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NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch vs TP-Link TL-SG105S 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against network switches at a similar price

The TP-Link TL-SG105S 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch scores 6.1/10 overall, ahead of the NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch at 6.0/10.

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

The TP-Link TL-SG105S 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch leads on management.

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

NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Essentials Switch (GS305v3)

NETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch

6.0/10verdict: wait for deal

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

TP-Link TL-SG105S 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch

TP-Link TL-SG105S 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch

6.1/10verdict: wait for deal

The TL-SG105S is for anyone who needs four or five extra wired gigabit ports without any setup. It suits desks, benches and small home networks where traffic does not need segmenting on the switch. It does not suit buyers who need VLANs, PoE or faster-than-gigabit links.

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

CriterionWeightNETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged SwitchTP-Link TL-SG105S 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch
Port speeds30%6/106/10
Management20%5/106/10
Port count and uplinks15%5/105/10
Noise and efficiency15%9/109/10
PoE10%5/105/10
Firmware and support10%6/105/10
Overall6.0/106.1/10

Specifications

SpecNETGEAR GS305v3 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged SwitchTP-Link TL-SG105S 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch
Ports55× 10/100/1000 Mbps Auto-Negotiation RJ45 ports supporting Auto-MDI/MDIX
Port speedsGigabit (5 x 10/100/1000Mbps ports, Auto Uplink)10/100/1000 Mbps, auto-negotiation, auto-MDI/MDIX
ManagementUnmanagedUnmanaged
PoE budgetNot applicable (PoE budget N/A)No
Switching capacityNon-blocking bandwidth 10 Gbps10 Gbit/s switching capacity
CoolingFanlessDurable metal casing, desktop/wall-mounting options, and a fanless design

Strengths and weaknesses

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 ›

TP-Link TL-SG105S 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch

  • + Fanless design with a 3.1 W maximum power draw
  • + Plug-and-play with no configuration needed
  • + Metal casing with desktop or wall-mount options
  • − Gigabit only, with no SFP or SFP+ uplink listed
  • − Manufacturer page does not list VLAN support
  • − No PoE on any port

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need VLANs to segment traffic on the switch
  • Anyone powering access points or cameras over Ethernet
  • Buyers who want 2.5GbE ports or an SFP uplink
Read the full TP-Link TL-SG105S 5-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch review ›

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