REVIEW—I am excited because I have yet another network device from Engenius to test and review. By now, Gadgeteer readers already know that I am a big fan of EnGenius and their network products and that my home network resembles the infrastructure of an Enterprise network in many ways because of the various devices I have installed. Now, I am about to go deeper into the EnGenius world with this EnGenius ECW516L Cloud lite Access Point.
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $199
Where to buy: EnGenius website
What is it?
The EnGenius ECW516L Cloud lite Access Point is a sleekly designed Wi-Fi 7 tri-band 2x3x3 access point that supports up to 13.7 gigabit speeds using 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. With Wi-Fi 7 standards, the ECW516L supports 320 MHz channels, 2 MU-MIMO, 4096-QAM, Multi-Link Operation, and multi-RU puncturing. The ECW516L AP will provide up to 1,200 sq. ft. of Wi-Fi coverage and can support up to 200 connected wireless devices in small to medium businesses. The single 2.5 GbE PoE+ Ethernet port ensures gigabit performance.
What’s included?
- 1 x EnGenius ECW516L Cloud lite Access Point
- 2 x Ceiling Mount Base
- 1 x Mounting Hardware
- 1 x Product Card
Tech specs
Wi-Fi Standards and Performance:
Wi-Fi Technology: Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), backward compatible with 802.11b/g/n/ac/ax
Tri-Band Speeds:
6 GHz: Up to 8,700 Mbps (3×3 MU-MIMO, 20/40/80/160/320 MHz)
5 GHz: Up to 4,300 Mbps (3×3 MU-MIMO, 20/40/80/160 MHz)
2.4 GHz: Up to 700 Mbps (2×2 MU-MIMO, 20/40 MHz)
Total Throughput: Up to 13.7 Gbps
Features:
4096-QAM for higher data rates
Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for improved reliability
Multi-RU puncturing for efficient channel usage
Coverage Area: Up to 1,200 sq. ft.
Device Capacity: Supports up to 200 connected devices
Hardware and Connectivity:
Ethernet Port: Single 2.5 GbE PoE+ port (802.3at)
Power Options::
Powered over Ethernet (PoE+)
No AC adapter or PoE injector included
Design:
Dimensions: 8.07 x 8.07 x 1.3 inches (20.5 x 20.5 x 3.3 cm)
Weight: 1.16 lbs (524 g)
Mounting:
Ceiling-mount design with LED indicators
Includes mounting accessories and Kensington lock support
Wireless Security:
WPA3 Enterprise and WPA3 Personal
WEP/WPA/WPA2 compatibility
Authentication: IEEE 802.1X/RADIUS
Cloud Management:
Managed via EnGenius Cloud Lite platform
Mobile app support with EnGenius Cloud To-Go
SSID Support: Up to eight SSIDs across single or multiple bands
Environmental Specifications
Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
Operating Humidity: Up to 90% non-condensing
Design and features
- Wi-Fi 7 delivers stunning gigabit performance
- Provides Wi-Fi coverage for up to 1,200 sq. ft. and supports up to 200 connected devices
- Smooth streaming and video conferencing with unmatched speeds up to 13.7 Gbps
- Take advantage of Wi-Fi 7’s seamless connectivity for all your legacy devices
- Experience faster throughput and installation flexibility up to 100 meters away with the 2.5 GbE PoE+ Port
- Protect your Wi-Fi with the latest WPA3 enterprise and WPA3 for top-notch security
- Easily manage all your APs with EnGenius Cloud and a user-friendly mobile AP from anywhere
- Quick network setup and management with simple device registration and remote monitoring
- Sleek and modern ceiling-mount design with LED lights, seamlessly blending into any environment
- Simple mounting and Kensington lock to ensure a hassle-free and secure installation process
- This is best for Restaurants and Cafés, Boutique Stores, Bars, Repair Shops, Law Firms, dentists’ offices, and Urgent Care centers, among other establishments.
The EnGenius ECW516L Cloud lite Access Point sports the usual sleek look of the flat white plastic top with the LED indicator on the center of the bottom. The insert for the mounting bracket is on the back, and on one edge is the reset button, the 2.5G POE port, and the DC in port. There is a Kensington Security Slot on one edge.
Assembly, Installation, Setup
The EnGenius ECW516L Cloud lite Access Point is easy to set up. I registered and assigned it using the mobile app and then managed it on my network via the cloud dashboard.
The following are some screenshots from the app taken during the setup process:
As you can see below, the mobile app and my Netgear router acknowledged its successful connection.
Performance
Starting with the cost, the EnGenius ECW516L Cloud Managed Wi-Fi 7 Access Point is a cost-effective solution for upgrading any network, especially since it offers the latest Wi-Fi technology. It is a tri-band access point that supports the 802.11be standard, and according to the manufacturer, it can deliver impressive speeds of up to 700 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, 4,300 Mbps on 5 GHz, and 8,700 Mbps on 6 GHz bands. It provides a total throughput of up to 13.7 Gbps and can support connectivity for up to 200 devices. The built-in antenna provides a coverage area of 1,200 square feet.
I have become a huge fan of the EnGenius Cloud platform, which provides me with an easy-to-read dashboard of all my EnGenius devices, their performance, and the ability to customize, monitor, and troubleshoot. For me, the only slight drawback is the 2,5 GbE port compared to the 10 GbE port on my other access points. Since my network switches are also 10 GbE, this could be a potential bottleneck, but one that I can certainly live with since it still meets my bandwidth needs for wireless connectivity.
Overall, this EnGenius ECW516L Access Point is a cost-effective entry point into Wi-Fi 7 technology or an addition to any network based on the bandwidth requirements.
Here is a speed test that I performed once I completed the setup. I used my iPhone 16Max on wifi only.
Final thoughts
The EnGenius ECW516L Cloud lite Access Point is easy to install and set up, performs well, and provides fast access. It is just as sleek as the rest of my EnGenius devices and is another convenient and meaningful asset that contributes to my network’s overall performance.
What I like about EnGenius ECW516L Cloud lite Access Point
- The simple and sleek design
- The ease of installation
- The built-in POE conectivity
- The consistent connectivity and performance
What needs to be improved?
- I have no complaints so far
Price: $199
Where to buy: Engenius website
Source: EnGenius provided a free sample for this review. EnGenius did not have a final say on the review and did not preview it before it was published.
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