TRENDnet Managed switch
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Best Managed Switch Reviews and Buying Guide

Introduction

If your network is more advanced than typical, we recommend using managed switches to get the most out of it. Managed switches let you connect several devices to a single network while also controlling traffic flow. Switches are the most crucial component of any wired network. This is why, for enhanced performance, you should invest in the best managed switch available.

What is a Managed Switch?

A managed network switch enables Ethernet-based devices to connect with one another, such as a network printer or a desktop computer. It also allows the devices to offer functions that assist administrators in managing, configuring, and monitoring a LAN (local area network).

Administrators can regulate how data is transmitted over the network using a controlled switch.

This switch is great for the IT industry since it allows them to manage Ethernet networks while also providing superior connectivity. In terms of functionality, a managed switch outperforms an uncontrolled switch. It ensures a greater level of service quality. It also aids administrators in traffic management to ensure constant performance.

When it comes to selecting the best network switch, the speed and number of ports are important factors to consider. Aside from that, there are a number of other aspects to consider.

If you’re interested in acquiring one, be sure to look at the top managed switches listed below, as they provide the following features:

Number of Ports:

Because a managed switch is designed to link all of your devices on a network, you’ll want numerous ports to connect various devices at the same time. While smaller controlled switches are appropriate for residential use, bigger ones can have up to 24 ports, making them suited for industrial and large-scale applications.

Speed:

You’ll want your network switch and its ports to enable a high networking speed in addition to having several ports. This is to ensure that all of your network’s devices can transfer data promptly. Fortunately, practically all managed switches are rated for gigabit speeds, which should suffice for the majority of users and networks.

Mounting:

Whether you’re using your managed switch at home or on a server, it’s critical to mount or install it safely. Starting with house switches, they are appropriate for use on a desk or for wall mounting. Larger switches are supported by conventional rack mounting options and standard rack sizes.

Apart from these characteristics, there are a few things to consider before purchasing a controlled switch. As a result, all of the different managed switches presented here have all of their specifics and factors fully discussed, as well as an extensive “Buying Guide,” so that by the time you reach the conclusion of this article, you’ll be able to choose the best-managed switches.

Best Managed Switch of 2023

NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Plus Switch (GS105Ev2)
  • Features a total of 5 ports
  • Rated for gigabit speeds
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty
TRENDnet 8-Port Gigabit EdgeSmart Switch
  • Features a total of 8 ports
  • Rated for gigabit speeds
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty
Ubiquiti UniFi US-8 PoE 8 Port Managed Gigabit Switch
  • Features a total of 8 ports
  • Rated for gigabit speeds
  • Comes with a 1-year warranty
Mikrotik CSS326-24G-2S+RM 24 port Gigabit Ethernet switch
  • Features a total of 24 ports
  • Rated for gigabit speeds
  • Comes with a 1-year warranty
BV-Tech 26 Port PoE+ Managed Switch
  • Features a total of 24 ports
  • Rated for 100 Mbps speeds
  • Comes with a 1-year warranty
D-Link Ethernet Switch, 5 Port
  • Features a total of 5 ports
  • Rated for gigabit speeds
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cisco Systems 28-Port Gigabit Managed Switch
  • Features a total of 24 ports
  • Rated for gigabit speeds
  • Comes with a 5-year warranty

NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Plus Switch (GS105Ev2)

Netgear is a well-known brand of networking devices that are generally suitable for household use and are reasonably priced, such as the controlled switch seen below.

The Netgear GS105Ev2 managed switch is ranked first in this list because it might be a good entry-level alternative for many people. This network switch has a total of 5 ports, making it an entry-level managed switch.

When it comes to performance, this controlled switch provides gigabit speeds, which is excellent for the price. You can expect good performance from it when you combine its IEEE8023az compliance and other useful characteristics. Unlike other budget-managed switches, this one comes with a lifetime guarantee, making it one of the finest choices for long-term use.

Pros

  • Quite an affordable managed switch
  • Decent performance numbers
  • Excellent for long-term usage with a long warranty

Cons

  • Not ideal for large-scale networks

TRENDnet 8-Port Gigabit EdgeSmart Switch

While Trendnet is a relatively modest manufacturer of networking devices such as managed switches, their products can still be a good choice if you need a versatile managed switch.

The Trendnet TEG-S80ES managed switch is ranked second in this list because it provides outstanding value for money. While this managed switch is mostly intended for household use, it does provide 8 ports, which is fairly useful.

Gigabit speeds are still available with all of these ports, despite the low price. This switch also includes capabilities like RSTP, VLAN, IGMP, QoS, snooping, loopback detection, and more. Despite being a very tiny networking gear manufacturer, you nevertheless get a lifetime warranty.

Pros

  • High value for money managed switch
  • Various network management features
  • A decent number of ports for home usage

Cons

  • The management console is a bit basic

Ubiquiti UniFi US-8 PoE 8 Port Managed Gigabit Switch

Ubiquiti is a well-known networking device firm that is mostly recognized for industrial applications but also sells a few basic and smaller units that are suited for household use.

This Ubiquiti UniFi US-8 managed switch is ranked third in this article because it offers a lot of features for a low price. This managed switch has a total of 8 ports, two of which allow PoE passthrough, which is useful in many situations.

Ubiquiti has rated this controlled switch for gigabit ethernet to ensure that it provides adequate performance. This is combined with its 16 Gbps switching capacity, which is quite high. However, despite its high price, you only get a one-year warranty with it.

Pros

  • Supports PoE passthrough
  • High switching capacity
  • Fairly compact for use at your home

Cons

  • A bit on the expensive side

Mikrotik CSS326-24G-2S+RM 24 port Gigabit Ethernet switch

Mikrotik is best recognized for high-end networking gear, such as its controlled switch, which can be an excellent alternative for high-end networks.

Because of its big size and number of ports, the Mikrotik CSS326-24G-2S+RM controlled switch is one of the best solutions for industrial use. This controlled switch, to be exact, has a total of 24 ports, making it ideal for usage with servers because it fits neatly in a server rack.

This switch not only supports gigabit speeds for all of its ethernet connections, but it also includes two SFP+ connectors for even better connectivity. Standard features such as 802.1Q VLAN support, port isolation, broadcast storm control, port mirroring, SNMP v1, and more are included because this switch is designed for heavy-duty use. Despite its suitability for heavy-duty use, it only comes with a one-year warranty.

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Superb performance with 24+2 ports
  • Standard mounting size for using with server racks

Cons

  • The warranty period could have been longer

BV-Tech 26 Port PoE+ Managed Switch

If you’re searching for anything intended for big-scale networks, BV-Tech and its solutions are a good option because its switches are typically rather huge.

Another wonderful full-sized choice is BV-managed Tech’s switch, which is ideal for large networks. You also receive two additional ethernet ports and two additional SFP uplink connections, which can come in handy in a variety of situations.

Unfortunately, the managed switch’s primary 24 ethernet connections are extremely poor, with rates of only 100 Mbps. However, it does come with 240 watts of PoE support, which is always useful. Because this is such a high-end managed switch, a one-year warranty is standard.

Pros

  • Supports a large number of ports
  • Features PoE support at up to 240 watts
  • Fits perfectly in a server rack

Cons

  • Poor networking speeds

D-Link Ethernet Switch, 5 Port

D-Link is another networking device company that is known for supplying consumer-grade solutions that are quite inexpensive and can be a good choice for use at home.

This D-Link DGS-1100-05V2 controlled switch is the most affordable option on the list, making it ideal for individuals on a tight budget. Because this is an entry-level managed switch, it only comes with 5 ports, which is to be anticipated.

Thankfully, this network switch supports full gigabit speeds, which is impressive given that it also includes 802.1Q VLAN, QoS, bandwidth limitation, IGMP, static MAC, storm control, and other capabilities. Despite being the cheapest option on this list, it still comes with a lifetime warranty, making it ideal for long-term use.

Pros

  • Highly affordable managed switch
  • Excellent performance numbers for the price
  • The long warranty period for peace of mind

Cons

  • Only viable for home users and small networks

Cisco Systems 28-Port Gigabit Managed Switch

When it comes to networking equipment and solutions, Cisco is one of the most well-known brands since it offers a wide range of options with generally good performance.

The Cisco Systems SG350-28-K9-NA controlled switch is one of the best large-scale network switches available. Starting with the ports, there are a total of 24 primary ethernet ports and two additional SFP+ ports, bringing the total number of ports to 28.

When it comes to the performance of its principal ports, they’re all certified for gigabit speeds, which is to be expected given their high price. This switch can be a fantastic alternative for use with servers because of its QoS support and SSL encryption. Because this is such a high-end managed switch from a renowned brand like Cisco, it comes with a 5-year warranty.

Pros

  • Perfect for large-size networks
  • Quite high networking speeds
  • A large number of ports, including SFP+ ports

Cons

  • Highly expensive managed switch

Buying Guide for the Best Managed Switch

There are many different types of network devices available, each of which can play a vital role in any network. And, when it comes to wired networks, in particular, having a high-performance switch that can correctly manage your network is crucial.

We’ve already listed some of the best-managed switches in this article because they’re so vital. All of these different managed switches have their own vital characteristics and specifications that allow you to the device and choose the best one. Those who want to learn much more might look at this comprehensive shopping guide for the best-managed switches:

Number of Ports

A network switch, as you may know, is designed to connect all of your network devices together; you’ll need a lot of connectivity ports in your switch to do so. As a result, managed switches come in a variety of sizes when it comes to the number of ports they offer.

Starting with smaller managed switches designed for residential use, which typically have 5 or 8 ports in total. Larger managed switches, on the other hand, are designed for industrial use and large-scale networks, and they can even have up to 24 ports, making them a perfect alternative for many.

Speed

While having a large number of ports on your managed switch can be beneficial, they are useless if the transfer speeds are slow. Fortunately, gigabit speeds are supported by practically all managed switches. In most circumstances, this should be sufficient in terms of network performance for most users.

Mounting

When it comes to setting up a network, it’s also a good idea to secure your network switch. It’s also a good idea to look at the mounting options provided by your controlled switch. Unlike conventionally managed switches for use at home, which may be mounted on the wall or placed on top of a desk, industrial switches are altogether different. Instead, they use standard server racks in single or double rack sizes to conveniently and securely put their managed switches in their server rack.

Network Management

Because a managed switch is designed to handle your network automatically, you should check for network management software features. Support for 802.1Q VLAN, IGMP shooting, bandwidth limiting, broadcast storm management, static MAC, QoS, RSTP, and many more features are included. Aside from having a lot of functions, you should seek a web administration access method that allows you to effortlessly configure your network switch.

Warranty

When purchasing network devices such as switches, you want them to be as reliable as possible. A managed switch should not only handle your network properly, but it should also survive a long period. You can double-check the warranty included with your managed switch to make sure. Aside from the standard 1-year guarantee that most managed switches come with, a few dependable solutions also come with 5-year or even lifetime warranties, which is wonderful for your peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should you buy a managed switch?

A managed switch is more functional than an unmanaged switch, as shown in this post. It has additional features that its predecessor lacks. It also allows you to regulate LAN traffic and configure the switch.

How to choose a managed switch?

When purchasing a managed switch, you must examine the number of ports as well as the unit’s transfer speed. Aside from that, you should think about the warranty that comes with the device.

What is QoS in a managed switch?

Quality of Service (QoS) is a term that refers to how well a service is delivered. Managed switches provide a function that allows you to prioritize network traffic. It enables you to place a premium on an essential service in order to properly evaluate it.

Final Words

We learned that a managed switch is superior since it allows you to regulate traffic and customize the switch from the previous topic. Small firms will benefit from this type of transition because it provides improved performance. However, they are more expensive as a result. You can select any unit from the models listed above that best meets your needs. Hopefully, you’ll be able to locate the ideal network switch for your needs.

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