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MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM vs TP-Link TL-SG105-M2

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 TP-Link TL-SG105-M2 at 6.0/10.

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

They score the same on port speeds, noise and efficiency and poE.

The biggest difference is management, where the MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM scores 8/10 to the TP-Link TL-SG105-M2's 4/10.

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

TP-Link TL-SG105-M2

TP-Link TL-SG105-M2

6.0/10verdict: good, not the best

The TL-SG105-M2 is for people who want a simple five-port switch with 2.5GbE on every port. It suits a desk, a small home network or a homelab that needs faster links but no VLANs or PoE. It is a plug-in switch with no management interface listed.

Typically about £43 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

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightMikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RMTP-Link TL-SG105-M2
Port speeds30%7/107/10
Management20%8/104/10
Port count and uplinks15%8/105/10
Noise and efficiency15%9/109/10
PoE10%5/105/10
Firmware and support10%6/105/10
Overall7.4/106.0/10

Specifications

SpecMikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RMTP-Link TL-SG105-M2
Ports24 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports, 2 x SFP+ ports, serial console RJ455 RJ45 ports
Port speedsCopper ports 1 GbE; SFP cages support 1.25 Gb SFP and 10 Gb SFP+ modules100Mbps / 1Gbps / 2.5Gbps, auto-negotiated, auto MDI/MDIX
ManagementDual-boot SwOS/RouterOS; configurable VLANs, port mirroring, MAC filter, bandwidth limitationUnmanaged
PoE budgetnot listedNo
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 125 Gbps switching capacity; 18.6 Mpps forwarding rate; 16K MAC table; 1.5 Mb packet buffer
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 ›

TP-Link TL-SG105-M2

  • + 2.5GbE on all five RJ45 ports
  • + Fanless, so no fan noise
  • + Auto-negotiates down to 100Mbps and 1Gbps
  • − Unmanaged, with no VLAN support listed
  • − No PoE and no SFP uplink
  • − Manufacturer page didn't state the warranty term

Skip it if:

  • Anyone who needs VLANs or a web management interface
  • Buyers who need PoE for access points or cameras
  • Anyone who wants 10GbE or an SFP uplink
Read the full TP-Link TL-SG105-M2 review ›

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