The 7 Best Managed Network Switches for VLANs, Monitoring and Control, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: Eight ports, up to 64 VLANs, a cross-platform web GUI and automatic DoS and loop protection.

The GS308E is an 8-port Easy Smart managed switch with up to 64 VLANs, a cross-platform web interface and automatic protection against DoS attacks, loops and broadcast storms. It costs under $25.

It wins because it packs a long list of protections and VLAN capacity into a price that makes unmanaged switches hard to justify. Loop and storm protection prevent a miswired cable from taking down a network. The web GUI works on any operating system. It is not a Layer 3 switch.

Buy it for a home lab or small office that wants VLANs. Choose Layer 3 for inter-VLAN routing.

Ports

8

VLANs

Up to 64

Interface

Cross-platform web GUI

Protection

DoS, loop, storm

Our verdict: Eight ports, 32 simultaneous VLANs, link aggregation and a 3-year warranty.

The TL-SG108E has 8 ports, supports 32 simultaneous VLANs and link aggregation, and has a 3-year warranty. It costs under $25.

Link aggregation bonds two ports for more bandwidth, which matters for a NAS. The warranty is long for the price. It ranks second because it supports fewer VLANs than the NETGEAR.

Buy it for a small managed network and a longer warranty. Choose the NETGEAR for more VLANs.

Ports

8

VLANs

32 simultaneous

Feature

Link aggregation

Warranty

3 years

Our verdict: Eight PoE+ ports at 62 watts with per-port PoE control and uninterrupted PoE during reboot.

The GS308EP has eight PoE+ ports sharing 62 watts, Easy Smart management, per-port PoE control and PoE that continues during a reboot. It costs $50 to $100.

PoE management lets you restart a camera from the browser. It ranks third because it costs more than non-PoE models and the 62 watt budget is modest.

Buy it if you run cameras or access points. Skip PoE if you do not.

Ports

8x PoE+

Power budget

62W

Management

Easy Smart

Feature

Per-port PoE control

Our verdict: Five fanless ports with VLAN, QoS and port monitoring.

The GS305E is a 5-port Easy Smart managed switch with VLAN, QoS and port monitoring that is fanless and energy-efficient. It costs under $25.

It is silent and small, so it fits a desk. It ranks fourth because five ports limit growth.

Buy it for a desk or a small closet. Choose eight ports for growth.

Ports

5

Features

VLAN, QoS, port monitoring

Design

Fanless

Price range

Under $25

Our verdict: 24 ports with 9K jumbo frames, port mirroring, cable diagnostics and a 3-year warranty.

The TL-SG1024DE has 24 ports, 9K jumbo frames, port mirroring, cable diagnostics and a 3-year warranty. It costs $50 to $100.

Cable diagnostics find faulty runs, and mirroring lets you capture traffic. It ranks fifth because it has no PoE and is a rack-size unit.

Buy it for a wired office or a rack. Not for PoE.

Ports

24

Frames

9K jumbo

Tools

Port mirroring, cable diagnostics

Warranty

3 years

Our verdict: Eight ports, four 802.3af PoE ports, 8Gbps non-blocking switching and UniFi app management.

The US-8-60W has eight ports, four of them 802.3af PoE, 8Gbps non-blocking switching and UniFi app management. It costs $100 to $200.

It joins a UniFi network, so one controller manages everything. It ranks sixth because it costs more than Easy Smart switches and PoE is limited to four ports.

Buy it if you run UniFi gear. Others should pick Easy Smart.

Ports

8, four PoE

PoE

802.3af

Switching

8Gbps non-blocking

Management

UniFi app

Our verdict: A 24-port Layer 3 managed PoE switch that integrates with the UniFi controller.

The USW-Pro-24-PoE is a 24-port Layer 3 managed switch with PoE and UniFi controller integration. It costs $500 and up.

Layer 3 routes between VLANs, which Easy Smart cannot do. It ranks seventh for general buyers because of its price and size.

Buy it for larger UniFi sites needing routing. Most homes do not.

Ports

24, PoE-capable

Layer

Layer 3

Management

UniFi controller

Price range

$500 and up