Best 10GB Switch In 2023: Buyer’s Guide

Network switches are the lifeblood of connectivity in homes, offices, and data centers. As multi-gigabit and 10GbE internet becomes mainstream, upgrading your switches is crucial to tap into faster speeds. The 10GB switch keeps on updating with every passing year. These 10GB switches are generally used to establish the connection between routers, servers in the data centers, and a Layer 2 network connection to handle high-speed network demands. And choosing the best 10GB switch for your needs is not an easy task since numerous things to consider, and many manufacturers are providing multiple models. Hence, to eliminate your confusion on how to pick up the best 10GB switch for home or business usage, we have highlighted the best ones along with a section on how to choose them.

List of The Best 10GB Switch

Check out the thorough reviews of the best 10GB switch in 2023 below.

1. TP-Link 8 Port 10G Unmanaged Ethernet Switch

TP-Link TL-SX1008 is an 8-port 10G unmanaged ethernet switch. The 10G support lets you fully use high bandwidth like WiFi 6 APs with the 10G wired connections. For gaming, collaborations, and media cabinet on steroids, this model is one of the best 10GB switches.

With the help of this TP-Link switch, you can expand the 10GE LAN ports of WiFi 6 routers and also connect more devices, each of them operating at max 10Gbps. For home networks and specifically if you intend to use the affordable ethernet 2.5G/10G adapters, this switch is a good choice. It comes with an easy Plug and Play setup without any need for software installation or configuration. The sturdy metal casing and the rackmount/desktop design are suitable for use in diverse environments. Accessories packed in are a power cord, an installation guide, a power cord, and rubber feet.

Pros And Cons

2. NETGEAR 10-Port PoE 10G Smart Switch (MS510TXPP)

This NETGEAR PoE 10G switch supports both interfaces allowing you to bridge both technologies in a single device. It can efficiently power a Cisco Wap 581 and also supports VPN at 10G speed. Therefore, from viewpoint of versatility, this  MS510TXPP model can be the best 10GB switch.

It supports desktop or rackmount placement. Accessories packed in are a power cord, a rack-mounting kit, rubber footpads for tabletop installation, a quick install guide, a resource disk with installation guides, and a smart control center utility software.

Pros And Cons

3. MikroTik 12 Port 10G Switch

MikroTik 12 port switch comes with 10G RJ45 Ethernet ports and an SFP+ port. This switch serves as a practical solution for those people who work with massive data files and require a fast, efficient connection 24/7. So, this MikroTik switch is mainly used in multimedia production, game development, scientific research, big data analysis, etc.

It also features 4 x 10G combo ports which can be used for the 10G RJ45 Ethernet or 10G SFP+, whenever you want an additional fiber connection. Note that the combo ports can be used together with the 8 standard 10G RJ45 Ethernet ports anytime.

Pros And Cons

4. Cisco Business 24 Port 10G Managed Switch

Cisco CBS350-24XS-NA model is a fully managed switch line that conveys secure and reliable connectivity for small business networks. It streamlines your digital transformation by offering full Layer 2/3 capabilities, advanced networking features, an intuitive web dashboard, and PoE+ support. So, it is one of the best 10GB switches on this list.

The available ports are 24 ports 10G SFP+ and 4 10GE ports (one SFP+ port is shared with one 10GE port, and couldn’t be used simultaneously). The intuitive UI, mobile app and Cisco Business dashboard streamlines network operations and also automate lifecycle management. The accessories included are a power cord, adapter, mounting hardware, and quick-start guide.

Pros And Cons

5. QNAP 10Gb Managed Switch, with 4-Port 10GbE SFP+/RJ45 Combo & 8-Port Gigabit

QSW-M408-4C from Qnap comes with a user-friendly interface that provides all features to make management easier. The features such as port management, dashboard overview, and setting guide to making it intuitive and effortless. It is equipped with 4 10GB SFP+RJ45 ports and 8 Gigabit ports. It supports L2 switching and network management through user-friendly UI. It provides flexibility while deploying in high-speed conditions. The best thing is that it is ideal for beginning-level network management solutions that can be managed by even by professionals from non-IT background. 

This cheapest 10gb switch is compatible with five different speeds ( 10GB, 5GB, 2.5GB, 1GB, 100MB) with 10GbE and NBASE-T technologies to offer high transmission speeds using the current Cat 5e and 6a cables. It provides high performance, intuitive, and easy to use management features. It also makes it easier to instantly up-gradate to the hybrid higher speed networks at an affordable price by providing network bandwidth and makes sure no compromise with network security. The enhanced security and effective control are provided with Layer 2 management features such as LACP, ACL, VLAN, LLDP. Intuitive network management is possible with QSS software and web GUI. The management is easy with flat control, at a glance function, one-click log-in. The visual illustration resembles the physical ports for better usability. The main feature of this cheap 10gb switch includes as below.

6. NETGEAR 28-Port Gigabit/10G Stackable Smart Managed Pro Switch (GS728TX)

Netgear is providing several models of smart switches over the years, and this is one of the best 10gb switches of Netgear family. The GS728TX 10gb switch comes with 28 ports, including 24 copper Ethernet PoE+ ports, two SFP+ 10 Gigabit ports (fiber), and two SFP Gigabit ports (fiber). All these ports provide a 390W PoE budget to provide easy deployment and maximum flexibility in your network. This 10 gigabit switch is fully integrated with remote cloud management and advanced L2 & L3 Lite features. As a result, it is a versatile, easy to use, and manage switches for any environment. 

The GS728TX 10G switch comes with advanced control and configurations to make your life easier. It includes management software powered with easy to use GUI interface and excellent control over the system from installation, accessing, and managing. The best thing is it works by producing the minimum level of sounds by reducing a fan’s noise. The industry-best warranty is available for this product, it includes a lifetime limited hardware warranty, 24/7 support from Netgear professionals, and a next business day replacement policy. The main features of this 10 gigabit switch are as follows. 

7. Netgear 8-Port 10GB Ethernet Smart Managed Plus Switch

The usual problem with 10gb managed switch is that they are quite expensive. But XS708E from Netgear is available at an affordable rate compared to other 10gbe switches these days. Many businesses are using this model to meet the requirement of high efficiency and other network demands. This cheap 10gb switch is ideal for those areas where budget is a concern but has to meet the exceptionally growing network storage and network traffic needs. Big data is implemented by many small businesses these days apart from large enterprises. Hence, this XS708E 10gbe switch from Netgear recognized this growing need and giving the first cost-effective 10gb managed switch. 

Netgear XS708E 10G switch is a member of the Netgear ProSAFE Plus Switches family and consists of plug and play 10GB ethernet connectivity. It also provides some basic network features to optimize every business’s performance, including QoS, VLAN, LAG (Link Aggregation, IGMP Snooping), traffic monitoring, and rate-limiting. If you make a little tweak by making a little network upgrade and changes, it will provide 10 times more speed than traditional Gigabit switches. The great thing is XS708E comes with a lifetime warranty, so after investing, there is nothing that can disturb your peace of made.

8. Netgear 16-Port 10GB Ethernet Smart Managed Plus Switch

Every smart-managed switch from Netgear is welcomed because they always provide excellent features and value for money, and this model is not an exception. From all angles, it is one of the best 10gb switches available in 2021. It is a reliable and excellent choice for high-performance business networks. Businesses looking to cope with the growing virtualization, cloud services, and applications such as VoIP, streaming and IP surveillance, and SMB networks are needed to go beyond reliability and high performance and speed, this model is the right solution. It delivers the unprecedented and non-blocking 10 gigabit bandwidth at an affordable cost. It is specially designed to provide a cost-effective way to establish 10G connectivity for servers, and Network Attached Storage systems. It is a member of the ProSAFE Web Managed switches family and comes with a configurable L2 network feature. It supports rate-limiting, VLAN, IGMP snooping, QoS, and port trunking. 

The XS716E smart switch comes with 16 10gb copper ports and one shared copper SFP+ port (fiber) at an affordable price. This can be used as the center of small businesses or home office network. This is also an ideal solution for businesses with smaller workgroups and require high bandwidth to collaborate, share, publish, and edit high-density content such as animation or videos. The key features of this 10 gigabit switch are as follows. 

9. TRENDnet 8-Port 10GB EdgeSmart Switch, 8 x 10GBASE-T Ports

This is our last pick in the pursuit of the best 10gb switch for home or office. It is one of the high speed and cost-effective 8 port smart managed 10 gigabit switch arrives at an affordable price. This is designed to provide high speed and excellent 10GbE network connections. It comes with the EdgeSmart switch feature like other commonly used switch features, and it helps reduce unnecessary complexity in switches. It provides a web-based, user-friendly management interface featuring VLAN, traffic control, access controls, QoS, monitoring, and link aggregation. The manufacturer provides a warranty for three years from the date of purchase. 

This 10 gigabit switch supports a broad range of network configurations such as 802.3ad link aggregation, IGMP, loopback detection, and others. You can connect using Cat 5e or other better cables and establish NBASE -T supported devices connections at 2.5gbps or 5gbps. The hardware design provides 8 10GBASE-T ports to provide high-speed connections and also comes with 1U rack-mountable. This 10gb switch for home supports IPv6 configuration and other IPv6 neighbor discovery. It also reduces the energy bill compared to other switches since the smart fan automatically adjusts the fan speed as per the cooling requirements. The package consists of a switch system, power cord, rackmount kit, RJ-45 to RS232 console cable, and quick installation guide.  The key feature of the 10gb switch is as below.

How To Pick The Best 10GB Switch?

The best 10 gigabit switch selection as per your requirement is not easy as it looks, and you will realize this whenever you start selecting the smart switch. Hence, let us look at the key points that need to be taken care of while picking a 10gb switch for home or office. 

1. Non-POE or POE  

10gb PoE switch deploys a single cable for data transmission and power supply to PDs, such as IP cameras & VoIP phones, wireless access points. If you break the tether outlet, it allows you to place it anywhere, including desktops, on a rack using a mount, or on walls. If the power supply is not a concern, you can use the non-PoE 10gb switch, it will also help you save money. 

2. Standalone or Stackable

Network upgrading and expansion are common in data centers, and more switches are needed to connect the growing number of units. If you are using the standalone switch, operators are required to control every switch separately. And it is a complicated process to add a new switch. So, it is ideal for small business networks. The larger enterprises use the stackable switch to simplify the controlling and managing of the network. 

3. Managed or Unmanaged

Large organizations use managed switches. It is suitable for large organizations and heavy workload organizations where custom management, security monitoring, and traffic control. On the other hand, an unmanaged switch is a plug and play configuration. In this, no customized control and management are supported by network operators. This type of switch is ideal for anyone who just wants to set up a network and don’t want to interfere in its management. If you are looking to get a cost-effective and functional solution, some smart, partly managed switches do the job. 

4. Other Considerations

There are some other important points to consider while buying a 10 gigabit switch. The main thing is the budget. If you opt for more advanced products with PoE or managed features, it will cost you more. Along with the budget, the number of ports is also an important factor. Generally, people will get /12/24/32/48 port switches to enhance the performance of the network. You need to pay more if you want to avail more port switches. 

Hence, you need to ask yourself some basic questions, such as what is the budget? What is the network environment? What is the port requirement? Whether you need the managed or PoE switches? Should I deploy future proof concern or stackable switch? Finding the answers to these questions will help you in selecting the best 10 gigabit switch for your needs.  

How To Choose A Wiring Device For 10GB Switch?

When picking a 10 gigabit switch, you need to consider the connection scheme used by other devices such as PC and NAS in your project, as well as the expansion needs of the later 10gbe equipment. Therefore, the best choice is to pick the 10 gig switches that can support both 10 gigabit electrical ports and 10 Gigabit SFP+ ports. The 10gbe switch with SFP+ and RJ45 composite port design can be better compatible with various types of equipment, which is convenient for network deployment and experience in enterprises, studios or offices, and it is a good choice for upgrading existing networks.

For 10 gigabit switch that supports 10gb electrical modules, RJ45 cables are generally used to connect 10 gig switches and servers. For 10g cables, Cat6/Cat6a/Cat7 network cables are generally selected in the project. The length of the network cable can be selected according to actual needs. Of course, you can also choose SFP+ electrical interface modules and optical fibers with a maximum transmission distance of 80 meters to build your network.

For a server or storage device with 10G SFP+ ports, the most cost-effective connection method is to connect directly with an SFP+ optical module. The length of the fiber optic cable can be selected according to requirements.

For a 10gb switch deployed at a distance of 100 meters, you will need a pair of SFP+ optical modules and fiber jumpers. Depending on the required length, the multi-mode SFP+ module can reach 300 meters and the single-mode SFP+ module can reach 80 kilometers.

What is SFP+ module?

Among a lot of optical modules, the SFP+ module is one of the most widely used optical modules. The SFP+ module adopts different connection methods to achieve different network requirements when used with the 10gbe switch. The characteristics and types of SFP+ modules are as below.

The SFP+ module is a 10G optical fiber module in the SFP module, which is independent of the communication protocol. It is generally connected with 10 gig switches, 10gb routers, 10gb network cards and so on, and is widely used in 10Gbps Ethernet and fiber channel systems to meet the higher speed requirements from users and realize network expansion and conversion in studios or offices. The SFP+ module has high density and small size, and can be interconnected with other types of 10G modules, providing a higher installation density for data centers and saving costs. As a result, it has become the mainstream pluggable optical module on the market.

Types of SFP+ module

In general, SFP+ modules are classified according to actual applications. Their common types include 10G SFP+, BIDI SFP+, CWDM SFP+, and DWDM SFP+.

10G SFP+ module is an ordinary SFP+ module that also be regarded as an upgraded version of the 1G SFP module. It is the mainstream design on the market at present, and the maximum distance can reach 100KM.

BIDI SFP+ module adopts WDM wavelength division technology, the highest rate can reach 11.1Gbps, low power consumption. It has two optical fiber jacks, and the maximum transmission distance is 80KM. They are generally used in pairs. When used in the data center network, it can reduce the amount of optical fiber and reduce the construction cost.

CWDM SFP+ module adopts coarse wavelength division multiplexing technology, which is often used in conjunction with single-mode optical fiber to save optical fiber resources, and is more flexible, reliable, and low power consumption in networking.

DWDM SFP+ module adopts dense wavelength division multiplexing technology, which is mostly used in long-distance data transmission, and has the characteristics of high speed, large capacity, and strong scalability.

List of The Best SFP+ Module for 10GB Switch

FAQs When Picking The Best 10GB Switch

1. What is the general use of 10gbe switches? 

The common use of 10gbe switches is the interconnection between routers and provides Layer 2 networking to meet the high-speed network needs. 

2. What is the difference between the managed switch and unmanaged switches?

The managed switch provides optimized network performance, and they are suitable for big enterprises and heavy workload organizations where custom management, traffic control, and security management. Unmanaged 10GB switches are plug and play switches. They are ideal for businesses or individuals who want to set up a network and let it run automatically. 

3. Which ethernet cable is perfect for a 10gb switch?

Cat 6 cables are ideal for 10gb switches. They are used for 10Gbps, 1000Mbps, 100Mbps, and 10Mbps. 

Final Thoughts

In this guide, we covered the key factors to look for when upgrading your switches to 10GbE, from port density and PoE power to modular designs and stacking capabilities. The leading options from trusted brands like Cisco, Netgear, and TP-Link provide the performance, reliability, and future-proof features to help realize the full potential of your network infrastructure.

While specific needs and budgets may vary, the knowledge in this buyer’s guide aims to help you confidently navigate the world of 10GbE switching. By understanding the technologies and trade-offs, you can find the best 10gb switch in 2023 to enhance your network connectivity now and in the years ahead.

Enjoyed this article on the best 10gb switch? Then be sure to check out our other guides.

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2. Best 16 Port Gigabit Switch
3. Best 24 Port Gigabit Switch
4. Best 48 Port Gigabit Switch