Ubiquiti has two very similar options for short range PtP (Point-to-Point) on the 60GHz spectrum, with the airMAX GigaBeam and the UniFi Building Bridge (UBB). Both are basically identical in performance, but they are aimed at different audiences and devices run on 60GHz, with a 5GHz backup which can failover in case of bad weather or temporary obstructions. Both devices are rated for 500 metres of range with up to 1Gbps+ of total capacity.
The difference is what audiences they are targeted towards, the GigaBeam is powered by only 24v passive and it has its own user interface for administration and monitoring, as it is an airMAX device. The UBB is powered by 802.3af or 48v passive and being a UniFi device, it is managed by the UniFi Controller, with no separate user interface for management. This can be useful for monitoring a deployment remotely with all devices in one screen and being UniFi it is powered by 802.3af which makes sense too as enterprise environments have active PoE in use, either from a UniFi switch or standard switch.
Where the GigaBeam differs is it is aimed as the WISP and MSP environment, where it is a one off 60GHz PtP device. The whole airMAX family only uses 24v, which can be useful to have for something like a solar deployment. There also some price and usability differences too, the UniFi Building Bridge can only be purchased in a pre configured pair, meaning if one unit goes bad both have to be replaced. Whereas with the GigaBeam, each one unit is standalone and if one does happen to go bad, one can be purchased and replaced. The UBB is also advertised on the product box and the data sheet to have GPS, but this is yet to be surfaced in the UniFi Controller or yet to be attributed to be for any particular use case.
One GigaBeam is $129 in the US and in the EU €119.79, UK at £103.62. When buying two for a PtP solution, that works out at $258 in the US and in the EU €239.58, UK at £207.24. Compare that to a set of two of the UniFi Building Bridge units and that comes in at $499 in the US and in the EU €502.80, UK at £438.57.
| GigaBeam | UniFi Building Bridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
 |
| Frequencies supported | 60GHz, 5GHz for backup and 2.4GHz for management | 60GHz, 5GHz for backup and 2.4GHz for management |
| Channel width options | 2160MHz on 60GHz 20/40/80 MHz on 5GHz |
1080MHz or 2160MHz on 60GHz 20/40/80 MHz on 5GHz |
| Power Type | 24v passive PoE | 802.3af or 48v passive PoE |
| Network interfaces | 1x 10/100/1000 Ethernet | 1x 10/100/1000 Ethernet |
| Max range | 500m | 500m |
| Special features | - | GPS (Yet to be exposed) RGB light ring |
| Gain | 17.2 dBi on 60GHz 10 dBi on 5GHz |
17.2 dBi on 60GHz 10 dBi on 5GHz |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2688 x 1512 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 to 60° C (-40 to 140° F) | -40 to 70° C (-40 to 158° F) |
| Mounting options | Ball mount for attaching to wall or pole | Ball mount for attaching to wall or pole |
| Price | $129 US / £103.62 UK / €119.79 EU (One unit) | $499 US / £438.57 UK / €502.80 EU (Box of two) |
Recommendation
For value, the price of the GigaBeam cannot be ignored. If your installation has a strict budget and not having your 60GHz PtP sitting within UniFi is ok, then we would recommend the GigaBeam. It is certainly more flexible, for example if one unit happens to go bad. However if your entire install is UniFi, it is nice from experience to have everything sitting in the UniFi controller, rather than spinning up a separate UISP controller to manage the GigaBeam.
Amazon Links
UniFI Building Bridge on Amazon UK
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This page was last updated on 21st April 2025.
