Cisco Meraki CW9164 vs CW9166
Both are Catalyst Wireless 9166/9164 Wi-Fi 6E tri-band access points managed in the Meraki dashboard. The CW9166 uses 4x4:4 on all three bands with a 5G uplink, while the CW9164 mixes a 2x2:2 2.4 GHz radio with 4x4:4 on 5/6 GHz and a 2.5G uplink. Choose the CW9164 to save on cost and switch power, and the CW9166 for maximum capacity and a faster uplink.
Cisco Meraki CW9164
Catalyst Wireless 9164 Wi-Fi 6E tri-band access point with 4x4:4 on 5 and 6 GHz and a dedicated scanning radio.
- Wi-Fi 6E tri-band (2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz)
- 2x2:2 (2.4 GHz), 4x4:4 (5 GHz), 4x4:4 (6 GHz)
- 7.49 Gbps tri-radio aggregate frame rate
- 1x 2.5G mGig uplink; dedicated WIDS/WIPS scanning radio
Cisco Meraki CW9166
Catalyst Wireless 9166 Wi-Fi 6E tri-band access point with 4x4:4 on all three bands, a flex radio, and a 5G uplink.
- Wi-Fi 6E tri-band (2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz)
- 4x4:4 on all three bands
- 7.78 Gbps tri-radio aggregate frame rate
- 1x 5G mGig uplink; software-defined flex radio
Cisco Meraki CW9164 vs Cisco Meraki CW9166: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Meraki CW9164 | Cisco Meraki CW9166 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Bands | 2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz (tri-band) | 2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz (tri-band) |
| Spatial streams (2.4 GHz) | 2x2:2 | 4x4:4 |
| Spatial streams (5 GHz / 6 GHz) | 4x4:4 / 4x4:4 | 4x4:4 / 4x4:4 |
| Flex radio | No | Yes (5 GHz or 6 GHz) |
| Aggregate frame rate | 7.49 Gbps | 7.78 Gbps |
| Ethernet uplink | 1x 100M/1G/2.5G mGig (RJ45) | 1x 100M/1G/2.5G/5G mGig (RJ45) |
| PoE / power class | 802.3at PoE+ (25W); 802.3bt with USB (30.5W) | 802.3at PoE+ (25W); 802.3bt with USB (30.5W) |
| Dedicated security radio | Yes (tri-band scanning) | Yes (tri-band scanning) |
| Bluetooth / IoT radio | Yes (BLE) | Yes (BLE) |
| Management | Meraki dashboard (also Catalyst) | Meraki dashboard (also Catalyst) |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime with advance replacement | Lifetime with advance replacement |
Choose Cisco Meraki CW9164 if
Choose the CW9164 when you want full Wi-Fi 6E with 4x4:4 on the high bands but a 2.5G uplink and lower price point are sufficient. The lighter 2.4 GHz radio (2x2:2) is rarely a constraint since most capacity comes from 5 and 6 GHz.
Choose Cisco Meraki CW9166 if
Choose the CW9166 for the densest, highest-capacity sites where you want 4x4:4 on every band, the software-defined flex radio for a dual-5 GHz option, and a 5G multi-gig uplink so the AP is never the bottleneck.
Verdict
These are closely matched Wi-Fi 6E APs; the CW9166 is the higher-end choice with 4x4:4 across all bands, a flex radio, and a 5G uplink, making it ideal for high-density and high-throughput deployments. The CW9164 covers the same use cases for less when a 2.5G uplink and a 2x2:2 2.4 GHz radio are acceptable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Cisco CW9164 and CW9166?
The CW9166 runs 4x4:4 on all three bands, adds a software-defined flex radio, and has a 5G uplink (7.78 Gbps aggregate). The CW9164 uses 2x2:2 on 2.4 GHz with 4x4:4 on 5/6 GHz and a 2.5G uplink (7.49 Gbps aggregate).
Can the CW9164 and CW9166 be managed in the Meraki dashboard?
Yes. Both are Catalyst Wireless 916x APs that can be managed in the Meraki cloud dashboard (the -MR SKUs) or via Catalyst/Cisco DNA Center, giving you a migration path between management models.
Does the CW9166 need 802.3bt power?
Both APs run on 802.3at PoE+ at up to 25W. To enable the onboard USB port and full feature set you need 802.3bt (UPoE), which provides up to 30.5W. Plan PoE budget if you intend to use USB-attached IoT modules.
Are the CW9164 and CW9166 TAA-compliant?
Cisco offers TAA-compliant ordering for the Catalyst Wireless 916x family for US federal buyers. Confirm the specific TAA SKU with your authorized reseller before purchase.
More Wireless 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.