Quick summary
If you just need a reliable, budget‑friendly PoE switch to power a few access points or security cameras, the right choice comes down to total PoE budget (watts), fan noise, and simple mounting. Below we share what to look for and five dependable 8‑port options we actually like to keep on the truck.
For most small jobs, an unmanaged, fanless 8‑port PoE+ (802.3af/at) switch with ~60–120 W total PoE budget is ideal. Keep 20–30% headroom for future devices and pair the switch with a small UPS so cameras and Wi‑Fi stay up during short outages.
What to look for in a budget PoE switch
- PoE budget (W): add the worst‑case draw of each device + 20–30% headroom.
- Standard: PoE+ (802.3af/at) covers most APs and cameras; avoid non‑standard PoE.
- Noise: fanless models are quiet for living areas and small offices.
- Mounting: desktop or wall brackets; leave airflow and label ports.
- Uplinks: at least one gigabit uplink to your gateway/aggregation.
- Recovery: power‑cycle recovery or watchdog features help with misbehaving devices.
- Warranty and support: basic email support and a reasonable return window.
Top picks we carry
The five switches below are practical, easy to deploy and have the right mix of PoE budget and stability for APs/cameras. We usually mark one or two as live to show current pricing and an image; the rest are linked without pricing to keep the page tidy.
Cards appear below this section. If you’re pairing with UniFi APs, plan PoE headroom for future additions and keep at least one spare port open.
TP-Link LS108GP | 8 Port PoE Gigabit Ethernet Switch | 8 PoE+ Port @ 62W | Plug & Play | Extend Mode | PoE Auto Recovery | Desktop/Wall Mount | Silent Operation
NETGEAR 8-Port PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Essentials Switch (GS308PP) - with 8 x PoE+ @ 83W, Desktop or Wall Mount
Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Lite 8 PoE (USW-Lite-8-PoE)
How we choose budget PoE switches
We install in real homes and small offices, so the criteria are practical: silent or very quiet operation, predictable PoE power delivery, clean recovery after a blip, and hardware that mounts neatly without fuss.
- Fanless or very quiet for living areas
- Solid PoE+ delivery with honest total budget (60–120 W typical)
- Simple wall/desk mounting and a compact PSU
- No exotic features required; plug‑and‑play is a plus
- Reasonable warranty and widely available replacement
Why we like these PoE switches
• TP‑Link LS108GP — a straightforward, plug‑and‑play 8‑port PoE+ unit around 62 W total. Great when you need two or three APs and a camera or two without fan noise.
• NETGEAR GS308PP — steps the budget to ~83 W across eight ports. Fanless, compact and dependable for small camera/AP mixes.
• NETGEAR GS108PP — a bit more headroom (~123 W) for busier setups or when you plan to add cameras soon. Still easy to mount and keep quiet.
• 8‑Port Gigabit PoE (120 W) — a no‑frills unmanaged option that covers several APs plus multiple cameras. Metal chassis, simple wall mounting.
• NETGEAR GS308LP — a 60 W option that’s fine for two APs and a couple of low‑draw cameras; useful as a tidy edge switch near a TV area or desk cluster.
• Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Lite 8 PoE (USW‑Lite‑8‑PoE) — fanless 8‑port PoE+ that pairs cleanly with UniFi APs/cameras. Quiet for living areas and small offices.
When to step up from ‘budget’
If you need VLANs, remote power‑cycle on a per‑port basis, or you’re mixing higher‑draw devices (door controllers, multi‑radio APs), it may be time for a smart/managed switch with a larger PoE budget.
- Per‑port control and logs help troubleshoot tricky devices
- Higher PoE budgets (150–250 W) support more cameras and APs
- Rack‑mountable chassis keep wiring tidy in a central closet
FAQs
Is unmanaged OK for home/small office?
Yes. For 2–6 PoE devices (APs/cameras) an unmanaged PoE+ switch is reliable and simple. Add a managed unit when you need VLANs or logging.
How much PoE headroom should I leave?
Add up worst‑case wattage for all devices and add 20–30% headroom. If you plan more cameras, pick the next model up now.
Will these run UniFi access points?
Yes — they provide standard 802.3af/at. Check each AP’s draw; most Wi‑Fi 6 units are 10–18 W and fit fine on these budgets.
Checklist for sizing PoE
- List each device and its PoE draw (APs, cameras, doorbells, controllers).
- Add the wattage and include 20–30% headroom.
- Confirm switch total PoE budget (e.g., 60 W, 83 W, 120 W).
- Choose fanless for living areas; short wall runs prefer silent units.
- Label ports and save a quick photo of the final rack/closet.
- Add a small UPS so Wi‑Fi and cameras ride through short power blips.
Need help choosing?
If you’re in Westchester County, our team can size PoE for today and tomorrow, install cleanly, and leave your rack labeled so future changes stay painless.
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