Outdoor access points are weatherproof Wi-Fi units for covering car parks, yards, campuses, farms and building exteriors. Our range includes business-grade models from HPE, Ubiquiti, Cisco, TP-Link and NETGEAR, plus Rohde & Schwarz. They suit installers and IT managers who need wireless coverage where an indoor access point would not survive.
How to choose an outdoor access point
Operating temperature. Check the rated temperature range against your local winters and summers, and against direct sun on a roof or pole. In our range, specifications run from -10 to 50 °C for milder sites up to -40 to 70 °C for harsh conditions. Also look for an IP rating for dust and water, as the temperature figure alone says nothing about rain.
Wi-Fi speed and bands. Maximum data rates are shared between all connected devices, so treat them as a guide to capacity rather than a speed per user. Some models in our range list 600 Mbit/s on 2.4 GHz and 1200 Mbit/s on 5 GHz. At least one model does not support 6 GHz, so confirm this if your clients use Wi-Fi 6E.
Antenna type. Internal antennas are simpler to install and suit general area coverage. Models with external antenna connectors let you fit sector or directional antennas to cover a long yard or a specific building face. Our range includes internal antennas and 2x2 antenna configurations, so check which fits your layout.
Ports and power. Most outdoor access points are powered over Ethernet (PoE), so you need a suitable switch or injector at the cable source. Some models list three RJ-45 ports, which is useful for connecting a camera or a second device at the same mounting point. A single uplink port is enough for plain coverage.
Management. A handful of access points can be set up individually, but larger sites are easier with a central controller or cloud dashboard. Choose a model from the same ecosystem as your existing network, to avoid running two management systems.
Outdoor access point brands we carry
- HPE: owner of Aruba Networking, a name well known for enterprise wireless networks that are managed centrally across many sites.
- Ubiquiti: known for the UniFi platform, which manages access points, switches and gateways from a single controller.
- Cisco: a long-standing enterprise networking vendor, with wireless products that fit into larger Cisco-based campus networks.
- TP-Link: offers the Omada platform, which gives small and medium businesses centralised control of access points and switches.
- NETGEAR: sells business networking products with remote management, aimed at small and medium offices.
Also in our range: Rohde & Schwarz.
Outdoor access points: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an indoor and an outdoor access point?
An outdoor access point is built to withstand rain, dust, sunlight and wider temperature swings, while an indoor model is not. Outdoor units usually come with mounting hardware for walls or poles. They are also often designed with PoE power and cable entry points that keep moisture out.
Can I use an indoor access point outside?
It is not advisable. Indoor access points are not sealed against water and dust, and heat or frost can shorten their life or cause faults. If you only need to cover a patio or covered area, an indoor unit in a weatherproof enclosure may work, but a purpose-built outdoor unit is safer.
How far does an outdoor access point reach?
Real-world range depends on the antenna, the transmit power, walls and obstacles, and the band in use. The 2.4 GHz band generally travels further and through obstacles better, while 5 GHz offers higher speeds over shorter distances. For long distances or a specific direction, choose a model with external antenna support.
Do I need PoE for an outdoor access point?
In most cases, yes. PoE sends power and data over a single network cable, which avoids the need for a mains socket at the mounting point. Check that your switch or injector supports the standard the access point requires.
