The UniFi Dream Router is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router and the successor to the Wi-Fi 5 UniFi Dream Machine. It's manufactured by Ubiquiti, a company that primarily offers networking products geared towards small business and enterprise users. As such, this router offers a suite of features that are well-suited for users with more advanced networking needs, like PoE (Power over Ethernet) networking ports and 128GB of built-in storage for video surveillance footage. In addition to UniFi's 'Network' application, it supports the 'Protect,' 'Talk,' and 'Access' applications which host security camera footage, VOIP phones, and IoT security systems, respectively. It also sports robust mesh networking connectivity with support for up to 15 additional Ubiquiti access points.
Note: We've removed the Wi-Fi coverage tests as we explore better ways to convey these results to users.
Our Verdict
The Ubiquiti Dream Router is good if you live in an apartment or a single-story home. It delivers very good speeds that are suitable for multiple users streaming 4k video simultaneously or downloading large files quickly. That said, its range is only decent, so it might leave you with slow areas if you live in a bigger home. With all that in mind, this router supports many advanced features like PoE ports, built-in storage, and support for UniFi's powerful networking applications, allowing for a level of customization closer to an enterprise networking solution than a consumer router. However, its network ports are only rated for 1Gbps, so you can't leverage a multi-gigabit connection if you have one.
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Very good top speeds.
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Decent range.
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DFS support.
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Robust feature set and support for UniFi applications.
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Wi-Fi 6 won't take full advantage of new Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices.
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1Gbps network ports can't leverage a multi-gigabit connection.
The UniFi Dream Router is satisfactory if you live in a multi-level house. While its range performance is only decent, it delivers very good speeds that are suitable for high-bandwidth activities like multiple users streaming 4k content and downloading large files quickly. Apart from its wireless performance, this router supports UniFi's application suite that hosts a variety of advanced features like a platform for monitoring and storing security camera footage, support for VoIP phone systems, IoT security systems, and highly configurable and scalable Wi-Fi and network switching. It even has two PoE ports you can use to power compatible devices like additional access points, security cameras, and network switches. All of these additional features bring it closer to an enterprise-grade networking solution than a consumer router. Unfortunately, its network ports are only rated for 1Gbps, so it can't leverage a multi-gigabit connection.
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Very good top speeds.
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Decent range.
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Robust feature set and support for UniFi applications.
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Wi-Fi 6 won't take full advantage of new Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices.
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1Gbps network ports can't leverage a multi-gigabit connection.
The Ubiquiti Dream Router has very good top speeds that are suitable for an internet connection up to ~700Mbps. It also supports Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS), giving you access to less congested channels for better speeds in noisy wireless environments.
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Very good top speeds.
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DFS support.
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Wi-Fi 6 won't take full advantage of new Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices.
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1Gbps network ports can't leverage a multi-gigabit connection.
The Ubiquiti Dream Router has decent range performance as a standalone unit, but you might experience slower speeds in the farther reaches of your home depending on its size, layout, and construction materials. That said, it runs UniFi's Network application, which supports a variety of ways to connect additional access points, including devices using PoE and compatible APs with a wireless backhaul.
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Decent range.
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Wi-Fi 6 won't take full advantage of new Wi-Fi 6E or 7 devices.
- Updated Jan 23, 2025: Review published.
- Updated Jan 16, 2025: Early access published.
- Updated Jan 14, 2025: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Dec 16, 2024: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Dec 03, 2024: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
- Updated Nov 29, 2024: The product has won our suggestion poll, so we'll buy and test it soon.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The UniFi Dream Router that we bought and tested doesn't have any variants. It replaces the Wi-Fi 5 UniFi Dream Machine. See our unit's label.
Compared To Other Routers
The UniFi Dream Router is a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router supporting 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It offers a robust feature set that bridges the gap between enterprise-level functionality and home use. Key features include two 802.3af PoE (Power over Ethernet) ports, a built-in 128GB SSD for storing security camera footage or VoIP call recordings, a MicroSD card slot, and a front-facing status screen. It serves as the hub for an ecosystem of compatible devices powered by UniFi's integrated suite of four apps: Network, Protect, Talk, and Access.
The Network app, accessible via browser or mobile device, provides comprehensive network control. You can add up to 15 access points to create a mesh network, manage traffic, set up content filtering, and more. It also offers optional automatic threat detection, though enabling this may reduce wireless speeds. The other apps—Protect, Talk, and Access—support surveillance cameras, VoIP phones, and IoT home security devices like doorbell cameras, respectively.
While its advanced suite of features sets it apart from routers in its price range, less expensive models like the TP-Link Archer AX55 and the ASUS RT-AX3000 offer better speed and range performance. Overall, this router is ideal for advanced home users or small businesses that can benefit from its extensive features and configuration flexibility. If you don't take advantage of its features, one of the cheaper options above will serve you better.
See our recommendations for the best long-range Wi-Fi routers, the best Wi-Fi routers for large homes, and the best Wi-Fi 6 routers.
Test Results
Ports 3 and 4 support 802.3af PoE (Power over Ethernet), meaning you can power compatible external devices like security cameras or network switches directly from the router.
While this router doesn't have any USB ports, there's a microSD card slot on the back that supports cards with at least 128GB in capacity. The router also has a built-in 128GB SSD to store security camera footage and phone call recordings.
We tested this router in standalone mode, so the mesh satellite position line on this graph isn't applicable.