Cisco Meraki MR45 vs Catalyst CW9166I
The Meraki MR45 is an end-of-life dual-band Wi-Fi 6 access point; its modern replacement is the Catalyst CW9166I, a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E AP that adds the 6 GHz band, a third 4x4 radio, and faster multigigabit uplink. For wireless refreshes, migrate to the CW9166I for the 6 GHz spectrum and roughly double the aggregate throughput on a still-supported platform.
Cisco Meraki MR45
End-of-life dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 4x4:4 access point with a dedicated scanning radio and internal antennas.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), dual-band 4x4:4
- Up to 3.5 Gbps aggregate (2402 Mbps 5 GHz + 1147 Mbps 2.4 GHz)
- Dedicated third scanning/security radio
- 2.5G multigigabit uplink, internal antennas
Cisco Catalyst CW9166I
Current tri-band Wi-Fi 6E access point with three 4x4 radios across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz and 5G multigigabit uplink.
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) tri-band including 6 GHz
- Three 4x4 radios, up to 12 spatial streams aggregate
- Up to 7.78 Gbps aggregate data rate
- 5G mGig uplink, Meraki dashboard or Catalyst management
Cisco Meraki MR45 vs Cisco Catalyst CW9166I: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Meraki MR45 | Cisco Catalyst CW9166I |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Bands | Dual-band (2.4 / 5 GHz) | Tri-band (2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz) |
| Radio architecture | 4x4:4 dual-radio + scanning radio | Three 4x4 radios |
| Spatial streams | 4 per band | Up to 12 aggregate |
| 5 GHz max rate | 2402 Mbps | Up to ~4.8 Gbps (5 GHz) |
| Max aggregate data rate | Up to 3.5 Gbps | Up to 7.78 Gbps |
| Uplink | 2.5G multigigabit | 5G multigigabit |
| Antennas | Internal | Internal |
| Management | Meraki dashboard | Meraki dashboard or Catalyst (IOS XE) |
| Lifecycle status | End of life | Current, actively sold |
Choose Cisco Meraki MR45 if
Retain the MR45 only where it is already deployed, Wi-Fi 6 capacity is adequate, and there is no near-term need for 6 GHz; new purchases should move to the CW9166I given the MR45's EOL status.
Choose Cisco Catalyst CW9166I if
Choose the CW9166I for high-density and modern client environments that benefit from the clean 6 GHz band, higher throughput, and 5G mGig uplink on a fully supported AP.
Verdict
Migrate from the MR45 to the CW9166I. The CW9166I adds the 6 GHz band, a third 4x4 radio, roughly double the aggregate throughput, and a 5G uplink, all on a platform that is still sold and supported. Keep MR45s in place only short-term where Wi-Fi 6 capacity still meets demand.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cisco Meraki MR45 end of life?
Yes, the MR45 has reached end of life. The Catalyst CW9166I is the current tri-band Wi-Fi 6E replacement and remains under active sale and support.
What is the difference between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E here?
The MR45 is dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 and 5 GHz). The CW9166I adds Wi-Fi 6E, which opens the 6 GHz band with wide, low-interference channels and a third radio for higher capacity.
How much faster is the CW9166I than the MR45?
The MR45 tops out around 3.5 Gbps aggregate; the CW9166I reaches up to 7.78 Gbps aggregate across its three radios, roughly doubling peak throughput and adding a faster 5G uplink.
Will the CW9166I work with my existing Meraki dashboard?
Yes. The CW9166I supports Meraki cloud management as well as Catalyst (IOS XE), so existing Meraki sites can adopt Wi-Fi 6E without changing management models.
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.