PoE switches

PoE switches supply data and electrical power over a single Ethernet cable, so they suit offices, shops, warehouses and installers who run IP cameras, wireless access points and VoIP phones. Our range includes unmanaged desktop models, smart and fully managed switches, and rack-mounted units from Cisco, TP-Link, NETGEAR and Ubiquiti.

How to choose a PoE switch

PoE standard and power budget. Check which standard your devices need: 802.3af delivers up to 15.4 W per port, 802.3at (PoE+) up to 30 W, and 802.3bt (PoE++) considerably more for PTZ cameras or access points. The total power budget matters as much as the per-port figure, because a 24-port switch rarely has enough power to run every port at full load. Add up the real draw of your devices and leave some headroom.

Port count and speed. Models with 8 ports are the most common in our range, followed by 5, 24 and 48 ports. Most use Gigabit Ethernet, which is enough for cameras and phones. Some offer 2.5G ports, which help with Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 access points, and a few Fast Ethernet models still exist for simple phone or camera setups. Also look for SFP or SFP+ uplink ports if the switch must connect to another switch over fibre or at higher speed.

Managed or unmanaged. An unmanaged switch works as soon as you plug it in and is fine for a handful of cameras. Managed and smart switches add VLANs, port-level PoE control, monitoring and remote restarts of a frozen device. The MAC address table size, which ranges from 2,000 to 32,000 entries in our range, shows how many devices a switch can track, so larger networks should aim higher.

Installation environment. A switch in a cabinet in a heated office has different needs from one in a roof space, a workshop or an outdoor enclosure. Many models in our range are rated for storage between -40 and 70 °C, which is useful for harsh locations. Check the power source as well: some switches run from mains AC, while others take a DC input or can be powered through PoE themselves.

PoE switch brands in our range

• Cisco: the largest group in our range, known for enterprise and business-class switches with advanced management features.
• TP-Link: offers a broad line from simple unmanaged PoE boxes to Omada and JetStream models for small and medium businesses.
• NETGEAR: known for smart managed and unmanaged switches aimed at small offices, with remote management through its Insight tools.
• Ubiquiti: makes UniFi switches, which are managed from the same controller as UniFi access points and cameras.
• Zyxel: offers business networking gear, including switches that can be managed through its Nebula cloud platform.
• HPE: covers HPE and HP Enterprise models, including OfficeConnect and Aruba switches for business networks.
• PLANET: a Taiwanese networking manufacturer with industrial PoE switches built for wide temperature ranges.
• Extreme Networks: focuses on enterprise campus and data centre switching.

Also in our range: LevelOne, ALLNET and Lanberg.

PoE switches: frequently asked questions

What is a PoE switch used for?

A PoE switch connects network devices and powers them through the same Ethernet cable. It is most often used for IP cameras, wireless access points and VoIP phones. This removes the need for a separate power adapter and a nearby socket at each device.

Do I need a managed PoE switch?

You need a managed switch if you want VLANs, traffic prioritisation, monitoring or the ability to restart a single PoE port remotely. For a small setup with a few cameras or one access point, an unmanaged switch is usually enough. Managed models make more sense as the network grows.

How much PoE power budget do I need?

Add up the maximum wattage of every device you plan to connect, then choose a switch whose total budget exceeds that figure with some spare capacity. A basic IP camera often draws under 15 W, while some access points and PTZ cameras need 30 W or more. Always compare the total budget, not just the per-port standard.

Can I connect non-PoE devices to a PoE switch?

Yes, a standard PoE switch only sends power to devices that request it, so ordinary laptops, printers and computers can be plugged in safely. Passive PoE products are the exception, as they do not negotiate power. Check the specifications of such devices before connecting them.