What do you want it for?
2.5 GbE, 10 GbE, VLANs, PoE, a homelab core, a 10-inch rack or silence: which small switches suit each job, and why.
- 2.5 GbE for mini PCs, NAS and Wi-Fi 7Most new mini PCs, NAS boxes, Wi-Fi 7 access points and fibre routers have 2.5 GbE ports. A gigabit switch wastes them.13 great fits · Cheapest great fit: UniFi Flex Mini 2.5G ($49)
- 10 GbE for NAS and serversCopying big files to a NAS, Proxmox migrations or a fast backbone between two switches.4 great fits · Cheapest great fit: MikroTik CRS305 ($149)
- VLANs: separate networks for IoT, guests and the labKeeping cameras, smart plugs and guests away from your computers, or trunking VLANs to a router or Proxmox host.5 great fits · Cheapest great fit: MikroTik CRS305 ($149)
- PoE for cameras and access pointsOne cable for data and power: IP cameras, Wi-Fi access points, a Raspberry Pi with a PoE HAT.3 great fits · Cheapest great fit: TP-Link TL-SG105PE
- The core switch of a homelabThe switch everything plugs into: router, NAS, Proxmox nodes and access points, with VLANs and a fast uplink.1 great fits · Cheapest great fit: MikroTik CRS310-8G+2S+IN ($219)
- 10-inch mini rackHalf-width racks (DeskPi RackMate, Lab Rax and others) hold a small homelab on a shelf. The switch has to fit.2 great fits · Cheapest great fit: MikroTik CSS610 ($119)
- Silent, for the living room or the deskBehind the TV, on the desk or in a bedroom: no fan, little heat and a small box.14 great fits · Cheapest great fit: UniFi Flex Mini 2.5G ($49)