Published: in Videos
UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra Review: Compact Router and Network Controller in One Device
The UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra (UCG Ultra) is a compact desktop device that combines a router with a built-in UniFi Network controller. It is designed for small offices and home networks that want UniFi management without running a separate Cloud Key or self-hosted controller.
If you prefer a walkthrough, the video below shows the hardware, initial setup and interface in more detail. A written overview and practical guidance are provided in this article.
What is the Cloud Gateway Ultra?
The Cloud Gateway Ultra is part of UniFi’s cloud gateway range. Unlike some higher-end models, it only supports the UniFi Network application. It does not support:
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UniFi Protect (cameras)
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UniFi Access (door access control)
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UniFi Talk (VoIP)
If you need those features, UniFi offers other models such as the Cloud Gateway Max and Cloud Gateway Fibre.
At the time of writing, the Cloud Gateway Ultra is positioned as an affordable entry point into UniFi routing and management, typically priced around £79.
Physical design and hardware overview
The unit is very small and lightweight, measuring approximately:
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5.6 × 5 × 1.2 inches
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Weight: around 1.1 lb
It uses a desktop form factor and is not rack-mountable.
Ports
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1 × 2.5 GbE RJ45 (WAN by default)
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4 × 1 GbE RJ45 (LAN, one can be reassigned as WAN failover)
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USB-C for power
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Reset button on the rear
When intrusion detection and prevention (IDS/IPS) features are enabled, UniFi specifies that throughput is limited to around 1 Gbps, even though the WAN port supports 2.5 GbE at the hardware level.
Power and internals
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Powered via USB-C (power adapter included)
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Maximum power consumption: approx. 6.2 watts
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Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 at 1.5 GHz
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3 GB RAM
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16 GB onboard storage
There is a small status display on the front which shows boot progress, setup status and basic device information.
Routing, firewall and VPN features
Despite its small size, the Cloud Gateway Ultra supports a wide range of routing and security features typically expected from UniFi gateways:
Firewall and security
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Stateful firewall
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Layer 7 application-aware firewall rules
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Deep packet inspection (DPI) and traffic identification
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Zone-based firewalling
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Content filtering and ad blocking
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Intrusion detection and prevention (IDS/IPS)
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Optional paid security services via UniFi CyberSecure
VPN options
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Site-to-site VPN using:
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UniFi Site Magic (SD-WAN style)
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IPsec
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OpenVPN
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Remote access VPN:
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WireGuard
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OpenVPN
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L2TP
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UniFi Teleport (zero-configuration VPN)
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VPN client support is also included for outbound VPN connections.
Networking features
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VLANs and multiple subnets
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Policy-based routing
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Advanced NAT (source, destination, one-to-one, NAT pools)
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DHCP server with custom options
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IPv6 ISP support
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IGMP proxy and multicast DNS (mDNS)
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OSPF dynamic routing
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Multi-WAN load balancing and failover (with supported hardware)
For a device in this price range and size, the feature set is extensive.
Initial setup experience
On first power-up, the front display shows boot progress and then provides the setup IP address (typically 192.168.1.1). Setup can be completed using:
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A web browser, or
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The UniFi mobile app via Bluetooth
After creating local credentials and completing initial configuration, the device performs firmware and UniFi OS updates automatically, followed by a reboot.
Once online, the full UniFi Network interface becomes available.
UniFi Network interface and management
The management interface is the standard modern UniFi OS dashboard.
Key areas include:
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Device overview (gateway, switches, access points, clients)
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Live traffic graphs and throughput
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Network topology view
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Client and device filtering by type, signal strength and connection method
Port management
Each LAN port can be configured individually with:
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VLAN tagging and profiles
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Port isolation
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Loop protection
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Egress rate limiting
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Link speed monitoring
Security and filtering
The interface provides access to:
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Firewall rules
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Traffic policies
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Content filtering profiles
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IDS/IPS configuration
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Geo-blocking and DNS filtering (depending on licence level)
System and administration
System settings include:
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Automatic updates
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Backup and restore
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API access
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Remote access via UniFi account
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SSH access
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LED and display controls
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Scheduled night mode for the screen
Overall, management is consistent with other UniFi gateways and will feel familiar to anyone already using UniFi hardware.
Adopting switches and access points
Once the gateway is online, adopting UniFi switches and access points is straightforward:
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Connect devices to the network
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They appear automatically in the Devices list
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Click Adopt and allow firmware updates if required
In the video demonstration, a UniFi Lite 16 PoE switch and multiple U7 Pro access points are adopted without issue.
One practical consideration is PoE power budgeting. Higher-end access points can draw over 20 watts each, so the connected switch must have sufficient PoE capacity. This is not a limitation of the gateway itself, but it is an important design consideration when planning the full network.
Setting up Wi-Fi networks
Wireless configuration follows the standard UniFi workflow:
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Create SSID
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Set security and password
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Assign to access points
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Optional performance and roaming settings
Most deployments will work well using default settings. In many cases, performance issues reported by users stem from unnecessary manual tuning rather than hardware limitations.
Who is the Cloud Gateway Ultra best suited for?
The Cloud Gateway Ultra is well suited for:
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Home users who want full UniFi management
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Small offices with moderate client counts
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Sites that only require UniFi Network (no cameras or access control)
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Environments where low power usage and silent operation matter
It is less suitable for:
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Sites needing UniFi Protect, Access or Talk
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Networks requiring sustained multi-gigabit throughput with IDS/IPS enabled
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Larger deployments that benefit from rack-mounted gateways and higher performance CPUs
Summary
The UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra is a capable, low-power router and network controller in a very compact form factor. It offers an impressive range of routing, firewall and VPN features for its size and price, and integrates seamlessly with the rest of the UniFi ecosystem.
Its main limitations are deliberate product segmentation rather than technical flaws: it only runs the UniFi Network application and is not intended to replace higher-end gateways in more demanding environments.
For home networks and small businesses that want simple UniFi management without additional hardware, the Cloud Gateway Ultra is a practical and cost-effective option.