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MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM 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 CRS326-24G-2S+RM scores 7.4/10 overall, ahead of the NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch at 6.0/10.

The MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM leads on port speeds, management and port count and uplinks.

They score the same on noise and efficiency, poE and firmware and support.

The biggest difference is management, where the MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM scores 8/10 to the NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch's 5/10.

MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM

MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM

7.4/10verdict: buy

This is for sysadmins and homelabbers who want a managed 24-port gigabit switch with two 10Gb SFP+ uplinks for a rack. It suits anyone who wants VLANs and a silent, passively cooled switch. It is a poor fit for buyers who need PoE or who plan to use it as a busy router.

Typically about £175.32 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 CRS326-24G-2S+RMNETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
Port speeds30%7/106/10
Management20%8/105/10
Port count and uplinks15%8/105/10
Noise and efficiency15%9/109/10
PoE10%5/105/10
Firmware and support10%6/106/10
Overall7.4/106.0/10

Specifications

SpecMikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RMNETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
Ports24 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports, 2 x SFP+ ports, serial console RJ455
Port speedsCopper ports 1 GbE; SFP cages support 1.25 Gb SFP and 10 Gb SFP+ modulesGigabit (5 x 10/100/1000Mbps ports, Auto Uplink)
ManagementDual-boot SwOS/RouterOS; configurable VLANs, port mirroring, MAC filter, bandwidth limitationUnmanaged
PoE budgetnot listedNot applicable (PoE budget N/A)
Uplinks (SFP/SFP+)2 x SFP+not listed
Switching capacityNon-blocking Layer 2 capacity 86,855.7 Mbps at 1518-byte packets; 88,000 Mbps at Layer 1Non-blocking bandwidth 10 Gbps
CoolingPassiveFanless

Strengths and weaknesses

MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM

  • + Passive cooling, praised by owners as quiet and fanless
  • + Two SFP+ cages for 1.25Gb and 10Gb modules
  • + Dual-boot SwOS/RouterOS with VLANs and port mirroring
  • − Routing is slow, according to owners
  • − No PoE listed in the specifications
  • − Warranty is only 1 year

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need PoE ports to power access points or cameras
  • Anyone wanting 2.5GbE or 10GbE copper ports on every port
  • People planning to use the switch as their main router
Read the full MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM 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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