Netgear Gs108 Vs Gs308 – Which one should i buy?

Being Netgear products, both the GS108 and GS308 are excellent 8-port gigabit switches. They’ll both offer quality performance for those seeking to divide their network between multiple devices. But, based on overall performance and cost, the Netgear GS308 is the better choice. That’s not to say that there aren’t certain advantages to using the Netgear GS108.

Whether you are an online gamer, streaming videos, trying to transfer files, or want your users to stay securely connected round the clock, having an excellent network infrastructure is vital. That’s where gigabit ethernet switches come in handy. These devices allow you to spread the high-speed internet across multiple devices. There are various switches with a varying number of ports but usually, an 8-port Ethernet switch is more than enough for a home network or small business.

While Netgear is famous for its high-quality routers and modems, they also produce some of the best gigabit switches in the market. Among their selection are the Netgear GS108 and GS308. The two are overly similar and can be difficult to compare, but there are some significant differences and advantages that each has. In this article, we will compare the two devices, in an attempt to help you figure out which is the better choice between the two and why.

What are the differences between the Netgear GS108 and GS308?

Features
Netgear GS308
Netgear GS108
Dimensions
158x26x102mm
235.5x27x100.8mm
Weight
0.4kg
0.76kg
Color
Grey
Blue
LED indicators
LAN | Power
Power
Power Consumption
3.84 W
14.0 W
Packet Buffer Memory
0.19 mB
0.03 mB
MAC Address Table
4000
8000
Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU)
9216.0 B
9720.0 B
Standard followed
IEEE 802.3u | IEEE 802.3i | IEEE 802.3ab
IEEE 802.3ab | IEEE 802.3i | IEEE 802.3u
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Netgear GS308 VS. Netgear GS108 – How Do They Compare?

Speed.

Like all Gigabit switches, these two devices won’t increase your speed, but they also ensure that it doesn’t slow down when divided among multiple devices. When comparing the two, the GS308 seems to have better speed with the options of both fast ethernet and gigabit ethernet connectivity. You can choose either depending on your requirements. You can also be sure that you won’t have limited speed because of your switch option.

GS108 on the other hand is limited to gigabit ethernet connectivity only. This is more than sufficient when it comes to using fast speed between the sending and receiving devices. The GS308 is, however, a better option for a good ethernet connection given that it has better speed compared to GS108.

Energy Sufficiency.

Power is also an important aspect when it comes to deciding the best Switch device for you. Between these two, the Netgear GS308 is built using technology that makes it more energy efficient compared to GS108. It consumes power of about 3.84W, which is significantly lesser than what the GS108 uses that is 14W. That means that you can do more with far less power when using the GS308.

Automatic Traffic Prioritization.

This is a technology that automatically knows to give priority to certain data traffic, like streaming over others like data transfer. For example, when you are streaming a video or playing a game, this feature ensures that someone else transferring data, won’t be able to disrupt you. The Netgear GS108 offers this option that allows the automatic prioritization of your traffic. The GS308 on the other hand lacks this feature.

Netgear GS308 VS Netgear GS108 – A Comparison Overview.

Netgear 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch GS308 Overview

The Netgear GS308 is an excellent switch device and one of the latest versions from Netgear’s collection. As such it comes packed with many features some of which are enhanced to make it stand out from the GS108. There are certain advantages you get to enjoy with this switch, one of them being the option of both fast and gigabit ethernet connectivity. This will be based on your requirements and network connectivity. That way, you can be sure that your speed will not be limited due to your switch and you can enjoy getting the most out of your ethernet connection.

Another great advantage about the GS308 is that it is energy efficient in that it does more using less power. With its setup, you can receive speedy and seamless internet connectivity on all connected devices/ports without worrying about your power bills. What’s more, the device is built with metal housing, giving it an extra layer of protection and ensuring durability and sturdiness. So, you can be sure that this switch will last you for years. Overall, with the GS308 you can be sure of a fast and reliable connection.

Pros.

  • Straight forward setup.
  • Lower latency compared to other brands.
  • Cheaper than GS108
  • There is both half and full-duplex mode.
  • Metal casing for durability.

Cons.

  • No PoE (Power over Ethernet).
  • No traffic optimization feature.
  • Limited 2-year warranty.

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Netgear 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch GS108 Overview.

NETGEAR 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS108) - Desktop or Wall Mount, and Limited Lifetime Protection
  • 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports
  • Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration needed

The Netgear GS108 is an excellent device in its own right. You can rely on it for stable and fast ethernet connectivity. The best of its top features is that it is an unmanaged switch. That means that it is easy to set up and there is no need for you to inform the computer whenever a new device is connected. You also don’t have to install new drivers for the drives. Still, for convenience, this switch has an impeccable design that allows it to be mounted on the wall or fit with any desktop and has no fan so no additional noises. These are two features it shares with the GS308.

What makes it stand out, however, is the traffic optimization feature that automatically prioritizes your traffic. This ensures that you won’t be disrupted when playing your game or streaming a video. The device may be limited to gigabit ethernet connectivity, but it offers 1-gigabit connectivity on all ports. So, all your connected devices are sure to enjoy fast and seamless internet. There is also a power-saving mode option that helps you save on power when the network cable is disconnected. The cherry on top, however, is its lifetime warranty that guarantees the quality you will be receiving.

Pros.

  • Unmanaged switch.
  • No fan design hence less noise.
  • Automatic traffic optimization feature.
  • Lifetime warranty on the device.

Cons.

  • Low buffering speed
  • Limited to gigabit ethernet connectivity.
  • Consumes more power than GS308
  • Costs more than GS308

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Final Verdict: Which One Is Better – Netgear GS108 or GS308?

Both models are excellent 8-port gigabit ethernet switches in the market. They are both unmanaged switches, so you don’t have to worry about the complicated set-ups, just unpack, power it on and plug in your devices. They both also have passive cooling systems that ensure the fan noise won’t disrupt you from your game or video.

In essence, both switches are suitable for use at home or in your small business. If we had to choose, however, we would pick the Netgear GS308 as the better model to buy. This is based on the fact that it is more energy-efficient, has better speed, and is lighter and more compact than the GS108. What’s more is that despite both of them being affordable compared to other brands, the GS308 is cheaper so it’s perfect for a tighter budget. Lastly, the GS108 has been discontinued, so you’ll have better active support for the GS308.

Conclusion:

Although the Netgear GS308 has some notable advantages that make it the better choice, it in no way diminishes the excellence of the GS108. Despite their differences, they have a lot more in common. At the end of the day, it will depend on your requirements and what you prioritize when it comes to your gigabit ethernet switches.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.    Does Netgear GS308 support PoE?

No, the GS308 does not support Power over Ethernet (PoE) features. The GS308P however is a version that does support this feature. It is IEEE 802.3af compliant meaning it can automatically detects and changes the voltage as needed.

2.    What is the difference between a Managed and Unmanaged Switch?

An unmanaged switch allows connected devices to communicate in their most basic form, you simply have to power the switch and connect your devices. A managed switch on the other hand, allows you to control the networks and data frames, connected through it.

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