As you shop for a new router, you may be wondering whether to choose Ubiquti‘s Edgerouter line or their slick UniFi Dream Machine all-in-one. I‘ve installed countless networks over my 10 years as an IT consultant, so let me guide you through an in-depth look at both so you can make the most informed decision based on your home or office needs!
First off, what exactly are these two product lines? Edgerouters are robust routing appliances designed for large-scale and advanced configurations with tons of customizable controls. Dream Machines integrate the router plus several other networking functions into one convenient device aimed more for ease-of-use and simplicity rather than expansive features.
Now let‘s explore Ubiquiti‘s specific models and specs within both lineups…
Edgerouter Models and Specifications
The Edgerouter series contains a range of models to suit various types of networks and budgets. Available routers include:
Edgerouter X:
- 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- $59 entry price
- 1 million packets per second
Edgerouter 4:
- 6 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- 4 SFP ports
- $249 price
- 3 million packets per second
Edgerouter Infinity:
- 8 10G SFP+ ports
- 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- $1,849 price tag
- 2.2 million packets per second
And 6 other models with varying port configurations, throughput speeds, and capabilities to handle bandwidth-intensive enterprise usage.
What they all have in common though is advanced software defined networking controls, robust security protections, and extremely flexible customization options tuned for high performance networks.
Dream Machine Capabilities Overview
Alternatively, the Dream Machine line is all centered around ease-of-use as an all-in-one networking appliance for homes and small businesses. Models include:
Standard Dream Machine:
- Integrated router, 4 port switch, access point controller, firewall and more
- WiFi 6 access point bandwidth up to 3.5 Gbps
- $299 MSRP
Dream Machine Special Edition:
- Same functionality but with higher throughput
- Additional 2.5GbE and PoE ports
- $499 price tag
Dream Machine Pro:
- Rackmountable
- 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports, plus 10G SFP+ uplink
- Supports protective video camera integrations
- $379 MSRP
Rather than super customized controls, Dream Machines utilize pre-configured "set and forget" firmware so you don‘t have to worry about all the complex configuration aspects. The all-in-one units aim for simplicity right out of the box for most home environments.
Comparing Key Specifications Head-to-Head
To visualize the hardware differences at a glance, take a look at this handy comparison chart:
| Specification | Edgerouter | Dream Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Use Case | Advanced Large Networks | Simple All-In-One |
| Port Configuration | Flexible models with 2-8 ports | Fixed 2-8 ports per model |
| Throughput Range | 1 million – 3.4+ Gbps | Up to 3.5 Gbps |
| Packet Processing | 1 million – 2.2 million | Not disclosed |
Analyzing the Network Capacity Differences
As you can see, Edgerouters cater to large or complex deployments that need to route huge amounts of data traffic. That flexibility shows in both the available ports, which can scale up for expansion units, and also the blazing multi-gigabit throughput speeds.
Dream Machines still pack a punch performance-wise but route fewer total packets more suited to supporting maybe 100-150 wired and WiFi connected devices within a home or small office. Their simpler designs favor get-up-and-running quickly capabilities rather than infinitely tunable custom controls.
So in considering scale, the possibilities are much broader with Edgerouter while Dream Machine nails reliable performance for typical household usage.
Cost Comparison of Edgerouter vs Dream Machine Routers
Of course price plays an important role when equiping your home or business with the best networking router. Here‘s a breakdown of what to expect budget-wise:
Entry-Level Model Prices
- Edgerouter X: $59
- Standard Dream Machine: $299
As you can see, you can get started with an Edgerouter for much cheaper since that only includes core routing functionality.
Flagship Model Prices
- Edgerouter Infinity: $1,849
- Dream Machine Pro: $379
At the top end, capabilities improve for both but Edgerouters still represent a premium investment to get ultra high-end specifications.
Other Options: Mid-range Edgerouters (~$150) or Special Edition Dream Machine ($499)
Across the board Edgerouters deliver very competitive bandwidth capabilities per dollar spent. The Dream Machine "convenience tax" buys you more beginner-friendly operation.
Ease of Use Comparison
Speaking of convenience, a major benefit emphasized by Dream Machine is simplified management through their UniFi OS software built into each model.
Rather than juggling command line configurations, you can control wireless settings, quotas, parental controls and more right from an intuitive web portal or mobile app.
Now Edgerouters by no means are unusable for networking novices. But they do expect you to understand core network administration concepts before unleashing their more granular configuration options. The open-source EdgeOS software caters more to technically-savvy operators.
So when weighing easy of management, the Dream Machine‘s beginner-friendly firmware absolutely streamlines onboarding vs the steeper learning curve awaiting eager but inexperienced Edgerouter owners.
Ideal Use Case Scenarios
Given the preceding comparisons, let‘s explore recommendations tailored to your specific home or office environment requirements:
Good Fit for Edgerouter Routers
- Medium or large-sized houses with 100+ wired and wireless devices
- Environments needing 10 gigabit throughput speeds
- Workplaces managing mission critical enterprise data services
- Anyone comfortable learning Linux-based command line interfaces
- Limited budgets below $300
Where Dream Machine Routers Excel
- Supporting typical household with 10-25 connected devices
- Users wanting turnkey set-up accessible through smartphone apps
- Environments focused more on ease-of-use over expansive tunability
- Commercial sites like boutique retail stores
- Anyone willing to spend more for integrated solution
As you can see, there are great scenarios for both router product lines depending on your technical skills and scale demands.
Bottom Line Recommendations
After reviewing the Edgerouter and Dream Machine portfolios based on my decade working in enterprise IT, the choice ultimately depends on your deployment size and skill level managing intricate network-wide controls.
For advanced home labs or offices managing 100+ device environments, I recommend the Edgerouter series based on the very affordable pricing and nearly unlimitted ability to customize data traffic routing.
However the lower barrier of entry and simpler operation of the Dream Machines really appeals if you just want to get whole-home or small scale business WiFi up and running without tons of configuration. In that case, a Dream Machine can be easily controlled from intuitive apps without much network engineer knowledge required.
There you have it! Let‘s chat in the comments if this overview gave you the insight needed to finally feel confident choosing your next Ubiquti router purchase. I‘m excited to hear what setup you decide on once you factor your unique bandwidth needs and technical prowess. Good luck and happy connectivity my friend!
