Best Network Switches Compared in 2026

These five switches are compared on managed layer, port number and speed, PoE ports and budget, uplinks, form and mount type, industrial environment range and price. The lineup ranges from a basic managed Gigabit switch through to a 28-port rackmount model with 10G uplinks, with PoE budgets and mounting styles varying considerably. Buyers should check port counts and PoE figures carefully, since some listings here do not state every specification.

5 selected productsListing snapshot 23 October 2026Selection Editorial

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PC Hardware Compare editorial teamProduct information editor

Winner

Grandstream Networks GWN7711P network switch Managed L2 Gigabit Ethern

The Grandstream GWN7711P at £92.77 is the lowest priced option here and a practical starting point for basic managed switching, rather than a pick for every use case.

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Product	Brand	Price	Retailers	Listed product details	Rated power
Grandstream Networks GWN7711P network switch Managed L2 Gigabit Ethern	Grandstream Networks	£92.77	PCHub	Grandstream Networks GWN7711P network switch Managed L2 Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) Power over Ethernet (PoE) Desktop/Wall-Mounting Grey	Not listed
StarTech.com Industrial 8 Port Gigabit PoE Switch - 4 x PoE+ 30W - Pow	StarTech.com	£217.36	PCHub	StarTech.com Industrial 8 Port Gigabit PoE Switch - 4 x PoE+ 30W - Power Over Ethernet - Hardened GbE Layer/L2 Managed Switch - Rugged High Power Gigabit Network Switch IP-30/-40C to +75C - TAA	30W
Cisco Catalyst 2960CX-8PC-L Network Switch. 8 Gigabit Ethernet Ports.	Cisco	£359.59	PCHub	Cisco Catalyst 2960CX-8PC-L Network Switch. 8 Gigabit Ethernet Ports. 8 PoE+ Outputs. 124W PoE Budget. two 1 G SFP and two 1 G Copper Uplinks. Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty (WS-C2960CX-8PC-L)	124W
LevelOne 6-Port Gigabit PoE Industrial Switch. 802.3at/af PoE. 4 PoE O	LevelOne	£443.69	PCHub	LevelOne 6-Port Gigabit PoE Industrial Switch. 802.3at/af PoE. 4 PoE Outputs. 1 x SFP. 1 x SFP/RJ45 Combo. DIN-Rail. -40°C to 75°C. 126W. voltage booster	126W
Intellinet 28-Port L2+ Fully Managed PoE+ Switch with 24 Gigabit Ether	Intellinet	£551.16	PCHub	Intellinet 28-Port L2+ Fully Managed PoE+ Switch with 24 Gigabit Ethernet Ports and 4 SFP+ Uplinks IEEE 802.3at/af (PoE+/PoE) Compliant. 370 W PoE Power Budget. Layer 2+/Layer 3 Lite. Four 10G SFP+ Open Slots. Self-Healing Network. 19" Rackmount (with UK	370 W

1. Grandstream Networks GWN7711P network switch Managed L2 Gigabit Ethern

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Price shown £92.77

A managed Layer 2 Gigabit switch with PoE support, suited to desktop or wall mounting, though port count and PoE budget are not stated.

The Grandstream GWN7711P is a managed Layer 2 switch supporting Gigabit Ethernet speeds of 10, 100 and 1000 Mbps, with PoE support included.

It can be mounted on a desktop or wall, offering flexible placement, though its listing does not state the total port count or PoE power budget.

Benchmark

Geekbench does not benchmark the primary function of Grandstream Networks GWN7711P network switch Managed L2 Gigabit Ethern. Its scores measure the processor or graphics device in the test computer, not this product.

Browse Geekbench Community Results

Ethernet switching performance testing

Compare forwarding throughput, latency and packet loss at multiple frame sizes and under full-duplex load.

A comparable third-party result for Grandstream Networks GWN7711P network switch Managed L2 Gigabit Ethern is not included here. See network device performance testing platform explains the relevant test or benchmark method.

At £92.77 this is the cheapest switch in the roundup by a clear margin.

Product specifications
Specification	Information
Brand	Grandstream Networks
Price	£92.77
Listed product details	Grandstream Networks GWN7711P network switch Managed L2 Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) Power over Ethernet (PoE) Desktop/Wall-Mounting Grey

Compatible hardware

Check against Wi-Fi routersMatch router LAN speed and available uplink ports to the switch.
Check against Wireless access pointsCheck PoE standard and wattage if the switch is expected to power an access point.
Check against Ethernet and fibre cablesMatch cable category, connector and length to the switch port speed.

What we like

Lowest price in the roundup
Managed Layer 2 Gigabit switching
Flexible desktop or wall mounting

What we don't like

Port count is not stated in the listing
PoE power budget is not stated in the listing

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2. StarTech.com Industrial 8 Port Gigabit PoE Switch - 4 x PoE+ 30W - Pow

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Price shown £217.36

An 8-port Gigabit industrial switch with 4 PoE+ ports at 30W each, rated IP30 and built for a wide operating temperature range.

The StarTech industrial switch offers 8 Gigabit ports with 4 PoE+ ports listed at 30W each, managed at Layer 2 and rated IP30 for industrial environments.

It is wall mountable and rated for operation between -40C and +75C, matching the environmental range of the LevelOne switch, though total PoE budget and uplinks are not stated.

Benchmark

Geekbench does not benchmark the primary function of StarTech.com Industrial 8 Port Gigabit PoE Switch - 4 x PoE+ 30W - Pow. Its scores measure the processor or graphics device in the test computer, not this product.

Browse Geekbench Community Results

Ethernet switching performance testing

Compare forwarding throughput, latency and packet loss at multiple frame sizes and under full-duplex load.

A comparable third-party result for StarTech.com Industrial 8 Port Gigabit PoE Switch - 4 x PoE+ 30W - Pow is not included here. See network device performance testing platform explains the relevant test or benchmark method.

At £217.36 this sits above the Grandstream switch but below the Cisco, LevelOne and Intellinet models in this roundup.

Product specifications
Specification	Information
Brand	StarTech.com
Price	£217.36
Rated power	30W
Listed product details	StarTech.com Industrial 8 Port Gigabit PoE Switch - 4 x PoE+ 30W - Power Over Ethernet - Hardened GbE Layer/L2 Managed Switch - Rugged High Power Gigabit Network Switch IP-30/-40C to +75C - TAA

Compatible hardware

Check against Wi-Fi routersMatch router LAN speed and available uplink ports to the switch.
Check against Wireless access pointsCheck PoE standard and wattage if the switch is expected to power an access point.
Check against Ethernet and fibre cablesMatch cable category, connector and length to the switch port speed.

What we like

8 Gigabit ports with 4 PoE+ ports
Wide -40C to +75C operating range
TAA compliant

What we don't like

Total PoE power budget is not stated
Uplink ports are not stated

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3. Cisco Catalyst 2960CX-8PC-L Network Switch. 8 Gigabit Ethernet Ports.

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Price shown £359.59

A managed switch with 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 8 PoE+ outputs, a 124W budget and dual SFP plus copper uplinks.

The Cisco Catalyst 2960CX-8PC-L pairs 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports with 8 PoE+ outputs, the highest PoE port count among the switches in this roundup, backed by a 124W power budget.

Uplink flexibility comes from two 1G SFP and two 1G copper ports, and the switch is covered by an enhanced limited lifetime warranty.

Benchmark

Geekbench does not benchmark the primary function of Cisco Catalyst 2960CX-8PC-L Network Switch. 8 Gigabit Ethernet Ports.. Its scores measure the processor or graphics device in the test computer, not this product.

Browse Geekbench Community Results

Ethernet switching performance testing

Compare forwarding throughput, latency and packet loss at multiple frame sizes and under full-duplex load.

A comparable third-party result for Cisco Catalyst 2960CX-8PC-L Network Switch. 8 Gigabit Ethernet Ports. is not included here. See network device performance testing platform explains the relevant test or benchmark method.

At £359.59 this sits in the middle of the roundup, above the StarTech switch but below the LevelOne and Intellinet models.

Product specifications
Specification	Information
Brand	Cisco
Price	£359.59
Rated power	124W
Listed product details	Cisco Catalyst 2960CX-8PC-L Network Switch. 8 Gigabit Ethernet Ports. 8 PoE+ Outputs. 124W PoE Budget. two 1 G SFP and two 1 G Copper Uplinks. Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty (WS-C2960CX-8PC-L)

Compatible hardware

Check against Wi-Fi routersMatch router LAN speed and available uplink ports to the switch.
Check against Wireless access pointsCheck PoE standard and wattage if the switch is expected to power an access point.
Check against Ethernet and fibre cablesMatch cable category, connector and length to the switch port speed.

What we like

8 PoE+ outputs, the most in this roundup
124W total PoE budget stated
Four uplink ports combining SFP and copper

What we don't like

Lower total Gigabit port count than the Intellinet 28-port switch
No stated industrial temperature rating, unlike the StarTech and LevelOne switches

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4. LevelOne 6-Port Gigabit PoE Industrial Switch. 802.3at/af PoE. 4 PoE O

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Price shown £443.69

A 6-port Gigabit industrial switch with 4 PoE outputs and a 126W budget, built for DIN-rail mounting and wide temperature environments.

The LevelOne IES-0620 is a 6-port Gigabit industrial switch with 4 PoE outputs supporting 802.3at and 802.3af, and a listed 126W power figure.

It mounts on a DIN-rail and operates across -40C to 75C, matching the StarTech switch, and includes a voltage booster feature not listed on any other switch in this roundup.

Benchmark

Geekbench does not benchmark the primary function of LevelOne 6-Port Gigabit PoE Industrial Switch. 802.3at/af PoE. 4 PoE O. Its scores measure the processor or graphics device in the test computer, not this product.

Browse Geekbench Community Results

Ethernet switching performance testing

Compare forwarding throughput, latency and packet loss at multiple frame sizes and under full-duplex load.

A comparable third-party result for LevelOne 6-Port Gigabit PoE Industrial Switch. 802.3at/af PoE. 4 PoE O is not included here. See network device performance testing platform explains the relevant test or benchmark method.

At £443.69 this is the second most expensive switch in the roundup, below only the Intellinet model.

Product specifications
Specification	Information
Brand	LevelOne
Price	£443.69
Rated power	126W
Listed product details	LevelOne 6-Port Gigabit PoE Industrial Switch. 802.3at/af PoE. 4 PoE Outputs. 1 x SFP. 1 x SFP/RJ45 Combo. DIN-Rail. -40°C to 75°C. 126W. voltage booster

Compatible hardware

Check against Wi-Fi routersMatch router LAN speed and available uplink ports to the switch.
Check against Wireless access pointsCheck PoE standard and wattage if the switch is expected to power an access point.
Check against Ethernet and fibre cablesMatch cable category, connector and length to the switch port speed.

What we like

126W power figure stated
DIN-rail mounting for industrial installations
Includes a voltage booster feature unique to this roundup

What we don't like

Fewer listed Ethernet ports than the Cisco Catalyst and Intellinet switches
Second highest price in the roundup

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5. Intellinet 28-Port L2+ Fully Managed PoE+ Switch with 24 Gigabit Ether

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Price shown £551.16

A 28-port Layer 2+/Layer 3 Lite managed switch with 24 Gigabit ports, four 10G SFP+ uplinks and a 370W PoE+ budget for rackmount installations.

The Intellinet 28-port switch combines 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with four 10G SFP+ uplinks. Its stated port count exceeds the Gigabit port counts specified for the Cisco and StarTech switches.

It supports Layer 2+/Layer 3 Lite management and a 370W PoE+ budget, the largest power budget among the switches here, and is designed for 19-inch rackmount installation.

Benchmark

Geekbench does not benchmark the primary function of Intellinet 28-Port L2+ Fully Managed PoE+ Switch with 24 Gigabit Ether. Its scores measure the processor or graphics device in the test computer, not this product.

Browse Geekbench Community Results

Ethernet switching performance testing

Compare forwarding throughput, latency and packet loss at multiple frame sizes and under full-duplex load.

A comparable third-party result for Intellinet 28-Port L2+ Fully Managed PoE+ Switch with 24 Gigabit Ether is not included here. See network device performance testing platform explains the relevant test or benchmark method.

At £551.16 this is the most expensive switch in the roundup.

Product specifications
Specification	Information
Brand	Intellinet
Price	£551.16
Rated power	370 W
Listed product details	Intellinet 28-Port L2+ Fully Managed PoE+ Switch with 24 Gigabit Ethernet Ports and 4 SFP+ Uplinks IEEE 802.3at/af (PoE+/PoE) Compliant. 370 W PoE Power Budget. Layer 2+/Layer 3 Lite. Four 10G SFP+ Open Slots. Self-Healing Network. 19" Rackmount (with UK

Compatible hardware

Check against Wi-Fi routersMatch router LAN speed and available uplink ports to the switch.
Check against Wireless access pointsCheck PoE standard and wattage if the switch is expected to power an access point.
Check against Ethernet and fibre cablesMatch cable category, connector and length to the switch port speed.

What we like

Highest Gigabit port count in the roundup
370W PoE+ budget, the largest listed here
Four 10G SFP+ uplinks

What we don't like

Highest price in the roundup
Rackmount form differs from the desktop, wall-mount and DIN-rail options in this group

Check price at PCHub

Prices shown reflect the available listing details and can change. Check stock, delivery, compatibility and full product specifications with PCHub before ordering.