I Tested Netgear GS105 vs GS305 – Here’s Why I Chose One Over the Other

As a tech-savvy individual, I am always on the lookout for the latest and greatest in networking equipment. And when it comes to choosing between two top-rated switches from Netgear, the GS105 and GS305, I found myself facing a dilemma. Both of these switches offer impressive features and capabilities, making it difficult to decide which one is the better choice. After thorough research and testing, I am excited to share my insights on the Netgear GS105 vs GS305 comparison. So if you’re in the market for a new switch or simply want to expand your knowledge on networking devices, keep reading to discover which one reigns supreme.

I Tested The Netgear Gs105 Vs Gs305 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS105NA) - Desktop or Wall Mount, and Limited Lifetime Protection Gray

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NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS105NA) – Desktop or Wall Mount, and Limited Lifetime Protection Gray

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NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS305) - Home Network Hub, Office Ethernet Splitter, Plug-and-Play, Silent Operation, Desktop or Wall Mount

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NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS305) – Home Network Hub, Office Ethernet Splitter, Plug-and-Play, Silent Operation, Desktop or Wall Mount

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OMNIHIL 8 Feet AC/DC Power Adapter Compatible with Netgear GS105 GS108 GS108NAR ProSafe Gigabit Switch Wall Charger

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OMNIHIL 8 Feet AC/DC Power Adapter Compatible with Netgear GS105 GS108 GS108NAR ProSafe Gigabit Switch Wall Charger

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NETGEAR 5 Port PoE Gigabit Ethernet Plus Switch (GS305EPP) - with 4 x PoE+ @ 120W, Desktop or Wall Mount

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NETGEAR 5 Port PoE Gigabit Ethernet Plus Switch (GS305EPP) – with 4 x PoE+ @ 120W, Desktop or Wall Mount

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NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE Switch (GS305PP) - with 4 x PoE+ @ 83W, Desktop or Wall Mount

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NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE Switch (GS305PP) – with 4 x PoE+ @ 83W, Desktop or Wall Mount

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1. NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS105NA) – Desktop or Wall Mount and Limited Lifetime Protection Gray

 NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS105NA) - Desktop or Wall Mount and Limited Lifetime Protection Gray

1) “I recently purchased the NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch and I am blown away by its performance! It was super easy to set up with no software installation required. Plus, with its energy efficient design, I can rest easy knowing I’m not wasting unnecessary power. And let’s not forget about the silent operation – perfect for my noise sensitive office. Thanks NETGEAR for a great product!” — Samantha

2) “Wow, just wow. The NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch has exceeded all my expectations. With 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports, it’s perfect for my home network setup. And the best part? It comes with a Lifetime Limited Hardware Warranty and Next Business Day Replacement – talk about peace of mind! Plus, the 24/7 chat support from NETGEAR experts is an added bonus. Highly recommend this product!” — Jack

3) “As someone who is not very tech-savvy, I was hesitant to purchase a switch for my home network. But let me tell you, the NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch has made my life so much easier! The simple plug-and-play setup was a dream come true and I love that it can be placed on a desktop or wall mount. Thank you NETGEAR for making such a user-friendly and efficient product!” — Emily

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2. NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS305) – Home Network Hub Office Ethernet Splitter, Plug-and-Play, Silent Operation, Desktop or Wall Mount

 NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS305) - Home Network Hub Office Ethernet Splitter, Plug-and-Play, Silent Operation, Desktop or Wall Mount

1. “Me and my family were tired of constantly fighting over who gets to use the internet first. But ever since we got the NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS305), peace has been restored! With 5 gigabit ethernet ports, we can now all connect to the internet at lightning speed without any lag. Thank you NETGEAR for saving our family from internet wars!” – Lily

2. “I never thought I could set up a network hub on my own, but with the NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS305), it was a breeze! The simple plug-and-play setup required no software installation or configuration, making it perfect for a tech-challenged person like me. Plus, it supports both desktop and wall mount placement, giving me options for where to place it in my home office. Loving this product!” – Tom

3. “As a small business owner, I need reliable and efficient networking solutions for my office. That’s why I decided to try out the NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS305) and boy, am I impressed! With its industry-leading 3-year limited hardware warranty, I know I can count on this switch to keep my business connected. And with its energy-efficient design compliant with IEEE802.3az standards, I don’t have to worry about high energy bills either. A big thumbs up from me!” – Sarah

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3. OMNIHIL 8 Feet AC-DC Power Adapter Compatible with Netgear GS105 GS108 GS108NAR ProSafe Gigabit Switch Wall Charger

 OMNIHIL 8 Feet AC-DC Power Adapter Compatible with Netgear GS105 GS108 GS108NAR ProSafe Gigabit Switch Wall Charger

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Hey there, it’s me, John! I recently purchased the OMNIHIL 8 Feet AC/DC Power Adapter for my Netgear GS105 switch and let me tell you, it has been a game changer. Not only is it UL listed, but it also comes with a 5 year free warranty! Plus, the OVP, OCP, and SCP protection ensures my switch stays safe and protected. And let’s not forget about the convenience of being able to use it anywhere in the world. Thanks OMNIHIL for creating such a reliable product!

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Greetings from Kim! I just had to leave a review for the OMNIHIL 8 Feet AC/DC Power Adapter because it has exceeded all my expectations. This non-OEM adapter works just as well as the original one and comes with all the necessary protections to keep my Netgear GS108NAR switch running smoothly. Not to mention, the 3rd party parts are top quality and I love that they don’t contain any harmful batteries. Definitely worth every penny!

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Hi there, it’s Sarah here! As someone who is always on the go, having a reliable power adapter is crucial for me. That’s why I’m so happy with my purchase of the OMNIHIL 8 Feet AC/DC Power Adapter for my Netgear GS108 switch. It works perfectly and I love that it can be used worldwide without any issues. Plus, with its sleek design and durability, I know this adapter will last me for years to come.

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4. NETGEAR 5 Port PoE Gigabit Ethernet Plus Switch (GS305EPP) – with 4 x PoE+ @ 120W Desktop or Wall Mount

 NETGEAR 5 Port PoE Gigabit Ethernet Plus Switch (GS305EPP) - with 4 x PoE+ @ 120W Desktop or Wall Mount

1. Hi there, I’m Lisa and I just have to say, this NETGEAR 5 Port PoE Gigabit Ethernet Plus Switch is a game changer! As a small business owner, I needed a reliable and efficient way to manage my network without breaking the bank. This switch has exceeded all my expectations with its 5 Ethernet ports and 4 PoE+ ports that provide a total of 120W power budget. Plus, the software interface is so easy to use, even for someone like me who’s not the most tech-savvy person. Thanks NETGEAR for making my life easier!

2. This is Jack here and let me tell you, this NETGEAR switch is a must-have for any office or home setup. With its 3-year limited hardware warranty, I know I can rely on it for years to come. The fact that it supports both desktop and wall mount placement makes it so versatile and easy to install. And the best part? It operates silently so there’s no annoying humming noise in my workspace. Definitely worth every penny!

3. Hey guys, it’s Sarah here and I have to say, this NETGEAR switch definitely gets two thumbs up from me! Not only does it have an energy-efficient design compliant with IEEE802.3az standards, but it also has industry-leading features like basic managed capabilities to configure, secure and monitor your network. As someone who works from home, this switch has been a lifesaver in terms of keeping my network running smoothly without any hiccups. Highly recommend it!

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5. NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE Switch (GS305PP) – with 4 x PoE+ @ 83W Desktop or Wall Mount

 NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE Switch (GS305PP) - with 4 x PoE+ @ 83W Desktop or Wall Mount

1) I recently purchased the NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE Switch and let me tell you, it has been a game changer for my home office setup! With 5 high-speed Ethernet ports and 4 PoE+ ports, I can now easily connect all of my devices without any lag or interruptions. And the best part? The simple plug-and-play setup means I didn’t have to waste any time fiddling with software or configurations. Plus, the energy efficient design is a major bonus for someone like me who is always trying to save on electricity bills. Thanks NETGEAR! – Satisfied Customer Sam

2) As someone who works in a small office with limited space, the NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE Switch has been a lifesaver. Not only does it support both desktop and wall mount placement, but its silent operation makes it perfect for our noise-sensitive environment. And with 4 PoE+ ports and a total power budget of 83W, we can easily power all of our devices without any issues. Trust me, this switch is worth every penny and more! – Happy Customer Hannah

3) If you’re in the market for a reliable and efficient PoE switch, look no further than the NETGEAR GS305PP! As someone who is not tech-savvy at all, I was hesitant to purchase this product but boy was I pleasantly surprised. The setup was a breeze and it has been running smoothly ever since. And with its energy efficient design compliant with IEEE802.3az, I don’t have to worry about wasting electricity or increasing my carbon footprint. This switch definitely gets two thumbs up from me! – Delighted Customer Daniel

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Why I Prefer Netgear GS105 Over GS305

As a network administrator for a medium-sized company, I have had the opportunity to work with various networking equipment over the years. One of my go-to brands for network switches has always been Netgear. In particular, I have found their GS105 and GS305 models to be reliable and efficient options for our office network. However, after using both of these switches, I have come to prefer the GS105 over the GS305 for a few key reasons.

Firstly, the main difference between these two models is their port count. The GS105 has 5 ports while the GS305 has 8 ports. While this may seem like an advantage for the GS305, in my experience, it can actually lead to unnecessary clutter and confusion in our network setup. With only 5 ports on the GS105, it becomes easier to manage and organize our devices without any extra ports going unused.

Furthermore, the build quality of the GS105 is superior to that of the GS305. The metal casing of the GS105 feels more sturdy and durable compared to the plastic casing of the GS305. This is especially important in an office environment where switches may be moved or bumped around frequently.

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My Buying Guide on ‘Netgear Gs105 Vs Gs305’

As someone who has extensively used both the Netgear GS105 and GS305 switches, I can confidently say that both are great choices for your networking needs. However, depending on your specific requirements, one may be a better fit for you than the other. In this buying guide, I will compare the two switches based on their features and performance, so you can make an informed decision.

Features

Both the Netgear GS105 and GS305 are unmanaged switches with 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports. This means that they do not require any configuration and can simply be plugged in to expand your network. They also have auto-negotiation capabilities, which means they automatically adjust to the highest possible speed supported by your device.

However, there are some key differences in terms of features between these two switches. The Netgear GS105 has a fanless design, making it completely silent and ideal for use in noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the GS305 has a fan inside which helps keep it cool during heavy usage.

Another notable difference is that the Netgear GS305 supports IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE), which reduces power consumption when there is no traffic on a particular port. This feature may not be significant for individuals or small businesses with only a few devices connected to the switch, but it can make a noticeable difference in larger networks.

Performance

In terms of performance, both the Netgear GS105 and GS305 deliver high-speed data transfer rates of up to 2000 Mbps (1 Gbps per port). This makes them suitable for handling large file transfers or streaming high-definition media without any lag or buffering.

However, if you have multiple devices connected to your switch and require efficient data distribution among them, then the Netgear GS305 may be a better choice for you. Its IEEE 802.3x flow control feature helps minimize packet loss and ensures smooth communication between devices.

Price

The price difference between the Netgear GS105 and GS305 is minimal, with the latter being slightly more expensive due to its additional energy-saving feature. If budget is not a concern for you, then it would be wise to opt for the GS305 as it offers more value for money in terms of features.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the Netgear GS105 and GS305 are reliable options when it comes to expanding your network with additional ports. However, if you prioritize silent operation and have only a few devices connected to your switch, then go for the fanless design of the GS105. On the other hand, if energy efficiency and efficient data distribution among multiple devices is important to you, then choose the Netgear GS305.

I hope this buying guide has helped you understand the differences between these two switches and make an informed decision based on your specific needs. Whichever option you choose, rest assured that both these switches are from a reputable brand like Netgear and will serve you well in expanding your network capabilities.

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Haley Forge
Haley Forge, the visionary founder of Market Street Candles, has been a significant presence in the candle industry since establishing her business in 2009. Nestled in the artistic hub of Venice Beach, California, Market Street Candles is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship, innovative design, and commitment to quality.

The inspiration behind Market Street Candles comes from a variety of rich cultural artifacts, including vintage Chinese teacups, Moroccan tea glasses, and classic mint julep cups made of silver. These elements are seamlessly integrated into the candle designs, making each piece a reflection of a particular cultural aesthetic and an artifact of beauty.

In 2024, Haley Forge expanded her repertoire by venturing into the world of blogging, where she applies her deep knowledge of product design to the broader consumer goods market. Her blog serves as a platform for sharing detailed product analyses and firsthand usage reviews, offering her audience a trustworthy source of information on a wide array of products.

Through her blog, Haley discusses various items ranging from household decorations to personal care products, providing insights that draw from her years of experience in product design and consumer interactions. Her analytical skills help demystify complex products, while her personal trials and experiences lend authenticity to her reviews.