PoE switches are a great way to provide power and data over a single Ethernet cable to devices like wireless access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones. This eliminates the need to have separate power cables running to each device, making for a cleaner and more organized setup. An 8 port PoE switch gives you plenty of ports to connect multiple PoE-powered devices while keeping the switch compact in size.
In this buyer’s guide, we have researched and reviewed the best 8 port PoE switches on the market right now across a variety of budgets. We break down how the leading switch models compare in terms of power, speed, features, quality, and value. Read on for our recommendations to help you pick the ideal 8 port PoE switch for your needs.
List of The Best 8 Port PoE Switch
Check out the thorough reviews of the best 8 port PoE switch in 2023 below.
1. NETGEAR 8 Port Ultra60 PoE Managed Switch (MS108EUP)
NETGEAR 8 Port Ultra60 PoE switch delivers lightning-fast multi-gigabit speeds and powerful PoE capabilities in a compact, silent desktop form factor. With 8 ports supporting up to 2.5Gbps each, the MS108EUP PoE switch provides plenty of dedicated bandwidth for high-speed network connections. 4 of the ports offer PoE++ with up to 60W per port, while the other 4 supply PoE+ up to 30W, providing a total PoE power budget of 230W to support the latest PoE devices.
The MS108EUP’s non-blocking 40Gbps switching architecture ensures congestion-free performance across all ports simultaneously. Advanced PoE controls give admins flexibility in power management. A user-friendly web interface enables easy setup and monitoring. What’s more, its sturdy metal housing can be mounted to a wall or rack, while the fanless design allows for silent operation. With future-proof multi-gigabit speeds, robust PoE delivery, and versatile deployment options, this NETGEAR 8 Port Ultra60 PoE switch empowers organizations to build high-performance networks today and tomorrow.
Pros And Cons
2. TP-Link 8 Port Gigabit PoE Switch TL-SG1008MP
TP-Link TL-SG1008MP PoE switch delivers powerful performance with 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports supporting Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+). All 8 ports provide 30W per port, with a total power budget of 153W. Using innovative energy-efficient technology, the TL-SG1008MP PoE switch reduces power consumption by up to 75% compared to traditional switches. The TL-SG1008MP PoE switch automatically detects and supplies power to any connected IEEE 802.3af/at compliant devices, allowing you to expand your network without electrical outlets.
With a priority function to protect the system if overloaded, and a sturdy metal shielded design, this TP-Link 8 port PoE switch provides reliable plug and play operation. The rackmount form factor saves space while the limited lifetime protection provides peace of mind. With its Desktop/Rack mountable design, outstanding performance and quality, the TP-Link TL-SG1008MP 8 port PoE switch is a great choice for expanding your home or office network.
Pros And Cons
3. Aumox 8 Port Gigabit PoE Switch (SG308P)
Aumox PoE switch provides 8 high speed gigabit Ethernet ports with 120W total PoE power budget to support up to 30W per port. The sturdy, fanless metal housing allows for quiet yet reliable operation. This plug-and-play unmanaged PoE switch is designed for easy installation right out of the box, requiring no configuration or software. It utilizes store and forward transmission and auto MAC address learning for optimized network performance and efficient data transfer.
With 16Gbps switching capacity and a PoE power budget of 120W, this Aumox 8 port PoE switch powers VoIP phones, security cameras, wireless access points, and other PoE devices while delivering robust wired gigabit connectivity. It is ideal for home networks, small businesses, school dorms and more.
Pros And Cons
4. NETGEAR 8 Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch (GS308PP)
NETGEAR GS308PP provides 8 high speed Gigabit Ethernet ports with a total 83W PoE power budget to support PoE devices like access points, cameras, and VoIP phones. All 8 ports are PoE+ capable up to 30W per port using NETGEAR’s FlexPoE technology, which allows the total PoE power budget to be expanded as needed.
This plug-and-play unmanaged switch is designed for quick and easy setup with no configuration or software installation required. Its silent, fanless operation and compact desktop or wallmount design allow flexible deployment in quiet office environments. With 83W total PoE power across 8 Gigabit PoE+ ports, this NETGEAR 8 port PoE+ switch enables flexible growth of business networks through simple, reliable installation. It comes backed by NETGEAR’s 3 year hardware warranty.
Pros And Cons
5. YuanLey 8 Port Gigabit PoE Switch
YuanLey 8 port gigabit PoE switch provides 8 PoE+ ports with 120W total power budget to support up to 30W per port. All 8 ports deliver 1000Mbps gigabit speed and auto-detect PoE and non-PoE devices for flexible connectivity. The sturdy metal construction enables quiet, fanless operation with 12Gbps backplane bandwidth for reliable performance.
This plug-and-play switch is designed for easy deployment, requiring no configuration to power PoE devices like IP cameras, access points, and more. The 120W PoE power across 8 high speed PoE+ ports allows flexible expansion of wired and wireless networks by powering devices like access points, VoIP phones, security cameras, point-of-sale systems and more. With its silent operation and versatile use cases, this YuanLey 8 port PoE+ switch provides a high performance upgrade to home and office networks.
Pros And Cons
6. Cisco Business CBS350-8FP-2G Managed PoE Switch
Cisco CBS350-8FP-2G is an 8 port gigabit managed PoE+ switch with 2 combo SFP ports and 120W PoE budget. It provides full Layer 2/3 capabilities and an intuitive web dashboard for easy management and automation of small business networks. The switch simplifies operations with Cisco Business Dashboard for centralized monitoring and lifecycle management.
CBS350-8FP-2G delivers enhanced security through IP-MAC port binding, IPv6 First Hop protection, and other features to safeguard networks. With 8 PoE+ ports supplying up to 30W per port, it powers wireless access points, IP phones, cameras, and other PoE devices. The compact, fanless design allows flexible deployment outside of closets. The CBS350-8FP-2G accelerates network transformation for small businesses by combining L2/3 capabilities, security, PoE power, and intuitive management in a reliable form factor.
Pros And Cons
7. TRENDnet 8 Port Gigabit PoE+ Switch
TRENDnet TPE-TG80G gigabit PoE+ switch provides 8 PoE+ ports with a 123W power budget to support up to 8 PoE devices. It automatically detects and provides the right PoE power for non-PoE, PoE, and PoE+ cameras and devices up to 30W per port. The compact fanless metal design enables quiet, reliable operation with 16Gbps switching capacity for high performance edge networking. What’s more, plug-and-play installation is easy with its small footprint and durable housing.
With 123W total PoE power to supply connected PoE devices, this TRENDnet 8 port PoE+ switch provides the performance to support surveillance and access control systems. The sturdy metal build and silent fanless operation allow deployment in quiet workstation areas. Reliably power and connect up to 8 PoE devices with automatic detection and power delivery for each device.
Pros And Cons
How To Pick The Best 8 Port PoE Switch?
This complete buying guide breaks down the key factors to consider when choosing the best 8 port PoE switch for your environment:
Assess Your Power Requirements
First and foremost, you need to determine the power demands of the devices you’ll be connecting to the switch. Will you be running higher-powered PoE+ or PoE++ devices? Standard PoE switches provide 15.4W per port, while PoE+ supplies up to 30W per port for more advanced needs. Also consider the total power budget—a higher capacity of around 120-240W gives you more room to expand.
Match PoE Standards
Get a switch that complies with the IEEE 802.3 PoE standards your devices require. Most switches support 802.3af, while newer IP cameras and wireless APs may need 802.3at for full functionality. The latest 802.3bt switches can deliver up to 90W for ultra high-powered devices.
Consider Your Speed Needs
While 100Mbps Fast Ethernet switches are cheaper, Gigabit (1000Mbps) models are recommended to prevent bottlenecks. Look for switches with gigabit ports to support video and high-bandwidth applications. Some switches also have SFP ports for fiber optic connections.
Managed vs. Unmanaged
Managed switches allow monitoring, VLAN configuration, and detailed control – great for complex networks, but unnecessary for simple home use. Unmanaged plug-and-play models work well for basic setups. Figure out if advanced management is worth the cost for your use case.
Reliability and Durability
Pay attention to the switch’s housing construction and brand reputation. Enterprise-level switches typically have heavy-duty metal enclosures while cheaper models may be plastic. Look through reviews and opt for trusted brands known for reliability. Extended warranties also provide peace of mind.
Budget Friendly doesn’t mean Cheap
While there are very affordable 8 port PoE switches available, make sure to check the power budget, port speeds, and build quality. Avoid the cheapest no-name switches that skimp on key areas. Spending a little more goes a long way in terms of quality and long-term value.
Frequently Asked Questions When Picking The Best 8 Port PoE Switch
1. What is the difference between 802.3af and 802.3at PoE standards?
802.3af provides up to 15.4W per port while 802.3at (PoE+) provides up to 30W per port. 802.3at is better for powering devices with higher requirements like motorized security cameras.
2. How much power budget do I need for an 8 port PoE switch?
For flexibility, look for at least a 120W total budget. This allows for higher-power devices on multiple ports. Budget switches may only have around 60W total.
3. What features should I look for in an 8 port PoE switch?
Key features include Gigabit Ethernet ports, VLAN support, port monitoring and prioritization, robust management software, and reliability features like metal housing and redundant power supplies on enterprise models.
4. How difficult is it to manage an 8 port PoE switch?
It depends on the model – unmanaged switches require no configuration while managed switches have web/app interfaces, CLI, SNMP, and other management options with varying degrees of complexity. So it is better to look for models with intuitive interfaces.
5. Should I get a rackmount or desktop 8 port PoE switch?
Rackmount switches are ideal for server rooms with existing racks while desktop models are better for placing in standard work areas and offices. Consider your space and placement requirements.
6. How difficult is it to install and set up an 8 port PoE switch?
It’s quite straightforward – just plug in the PoE devices to the switch ports, connect the uplink to your network, and configure the management software if it’s a managed switch. No special expertise required.
Final Thoughts
After reviewing the top options, the TP-Link TL-SG1008MP becomes our top pick for the best 8 port PoE switch. It hits a nice balance between price and performance, offering 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports with a total 126W power budget. This PoE switch is easy to manage through its web interface and supports useful features like port monitoring, VLANs, and traffic optimization.
For larger budgets, the Cisco CBS350-8FP-2G is a fantastic enterprise-level switch with the most PoE power at 120W. It has a rugged metal case and Cisco’s excellent management software plus a limited lifetime warranty. Just keep in mind this model is overkill for simpler home or small office networks.
No matter your budget or networking needs, there are strong options for adding Power over Ethernet capabilities in an 8 port form factor. Be sure to carefully match the power specifications and features to your specific environment. Properly installing a PoE switch can greatly simplify your cabling and allow seamless deployment of VoIP phones, wireless APs, security cameras and other powered devices throughout your home or business.
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