MR53
802.11ac Wave 2 with Bluetooth Beacon & Multigigabit Ethernet
Cloud management, 802.11ac performance, and a dedicated security radio

Highlights
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Ideal use cases
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- Performance-critical wireless LANs
- High-density environments
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Hardware features
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- 4 radios: 2.4 and 5 GHz, dual-band
- WIDS/WIPS, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
- 4-stream 802.11ac Wave 2, up to 2.5 Gbps
- 1 × Gigabit Ethernet port
- 1 × 2.5 Gbps Multigigabit Ethernet Port
- PoE: 802.3at
- AC adapter available
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Cloud management
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- Network-wide visibility and control
- Self-provisioning for rapid deployment
- Automatic reporting
- Seamless firmware updates
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Enterprise security
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- 802.1X and native Active Directory integration
- Air Marshal: real-time WIPS with forensics
- Stateful Layer 3-7 firewall
- Identity-based group policies
- Built-in antivirus scan (NAC)
- Built-in Umbrella DNS Security*
- Adaptive Policy automated segmentation**
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Guest access
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- 1-click secure guest access
- Guest isolation firewall
- Customizable splash pages
- Integrated Facebook login
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RF optimization
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- Dual-concurrent radios with MU-MIMO support
- Radios optimized for rate-vs-range performance
- Third radio dedicated to security and RF management
- Built-in real-time RF spectrum view
- Cloud-based automatic RF optimization
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Layer 7 traffic shaping
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- Classifies hundreds of applications
- Create per-application bandwidth limits
- Prioritize productivity apps
- Restrict or block recreational traffic
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Presence location analytics
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- Measure visitor capture rate, visit length, and repeat visit rate
- Measure visitor trends over time and compare performance across locations
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Device management
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- Create device-specific firewall rules
- Monitor and track device inventory
- Deploy applications and enforce security settings
*Requires Advanced license
**Requires Advanced license and compatible switch
Usage | Radios | Interface | Power | Performance features | |
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Basic wireless, medium-density deployments | 1 × 802.11b/g/n
1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1.3 Gbit/sec max rate 2×2:2 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
1 × Gigabit Ethernet port | 802.3af PoE
DC power adapter |
2×2:2 MU-MIMO
Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering |
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In-room hotel or dormitory deployments that must service IP-enabled devices | 1 × 802.11b/g/n
1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 1.3 Gbit/sec max rate 2×2:2 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
1 × Gigabit Ethernet input
1 × Gigabit Ethernet LAN port with 802.3af PoE 3 × Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports |
802.3af PoE | 2×2:2 MU-MIMO
Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering |
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Basic 802.11ac Wave 2 for futureproof deployments | 1 × 802.11b/g/n
1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 1.3 Gbit/sec max rate 2×2:2 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
1 × Gigabit Ethernet port | 802.3af PoE
DC power adapter |
2×2:2 MU-MIMO
Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering |
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High-performance Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) to futureproof deployments, with UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFMDA | 1 × 2.4 Ghz 802.11b/g/n/ax
1 × 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 1.7 Gbit/sec max rate 2×2:2 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
1 × Gigabit Ethernet port | 802.3af PoE
DC power adapter |
2×2:2 MU-MIMO and OFDMA
160 MHz Channels** Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering |
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General purpose 802.11ac Wave 2 for campus and enterprise | 1 × 802.11b/g/n
1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 1.9 Gbit/sec max rate 3×3:3 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
1 × Gigabit Ethernet port | 802.3at/802.3af PoE
DC power adapter |
3×3:3 MU-MIMO
Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering |
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General purpose wireless, challenging RF, or focused coverage scenarios | 1 × 802.11b/g/n
1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 1.9 Gbit/sec max rate 3×3:3 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
1 × Gigabit Ethernet port | 802.3at PoE
DC power adapter |
3×3:3 MU-MIMO
Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering Removable antennas |
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High-performance, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with Multigigabit Ethernet for high density campus and enterprise, with UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFMDA | 1 × 2.4 Ghz 802.11b/g/n/ax
1 × 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 3.5 Gbit/sec max rate 4×4:4 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
1 × 2.5 Gbps Multigigabit Ethernet port | 802.3at PoE
DC power adapter |
4x4:4 UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFDMA
160 MHz Channels** Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering |
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High-performance, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with Multigigabit Ethernet for high density, challenging RF, or focused coverage scenarios, with UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFMDA, and external antennas | 1 × 2.4 Ghz 802.11b/g/n/ax
1 × 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 3.5 Gbit/sec max rate 4×4:4 MU-MIMO and OFDMA with beam forming |
1 × 2.5 Gbps Multigigabit Ethernet port | 802.3at PoE
DC power adapter |
4x4:4 UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFDMA
160 MHz Channels** Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering Removable antennas |
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Highest performance 802.11ac Wave 2 for high density campus, enterprise, and MU-MIMO | 1 × 802.11b/g/n
1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 2.5 Gbit/sec max rate 4×4:4 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
2 × Gigabit Ethernet port | 802.3at PoE
DC power adapter |
4×4:4 MU-MIMO
Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering |
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Highest performance 802.11ac Wave 2 with Multigigabit for high density campus, enterprise, and MU-MIMO | 1 × 802.11b/g/n
1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 2.5 Gbit/sec max rate 4×4:4 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
1 × 2.5Gbps Multigigabit Ethernet port
1 × Gigabit Ethernet port |
802.3at PoE
DC power adapter |
4×4:4 MU-MIMO
Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering |
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Performance-critical wireless for high-density, challenging RF, or focused coverage scenarios | 1 × 802.11b/g/n
1 × 802.11a/n/ac 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 2.5 Gbit/sec max rate 4×4:4 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
1 × 2.5 Gbps Multigigabit Ethernet port
1 × Gigabit Ethernet port |
802.3at PoE
DC power adapter |
4×4:4 MU-MIMO
Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering Removable antennas |
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Ultra High-performance, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with Multigigabit Ethernet for high density campus and enterprise, with UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFMDA | 1 × 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ax
1 × 5 Ghz 802.11a/n/ac/ax 1 × WIDS/WIPS 1 × Bluetooth 5.9 Gbit/sec max rate 8×8:8 MU-MIMO with beamforming |
1 × 5 Gbps Multigigabit Ethernet port | 802.3at PoE
DC power adapter |
8x8:8 UL/DL MU-MIMO and OFDMA
160 MHz Channels** Priority Voice, Power Save (802.11e/WMM) Hardware-accelerated encryption Band steering |
**Software features can be enabled via firmware updates.
- Radios
- 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n client access radio
- 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac client access radio
- 2.4 & 5 GHz dual-band WIDS/WIPS, spectrum analysis, & location analytics radio
- 2.4 GHz Bluetooth radio with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Beacon support
- Concurrent operation of all four radios
- Max aggregate frame rate 2.5 Gbit/s
- Supported frequency bands (country-specific restrictions apply):
- 2.412-2.484 GHz
- 5.150-5.250 GHz (UNII-1)
- 5.250-5.350 GHz (UNII-2)
- 5.470-5.600, 5.660-5.725 (UNII-2e)
- 5.725-5.825 GHz (UNII-3)
- Antenna
- Integrated omni-directional antennas (5 dBi gain at 2.4 GHz, 6.2 dBi gain at 5 GHz)
- Individual antenna elements for each radio
- 802.11ac Wave 2 & 802.11n Capabilities
- 4x4 multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) with four spatial streams
- SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO support
- Maximal ratio combining (MRC) & beamforming
- 20 & 40 MHz channels (802.11n); 20, 40 and 80 channels (802.11ac)
- Up to 256-QAM on both 2.4 & 5 GHz
- Packet aggregation
- Power
- Power over Ethernet: 37 - 57 V (802.3at required; functionality-restricted 802.3af mode supported)
- Alternative 12V DC input
- Power consumption: 21 W max (802.3at)
- Power over Ethernet injector and DC adapter sold separately
- Interfaces
- 1× 100/1000/2.5G BASE-T Ethernet & 1× 10/100/1000 BASE-T Ethernet (RJ45)
- 1 × DC power connector (5.5mm x 2.5mm, center positive)
- Mounting
- All standard mounting hardware included
- Desktop, ceiling, and wall mount capable
- Ceiling tile rail (9/16, 15/16 or 1 ½" flush or recessed rails), assorted cable junction boxes
- Bubble level on mounting cradle for accurate horizontal wall mounting
- Physical Security
- Two security screw options (included)
- Kensington lock hard point
- Concealed mount plate with anti-tamper cable bay
- Environment
- Operating temperature: 32 °F to 104 °F (0 °C to 40 °C)
- Humidity: 5 to 95% non-condensing
- Physical Dimensions
- 10.56” x 6.38” x 1.58” (268.2 mm x 162.0 mm x 38.8 mm), not including deskmount feet or mount plate
- Weight: 28.9 oz (820g)
- Security
- Integrated Layer 7 firewall with mobile device policy management
- Real-time WIDS/WIPS with alerting and automatic rogue AP containment with Air Marshal
- Flexible guest access with device isolation
- VLAN tagging (802.1q) and tunneling with IPsec VPN
- PCI compliance reporting
- WEP, WPA, WPA2-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X
- EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-MSCHAPv2, EAP-SIM
- TKIP and AES encryption
- Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) & Mobile Device Management (MDM) integration
- Cisco ISE integration for Guest access and BYOD Posturing
- Quality of Service
- Advanced Power Save (U-APSD)
- WMM Access Categories with DSCP and 802.1p support
- Layer 7 application traffic identification and shaping
- Mobility
- PMK, OKC, and 802.11r for fast Layer 2 roaming
- Distributed or centralized layer 3 roaming
- Analytics
- Embedded location analytics reporting and device tracking
- Global L7 traffic analytics reporting per network, per device, & per application
- Warranty
- Lifetime hardware warranty with advanced replacement included
- Ordering Information
- MR53-HW Meraki MR53 Cloud Managed 802.11ac AP
- MA-PWR-30W-XX Meraki AC Adapter for MR Series (XX = US, EU, UK, or AU)
- MA-INJ-5-XX Cisco Meraki Multigigabit 802.3at PoE Injector (XX = US, EU, UK, or AU) Note: Meraki access point license required.
Works With
Downloads
- 802.11ac Migration Guide
- Air Marshal Datasheet
- BYOD Solution Guide
- Cloud Management Datasheet
- Large Deployments Whitepaper
- Layer 7 Visibility and Control Whitepaper
- Location Analytics Datasheet
- Location Analytics for Hospitality
- Location Analytics Whitepaper
- Meraki for K-12
- MR Family Datasheet
- MR53 Datasheet
- MR53E Datasheet
- Multigigabit Solution Guide