Figuring out the right Ubiquiti gear for your small business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There are a lot of devices and options, and while that’s great for flexibility, it can get confusing fast if you’re not sure what each piece does or how it fits into your setup.

This guide will walk you through the essentials so you can build a strong and reliable UniFi network for your business, whether you’re setting up a small office or a multi-floor retail shop.

Lets Dive in !!

🚨 Before we dive in, please don't self-host your UniFi Controller if you take care of client networks. Sooner or later this will cause issues! It's fine for home users, but definitely not recommended for IT service businesses and MSPs. If you want secure, reliable and a scalable hosting solution check out UniHosted.

1. Why go with Ubiquiti and UniFi?
2. Start with a UniFi console
3. Don’t forget the access points
- A few common picks:
4. Pick the right switch
- What to look for:
5. Cameras and surveillance
6. VoIP phones and UniFi Talk
7. Door access and visitor management
8. Optional: UniFi Connect
9. Centralized management
10. Pro tip: don’t self-host unless you have to
11. Final Thoughts

1. Why go with Ubiquiti and UniFi?

Ubiquiti’s UniFi ecosystem gives you everything you need to build a solid network: switches, routers, access points, cameras, VoIP phones, and even smart access systems. What makes it special is the way it all integrates through a single software platform—UniFi OS. Once you’re set up, you can manage your entire network from one dashboard, whether you're on-site or checking in remotely.

Plus, it’s scalable. You can start small with just the basics and expand as your needs grow without rebuilding from scratch.

2. Start with a UniFi console

Everything in the UniFi world revolves around the UniFi console. This is the brain of your setup—the device that runs UniFi OS and all its applications like UniFi Network, Protect (for cameras), Talk (for phones), Access (for doors), and more.

For small businesses, you’ve got a few solid options:

a. Dream Router (UDR)

Great for small offices with fewer than 10 users.
Combines a router, switch, and Wi-Fi access point in one.
Runs UniFi OS and can handle the Network and Protect apps.
Easy to manage and budget-friendly.

b. Dream Machine (UDM) or Dream Machine SE

Good step up from the UDR if you need more power or PoE (Power over Ethernet).
Includes a more powerful router and a managed switch.
SE version has 8 PoE ports and a built-in hard drive bay for Protect video storage.

c. Cloud Key Gen2 Plus

Ideal if you already have a separate router and just want to manage UniFi gear.
Runs UniFi OS and supports all apps.
Built-in storage for UniFi Protect recordings.

If you're managing more than one location or want to avoid on-premise hardware, you might want to skip the console and go with UniFi's official cloud hosting—or let someone else host it for you (we’ll get to that later).

3. Don’t forget the access points

Getting good Wi-Fi across your workspace is crucial. UniFi has a lot of access points, and your choice depends mostly on your office layout, how many users you expect, and what kind of interference you might deal with.

A few common picks:

U6 Lite: Perfect for small spaces and standard business use. Covers about 1,200 sq ft per unit.
U6 Long-Range: Larger coverage area and better wall penetration. Useful if your office has thick walls or spans multiple rooms.
U6 Pro: Balanced between performance and price. Supports high-density areas with better throughput.

Most APs can be ceiling or wall mounted, and they all support PoE, so you won’t need separate power adapters—just connect them to a PoE switch.

4. Pick the right switch

If you’re using multiple access points or have a lot of wired devices (like desktop PCs, printers, or VoIP phones), you’ll need a switch. UniFi switches range from small 8-port models to big 48-port options.

What to look for:

PoE support: You’ll need this if you want to power access points, phones, or cameras without running separate power.
Managed switch: All UniFi switches are managed, meaning you can control VLANs, monitor traffic, and set port-specific settings.
Uplink speed: Choose switches with 1GbE or 10GbE uplinks if you want fast backhaul to your router.

For most small setups, an 8 or 16-port PoE switch will be more than enough.

5. Cameras and surveillance

If you want to add security cameras, UniFi Protect makes it simple to manage everything from the same interface. The setup is plug-and-play with a UniFi console, and the app gives you motion detection, smart alerts, and remote access.

Popular camera options:

G4 Bullet or G4 Dome for general indoor/outdoor use.
G4 Instant if you need something smaller and easier to place.
UNVR (UniFi Network Video Recorder) for larger setups needing more video storage.

If you’re using the Dream Machine SE or Cloud Key G2 Plus, you already have local storage built-in to get started.

6. VoIP phones and UniFi Talk

Need phones? UniFi Talk is a simple VoIP platform that gives you desk phones with mobile-style interfaces. Everything is cloud-managed, and setting up call routing or extensions takes a few clicks.

You’ll need:

A UniFi console that supports Talk.
UniFi Talk subscription.
UniFi phone hardware like the Touch Max or Touch Lite.

This is a good fit if you want a modern, flexible phone system that doesn’t cost a fortune.

7. Door access and visitor management

UniFi Access is Ubiquiti’s smart access control solution. It lets you manage door locks, create schedules, and track who’s coming and going. You’ll need:

An Access Hub (to wire up your doors).
Access Readers (for badges, PINs, or mobile app unlocks).
The UniFi Access app on your console.

Small businesses with a reception area or sensitive zones (like inventory rooms) might benefit from adding this layer.

8. Optional: UniFi Connect

This is for digital signage, lighting, and EV chargers. Probably overkill for most small setups, but if you're running a co-working space or a retail front, these might be worth checking out.

9. Centralized management

Once everything is up and running, you can manage your network through the UniFi web interface or the UniFi mobile app. You get real-time network stats, alerts, client tracking, and update control.

And if you’re using a UI Account, remote management is enabled by default, so you can make changes from anywhere—no VPNs needed.

10. Pro tip: don’t self-host unless you have to

You can install the UniFi Network application on your own hardware (a PC or Raspberry Pi, for example), but unless you’re comfortable with backups, firewalls, port forwarding, and keeping it online 24/7, it’s better to use a dedicated UniFi Console or a hosted solution.

11. Final Thoughts

Building a small business network with Ubiquiti is more straightforward than it seems. Start with a UniFi console, add the access points and switches you need, and go from there. Whether you need basic Wi-Fi or a full smart office with cameras and VoIP, UniFi has a product for the job.

If you’d rather skip the headaches of managing your own controller, we’ve got you covered at UniHosted. We host your UniFi Controller in the cloud, take care of the updates and backups, and let you focus on running your business. You can even test it out on our free plan with up to 5 devices.

If you would like me to personally walk you through UniHosted, you can schedule a call with me here.

Choosing the right Ubiquiti equipment for your small business

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