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Cisco Wireless vs Huawei Wireless comparison

Cisco and Huawei are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Cisco is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.6, while Huawei is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.5. Cisco holds a 11.7% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Huawei’s 5.8% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Huawei users who would recommend it.
Cisco Wireless
Read 151 Cisco Wireless reviews
  • 16,452 Views
  • 15,113 Comparison Views
88% willing to recommend
Huawei Wireless
Read 36 Huawei Wireless reviews
  • 5,741 Views
  • 4,987 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 12, 2025

Cisco Wireless and Huawei Wireless compete in the enterprise wireless solutions market. Cisco generally has the upper hand due to its advanced features, integration capabilities, and robust support systems.

Features: Cisco Wireless is superior in scalability, security, and integration with existing Cisco products. Notable features include Cisco CleanAir, seamless roaming, and advanced security options. Huawei Wireless, on the other hand, is recognized for its smart antennas, strong reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Wireless is often criticized for its high costs, complex licensing, and the need for comprehensive technical expertise. Improvements in pricing, licensing clarity, and configuration simplification would be beneficial. Huawei Wireless needs better user support, stability, and scalability, with a focus on SMB solutions.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Wireless supports both on-premise and cloud deployments, offering flexibility for enterprises. Its customer service is well-regarded for detailed support. Huawei Wireless emphasizes ease of deployment and cost-effectiveness in on-premise setups but lacks in detailed post-sale support.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Wireless is expensive, but offers a good long-term ROI due to its feature set and reliability. Huawei Wireless is known for its affordable, competitive pricing, providing an immediate ROI despite having fewer advanced features, making it ideal for cost-sensitive projects.

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Buyer's Guide
Cisco Wireless vs. Huawei Wireless
March 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Wireless
Ranking in Wireless LAN
3rd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.6
Number of Reviews
151
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Huawei Wireless
Ranking in Wireless LAN
8th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
36
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Cisco Wireless is 11.7%, down from 15.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Huawei Wireless is 5.8%, up from 4.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Wireless LAN
 

Q&A Highlights

SS
Feb 08, 2021
Which wireless controller has maximum client connectivity and high throughput?
Cisco has maximum client connectivity and high throughput.
See all answers
 

Featured Reviews

GulfrazAhmad - PeerSpot reviewer
Integrates with ISE, and is secure, reliable, and easy to deploy
The main concern is the length and overlapping. We have to put on four to six access points on the same floor, and we face the issue of overlapping areas. If Cisco can extend the range of their indoor APs, we would need to install just one or two access points, and it would eliminate the problem of the overlapping area. They should provide built-in features for safe authentication. Right now, we integrate with ISE and FortiClient for this feature. We first check the NAC, and after the NAC and before the domain, a token password installed on their mobile or a physical token is required to join the network. If Cisco had built-in authentication, we would be able to eliminate one product from our network.
Read full review
Fahad Doguwa - PeerSpot reviewer
Affordable platform with efficient analytics features
Huawei adapters have facilitated seamless integration with mobile devices, extending the LAN's reach. Additionally, including CampusInsight, a component offering analytics and visibility into wireless connectivity, has proven invaluable. This feature enables us to monitor network health and troubleshoot user-related issues efficiently. The reliability has had a positive impact on our operations. I advise others to go for Cisco if cost is not a factor. Otherwise, they can explore other options based on the availability of that OEM within the country. We have Huawei present in our country and provide all the necessary support, so we went forward with them. I rate it a nine out of ten.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"This product has a Clean Air Solution, which means it can detect non-WiFi signals. It not only signals but it can also detect that what type of device it is coming from. And if it needs to change the channel in order to avoid that unwanted signal, it can do so and that way the client machine will have better performance."
"The solution offers very good application visibility and control integration for other analysis software."
"Cisco Wireless improves mobility and flexibility. The only case we are working on is with hospitals, focusing on the mobility of doctors within the hospital. Everywhere, doctors need to be connected to the network, even within the operating theater, patient rooms, and even the basement, like the radiology department. As far as the solution goes, the coverage is usually very comprehensive."
"The most valuable feature for us is management of the systems. We can easily access all features."
"The most valuable features of Cisco Wireless are security and the ability to manage everything easily. Other solutions, such as Aruba are not as simple."
"The stability is great. It's very reliable."
"The most valuable features for network security with Cisco Wireless were the policy enforcement capabilities."
"The product is compatible with a lot of mobile devices."
More Cisco Wireless pros
"It is easy to set up."
"It has all of the features that we need."
"It is a stable solution...It is a scalable solution."
"That would be more of engineering at this point. I'm from more of the business side. It's pretty much doing the standard installations with portal integrations and integrations with the Mac."
"This solution is very simple and the interface is user-friendly."
"The solution offers very good value for money."
"What I like most about Huawei Wireless is that it's customizable. It has many unique features, such as encryption, spatial streams, hiding features for different scenarios, low-density and high-density areas, and smart antennas."
"The solution is very user-friendly and easy to use."
More Huawei Wireless pros
 

Cons

"Sometimes, in some rooms the signal could be a bit better, a little stronger."
"One of our customers complained about the ripple, that some of the data was incorrect. We opened a ticket and brought it to their attention that maybe some of the data was not correct. As of now, it has been two months since we opened the ticket and the issue still hasn't been resolved."
"It would be better if some utility lets us know the best place to install the system. Every time we install it, we have to change it, and we have to add more access points. This is a problem we have all the time. It would be better if it integrated seamlessly with products from other vendors. It'll also help if they included a device diagnostics feature in the next release."
"Controllers could be improved."
"The security must be improved."
"The installation is not too difficult but the solution could improve by making the configuration easier."
"The main disadvantage of Cisco Wireless is its cost - it's expensive. Its interface is not easy. However, I like it since I am an engineer."
"The pricing of the solution is expensive if you compare it to other competitors."
More Cisco Wireless cons
"The speed could be a bit better."
"The solution's integration with some AAA servers like Aruba ClearPass is difficult and could be improved."
"I have already integrated the radius system with Cisco and Huawei products, but it can be further improved to be more user-friendly and easier to use."
"Support could be a bit faster."
"The ongoing support and ongoing follow-up on customers is an area where the solution lacks."
"Huawei Wireless has a small technical problem. When you use a power injector, it needs to be specially configured for the switch to which it is connected. It tries to take power not from the power injector but from the switch. The funny thing when you look at it is that you have three switches or maybe four or five that are theoretically capable. However, the port on these switches is disabled. When you connect the access point to a power injector, the access point checks for features from the switch, but on this port, the switch doesn't do power. So, the access point changes these features to energy save mode and cuts off some features, especially WiFi 6. It took me two weeks to find out what's going on and how to mitigate this sort of problem. It is very easy to fix. You need to disable LLDP on the port on which you connect the access point to the power injector. Power injectors aren't quite commonly used, but I have 54 access points, and I have used about 27 power injectors. So, about half of the access points were working at reduced speed, not full speed, for two weeks."
"There was one time I had a problem with their centralized licensing. I called the Indian call center, but the response was not that good. One guy attended this call and he told me, "Definitely, I am forwarding your call to the next level. I'll let you know." After that, it took between 10 to 15 hours before I got a call back. By then, we had already resolved the issue. Therefore, they could improve the local support; there should be at very good Tier 1 and 2 support in India. They should be both proactive and reactive."
"There could be a console port for demonstration or configuration purposes."
More Huawei Wireless cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The license structure is confusing."
"The price for this product is a little bit high, which is why I am not using the most recent version."
"There are no subscription fees."
"Cisco Wireless is a little bit expensive when compared to other solutions."
"Its price is a bit high. It is more expensive than its competitors, but when I look at the return on investment, it is worth it."
"This is an expensive product."
"We opt for a one-time purchasing fee model in our setup. Since we don't utilize a management platform or WLAN controller, there are no recurring costs. The access points we typically use, which support Cisco's wireless masters, are priced at around $250 each. Occasionally, we purchase them in packs of five or as part of extended packs at a prorated cost."
"Expensive."
More Cisco Wireless pricing and cost advice
"The product has a good price."
"The platform is less costly than one of its competitors. I rate the pricing a three out of ten."
"I would rate them something, like, eight to nine, on a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive."
"Huawei Wireless is an expensive solution."
"I rate Huawei Wireless' pricing a five out of ten."
"To compete effectively, Huawei might consider adjusting pricing to align more closely with other competitive brands, particularly those offering lower-cost solutions."
"The price of Huawei Wireless is reasonable. The licenses are active, and everything is working fine as per the license agreement."
"I pay monthly for the solution."
More Huawei Wireless pricing and cost advice
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Comparison Review

it_user212721 - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 24, 2015
Cisco vs. Aruba Wireless Solutions
Cisco or Aruba Networks? If you are considering wireless access solutions, this is a common question that you are probably asking. You probably have sales people knocking at your door. How do you make sense of all the stories that you are presented with. If you have done any research, you are…
Read full review
 

Answers from the Community

SS
Feb 8, 2021
Feb 8, 2021
Which wireless controller has maximum client connectivity and high throughput?
All are good selections, and this question is difficult to answer without knowing your throughput requirements, as each vendor has multiple models within there series. Personally I recommend looking at Arista Networks’ cognitive Wifi, where controllers are a thing of the past.
2 out of 7 answers
AT
Feb 17, 2020
Hi, It is all dependent on the size of the controllers in question. Though I would suggest getting a cloud base technology so you are limited by any controller and have much better redundancy. Take a look at Arista Cognitive Wireless
Read full answer
IA
Feb 17, 2020
Hi, Every one of the mentioned solutions is good but you need to check the needs which are security since the firms you are working with need protection and tracking of data. For this reason, I recommend: - if you have FortiGate installed then go for Fortinet Wireless since they can be integrated with the Fortigate without buying a controller and they work perfectly together and you will get the advantage of applying rules to the client himself whether mobile or computer, easily managed & monitored, more visibility over your network and incident notifications. If the above doesn't apply then you can go with the best one that fits your budget and security needs which for me doesn't fall on the mentioned solution but to go with ARUBA Instant Access Wireless Solution and the reasons are as such: - Cisco is too much expensive and you got to pay smart support with some complexity in configuration and you need to buy a controller - Ruckus is good but when you want to have the security you need to buy a controller with licenses and it won't give you the security needed since it is just a wireless solution - Huawei is not a stable company since it had many ups and downs and they can reach with you to have all the solutions nearly free so that you install their brand. Whereas Aruba you don't need a controller in the Instant access points and you will get the minimum security with radius integration and what is important a lifetime warranty on the access points. In addition, if the number of access points increased and you want more detailed management and more advanced configurations, you can buy a controller either on-premises or on-cloud with Aruba. The above information is based on my experience with all the solutions and their POC. If you need any more details and consultancy, kindly feel free to contact me. Regards.
Read full answer
See all 7 answers
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Educational Organization
6%
Computer Software Company
12%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

Which is better - Cisco Wireless or Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN?
Cisco Wireless is very robust, very rugged, and can handle indoor and outdoor coverage extremely well. We found it to be very reliable and to consistently run very efficiently. Cisco Wireless helpe...
See all answers
Which is better - Ruckus Wireless or Cisco Wireless?
Ruckus Wireless offers users the benefit of being both easy to set up and get running as well as being very user friendly. This user-friendly quality also renders it easy to learn how to use and ma...
See all answers
How does Cisco Wireless compare with Aruba Wireless?
On the most basic level, Cisco Wireless can offer a rather straightforward initial setup. In the span of about three hours, the basic framework can be set up. Step-by-step instructions are availabl...
See all answers
Which wireless solution would you choose - Huawei or D-Link?
Huawei wireless is a strong and solid product that has a lot of features - and for all that it offers, it happens to be very cost effective. As a wireless solution, it is simple and its user interf...
See all answers
What do you like most about Huawei Wireless?
The reliability has had a positive impact on our operations.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Huawei Wireless?
For SMB customers with limited wireless users, Huawei Wireless may not be suitable due to the lack of multiple access points and the need for a centralized SSID. However, for large-capacity custome...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Aruba Wireless vs Cisco Wireless Logo
Aruba Wireless vs Cisco Wireless
Compared 32% of the time
Ruckus Wireless vs Cisco Wireless Logo
Ruckus Wireless vs Cisco Wireless
Compared 26% of the time
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Cisco Wireless Logo
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Cisco Wireless
Compared 6% of the time
Fortinet FortiAP vs Cisco Wireless Logo
Fortinet FortiAP vs Cisco Wireless
Compared 5% of the time
Ubiquiti WLAN vs Cisco Wireless Logo
Ubiquiti WLAN vs Cisco Wireless
Compared 3% of the time
More Cisco Wireless Competitors
D-Link Wireless vs Huawei Wireless Logo
D-Link Wireless vs Huawei Wireless
Compared 22% of the time
Aruba Wireless vs Huawei Wireless Logo
Aruba Wireless vs Huawei Wireless
Compared 15% of the time
Ubiquiti WLAN vs Huawei Wireless Logo
Ubiquiti WLAN vs Huawei Wireless
Compared 14% of the time
Ruckus Wireless vs Huawei Wireless Logo
Ruckus Wireless vs Huawei Wireless
Compared 11% of the time
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Huawei Wireless Logo
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Huawei Wireless
Compared 9% of the time
More Huawei Wireless Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Wireless
March 2025
Cisco Wireless reportDownload Cisco Wireless product report
Buyer's Guide
Huawei Wireless
March 2025
Huawei Wireless reportDownload Huawei Wireless product report
 

Also Known As

Cisco WLAN Controller
Huawei WLAN
 

Overview

Cisco Wireless is a comprehensive suite of wireless solutions designed to deliver secure, high-performance connectivity for enterprises of all sizes. Offering a range of access points, controllers, and advanced management tools, Cisco Wireless ensures seamless and reliable network access, enhancing mobility and productivity.

Cisco Wireless solutions provide robust, scalable wireless networks capable of supporting high-density environments and diverse applications. With features such as seamless roaming, advanced security protocols, and detailed analytics, Cisco Wireless addresses the needs of modern businesses. The solutions include the Cisco Catalyst and Aironet series access points, wireless LAN controllers, and the Cisco DNA Center for centralized management and automation.

What are the key features of Cisco Wireless?

  • High-Density Performance: Optimized for environments with a high number of devices, ensuring reliable connectivity and performance.
  • Advanced Security: Incorporates robust security measures such as WPA3, Secure Boot, and segmentation to protect data and devices.
  • Seamless Roaming: Enables uninterrupted connectivity as users move across different areas within the network.
  • Centralized Management: Cisco DNA Center provides a single pane of glass for managing and automating wireless networks, enhancing operational efficiency.
  • Flexible Deployment Options: Supports various deployment models, including on-premises, cloud-managed, and hybrid solutions.

What benefits should users look for in reviews when evaluating Cisco Wireless?

  • Improved Mobility and Productivity: Users often highlight how Cisco Wireless enhances user mobility and productivity through reliable and consistent connectivity.
  • Scalability: Reviews frequently mention the scalability of Cisco Wireless, making it suitable for growing businesses.
  • Ease of Management: Many users appreciate the centralized management capabilities, which simplify network administration and troubleshooting.
  • Enhanced Security: The advanced security features are often noted for providing peace of mind and compliance with industry standards.
  • User Experience: The overall user experience, including ease of use and seamless integration with other Cisco products, is a common point of praise.

Cisco Wireless solutions are implemented across various industries, including healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing. In healthcare, they support critical applications like patient monitoring and electronic health records. Educational institutions use Cisco Wireless to provide reliable internet access for students and staff. Retailers benefit from enhanced customer experiences through in-store connectivity, while manufacturers use wireless networks to improve operational efficiency and automation.

Pricing and licensing for Cisco Wireless solutions are typically based on the scale of deployment and specific product selections. Cisco offers various support plans, including 24/7 customer service, technical support, and access to software updates and patches.

In summary, Cisco Wireless provides robust, scalable wireless networking solutions that enhance connectivity, security, and management for diverse enterprise environments.

Cisco
Huawei WLAN products are compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards to establish high-speed, secure, and reliable wireless network connections for indoor and outdoor applications.WLAN products can be used in enterprise offices, schools, hospitals, large shopping malls, exhibition centers, airports, and more.
Huawei
 

Sample Customers

Aegean Motorway, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Brunel University London, Bucks County Intermediate Unit , Chartwell School, Children's Hospital Colorado, Cisco Live Milan, City of Biel, City of Mississauga, Dundee Precious Metals, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Erickson Living, Goldcorp, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS)
Anhui Agricultural University (AAU), China Everbright Bank
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Wireless vs. Huawei Wireless
March 2025
Free Report: Cisco Wireless vs. Huawei Wireless
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