MX85-HW vs MX95-HW: Which Cisco Meraki Edge Router is Right for Your Enterprise Network?

Choosing the right edge router is crucial for enterprises aiming for secure, scalable, and high-performance network infrastructure. Cisco Meraki's MX series offers a robust range of security and SD-WAN appliances for modern networks. In this guide, we compare MX85-HW vs MX95-HW, two popular models in the lineup, to help you determine which best fits your organization's needs.

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1. Overview of Cisco Meraki MX Series

Cisco Meraki’s MX appliances are designed for distributed enterprise environments. They combine firewall, SD-WAN, and cloud-managed features into one appliance. The MX85-HW and MX95-HW are positioned for mid-sized to large branch offices and corporate sites.

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2. Hardware Specifications Comparison

The MX95-HW offers significantly higher throughput and more flexible interface options, including 10G SFP+ ports, making it suitable for data-heavy environments.

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3. Use Case Scenarios

MX85-HW: Ideal For

• Mid-size branch offices

• Up to 500 concurrent users

• Businesses needing cloud-managed SD-WAN without high-speed uplinks

• Retail chains or schools with moderate traffic loads

• Cost-conscious IT environments

MX95-HW: Ideal For

• Large branch offices or campuses

• Up to 750 concurrent users

• Companies with high-bandwidth cloud apps

• Environments needing 10G WAN uplinks

• Enterprises scaling toward hybrid cloud or multi-site VPNs

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4. Security and Software Features

Both routers come with:

• Advanced Threat Protection

• Content Filtering

• Intrusion Detection & Prevention (IDS/IPS)

• Auto VPN and SD-WAN

• Layer 7 Traffic Shaping

• Cloud-based central management via Meraki Dashboard

The real difference lies in scalability and performance under pressure. The MX95-HW handles heavier security and application loads with ease.

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5. Cloud Management and Licensing

Both models require a Meraki Enterprise License or Advanced Security License, giving access to:

• Real-time analytics

• Zero-touch provisioning

• Firmware updates

• Centralized monitoring and configuration

• Network topology maps and alerts

Licensing is identical, so your decision hinges on hardware capability, not software access.

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6. Performance & Scalability

MX85-HW Performance:

• Stable for mid-tier VPNs

• Handles medium SD-WAN loads

• Best with 100–200 Mbps cloud workloads

• Limited scalability for future-proofing

MX95-HW Performance:

• Designed for enterprise cloud workloads

• Handles up to 1 Gbps VPN traffic

• Supports heavy streaming, VoIP, and multiple VPN tunnels

• Excellent for fast-growing networks

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7. Price vs Performance

While the MX95-HW carries a higher upfront cost, it offers long-term value for companies with growing bandwidth needs. The MX85-HW is more budget-friendly and suitable for static environments with lower throughput requirements.

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8. Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

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9. FAQs

1. Is the MX85-HW suitable for VPN-heavy environments?

Yes, but only for up to 800 Mbps VPN traffic. For higher VPN needs, opt for the MX95-HW.

2. Can I upgrade from MX85-HW to MX95-HW later?

Yes, Meraki's dashboard allows seamless migration between appliances.

3. Are both models compatible with 10G fiber?

Only MX95-HW supports 10G SFP+ uplinks; MX85-HW is limited to 1G.

4. What’s the key benefit of the Meraki Dashboard?

It allows centralized cloud management, real-time diagnostics, and zero-touch deployments.

5. Which model offers better future-proofing?

MX95-HW is better for scalability and enterprise-grade workloads.

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Conclusion

Both the MX85-HW and MX95-HW are excellent edge routers, but your choice should depend on your network size, performance expectations, and budget. If you're operating in a high-growth, high-traffic enterprise, MX95-HW is the smarter investment. For moderate network demands and a leaner IT budget, MX85-HW still delivers excellent Meraki functionality.