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NETGEAR GS308E vs TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2

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

all judged against network switches at a similar price

The TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2 scores 6.8/10 overall, ahead of the NETGEAR GS308E at 6.2/10.

The NETGEAR GS308E leads on noise and efficiency.

The TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2 leads on port speeds, management, port count and uplinks, poE and firmware and support.

The biggest difference is noise and efficiency, where the NETGEAR GS308E scores 9/10 to the TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2's 3/10.

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 TL-SG3210XHP-M2

TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2

6.8/10verdict: buy

The TL-SG3210XHP-M2 is for people building a small rack-based network who need PoE+ and real managed-switch features. It suits setups with 2.5GbE access points or cameras and 10G SFP+ uplinks. It is a poor fit for quiet rooms because it has two fans.

Typically about £340 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

CriterionWeightNETGEAR GS308ETP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2
Port speeds30%6/108/10
Management20%7/108/10
Port count and uplinks15%5/107/10
Noise and efficiency15%9/103/10
PoE10%5/108/10
Firmware and support10%4/105/10
Overall6.2/106.8/10

Specifications

SpecNETGEAR GS308ETP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2
Ports8 x Gigabit RJ45, no 10G port8x 2.5GbE RJ45 PoE+ ports, 2x 10G SFP+ slots, plus one RJ45 and one Micro-USB console port (not data ports)
Port speeds8 x 1G ports, auto-negotiating; no 2.5G or 10G portsRJ45 ports 100/1000/2500 Mbps; SFP+ slots 10 Gbps
ManagementWeb-managed Easy Smart interface; VLAN, QoS, cable health check and loop preventionL2+ managed; web management, Omada app, cloud or hardware/software controllers; 802.1Q VLAN, static routing, ACLs, 802.1X
PoE budgetNone (PoE ports and PoE budget N/A)240 W total PoE budget; 8 PoE+ ports (802.3af/at); 30 W per port
Uplinks (SFP/SFP+)not listed2x 10 Gbps SFP+
Switching capacity16Gbps bandwidth80 Gbps switching capacity; 59.52 Mpps forwarding rate; 16K MAC table
CoolingFanless (0 fans, 0 dBA at 25°C)Two fans (Fan Quantity: 2), not 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 TL-SG3210XHP-M2

  • + Eight 2.5GbE PoE+ ports with a 240 W total budget
  • + L2+ management with VLANs, static routing, ACLs and 802.1X
  • + Two 10 Gbps SFP+ uplinks
  • − Two fans; one owner report calls it too loud for offices
  • − Cloud management needs a hardware controller or dedicated computer
  • − Update history and warranty terms aren't stated

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need a silent or fanless switch for an office or desk
  • Anyone needing more than ten data ports on one switch
  • Buyers wanting cloud management without a hardware controller or dedicated computer
Read the full TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2 review ›

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