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 8.5, while Huawei is ranked #11 with an average rating of 9.2. Cisco holds a 11.0% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Huawei’s 6.2% 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 153 Cisco Wireless reviews

12,376 Views
11,111 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Huawei Wireless

Read 36 Huawei Wireless reviews

4,976 Views
4,344 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Cisco Wireless

Huawei Wireless

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 20, 2025

Cisco and Huawei Wireless solutions compete in the commercial sector, focusing on network management, coverage, and security. Cisco seems to have the upper hand due to its comprehensive feature set and reliability, though it comes at a higher cost.

Features: Cisco Wireless offers extensive compatibility, robust security, and seamless management capabilities. Key features include high bandwidth, IoT support, WPA security standards, PKI environment flexibility, and seamless roaming. Integrated management tools streamline operations, with DNA Center enhancing ease for various deployments. Huawei Wireless provides competitive features such as ease of use and integration, affordability, robust connectivity, and reliable smart technology.

Room for Improvement: Cisco faces critiques for high costs, complex integration, and compatibility issues with Apple devices and third-party vendors. Users desire simplified security offerings and improved Assurance capabilities. Huawei requires better SMB support and stability, focusing on product testing and scalability improvement. Both systems could enhance technical support.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco, predominantly on-premises, has a complex setup but with thorough documentation and technical assistance, though experiences vary by region. Huawei offers easier deployment but needs better after-sales support and customer guidance. Cisco's support is valued despite higher costs, while Huawei requires support enhancements.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Wireless is expensive, justified by high-end features and support, with a complex licensing structure leading some to consider alternatives like Aruba for cost efficiency. Huawei's aggressive pricing offers competitive rates, lower licensing costs appealing to budget-sensitive markets. Larger enterprises may find Cisco's feature set worth the investment, whereas Huawei targets budget-conscious consumers.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Wireless vs. Huawei Wireless Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless vs. Huawei Wireless

June 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

6.5

Number of Reviews

153

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Huawei Wireless

Ranking in Wireless LAN

11th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Cisco Wireless is 11.0%, down from 14.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Huawei Wireless is 6.2%, up from 4.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN

Q&A Highlights

Suresh Sharma

Sr. Technical Executive at a educational organization with 1,001-5,000 employees

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

Theesula Majuwanagamage

Head Of ELV and ICT at Intec Systems Solution Pvt Ltd

Bridging capabilities ensure network continuity and reliability in large-scale deployments

The most valuable feature of Cisco Wireless ( /products/cisco-wireless-reviews ) is the bridging capability. If one network fails, there is a link between different access points, which ensures network continuity. Additionally, Cisco offers significant discounts for large projects. The reliability and robust solution are also key aspects, as there have been no errors or failures. The implementation is straightforward, and the user interface connection is easy.

Read full review

Shahnawaz Nusrat

Head Of Technical Operations at International Technology Exchanger

Effective and extensive campus Wi-Fi with room for better frequency management

We have deployed Huawei CCTV solutions at multiple universities in Pakistan. This includes Huawei Wireless for Smart Campus projects, where we provide blanket Wi-Fi coverage and Safe Campus projects, where we deploy security cameras and multiple devices to monitor the campus Huawei Wireless has…

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

"It is tough, has a nice speed, and is quite reliable."

"Cisco Wireless technology allows us to logically segregate networks, to segregate the traffic between multiple types of endpoint devices, connected to the network. For example, corporate laptops are connected to one network, corporate iPhones will go through a different network."

"It's very easy to configure the access points."

"The switches can even detect cable issues which quite often can be the main cause for a call-out within my business."

"Cisco Wireless is quite convenient for mobile and laptop access."

"This product has a long life and you don't have any issues with it."

"The Guest feature is pretty good."

"The initial setup is easy. It's fairly quick to deploy."

More Cisco Wireless pros

"The best feature of Huawei Wireless is the quick and fast setup."

"The solution's most valuable feature is mobility or seamless roaming."

"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 product is simple and easy to use."

"From an implementation perspective, it's easy. I rate it a nine on a scale of one to ten, where one is a difficult setup, and ten is an easy setup."

"It is a stable solution...It is a scalable solution."

"It can scale."

More Huawei Wireless pros

Cons

"Assurance capabilities must be improved."

"One thing which we really don't like about Cisco is that it is very expensive."

"The biggest reason why we could no longer continue with Cisco Wireless was because of the high cost to upgrade everything. It was disappointing that Cisco treated us as just another big company, and did not offer any leeway on their pricing given that we are an educational institute. And although the system we had in place from Cisco Wireless was good enough over the last ten years, it started to show its age when pushed to its limit during the pandemic."

"Cisco Wireless needs to improve pricing. I understand that Cisco products are typically more expensive than other vendors. Therefore, I believe that adjusting the pricing could potentially be beneficial. Discounts may be available depending on the customer or type of purchase, which could help offset the higher costs."

"The GUI could be made more user-friendly. There should also be a dashboard where it can showcase how many end-users are connected to a particular access point."

"It is not easy to use. It should be made easier to use. They can maybe migrate it to the cloud so that we can manage the WLCs together. I find the licensing part very hard to understand. Cisco is now moving towards smart licensing, so this issue will be addressed soon."

"The pricing of Brazil is very expensive. When you look at other options, they are much cheaper."

"In the next release, I would like to have support for Wi-Fi 6."

More Cisco Wireless cons

"The stability 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."

"What needs improvement in Huawei Wireless is after-sales support. I've faced many after-sales support issues, so that's the area I want Huawei to improve. Having an SLA with customers is what I'd suggest to Huawei Wireless."

"While technically proficient, enhancing communication skills would greatly benefit the customer experience."

"The demo program is an area for improvement in Huawei Wireless as it's hard to use. As a partner, you can use the solution for free, for thirty days, for example. On paper, everything looks fine, but you have to get permission and explain why you want to download the software, even if it's just for demo purposes. I don't get why I have to do this as a partner and still give an explanation that this would be for a demo setup. Downloading the solution isn't a click-and-install process that should go smoothly and efficiently. You have to get a lot of approvals and explain a lot, and in the end, you find out that you received the approval for one piece of software. It looks like you need additional software to use the software. My company asked for approval and received the approval three days later, but you need to install another software to use some of the features. In the past, most features were separate. Because Huawei wants a single pane of glass where all features should work with the Huawei equipment, Huawei decided to combine everything into the iMaster NCE Campus, which incorporates every other cloud solution. However, you still have to ask for approval for every piece of software, and without clear information on the features, the type of software, and the software files required, it's not so good from my point of view."

"The manageability of radio frequencies to avoid overlapping needs improvement."

"While I am fine with the current licensing price, I would appreciate it to be more cost-effective."

"They should include more security features in the solution."

More Huawei Wireless cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We have to pay for the hardware and support is extra and we do pay for the support."

"The licensing system is very rigid. I work for a school and we are just treated like big companies. At some point, there's a limit to what we can do about that."

"I feel the product's pricing is a good value."

"There is a need to renew the licenses for Cisco Wireless every three years. My company needs to pay around 25 percent of the budget meant for the tools we purchase towards the price of Cisco Wireless."

"We are on an annual license. The license and the hardware are expensive."

"Cost is one of the reasons why we are switching to Aruba. Aruba is significantly lower than Cisco in price. We do the licensing on a three-year basis. Cisco makes licensing very difficult."

"This product's pricing is good. It's not too expensive."

"The pricing is reasonable."

More Cisco Wireless pricing and cost advice

"Right now, my company made a one-time purchase of Huawei Wireless. It depends, but in most of the projects where customers buy hardware with some software, it's a one-time purchase. Customers pay a yearly fee for other projects for support and additional software features, such as email protection firmware updates for cybersecurity. You'll also receive information about the latest attacks and get more protection if you pay an additional fee apart from the standard license fee. You'll also get an additional warranty for Huawei Wireless, a yearly contract."

"It is not monthly. It is a kind of perpetual licensing. We pay once depending on the kind of services we need to deliver. There are no licensing fees."

"Huawei Wireless is a cheaper solution when you compare it to the cost of other similar solutions. It has one of the most competitive prices out there."

"I would rate them something, like, eight to nine, on a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive."

"I would rate the tool's pricing a seven out of ten."

"The price is good for the solution and there is a license required."

"We don't have any control on the pricing. This comes from Huawei in India. Pricing-wise, Huawei is very aggressive and competitive if you compare them to competitors, like Cisco, Aruba, and Ruckus. The Indian Huawei team tells us, "Just pick up the order and design the infrastructure. If there are any pricing challenge, we'll work on that and we will try to match things 100 percent.""

"I pay monthly for the solution."

More Huawei Wireless pricing and cost advice

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Comparison Review

it_user212721

President at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

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

Suresh Sharma

Sr. Technical Executive at a educational organization with 1,001-5,000 employees

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

AlanTran

Director of Technical Services at CTM

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

Imad Awwad

Group IT Manager at a manufacturing company with 1,001-5,000 employees

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

15%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Financial Services Firm

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

Ruckus Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 27% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 26% of the time

Fortinet FortiAP vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 8% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 6% of the time

Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 4% of the time

More Cisco Wireless Competitors

D-Link Wireless vs Huawei Wireless

Compared 18% of the time

Ubiquiti WLAN vs Huawei Wireless

Compared 15% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs Huawei Wireless

Compared 14% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Huawei Wireless

Compared 12% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Huawei Wireless

Compared 8% of the time

More Huawei Wireless Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless

June 2025

Download Cisco Wireless product report

Buyer's Guide

Huawei Wireless

June 2025

Download 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

June 2025

Free Report: Cisco Wireless vs. Huawei Wireless

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