Cisco Meraki MR32 vs MR36
The MR32 is an end-of-sale 802.11ac Wave 1 access point; the MR36 is its current Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) replacement. The MR36 keeps the same 2x2:2 dual-band form factor but adds OFDMA, uplink MU-MIMO, and a higher aggregate frame rate, so it is the natural successor for any MR32 site.
Cisco Meraki MR32
Legacy 802.11ac Wave 1 dual-band indoor cloud-managed access point.
- Dual-band 2x2:2 (802.11ac 5 GHz + 802.11n 2.4 GHz)
- Up to 1.2 Gbps aggregate
- Dedicated third scanning radio plus BLE
- End of sale and approaching end-of-support
Cisco Meraki MR36
Current Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) dual-band indoor cloud-managed access point.
- Dual concurrent 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz 2x2:2 Wi-Fi 6 radios
- Up to 1.5 Gbps dual-radio aggregate
- OFDMA and downlink/uplink MU-MIMO
- Dedicated scanning radio plus integrated BLE
Cisco Meraki MR32 vs Cisco Meraki MR36: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Meraki MR32 | Cisco Meraki MR36 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | 802.11ac Wave 1 (Wi-Fi 5) | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) |
| Radios | 802.11ac (5 GHz) + 802.11n (2.4 GHz), plus scanning radio | 802.11ax dual-band, plus dedicated scanning radio |
| Spatial streams | 2x2:2 | 2x2:2 |
| Max data rate (5 GHz) | Up to 867 Mbps | Up to 1,201 Mbps |
| Max data rate (2.4 GHz) | Up to 300 Mbps | Up to 286 Mbps |
| Aggregate frame rate | 1.2 Gbps | 1.5 Gbps |
| OFDMA | No | Yes |
| MU-MIMO | No | Downlink and uplink |
| Bluetooth | BLE | Integrated BLE radio |
| Uplink / power | 1x GbE, 802.3at PoE+ | 1x GbE, 802.3at PoE+ |
| Lifecycle status | End of sale | Current / shipping |
Choose Cisco Meraki MR32 if
Keep the MR32 only where it is already deployed and serving light client loads on a constrained budget. It remains a capable 802.11ac AP but receives no new features and is nearing end-of-support.
Choose Cisco Meraki MR36 if
Choose the MR36 for any new deployment or refresh. Wi-Fi 6 adds OFDMA and uplink MU-MIMO for better efficiency in dense client environments, plus a higher aggregate frame rate, on a like-for-like 2x2:2 platform Meraki actively supports.
Verdict
The MR36 is the recommended upgrade from the MR32. It is a near drop-in successor on the same 2x2:2 dual-band, single-GbE, PoE+ footprint, but moves from 802.11ac Wave 1 to Wi-Fi 6 with OFDMA and uplink MU-MIMO. With the MR32 end-of-sale and approaching end-of-support, plan a one-for-one swap on existing cabling.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Meraki MR32 still supported?
The MR32 is end-of-sale and is moving through Cisco Meraki's end-of-support lifecycle. It still functions on the dashboard but gets no new features and should be scheduled for replacement.
What is the replacement for the Meraki MR32?
The MR36 is the current mainstream indoor successor, upgrading the same 2x2:2 dual-band platform from 802.11ac Wave 1 to Wi-Fi 6 while keeping Meraki cloud management.
Is the MR36 a drop-in replacement for the MR32?
Largely yes. Both are 2x2:2 dual-band APs with a single GbE uplink on 802.3at PoE+, so a like-for-like swap on existing cabling is typical. You will need a new per-device license for the MR36.
Why upgrade from MR32 to MR36 if both are 2x2?
Wi-Fi 6 adds OFDMA and uplink MU-MIMO, which improve airtime efficiency and battery life with many concurrent clients, plus a higher aggregate frame rate, even at the same 2x2:2 stream count.
More Meraki MR 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.