheless, most prosumers and small companies are unlikely to see a substantial amount of profit.
It additionally has a sensible antenna, which is designed to successfully mitigate co-channel interference.
Then, it has a 1x 1/2.5/5/10Gbps LAN port for the uplink and a second 1GbE LAN port.
All this provides as much as an AP that’s a lot larger, weighing in at nearly 1.5KG and requiring way more energy with as much as 41W, which additionally signifies that it wanted the upper spec 802.3bt PoE mode fairly than 802.11at that the NWA130BE requires.
Past the {hardware}, the WBE660S has extra performance that makes it extra enterprise-friendly.
Trying on the gadget operate desk inside Nebula, the WBE660S has:
Distant AP (RAP) wi-fi safe tunnel (premium function)Collaborative Detection & Response (CDR) (premium function)Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Design
Zyxel has designed the sq. design for the latest APs and adopted an oblong design, which is far bigger than that of earlier generations.
I’m detached to the design, however house customers contemplating APs like this will not recognize such a big gadget. The U7 Professional just isn’t precisely small and refined, both.
One function I like with the Zyxel NWA130BE that the Unifi AP lacks is the twin 2.5GbE ports. I’m not positive how helpful this is able to be in an enterprise surroundings. Nonetheless, as a house person, I solely run one or two Ethernet cables to every room as a result of difficulties of wiring up a house with out ripping every little thing aside. This, subsequently, permits me to energy the AP from the two.5GbE PoE change in my loft whereas additionally permitting me to attach a further change to broaden the wired connectivity for the gadgets in my lounge.
If I needed to do the identical with the Unifi AP, I’d have to purchase one other 2.5GbE POE change for the room the AP is in, which might be fairly pricey.
Moreover, the Zyxel could be powered by a DC connector. My overview pattern was despatched with one, however I consider this isn’t included as customary. Once more, this simplifies the set up if you happen to don’t have a 2.5GbE POE change or POE injectors.
Set up / Set Up
The Zyxel NWA130BE is a NebulaFlex AP, which suggests you may handle it domestically by way of the online interface or the Zyxel Nebula cloud interface.
For Zyxel Nebula, you need to use this freed from cost, and it really works completely nice, however a few of the superior options aren’t obtainable, and reporting is restricted.
I’ve used Zyxel Nebula on and off for a couple of years, so that is how I examined the AP. In contrast to Unifi, Zyxel doesn’t mechanically recognise the AP on the community as a result of there isn’t a native cloud controller. As an alternative, you scan the QR code or manually enter it by way of the online interface.
For this overview, I didn’t ceiling mount the AP as a result of I’ve sufficient holes in my ceiling, however you get all of the equipment you want for mounting, identical to all Aps.
Zyxel Nebula Settings
For Zyxel, the channel width choices are as much as 320MHz for the 6GHz band and 160MHz for 5GHz. The Unifi U7 Professional can go as much as 240MHz for 5GHz, however as a result of restricted variety of channels obtainable with this channel width, it wouldn’t be sensible in lots of situations.
The Nebula UI has some quirks. Whereas it’s completely usable with no licence, they prefer to be sure to know you don’t have one. A notification bar pops up consistently, and while you flick through the intensive settings, lots of them are unavailable with a diamond icon subsequent to them, indicating it’s a premium function.
Beneath the radio settings, you may solely assign 80MHz channel width to 5GHz. It’s important to scroll down and manually assign it per AP.
If you click on on “Why you shouldn’t use channel width 160/240 MHz in 5 GHz?” it informs you that the NWA130BE helps 240MHz, however you may’t truly allow it. Hopefully, this can include a firmware replace.
Minor criticisms apart, the intensive settings and performance are spectacular, which clearly make Nebula well-suited for enterprise networks. I’ve not checked all of the settings, however there appear to be extra choices than both Unifi or EnGenius.
What are some options that aren’t essentially unique to Nebula?
In depth safety choices, includingWPA3 enterprise with 802.1XLocal bridge, NAT mode or tunnel mode for trafficVLAN settings and layer 2 isolationLoad balancing utilizing both by shopper numbers or sensible classroom modeSmart mesh and Ethernet failoverRate management and WLAN Price Management Setting for higher roamingPlus many extra settings
Efficiency
To check the real-world efficiency of the Zyxel NWA130BE, I carried out a sequence of throughput assessments utilizing my desktop PC, which has the MSI Herald-BE NCM865 PCIe Adapter put in, I’ve additionally used my Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely when testing the vary of the AP.
For the velocity assessments, I used each iPerf and a self-hosted OpenSpeedTest server on my TerraMaster F4-422 10GbE 4-Bay NAS, which is working Unraid.
I’ve additionally in contrast the outcomes to the U7 Professional, which I used to be reviewing concurrently.
It’s value noting that the two.5GbE connection limits each the Zyxel NWA130BE and Ubiquiti U7 Professional entry factors. Nevertheless, I used to be in a position to obtain 3530Mbps with the Netgear Nighthawk RS700S after I examined it utilizing a cellular, due to the 10GbE connection.
WiFi 7 6GHz Efficiency
The NWA130BE managed a detailed 1860 Mbps and 2376 Mbps, respectively for 160MHz and 320MHz
One flooring down by means of a wooden flooring, speeds dropped to 1721/1898 Mbps.
And throughout one brick wall, the outcomes had been round 1100/1400Mbps.
The outcomes are decrease than these of the U7 Professional, however there’s a sufficiently small distinction that you’re unlikely to see a lot of a real-world distinction.
Shut Vary:Zyxel NWA130BE @ 160MHz: 1860 Mbit/secZyxel NWA130BE @ 320MHz: 2376 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 160MHz: 1950 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 320MHz: 2460 Mbit/secDown One Ground (wooden flooring)Zyxel NWA130BE @ 160MHz: 1721Mbit/secZyxel NWA130BE @ 320MHz: 1898 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 160MHz: 1825 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 320MHz: 2068 Mbit/secAcross one room (by means of a brick wall)Zyxel NWA130BE @ 160MHz: 1123 Mbit/secZyxel NWA130BE @ 320MHz: 1425 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 160MHz: 1100 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 320MHz: 1427 Mbit/sec
WiFi 7 5GHz Efficiency
I wasn’t in a position to allow 240MHz on 5GHz, so the Unifi AP achieved extra spectacular outcomes. Nevertheless, you’ll wrestle to run a number of APs at 240MHz. It may be discover for a single AP in a small house or workplace, however most individuals might be higher off sticking to 160MHz, and even that may be difficult to get to work reliably.
Shut Vary:Zyxel NWA130BE @ 160MHz: 1512 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 160MHz: 1771 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 240MHz: 2198 Mbit/secDown One Ground (wooden flooring)Zyxel NWA130BE @ 160MHz: 1323 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 160MHz: 1450 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 240MHz: 1649 Mbit/secAcross one room (by means of a brick wall)Zyxel NWA130BE @ 160MHz: 1511 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 160MHz: 1568 Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 240MHz: 1863 Mbit/sec
2.4GHz Efficiency
For two.4Ghz, I solely did primary testing as most individuals now use this solely for IoT, and the throughput isn’t that vital.
Zyxel NWA130BE @ 40MHz: 292Mbit/secUbiquiti U7 Professional @ 40MHz: 342Mbit/sec
Value and Various Choices
The Zyxel NWA130BE is offered instantly from Zyxel for £200 and Amazon for Round £180.
The flagship WBE660S 4×4 MIMO with 10GbE connectivity prices £700, and the inexpensive NWA220AX-6E WiFi 6E AP is offered from some retailers for round £200.
As compared, the Ubiquiti Unifi U7 Professional WiFi 7 is $180/£171, and the TP-Hyperlink EAP773 is £265.
Total
The Zyxel NWA130BE is a wonderful addition to the Zyxel vary of entry factors. It’s a comparatively inexpensive approach for prosumers and U7 SMBs to roll out WiFi 7 connectivity for true multi-gig wi-fi connectivity.
In case you are not invested in any specific ecosystem, I’m inclined to say that the Unifi U7 Professional is a greater possibility for prosumers. It’s barely cheaper, performs a bit higher, and permits you to roll out the UniFi Community Software without charge in your current {hardware} or use an RPI or a comparatively inexpensive UniFi Cloud Key Gen2.
The NWA130BE’s twin 2.5GbE ports present helpful flexibility for house customers, which may very well be sufficient to justify the NWA130BE over the U7 Professional.
Zyxel Nebula might be higher for companies that need the superior options obtainable with the varied subscriptions, resembling superior reporting, community topologies, and extra superior safety and community controls.
Total, the Zyxel NWA130BE is a wonderful entry level and is able to attaining spectacular multi-gig WiFi throughput due to the developments of WiFi 7.
Zyxel NWA130BE WiFi 7 Entry Level Overview
Abstract
The Zyxel NWA130BE is a wonderful entry level that may obtain spectacular multi-gig WiFi throughput due to the developments of WiFi 7. Its comparatively low value level makes it appropriate for each prosumers and SMBs, and the intensive options with Nebula additionally make it appropriate for bigger companies.
Execs
Reasonably priced WiFi 7 AP with twin 2.5G Ethernet portsFree cloud administration by way of Nebula CloudExtensive enterprise options that may be enabled by means of subscription
Cons
Larger value and barely decrease efficiency vs Unifi U7 Professional
I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Keen about all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cellular, wearables, and sensible house gadgets.
As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits enable me to deliver a singular perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the most recent tech traits.
In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Methods Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the expertise curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has constantly ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many high expertise blogs within the UK. With my dedication to expertise and drive to share my insights, I intention to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.
