Head-to-Head · Switches

MikroTik CRS112-8P-4S-IN (8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) vs TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch (ES206X-M2)

TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch (ES206X-M2)
$49.99 27 reviews analyzed
Scored Dimensions
4.5 Value for Money 9.2
5.0 Reliability & Endurance 9.0
3.0 Stability 9.6
6.0 Ease of Assembly 8.5
4.0 Connectivity & Ports 9.1
MikroTik CRS112-8P-4S-IN (8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch)

The Good

  • Offers strong value for hardware quality, especially for experienced MikroTik users.
  • Supports both 24VDC and 48VDC PoE devices with the right power supply.
  • Provides extensive configuration options through RouterOS for network engineers.
  • Fanless design for silent operation.

The Bad

  • Requires a separate, costly 48VDC power supply for proper PoE functionality.
  • Performance severely degrades when using advanced features like VLANs.
  • Not a plug-and-play device, demanding a steep learning curve for RouterOS newcomers.
  • SFP ports can be quirky and may require manual configuration.
TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch (ES206X-M2)

The Good

  • Delivers excellent 2.5G and 10G SFP+ performance, enhancing network speeds significantly.
  • Offers strong value for its feature set, including managed capabilities and Omada integration.
  • Features a durable, heavy-duty metal construction that conveys immediate quality.
  • Provides intuitive management options, including easy VLAN configuration, especially within the Omada SDN.

The Bad

  • One user found the graphical user interface (GUI) to be unpolished.
  • Some owners encountered minor initial challenges when adopting the switch into an existing Omada controller.
  • The switch has limited Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, requiring external injectors for PoE-powered devices.
The MikroTik CRS112-8P-4S-IN (8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) Verdict

While offering advanced configurability for MikroTik veterans, this switch is not recommended for users needing reliable PoE without extra cost or those expecting full performance with managed features like VLANs.

Read the full MikroTik CRS112-8P-4S-IN (8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) consensus →
The TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch (ES206X-M2) Verdict

This TP-Link Omada switch is an excellent choice for users seeking to upgrade to 2.5G speeds with a reliable, managed solution that integrates well into the Omada ecosystem, offering strong performance and value despite minor GUI and initial setup quirks.

Read the full TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch (ES206X-M2) consensus →
The Bottom Line

Our pick: TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch (ES206X-M2) · 9.1/10

Owners rate the TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch (ES206X-M2) meaningfully higher — 9.1/10 against 4.5/10 for the MikroTik CRS112-8P-4S-IN (8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch). It wins where it counts: Stability and Connectivity & Ports.

MikroTik CRS112-8P-4S-IN (8-Port Gigabit PoE Switch)
$194.80 Best price the consensus found
Check Price →
TP-Link Omada 5 Port 2.5G Switch (ES206X-M2)
$49.99 Best price the consensus found
Check Price →

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How ORA built this: We read recent reviews, remove suspected bot or incentivized entries, off-topic complaints, and reviews describing the buyer's own setup problems rather than the product, then synthesize the remainder into a single unbiased verdict. Read our full methodology →