UniFi U7 Pro XG vs Omada EAP773

Keep your existing ecosystem: choose the UniFi U7 Pro XG Black for UniFi, or EAP773 (US) V2 for Omada, after checking controller compatibility. For a new controller-managed homelab, our default pick is EAP773 US V2 + OC200 V3: dedicated management without a running PC and optional cloud access without license fees. For one basic AP, the EAP773 also offers direct web management.

The best access point purchase includes power, management and the ports left for everything else. For the broader shortlist, see best Wi-Fi 7 access points.

Quick picks

Compare specifications and all conditions

Already manage UniFi APs

Our pick

U7 Pro XG Black

What to keep or add

Keep a compatible UniFi host; black requires Network 9.1.120 or later.

Already manage Omada APs

Our pick

EAP773 (US) V2

What to keep or add

Keep the Omada controller; check its firmware compatibility before adoption.

First managed homelab

Our pick

EAP773 US V2 + OC200 V3

What to keep or add

Add the powered-switch kit below for centralized management without a PC.

One AP, basic local settings

Our pick

EAP773 US V2 + PoE12-30W

What to keep or add

Use web management and an existing router LAN port; injector data tops out at 2.5 GbE.

Full comparison table ↔

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Your situation	Our pick	What to keep or add
Already manage UniFi APs	U7 Pro XG Black	Keep a compatible UniFi host; black requires Network 9.1.120 or later.
Already manage Omada APs	EAP773 (US) V2	Keep the Omada controller; check its firmware compatibility before adoption.
First managed homelab	EAP773 US V2 + OC200 V3	Add the powered-switch kit below for centralized management without a PC.
One AP, basic local settings	EAP773 US V2 + PoE12-30W	Use web management and an existing router LAN port; injector data tops out at 2.5 GbE.

Your situation	Our pick	What to keep or add
Already manage UniFi APs	U7 Pro XG Black	Keep a compatible UniFi host; black requires Network 9.1.120 or later.
Already manage Omada APs	EAP773 (US) V2	Keep the Omada controller; check its firmware compatibility before adoption.
First managed homelab	EAP773 US V2 + OC200 V3	Add the powered-switch kit below for centralized management without a PC.
One AP, basic local settings	EAP773 US V2 + PoE12-30W	Use web management and an existing router LAN port; injector data tops out at 2.5 GbE.

Exact hardware comparison

Both are tri-band Wi-Fi 7 APs with 2×2 radios and 320 MHz operation on 6 GHz. Sources: Ubiquiti specifications and US EAP773 specifications.

TP-Link describes its radio figures as physical signal rates, not guaranteed throughput, and requires compatible clients for Wi-Fi 7 features. Do not choose a winner from a BE class or small differences in advertised rates.

Best for existing UniFi: U7 Pro XG Black

Buy the black U7-Pro-XG-B after confirming UniFi Network 9.1.120 or later; the white XG requires 9.0.114 or later. Keep the generation decision separate: a listing that drops “XG” is not the exact model selected here.

If your UniFi Cloud Gateway already runs Network, use it. For a third-party router, our appliance choice is CloudKey+ SSD, UCK-G2-SSD, which runs Network and connects by gigabit Ethernet. It supports PoE, lists 9.6 W maximum consumption, and includes a 1 TB SSD; optional USB-C power requires a Quick Charge 2.0/3.0 adapter.

UniFi Site Manager offers license-free remote management. Self-hosting is another license-free option, but check the current UniFi OS Server requirements before reusing a host. For an unattended installation, we favor a dedicated appliance.

See U7 Pro XG at Ubiquiti · See CloudKey+ SSD specifications

Best new managed homelab kit: EAP773 US V2 + OC200 V3

Select EAP773 (US) V2 / Omada 7 Pro X, then pair it with OC200 V3 for dedicated management. The current OC200 page lists two gigabit ports, 802.3af/at PoE or Micro-USB power, and optional cloud access without license fees. The V3 download page lists firmware 3.4.25, containing Controller 6.3.0.111, with Omada app 5.3.x or above.

The US V2 firmware 1.0.5 release notes recommend Controller 5.15; this is a recommendation for that release, not blanket compatibility with older controllers. Match the AP’s region and hardware revision when choosing firmware.

For a lone AP with basic settings, use the documented web interface without a controller. Cloud access and the product page’s marked portal/mesh features require a controller. Save the configuration before moving to centralized management.

See EAP773 at TP-Link · See OC200 at TP-Link

Buying guide: one-AP and four-AP baskets

Minimum one-AP basket: one EAP773 US V2, one Zyxel PoE12-30W, and Ethernet connections from router to injector data input and powered output to AP. The injector offers 30 W of 802.3at source power and a 2.5GbE data ceiling. UniFi can use the same power/data arrangement with a compatible UniFi host.

PoE+ allows 30 W at the source and 25.5 W at the device. The documented 22 W U7 and 25.4 W EAP773 US V2 fit that delivered-power limit. Confirm the injector’s regional mains package before ordering.

Managed kit with room to grow: the NETGEAR MS510TXUP has four powered copper ports reaching 10 GbE, four reaching 2.5 GbE, two separate SFP+ slots and a shared 295 W PoE budget. Manage it through its own web interface; Insight cloud management is optional.

The table is our wiring and allowance calculation, assuming an existing router on a lower-speed copper uplink and a controller powered from the switch. We reserve 30 W per powered device, including the controller; both example allowances fit 295 W. Check actual switch reservations and leave capacity for other PoE devices.

Plan three Ethernet connections for the one-AP basket: router–switch, controller–switch and switch–AP; the four-AP basket needs six. SFP+ slots remain available but require suitable link hardware. With four APs at 10 GbE, plan the NAS connection before filling every fast copper port. See multi-gig switches for alternatives; reuse existing hardware when its ports meet the plan.

1. 1

   Router to switch

   Connect an existing router LAN port to the switch uplink.

2. 2

   Switch to APs

   Use the powered 10GbE copper ports for this basket.

3. 3

   Switch to controller

   Connect the controller on a separate powered copper port.

VLANs, roaming and guest networks

VLANs: both platforms document assigning wireless networks to VLANs. Ubiquiti requires intervening switch ports to allow the chosen VLAN; configure the NETGEAR separately. Omada’s third-party-gateway guide places DHCP and routing on the external gateway. Verify guest isolation across the whole path before sharing the password.

Roaming: both selected APs list 802.11k/v/r. TP-Link says client support is also necessary. We favor one ecosystem across the roaming area for simpler administration; these specifications do not establish a performance winner.

Guests: U7 lists guest/client isolation and a voucher portal; EAP773 lists client isolation, VLANs and captive portal authentication. Omada needs its controller for new portal authentication, although authenticated sessions retain their state. For a household, start with a separate guest network; add a portal when its login workflow is useful.

• Yes: Both APs have documented PoE+ power and lower-speed Ethernet options.
• Yes: Both list VLAN and client-isolation features.
• Partly: Omada Fast Roaming during controller downtime depends on the documented controller version.
• No: A PoE12-30W does not preserve a 10GbE data path.

Check the listing before a holiday purchase

Confirm Black versus White XG, the EAP773 US V2 label, and OC200 V3 rather than relying on family names. The AP firmware notes cover v2.0/v2.6; match the actual label to the regional selector.

Check mounts and power separately: Ubiquiti lists a Lite Mount; TP-Link lists ceiling/wall/junction-box and T-bar kits, while its DC adapter is excluded. OC200’s package list includes the controller, guide and Ethernet cable; optional Micro-USB power needs a suitable supply. The switch baskets above supply controller power through Ethernet.

Budget the AP power source separately: Ubiquiti’s store marks its PoE adapter as excluded, and EAP773’s package list contains the AP, installation guide and mount.

Update policies: TP-Link’s business lifecycle policy ends regular maintenance for non-Campus APs and controllers 3 years after End of Sales, subject to legal requirements and discretionary extensions. Ubiquiti’s lifecycle policy retains critical fixes for Vintage products; Legacy products have stopped receiving updates. Check model-specific lifecycle notices when planning replacement dates.

How we choose

These picks compare official specifications, setup instructions and compatibility requirements, researched November 2, 2026. We have not performed physical or throughput testing. Recommendations favor an existing management system, then a complete power and port plan. We distinguish manufacturer rates from throughput and identify conflicting documentation. Read our research method.

Verdict

Existing UniFi: U7 Pro XG Black with your compatible Network host. Existing Omada: EAP773 US V2 with your compatible Omada controller. Starting a managed homelab: EAP773 US V2 + OC200 V3 is our default kit, using the switch basket when its port plan fits. For one basic AP, the EAP773 web interface and PoE12-30W offer a simpler start, accepting the 2.5GbE wired ceiling.