Ubiquiti AirWire Wi-Fi 7 USB-C Client Adapter
Wi-Fi 7, 5 and 6 GHz5 GbE over USB 3.2 Gen 218 W maximum consumption117 × 117 × 42.5 mm
The Ubiquiti AirWire (SKU U-AirWire) connects a USB-C host to a separate Wi-Fi network as a Wi-Fi 7 client adapter, not as a router or access point. It supports 5 and 6 GHz Wi-Fi, STR MLO and a 5 GbE network interface over USB 3.2 Gen 2. A compatible Wi-Fi network and host are required; UniFi Network 10.2 or later is stated for setup.
Best For: For users who need to connect a USB-C host to a separate 5 or 6 GHz Wi-Fi network through a dedicated client adapter, and can meet its host, network and USB-PD requirements.
Before you order: This is a client adapter, not a router or access point. It needs a compatible host and separate Wi-Fi network, with UniFi Network 10.2 or later stated. The physical connection is USB-C, not RJ45; AUX USB-C supplies power only. A suitable USB-PD source may be needed, and the external power supply is not included. Only 5 and 6 GHz radios are listed. Maximum radio rates are not guaranteed delivered speeds.
What's in the Box
- One Ubiquiti AirWire
- One USB-C to USB-C cable
What It Means in Practice
- Connect the main USB-C port to the host for network data and power. Single-cable operation requires a 15 W USB-PD host, or 20 W for maximum performance; other hosts need a separate USB-PD source rated at least 15 W, with 20 W recommended.
- The AUX USB-C port is an optional power input only; it is not a second data port, hub, charging output or PoE input. There is no physical RJ45 socket.
- A separate compatible Wi-Fi access point/network and host are required. UniFi Network version 10.2 or later is stated; the supplied information does not establish universal operating-system or access-point interoperability.
- The 5 GHz maximum is 4.3 Gbps at BW240 and the 6 GHz maximum is 5.8 Gbps at BW320. These are separate PHY maxima, not summed throughput or guaranteed internet speeds.
What Will Not Work
- Not a router or access point; a separate compatible Wi-Fi network and host are required.
- No physical RJ45 Ethernet socket. The 5 GbE interface is over USB 3.2 Gen 2; AUX USB-C is power-only.
- Only 5 GHz and 6 GHz radios are listed; no 2.4 GHz radio is listed.
- UniFi Network version 10.2 or later is stated for software requirements; universal OS or access-point compatibility is not established.
- Single-cable host operation requires 15 W USB-PD host power, or 20 W for maximum performance. Other hosts require a separate USB-PD source of at least 15 W; 20 W is recommended. External power supply is not included.
- Maximum consumption is 18 W. The 5 GHz and 6 GHz maximum PHY rates are not guaranteed delivered speeds.
Key Features
Wi-Fi 7 with STR MLO
Supports simultaneous multi-link operation across its listed 5 and 6 GHz radios; actual delivered speeds depend on the network and conditions.
5 GbE over USB 3.2 Gen 2
The network interface is carried through the main USB-C connection; this device does not have an RJ45 socket.
Adjustable antenna and status display
Raise or rotate the antenna toward the access point; the 0.96-inch display provides device status.
Technical Specifications
| Manufacturer | Ubiquiti |
| Model | AirWire |
| Manufacturer SKU | U-AirWire |
| Wireless standard | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); also supports 802.11ax, 802.11ac and 802.11n |
| Wi-Fi bands | 5 GHz and 6 GHz; no 2.4 GHz radio listed |
| Maximum data rate | 6 GHz: 5.8 Gbps at BW320 | 5 GHz: 4.3 Gbps at BW240; PHY maxima, not guaranteed delivered speeds |
| Wi-Fi features | STR MLO; wireless meshing; real-time spectral analysis; Auto-Link stated |
| Spatial streams and MIMO | 4 streams total | 6 GHz: 2×2 DL/UL MU-MIMO | 5 GHz: 2×2 DL/UL MU-MIMO |
| Supported data rates | 802.11be: 7.3 Mbps–5.8 Gbps, MCS0–13, NSS1/2, EHT20/40/80/160/320 | 802.11ax: 7.3 Mbps–2.4 Gbps, MCS0–11, NSS1/2, HE20/40/80/160 | 802.11ac: 6.5 Mbps–1.7 Gbps, MCS0–9, NSS1/2, VHT20/40/80/160 | 802.11n: 6.5–300 Mbps, MCS0–15, HT20/40 |
| Channel bandwidth | HT 20/40 MHz | VHT, HE 20/40/80/160 MHz | EHT 20/40/80/160/240/320 MHz |
| Antenna gain | 11 dBi on 5 GHz and 11 dBi on 6 GHz |
| Maximum TX power | 6 GHz: 20 dBm | 5 GHz: 25 dBm; subject to region |
| Network interface | 5 GbE interface over USB 3.2 Gen 2; physical main connection is USB-C, not RJ45 |
| USB ports | Main USB-C carries host data and power | AUX USB-C is optional power input only |
| Power | Maximum consumption: 18 W | USB PD 5/9/12 V: 15 W standard mode or 20 W enhanced mode |
| Power requirements | Single-cable host operation requires 15 W USB-PD host power; 20 W for maximum performance. Other hosts require a separate 15 W USB-PD source, with 20 W recommended. |
| Display | 0.96-inch status display |
| Antenna | Adjustable; can be raised and rotated toward the access point |
| Dimensions | 117 × 117 × 42.5 mm |
| Weight | 544 g |
| Enclosure material | Polycarbonate |
| Colour | Black |
| Operating temperature | -10 to 40 °C |
| Operating humidity | 5–95% non-condensing |
| Software requirement | UniFi Network version 10.2 or later stated |
| Compliance and certifications | NDAA compliant | CE, FCC, IC |
| Package contents | One AirWire and one USB-C to USB-C cable |
| Separate requirements/items | Compatible Wi-Fi access point/network and host required. External USB-PD power supply may be required; host, access point, network equipment and internet service are separate. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AirWire a router or access point?
No. It is a USB-C Wi-Fi client adapter that connects a host to a separate Wi-Fi network.
Does it have an Ethernet RJ45 port?
No. The 5 GbE network interface is over USB 3.2 Gen 2, and the physical main port is USB-C. AUX is USB-C power input only.
What power is needed?
Single-cable host operation requires a 15 W USB-PD host, or 20 W for maximum performance. Other hosts need a separate USB-PD source rated at least 15 W; 20 W is recommended. An external supply is not included.
What is included?
One AirWire and one USB-C to USB-C cable. The host, Wi-Fi network equipment, internet service and external USB-PD supply are separate.
Singular Expert Insight
The AirWire combines Wi-Fi 7 with STR MLO and a 5 GbE interface carried over USB 3.2 Gen 2, while its adjustable antenna and status display are part of the device. The listed radio rates are PHY maxima, not a promise of actual throughput.
Buyer’s Guide
✓ Buy it if For users who need to connect a USB-C host to a separate 5 or 6 GHz Wi-Fi network through a dedicated client adapter, and can meet its host, network and USB-PD requirements.
✕ Skip it if This is a client adapter, not a router or access point. It needs a compatible host and separate Wi-Fi network, with UniFi Network 10.2 or later stated. The physical connection is USB-C, not RJ45; AUX USB-C supplies power only. A suitable USB-PD source may be needed, and the external power supply is not included. Only 5 and 6 GHz radios are listed. Maximum radio rates are not guaranteed delivered speeds.
→ Also consider Check whether the existing host can supply the required USB-PD power; otherwise plan a suitable separate AUX power source and compatible Wi-Fi network.