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MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+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 CRS310-8G+2S+IN scores 7.2/10 overall, ahead of the NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch at 6.0/10.

The MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+IN leads on port speeds, management and port count and uplinks.

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

They score the same on poE.

The biggest difference is noise and efficiency, where the NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch scores 9/10 to the MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+IN's 3/10.

MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+IN

MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+IN

7.2/10verdict: buy

The MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+IN is for homelabbers and small-office admins who want 2.5GbE access ports with 10G SFP+ uplinks. It suits people who are happy to configure VLANs, link aggregation and ACLs in RouterOS. It is a poorer fit for anyone who needs PoE or wants a low-power, set-and-forget switch.

Typically about £185.57 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 CRS310-8G+2S+INNETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
Port speeds30%9/106/10
Management20%9/105/10
Port count and uplinks15%8/105/10
Noise and efficiency15%3/109/10
PoE10%5/105/10
Firmware and support10%5/106/10
Overall7.2/106.0/10

Specifications

SpecMikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+INNETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
Ports8 x 2.5GbE RJ45 plus 2 x SFP+, and one USB type-A port5
Port speedsRJ45 ports 2.5G; SFP+ cages support 1G, 2.5G and 10GGigabit (5 x 10/100/1000Mbps ports, Auto Uplink)
ManagementRouterOS v7 or SwitchOS; VLANs, link aggregation and ACL rules on RouterOSUnmanaged
PoE budgetnot listedNot applicable (PoE budget N/A)
Uplinks (SFP/SFP+)2 x SFP+not listed
Switching capacityNon-blocking Layer 1 capacity 80000 Mbps; Layer 2 about 78,959.7 Mbps at 1518-byte framesNon-blocking bandwidth 10 Gbps
Cooling1 fanFanless

Strengths and weaknesses

MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+IN

  • + Eight 2.5GbE ports plus two 10G-capable SFP+ cages
  • + RouterOS offers VLANs, link aggregation and ACL rules
  • + Wide 18–57 V DC input and -40°C to +60°C range
  • − One fan, and owners report higher power draw than expected
  • − Owners report 2.5G link negotiation problems
  • − No PoE listed

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need PoE for access points, cameras or phones
  • Anyone who wants a quiet, low-power switch for a living space
  • Buyers who want a simple unmanaged switch with no configuration
Read the full MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+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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