Head-to-Head · Switches
MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM (24-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) vs Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE)
Scored Dimensions
9.5
Value for Money
9.0
7.0
Reliability & Endurance
7.5
9.0
Stability
8.0
4.5
Ease of Assembly
8.2
9.8
Connectivity & Ports
9.2
MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM (24-Port Gigabit PoE Switch)
The Good
- Exceptional value for money, offering enterprise-grade features at a competitive price.
- Robust connectivity with 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, versatile PoE, and four 10Gbps SFP+ uplinks.
- Solid stability and performance, with many users reporting reliable operation over extended periods.
- Comprehensive feature set including advanced routing, VLANs, LACP, and CAPsMAN for experienced users.
The Bad
- Initial setup presents a steep learning curve, requiring advanced networking knowledge.
- Concerns about quality control, with reports of loose internal screws on arrival.
- Some users experienced fan cycling issues or found the default fans noisy.
- Security hardening is essential and not straightforward, requiring manual firewall rule configuration.
- A few reports of units failing prematurely after a few months of use.
Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE)
The Good
- Seamless integration into the UniFi ecosystem, simplifying network management for existing users.
- Exceptional 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet performance across all five ports, significantly boosting network speeds.
- Compact, robust, and fanless design, making it ideal for various placements without noise.
- Flexible power options, including Power over Ethernet (PoE) and USB-C, reduce cable clutter and simplify installation.
The Bad
- Some owners reported reliability issues, with one device failing and continuously resetting after a few months.
- Requires familiarity with the UniFi ecosystem and a running controller for full management, which can present a learning curve for new users.
- Lacks advanced features like PoE-out to power other devices, SNMP support, or integrated wall-mounting options.
The MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM (24-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) Verdict
For experienced network administrators or prosumers seeking powerful, feature-rich switching and routing capabilities at an outstanding price, this device is a strong contender, provided they are prepared for a challenging initial configuration.
Read the full MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM (24-Port Gigabit PoE Switch) consensus →The Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE) Verdict
This switch is an excellent choice for users already invested in the UniFi ecosystem looking to upgrade their network to 2.5GbE with a compact, flexible, and high-performing device, provided they are comfortable with the UniFi management approach.
Read the full Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE) consensus →
The Bottom Line
Our pick: Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE) · 8.4/10
Owners rate the Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE) meaningfully higher — 8.4/10 against 8.0/10 for the MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM (24-Port Gigabit PoE Switch). It wins where it counts: Ease of Assembly and Reliability & Endurance.
MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM (24-Port Gigabit PoE Switch)
$474.19
Best price the consensus found
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Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE)
$79.99
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 →