# Best Network Switch for Home Lab in 2026: 5 Picks

Current managed 2.5GbE, 10GbE, PoE, and budget network switches compared by ports, power, management, and expansion.

- URL: https://homelabpicks.com/networking/best-network-switch-home-lab/
- Published: 2026-03-15
- Updated: 2026-09-30
- Evidence: research-backed

> HomeLabPicks earns a commission on qualifying purchases made through https://homelabpicks.com/go/ links. Prices change; check the retailer before buying. Disclosure: https://homelabpicks.com/disclosure/

## Verdict

**[TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg3210xhp-m2)**: 8-port managed 2.5GbE with 240W PoE and 10G SFP+ uplinks. Our default pick for a home lab with PoE devices.

## Know these four numbers before you buy a switch

Count your endpoints, the PoE watts you need, how many links must be faster than gigabit, and which managed features you will actually use. Those four numbers decide which switch fits.

- **[TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg3210xhp-m2)**: Managed 2.5GbE plus PoE. Choose it when eight 2.5GbE access ports, managed VLANs, PoE, and 10G uplinks are all required in one switch. Constraint: Add up the maximum PoE draw of every planned device and keep it under the 240W budget.
- **[TRENDnet TEG-S350](https://homelabpicks.com/go/trendnet-teg-s350)**: Simple 2.5GbE edge. Choose an unmanaged five-port switch when you only need faster local links and no VLAN control at this device. Constraint: Five ports disappear quickly, and an unmanaged switch cannot enforce VLAN policy.
- **[PoE switch guide](https://homelabpicks.com/networking/best-poe-switch/)**: Access points and cameras. Choose by per-port PoE standard, total PoE budget, fan noise, controller, and uplink speed rather than total port count alone. Constraint: Check both the per-port class and the total budget for the exact powered devices.
- **[10GbE switch guide](https://homelabpicks.com/networking/best-10g-switch/)**: Storage or compute backbone. Use 10GbE only when the endpoints, cabling, transceivers, and storage can use it. Constraint: Price NICs, optics or DACs, and free expansion slots as part of the switch decision.

## Products

### Our Pick: [TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg3210xhp-m2)

The best all-in-one switch for home labs that need VLANs, PoE for access points, and 2.5GbE for NAS traffic. The 240W PoE budget powers access points and IP cameras, and the dual 10G SFP+ uplinks connect to your NAS or server backbone.

- Ports: 8x 2.5GbE RJ45 + 2x 10G SFP+
- PoE Budget: 240W (802.3at PoE+ on all 8 ports)
- Management: L2+ managed, Omada SDN, web, CLI
- Switching Capacity: 80 Gbps
- Form Factor: Rackmountable, two fans

Pros:
- 8 ports of managed 2.5GbE with full VLAN and QoS support
- 240W PoE+ budget powers APs, cameras, and small devices
- 2x 10G SFP+ uplinks for NAS or server connections
- Omada SDN integration for centralized management
- L2+ features include static routing, ACLs, and DHCP snooping

Cons:
- Two fans, so it is not silent like fanless desktop switches
- 8 ports may not be enough if you have 12 or more devices
- Omada's centralized features need a controller, though the software controller is free

### Best 10GbE Value: [MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+](https://homelabpicks.com/go/mikrotik-crs305)

A compact way to add four 10GbE SFP+ ports at a $149 list price. It is fanless, and MikroTik rates it at 10W without modules and 18W maximum. Realized throughput still depends on the NICs, optics or DACs, and storage at each end.

- Ports: 4x 10G SFP+ + 1x 1GbE RJ45
- PoE Budget: None (can be PoE powered)
- Management: RouterOS L5 / SwOS
- Switching Capacity: 81 Gbps
- Form Factor: Desktop, fanless

Pros:
- $149 list price for four 10G SFP+ ports
- Completely fanless and silent
- RouterOS provides full VLAN, bonding, and firewall capabilities
- Can be powered via PoE (802.3af/at), no power brick needed

Cons:
- RouterOS has a steep learning curve compared with UniFi or Omada
- Only 1x 1GbE management port, no RJ45 data ports
- SwOS is a simple web UI with fewer features; RouterOS is best managed with WinBox
- SFP+ modules or DAC cables are an additional cost

### Best Ecosystem: [UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE](https://homelabpicks.com/go/unifi-pro-max-24-poe)

Ubiquiti's current 24-port PoE switch for labs that need 24 ports, a large PoE budget, eight 2.5GbE ports, and 10GbE uplinks, all managed in UniFi Network.

- Ports: 16x 1GbE + 8x 2.5GbE RJ45 + 2x 10G SFP+
- PoE Budget: 400W total; PoE++ on 16 ports (all eight 2.5GbE plus eight gigabit)
- Management: L3 managed, UniFi Network
- Switching Capacity: 112 Gbps
- Form Factor: 1U rackmount

Pros:
- 400W total budget with PoE++ on 16 of the 24 ports
- Static and inter-VLAN routing directly on the switch
- UniFi Network UI is the easiest management interface here
- 8x 2.5GbE ports for multi-gig APs, NAS units, and servers
- 2x 10G SFP+ uplinks for backbone connectivity

Cons:
- $799 list price is a serious investment for a home lab
- Requires the UniFi Network application (self-hosted or on a UniFi console)
- Only 8 of 24 RJ45 ports are 2.5GbE; the other 16 are 1GbE
- Vendor lock-in to the UniFi ecosystem

### Budget Pick: [TRENDnet TEG-S350](https://homelabpicks.com/go/trendnet-teg-s350)

A five-port unmanaged 2.5GbE switch. It removes the gigabit ceiling for devices that already have 2.5GbE ports, and the fanless design is silent.

- Ports: 5x 2.5GbE RJ45
- PoE Budget: None
- Management: Unmanaged
- Switching Capacity: 25 Gbps
- Form Factor: Desktop, fanless, wall-mountable

Pros:
- $65.99 list price at TRENDnet for five 2.5GbE ports
- Completely fanless and silent
- Metal housing with wall-mount option
- Backward compatible with 1GbE and 100Mbps devices
- Lifetime warranty on TRENDnet's US product page

Cons:
- No VLANs, QoS, or any management features
- No PoE, so access points need separate power
- No SFP+ uplink, limited to 2.5G maximum
- 5 ports fill up fast in a growing lab

### Best for APs: [TP-Link TL-SG1005P](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg1005p)

A small PoE switch for powering access points and devices without running power cables. Its 65W budget covers two or three typical WiFi 6 access points, and it costs roughly $40 to $50.

- Ports: 5x 1GbE RJ45 (4x PoE+)
- PoE Budget: 65W (802.3at/af, up to 30W per port)
- Management: Unmanaged
- Switching Capacity: 10 Gbps
- Form Factor: Desktop, fanless, metal housing

Pros:
- Roughly $40 to $50 for four PoE+ ports
- 65W budget powers two or three typical WiFi 6 access points
- Fanless metal housing, silent and durable
- Plug and play, with QoS and IGMP snooping built in

Cons:
- 1GbE only, no 2.5G option
- No management features beyond basic QoS
- 4 PoE ports limit AP expansion
- 65W budget is tight for high-draw PoE++ devices

## Comparison

| Product | Ports | Speed | PoE Budget | Uplinks | Management |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg3210xhp-m2) (winner) | 8x RJ45 | 2.5GbE | 240W PoE+ | 2x 10G SFP+ | L2+ Omada SDN |
| [MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+](https://homelabpicks.com/go/mikrotik-crs305) | 1x RJ45 | 1GbE (mgmt) | None | 4x 10G SFP+ | RouterOS / SwOS |
| [UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE](https://homelabpicks.com/go/unifi-pro-max-24-poe) | 24x RJ45 | 16x 1G + 8x 2.5G | 400W (16 PoE++, 8 PoE+) | 2x 10G SFP+ | L3 UniFi Network |
| [TRENDnet TEG-S350](https://homelabpicks.com/go/trendnet-teg-s350) | 5x RJ45 | 2.5GbE | None | None | Unmanaged |
| [TP-Link TL-SG1005P](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg1005p) | 5x RJ45 | 1GbE | 65W PoE+ | None | Unmanaged |

Your home lab switch is load-bearing infrastructure. VM, container, NAS backup, and management traffic all depend on it. Choose the port count, management model, PoE budget, and uplink path with planned growth in mind so that expansion does not force an early replacement.

This guide covers five switch roles, from a small unmanaged edge switch to a 24-port managed PoE core. Each pick targets a different network shape, because no single switch is best at port count, noise, PoE, multi-gig speed, management, and price at once.

---

## How We Picked These Switches

The home lab switch market splits into three tiers, and you will likely need switches from at least two of them:

**2.5GbE managed (core switch):** This is where your VLANs, PoE, and traffic management live. Every device in your lab connects here, either directly or through downstream switches. The TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2 and UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE compete in this tier.

**10GbE (storage link):** A dedicated 10G switch carries NAS-to-server traffic at full speed. This is a point-to-point or small-mesh deployment, not a full-network upgrade. The MikroTik CRS305 is the value pick here.

**Unmanaged (edge and budget):** Cheap switches for non-critical devices, PoE power delivery, or extra ports. The TRENDnet TEG-S350 and TP-Link TL-SG1005P fill these roles.

We compared each switch on port count, throughput, PoE budget, management features, cooling, and price per port. Noise matters too: a loud fan is annoying even in a closet.

---

## Our Pick: TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2

The [TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg3210xhp-m2) is the switch we recommend as the core of most home lab networks. TP-Link sold the first version as the JetStream TL-SG3210XHP-M2, now end of sale. It covers three needs in one unit: managed 2.5GbE switching, PoE for access points and cameras, and 10G SFP+ uplinks for your NAS.

- **Ports:** 8x 2.5GbE RJ45 + 2x 10G SFP+
- **PoE budget:** 240W (802.3at PoE+ on all 8 ports, up to 30W each)
- **Management:** L2+ managed, Omada SDN, web UI, and CLI over SSH
- **Switching capacity:** 80 Gbps
- **Price:** $419.99 (TP-Link list price)

Eight ports of managed 2.5GbE is a practical starting point for a home lab core switch. Connect your Proxmox nodes, your NAS, and a couple of access points via PoE, and you still have ports left. The 240W PoE budget is generous. Most WiFi 6 access points draw roughly 10 to 15W, so you can power several access points plus IP cameras without hitting the limit.

The two 10G SFP+ uplinks are what separate this from cheaper managed switches. Run a DAC cable to your NAS or [mini PC server](https://homelabpicks.com/mini-pc/best-mini-pc-home-server/) and you have a 10G storage link without buying a separate 10G switch. For labs where the NAS is the main storage target, this removes the need for a MikroTik CRS305.

Omada management covers what a home lab needs: VLANs, 802.1Q tagging, port-based and MAC-based access control, DHCP snooping, and static routing, through the switch's web UI or the Omada controller. The controller is optional. TP-Link's free software controller can run on a VM or in a Docker container on a Proxmox node, and TP-Link also sells OC200 and OC300 hardware controllers and a cloud-based controller. ACLs and IP-MAC-Port Binding give you proper separation between your IoT, management, and lab VLANs.

The trade-off is noise. TP-Link lists two fans, so this switch is not silent like a fanless desktop switch. Plan on a closet, a [server rack](https://homelabpicks.com/racks/best-server-rack-home-lab/), or anywhere you won't hear it while working. If the switch must sit by your desk, a fanless 2.5GbE switch plus a separate PoE switch is quieter.

At $419.99, the SG3210XHP-M2 delivers managed 2.5GbE, substantial PoE, and 10G uplinks. The next step up in this guide, the UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE, adds ports and PoE budget at $799.

---

## Best 10GbE Value: MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+

The [MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+](https://homelabpicks.com/go/mikrotik-crs305) is the standard recommendation for adding 10G to a home lab without a big switch budget. It gives you four SFP+ ports with line-rate 10G switching in a fanless desktop enclosure.

- **Ports:** 4x 10G SFP+ + 1x 1GbE RJ45 (management)
- **PoE:** None out; the Ethernet port accepts 802.3af/at PoE power
- **Management:** RouterOS L5 or SwOS (dual boot)
- **Switching capacity:** 81 Gbps
- **Price:** $149 (MikroTik list price)

The typical deployment is simple: plug your NAS into port 1 and your primary Proxmox node into port 2, and you have a dedicated 10G storage network. Add a second Proxmox node for live migration traffic on port 3. That's a small 10G cluster for $149 plus one DAC cable per device.

RouterOS gives you full VLAN support, link aggregation, and even basic firewall rules if you need them. SwOS is simpler: a web UI that treats the device as a plain switch. For most home lab users, SwOS is the right choice. You configure VLANs once and forget about it.

The learning curve is real. MikroTik's WinBox app and RouterOS terminal expose far more configuration than an unmanaged switch and use a different workflow from UniFi or Omada. Set aside time to read the RouterOS or SwOS documentation and check your VLAN setup before moving important traffic onto it.

MikroTik rates the CRS305 at 10W without modules and 18W maximum with them. Copper RJ45 modules add the most heat, and MikroTik recommends leaving a port empty between them.

For a deeper comparison of 10G switches at every price point, see our [best 10G switch for home lab](https://homelabpicks.com/networking/best-10g-switch/) guide.

---

## Best Ecosystem: UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE

The [UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE](https://homelabpicks.com/go/unifi-pro-max-24-poe) is the right switch if you're building a full UniFi deployment with access points, cameras, and a Cloud Gateway, and you need 24 ports to connect it all.

- **Ports:** 16x 1GbE + 8x 2.5GbE RJ45 + 2x 10G SFP+
- **PoE budget:** 400W total; PoE++ on 16 ports (all eight 2.5GbE ports plus eight of the gigabit ports)
- **Management:** Layer 3 managed, UniFi Network application
- **Switching capacity:** 112 Gbps
- **Price:** $799 (Ubiquiti list price, before its US import surcharge)

The case for the Pro Max 24 PoE is ecosystem integration. UniFi Network gives you a single dashboard for switch ports, access points, firewall rules, VPN, and traffic analytics. Port profiles, VLAN assignments, and PoE scheduling are all point-and-click. If you're managing ten or more devices and don't want to SSH into anything, the controller lets you manage them together.

The switch supports static and inter-VLAN routing, so traffic between VLANs can stay on the switch instead of passing through your firewall. Keep firewall rules for traffic that needs inspection on the gateway, because switch-routed traffic skips it.

The 400W PoE budget is the highest on this list. Several access points, a few cameras, and a doorbell fit well within it, and that headroom matters if your home lab extends into home automation.

Only eight of the 24 RJ45 ports are 2.5GbE; the other 16 are gigabit. Put NAS units, servers, and multi-gig access points on the 2.5GbE ports and everything else on gigabit.

At $799, this is a significant investment. If you run fewer than 12 devices or do not need the UniFi ecosystem, the TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2 covers the same core role for about half the price.

---

## Budget Pick: TRENDnet TEG-S350

The [TRENDnet TEG-S350](https://homelabpicks.com/go/trendnet-teg-s350) is the budget 2.5GbE option in this comparison: five 2.5GbE ports in a fanless metal case with no configuration at all.

- **Ports:** 5x 2.5GbE RJ45
- **Management:** Unmanaged
- **Switching capacity:** 25 Gbps
- **Power:** 9.5W maximum (TRENDnet rating)
- **Price:** $65.99 (TRENDnet list price)

The use case is simple: connect a NAS and [Proxmox mini PCs](https://homelabpicks.com/mini-pc/best-mini-pc-proxmox/) that already have 2.5GbE ports, and those links run at 2.5G instead of gigabit. Actual file-transfer speed still depends on the storage and protocol at each end. There are no VLAN, PoE, or management features.

The TEG-S350 is backward compatible with 1GbE and 100Mbps devices. 2.5GBASE-T is specified for up to 100 meters over Cat5e, so existing runs usually work at 2.5G; an old or badly terminated run may still fall back to gigabit.

The fanless metal housing makes no noise and can be wall-mounted, and TRENDnet's US product page lists a lifetime warranty.

The limitation is obvious: five ports and no management. If you need VLANs, this isn't your switch. If you need PoE for access points, this isn't your switch. If you need more than five ports, TRENDnet's eight-port TEG-S380 lists for about $22 more. But as a secondary switch feeding a managed core, or as the only switch in a three-device lab, the TEG-S350 is the right tool for the price.

For a full roundup of 2.5GbE switches at every budget, see our [best 2.5G switch](https://homelabpicks.com/networking/best-25g-switch/) guide.

---

## Best PoE for Access Points: TP-Link TL-SG1005P

The [TP-Link TL-SG1005P](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg1005p) exists to solve one problem: powering access points without running dedicated power cables. It costs roughly $40 to $50 and takes up less space than a stack of PoE injectors.

- **Ports:** 5x 1GbE RJ45 (4 with PoE+)
- **PoE budget:** 65W (802.3at/af, up to 30W per port)
- **Management:** Unmanaged
- **Switching capacity:** 10 Gbps

The typical deployment: mount this near your access points, run one Ethernet cable from your core switch, and power two or three APs from the PoE ports. With most WiFi 6 access points drawing roughly 10 to 15W, the 65W budget comfortably powers three APs, or two APs plus a Raspberry Pi or IP camera.

802.3at PoE+ provides up to 30W on a port, subject to the switch's 65W total budget, so check each access point's PoE standard and maximum draw before ordering. The fifth port is a non-PoE gigabit uplink, and the switch supports QoS and IGMP snooping.

The metal housing is fanless. It's a desktop switch that you can also wall-mount, which is useful for placing it in a ceiling space or closet near your APs.

This is a gigabit switch, not 2.5GbE. For access point backhaul that's fine, since most WiFi 6 APs have gigabit Ethernet ports anyway. If your APs have 2.5GbE ports (like the UniFi U7 Pro), run them from your core managed switch's PoE ports instead.

---

## How to Design Your Home Lab Network

A good home lab network isn't one expensive switch; it's the right combination of switches for your topology. Here's how the five picks above fit together.

### Small Lab (3-5 Devices, Under $300 With WiFi)

Buy the [TRENDnet TEG-S350](https://homelabpicks.com/go/trendnet-teg-s350) and connect everything to it: NAS, Proxmox node, and workstation, all running at 2.5G on a flat network. If you need WiFi, add a [TP-Link TL-SG1005P](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg1005p) to power an access point. The two switches cost roughly $106 to $116. Add a WiFi 6 access point, such as TP-Link's EAP670 at roughly $145 to $165, and the total is roughly $250 to $280.

### Medium Lab (6-12 Devices, VLANs Needed)

The [TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg3210xhp-m2) is your core switch. Run VLANs for management, server, and IoT traffic, power your APs directly from its PoE ports, and use the 10G SFP+ uplinks for your NAS. If you need more 10G ports for a Proxmox cluster, add a [MikroTik CRS305](https://homelabpicks.com/go/mikrotik-crs305) as a dedicated storage switch. Total: $419.99 for the core switch, or about $570 with the CRS305, before DAC cables.

### Large Lab (13+ Devices, Full Ecosystem)

Use the [UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE](https://homelabpicks.com/go/unifi-pro-max-24-poe) as your core switch, with a [MikroTik CRS305](https://homelabpicks.com/go/mikrotik-crs305) for 10G storage traffic. Put servers and NAS on the 2.5G ports, IoT devices and cameras on the gigabit ports, and run inter-VLAN routing on the switch. Total: $948 in list prices before DAC cables.

### Cabling Matters

Use Cat6 or Cat6A for all new runs. Existing Cat5e is specified for 2.5GBASE-T at up to 100 meters, but it isn't specified for 10GBASE-T; for 10G copper, use Cat6A (Cat6 is specified to 55 meters). Between the switch and a NAS, SFP+ DAC cables (roughly $10 to $20 each) are cheaper, cooler, and simpler than 10GBASE-T copper modules.

Label every cable and port from day one. A switch with eight unlabeled cables is a switch you'll misconfigure during a late-night troubleshooting session.

---

## Managed vs Unmanaged: When It Matters

If your lab has any of these, you need a managed switch:

- **VLANs** to isolate IoT devices from your servers
- **PoE scheduling** to power down APs at night
- **Port mirroring** for network traffic analysis
- **Link aggregation** for NAS throughput bonding
- **Access control lists** to restrict traffic between subnets

If your lab is literally a NAS and two compute nodes on a flat network, an unmanaged 2.5GbE switch saves you money and configuration time. You can add a managed switch later without replacing the unmanaged one: plug the unmanaged switch into an untagged (access) port on the managed switch, assigned to the VLAN those devices should join.

---

## What About Routers and Firewalls?

This guide focuses on switches, not routers, but your switch choice affects your routing strategy.

The **TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2** supports L2+ static routing, which handles basic inter-VLAN routing. For full firewall and NAT, you'll want a dedicated device; an OPNsense or pfSense box built on an [N100 mini PC](https://homelabpicks.com/mini-pc/best-n100-n150-mini-pc/) is the standard home lab approach.

The **UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE** routes between VLANs on the switch and pairs with a UniFi Cloud Gateway for firewall, NAT, and VPN. If you want a single-vendor stack with one UI, this is the path.

The **MikroTik CRS305** runs RouterOS with full routing features, but its dual-core 800 MHz CPU isn't designed for heavy routing. Use it as a switch, not a router.

---

## Bottom Line

Most home labs need two switches: a managed 2.5GbE switch with PoE for the core network, and either a budget unmanaged switch or a 10G switch for specific traffic. The [TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2](https://homelabpicks.com/go/tp-link-sg3210xhp-m2) covers the first role better than anything else at its price. The [MikroTik CRS305](https://homelabpicks.com/go/mikrotik-crs305) covers the second. Together, they give you a managed, segmented, multi-speed home lab network for about $570 before DAC cables.

If your lab is small and simple, the [TRENDnet TEG-S350](https://homelabpicks.com/go/trendnet-teg-s350) gets you 2.5GbE with zero configuration. If your lab is large and you want centralized management, the [UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE](https://homelabpicks.com/go/unifi-pro-max-24-poe) is the best all-in-one package here.

Start with one switch that matches your current device count, and expand from there. Replacing a switch interrupts connected services, so choose a few more ports than you need today.

## FAQ

### What is the best network switch for a home lab in 2026?

The TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2 is our general-purpose pick because it combines eight managed 2.5GbE ports, a 240W PoE budget, and two 10G SFP+ uplinks. For larger UniFi labs, the Pro Max 24 PoE adds 24 RJ45 ports, a 400W budget, and PoE++ on 16 of its ports.

### Do I need a managed or unmanaged switch for a home lab?

If you run VLANs to separate management, IoT, and lab traffic, which you should, you need a managed switch. If your lab is just a NAS and two Proxmox nodes on a flat network, an unmanaged 2.5GbE switch like the TRENDnet TEG-S350 works fine and costs a fraction of the price.

### Is 2.5GbE or 10GbE better for a home lab?

2.5GbE is our default recommendation for most labs in 2026. It carries roughly 280 to 295 MB/s after protocol overhead (an estimate), which suits one or two hard drives, while multi-drive arrays and SSD storage can exceed it on large transfers. 10GbE matters for all-flash NAS, large sequential copies from multi-drive arrays, Ceph clusters, and heavy VM live migrations. Start with 2.5GbE switching and add a MikroTik CRS305 for 10G links where needed.

### How much PoE budget do I need for access points?

Most WiFi 6 access points draw roughly 10 to 15W each, so a 65W budget handles three or four. If you are also powering IP cameras or VoIP phones, budget 200W or more and consider the TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2 (240W) or UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE (400W).

### Can I mix switch brands in a home lab?

Yes, and most home labs should. Run a managed switch like the TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2 as your core for VLANs and PoE, add a MikroTik CRS305 as a dedicated 10G link for NAS traffic, and use a cheap unmanaged switch for non-critical devices. VLANs and link aggregation work across brands through IEEE standards.

## Sources

- [TP-Link SG3210XHP-M2 specifications](https://www.omadanetworks.com/us/business-networking/omada-switch-access-pro/sg3210xhp-m2/) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2 product page (End of Sale notice, controller options)](https://www.omadanetworks.com/us/business-networking/omada-switch-access-pro/tl-sg3210xhp-m2/) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [TP-Link Omada store listing for the SG3210XHP-M2](https://store.omadanetworks.com/products/omada-8-port-poe-2-5g-l2-managed-switch-with-2-10ge-sfp-slots-240w) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN specifications and price](https://mikrotik.com/product/crs305_1g_4s_in) (accessed 2026-09-29)
- [MikroTik S+RJ10 general guidance](https://help.mikrotik.com/docs/spaces/ROS/pages/240156916/S+RJ10+general+guidance) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [Ubiquiti UniFi Pro Max 24 PoE technical specifications](https://techspecs.ui.com/unifi/switching/usw-pro-max-24-poe) (accessed 2026-09-29)
- [Ubiquiti store listing for the Pro Max 24 PoE](https://store.ui.com/us/en/category/all-switching/products/usw-pro-max-24-poe) (accessed 2026-09-29)
- [TRENDnet TEG-S350 (version 2) store listing and specifications](https://www.trendnet.com/store/products/2-5g-switch/5-port-unmanaged-2-5g-switch-TEG-S350_v2) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [TRENDnet TEG-S380 (version 2) store listing and specifications](https://www.trendnet.com/store/products/2-5g-switch/8-port-unmanaged-2-5g-switch-TEG-S380-v2.0R) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [TP-Link TL-SG1005P specifications](https://www.tp-link.com/us/business-networking/unmanaged-switch/tl-sg1005p/) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [TP-Link TL-SG108-M2 specifications (2.5G over existing Cat5e cabling)](https://www.tp-link.com/us/business-networking/soho-switch-unmanaged/tl-sg108-m2/) (accessed 2026-09-30)
