Cloud Gateway Max: A Solid Non-Wi-Fi Router | Dong Knows Tech (2024)

If you want a UnFi controller but find the pricing of the UDM-SE or the newly released UDM Pro Max a bit too stiff or feel taken aback by these “large scale” controllers’ sizeable physical size, there’s some good news.

Today, Ubiquiti announced the availability of its latest “compact” controller, the Cloud Gateway Max (UCG-Max), whose cost starts at only $199 (no storage included). Smaller and less expensive, yet still powerful, the new Cloud Gateway Max seems better suited for the home and many small businesses.

Cloud Gateway Max: A powerful multi-Gigabit non-Wi-Fi router

In most cases, you can think of the new gateway as a non-Wi-Fi router—it has no built-in Wi-Fi access point. And that’s a good thing since all you need is to add an AP to it to create a Wi-Fi network. For this reason, the gateway itself never gets “obsolete”. And if you get one of the available UniFi APs, you can manage them directly from the gateway itself since it’s essentially a UniFi controller.

The Cloud Gateway Max comes with five 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig ports and, per Ubuiqiti, features multi-WAN with load-balancing. Unfortunately, none of these ports feature PoE. Chances are you’ll need to get a PoE switch, such as the Enterprise 8 PoE, if you want to host UniFi access points, such as the U6 Enterprise or any other PoE devices.

Ubiquiti says the new gateway has 1.5 Gbps of routing bandwidth with security turned on and a handy 0.96″ LCM status display on the front. Most noticeably, it comes with an NVMe slot to host an internal SSD and its local storage. You can buy it with storage already included or get an SSD of your own.

The table below shows the differences between the new Cloud Gateway Max and the UDM-SE.

Cloud Gateway Max vs. UDM-SE: Hardware specfications

FullName	Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Max	Ubiquiti UniFiDreamMachine Special Edition
Model	UCG-Max	UDM-SE
Built-in Wi-Fi Bandwidth	None
Processing Power	Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 at 1.5 GHz, 3GB RAM	Quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 at 1.7 GHz, 4GB RAM
Storage	512 GB NVMe SSD (upgradable)	16GB eMMC, Integrated 128GB SSD, 1x 3.5-inch SATA storage bay
Dimensions	5.6 x 5 x 1.2 in (141.8 x 127.6 x 30 mm)	17.4 x 1.7 x 11.2 in (442.4 x 43.7 x 285.6 mm)
Weight	1.1 lb (519 g)	10.9 lb (4.95 kg)
Gigabit Ports	None	8x LAN
PoE Ports	None	6x 802.3af (PoE) 2x 802.3at (PoE+)
Multi-Gig Ports	1x 4x 2.5GBASE-T WAN 4x 2.5GBASE-T LAN (WAN)	1x 2.5GBASE-WAN 1x 10Gbps SFP+ WAN 1x 10Gbps SFP+ LAN
PowerMethod	USB-C	Universal AC input, USP-RPS DC input
SupportedVoltage	100-240V AC
Power Consumption (per 24 hours)	Not yet tested	≈ 430 Wh (measured with no PoE device connected)
Internal Fan	Yes
Notable Design	Standard rackmount, 1.3″ touchscreen
Default UniFi Application	Network	Network: Up to 75 access points/extenders
Optional UniFi Applications	No more than 30 devices among all apps	Protect: Up to twenty HD cams, twelve 2K cams, or seven 4K cam Talk: Up to 100 IP phones Access: Up to 50 doorbells UID: A premium enterprise feature for easy access across multiple platforms and locations. Connect: The support for new types of products, including UniFi screens and EV chargers.
Simultaneous Applications Support	All (limited by available resources)
Release Date	July 16, 2024	January 22, 2022
US Cost (at launch)	$199 (no storage) $279.00 (512GB) $349.00 (1TB) $479.00 (2TB)	$499

A familiar controller

As shown in the table above, the new Cloud Gateway Max is slated to be a UniFi controller. Like the case of the UDM-SE or UDM Pro Max, the Cloud Gateway Max can host the full UniFi application suite for device management in Ubiquiti’s “Enterprise of Things” approach. Specifically, you can use the gateway to hand multiple hardware categories (called “applications”) for different services, including:

• Network: All things related to the function of a network, including network settings/features, Wi-Fi, mesh, and the support for extender/access points, etc. This is the default application of any UniFi controller where it works as the “router”.
• Protect: The support for IP cameras as a surveillance system. The controller can work as the NVR, where the new UDM Pro Max’s drive bay will play a significant role.
• Talk: The support for Voice over IP phones.
• Access: A “platform designed for Access Control Systems”—per Ubiquiti. Examples are door-related security IoT devices, such as doorbells, keyfobs, locks, etc.
• UID (UniFi Identity): A premium feature for enterprises that allows single sign-on across multiple hardware platforms and applications.
• Connect (currently in Early Access): A fully integrated “Enterprise of Things” hardware and software solution that works with UID to simplify IT management for organizations.

However, the new compact gateway is less than the other two controllers mentioned above in the sense that, no matter how many apps you want to use simultaneously, it can handle a maximum of up to only 30 UniFi devices (such as Wi-Fi access points or IP phones) and around 300 clients (users).

In a way, the Cloud Gateway Max is a more souped version of the UDR. The point is, if you have used any UniFi controller before, you’ll find yourself at home with it.

It’s worth noting that Ubiquiti has an existing Gateway Max of a similar physical size that can run only the Network app—it is more of an upgraded version of the original single-purpose UDM.

The takeaway

While not earth-shattering, the new Cloud Gateway Max is a welcome option among existing UniFi controllers. It has the just-right hardware specs for a small advanced network without going overboard. In fact, if 2.5Gbps is the bandwidth you need, it’s even better than the more expensive UDM-SE or UDM Pro Max, which comes with only a single Multi-Gig port (and two 10Gbps SFP+ ports.)

Looking for an advanced non-Wi-Fi router? Consider the new Ubiquiti Cloud Gateway Max today!

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