NETGEAR GS205 vs. GS305 – Finding the most reliable unmanaged switch for your internet needs

The NETGEAR GS205 and the NETGEAR GS305 are high performing and top quality unmanaged switches made by a reputable company- NETGEAR. But, how exactly do they differ and which one has a competitive advantage over the other?

 If you are heavily invested in high bandwidth applications such as online gaming, 4K video streaming, and large file downloading, then it is very important for you to equally invest in network devices that ensure that you have full time access to high internet speed and reliable internet connections. There are so many devices that you can purchase to achieve this, but we will focus on two popular unmanaged switches – the GS205 and the GS305 from NETGEAR. They are both designed to help you expand your already existing network and ensure better traffic control so that you can enjoy a more seamless online experience. The question, however, is which of these two unmanaged switches is better performing?

What are the differences between the NETGEAR GS205 and the NETGEAR GS305?

NETGEAR GS205 vs. GS305 – How do they differ?

Design and Build

Generally, the material used on the switch’s housing determines its durability. The housing material is often polypropylene thermoplastic or aluminum, and each of these materials has their various advantages. Those with aluminum/metal housing are stronger and are said to last a longer time. However, they are often more costly. In this case, the NETGEAR GS305 is more durable than the NETGEAR GS205. To be more specific, the GS305 is enclosed in a metal housing whereas the GS205 is enclosed in a plastic housing.

Switch Speeds and Forwarding Methods

These Ethernet switches often use a buffering technique to store frames before forwarding them to the anticipated destination. Buffering is also used when the destination port is too busy due to congestion in your network. This is where the memory buffer comes in. The NETGEAR GS205 comes with 128KB memory buffer while the GS305 comes with 192KB memory buffer. This means that the GS305 is more efficient and better performing than the GS205.

Ports and Connectivity

The NETGEAR GS205 and the GS305 are equals when it comes to the number of ports in their structure and the connectivity technology they use. To be more specific, both Ethernet switches have 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports that allow you to establish wired connections with your network devices. The advantages of the wired connections include less attacks of network traffic, dedicated bandwidth so you do not have to share with every other user on your network and the connection is less vulnerable to interference/ signal drops and frequent outages.

NETGEAR GS205 vs. GS305 – A Comprehensive Overview

NETGEAR GS205 Review

NETGEAR GS205-100PAS - Discontinued by Manufacturer

• 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration needed

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With the NETGEAR GS205 unmanaged switch, you can quickly and easily expand your home or office network to support multiple devices, including video game consoles, computers, smart TVs, storage devices, and many other smart devices. To get started, all you need to do is to connect this high-performing and top quality 5-port Gigabit unmanaged switch to your router.

When it comes to its features, this ultra-compact network switch has a 10 Gb/s switching capacity that helps ensure smooth and seamless data transfers. Further, its fanless design ensures silent operation at all times so that you can avoid distractions in noise-sensitive environments. With its plug and play design, you do not need to add any hardware devices or download any software drivers during the installation process. Also, this network switch has been designed to support the efficient use of energy, meaning that you get to save as much power as you need and money.

Pros

• Fanless design hence the best option for noise sensitive environments
• Durable and high-quality construction
• High speed data sharing
• Easy to setup and install
• Strong and reliable connection

Cons

• Terrible switch button

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NETGEAR GS305 Review

NETGEAR GS305-100PAS - Discontinued by Manufacturer

• Old Model** See newer GS305 model with metal ethernet ports
• ETHERNET PORT CONFIGURATION: 5 Gigabit ports

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The NETGEAR GS305 is the most ideal switch for improving bandwidth available for PC and console gaming and expanding mesh system ports. If you live in a house with a lot of people using high bandwidth applications, then you are likely to experience frequent network drops. To avoid any dropping out or lags in gaming performance or video streaming, you would need to make use of a network switch such as the GS305. With this switch, you can prioritize and segregate traffic, hence guaranteeing performance on the network for specific devices.

Along with that, the NETGEAR GS305 switch comes with 5 Gigabit Ethernet network ports. These ports allow you to seamlessly connect network devices with a maximum speed of 1 Gbps. Besides that, the GS305 is fully equipped with Quality of Service (QoS) which gives priority to important network traffic. When it comes to design, the switch is plug_and_play, so that you can easily and quickly provide your home network with extra connections when the need arises. You don’t have to configure your network or add in new devices for it to work. Also, it has an energy-efficient feature that switches all your connections of when they are not in use. This significantly saves energy and you won’t end up with an unexpected power bill.

Pros

• Built to last
• Smooth and silent operation
• Peace of Mind 3 year warranty
• Versatile mounting option
• Energy efficient

Cons

• Network cables not included

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Conclusion

The NETGEAR GS205 and the GS305 both have the same functionality since they are both high-performing Gigabit switches. However, they greatly differ when compared against each other.

Verdict: So, which is better – NETGEAR GS205 or NETGEAR GS305?

Based on this comparison review, it is evident that the NETGEAR GS305 has a competitive advantage over the NETGEAR GS205. Also, it has some basic smart management features that come in handy and the quality of service feature that ensures a more seamless and immersive online experience.

FAQs

1. Does this switch make my internet slightly faster or is it just for convenience?

NETGEAR Ethernet switches do not alter internet speeds. They work like splitters for cable TV or an antenna cable.

2. How long is the power cord that comes with the NETGEAR GS305?

It is about 3 feet long.

3. Can I mount the NETGEAR GS205 to the wall?

Yes, however you will have to make your own mounting bracket that holds it to the wall as it does not come with one.