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MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM vs Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8

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 Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8 at 6.9/10.

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

The Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8 leads on port speeds.

They score the same on port count and uplinks and poE.

The biggest difference is noise and efficiency, where the MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM scores 9/10 to the Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8's 6/10.

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

Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8

Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8

6.9/10verdict: buy

The UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8 is for people who run a UniFi setup and want eight 2.5G ports in a small switch. It adds a 10G combo uplink, which suits a link back to a faster switch or router. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs PoE output, a CLI or a standalone web interface.

Typically about £150 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+RMUbiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8
Port speeds30%7/108/10
Management20%8/107/10
Port count and uplinks15%8/108/10
Noise and efficiency15%9/106/10
PoE10%5/105/10
Firmware and support10%6/105/10
Overall7.4/106.9/10

Specifications

SpecMikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RMUbiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8
Ports24 x 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports, 2 x SFP+ ports, serial console RJ458 access ports (2.5G/1G/100M/10M) plus one 10G RJ45/SFP+ combo uplink
Port speedsCopper ports 1 GbE; SFP cages support 1.25 Gb SFP and 10 Gb SFP+ modulesAccess ports 2.5G/1G/100M/10M; uplink RJ45 10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100M; SFP+ 10G/1G
ManagementDual-boot SwOS/RouterOS; configurable VLANs, port mirroring, MAC filter, bandwidth limitationSpec sheet lists management interface as Ethernet only; managed through the UniFi console, and a reviewer of the PoE variant reports no web UI
PoE budgetnot listedNo PoE output; powered by USB-C 5V DC 3A or PoE+ input
Uplinks (SFP/SFP+)2 x SFP+One 10G SFP+ port (10G/1G) and one 10 GbE RJ45 port, as a combo uplink
Switching capacityNon-blocking Layer 2 capacity 86,855.7 Mbps at 1518-byte packets; 88,000 Mbps at Layer 160 Gbps switching capacity, 30 Gbps non-blocking throughput, 45 Mpps forwarding rate
CoolingPassivenot listed

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 ›

Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8

  • + Eight 2.5G access ports
  • + 10G RJ45/SFP+ combo uplink
  • + Small and light, with flexible power options
  • − No PoE output
  • − Needs UniFi console; no CLI or SSH reported
  • − Owners report limited features, no aggregation

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need PoE output to power access points or cameras
  • Admins who want CLI, SSH or a standalone web interface
  • Anyone who needs link aggregation or several 10G uplinks
Read the full Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8 review ›

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