Cisco Catalyst CW9162I vs CW9164I
Both are tri-band Wi-Fi 6E access points, but the CW9164I roughly doubles capacity with 4x4 radios on 5 and 6 GHz versus the CW9162I's all-2x2 design; the CW9162I is the compact entry model and the CW9164I is the higher-density mid-tier.
Catalyst CW9162I
Compact entry-level tri-band Wi-Fi 6E access point with 2x2 radios.
- Wi-Fi 6E tri-band: 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz all 2x2:2
- About 3.9 Gbps aggregate frame rate
- 2.5G mGig uplink (RJ45)
- Tri-band scanning radio plus BLE; Catalyst or Meraki management
Catalyst CW9164I
Mid-tier tri-band Wi-Fi 6E access point with 4x4 5/6 GHz radios.
- Wi-Fi 6E tri-band: 2.4 GHz 2x2, 5 GHz 4x4, 6 GHz 4x4
- 7.49 Gbps tri-radio aggregate frame rate
- 2.5G mGig uplink (RJ45)
- Tri-band scanning radio plus BLE; Catalyst or Meraki management
Catalyst CW9162I vs Catalyst CW9164I: spec comparison
| Spec | Catalyst CW9162I | Catalyst CW9164I |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 6E (tri-band) | Wi-Fi 6E (tri-band) |
| 2.4 GHz radio | 2x2:2 | 2x2:2 |
| 5 GHz radio | 2x2:2 | 4x4:4 |
| 6 GHz radio | 2x2:2 | 4x4:4 |
| Aggregate frame rate | ~3.9 Gbps | 7.49 Gbps |
| mGig uplink | 2.5G (RJ45) | 2.5G (RJ45) |
| Scanning radio | Tri-band WIDS/WIPS | Tri-band WIDS/WIPS |
| Bluetooth / IoT | BLE radio | BLE radio |
| PoE | 802.3at (PoE+), ~30W | 802.3at 25W / 802.3bt 30.5W |
Choose Catalyst CW9162I if
Choose the CW9162I for smaller rooms, branch offices and lower-density Wi-Fi 6E coverage where a compact 2x2 tri-band AP and 2.5G uplink are sufficient and budget is the priority.
Choose Catalyst CW9164I if
Choose the CW9164I for higher client counts and throughput, where 4x4 radios on the 5 and 6 GHz bands roughly double aggregate capacity over the CW9162I on the same 2.5G uplink.
Verdict
The CW9164I nearly doubles aggregate frame rate (7.49 vs ~3.9 Gbps) thanks to 4x4 5 GHz and 6 GHz radios, making it the better fit for busy areas. The CW9162I is the right value pick for smaller, lower-density spaces; both share the same 2.5G uplink and tri-band Wi-Fi 6E feature set.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the CW9162I and CW9164I?
The CW9164I uses 4x4 radios on the 5 and 6 GHz bands for about 7.49 Gbps aggregate, while the CW9162I uses 2x2 on all three bands for about 3.9 Gbps. Both share a 2.5G uplink and tri-band Wi-Fi 6E.
Do both APs support the 6 GHz band?
Yes. Both the CW9162I and CW9164I are tri-band Wi-Fi 6E access points with a 6 GHz radio, though the CW9164I's 6 GHz radio is 4x4 versus 2x2 on the CW9162I.
Can the CW9162I and CW9164I run in Meraki dashboard mode?
Yes. Both are Catalyst Wireless APs that operate in Catalyst (controller) mode or Meraki cloud-dashboard mode.
Is the CW9164I worth the upgrade over the CW9162I?
In medium-to-high-density areas, the CW9164I's 4x4 5/6 GHz radios provide roughly double the aggregate capacity, which is worth it. For small or low-density spaces, the CW9162I is a cost-effective choice.
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