UniFi Express 7

Ah, yes, if you want a no headache router with everything under the sun plus ids/ips, this is the way.

Go with Ubiquiti Unifi ecosystem, but get a different router/gateway other then the Express 7. It is a very basic system and low powered. If you want a basic router go with the Cloud Gateway Ultra. If Wifi is why your Thinking on the Express 7, go with the dream router 7 instead. or get a wireless AP to go with the cloud Gateway Ultra.

Get a Unifi gateway and wireless ap. They work great.

Unifi Gateway with a Wireless Access Point is the best way to go.

Unifi is a great option

I have the UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra and I bought the UDR7 for my parents. Amazing hardware and software. Nothing else has ever come close.

This is exactly what I have done. I have a Cloud gateway Ultra and 2 access points. One wall AP that broadcasts in one direction and one normal AP. They cover my 3-level, 3400 sq ft house beautifully. BUT this is an advance set up that requires some customization.

You’ll need to buy piecemeal, I’ll leave required equipment below for what I’d do. https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/u7-lite https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/ux7 https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/usw-lite-8-poe You’d only need about 1 UX7 and 1-2 U7 Lites. I’d do 1 U7 Lite and see how that performs, you can scale up easily if needed.

Skip all of those and grab a Dream Router or Unifi Express 7 from Ubiquiti. I’d opt for the Dream Router over the Express for growth, such as adding security cameras and such or additional access points for expanded coverage. If you don’t plan on any of that, then an Express 7 will meet what you need.

I find these a extremely functional for the price.

For my actual home network, [https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/ux7](https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/ux7) I have a 8 port POE and a AP with room to add more. This is a very cheap, and nice way to get the features from Unifi controller without having to run a vm or buy more expensive gear. (though a dream machine would be nice, but not needed) I have a switch and some POE switches for my play network.

I don't know why availability would be an issue. All the items are in stock. This is what you would need for a "complete" setup. 1. https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/ux7 -- That's your main unit. They are just as plug-and-play as most consumer routers these days. 2. https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/all-wifi/products/u7-pro-wall -- Ubiquiti has a LOT of access points. I'm not sure what your ethernet cable terminates. If it terminates into a wall plate, then you may want one of the nice wall mounted ones. If it terminates in the ceiling or in a cabinet, then maybe you choose a different one. 3. https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/accessories-poe-power/collections/pro-store-poe-and-power-adapters/products/u-poe-plus -- That's the PoE injector for your second access point. To your questions... Configuration and management: Honestly if you're even slightly network savvy, it's so much cleaner and nicer than the other systems. The Asus / TP-Link stuff is now either typically locked in an app or has a crappy web UI with infrequent updates. Google WiFi is fine. I have it for my parents, but you don't get much control. At least it "just works" most of the time. Range: In my experience, much more than the Google WiFi Nest Pro. Similar to you, I installed that at my parents' house. I upgraded them from the previous Google WiFi system, and I found the range got a bit worse, but if you're in range, the speeds are much better. PoE Injector -- Most Ubiquiti stuff is powered by what's called "power over ethernet." It atually sends a DC current over the cable. It provides both power and data to the access point. For homes / businesses that require multiple access points, it's so convenient to just drop an ethernet line where you want to add the access point, versus needing a separate power source. Most mid-range or high-end Ubiquiti stuff has ethernet ports that are already "PoE enabled." With the device I recommended to you, the ethernet port there doesn't have PoE, so you need an "injector" which takes wall power and sends it through the ethernet line. An alternative device is the Dream Router 7. https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/udr7 -- One of the ethernet ports on this device is a PoE port, so in this case, you wouldn't need the injector. BTW - I agree it's awkwardly hard to tell if wired backhaul is working w/ the Google Home app. As I mentioned, I have it set up for my parents w/ 3 nodes, all wired, and I find it so frustrating how NOT intuitive it is. Like, they really hide the visibility of it. That being said, it DOES pretty much "just work" for my parents. You said you "added" the Nest Pro. Google doesn't allow you to run mixed mode. I'm assuming you have swapped both old units out for the newer Nest Pro, right?