
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 compact
- Power supply via USB-C
Contra
- unfortunately no POE injection possible
- Gets quite hot
- gets quite warm

2. 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
- As small as it should be.
- Power supply via PoE possible, but power supply unit included
- Can also be powered via USB-C, power supply unit included
Contra
- Speising with PoE triggers a port shutdown
- Requires controller
- Management only via cloud and Windows client

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
- Very compact, beautiful, high-quality product.
- Zero administration: plug and play
Contra
- Unmanaged (but is also declared as such)
- Power supply unit should be smaller, but will probably last forever
- Nothing found yet

4. 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

5. 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 simple
- Outdoor capable.
- Very good assembly
Contra
- Requires POE++, not many switches provide this.
- Rather expensive
- Not configurable without controller

6. 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
- Plug and Play (+adoption)
Contra
- PoE++ for the power supply
- You cannot filter for ports with PoE PD

7. TP-Link Tl-Sg108pe
The TP-Link TL-SG108PE offers an easy way to expand your network, as power and data are transmitted over a single cable. With 4 PoE ports, it can power up to 4 PoE-compatible devices such as access points, IP cameras, and IP phones.
Simple and Effective Management
The TL-SG108PE provides various options for network monitoring. Through port mirroring, loopback detection, and cable diagnostics, connection issues within the network can be identified and localized.
VLAN Enhancing Security
Extensive VLAN features assist in building a business network with better management and higher security. Supports up to 32 VLANs (from 4k VLAN IDs), MTU/Port/Tag VLAN.
Traffic Optimization
IGMP snooping optimizes multicast traffic, especially for IPTV, thus providing a better networking experience.
Layer 2 Features
IGMP snooping, link aggregation, port mirroring, cable diagnostics, loop prevention.
Pro
- 4x PoE
- favourable price
- Simple installation
Contra
- Separate power supply unit
- Web interface buggy
- Power supply unit somewhat large (of course, PoE ..)

8. TP-Link TL-SG105-M2
As the flagship of the 2.5G products, the 5/8-port desktop switches with 5/8 × 2.5 Gigabit ports deliver the highest performance for your multi-gig bandwidth and devices, offering a switching capacity of up to 25/40 Gbit/s. The 3-speed connections (100 MB / 1G / 2.5G) with automatic negotiation detect the connection speeds and intelligently adjust to ensure compatibility and optimal performance for all your devices, including 2.5G NAS, 2.5G PCIe adapters, gaming consoles, VR gaming, 2.5G WiFi 6 APs, 4K video, desktops, and more.
Pro
- Simple installation
- Easy handling
- Good workmanship

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&Play
Contra
- No HTTPS or VLAN for web interface
- No user management
- Does not support SNMP

10. TP-Link TL-SG1005LP
Plug and Play with PoE power supply that meets the requirements of various devices. Intelligent power management: When the total power consumption exceeds 40 W, the intelligent energy management reduces the power of lower-priority ports. This ensures the power supply of higher-priority ports and protects the device from overload. It automatically detects and delivers the required power for your PoE devices while also protecting your PoE and non-PoE devices from damage.
Pro
- Good POE switch
- Simple commissioning
- Small device
Contra
- large power supply unit
- Large power supply unit (but robust)
- One cable too many
