I have been researching firewall options for my homelab, and since I use UniFi products in a professional setting, I wanted to stay with the brand’s offerings. While the more pricey USG is a bit more than I need, I finally settled on UniFi’s new UXG-Lite, giving me what I want for a mere $129.00 (but good luck finding it in stock).

Installation was a breeze, and the device includes all the features I could ask for, such as country/city restrictions and VPN management. Currently, I have the firewall separating my home and office (homelab’s) networks, thus securing my office and not reducing speeds for the rest of the house (mesh setup). The UXG-Lite was added to my office’s current UniFi setup, which includes a Cloud Key, APs, and eventually, internal and external cameras (2 total).

So, let me share some thoughts I have of the product.

The UniFi Gateway Lite (UXG-Lite) is a compact and powerful firewall from Ubiquiti Networks, aiming to replace the aging USG model. Released in late 2023, the UXG-Lite packs a punch for its size, offering a feature-rich network security solution for both home and professional users.

What it does:

The UXG-Lite acts as the brain of your network, managing:

• Routing: Connects your devices to the internet and handles internal traffic between them.
• Firewall: Blocks malicious traffic and enforces security policies.
• Security features: Intrusion detection/prevention system (IDS/IPS), content filtering, and malware blocking.
• QoS: Prioritizes network traffic for smooth streaming, gaming, and video conferencing.
• VPN: Creates secure tunnels for remote access and site-to-site connections.
• Advanced features: VLANs, DHCP server, IPv6 support, and more.

Strengths:

• Performance: Up to 10x faster routing than the USG, even with IDS/IPS enabled.
• Security: Comprehensive suite of security features to protect your network from threats.
• Ease of use: Web-based UniFi Network controller makes configuration intuitive.
• Versatility: Suitable for home, small business, and even some medium-sized businesses.
• Compact size: Takes up minimal space and can be easily mounted.
• Cost-effective: Affordable price compared to similar feature-rich options.

Weaknesses:

• Limited ports: Only one Gigabit Ethernet port for WAN and LAN connections.
• No Wi-Fi: Requires separate UniFi access points for wireless coverage.
• Learning curve: Advanced features might require some technical knowledge.
• Limited controller options: Needs a UniFi Network controller (Cloud Key, UDM, etc.).
• Not ideal for gigabit internet: Might bottleneck internet speeds exceeding 1Gbps.
• Spins? When the firewall is laying flat, the enclosure allows for the device to spin freely; while this shouldn’t cause any issues, it is an interesting design choice!

Home Use:

• Ideal for users who want a secure and manageable home network.
• Prioritizes security features like parental controls and malware blocking.
• Great for QoS to ensure smooth streaming and gaming experiences.
• Easy to set up and manage even for non-technical users.

Professional Use:

• Suitable for small businesses and offices with basic network needs.
• Scalable to support up to 250 devices.
• Advanced features like VLANs and VPNs for secure network segmentation.
• Centralized management with UniFi Network controller.

Overall:

The UniFi Gateway Lite is a versatile and powerful firewall that offers excellent value; its compact size, ease of use, and comprehensive security features make it a great choice for both home and professional users. However, the limited ports and lack of Wi-Fi might be dealbreakers for some users.

I recommend the UXG-Lite to:

• Home users who prioritize security and network management.
• Small businesses and offices with basic network needs.
• Users who already have UniFi access points and a controller.

If you need more ports, Wi-Fi, or support for gigabit internet speeds, you might want to consider other options.

I hope this review helps you decide if the UniFi Gateway Lite is the right firewall for your needs. For more information on the device, check out the link below.

UniFi Gateway Lite