Cisco Meraki MR33 vs MR36
The Meraki MR33 (MR33-HW) is an end-of-life 802.11ac Wave 2 access point; the MR36 (MR36-HW) is its Wi-Fi 6 successor, raising throughput from 1.3 Gbps to 1.5 Gbps and adding OFDMA for better dense-client efficiency. For a refresh, deploy the MR36.
Cisco Meraki MR33 Cloud Managed Access Point
End-of-life entry 802.11ac Wave 2 2x2:2 access point with a dedicated scanning radio.
- 802.11ac Wave 2 (Wi-Fi 5), 2x2:2 dual-band
- Up to 1.3 Gbps aggregate with MU-MIMO
- Dedicated security and RF scanning radio plus BLE
- End of sale and end of support; no Wi-Fi 6
Cisco Meraki MR36 Wi-Fi 6 Indoor Access Point
Current entry Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2x2:2 access point and the direct successor to the MR33.
- 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), 2x2:2 dual-band
- Up to 1.5 Gbps aggregate with OFDMA and MU-MIMO
- Dedicated dual-band security and RF scanning radio
- Bluetooth/IoT radio; 802.3at PoE; supported lifecycle
Cisco Meraki MR33 Cloud Managed Access Point vs Cisco Meraki MR36 Wi-Fi 6 Indoor Access Point: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Meraki MR33 Cloud Managed Access Point | Cisco Meraki MR36 Wi-Fi 6 Indoor Access Point |
|---|---|---|
| Status | End of sale / end of support | Current shipping product |
| Wi-Fi standard | 802.11ac Wave 2 (Wi-Fi 5) | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) |
| Spatial streams | 2x2:2 | 2x2:2 |
| Max aggregate rate | Up to 1.3 Gbps | Up to 1.5 Gbps |
| OFDMA | No | Yes (uplink and downlink) |
| MU-MIMO | Yes (downlink) | Yes (uplink and downlink) |
| Dedicated security radio | Yes | Yes |
| IoT / Bluetooth radio | Yes (BLE) | Yes (BLE) |
| Uplink | 1 x GbE | 1 x GbE |
| Power | 802.3at PoE | 802.3at PoE |
Choose Cisco Meraki MR33 Cloud Managed Access Point if
Choose the MR33 only to match an existing all-MR33 site short-term. Since it is end of life and lacks Wi-Fi 6, it should not be specified for new coverage.
Choose Cisco Meraki MR36 Wi-Fi 6 Indoor Access Point if
Choose the MR36 for refreshing MR33 sites. It keeps the same 2x2 form factor and mounting while adding Wi-Fi 6 OFDMA and uplink MU-MIMO for better performance under load.
Verdict
Migrate from the MR33 to the MR36. As the direct Wi-Fi 6 successor, the MR36 keeps the familiar 2x2 footprint and dedicated scanning radio while adding OFDMA and a higher 1.5 Gbps ceiling, all on a supported lifecycle.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Meraki MR33 end of life?
Yes. The MR33-HW has passed end of sale and is on its end-of-support track, so plan a refresh. The Wi-Fi 6 MR36 is its direct replacement.
What is the difference between the MR33 and MR36?
Both are 2x2 dual-band access points with a dedicated scanning radio, but the MR33 is Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac Wave 2, 1.3 Gbps) while the MR36 is Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, 1.5 Gbps) with OFDMA.
Can the MR36 use the same mounts as the MR33?
The MR36 shares the compact 2x2 indoor form factor, and Meraki provides current mounting hardware; confirm bracket compatibility for your existing MR33 mounts when planning the swap.
Is upgrading from MR33 to MR36 worth it?
Yes for most sites. The MR36 adds Wi-Fi 6 efficiency that matters in dense client environments and restores a supported lifecycle, which the end-of-life MR33 no longer offers.
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.