Cisco Meraki MR Series Comparison Guide

Easy-to-manage Cloud Wifi Solution

The Cisco Meraki MR Series is a comprehensive line of wireless access points designed to meet various networking needs, from small offices to large enterprises and outdoor environments. This guide provides a detailed comparison of the MR series models, highlighting their key features, specifications, and ideal use cases. Whether you need high-efficiency, high-density, general-purpose, or basic wireless solutions, this guide will help you understand which MR series model best suits your specific requirements.The MR series access points are renowned for their advanced capabilities, including Wi-Fi 6 support, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and robust security features. Additionally, ruggedized models are available for outdoor and industrial applications, ensuring reliable performance in harsh conditions. The guide also includes a section on End-of-Life (EOL) MR series products, listing models that are no longer supported to help you plan for future upgrades.Below is a comparison guide for the main features and functionalities of different models within the Cisco Meraki MR series.

Wi-Fi 6E Indoor Models

Feature	CW9162	CW9164	CW9166	CW9166D1
Usage	General purpose Wi-Fi 6E AP	High-performance Wi-Fi 6E AP	Ultra-high-performance Wi-Fi 6E AP	Ultra-high-performance Wi-Fi 6E AP with integrated directional antenna
Radio specification	Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz)	Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz)	Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz)	Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz)
Spatial streams	2x 2:2 MU-MIMO	2x 2:2 MU-MIMO (2.4 GHz), 4x 4:4 MU-MIMO (5 GHz & 6 GHz)	4x 4:4 MU-MIMO	4x 4:4 MU-MIMO
WIDS/WIPS	Tri-band	Tri-band	Tri-band	Tri-band
Bluetooth© Low Energy/ IoT Radio	✓	✓	✓	✓
Aggregate throughput	3.9 Gbps	7.49 Gbps	7.78 Gbps	7.78 Gbps
Interface	One multigigabit 2.5G	One multigigabit 2.5G	One multigigabit 5G	One multigigabit 5G
Power consumption	4.5 W	4.5 W	4.5 W	4.5 W
Management	Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud; managed on premises with Cisco Catalyst Center	Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud; managed on premises with Cisco Catalyst Center	Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud; managed on premises with Cisco Catalyst Center	Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud; managed on premises with Cisco Catalyst Center
Power supply	802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant or DC power adapter	802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant or DC power adapter	802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant or DC power adapter	802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant or DC power adapter
Dimensions	7.8 in x 7.8 in x 1.7 in (200mm x 200mm x 43mm)	9.5 in x 9.5 in x 2.2 in (241.3 mm x 241.3 mm x 56.9 mm)	9.5 in x 9.5 in x 2.2 in (241.3 mm x 241.3 mm x 56.9 mm)	9.5 in x 9.5 in x 2.28 in (241.3 mm x 241.3 mm x 57.9 mm)
Weight	2.05 lb (0.93 kg)	3.54 lb (1.60 kg)	3.54 lb (1.60 kg)	3.50 lb (1.59 kg)

Indoor Wi-Fi 6 Models

Feature	MR36	MR46	MR56
Usage	Next-generation entry-level high-performance WI-Fi 6 AP with security-scanning radio and Bluetooth® Low Energy included.	High-performance Wi-Fi 6 AP with security scanning radio and Bluetooth® Low Energy.	Ultra-high-performance Wi-Fi 6 AP for dense environments and mission-critical networking.
Radio specification	1x 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1x WIDS/WIPS 1x Bluetooth® radio 1.7 Gbit/sec max rate 2x 2:2 MU-MIMO with beamforming	1x 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1x WIDS/WIPS 1x Bluetooth® radio 3.5 Gbit/sec max rate 4x 4:4 MU-MIMO	1x 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1x WIDS/WIPS 1x Bluetooth® radio 5.0 Gbit/sec max rate 8x 8:8 MU-MIMO
Interface	1x Gigabit Ethernet port	1x Multigigabit Ethernet port (2.5G)	1x Multigigabit Ethernet port (5G)
Power	802.3af PoE or DC power adapter	802.3at PoE or DC power adapter	802.3bt PoE or DC power adapter
Performance Features	2x 2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption	4x 4:4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption	8x 8:8 MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption
Dimensions	9.84 in x 4.72 in x 1.42 in (25 cm x 12 cm x 3.6 cm)	9.84 in x 7.87 in x 1.77 in (25 cm x 20 cm x 4.5 cm)	11.81 in x 9.84 in x 1.96 in (30 cm x 25 cm x 5 cm)
Weight	17.35 oz (0.5 kg)	22.93 oz (0.65 kg)	31.74 oz (0.9 kg)

Outdoor Wi-Fi 6/6E Models

Feature	MR36	MR46	MR56
Usage	Next-generation entry-level high-performance WI-Fi 6 AP with security-scanning radio and Bluetooth® Low Energy included.	High-performance Wi-Fi 6 AP with security scanning radio and Bluetooth® Low Energy.	Ultra-high-performance Wi-Fi 6 AP for dense environments and mission-critical networking.
Radio specification	1x 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1x WIDS/WIPS 1x Bluetooth® radio 1.7 Gbit/sec max rate 2x 2:2 MU-MIMO with beamforming	1x 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1x WIDS/WIPS 1x Bluetooth® radio 3.5 Gbit/sec max rate 4x 4:4 MU-MIMO	1x 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1x WIDS/WIPS 1x Bluetooth® radio 5.0 Gbit/sec max rate 8x 8:8 MU-MIMO
Interface	1x Gigabit Ethernet port	1x Multigigabit Ethernet port (2.5G)	1x Multigigabit Ethernet port (5G)
Power	802.3af PoE or DC power adapter	802.3at PoE or DC power adapter	802.3bt PoE or DC power adapter
Physical design	Compact, lightweight	Mid-range, durable	High-end, robust design
Performance Features	2x 2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption	4x 4:4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption	8x 8:8 MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption
Dimensions	9.84 in x 4.72 in x 1.42 in (25 cm x 12 cm x 3.6 cm)	9.84 in x 7.87 in x 1.77 in (25 cm x 20 cm x 4.5 cm)	11.81 in x 9.84 in x 1.96 in (30 cm x 25 cm x 5 cm)
Weight	17.35 oz (0.5 kg)	22.93 oz (0.65 kg)	31.74 oz (0.9 kg)

DO I NEED HIGH-EFFICIENCY, HIGH-DENSITY, GENERAL PURPOSE, OR BASIC?

High-Efficiency: Ideal for environments requiring top performance, such as large enterprises. Consider models like the MR56 or MR86.
High-Density: Suitable for areas with many devices, like conference centers. Models like the MR46E or MR56 are recommended.
General Purpose: Works well for standard office environments. Models such as MR36 or MR44 fit this need.
Basic: Best for small offices or areas with minimal usage. The MR36(H) model is appropriate here.

WHAT MAKES ACCESS POINTS RUGGEDIZED?

Ruggedized access points, such as the MR76 and MR86, are designed to endure harsh conditions. They feature water and dust sealing (IP67 rating), vibration and shock resistance, and robust construction to handle outdoor and industrial settings.

WHICH MODELS ARE WAVE 2 COMPATIBLE?

The following models are compatible with 802.11ac Wave 2 technology: MR36, MR36H, MR44, MR46E, MR56, MR76, and MR86.

WHICH MODELS OFFER 802.11AX WAVE 2?

Models that support 802.11ax Wave 2 (Wi-Fi 6) include the MR36, MR36H, MR44, MR46E, MR56, MR76, and MR86.

WHICH MODELS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH WIFI 6?

Wi-Fi 6 compatible models include the MR36, MR36H, MR44, MR46E, MR56, MR76, and MR86.

WHAT IS MERAKI GO?

Meraki Go is a line of simple, intuitive networking devices designed for small businesses. It provides easy-to-manage Wi-Fi access points, security appliances, and switches that can be set up and controlled via a mobile app. Meraki Go is not directly related to the MR series but offers a simplified networking solution for small businesses.

Cisco Meraki MR Series Comparison Guide

Wi-Fi 6E Indoor Models

Indoor Wi-Fi 6 Models

Outdoor Wi-Fi 6/6E Models

DO I NEED HIGH-EFFICIENCY, HIGH-DENSITY, GENERAL PURPOSE, OR BASIC?

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