HPE Networking Instant On Access Point AP22 review

The AP22 is a Wi-Fi 6 access point from HPE's Instant On range. HPE describes it as its first Wi-Fi 6 access point. Older material calls it the Aruba Instant On AP22, so you may see both names when you shop.

It supports up to 75 max active devices. With that ceiling, it suits a home or small office better than a busy site with many clients.

The AP22 is dual-band, covering 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with 2x2 MIMO on each band. HPE quotes a combined 1774 Mb/s: 1200 Mb/s on 5 GHz and 574 Mb/s on 2.4 GHz.

The spec sheet lists 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

Owner reports praise the value and the 2.4 GHz performance. That is useful if your network includes older or low-power devices that sit on 2.4 GHz.

The AP22 has one Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 port with PoE-in. It takes 802.3af power (class 3). Maximum draw is 10.1 W over PoE, or 8.8 W on DC. An external 12V adapter is available as an option.

One point to watch is that owners say the basic SKU does not include a power adapter. If you have no PoE switch, check what comes with the specific bundle you buy before you order.

There is a single 1GbE uplink. For a 75-device ceiling and a 1774 Mb/s combined radio rate, that is a simple wired setup with one cable to run.

This is the main trade-off. The AP22 is cloud-managed through the Instant On web portal or the mobile app. There is no local controller. Owners also call out the lack of a local or offline controller option as a limitation.

The upside is setup. Reviewers found the app discovered the AP quickly and walked them through a wizard. An eBay buyer also said setup was easy. For someone who wants a working network without learning a controller, that is a clear plus.

The downside is control. Owners report limited Wi-Fi configuration options. If you like to tune radio settings or keep all management on your own hardware, the cloud-only approach and the restricted settings will frustrate you. Because management depends on the cloud portal and app, the AP22 fits people who value simplicity over control.

HPE gives the AP22 a two-year warranty with 24/7 phone and chat support. That backing is helpful for a small office without an IT department, where the person who set up the network may not be an expert.

Mounting is on a wall or ceiling, and a mount bracket is included. You do not need to buy a separate bracket to get it in place.

The AP22 makes sense if you already have, or plan to buy, a PoE switch and want an access point that is quick to deploy. Owners point to easy setup, good value and solid 2.4 GHz performance. The same owners point to the limited configuration options and the absence of a local controller as the costs.

It is less suited to homelabbers who want everything running on their own hardware, or to anyone who wants deep control over Wi-Fi settings. For a small site that wants Wi-Fi 6 with minimal fuss, its specifications and owner reports show a straightforward option.