Head-to-Head · Switches

Ubiquiti Compact 5-Port Gigabit Switch vs Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE)

Ubiquiti Compact 5-Port Gigabit Switch
$50.00 15 reviews analyzed
Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 (5-Port 2.5GbE)
$79.99 99 reviews analyzed
Scored Dimensions
7.5 Value for Money 9.0
9.5 Reliability & Endurance 7.5
9.0 Stability 8.0
9.0 Ease of Assembly 8.2
8.5 Connectivity & Ports 9.2
Ubiquiti Compact 5-Port Gigabit Switch

The Good

  • Exceptional reliability and consistent performance, even under demanding professional use.
  • Effortless integration and management within the UniFi ecosystem.
  • Highly compact design with flexible power options via PoE or USB-C.
  • Offers robust managed switch features like VLANs and LAG, providing strong functionality for its price point.

The Bad

  • Product descriptions frequently mislead buyers into expecting an included power adapter, which is not provided.
  • The absence of an included power adapter requires a separate purchase, impacting overall value perception.
  • The device lacks PoE pass-through functionality, a feature some users desired.
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 Ubiquiti Compact 5-Port Gigabit Switch Verdict

This compact switch is an excellent choice for expanding UniFi networks, offering robust managed features and reliable performance, provided buyers are aware that a power adapter must be sourced independently.

Read the full Ubiquiti Compact 5-Port Gigabit 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 Compact 5-Port Gigabit Switch · 8.7/10

It's close. The Ubiquiti Compact 5-Port Gigabit Switch edges it, 8.7/10 to 8.4/10, on the strength of Reliability & Endurance and Stability.

Ubiquiti Compact 5-Port Gigabit Switch
$50.00 Best price the consensus found
Check Price →
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 →