10G and multi-gigabit switches are for networks that have outgrown 1 Gbit/s: office and server-room backbones, NAS and virtualisation servers, and Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 access points. Our range includes over 400 managed and unmanaged models with 2.5G and 10G ports as well as SFP+ slots. Leading brands are Cisco, HPE, TP-Link and NETGEAR.
How to choose a 10G or multi-gigabit switch
Port type. RJ-45 ports work with ordinary twisted-pair cable, while SFP+ slots take optical modules and DAC cables. Our range has models with Gigabit, 2.5G and 10G RJ-45 ports, as well as some that have SFP+ slots only.
Number of ports. Count every device you will connect and leave some spare capacity. There are 5, 8 and 16 port models for a desk or small office, and 24 and 48 port switches for rack mounting. Check how many ports actually run at 10G, because on some models only a few do.
Management and MAC address table. An unmanaged switch simply needs plugging in, while a managed one lets you create VLANs, set traffic priorities and monitor the network remotely. In our range the MAC address table ranges from 4,000 to 128,000 entries, and many models offer 16,000 or 32,000. A few thousand is usually enough for a small office, whereas a larger network benefits from more.
PoE. If the switch will power access points or cameras, check the PoE standard and the total power budget in watts, as not every port can deliver maximum power at the same time.
Environment and cooling. Many models are rated for operating temperatures of 0 to 40 or 0 to 50 °C, and some work from -40 to 80 °C, which suits unheated spaces. If the switch will sit in an office, pay attention to fan noise.
Brands in our range
- Cisco: known for enterprise campus and data centre switching, especially the Catalyst and Nexus series.
- HPE: supplies business networking equipment, including Aruba switches; the range also contains items listed under HP Enterprise.
- TP-Link: its Omada and JetStream series are aimed at small and medium businesses, and Omada allows all equipment to be managed from one place.
- NETGEAR: known for unmanaged and easy-to-manage multi-gigabit switches for small offices and home labs.
- MikroTik: uses the RouterOS and SwOS systems, and its CRS series switches often have SFP+ slots.
- Ubiquiti: UniFi switches are managed through the UniFi Network application alongside other devices from the same ecosystem.
Also in our range: D-Link, TRENDnet, LevelOne, Zyxel and Dell.
Frequently asked questions about 10G switches
What is the difference between a 10G and a multi-gigabit switch?
A multi-gigabit switch usually supports 2.5G, 5G and 10G speeds over its RJ-45 ports, while a 10G switch may also have SFP+ slots for fibre. Many models combine both, so the speed of each individual port is what matters most.
Do I need Cat6A cable for a 10G network?
Cat6A is recommended for 10 Gbit/s over copper at distances up to 100 m. Cat6 usually manages 10G only over shorter runs, and 2.5G generally works on Cat5e as well. Cable category does not matter for SFP+ slots, as they use fibre or DAC cables.
When is a 2.5G switch enough?
A 2.5G switch is enough when you connect Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 access points, a NAS with a 2.5G port, or computers that have outgrown gigabit. 10G is worth choosing for servers, video editing storage and links between switches.
Does a home network need a managed switch?
An unmanaged switch is enough for a simple home network. A managed switch is needed when you want to separate guest or camera traffic using VLANs, monitor traffic, or combine several ports into one link.
