Networking

The Best Switches of 2026, Ranked

Ranked by ORA Consensus Score — verified owner reviews, scored on the dimensions this category is judged by. How we rank →

A reliable network switch is the backbone of any robust wired network, whether for a bustling home office, a growing small business, or a sophisticated home lab. These devices are a serious investment, connecting your critical equipment and ensuring seamless data flow.

Our hub helps you navigate the complexities of network switches, focusing on what truly matters to owners. We evaluate each product on its long-term reliability, consistent performance, ease of configuration, and the practical utility of its port selection, alongside its overall value.

Scored on: Value for MoneyReliability & EnduranceStabilityEase of AssemblyConnectivity & Ports
Switches by the numbers: what 1,164 owner reviews reveal about this category →

The ranking

// 25 ranked by ORA Score
  1. 1 Ubiquiti Networks USW-Ultra-60W (60W PoE+ Switch) Best Overall The Ubiquiti Networks USW-Ultra-60W is a highly acclaimed managed switch, particularly valued by owners within the Unifi ecosystem for its robust PoE+ output and seamless integration. 24 reviews analyzed 9.7
  2. 2 TOE TP-Link Omada ES210X-M2 (8 Port 2.5G Switch) The TP-Link Omada ES210X-M2 receives widespread acclaim for its exceptional multi-gigabit performance, reliable operation, and strong value, proving to be a highly capable backbone for demanding home and small business networks. 30 reviews analyzed 9.4
  3. 3 TO5 TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch (ES206X-M2) The TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch is highly regarded by owners for its robust performance, seamless Omada ecosystem integration, and exceptional value, making it a solid choice for network upgrades. 25 reviews analyzed 9.1
  4. 4 MikroTik CSS318-16G-2S+in (16-Port Gigabit, 2 SFP+) This managed network switch earns high marks for its exceptional value, robust performance, and compact design featuring 16 Gigabit Ethernet and two 10G SFP+ ports, though some users note its SwOS limitations and lack of Power over Ethernet. 10 reviews analyzed 8.8
  5. 5 Ubiquiti Compact 5-Port Gigabit Switch The Ubiquiti Compact 5-Port Gigabit Switch is widely praised for its solid performance, compact design, and seamless integration into UniFi networks, though many owners note the absence of an included power adapter. 11 reviews analyzed 8.7
  6. 6 TOE TP-Link Omada ES208G (8 Port Gigabit Switch) Best Value The TP-Link Omada ES208G is a highly regarded 8-port gigabit managed switch, celebrated by owners for its seamless integration into the Omada ecosystem and robust VLAN capabilities, offering strong value for home and small business networks. 12 reviews analyzed 8.7
  7. 7 MikroTik CRS304-4XG-IN (4x 10 Gigabit Ethernet Switch) The MikroTik CRS304-4XG-IN is a highly capable and exceptionally priced 10 Gigabit Ethernet switch, lauded by owners for its robust performance and silent operation, though it demands a significant learning curve for configuration. 47 reviews analyzed 8.5
  8. 8 Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE) The Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 is a compact, 5-port 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet switch highly praised for its seamless UniFi integration and high-speed performance, though some users encountered reliability issues and noted its dependence on the UniFi controller for full functionality. 88 reviews analyzed 8.4
  9. 9 MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+in (10G SFP+ Switch) This compact network switch offers exceptional value for building a 10 Gigabit Ethernet network, delivering high performance and versatility despite a learning curve for its advanced features and a tendency to run warm. 97 reviews analyzed 8.2
  10. 10 MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM (24-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) This MikroTik switch offers exceptional connectivity and value, providing 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with versatile PoE and four 10Gbps SFP+ ports, though it demands significant networking expertise for setup and configuration. 32 reviews analyzed 8.0
  11. 11 Ubiquiti US-8-60W UniFi (8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) The Ubiquiti US-8-60W UniFi switch is widely praised for its exceptional ease of setup and seamless integration into the UniFi ecosystem, offering solid reliability for extending wired and PoE networks, though some users note concerns regarding heat generation and limited advanced PoE capabilities. 36 reviews analyzed 7.8
  12. 12 TSO TP-Link SG2210XMP-M2 Omada Smart Switch (8-Port 2.5G) This multi-gigabit Omada switch offers robust connectivity and seamless integration for existing Omada networks, though some owners report it runs hot under load. 12 reviews analyzed 7.8
  13. 13 Ubiquiti Networks USW-24-POE (Gigabit Layer 2 Ethernet Switch) The Ubiquiti Networks USW-24-POE is a highly reliable and stable Gigabit Layer 2 Ethernet switch, praised for its silent, fanless operation and seamless integration within the UniFi ecosystem. However, its connectivity options are limited by 1 Gigabit SFP uplinks and a moderate PoE budget, and its management requires a UniFi controller. 25 reviews analyzed 7.7
  14. 14 MikroTik CSS610-8G-2S+in (Cloud Smart Switch) The MikroTik CSS610-8G-2S+in is an affordable managed Layer 2 switch offering solid gigabit and 10G SFP+ connectivity, though some owners report recurring issues with its SwitchOS Lite firmware and SFP+ port stability. 31 reviews analyzed 7.7
  15. 15 Mikrotik CSS326-24G-2S+RM (24-Port Gigabit Switch) The Mikrotik CSS326-24G-2S+RM is a managed 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch with two SFP+ ports, widely praised for its exceptional value and robust hardware, though some users note a learning curve for its interface and occasional software quirks. 92 reviews analyzed 7.7
  16. 16 Ubiquiti UniFi Switch (USW-Lite-16-PoE) The Ubiquiti UniFi Switch (USW-Lite-16-PoE) generally earns owner approval for its effortless integration into existing UniFi networks and consistent performance, though its limited PoE power and some longevity concerns temper overall enthusiasm. 69 reviews analyzed 7.6
  17. 17 MikroTik CRS309-1G-8S+in (8-Port 10G SFP+ Switch) The MikroTik CRS309-1G-8S+in is a highly-regarded 8-port 10G SFP+ switch offering exceptional value for building or upgrading high-speed networks. While its powerful features and robust connectivity are praised, users should prepare for a learning curve during initial setup and configuration. 105 reviews analyzed 7.5
  18. 18 MikroTik CRS326-24S+2Q+RM (24x 10GbE SFP+ / 2x 40GbE QSFP+) The MikroTik CRS326-24S+2Q+RM is a managed Layer 3 switch praised for its exceptional value and robust performance, though some users encountered challenges with software and hardware compatibility. 16 reviews analyzed 7.5
  19. 19 MikroTik CRS312-4C+8XG-RM (10G Ethernet Switch) The MikroTik CRS312-4C+8XG-RM is a highly capable and cost-effective 10 Gigabit Ethernet switch, widely praised for its robust switching performance and extensive connectivity options, though its advanced routing features come with a notable learning curve and CPU limitations. 31 reviews analyzed 7.3
  20. 20 Mikrotik CRS326-24G-2S+RM (24-Port Gigabit Switch) The Mikrotik CRS326-24G-2S+RM is a feature-rich, dual-boot network device offering excellent value as a managed switch and a capable router for experienced network professionals. Its advanced configuration options require significant technical expertise. 40 reviews analyzed 6.7
  21. 21 Mikrotik CRS310-8G+2S+IN (2.5G Ethernet Switch) This managed 2.5G Ethernet switch with SFP+ ports offers advanced features and strong connectivity for homelabs, but comes with a notoriously loud fan and a significant learning curve for its complex software. 58 reviews analyzed 6.5
  22. 22 TOS TP-Link Omada SG2218 (16-Port Gigabit Switch) The TP-Link Omada SG2218 is a smart managed switch highly praised for its seamless integration into the Omada SDN ecosystem and comprehensive feature set, though some users report reliability and connectivity challenges. 45 reviews analyzed 6.4
  23. 23 TOS TP-Link Omada SG3428 (24-Port Gigabit) The TP-Link Omada SG3428 is a managed Gigabit switch widely praised for its seamless integration into the Omada SDN ecosystem and comprehensive management features, though some users report significant reliability issues and initial setup complexities. 44 reviews analyzed 6.4
  24. 24 TO5 TP-Link Omada 5 Port Gigabit Easy Managed PoE Switch The TP-Link Omada 5 Port Gigabit Easy Managed PoE Switch is praised for its straightforward setup and integration into the Omada ecosystem, but faces significant concerns regarding long-term reliability and advanced feature limitations. 14 reviews analyzed 5.5
  25. 25 MikroTik CRS112-8P-4S-IN (8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) This MikroTik switch is a powerful device for users deeply familiar with RouterOS, but its advertised PoE capabilities often require an additional power supply, and its performance with advanced features like VLANs is significantly hampered. 13 reviews analyzed 4.5

How they compare

// scored 0–10 on each dimension
# Product ORA Score Value for MoneyReliability & EnduranceStabilityEase of AssemblyConnectivity & Ports
1 Ubiquiti Networks USW-Ultra-60W (60W PoE+ Switch) 9.7 9.79.69.89.79.8
2 TP-Link Omada ES210X-M2 (8 Port 2.5G Switch) 9.4 9.59.89.78.29.9
3 TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch (ES206X-M2) 9.1 9.29.09.68.59.1
4 MikroTik CSS318-16G-2S+in (16-Port Gigabit, 2 SFP+) 8.8 9.59.09.58.08.0
5 Ubiquiti Compact 5-Port Gigabit Switch 8.7 7.59.59.09.08.5
6 TP-Link Omada ES208G (8 Port Gigabit Switch) 8.7 9.09.59.08.57.5
7 MikroTik CRS304-4XG-IN (4x 10 Gigabit Ethernet Switch) 8.5 9.88.89.25.09.5
8 Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE) 8.4 9.07.58.08.29.2
9 MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+in (10G SFP+ Switch) 8.2 9.58.08.57.08.0
10 MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM (24-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) 8.0 9.57.09.04.59.8
11 Ubiquiti US-8-60W UniFi (8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) 7.8 8.88.26.59.26.2
12 TP-Link SG2210XMP-M2 Omada Smart Switch (8-Port 2.5G) 7.8 5.08.59.57.09.0
13 Ubiquiti Networks USW-24-POE (Gigabit Layer 2 Ethernet Switch) 7.7 8.09.59.06.55.5
14 MikroTik CSS610-8G-2S+in (Cloud Smart Switch) 7.7 9.26.56.09.77.0
15 Mikrotik CSS326-24G-2S+RM (24-Port Gigabit Switch) 7.7 9.57.07.57.07.5
16 Ubiquiti UniFi Switch (USW-Lite-16-PoE) 7.6 7.57.08.59.06.0
17 MikroTik CRS309-1G-8S+in (8-Port 10G SFP+ Switch) 7.5 9.57.08.05.57.5
18 MikroTik CRS326-24S+2Q+RM (24x 10GbE SFP+ / 2x 40GbE QSFP+) 7.5 9.38.08.55.56.0
19 MikroTik CRS312-4C+8XG-RM (10G Ethernet Switch) 7.3 8.86.05.57.58.8
20 Mikrotik CRS326-24G-2S+RM (24-Port Gigabit Switch) 6.7 9.06.57.04.07.0
21 Mikrotik CRS310-8G+2S+IN (2.5G Ethernet Switch) 6.5 8.04.56.05.58.5
22 TP-Link Omada SG2218 (16-Port Gigabit Switch) 6.4 7.55.05.58.55.5
23 TP-Link Omada SG3428 (24-Port Gigabit) 6.4 7.85.56.07.85.0
24 TP-Link Omada 5 Port Gigabit Easy Managed PoE Switch 5.5 5.54.05.09.04.0
25 MikroTik CRS112-8P-4S-IN (8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) 4.5 4.55.03.06.04.0

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