Cisco Meraki MR74 vs MR76
The MR76 is the Wi-Fi 6 successor to the Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2 MR74 ruggedized outdoor AP. Both are 2x2:2 IP67-rated units, but the MR76 adds OFDMA, 1024-QAM, and a dedicated scanning/IoT radio, making it the better long-term outdoor choice.
Meraki MR74
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac Wave 2) 2x2:2 ruggedized IP67 outdoor cloud-managed access point.
- 802.11ac Wave 2, dual 2x2:2 MU-MIMO radios
- IP67-rated ruggedized outdoor enclosure
- Aggregate data rate up to 1.3 Gbps
- Now end-of-sale; replaced by Wi-Fi 6 MR76
Meraki MR76
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2x2:2 ruggedized IP67 outdoor cloud-managed access point.
- 802.11ax with OFDMA and 1024-QAM
- IP67-rated ruggedized outdoor enclosure
- Dedicated dual-band scanning/IoT radio with BLE
- Longer support lifecycle than the MR74
Meraki MR74 vs Meraki MR76: spec comparison
| Spec | Meraki MR74 | Meraki MR76 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | 802.11ac Wave 2 (Wi-Fi 5) | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) |
| Spatial streams | 2x2:2 (both bands) | 2x2:2 (both bands) |
| Max aggregate data rate | Up to 1.3 Gbps | Up to 1.5 Gbps |
| Modulation | 256-QAM | 1024-QAM |
| OFDMA / MU-MIMO | MU-MIMO (downlink) | OFDMA + MU-MIMO (up/downlink) |
| Enclosure rating | IP67 ruggedized outdoor | IP67 ruggedized outdoor |
| Antennas | Internal or external (antenna model) | Internal or external (antenna model) |
| Ethernet uplink | 1x GbE (1 Gbps) | 1x GbE (1 Gbps) |
| Third / scanning radio | Dedicated security radio | Dedicated dual-band scanning + BLE/IoT radio |
| Power | 802.3at PoE+ | 802.3at PoE+ |
| Warranty | Lifetime hardware warranty | Lifetime hardware warranty |
Choose Meraki MR74 if
Only choose the MR74 to match an existing outdoor MR74 fleet for spares, since it is end-of-sale.
Choose Meraki MR76 if
Choose the MR76 for any new outdoor deployment that needs Wi-Fi 6 efficiency, better performance in congested RF, and the longest support runway.
Verdict
Migrate to the MR76 for new outdoor installs. It brings Wi-Fi 6 OFDMA, 1024-QAM, and a dedicated scanning/IoT radio over the end-of-sale MR74 while keeping the same IP67 rugged form factor. Retain the MR74 only as a short-term spare.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Meraki MR74 discontinued?
Yes. The MR74 has reached end-of-sale, and Cisco Meraki recommends the Wi-Fi 6 MR76 as its outdoor replacement.
What changed between the MR74 and MR76?
The MR76 upgrades from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6, adding OFDMA, 1024-QAM, and a dedicated scanning/IoT radio while keeping the same 2x2:2 design and IP67 outdoor rating.
Do the MR74 and MR76 use the same antennas and mounts?
Both come in internal and external-antenna variants with similar outdoor mounting; confirm the specific antenna model when you order so existing antennas and mounts carry over.
Is the MR76 worth it over keeping MR74s?
For new or expanding outdoor coverage, yes. Wi-Fi 6 efficiency and a longer lifecycle outweigh staying on the end-of-sale MR74.
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.