Netgear GS305EP 5-Port PoE+
#3 in Under 100 WFull review
A smart managed 5-port PoE switch with a 63 W budget at $54.99. Suits a small network that wants VLANs without a full managed switch.
Amazon $74.99$74.99
The Netgear GS305EP 5-Port PoE+ is the better poe switch overall, rated 2.8 to 2.7. The Netgear GS305EP 5-Port PoE+ leads on value. The Zyxel GS1915-8EP 8-Port Smart PoE+ wins on management and ports & speeds. The Netgear GS305EP 5-Port PoE+ costs $75 less ($74.99 vs $149.99).
Prices were last checked November 9, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Zyxel GS1915-8EP 8-Port Smart PoE+
#5 in Under 100 WFull review
A smart managed 8-port PoE switch with a 60 W budget at $149.99. Suits a small network that wants VLANs without a full managed switch.
Amazon $149.99$149.99
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Netgear GS305EP 5-Port PoE+ for value ($1.19 per PoE watt ($74.99, 63 W) vs $2.50 per PoE watt ($149.99, 60 W)).
- Choose the Zyxel GS1915-8EP 8-Port Smart PoE+ for management (smart managed, cloud management vs smart managed) and ports & speeds (8 PoE ports at GbE, up to 30 W per port vs 4 PoE ports at GbE).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every under 100 W poe switch; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | Netgear GS305EP 5-Port PoE+ | Zyxel GS1915-8EP 8-Port Smart PoE+ |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 2.8/5 | 2.7/5 |
| Value 28% | 50 $1.19 per PoE watt ($74.99, 63 W) | 16 $2.50 per PoE watt ($149.99, 60 W) |
| PoE budget 20% | 11 63 W total PoE budget | 9 60 W total PoE budget |
| Ports & speeds 17% | 0 4 PoE ports at GbE | 12 8 PoE ports at GbE, up to 30 W per port |
| Management 18% | 50 smart managed | 70 smart managed, cloud management |
| Extras 7% | 45 fanless, per-port PoE control | 45 fanless, per-port PoE control |
| Warranty 10% | 100 5-year warranty | 100 lifetime warranty |
Specifications
| Netgear GS305EP 5-Port PoE+ | Zyxel GS1915-8EP 8-Port Smart PoE+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Power over Ethernet | ||
| Total PoE budget | 63 W | 60 W |
| PoE ports | 4 of 5 | 8 of 8 |
| PoE standard | 802.3af/at (PoE+) | 802.3af/at (PoE+) |
| Max per port | - | 30 W |
| Per-port PoE control | Yes | Yes |
| Ports & performance | ||
| Total ports | 5 | 8 |
| PoE port speed | GbE | GbE |
| SFP uplinks | None | None |
| Management | ||
| Management level | Smart managed | Smart managed |
| Cloud management | - | Yes |
| VLAN | Yes | Yes |
| QoS | Yes | Yes |
| Build | ||
| Fanless | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 years | Lifetime |