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MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM vs TP-Link TL-SX1008

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-SX1008 at 5.8/10.

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

The TP-Link TL-SX1008 leads on port speeds.

They score the same on poE.

The biggest difference is management, where the MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM scores 8/10 to the TP-Link TL-SX1008's 3/10.

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-SX1008

TP-Link TL-SX1008

5.8/10verdict: good, not the best

The TL-SX1008 is for homelabbers and small offices who want eight 10GbE copper ports with no configuration. It suits people linking a NAS, servers and workstations over standard RJ45 cabling, including 2.5GbE and 5GbE devices. It does not suit anyone who needs VLANs, SFP+ uplinks or a silent switch.

Typically about £319 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-SX1008
Port speeds30%7/109/10
Management20%8/103/10
Port count and uplinks15%8/106/10
Noise and efficiency15%9/104/10
PoE10%5/105/10
Firmware and support10%6/105/10
Overall7.4/105.8/10

Specifications

SpecMikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RMTP-Link TL-SX1008
Ports24 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports, 2 x SFP+ ports, serial console RJ458 x RJ45 ports
Port speedsCopper ports 1 GbE; SFP cages support 1.25 Gb SFP and 10 Gb SFP+ modulesAuto-negotiating 100Mbps / 1Gbps / 2.5Gbps / 5Gbps / 10Gbps on every port
ManagementDual-boot SwOS/RouterOS; configurable VLANs, port mirroring, MAC filter, bandwidth limitationUnmanaged
PoE budgetnot listedNone listed
Uplinks (SFP/SFP+)2 x SFP+None listed (no SFP/SFP+)
Switching capacityNon-blocking Layer 2 capacity 86,855.7 Mbps at 1518-byte packets; 88,000 Mbps at Layer 1160 Gbps switching capacity, 119.04 Mpps forwarding rate, 16K MAC table, 12 Mbit packet buffer, store-and-forward
CoolingPassiveOne fan with intelligent fan-speed adjustment; not fanless

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-SX1008

  • + 10GBASE-T with multi-rate 100M to 10G on all eight ports
  • + Plug-and-play setup with no configuration needed
  • + ServeTheHome reports line-rate 8x10GbE at 64-byte frames
  • − Unmanaged: no VLANs or web management
  • − Fan is not silent; one owner calls it high-pitched
  • − No SFP+ uplinks, and owners say it is pricey for 10G

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need VLANs or web management
  • Anyone who needs SFP+ uplinks or PoE
  • People placing a switch in a quiet room
Read the full TP-Link TL-SX1008 review ›

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