
Best affordable Network switches
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1. Ubiquiti Flex Mini 2.5G
Compact, 5-port 2.5G switch that can be powered with PoE or a USB-C adapter.
Pro
- Small and narrow
- Compact and elegant
- USB-C/PoE Storman connection
Contra
- No PoE outlet
- Device gets quite noticeably warm during operation
- gets quite warm

2. Ubiquiti Lite 8 PoE
The USW-Lite-8-PoE is a fully managed Layer 2 switch with eight Gigabit Ethernet ports for your RJ45 Ethernet devices. Four of the ports also provide 802.3at PoE+ with automatic detection, delivering a total PoE power of 52 W for UniFi Access Points or other PoE devices. The USW-Lite-8-PoE is managed and configured by the UniFi Network Controller, which supports mobile UniFi apps, and offers Layer 2 switching protocols and features. With the UniFi Network Controller and the mobile app, administrators can configure and monitor virtually all switch functions through a graphical user interface from anywhere.
Pro
- Simple integration into the Unifi environment
- Managed switch
- Configurable via Unifi platform
Contra
- ... unfortunately black CH 230V cable
- no documentation on cli
- Separate power adapter required

3. Netgear Gs108ge
The product line of Netgear Gigabit Unmanaged Switches allows businesses to expand their networks to Gigabit speeds and higher port counts. They are energy-efficient, durable, and undergo rigorous testing to ensure the reliability demanded by businesses. Netgear Unmanaged Switches also support the Energy Efficient Ethernet standard, which reduces power consumption when there is little traffic on an active port or when no links or activities are detected. Additionally, using shorter cables can help save energy.
Pro
- I think it also works automatically with crossover RJ45 cables
- compact, nice and flat
- Is a plug and play device
Contra
- Unmanaged (but is also declared as such)
- External power supply unit
- Nothing found yet

4. TP-Link PoE+ Switch TL-SG105PE 5 Port
The TL-SG105PE is fully compatible with PoE devices such as IP cameras, access points, and IP phones. It also works with non-PoE wired devices like PCs, printers, and IPTV.
Pro
- Very small
- 802.3af (PoE) i , 802.3at (PoE+)
- Works great with Netgear WAX218 Wifi 6
Contra
- Schuko plug
- Lan cable tangle ...
- Green LED on the LAN sockets flashes damn brightly

5. Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Flex Mini
The Ubiquiti UniFi Switch FLEX Mini (Model USW-Flex-Mini) is a fully managed 5-port Gigabit network switch designed for home and small office environments. This compact white device measures 10.2 cm in width, 3.8 cm in height, and 2.8 cm in depth, weighing 120 g, making it ideal for space-constrained installations such as behind televisions or in media cabinets. It features five RJ45 Ethernet ports with 1-Gigabit support for devices like gaming consoles, streaming devices, and computers. Power options include 802.3af/at Power over Ethernet (PoE) via port 1 or the included 5V, 1A USB Type-C power adapter, eliminating the need for a separate outlet when using PoE. As a managed switch, it offers advanced network management features such as Quality of Service (QoS) for prioritizing critical network traffic, VLAN support for network segmentation, and Link Aggregation for bundling multiple ports. The switch seamlessly integrates into UniFi network systems, enabling device discovery and centralized management through the UniFi Controller interface. Its compact design, flexible power options, and managed features make it suitable for expanding network connectivity in residential environments while maintaining professional network control.
Pro
- Extremely small and light
- PoE (no power adapter required, but one is supplied)
- Can be powered via PoE or with an external USB-C power supply unit
Contra
- can be powered via POE and cannot operate a POE device itself
- Dependent on a controller
- Management with non-UI software

6. Ubiquiti UnifiFlex:Outdoor 5Port PoE Switch
The USW-Flex supports a maximum PoE output budget of 46 W when powered with 60 W 802.3bt PoE++. Four ports provide an 802.3af PoE output with automatic detection for powering multiple devices on the network.
Pro
- Small and smart
- Outdoor capable
- Easy assembly
Contra
- UniFi Controller absolutely required
- Quite expensive if you don't need PoE

7. TP-Link 8-Port 2.5G Desktop Switch TL-SG108-M2 Unmanaged
Ideal for various scenarios - built for LAN parties, home entertainment, small and home offices, as well as instant transmission for workstations. Quiet operation. The industry-leading fanless design ensures a noise-free operation, perfect for any home or business. Plug and Play allows for easy deployment without the need for a technician. The sturdy metal casing and desktop/wall mount design are well-suited for different environments.
Pro
- Quiet as no fan
- Went very quickly
Contra
- Somewhat large
- Connections on the front

8. Ubiquiti Ultra 7
The Ultra 7 Network Switch is a powerful, managed Layer 2 switch specifically designed for demanding network requirements. With eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, including seven PoE+ and one PoE++ port, this switch offers impressive bandwidth and flexibility. The innovative UniFi Controller software allows for easy configuration, monitoring, and management of the network. Thanks to its robust design and reliable performance, the Ultra 7 is the ideal solution for both businesses and home networks.
Highlights:
- Routing/Switching capacity of 16 Gbit/s
- Total power of 42 W Power over Ethernet (PoE)
- Versatile mounting options, including wall mounting.
Pro
- Plug and Play (+adoption)
- Plug and play
Contra
- PoE++ for the power supply
- You cannot filter for ports with PoE PD

9. Netgear GS305E
The Netgear GS305E 5-Port Ethernet Gigabit Switch offers plug-and-play connectivity for your wired devices and easy web management for traffic priority (QoS) and traffic separation (VLAN). Through an intuitive user interface, it provides simple, reliable, and affordable plug-and-play connectivity to quickly connect workstations, servers, NAS storage, printers, and PCs in your business. All of this is housed in a fanless metal case. The Netgear GS305E also includes energy-efficient Ethernet (IEEE 802.3az) for maximum energy savings.
Pro
- Economical and small
- Solid Netgear quality as you know it
- Plug n Play
Contra
- No HTTPS or VLAN for web interface
- No user management
- Does not support SNMP

10. Trendnet TEG-S762
The 6-Port 10G Switch from TRENDnet, model TEG-S762, is a multi-gig switch that offers advanced performance with high bandwidth, user-friendliness, and reliability.
Pro
- Plug and play
- 2x 10Gbit and 4x 2.5Gbit
Contra
- Gets very warm
- gets extremely hot after a short time
- No rubberised feet
