MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM 24-Port Managed Switch vs TP-Link TL-SG108PE 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Switch
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right device for your needs.
MikroTik
$219
TP-Link
$79
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM 24-Port Managed Switch | TP-Link TL-SG108PE 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | 1U Rack | Desktop |
| Ports | 24 | 8 |
| Port Speed | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps |
| Switching Capacity | 28 Gbps | 16 Gbps |
| Managed | Yes | Yes |
| PoE Budget | 0 W | 61 W |
| SFP+ Uplinks | 2 | 0 |
| VLAN Support | Yes | Yes |
| Rack Units | 1 U | 0 U |
| Power Draw | 18 W | 32 W |
| Noise Level | 35 dB | 0 dB |
| Warranty | 1 yr | 3 yr |
| Price | $219 | $79 |
| Rating | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM 24-Port Managed Switch
Pros
- 24 gigabit ports + 2 SFP+ 10G uplinks in 1U — exceptional density for the price
- RouterOS or SwOS selectable — use SwOS for simple managed switching, RouterOS for full routing
- Best price-per-port in the managed switch category: ~$9/port
- VLAN, QoS, STP, RSTP, IGMP snooping — full managed feature set
- Fanless operation available in low-traffic mode — nearly silent for home labs
Cons
- RouterOS has a steep learning curve — Winbox/CLI takes time vs UniFi's GUI
- No PoE — needs a separate PoE switch or injectors for APs
- Web interface is functional but not polished compared to UniFi or Netgear Insight
- Community support is excellent but not as beginner-friendly as Ubiquiti forums
- Switching in SwOS mode loses routing capability
TP-Link TL-SG108PE 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Switch
Pros
- 61W PoE budget powers 4 APs, IP cameras, or a Pi cluster without separate injectors
- VLANs, QoS, IGMP, port mirroring — full smart switch feature set at $79
- TP-Link Omada integration available if you later build a full Omada mesh system
- Fanless desktop — no noise in a home office or living room setup
- Best repeat-purchase anchor: most home labs add cables, injectors, or a second switch within 6 months
Cons
- TP-Link's web UI is less polished than Netgear Insight or UniFi
- 61W PoE budget is shared — 4 ports at 15W each maxes it out
- No SFP uplinks limits future uplink speed to 1Gbps
- Omada integration only works with other Omada hardware — creates ecosystem lock-in
- PoE negotiation has occasional compatibility issues with non-standard devices
Our Verdicts
MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+RM 24-Port Managed Switch
The best value managed switch for a home lab rack. 24 ports + dual 10G SFP+ at $219 is impossible to beat on a per-port basis. Start with SwOS if you just want VLANs without complexity.
TP-Link TL-SG108PE 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Switch
Best $79 starter switch for home labs that need PoE. 61W powers most AP + camera setups without injectors. The right purchase before you commit to a full UniFi or Omada ecosystem.
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