Cisco Aironet 1815i vs Catalyst 9105AX
The Catalyst 9105AX is the Wi-Fi 6 successor to the 802.11ac Wave 2 Aironet 1815i, keeping the same compact 2x2 form factor while adding OFDMA, WPA3, and management under Cisco DNA Center and Catalyst Center. For new and refresh deployments of small offices, the 9105AX is the current-generation choice.
Cisco Aironet 1815i
Compact 802.11ac Wave 2 access point for small offices and dense small-cell deployments.
- 802.11ac Wave 2, 2x2:2 MIMO with MU-MIMO
- Up to 867 Mbps on 5 GHz (~1 Gbps aggregate)
- Single GbE uplink, 802.3af PoE, internal antennas
- Mobility Express option; managed via AireOS
Cisco Catalyst 9105AX
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) entry access point for small and midsize sites with OFDMA and WPA3.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 2x2:2 MIMO with uplink and downlink MU-MIMO
- OFDMA, BSS Coloring, and Target Wake Time for IoT efficiency
- WPA3 and Enhanced Open security
- Managed by Catalyst Center / DNA Center or embedded controller
Cisco Aironet 1815i vs Cisco Catalyst 9105AX: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Aironet 1815i | Cisco Catalyst 9105AX |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | 802.11ac Wave 2 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| MIMO / spatial streams | 2x2:2 (2 SS) | 2x2:2 (2 SS) |
| Max 5 GHz data rate | 867 Mbps | 1.2 Gbps (1201 Mbps) |
| Max 2.4 GHz data rate | Up to 300 Mbps | Up to 574 Mbps |
| MU-MIMO | Downlink only | Uplink and downlink |
| OFDMA | No | Yes |
| Channel width (5 GHz) | 20/40/80 MHz | 20/40/80 MHz |
| Uplink | 1 x GbE | 1 x GbE (1000BASE-T) |
| PoE | 802.3af | 802.3af (full features on 802.3at) |
| Security | WPA2 | WPA3 / Enhanced Open |
| Management | AireOS / Mobility Express | IOS XE, Catalyst Center / DNA Center |
Choose Cisco Aironet 1815i if
Keep the 1815i only where it is already deployed and supported and the site has no Wi-Fi 6 client devices or WPA3 requirement yet.
Choose Cisco Catalyst 9105AX if
Choose the 9105AX for any new small-office build or refresh: it adds Wi-Fi 6 OFDMA efficiency, WPA3, and modern Catalyst Center management in the same compact footprint.
Verdict
Move to the Catalyst 9105AX. It is the current-generation replacement for the 1815i, roughly doubling per-band data rates and adding OFDMA, WPA3, and unified Catalyst Center management. For federal buyers it standardizes the wireless edge on a supported, TAA-compliant Wi-Fi 6 platform that is GPC-payable.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Catalyst 9105AX a replacement for the Aironet 1815i?
Yes. The 9105AX is Cisco's current 2x2 entry access point and the Wi-Fi 6 successor to the Wave 2 1815i, with the same compact size and a similar small-office target.
What is the main difference between the 1815i and 9105AX?
The 1815i is 802.11ac Wave 2 while the 9105AX is Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). The 9105AX adds OFDMA, WPA3, higher per-band rates, and management through Catalyst Center instead of AireOS.
Does the Catalyst 9105AX need a wireless controller?
It can run with a Catalyst 9800 controller or be managed by Catalyst Center / DNA Center, and supports an embedded wireless controller option for smaller deployments.
Is the 1815i still worth buying?
For new purchases, no. Buy the 9105AX instead so you get Wi-Fi 6, WPA3, and a longer support runway rather than investing in an older Wave 2 platform.
More Aironet comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.