Supercharged for 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz Networks

The best Wi-Fi measurement device on the planet just got even better — introducing Ekahau Sidekick 2 — the mind blowing new Wi-Fi testing and measurement device from Ekahau. Sidekick 2 is lightning fast, unbelievably accurate, and officially rounds out the 6 GHz solution from Ekahau giving you everything you need to design, validate and perform regular performance health checks for all 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz wireless networks.

Let’s Get to the Unboxing

Out of the box and onto your side, Sidekick 2 turns anyone with a phone or tablet into a Wi-Fi superhero collecting the precise Wi-Fi signal and spectrum analysis data needed to design high-performing networks and then keep them high-performing over time.

With Sidekick 2, you’ll save time and money by getting AP placement right the first time and rest easy knowing you have the device you need to identify and address Wi-Fi issues before they lead to costly outages. Put simply — if you want great Wi-Fi, you need the Sidekick 2.

Sidekick 2 Brings 6 GHz Validation and Visualization to Life

The explosion of wireless device connectivity requirements has led to the expansion of federally recognized spectrum in 6 GHz and a unique opportunity for businesses to get their network designs right for the next generation of business-critical applications and services.

With Sidekick 2, you can now take full advantage of the upgraded speed and channel availability of Wi-Fi 6E with a network design that’s been validated for 6 GHz by the most trusted name in Wi-Fi design. Ekahau AI Pro is the powerhouse design software that allows you to accurately model how 6 GHz Wi-Fi will behave, and Sidekick 2 proves it.

Just walk the site as Sidekick 2 measures and collects mountains of Wi-Fi data at every step and overlays the results on top of your floor plan so you can effortlessly visualize Wi-Fi health and ensure the highest level of performance for your Wi-Fi users.

With Great Spectrum Comes Great Performance Requirements

The addition of 6 GHz triples the number of available non-overlapping channels for many regions, increasing in the US from 28 in 2.4 and 5 GHz, to 87 with the inclusion of 6 GHz. All that extra data requires immensely faster speeds, so with Sidekick 2, we’ve supercharged every component to be faster and more accurate than ever before. Here’s a quick breakdown of the new and improved speeds:

Under the Hood of Sidekick 2

4 Enterprise-Grade Tri-band Wi-Fi Radios
Capture more data in less time with 4 tri-band Wi-Fi radios that scan 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz frequency bands faster than the original Sidekick scans just 2.4 and 5. Sidekick 2 is nearly 100% faster for dual-band surveys and 33% faster when surveying tri-band networks.

9 Custom Wideband Antennas
Get unbeatable accuracy and reliability with 9 custom-designed 3D antennas positioned for optimum omnidirectional measurement consistency. By eliminating variances between devices, you can trust the data collected is always accurate and actionable.

50 Sweeps/Second Spectrum Analyzer
See the invisible Wi-Fi spectrum from 2,400–7,125 MHz in brilliant high definition with the fastest refresh rates so you’ll never miss a microsecond of interference. Capture quicker interference events and zoom in to the smallest details with 4X better resolution bandwidth.

Survey All Day Battery
Built with the largest battery allowed on commercial airlines, Sidekick 2 powers more than a full day of onsite surveying on a single charge and can even be topped off for an extra 4 hours of active use with just 1 hour of charging.

Whisper-Quiet Active Cooling
The active cooling system in Sidekick 2 maintains optimal operating temp in harsh conditions. It’s whisper quiet and just one of the many reasons that Sidekick 2 is so cool.

Now Featuring USB-C Connectivity
Charge faster and with improved reliability thanks to a USB-C connection port that’s always the ‘right way’ no matter how you plug it in. The snug fit and reinforced cable management channel takes the pressure off your connection and reduces the chance of an accidental mid-survey disconnect.

Ready for your first look at 6 GHz spectrum?

Remember this day for when you tell your grandkids about the first time you saw 6 GHz spectrum in real life. Ladies and gentlemen, Sidekick 2 spectrum analysis in 6 GHz:

This article was featured in the Ekahau Blog, Introducing Ekahau Sidekick 2: Essential for High-Performing Wi-Fi, an introduction to the mind blowing new Wi-Fi testing and measurement device from Ekahau.