Aruba Network AP-505 vs. AP-515 vs. AP-535: Which Wi-Fi Access Point is Right for Your Network?

In today’s world we’re all connected, having a good Wi-Fi network is key for business and personal use. Whether you’re setting up a network for a small office, a large enterprise or a public space, the right access point can make all the difference to performance and user experience. Aruba has a range of access points, the AP-505, AP-515 and AP-535 each for different needs and environments. In this blog we’ll look at the features, benefits and use cases for each to help you decide which one is right for you.

Aruba AP-505: Small and Affordable

The Aruba AP-505 is a small and affordable access point for small to medium sized environments. It’s a great all-rounder, performance and price.

Features:

• Wi-Fi 6: The AP-505 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard for improved efficiency and capacity in high density environments.

• Dual Radio: Operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for flexibility and performance.

• MU-MIMO: Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) for multiple devices to connect at the same time for better user experience.

• Target Wake Time (TWT): Reduces power consumption by scheduling device wake times, good for battery powered devices.

Use Cases:

• Small Offices: For small office environments where budget and performance need to be balanced.

• Retail Stores: Sufficient coverage and capacity for medium sized retail spaces.

• Educational Institutions: For classrooms and smaller educational facilities.

Pros:

• Affordable price

• Easy to install and manage

• Wi-Fi 6

Cons:

• Limited scalability for larger networks

• Lower throughput than higher end models

Aruba AP-515: More Performance and Flexibility

The Aruba AP-515 is for environments that need more performance and flexibility. It has more features and more capacity for larger spaces and more complex networks.

Features:

• Higher Data Rates: Up to 2.4 Gbps for fast and reliable connectivity.

• Advanced Security: WPA3 and enhanced threat detection for secure networking.

• Intelligent RF: Automatically optimizes radio frequency settings for best performance.

• IoT: Supports Zigbee and Bluetooth 5 for IoT device integration.

Use Cases:

• Medium to Large Offices: For office spaces with multiple users and high data usage.

• Healthcare: Robust coverage and security for healthcare environments.

• Public Venues: For hotels and conference centers that need seamless connectivity.

Pros:

• Higher throughput and capacity

• Advanced security and RF management features

• Supports many IoT applications

Cons:

• More expensive than AP-505

• Slightly more complicated to set up and manage

Aruba AP-535: High Density Performance and Scalability

The Aruba AP-535 is the top of the line access point for high density environments where performance and scalability matter. It has the speed, capacity and coverage for the most demanding networks.

Features:

• Wi-Fi 6: Up to 5.95 Gbps for fast connectivity for all devices.

• Dual 5GHz Radios: Two 5GHz radios for more performance and network efficiency.

• IoT and Location Services: Advanced IoT and location based services.

• Dynamic Segmentation: Segments traffic for better security and performance.

Use Cases:

• Large Enterprises: For large corporate environments with high user density and data traffic.

• Stadiums and Arenas: For large venues with thousands of users.

• Campus: For universities and large educational campuses with multiple buildings and outdoor areas.

Pros:

• High density performance

• IoT and location services

• Future proof

Cons:

• Expensive

• More complicated to deploy and manage

Conclusion: Which Aruba Access Point is Right for You?

It all depends on your needs, environment and budget. Here’s a quick summary:

• AP-505 if you want an affordable, reliable solution for small to medium sized environments. Perfect for businesses that want Wi-Fi 6 without the big spend.

• AP-515 if you need more performance and flexibility for medium to large environments. Ideal for those that need advanced security and IoT integration.

• AP-535 if you need high density performance and scalability for large enterprises or venues. It’s for environments that demand speed and capacity.