Comparison Table of Access Switch Brands

Cisco, Huawei, Aruba, UBNT, and TP-Link offer diverse access switch options, each with unique features, management capabilities, and price points suitable for different network scales. Access Switch Comparison TableBrandPopular ModelsPort Types & SpeedsManagementPoE SupportTarget UseNotable FeaturesPrice RangeCiscoCatalyst 9000, Catalyst 1200/13001G, 2. 5G, 10GManaged, Layer 2/3, Cloud-managedYes, PoE/PoE+Enterprise, SMBAI/ML security, stackable, high reliability, advanced QoSHigh ($500–$5,000+)HuaweiS5720, S5720-SI1G, 10GManaged, Layer 2/3Yes, PoEEnterprise, CampusHigh performance, flexible deployment, energy-efficientMid–HighAruba (HPE)Aruba 2930F, 25401G, 10GManaged, Layer 2/3, Cloud-managedYes, PoE+Enterprise, SMBCloud integration, AI-driven management, secure accessMid–HighUBNT (Ubiquiti)UniFi Switch 8/16/241GManaged, Layer 2Yes, PoE/PoE+SMB, SOHOEasy setup via UniFi Controller, cost-effective, fanless optionsLow–Mid ($100–$500)TP-LinkLS108GP, TL-SG105S-M21G, 2.

5GUnmanaged/ManagedYes, PoE/PoE+SMB, HomePlug-and-play, silent operation, budget-friendlyLow ($50–$150)ZyxelMG-108Multi-gig 100M–2. 5GUnmanagedLimited PoESMBCompact, energy-efficient, multi-speed supportLow ($130–$150)LinksysLGS116P1GUnmanagedPoE+SOHO16 ports, wall-mountable, Energy Efficient EthernetLow–MidKey ConsiderationsManagement & Configuration: Cisco, Huawei, and Aruba provide advanced managed switches with Layer 2/3 capabilities, VLANs, QoS, and cloud management, suitable for enterprise networks.

UBN

T, TP-Link, and Zyxel focus on plug-and-play or simpler management for SMBs and SOHO environments.

Po

E Support: Most enterprise-grade switches support PoE/PoE+ for powering devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and access points. TP-Link and UBNT offer budget-friendly PoE options with auto-recovery and extended range features. Scalability & Performance: Cisco Catalyst 9000 series and Huawei S5720 series provide high-speed 10G uplinks, stackable designs, and AI-driven security, ideal for large-scale deployments.

SMB-focused switches like TP-Link TL-SG105S-M2 and Zyxel MG-108 offer multi-gigabit speeds sufficient for small networks. Price vs Value: Enterprise switches (Cisco, Aruba, Huawei) are higher in cost but offer advanced features, reliability, and long-term support.

SMB and SOH

O switches (TP-Link, UBNT, Zyxel, Linksys) are cost-effective, easy to deploy, and energy-efficient, making them suitable for smaller networks or budget-conscious setups. This table and analysis provide a clear overview to help select the right access switch based on network size, management needs, PoE requirements, and budget.