Skip to content
sudopicks
esc

TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor vs Zyxel NWA50AX PRO

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against Wi-Fi access points at a similar price

The Zyxel NWA50AX PRO scores 6.8/10 overall, ahead of the TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor at 5.9/10.

The Zyxel NWA50AX PRO leads on wi-Fi standard and bands, uplink and power and software and security.

They score the same on management and value.

TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor

TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor

5.9/10verdict: good, not the best

The TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor is for people who need Wi-Fi coverage outside a building from a single PoE cable. It suits homelabbers and small sites that already run, or plan to run, an Omada controller. It is a Wi-Fi 5 dual-band unit, so it fits buyers who want range and manageability rather than the newest standard.

Typically about £65 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Zyxel NWA50AX PRO

Zyxel NWA50AX PRO

6.8/10verdict: buy

The Zyxel NWA50AX PRO is a ceiling-mounted Wi-Fi 6 access point with a 2.5GbE uplink and PoE+ power. It suits buyers who have a PoE+ switch and want VLAN support with a choice of cloud or standalone management. It is less suited to anyone who needs 6 GHz or wants a quick setup with no configuration.

Typically about £67.31 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightTP-Link EAP225-OutdoorZyxel NWA50AX PRO
Wi-Fi standard and bands25%5/106/10
Uplink and power20%6/108/10
Management20%7/107/10
Software and security20%5/106/10
Value15%7/107/10
Overall5.9/106.8/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link EAP225-OutdoorZyxel NWA50AX PRO
Wi-Fi standardWi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/g/b/a (Wi-Fi 6)
Bands and speed classDual-band 2.4 GHz (up to 300 Mbps) and 5 GHz (up to 867 Mbps)Dual-band 2.4 GHz (575 Mbps) and 5 GHz (2400 Mbps), marketed as AX3000; 20/40/80/160 MHz channel widths
Uplink port1x Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) port1 x 1/2.5 Gbps LAN port (2.5GbE)
Power (PoE class)802.3af PoE; passive 24V PoE option (dry indoor use); maximum consumption 10.5 W; 802.3at support conflicting in manufacturer rowsIEEE 802.3at (PoE+), 20.5 W rated PoE draw
ManagementOmada app; Omada Cloud-Based, Hardware or Software Controller; web-based management; management VLAN; SSH, SNMP v1/v2c/v3, syslogNebula cloud-managed or standalone; web GUI and CLI
MountingPole or wall mounting, kits includedMounting plate and mounting screws included; 140 × 140 × 37.5 mm, 352 g

Strengths and weaknesses

TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor

  • + Owners report strong outdoor range, over 40 m with line of sight
  • + Standard 802.3af PoE with a 10.5 W maximum draw
  • + Omada controller options plus web management and management VLAN
  • − Wi-Fi 5 only, with no newer standard
  • − Single gigabit port; 802.3at support is conflicting in manufacturer rows
  • − Setup has a learning curve for some owners

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need Wi-Fi 6 or newer radios
  • Anyone who needs an uplink faster than gigabit
  • Buyers who need confirmed WPA3 and guest isolation, or a rating for harsh climates
Read the full TP-Link EAP225-Outdoor review ›

Zyxel NWA50AX PRO

  • + 2.5GbE uplink with standard 802.3at PoE+
  • + Nebula cloud or standalone web GUI and CLI
  • + VLAN support and SNMP management
  • − No 6 GHz band; dual-band Wi-Fi 6 only
  • − Owners report Nebula-to-standalone setup is difficult
  • − Only one RJ-45 port

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need a 6 GHz band for current devices
  • Buyers who want a no-configuration setup with an easy standalone switch-over
  • Buyers without a PoE+ switch who do not want to power it another way
Read the full Zyxel NWA50AX PRO review ›

More comparisons

Compare all Wi-Fi access points · Best Wi-Fi access points