The Unifi USW-24 (Unifi Switch 24) is a great mid-range option for those looking to expand their network with plenty of wired connections, but without diving into high-end enterprise gear. It’s part of the UniFi lineup, known for its easy integration and powerful management features. Whether you’re setting it up for a small business, a smart home, or a more advanced home network, the USW-24 strikes a nice balance between performance, features, and affordability.
Design and Build:
The USW-24 follows UniFi’s signature minimalist design. It’s rack-mountable, which is a big plus if you’re organizing your networking gear professionally, but it’s also sleek enough to fit into a home setup without looking out of place. The front of the switch is clean and straightforward—24 Gigabit Ethernet ports with activity LEDs, plus two SFP ports for uplinks or fiber connections. While it’s not flashy, it feels solid and well-constructed, exactly what you want from network hardware that will likely be tucked away in a cabinet or rack.
Performance and Features:
The USW-24 delivers reliable performance with its 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, which are more than enough for most medium-sized networks. Whether you’re connecting desktop computers, servers, or networked devices like cameras or access points, it can handle the traffic with ease. The switch offers 2 SFP ports, which are especially useful if you want to link it to another switch or connect fiber for faster, long-distance connections.
One thing to note is that this model doesn’t have Power over Ethernet (PoE) on its standard ports. If you’re running UniFi access points or IP cameras that require PoE, you’ll need to either get a PoE switch or use separate PoE injectors. For users who don’t need to power devices directly through the switch, though, this isn’t a drawback.
Integration with the UniFi Ecosystem:
Like all UniFi switches, the USW-24 is managed through the UniFi Controller software. If you’re already using other UniFi products, this switch will fit seamlessly into your existing setup. The Controller interface is user-friendly and powerful, giving you access to all the advanced network features you’d expect—VLAN configuration, traffic monitoring, port management, and even deeper customizations for those who want them. You can also group it with other UniFi devices for centralized control.
Expandability:
With 24 ports, the USW-24 has plenty of room for expanding a home or small office network. Whether you need to connect more wired devices or plan on future growth, this switch can easily support your needs. The SFP uplink ports allow for easy daisy-chaining with other switches or for connecting to a network backbone. However, if you have very high bandwidth demands, such as for data-heavy applications or large file transfers, you might feel limited by the lack of 10Gb ports. In that case, UniFi’s higher-end switches with SFP+ ports would be better suited for those needs.
Setup and Management:
Setting up the USW-24 is straightforward. Once you plug it in, it’s easily recognized in the UniFi Controller, where you can quickly configure it to suit your network’s needs. The software is intuitive, even for those not highly experienced with networking gear, but it also offers enough depth for advanced users to tweak and optimize performance. Firmware updates are managed through the Controller as well, making it easy to keep your system up to date.
Price and Value:
One of the biggest selling points of the USW-24 is its price-to-performance ratio. For a switch with 24 Gigabit ports and SFP uplink options, it’s competitively priced and offers great value, especially when you consider the management capabilities provided by the UniFi Controller. It’s perfect for home users who are building a more advanced setup or small businesses that need solid, reliable networking without going overboard on budget.
Final Thoughts:
The Unifi USW-24 is a reliable, flexible switch that’s ideal for home and small business users looking to expand their wired network. It delivers plenty of ports, solid performance, and integrates perfectly with the broader UniFi ecosystem. While it lacks PoE and 10Gb uplinks, it’s still a fantastic choice for users who don’t need those features but want a powerful, manageable switch. For those in the UniFi ecosystem or those just starting out, the USW-24 is a dependable and well-rounded option that offers scalability without the premium price tag.