Netgear GS308
Score: 81/100
Netgear GS305
Score: 81/100Rankings
The Netgear GS308 is an 8-port fanless Gigabit unmanaged switch offering solid 16 Gbps performance and energy-efficient features. It lacks PoE and any management capabilities, which restricts use in more advanced networks. Ideal for home offices or small workspaces that need silent, plug-and-play connectivity.
The Netgear GS305 is a compact 5-port fanless Gigabit unmanaged switch that delivers non-blocking 10 Gbps performance with very low power consumption. Its small form factor and silent operation come at the cost of no PoE, limited port count, and no advanced management features. Best suited for small home offices or noise-sensitive environments that need a few reliable Gigabit connections.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
16 Gbpsbest | 10 Gbps | |
1.448 Mppsbest | 1.448 Mppsbest | |
8best | 5 | |
1 Gbpsbest | 1 Gbpsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 2.34 Wbest |
| ↓ lower better | 0.42 kg | 0.25 kgbest |
3 yearsbest | 3 yearsbest | |
— | 3,670,230 hoursbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(1) | ||
Switching Capacity (Gbps) | 16 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
Ports(1) | ||
Number of Ports | 8 | 5 |
Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 0.42 kg | 0.25 kg |
Dimensions (HxWxD) (mm) | 158 x 101 x 29 mm mm | 101 x 94 x 29 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the GS308 for its solid metal construction, fanless silent operation, and reliable 16 Gbps non-blocking performance. They also value its energy-saving IEEE 802.3az support and QoS features, while noting the absence of PoE and any management capabilities as limiting factors for more advanced deployments.
Everyday users consistently praise the GS308 for its plug-and-play simplicity, silent operation, and dependable performance in gaming and home office scenarios. Reviews highlight that it works straight out of the box with no configuration, and no significant complaints have surfaced in the available feedback.
Professional sources and Netgear's own marketing stress the GS305's reliability, silent fanless operation, and energy-saving features. Reviewers point out its solid metal construction and wire-speed performance as key strengths for small-office and home use, while noting the lack of PoE and advanced management as expected for an unmanaged device.
Everyday users appear to value the plug-and-play ease, silent operation, and compact metal build, with no major complaints surfacing in the available data. The consensus is that the switch works reliably out of the box for basic networking needs.
“Works amazing”
“works great... especially with teenagers gaming laptops/desktops and running a business”
“hook it up to the modem and it works perfectly”
Choose GS305 for very small setups where cost and size matter; choose GS308 for higher performance and more ports.
Select GS308 when you need more ports; stick with GS305 for compact, five-port, silent solution.
