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Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8 vs Zyxel XMG1915-10E

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

all judged against network switches at a similar price

The Zyxel XMG1915-10E scores 7.4/10 overall, ahead of the Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8 at 6.9/10.

The Zyxel XMG1915-10E leads on noise and efficiency.

They score the same on port speeds, management, port count and uplinks, poE and firmware and support.

The biggest difference is noise and efficiency, where the Zyxel XMG1915-10E scores 9/10 to the Ubiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8's 6/10.

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

Zyxel XMG1915-10E

Zyxel XMG1915-10E

7.4/10verdict: buy

The Zyxel XMG1915-10E is for people who want 2.5GbE on most ports and 10G uplinks in a quiet, fanless switch. It suits homelabbers and small offices whose devices bring their own power, since it has no PoE. It does not offer copper 10GbE, so buyers who want that need to look at SFP+ modules or other models.

Typically about £189 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

CriterionWeightUbiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8Zyxel XMG1915-10E
Port speeds30%8/108/10
Management20%7/107/10
Port count and uplinks15%8/108/10
Noise and efficiency15%6/109/10
PoE10%5/105/10
Firmware and support10%5/105/10
Overall6.9/107.4/10

Specifications

SpecUbiquiti UniFi Flex 2.5G USW-Flex-2.5G-8Zyxel XMG1915-10E
Ports8 access ports (2.5G/1G/100M/10M) plus one 10G RJ45/SFP+ combo uplink8 x 100M/1G/2.5G RJ-45 plus 2 x 1G SFP/10G SFP+ (10 total)
Port speedsAccess ports 2.5G/1G/100M/10M; uplink RJ45 10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100M; SFP+ 10G/1G100 Mbps, 1 Gbps and 2.5 Gbps on the eight copper ports; SFP+ slots take 1G or 10G
ManagementSpec sheet lists management interface as Ethernet only; managed through the UniFi console, and a reviewer of the PoE variant reports no web UISmart Managed
PoE budgetNo PoE output; powered by USB-C 5V DC 3A or PoE+ inputNone (0 PoE ports)
Uplinks (SFP/SFP+)One 10G SFP+ port (10G/1G) and one 10 GbE RJ45 port, as a combo uplink2 x 1G SFP / 10G SFP+
Switching capacity60 Gbps switching capacity, 30 Gbps non-blocking throughput, 45 Mpps forwarding rate80 Gbps switching capacity; 59.5 Mpps forwarding rate
Coolingnot listedFanless

Strengths and weaknesses

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 ›

Zyxel XMG1915-10E

  • + Eight 2.5GbE copper ports
  • + Two SFP+ slots take 1G or 10G
  • + Fanless, quiet, low power draw
  • − No PoE ports
  • − No copper 10GbE ports

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need PoE to power access points or cameras
  • Buyers who want copper 10GbE ports rather than SFP+ slots
  • Buyers who need more than ten ports on one switch
Read the full Zyxel XMG1915-10E review ›

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