Cisco Meraki MR84 vs MR86
The MR86 is the Wi-Fi 6 successor to the Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2 MR84 high-performance outdoor AP. Both are 4x4:4 IP67 ruggedized units, but the MR86 adds OFDMA, 1024-QAM, and a multigigabit uplink, making it the clear upgrade for demanding outdoor coverage.
Meraki MR84
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac Wave 2) 4x4:4 ruggedized IP67 outdoor cloud-managed access point.
- 802.11ac Wave 2, dual 4x4:4 MU-MIMO radios
- IP67-rated ruggedized outdoor enclosure
- Aggregate data rate up to 2.5 Gbps
- Now end-of-sale; replaced by Wi-Fi 6 MR86
Meraki MR86
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 4x4:4 ruggedized IP67 outdoor cloud-managed access point.
- 802.11ax with OFDMA and 1024-QAM
- IP67-rated ruggedized outdoor enclosure
- 2.5 GbE multigigabit uplink (mGig)
- Dedicated dual-band scanning/IoT radio with BLE
Meraki MR84 vs Meraki MR86: spec comparison
| Spec | Meraki MR84 | Meraki MR86 |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi standard | 802.11ac Wave 2 (Wi-Fi 5) | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) |
| Spatial streams | 4x4:4 (both bands) | 4x4:4 (both bands) |
| Max aggregate data rate | Up to 2.5 Gbps | Up to 3.5 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 | External (antenna model) | External (antenna model) |
| Ethernet uplink | 1x GbE (1 Gbps) | 1x 2.5 GbE multigigabit (mGig) |
| 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 MR84 if
Only choose the MR84 to match an existing outdoor MR84 fleet for spares, since it is end-of-sale.
Choose Meraki MR86 if
Choose the MR86 for any new high-performance outdoor deployment that needs Wi-Fi 6, multigigabit uplink, and the longest support runway.
Verdict
Migrate to the MR86 for new outdoor installs. It adds Wi-Fi 6 OFDMA, 1024-QAM, and a 2.5G mGig uplink over the end-of-sale MR84 while keeping the same rugged 4x4:4 outdoor design. Keep MR84s only as short-term spares.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Meraki MR84 end of life?
The MR84 has reached end-of-sale and is moving through end-of-life. The Wi-Fi 6 MR86 is its outdoor replacement.
What is the difference between the MR84 and MR86?
The MR86 moves from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6, adding OFDMA, 1024-QAM, a 2.5G multigigabit uplink, and a dedicated scanning/IoT radio while keeping the 4x4:4 IP67 outdoor design.
Does the MR86 require a multigigabit switch?
It runs on standard PoE+ cabling, but you need a multigigabit switch port to take advantage of the full 2.5G uplink.
Can MR84 antennas be reused on the MR86?
Both are external-antenna outdoor APs with similar connectors; verify the specific antenna model on your order so existing antennas and mounts carry over where compatible.
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.