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NETGEAR GS308E vs TP-Link LS1005G 5-Port Gigabit Switch

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

all judged against network switches at a similar price

The NETGEAR GS308E and TP-Link LS1005G 5-Port Gigabit Switch both score 6.2/10 overall.

The NETGEAR GS308E leads on management and noise and efficiency.

The TP-Link LS1005G 5-Port Gigabit Switch leads on port count and uplinks and firmware and support.

They score the same on port speeds and poE.

NETGEAR GS308E

NETGEAR GS308E

6.2/10verdict: good, not the best

The NETGEAR GS308E is for people who want a small, silent eight-port Gigabit switch with basic VLAN support. It suits homes, bedrooms and desks where a fan would be a nuisance and plug-and-play setup matters. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs PoE, faster than Gigabit ports or deep Layer 3 management.

Typically about £24.97 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 LS1005G 5-Port Gigabit Switch

TP-Link LS1005G 5-Port Gigabit Switch

6.2/10verdict: good, not the best

The TP-Link LS1005G is for anyone who needs a few more wired Ethernet ports without any setup. It suits a desk, media cabinet or small homelab corner where gigabit is enough and VLANs are not needed. Buyers who want management features, PoE or faster links should look at other switches.

Typically about £9.99 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 GS308ETP-Link LS1005G 5-Port Gigabit Switch
Port speeds30%6/106/10
Management20%7/106/10
Port count and uplinks15%5/106/10
Noise and efficiency15%9/108/10
PoE10%5/105/10
Firmware and support10%4/106/10
Overall6.2/106.2/10

Specifications

SpecNETGEAR GS308ETP-Link LS1005G 5-Port Gigabit Switch
Ports8 x Gigabit RJ45, no 10G port5 x 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45 ports, auto-MDI/MDIX
Port speeds8 x 1G ports, auto-negotiating; no 2.5G or 10G ports10/100/1000 Mbps per port, auto-negotiation
ManagementWeb-managed Easy Smart interface; VLAN, QoS, cable health check and loop preventionUnmanaged, plug-and-play, no configuration needed
PoE budgetNone (PoE ports and PoE budget N/A)None
Uplinks (SFP/SFP+)not listedNone; RJ45 only, no SFP/SFP+ uplinks
Switching capacity16Gbps bandwidth10 Gbps switching capacity, 7.4 Mpps packet forwarding rate
CoolingFanless (0 fans, 0 dBA at 25°C)Fanless

Strengths and weaknesses

NETGEAR GS308E

  • + Fanless, with 0 dBA listed
  • + Web-managed with VLAN, QoS and loop prevention
  • + Plug-and-play setup; maximum draw of 3.7W
  • − Gigabit only, with no 2.5G or 10G ports
  • − Owners criticise firmware update frequency and process
  • − Layer 2 only, modest web UI and no mobile app

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need PoE for access points, cameras or phones
  • Anyone with 2.5GbE or 10GbE devices or who wants SFP uplinks
  • People who need advanced Layer 3 features or a polished management UI
Read the full NETGEAR GS308E review ›

TP-Link LS1005G 5-Port Gigabit Switch

  • + Plug-and-play with no configuration
  • + Fanless and reported as quiet
  • + Two-year warranty from the UK seller
  • − Unmanaged: no VLANs or QoS
  • − Gigabit only, no SFP/SFP+ uplinks
  • − No PoE on any port

Skip it if:

  • Homelabbers who need VLANs, QoS or other management features
  • Buyers who want PoE for cameras or access points
  • Anyone who needs 2.5GbE, 10GbE or SFP/SFP+ uplinks
Read the full TP-Link LS1005G 5-Port Gigabit Switch review ›

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