Netgear Gs105 Vs Gs305 – Which one is better?
Since they are both 5-port gigabit switches, they have the same functionality. They are also made with the same standards and should therefore both of them should operate efficiently. Considering, however, that the GS105 is an older model and the GS305 is more up-to-date, we’d say the Netgear GS305 is a better option. Even with that said the GS105 does have a flashier appearance and there are certain advantages to using it as well.
In today’s technological world, there are a lot of things that are moving into the virtual world. As such, there is a greater need for people to stay securely connected 24/7. Whether you’re listening to music, streaming videos, playing an online game, running a small business, or doing multiple of these things at the same time, it is important to have a stable internet connection. Gigabit switches solve this problem by allowing you to connect and share your internet across multiple devices at equal stable speeds. Although there are varying types of switches, based on the number of ports, for a home network, a 5-port switch should be more than sufficient.
There are many brands to consider when picking out the best switches for you. Netgear however, is among the popular options. The quality and standard performance of their devices are unquestionable and both their GS105 and GS305 switches are among the most reliable inexpensive choices in the market. The bigger question, however, is which of these two will better suit your needs. In this article, we will compare the two models and help you decide which one suits you best.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Netgear GS105 and GS305?
Features |
Netgear GS305 |
Netgear GS105 |
Dimensions |
102x26x94mm |
158x25x105mm |
Weight |
0.24kg |
0.26kg |
Color |
Grey |
Blue |
LED indicators |
Link | Activity | Power |
Link | Power |
Power Consumption |
2.34 W |
2.7 W |
MAC Address Table |
2048 |
8000 |
Standard followed |
IEEE 802.3ab | IEEE 802.3u | IEEE 802.3az | IEEE 802.3x | IEEE 802.3 |
IEEE 802.3i | IEEE 802.3u | IEEE 802.3z |
Data Links Protocol |
Gigabit Ethernet |
Fast Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet |
Call To Action |
Netgear GS305 VS. Netgear GS105 – How Do They Compare?
Power Consumption
When it comes to how much power is consumed, the Netgear GS305 is more energy efficient when compared to GS105. That means you can do more with the GS305 with less power. Being an updated model the GS305 uses maximum power of 2.34W. It also has a power-saving mode that reduces the power usage to 0.45W when the switch is on standby. On the other hand, the older model GS105 uses a maximum power of 2.7W when all its ports are in use.
Speed
The function of gigabit ethernet switches is to divide your internet among multiple devices without slowing down the speed. So, when it comes to speed performance, the GS305 is better than GS105. That’s because, the GS305 offers the option of a fast and gigabit ethernet connection, while the GS105 only offers the option of a gigabit ethernet connection. With GS305, you can choose your switch option based on your requirements or needs and be sure that your speed won’t be limited based on your choice.
Product Warranty
Another big difference between the two models is their product warranty. The GS105 has a limited lifetime warranty, while the GS305 has a max of 3 years of warranty and 2 years if it is in the USA. That’s one advantage of the GS105. It means that throughout the usage of the device you are eligible to make a claim should you discover an issue with the switch. Keep in mind, however, that it is a limited lifetime warranty, which means that it is only viable for certain parts of the device and specific defects.
Automatic Traffic Prioritization
This feature is important especially when you are performing two activities at the same time, like streaming a video and transferring data. Through traffic prioritization, your video streaming doesn’t need to be disrupted by the data transfer, that’s because the priority of data traffic will automatically be given to streaming videos as it requires more. All Netgear 100 series switches have this feature. That means that the GS105 can automatically prioritize traffic while the GS305 seems to lack this feature.
Netgear GS305 VS Netgear GS105 – A Comparison Overview.
Netgear 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch GS305 Overview
- Plug and play: Simple setup with no software to install or configuration needed
- Versatile mounting options: Supports desktop or wall mount placement
The Netgear GS305 is a high-performing 5-port gigabit ethernet switch device. It provides an affordable and reliable internet connection for your home network. Being an unmanaged switch, the GS305 easily allows you to expand your network to multiple devices without decreasing speed or quality of connection. The plug n play feature also means that the setup is easy and no configurations are required. All you have to do is power the switch and plug in your router along with your other devices. The Auto-MDI/MDIX feature also eliminates the need for cross-over cables and you get the option of either fast or gigabit ethernet connection based on your requirement.
What’s more, is that the GS305 is energy efficient meaning that you can do a lot while consuming minimal power. The switch also has a no-fan design so you don’t have to worry about the noise from the fan disrupting your game or video streaming. With that said, you also do not need to worry about overheating issues as the device is specially designed to not heat up while in use. Overall, the switch has a sleek look with a low-profile design and metal enclosures that ensure the device is strong and durable.
Pros.
- Consumes less power.
- Easy to set up, no configurations needed.
- Offer both fast and gigabit ethernet connectivity.
- No fan design.
Cons.
- No automatic prioritization feature
- No Lifetime warranty.
Netgear 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch GS105 Overview
- 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration needed
The Netgear GS105 is a simple but efficient 5-port switch. It contains 5 RJ-45 ports at the front as well as three LED lights indicating power, links, and activity. The switch uses a store-and-forward mode and contains a packet buffering on-chip of 128KB. It’s unmanaged meaning that it will be easy to set up and won’t require any configurations or installations. All you need to do is plug in your devices and you are good to go. It also has an automatic traffic prioritization feature so you don’t have to worry about disrupting your game or streaming when transferring files.
In terms of the design, the GS105 is made with a no fan design meaning you won’t be bothered by the fan noise. You also do not have to worry about overheating since the switch has been well designed with proper ventilation on the side. The device is also made of metal casings so you can be sure that it is durable. To top it off you get a lifetime warranty for the device albeit a limited one.
Pros.
- Automatic traffic prioritization feature.
- Unmanaged switch that is easy to set up.
- No fan design.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons.
- Consumes more power than the GS305.
- Limited to gigabit ethernet connection option.
Final Verdict: Which One Is Better – Netgear GS105 or GS305?
Given that both models are Netgear products, they both have a high standard performance and are among the best in the market. Both of them are unmanaged switches with 5-ports and are easy to set up. They also both have a no fan design making them perfect for noise-sensitive environments. The two switches also both offer 10/100/1000 gigabit connections to all their ports, ensuring equally reliable and strong connections for all devices.
Despite their many similarities, there are some significant differences between them that one must consider. Based on that, we would say that the Netgear GS305 would be the better option. This is because it’s a more updated model compared to the old GS105. The GS305 has a larger buffer/frame size and better overall performance. What’s more, the GS305 is cheaper, more compact, and lighter, not to mention more energy efficient.
Conclusion:
Even with their differences, both the GS305 and GS105 are exceptional 5-port gigabit switches. They are both sufficient for a home network. So, when it boils down to it, your choice will depend on what you are looking for in a gigabit switch and which of the two models ticks most of your boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Netgear GS105 support PoE?
No, the GS105 does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE) features. The GS105P however is the version that does support this feature. It has two PoE PD Powered ports with a pass-thru of 19 watts.
2. What is the difference between PoE and PoE+?
The biggest difference between the two lies in the IEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards. For PoE the IEEE followed is 802.3af and for PoE+ it is 802.3at.
