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MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN 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 MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN scores 7.8/10 overall, ahead of the NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch at 6.0/10.

The MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN leads on port speeds, management, port count and uplinks and firmware and support.

The NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch leads on noise and efficiency.

They score the same on poE.

The biggest difference is management, where the MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN scores 9/10 to the NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch's 5/10.

MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN

MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN

7.8/10verdict: buy

The MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN is for homelabbers and sysadmins who need a few 10G SFP+ links on a small, silent switch. It suits anyone who wants to link a server, NAS or workstation at 10G and is happy to configure RouterOS or SwitchOS. It is not aimed at buyers who need many ports, PoE output or fast routing for a gigabit internet connection.

Typically about £121.19 in the UK when we researched itSearch 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

CriterionWeightMikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+INNETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
Port speeds30%9/106/10
Management20%9/105/10
Port count and uplinks15%6/105/10
Noise and efficiency15%8/109/10
PoE10%5/105/10
Firmware and support10%7/106/10
Overall7.8/106.0/10

Specifications

SpecMikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+INNETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
PortsFour SFP+ ports plus one 10/100/1000 Ethernet port5
Port speedsGigabit copper port; SFP+ cages support up to 10 Gbit per port; 1.25 Gbit SFP modules also supportedGigabit (5 x 10/100/1000Mbps ports, Auto Uplink)
ManagementRouterOS or SwitchOS selectable via dual boot; configurable through WebFig or WinBoxUnmanaged
PoE budgetNo published PoE output budget; accepts PoE (802.3af/at) input on its Gigabit port with 12–57 V input; maximum consumption 18 W, or 10 W without attachmentsNot applicable (PoE budget N/A)
Uplinks (SFP/SFP+)Four SFP+ cages; modules not includednot listed
Switching capacity82 Gbps switching capacity; 41 Gbps non-blocking throughputNon-blocking bandwidth 10 Gbps
CoolingPassive, fanless, metal caseFanless

Strengths and weaknesses

MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN

  • + Four SFP+ cages with up to 10 Gbit per port
  • + Fanless metal case; owners praise silent, low-power running
  • + Choice of RouterOS or SwitchOS via dual boot
  • − Only five ports, and SFP+ modules are not included
  • − Owners report weak routing for gigabit internet
  • − Copper SFP+ modules reportedly run hot in the fanless case

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need PoE output to power cameras or access points
  • Anyone who wants to route a gigabit internet connection
  • Buyers who need many ports or copper multi-gig without SFP+ modules
Read the full MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN 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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