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

Usage

Radio specification

Spatial streams

WIDS/WIPS

Bluetooth© Low Energy/ IoT Radio

Aggregate

Frame rate

Interface

USB 2.0

Management

Power

Performance features

Dimensions

Weight

CW9162

General purpose Wi-FI 6E AP

Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz)

2x 2:2 MU-MIMO

Tri-band

✓

3.9 Gbps

One multigigabit 2.5G

4.5 W

Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud; managed on premises with Cisco Catalyst Center

-802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant or DC power adapter

UL/DL-OFDMA, TWT support, BSS coloring SU-MIMO, UL/DL MU-MIMO support Maximal ratio combining (MRC) and beamforming 20 and 40 MHz channels (802.11n); 20, 40, 80 MHz channels (802.11ac wave 2); 20, 40, 80, and 160 MHz channels (802.11ax) Up to 1024-QAM on all three: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands Packet aggregation

7.8 in x 7.8 in x 1.7 in (200mm x 200mm x 43mm)

2.05 lb (0.93 kg)

CW9164

High-performance Wi-Fi 6E AP

Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz)

2x 2:2 MU-MIMO (2.4 GHz) Four 4x4 MU-MIMO (5 GHz & 6 GHz)

Tri-band

✓

7.49 Gbps

One multigigabit 2.5G

4.5 W

Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud; managed on premises with Cisco Catalyst Center

-802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant or DC power adapter

9.5 in x 9.5 in x 2.2 in (241.3 mm x 241.3 mm x 56.9 mm)

3.54 lb (1.60 kg)

CW9166

Ultra-high-performance Wi-Fi 6E AP

Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz)

4x 4:4 MU-MIMO

Tri-band

✓

7.78 Gbps

One multigigabit 5G

4.5 W

Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud; managed on premises with Cisco Catalyst Center

-802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant or DC power adapter

9.5 in x 9.5 in x 2.2 in (241.3 mm x 241.3 mm x 56.9 mm)

3.54 lb (1.60 kg)

CW9166D1

Ultra-high-performance Wi-Fi 6E AP with integrated directional antenna

Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz)

4x 4:4 MU-MIMO

Tri-band

✓

7.78 Gbps

One multigigabit 5G

4.5 W

Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud; managed on premises with Cisco Catalyst Center

-802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant or DC power adapter

9.5 in x 9.5 in x 2.28 in (241.3 mm x 241.3 mm x 57.9 mm)

3.50 lb (1.59 kg)

MR57

Ultra-high-performance Wi-Fi 6E AP

Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz)

4x 4:4 MU-MIMO

Tri-band

✓

7.78 Gbps

One multigigabit 5G

9.0 W

Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud

-802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant or DC power adapter

260 mm x 260 mm x 56 mm, including desk-mount feet or mount plate

3.75 lb (1.7 kg)

Indoor Wi-Fi 6 Models

Usage

Radio specification

Interface

Power

Performance Features

Dimensions

Weight

MR36

Next-generation entry-level high-performance WI-Fi 6 AP with security-scanning radio and Bluetooth® Low Energy included.

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 Gigabit Ethernet port

802.3af PoE or DC power adapter

"2x 2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels1 Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption" Band steering

9.84 in x 4.72 in x 1.42 in (25 cm x 12 cm x 3.6 cm)

17.35 oz (0.5 kg)

MR36(H)

Next-generation in-room hotel or dormitory deployments that service IP-enabled devices using high-performance Wi-Fi 6 AP.

1x 802.11b/g/n 1x 802.11a/n/ac
1x WIDS/WIPS 1x Bluetooth® radio 1.3 Gbit/sec max rate 2x 2:2 MU-MIMO with beamforming

1x Gigabit Ethernet passthrough port
1x Gigabit Ethernet LAN port with 802.3af PoE
2x Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports

802.3at power w/ 802.3af PoE out/802.3af compatible w/o PoE out

2x 2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering

6.1 in x 4.3 in x 0.9 in (15.5 cm x 11.0 cm x 2.3 cm)

17.35 oz (0.5 kg)

MR44

Next-generation AP with Wi-Fi 6 technology. Ideal for medium-density locations with security scanning and Bluetooth® Low Energy included.

1x 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax
1x 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax
1x WIDS/WIPS
1x Bluetooth® radio
3 Gbit/sec max rate
"2x 2:2 + 4x 4:4 MU-MIMO with beamforming"

1x 2.5 Multigigabit Ethernet port

802.3af/at PoE or DC power adapter

"2x 2:2 + 4x 4:4 UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels 1 Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM)"
Hardware-accelerated encryption
Band steering

12.05 in x 5.06 in x 1.74 in (30.6 cm x 12.84 cm x 4.43 cm)

26.07 oz (0.74 kg)

MR46(E)

Next-generation AP with Wi-Fi 6 technology. Ideal for high-density locations or focused wireless coverage with security scanning, Bluetooth® Low Energy, and external antenna option.

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 with beamforming
1x 2.5 multigigabit Ethernet port
802.3at PoE or DC power adapter
"4x 4:4 UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels

1x 2.5 multigigabit Ethernet port

802.3at PoE or DC power adapter

"4x 4:4 UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM)
Hardware-accelerated encryption
Band steering
Removable antennas (MR46E)

12.05 in x 5.06 in x 1.74 in (30.6 cm x 12.84 cm x 4.43 cm)
(MR46) 9.84 in x 4.72 in x 1.42 in (30.72 cm x 15.62 cm x 3.49 cm) (MR46E)

28.21 oz (0.8 kg) (MR46)
29.98 oz (0.85 kg) (MR46E)

MR56

Next-generation AP with Wi-Fi 6 technology. Ideal for ultra-high-density and performance deployments. Security radio and Bluetooth® Low Energy included.

1x 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax
1x WIDS/WIPS
1x Bluetooth® radio
5.9 Gbit/sec max rate
8x 8:8 MU-MIMO with beamforming
1x 5 Gbps multigigabit Ethernet port
802.3at PoE or DC power adapter
"8x 8:8 UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFDMA 160 MHz channels

1x 5 Gbps multigigabit Ethernet port

802.3at PoE or DC power adapter

DL MU-MIMO and OFDMA
160 MHz channels
Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM)
Hardware-accelerated encryption
Band steering

12.83 in x 5.54 in x 1.76 in (32.6 cm x 14.08 cm x 4.47 cm)

35.27 oz (1 kg)

Outdoor Wi-Fi 6/6E Models

Usage

Radio specification

Interface

Power

Physical design

Performance features

Dimensions

Weight

MR76

Rugged/outdoor high-performance Wi-Fi 6 wireless for outdoor campuses, industrial, point-to-point links, and outdoor location services.

1x 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 802.11a/n/ac/ax, 1x WIDS/WIPS, 1x Bluetooth® radio ,1.5 Gbit/sec max rate, 2x2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA with beamforming

1× Gigabit Ethernet port, 4x External N-type connectors (antennas sold separately)

802.3af PoE

Rugged industrial design Water and dust sealed (IP67 rated), Vibration and shock tested

Third radio dedicated to security and RF management Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM), Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering, Bluetooth Low Energy radio for beacon and scanning

11.81 in x 6.02 in x 2.16 in (30.0 cm x 15.3 cm x 5.5 cm)

47.27 oz (1.34 kg)

MR78

Rugged/outdoor entry-level Wi-Fi 6 wireless for medium density, basic outdoor deployments.

1x 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1x Bluetooth radio, 1.5 Gbits/sec max rate, 2x2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA with beamforming

1× Gigabit Ethernet port

802.3af PoE

Rugged industrial design Water and dust sealed (IP67 rated), Vibration and shock tested

Internal antenna, Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption, Band steering, Bluetooth Low Energy radio for beacon and scanning

9.65 in x 4.53 in x 1.18 inch, (24.5 cm x 11.5 cm x 3.0 cm)

15.87 oz (0.45 kg)

MR86

Rugged/outdoor highest-performance Wi-Fi 6 with multigigabit for tough RF and high-density environments.

1x 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 802.11a/n/ac/ax, 1x WIDS/WIPS, 1x Bluetooth® radio, 3.0 Gbit/sec max rate, 4x 4:4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA with beamforming

1x 2.5 Gbps multigigabit Ethernet port, 4x External N-type connectors (antennas sold separately)

802.3at PoE

Rugged industrial design Water and dust sealed (IP67 rated), Vibration and shock tested

Third radio dedicated to security and RF management Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM), Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering, High-density support. Bluetooth Low Energy radio for beacon and scanning

11.81 in x 6.02 in x 2.16 in, (30.0 cm x 15.3 cm x 5.5 cm)

52.91 oz (1.5 kg)

CW9163E

Outdoor high-performance on-prem or cloud- managed Wi-Fi 6E access point for small and medium density deployments.

1× 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax, 1× 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax, 1× 6 GHz 802.11ax, 1× 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz tri-band Air Marshal WIDS/WIPS, spectrum analysis, & location analytics radio, 1× 2.4 GHz Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio, 3.9 Gbits/sec max rate, 2x2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA with beamforming

1x 2.5 Gbps multigibit Ethernet port, 4x External N-type connectors (Omni and directional antennas sold separately), RP-SMA Active GPS/GNSS Antenna Connector

802.3af POE and 802.3at UPOE, or DC power adapter

Weatherized outdoor design Water and dust sealed (IP67 rated), Vibration and shock tested

Scanning radio dedicated to security and RF managementm, Built-in GPS, Deploy on-premises or in the cloud Bluetooth Low Energy radio for beacon and scanning

9.64 x 9.64 x 2.5 in. (24.5 cm x 24.5 cm x 6.35 cm)

52.8 oz (1.50 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.

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