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MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN vs Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Flex Mini

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 Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Flex Mini at 6.1/10.

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

They score the same on noise and efficiency and poE.

The biggest difference is port speeds, where the MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN scores 9/10 to the Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Flex Mini'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

UniFi Switch Flex Mini

Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Flex Mini

6.1/10verdict: good, not the best

The UniFi Switch Flex Mini is for people who run, or plan to run, a UniFi network and want a small managed switch. It offers five Gigabit ports, VLAN support and controller management in a 150 g fanless-listed box. It does not suit buyers who need PoE output, SFP uplinks or faster-than-Gigabit links.

Typically about £33 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+INUbiquiti UniFi Switch Flex Mini
Port speeds30%9/105/10
Management20%9/108/10
Port count and uplinks15%6/105/10
Noise and efficiency15%8/108/10
PoE10%5/105/10
Firmware and support10%7/105/10
Overall7.8/106.1/10

Specifications

SpecMikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+INUbiquiti UniFi Switch Flex Mini
PortsFour SFP+ ports plus one 10/100/1000 Ethernet port5 RJ45 ports, 1GbE
Port speedsGigabit copper port; SFP+ cages support up to 10 Gbit per port; 1.25 Gbit SFP modules also supported10/100/1000 Mbps per port
ManagementRouterOS or SwitchOS selectable via dual boot; configurable through WebFig or WinBoxUniFi Network Controller management with VLAN support (1,000 VLANs), port isolation, mirroring and rate limiting; requires UniFi Network 5.12.5 or later
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 attachmentsNo PoE output; one port accepts 802.3af/at PoE input only
Uplinks (SFP/SFP+)Four SFP+ cages; modules not includedNone; RJ45 ports only, no SFP/SFP+
Switching capacity82 Gbps switching capacity; 41 Gbps non-blocking throughputSwitching capacity 10 Gbps; 5 Gbps non-blocking throughput; 7 Mpps forwarding rate
CoolingPassive, fanless, metal caseHeat dissipation 6.824 BTU/hr (excluding PoE output); no fan listed on manufacturer page

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 ›

Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Flex Mini

  • + Controller management with up to 1,000 VLANs
  • + No fan listed; 2.5 W maximum power draw
  • + Small and light: 107 x 70 x 21 mm, 150 g
  • − Gigabit only, with no SFP or SFP+ uplink
  • − No PoE output to power other devices
  • − Needs UniFi Network 5.12.5 or later for management

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need PoE output to power access points or cameras
  • Anyone who wants SFP/SFP+ uplinks or faster-than-Gigabit ports
  • People who do not want to run a UniFi controller
Read the full Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Flex Mini review ›

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