PoE network switches provide a convenient way to power and connect devices such as wireless access points, IP security cameras and VoIP phones through a single Ethernet cable. By combining data connectivity and power delivery, they help simplify installations, reduce cable clutter and make expanding your home or business network easier.
In this guide, we’ve compared the best PoE network switches in the UK, focusing on port count, power budget, Ethernet speeds, management features and overall value. If you’re unfamiliar with network switches or want to explore alternatives that don’t require PoE, our Best Network Switches UK guide covers a range of options for different networking requirements.
So, let’s get started.
Best Options At A Glance
Quick Comparison of the Best PoE Network Switches UK
This table compares all four switches by total ports, PoE+ ports, power budget, management features and ideal use case.
| 🔌 Network Switch | 🌐 Total Ports | ⚡ PoE+ Ports | 🔋 PoE Budget | ⚙️ Management | 🏆 Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link LS105GP | 5 Gigabit | 4 | 65W | Unmanaged | Budget Home Networks |
| Reolink RLA-PS1 | 10 (8 PoE + 2 Uplink) | 8 | 120W | Unmanaged | Security Camera Systems |
| TP-Link TL-SG1016PE | 16 Gigabit | 8 | 150W | Easy Smart | Small Businesses |
| NETGEAR GS324P | 24 Gigabit | 16 | 190W | Unmanaged | Larger Networks |
Product Summaries
TP-Link LS105GP 5-Port Gigabit PoE+ Network Switch
- Brand - TP-Link
- Dimensions - 9.9 x 9.9 x 2.5 cm
- Weight - 680 g
- PoE Budget - 65W
- Special Feature - 250m Extend Mode & Auto Recovery
Firstly we have the TP-Link LS105GP 5-Port Gigabit PoE+ Network Switch, which is the most budget friendly router on our list. It’s currently selling for £45/$60 on Amazon.
The TP-Link LS105GP is an affordable 5-port Gigabit PoE+ network switch designed for home networks, small offices and basic security camera installations. It features four PoE+ ports capable of delivering up to 30W each, with a combined power budget of 65W for devices such as wireless access points, IP cameras and VoIP phones.
All five Ethernet ports support Gigabit speeds, providing reliable wired connectivity for everyday networking requirements. Its plug-and-play design requires no configuration, making it particularly suitable for users who want to expand their network without dealing with complex management settings.
One of its standout features is Extend Mode, which allows PoE connections over distances of up to 250 metres, although transmission speeds are reduced when this mode is enabled. PoE Auto Recovery can also automatically restart unresponsive connected devices, helping reduce the need for manual troubleshooting.
The durable metal housing supports desktop or wall-mounted installation, while the fanless design ensures silent operation. Its energy-saving features also help reduce unnecessary power consumption during everyday use.
Overall, the TP-Link LS105GP is a practical budget choice for smaller PoE installations, combining Gigabit connectivity, a 65W power budget and useful automatic recovery features.
Buy the TP-Link LS105GP 5-Port Gigabit PoE+ Network Switch from Amazon for only £45/$60:
Reolink RLA-PS1 PoE Network Switch with 8 Ports
- Brand - Reolink
- Dimensions - 19 × 10.7 × 2.6 cm
- Weight - 457.9 g
- PoE Budget - 120W
- Special Feature - 8 PoE Ports & Intelligent Power Management
Next we have the Reolink RLA-PS1 PoE Network Switch with 8 Ports. It’s currently selling for £65/$87 on Amazon.
The Reolink RLA-PS1 is a 10-port Gigabit network switch designed primarily for PoE security cameras, NVR systems and other powered network devices. It features eight PoE+ ports delivering up to 30W each, alongside two dedicated Gigabit uplink ports for connecting to a router, NVR or wider network.
Its generous 120W total power budget makes it particularly suitable for installations involving multiple IP cameras or wireless access points. All ten ports support Gigabit speeds, while IEEE 802.3af/at compatibility allows the switch to automatically detect and supply power to compatible devices.
One of its standout features is intelligent power management, which prioritises connected devices when their combined power requirements exceed the available 120W budget. Lower-priority ports are automatically disconnected when necessary, helping protect the switch from overload while maintaining power to higher-priority equipment.
The plug-and-play design requires no complicated configuration, making installation straightforward for home security systems and small businesses. It also supports desktop or wall mounting, providing flexibility when positioning the switch near networking equipment.
Overall, the Reolink RLA-PS1 is a strong choice for PoE camera installations, offering eight powered ports, dedicated uplinks and a substantial 120W power budget at a reasonable price.
Buy the Reolink RLA-PS1 PoE Network Switch with 8 Ports from Amazon for only £65/$87:
TP-Link TL-SG1016PE 16-Port Smart PoE Network Switch
- Brand - TP-Link
- Dimensions - 29.5 x 18 x 4.3 m
- Weight - 1.75 kg
- PoE Budget - 150W
- Special Feature - Easy Smart Management & VLAN Support
Another impressive PoE network switch is the TP-Link TL-SG1016PE 16-Port Smart PoE Network Switch. It’s currently selling for £120/$160 on Amazon.
The TP-Link TL-SG1016PE is a 16-port Gigabit Easy Smart network switch designed for larger home networks, small businesses and installations requiring more wired connections. Eight of its ports support PoE+, delivering up to 30W per port with a combined power budget of 150W for devices such as IP cameras, wireless access points and VoIP phones.
Unlike basic unmanaged switches, the TL-SG1016PE offers useful network management features, including VLAN support, Quality of Service (QoS) and IGMP Snooping. These allow users to organise network traffic, prioritise important applications and improve efficiency when multiple devices are connected.
All 16 Ethernet ports support Gigabit speeds, providing plenty of capacity for computers, servers, network storage and other wired equipment. PoE Auto Recovery can also automatically restart unresponsive powered devices, reducing the need for manual troubleshooting.
The durable metal housing supports desktop or rack-mounted installation, with a rackmount kit included. Its combination of powered and standard Ethernet ports makes it particularly suitable for networks that need both PoE devices and additional wired connections.
Overall, the TP-Link TL-SG1016PE is a versatile choice for expanding home or office networks, combining 16 Gigabit ports, a substantial PoE budget and useful management features.
Buy the TP-Link TL-SG1016PE 16-Port Smart PoE Network Switch from Amazon for £120/$160:
NETGEAR GS324P 24 Port PoE Network Switch
- Brand - NETGEAR
- Dimensions - 33 x 20.6 x 4.3 m
- Weight - 2.44 kg
- PoE Budget - 190W
- Special Feature - Dynamic Power Allocation
Last but definitely not least, we have the NETGEAR GS324P 24 Port PoE Network Switch. It’s currently selling for £250/$333 on Amazon.
The NETGEAR GS324P is a 24-port Gigabit network switch designed for larger home networks, offices and installations requiring numerous wired connections. It features 16 PoE+ ports and eight standard Ethernet ports, with a combined 190W power budget for devices such as IP cameras, wireless access points and VoIP phones.
All 24 ports support Gigabit speeds, providing reliable connectivity for computers, network storage and other wired equipment. Its unmanaged, plug-and-play design requires no software or configuration, making it straightforward to expand an existing network without additional setup.
One of its standout features is dynamic PoE power allocation, which helps distribute the available power budget efficiently between connected devices. This is particularly useful when running multiple PoE devices with different power requirements, although their combined consumption must remain within the 190W limit.
The durable metal housing supports desktop or rack-mounted installation, while the fanless design ensures silent operation. IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet also helps reduce unnecessary power consumption during everyday use.
Overall, the NETGEAR GS324P is a practical option for larger networks, combining extensive Gigabit connectivity, 16 powered ports and a generous 190W PoE budget.
Buy the NETGEAR GS324P 24 Port PoE Network Switch from Amazon for £250/$333:
Which PoE Network Switch Is Right for You?
Not every PoE network switch is designed for the same setup. The table below compares different network requirements to help you choose the right switch based on port count, power budget and management features.
If you’re building a home CCTV system, you’ll also need to consider how your cameras record and store footage. A Network Video Recorder (NVR) can manage multiple IP cameras and provide continuous local recording, while a PoE switch handles their power and network connectivity. Our Best NVRs UK guide compares recording options for different security setups.
| 🏠 Network Type | 🔌 Recommended Switch | 👍 Best For | ⚠️ Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Home Network | 5-Port PoE+ Switch | A few IP cameras, access points or VoIP phones | Limited ports and power budget |
| Home CCTV System | 8-Port PoE+ Switch | Powering multiple security cameras | Check total camera power requirements |
| Small Business Network | 16-Port Smart PoE+ Switch | Access points, cameras and office equipment | Not every port may support PoE |
| Large Office or Network | 24-Port PoE+ Switch | Extensive wired networks and multiple PoE devices | Higher cost and power consumption |
FAQs
A Power over Ethernet (PoE) network switch connects wired devices while supplying electrical power through the same Ethernet cables. This allows compatible devices, such as IP cameras, wireless access points and VoIP phones, to operate without separate power adapters.
A standard network switch transfers data between connected devices, while a PoE switch can also deliver electrical power through Ethernet cables. PoE switches are particularly useful for security cameras and wireless access points installed away from conventional power sockets.
A PoE power budget is the maximum combined power a switch can supply to connected devices. For example, a switch with eight PoE+ ports and a 120W budget cannot deliver 30W to all eight ports simultaneously. You should add together the maximum power requirements of your devices and choose a switch with sufficient capacity.
Thanks for reading our article on the best PoE network switches. If you want to learn more about home networking in general, take a look at our home networking guide.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any thoughts or queries that you’d like us to take a look at – we’d be happy to help. Bye for now!
