Introduction to the Hikvision AX PRO Ultra Hybrid Alarm Panel
The Hikvision AX PRO Ultra DS-PWA96-M2H-WE is a modern hybrid wireless intruder alarm panel designed for professional residential and light-commercial installations. Combining robust wireless security with onboard wired support, resilient communications and cloud-based management options, this panel aims to simplify installation while delivering reliable detection, verification and reporting. With support for up to 96 zones/outputs, AES-128 encrypted two-way wireless (Tri-X / Cam-X), IP/Wi-Fi and built-in 3/4G dual-SIM connectivity, the AX PRO Ultra is positioned as a flexible, installer-friendly solution for monitored security systems.
- Hybrid design— Wireless AX PRO Ultra with up to 16 wired zones and two onboard wired outputs.
- Resilient connectivity— Ethernet, Wi-Fi and built-in 3/4G modem with dual SIM slots for cellular backup.
- High capacity— Supports up to 96 zones/outputs including up to 48 PIRCAM devices, multiple users and partitions.
- Video verification— Stores short clips and integrates PIRCAM devices for event verification.
- Professional integration— ARC protocols (Contact ID / SIA / ISUP / ISAPI) and cloud tools (Hik-Connect, Hik-ProConnect) for monitoring and remote management.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The DS-PWA96-M2H-WE brings together a set of specifications that matter to installers, monitoring centres and end users. Below is a breakdown of its technical capabilities and the practical benefits that follow.
- Model:DS-PWA96-M2H-WE (AX PRO Ultra series).
- Physical:White enclosure; approximately 261 × 199 × 86.4 mm; weight ≈ 1083 g (no battery).
- Operating temperature:−10 °C to 40 °C, suitable for typical indoor installations.
Benefit: A compact, wall-mountable enclosure with space for a 12 V 7 Ah battery (battery not included) makes retrofits and new installs straightforward without needing a large cabinet.
- Zones / outputs:Up to 96 (including up to 48 PIRCAM devices).
- Wired zones onboard:Up to 16.
- Users:Up to 48 (46 normal users, 1 admin, 1 installer).
- Areas / Partitions:Up to 32 separate areas/partitions.
- Event log:5,000 events;Onboard video clips:4 short clips.
Benefit: High capacity supports multi-tenant homes, larger residences or small commercial sites with multiple partitions, many users, and integrated video sensors for rapid verification.
- RF frequency:868 MHz.
- Protocol:Tri-X / Cam-X two-way.
- Encryption:AES-128.
- Network:Ethernet, Wi-Fi, built-in 3/4G modem with dual SIM.
- ARC protocols:Contact ID (SIA DC09), ISUP, ISAPI, Hik-IP Receiver/Pro.
Benefit: Two-way encrypted wireless provides secure, reliable communications between the panel and devices; multiple network paths (IP, Wi-Fi, cellular) ensure monitoring signals reach the monitoring centre even if one path fails.
- Battery:Space for a 12 V 7 Ah battery (not included).
- Backup:Typical backup up to ~36 hours (temperature dependent).
- 12 V outputs:Two outputs totalling 1 A to power peripherals.
Benefit: Internal power supply and battery space keep installations neat; reasonable backup time ensures continuity during short outages, and auxiliary outputs reduce need for extra power distribution hardware.
- Keyfobs:Up to 48.
- Keypads:Up to 8 (including tag readers).
- Repeaters:Up to 4.
- Wireless sirens:Up to 6 (3 internal + 3 external).
Benefit: Flexible peripheral support allows installers to tailor alarms, arming options and notifications to the environment and user preferences.
Use cases and scenarios where the AX PRO Ultra excels
This panel is designed to cover a variety of real-world scenarios where flexibility, reliability and verification are important:
For single-family homes and multi-room residences, the AX PRO Ultra handles a mix of wireless door/window sensors, motion detectors, PIRCAM video sensors and keypads across multiple partitions. Built-in cellular backup and cloud management make it a solid choice for homeowners who want professional monitoring with remote control via apps.
Small offices, retail shops and clinics can benefit from the panel’s hybrid nature — adding wired detectors for secure internal areas while keeping wireless devices in places where cable runs would be invasive or expensive. High user capacity and partition support help manage staff, different zones and scheduling.
PIRCAM integration and stored event clips enable video verification workflows that can reduce false alarms and improve response decisions for monitoring centres and end users. This is particularly useful at sites where confirming an intrusion before dispatch is a priority.
Properties in areas with unreliable broadband benefit from the AX PRO Ultra’s Wi-Fi and cellular fallbacks. Dual-SIM cellular reduces single-carrier dependency and supports resilient alarm reporting.
Comparisons with similar products in the market
When evaluating the AX PRO Ultra against alternatives, consider the following comparisons:
Fully wired panels can offer very dense wired zone counts and are common in large-scale commercial systems. The AX PRO Ultra’s hybrid approach gives a balance — it supports up to 16 wired zones while allowing significant wireless expansion. For many residential and small-business sites, the lower installation labour of wireless devices outweighs the maximum zone capacity of large wired panels.
Compared with other hybrid systems, the AX PRO Ultra stands out for its AES-128 two-way Tri-X / Cam-X wireless and native PIRCAM video verification. Built-in IP, Wi-Fi and 3/4G dual-SIM cellular is increasingly a standard expectation, but the combination of Hikvision cloud integration (Hik-Connect, Hik-ProConnect) and ARC protocol support makes it particularly well-suited for professional installers and monitoring centres who need both local control and centralised management.
Brands such as DSC, Honeywell/Resideo and others offer competitive panels with varied feature sets. Key differentiators for the AX PRO Ultra include its native PIRCAM video sensor ecosystem and Hikvision’s wider video and cloud platform compatibility. Installers choosing between platforms should weigh factors such as local support, device ecosystem, verification capabilities and integration with existing CCTV and VMS infrastructure.
Customer feedback and installer perspectives
While individual testimonials are not provided here, common feedback themes from installers and monitoring centres evaluating systems like the AX PRO Ultra typically include:
- Ease of installation:The hybrid design and on-board power/battery space often reduce install time, especially when replacing older control panels.
- Reliability of communications:Multi-path connectivity (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular) is frequently praised for lowering false disconnects and improving uptime.
- Value of video verification:Integrating PIRCAM devices to capture short clips at alarm events is viewed as a major benefit for reducing false dispatches.
- Cloud management:Support for Hik-Connect and Hik-ProConnect is appreciated by installers who manage multiple sites remotely, allowing simpler diagnostics and updates.
Sample installer-style comments (anonymised, representative):
- "The AX PRO Ultra saved us time on a retrofit — we didn't need a full rewire and the PIRCAMs gave the client confidence in monitoring."
- "Dual-SIM cellular backup has reduced outage-related missed signals in areas with flaky broadband."
Conclusion: Why choose the Hikvision AX PRO Ultra?
The Hikvision AX PRO Ultra DS-PWA96-M2H-WE is a compelling choice for installers, monitoring centres and end users who want a flexible, professional-grade hybrid alarm panel. It combines strong wireless security with AES-128 encryption, multi-path communications (Ethernet/Wi-Fi/3/4G dual-SIM), video verification via PIRCAM devices and robust cloud integration for management and reporting. With capacity for up to 96 zones/outputs and support for multiple user types and partitions, it suits a wide range of residential and light-commercial applications.
For projects that need a balance between reduced installation time, advanced verification and resilient reporting, the AX PRO Ultra offers a feature set that is practical and future-proof. Whether you are upgrading an older panel, specifying systems for a small business, or building out monitored residential services, this panel is worth considering for its flexibility, security and integration capabilities.
Suggested retail pricing is around $249.99 (check local distributor pricing). For installations, note that a 12 V 7 Ah battery is required but not included; installers should refer to the Hikvision datasheet and user manual for detailed installation, wiring and regulatory guidance.
