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TP-Link LS108GP vs NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against network switches at a similar price

The TP-Link LS108GP and NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch both score 6.0/10 overall.

The TP-Link LS108GP leads on poE.

The NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch leads on firmware and support.

They score the same on port speeds, management, port count and uplinks and noise and efficiency.

LS108GP

TP-Link LS108GP

6.0/10verdict: good, not the best

The LS108GP is for anyone who wants a small, silent, plug-and-play switch that also powers a few PoE devices such as access points or cameras. It suits desks, shelves and quiet rooms where a fan would be a nuisance. It doesn't suit buyers who need VLANs, faster-than-gigabit ports or a large PoE budget.

Typically about £39.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Essentials Switch (GS305v3)

NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch

6.0/10verdict: good, not the best

The GS305v3 is for anyone who needs a few extra wired Gigabit ports with no setup. It suits a desk, a media cabinet or a small office where silence matters. It does not suit people who need VLANs, PoE, SFP uplinks or more than five ports.

Typically about £13.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightTP-Link LS108GPNETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
Port speeds30%6/106/10
Management20%5/105/10
Port count and uplinks15%5/105/10
Noise and efficiency15%9/109/10
PoE10%6/105/10
Firmware and support10%5/106/10
Overall6.0/106.0/10

Specifications

SpecTP-Link LS108GPNETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
Ports8x 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 ports (ports 1-8 support 802.3af/at PoE+)5
Port speeds10/100/1000 Mbps auto-negotiation, auto MDI/MDIXGigabit (5 x 10/100/1000Mbps ports, Auto Uplink)
ManagementUnmanaged, plug-and-play; no VLAN support listedUnmanaged
PoE budget62 W total PoE budget, up to 30 W per port, 802.3af/atNot applicable (PoE budget N/A)
Switching capacity16 Gbps switching capacity, 11.9 Mpps forwarding rate, 4K MAC table, 16 KB jumbo framesNon-blocking bandwidth 10 Gbps
CoolingFanless, metal casingFanless

Strengths and weaknesses

TP-Link LS108GP

  • + Fanless metal case; owners praise silent operation
  • + All eight gigabit ports support 802.3af/at PoE
  • + Plug-and-play setup with IGMP snooping and QoS
  • − Shared 62 W PoE budget limits high-draw devices
  • − Unmanaged, with no VLAN support listed
  • − No SFP uplink or faster-than-gigabit ports listed

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need VLANs or other managed-switch features
  • Anyone powering several high-draw PoE devices from one switch
  • Users who want 2.5GbE, 10GbE or SFP uplinks
Read the full TP-Link LS108GP review ›

NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch

  • + Fanless and silent, as owners report
  • + Plug-and-play with no software or configuration
  • + Listed maximum draw of 2.34W, with 802.3az support
  • − Unmanaged, so no VLAN or QoS
  • − Only five ports and no SFP uplink
  • − Gigabit only, with no 2.5GbE or 10GbE

Skip it if:

  • Homelabbers who need VLANs, QoS or other management features
  • Buyers who need PoE to power access points or cameras
  • Anyone who needs more than five ports, SFP uplinks or links faster than Gigabit
Read the full NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch review ›

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