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 device best suits your specific requirements.
The MR series access points are renowned for their advanced capabilities, including Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 support, MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and robust security features. Additionally, ruggedized models are available for outdoor and industrial applications, ensuring reliable performance in harsh conditions. Cisco Meraki offers a comprehensive portfolio of cloud-managed IT solutions across wireless, switching, and security domains, empowering organizations to build secure, scalable, and flexible networks.
Meraki access points are cloud-managed, offering robust security, intelligent RF optimization, and simplified scalability. With support for Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and now Wi-Fi 7, Meraki is future-ready for next-generation network experiences. The MX, MR, and MS series each serve distinct roles in the networking ecosystem—MX for security and SD-WAN, MR for wireless, and MS for switching—while the MG series acts as a cellular gateway device providing WAN failover or primary connectivity to ensure network redundancy. Selecting the right device for each use case is essential for optimal performance and reliability.
Meraki solutions benefit customers by improving service quality, security, and business outcomes. The people behind Meraki’s innovation and support are dedicated to delivering reliable, cloud-managed infrastructure for organizations of all sizes.
Below is a comparison guide for the main features and functionalities of different models within the Cisco Meraki MR series.
Cisco Meraki is a global leader in cloud-managed networking, empowering organizations to build secure, scalable, and adaptable network architectures. With a comprehensive portfolio that includes wireless access points, security appliances, switches, cameras, and IoT sensors, Meraki delivers a unified platform for managing every aspect of your network. The intuitive Meraki dashboard provides centralized visibility and control, enabling IT teams to monitor traffic, enforce security policies, and optimize performance across all sites and devices—from a single, cloud-based interface. Whether you’re deploying Wi-Fi in a single office or managing a distributed enterprise WAN, Cisco Meraki simplifies network management while delivering enterprise-grade security and reliability.
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) brings next-level wireless performance with up to 320 MHz channels, ultra-high throughput, and support for 4K-QAM. These models are ideal for organizations planning ahead for high-bandwidth applications, dense environments, and IoT innovation. They are also compatible with both Meraki cloud and Cisco Catalyst Center management platforms.
|
Model |
CW9176I / CW9176D1 |
CW9178I |
9172H |
9172I |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Usage |
High-performance Wi-Fi 7 AP |
Ultra-high-performance Wi-Fi 7 AP |
Hospitality / Multi-dwelling units |
Branch office, small/home office, SMB, retail |
|
Radio Specification |
Tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz) |
Quad-radio (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz) |
Tri-radio: 2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz (all 2×2:2) |
Tri-radio (2×2:2) or dual-radio (5 GHz 4×4) |
|
Spatial streams |
12 SS (4×4:4 across 3 radios) |
16 SS (4×4:4 across 4 radios) |
6 SS |
6 SS |
|
WIDS/WIPS |
Tri-band |
Tri-band |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Bluetooth© Low Energy/ IoT Radio |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Aggregate throughput |
18 Gbps |
24 Gbps |
9 Gbps |
Up to 9 Gbps |
|
Interface |
1x 10G multigigabit |
2x 10G multigigabit |
1x 2.5G uplink, 3x 1G LAN, 1x passthrough |
1x 2.5G uplink, 1x RJ45 console |
|
USB 2.0 |
✓ (9W) |
✓ (9W) |
No |
✓ |
|
Management |
Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud; managed on premises with Cisco Catalyst Center |
Same as CW9176I |
On premises or cloud |
On premises or cloud |
|
Power |
802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant |
802.3at/bt PoE+ and UPoE compliant |
30W for full operation; 45W for PoE out |
30W for full operation; 45W for USB port |
|
Performance Features |
OFDMA, MU-MIMO, TWT, BSS coloring, UWB, 4K-QAM, up to 320 MHz channels, packet aggregation |
Same as CW9176I plus higher throughput |
Tri-radio, BLE IoT, scan radio, legacy bracket support |
Tri/dual-radio, BLE + 802.15.4, scan radio, USB port |
|
Dimensions |
9.54 in × 9.54 in × 2.08 in (242.3 mm x 242.25 mm x 52.8 mm) |
9.90 in × 9.90 in × 2.00 in (251.5 mm x 251.5 mm x 50.8 mm) |
5.00 in × 7.01 in × 0.98 in (127 mm x 178 mm x 25 mm) |
7.99 in × 7.99 in × 1.81 in (203 mm x 203 mm x 46 mm) |
|
Weight |
3.44 lb (1.56 kg) (9176I), 3.37 lb (1.53 kg) (9176D1) |
4.12 lb (1.87 kg) |
1.31 lb (0.60 kg) |
1.94 lb (0.88 kg) |
|
Feature |
CW9162 |
CW9164 |
CW9166 |
CW9166D1 |
MR57 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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 |
Ultra-high- performance Wi-Fi 6E AP |
|
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) |
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 |
4x 4:4 MU-MIMO |
|
WIDS/WIPS |
Tri-band |
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 |
7.78 Gbps |
|
Interface |
One multigigabit 2.5G |
One multigigabit 2.5G |
One multigigabit 5G |
One multigigabit 5G |
One multigigabit 5G |
|
Power consumption |
4.5 W |
4.5 W |
4.5 W |
4.5 W |
9.0 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 |
Cloud-managed with Meraki cloud |
|
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 |
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) |
260 mm x 260 mm x 56 mm, including desk-mount feet or mount plate |
|
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) |
3.75 lb (1.7 kg) |
|
Model |
MR28 |
MR36 |
MR36H |
MR44 |
MR46 / MR46E |
MR56 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Usage |
Entry-level Wi-Fi 6 AP for basic, medium-density deployments |
Entry-level high-performance AP |
In-room hotel/dorm AP |
Medium-density AP with security scanning |
High-density/focused coverage AP with ext. antenna option (MR46E) |
Ultra-high-density/performance deployments |
|
Radio specification |
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11ax, 1x Bluetooth® radio |
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11ax, 1x WIDS/WIPS, 1x Bluetooth® radio |
802.11b/g/n + 802.11a/n/ac, WIDS/WIPS, Bluetooth® |
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11ax, WIDS/WIPS, Bluetooth® |
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11ax, WIDS/WIPS, Bluetooth® |
2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 802.11ax, WIDS/WIPS, Bluetooth® |
|
Max Data Rate |
1.5 Gbps |
1.7 Gbps |
1.3 Gbps |
3.0 Gbps |
3.5 Gbps |
5.9 Gbps |
|
Spatial Streams |
2×2 MU-MIMO |
2×2 MU-MIMO |
2×2 MU-MIMO |
2×2 + 4×4 MU-MIMO |
4×4 MU-MIMO |
8×8 MU-MIMO |
|
Interface |
1x 1G Ethernet |
1x 1G Ethernet |
1x 1G passthrough + 1x 1G PoE |
2x 1G LAN, 1x 2.5G multigig |
1x 2.5G multigig (MR46), Removable antenna (MR46E) |
1x 5G multigig |
|
Power |
802.3af PoE or AC adapter |
802.3af PoE or DC adapter |
802.3at with 802.3af PoE out |
802.3af/at PoE or DC |
802.3at PoE or DC |
802.3at PoE or DC |
|
Performance Features |
MU-MIMO + OFDMA, U-APSD, WMM, Hardware-accelerated encryption, band steering |
MU-MIMO + OFDMA, 160 MHz channels, WMM, HW encryption, band steering |
MU-MIMO + OFDMA, WMM, HW encryption, band steering |
UL/DL MU-MIMO + OFDMA, 160 MHz, WMM, HW encryption, band steering encryption |
160 MHz, UL/DL MU-MIMO, WMM, HW encryption, band steering |
UL/DL MU-MIMO + OFDMA, 160 MHz, WMM, HW encryption, band steering |
|
Dimensions |
7.95″ x 4.88″ x 1.02″ (20.2 x 12.4 x 2.58 cm) |
9.84″ x 4.72″ x 1.42″ (25 x 12 x 3.6 cm) |
6.1″ x 4.3″ x 0.9″ (15.5 x 11.0 x 2.3 cm) |
12.05″ x 5.06″ x 1.74″ (30.6 x 12.84 x 4.43 cm) |
12.05″ x 5.06″ x 1.74″ (MR46) / 9.84″ x 4.72″ x 1.42″ (MR46E) |
12.83″ x 5.54″ x 1.76″ (32.6 x 14.08 x 4.47 cm) |
|
Weight |
9.6 oz (272 g) |
17.35 oz (0.5 kg) |
17.35 oz (0.5 kg) |
26.07 oz (0.74 kg) |
28.21 oz (0.8 kg) (MR46) 29.98 oz (0.85 kg) (MR46E) |
35.27 oz (1.0 kg) |
|
Feature |
MR76 |
MR78 |
MR86 |
CW9163E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Usage |
Rugged/outdoor high-performance Wi-Fi 6 wireless for outdoor campuses, industrial, point-to-point links, and outdoor location services. |
Rugged/outdoor entry-level Wi-Fi 6 wireless for medium density, basic outdoor deployments. |
Rugged/outdoor highest-performance Wi-Fi 6 with multigigabit for tough RF and high-density environments |
Outdoor high-performance on-prem or cloud- managed Wi-Fi 6E access point for small and medium density deployments. |
|
Radio specification |
1x 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1x WIDS/WIPS 1x Bluetooth® radio 1.5 Gbit/sec max rate 2×2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA with beamforming |
1x 802.11b/g/n/ax 1x 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1x Bluetooth radio 1.5 Gbits/sec max rate 2×2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA with beamforming |
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 |
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 2×2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA with beamforming |
|
Interface |
1× Gigabit Ethernet port 4x External N-type connectors (antennas sold separately) |
1× Gigabit Ethernet port |
1x 2.5 Gbps multigigabit Ethernet port 4x External N-type connectors (antennas sold separately) |
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 |
|
Power |
802.3af PoE |
802.3af PoE |
802.3af PoE |
802.3af POE and 802.3at UPOE or DC power adapter |
|
Physical design |
Rugged industrial design Water and dust sealed (IP67 rated) Vibration and shock tested |
Rugged industrial design Water and dust sealed (IP67 rated) Vibration and shock tested |
Rugged industrial design Water and dust sealed (IP67 rated) Vibration and shock tested |
Weatherized outdoor design Water and dust sealed (IP67 rated) Vibration and shock tested |
|
Performance Features |
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 |
Internal antenna Priority voice, power save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering Bluetooth Low Energy radio for beacon and scanning |
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 |
Scanning radio dedicated to security and RF management Built-in GPS Deploy on-premises or in the cloud Bluetooth Low Energy radio for beacon and scanning |
|
Dimensions |
11.81 in x 6.02 in x 2.16 in (30.0 cm x 15.3 cm x 5.5 cm) |
9.65 in x 4.53 in x 1.18 inch (24.5 cm x 11.5 cm x 3.0 cm) |
11.81 in x 6.02 in x 2.16 in (30.0 cm x 15.3 cm x 5.5 cm) |
9.64 x 9.64 x 2.5 in. (24.5 cm x 24.5 cm x 6.35 cm) |
|
Weight |
47.27 oz (1.34 kg) |
15.87 oz (0.45 kg) |
52.91 oz (1.5 kg) |
52.8 oz (1.50 kg) |
Choosing Cisco Meraki for your wireless and network infrastructure brings a host of benefits designed to meet the demands of modern organizations. The cloud-managed Meraki dashboard streamlines network operations, allowing for rapid deployment, configuration, and troubleshooting from anywhere, at any time. Built-in security and SD-WAN features protect your assets and users, with advanced firewall throughput, automated threat detection, and seamless integration with other Cisco security appliances. Meraki’s adaptable solutions support a wide range of use cases, from high-density Wi-Fi environments to remote branch connectivity, all while providing real-time analytics and proactive alerts. With support for the latest Wi-Fi standards, PoE capabilities, and zero-touch provisioning, Cisco Meraki ensures your network is always up-to-date, secure, and ready to scale as your business grows.
Cisco Meraki MR Series access points are trusted by organizations across industries to deliver reliable, high-performance wireless connectivity. Enterprises with multiple locations leverage Meraki’s cloud-managed stack to unify network management and enforce consistent security policies across all sites. In education, Meraki enables secure, high-capacity Wi-Fi for classrooms, campuses, and remote learning. Healthcare providers rely on Meraki’s robust security and compliance features to protect sensitive data and support critical applications. Retailers use Meraki to power guest Wi-Fi, enable location analytics, and secure point-of-sale devices. For organizations embracing hybrid or remote work, Meraki’s SD-WAN and wireless solutions ensure seamless, secure access to corporate resources from any location. No matter the use case, Cisco Meraki delivers the performance, security, and flexibility needed to support your evolving network requirements.
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 are the main Cisco Meraki models and their roles?
Cisco Meraki offers several key product lines:
MX series: Security and SD-WAN appliances for unified threat management and secure connectivity.
MR series: Wireless access points for reliable Wi-Fi coverage and business applications.
MS series: Cloud-managed switches for wired networking, access, and aggregation.
MG series: Cellular gateways providing WAN failover or primary cellular connectivity.
vMX: Virtual MX for extending Auto VPN and SD-WAN into public or private cloud environments.
What are the capabilities of the Cisco Meraki MX series?
The MX series includes:
Small Branch (MX67/MX68): Supports up to 50 users, 700 Mbps throughput.
Medium/Large Branch (MX85/MX95): Supports 250–750 users, 1–3 Gbps throughput. MX85 supports up to 250 users with 1 Gbps firewall throughput.
Campus/Data Center (MX250/MX450): Supports thousands of users, up to 6 Gbps throughput.
All MX models provide enterprise-grade security, layer 7 application controls, identity-based policies, and advanced threat prevention updated via the cloud. They consolidate firewall, routing, and VPN in a single device, and offer intelligent SD-WAN features like automatic failover and Auto VPN. Licensing is available in multiple editions and terms.
What are the features of the Cisco Meraki MS series?
MS series switches are cloud-managed, designed for dynamic business environments, and provide robust performance. They support Power over Ethernet (PoE), flexible stacking, and are available as access and aggregation switches for reliable wired connectivity.
What are the features of the Cisco Meraki MG series?
The MG series provides cellular gateways for WAN failover or primary connectivity, ensuring network redundancy and seamless connectivity for critical business operations.
What is the Cisco Meraki vMX?
The vMX is a virtual instance of the MX appliance, designed to extend Auto VPN and SD-WAN into public or private cloud environments such as AWS and Azure.
How does Meraki licensing work?
Meraki uses a simplified licensing model shared across all products. MR access points use interchangeable cloud licenses, while MS switches and MX security appliances require licenses tied to each device. MX series offers Enterprise, Advanced Security, and Secure SD-WAN Plus licenses, available for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10-year terms. Organizations can choose co-termination or per-device licensing. All licenses include 24/7 support, regular updates, and advanced hardware replacement at no extra cost.
What are some important items to consider when evaluating Meraki performance?
Key items include understanding your unique network environment and traffic profile, as well as the testing methodology. Performance can vary based on the number of sources (clients/servers) used during testing. Always validate with a proof of concept to ensure the selected device meets your needs.
What should I know about deployment or configuration changes?
Making a change, such as a configuration update or policy application, can impact network devices and may affect data or connectivity. It’s highly recommended to test changes in a proof of concept environment, as each network environment is unique.
How do customers benefit from Meraki support and user experience?
Customers receive 24/7 Cisco Meraki technical support, regular security and firmware updates, and advanced hardware replacement. Engaging with Meraki’s support team ensures a positive experience and helps optimize your deployment.
What should I do if I encounter a security verification page?
During certain processes, you may see a security verification page to confirm you are not a malicious bot. This is a standard security measure.
Who are the people behind Meraki’s support and innovation?
Meraki’s dedicated support and engineering teams are the people ensuring continuous innovation and reliable assistance for all customers.
WHAT MAKES ACCESS POINTS RUGGEDIZED?
WHICH MODELS ARE WAVE 2 COMPATIBLE?
WHICH MODELS OFFER 802.11AX WAVE 2?
WHICH MODELS ARE COMPATIBLE WITH WIFI 6?
WHAT IS MERAKI GO?
The Cisco Meraki MR Series stands out as a future-ready solution for organizations seeking secure, cloud-managed wireless networks that are easy to deploy, manage, and scale. With a broad range of models tailored for every environment from basic office setups to high-density campuses and rugged outdoor sites—Meraki empowers IT teams to deliver reliable connectivity and robust security across their entire network architecture. By leveraging the Meraki dashboard, organizations gain centralized control, real-time insights, and the agility to adapt to changing business needs. To explore how Cisco Meraki can transform your network, contact Stratus Information Systems for a free quote, tailored consultation, or hands-on demo. Empower your organization with the performance, security, and simplicity of Cisco Meraki.