The CRS309-1G-8S+ from MikroTik isn’t exactly plug-and-play, nor is it marketed with glossy lifestyle ads (their naming convention for one sure isn’t marketable). But for home users who need 10G networking and know their way around a web interface, it offers something rare: serious switching capacity without the price tag or bloat of enterprise brands.
I made the switch after pushing my old Asus XD4 mesh system to its limits. While the XD4 still works fine as an access point, its routing and switching capabilities weren’t built for multi-gig traffic. As I expanded my setup—adding a TrueNAS server, multiple wired nodes, and plans for a dedicated Proxmox cluster—the limitations became obvious. I didn’t need an all-in-one router or something with dozens of PoE ports. While I had a 1Gbe switch, I was transitioning to 10Gbe and I needed a stable, fanless, Layer 3-capable switch that could handle SFP+ fiber and copper modules without choking.
The CRS309 hit that sweet spot. At around SGD $300–350, it’s not cheap compared to unmanaged switches, but for an 8-port SFP+ switch with a gigabit uplink, it’s remarkable value. Many competing options from Ubiquiti or Aruba either don’t support full Layer 3 routing, or require expensive licensing and cloud-based management. MikroTik’s RouterOS is a bit of a learning curve, but it’s well-documented and powerful—especially once you strip down unnecessary services and configure only what you need.
That said, I didn’t buy blind. I seriously considered:
Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Aggregation (approx. SGD $430)
Sleek design, excellent dashboard integration, and a strong user community are all points in Ubiquiti’s favor. It requires a UniFi Controller for configuration, and some users reported delayed software updates and regressions after major controller version changes. While it looks great in a rack, it’s more closed-off than MikroTik and assumes full buy-in to the UniFi ecosystem. While I love the design cues they’ve taken from Apple, the similar walled garden approach is something I personally avoid.
That said, I have been tempted by their Wi-Fi access points, so perhaps a purchase is coming in the next upgrade. Given these are out in the open, their design also becomes a little more of a positive factor, but that’s a topic for another day.
Netgear XS708Ev2 (approx. SGD $620)
This model offers 8 ports of 10GBase-T and a straightforward browser UI, but it’s more expensive and considerably bulkier. Community feedback on ServeTheHome flags fan noise as a recurring annoyance in home settings. Also, Netgear’s firmware cadence isn’t as fast or open, and support for advanced VLAN or L3 features is limited. For plug-and-play users, it’s easier—but less configurable.
Unfortunately with SFP+ ports a requirement for me, this didn’t make the cut, but it did give me pause. It’s pretty tempting to go 10GBase-T since my house is wired with Cat6, but there are few things that a DAC cable can’t solve, and fibre is the way of the future. Still, I see it being a great option for others that are sticking to 10GBase-T.
TP-Link TL-SX3008F (approx. SGD $400–450)
I’m on the fence about TP-Link’s Omada line, but this one received decent marks for hardware quality and quiet operation. Users on r/homelab and independent reviewers caution about its long-term software roadmap, limited CLI access, and vague support timelines. It’s been harder to source in some regions, including Singapore, and lacks the deep configuration tools power users might want.
For a tinkerer like myself, MikroTik’s RouterOS backend offered much more. While I can see the appeal to stay within the Omada ecosystem, that’s not what I was going for. There’s still quite a loyal following and community behind them though.
Community Sentiment and Real-World Performance
The CRS309 has a loyal following in homelab and prosumer spaces. On LinusTechTips, multiple users highlight its fanless design, consistent throughput, and flexibility with fiber and DAC cables. Independent reviews detail its reliability and passive cooling design, even under mixed-module loads. Others point to RouterOS’s robustness once properly configured, though most admit there’s a steep learning curve early on. If you’re looking to learn, that’s quite possibly a positive.
By contrast, Ubiquiti’s community forums have some frustrated users reporting regressions after updates or limited visibility into advanced switch states without third-party tools. Netgear switches get praise for longevity but little for innovation or community support. TP-Link sits somewhere in between: appreciated for silent hardware but less trusted when it comes to long-term support and transparency.
If you’re weighing your options, think about what you really need: port density, routing features, form factor, power draw, and noise. For a fanless, quiet setup with 10G capability and full local control, the CRS309 is hard to beat—even if it does require a little elbow grease.
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