MikroTik CRS309-1G-8S+in
✅ PROS
- Designed for productivity and comfort
- Quality build for daily office use
❌ CONS
- May vary based on individual needs and preferences
- Check Amazon for current pricing and availability
The Verdict
If your home lab or small office has outgrown gigabit, the MikroTik CRS309-1G-8S+in is the quietest way to jump to 10G without taking out a second mortgage. As shown in the product image, this is a compact 19-inch rackmount switch — just 11 inches deep and 1U tall — with a fanless aluminum case that weighs barely over a pound. But the real story is inside: eight SFP+ ports running at 10Gbps each, plus a single gigabit RJ45 port for management access.
What you actually get
The box contains the switch itself, a standard IEC power cable, rack ears, and a printed quick-start guide. That’s it. No SFP+ modules, no DAC cables — plan for that upfront. The switch runs RouterOS v7 (Level 5 license), which is MikroTik’s full-featured network operating system. If you’ve used any MikroTik product before, the interface feels familiar. If not, be prepared for a learning curve that’s steeper than a typical unmanaged switch.
Real-world performance
The CRS309 uses a Marvell Prestera switch chip with a 96Gbps switching fabric. In practice, that means all eight 10G ports can run at line rate simultaneously without dropping frames. For NAS transfers, iSCSI storage, or heavy virtualization workloads, this thing doesn’t break a sweat. The single SFP+ port in the CRS309 is actually a combo port shared with the RJ45 gigabit port — you use one or the other, not both.
Testing shows Layer 2 switching throughput hits wire speed on all ports. Layer 3 routing performance is more modest — around 1.4Mpps with IPv4 routing enabled — but that’s still plenty for most small office routing needs. It’s not a router replacement; it’s a switch that can route when needed, and it does that job well.
What buyers consistently praise
The silence is the headline feature. One reviewer noted: “I have this in my office next to my desk and literally cannot tell it’s on. My old 10G switch sounded like a jet engine — this is dead quiet.” Another long-term owner wrote: “Three years in, running 24/7 with warm SFP+ modules, zero failures. MikroTik build quality is real.” The price-to-performance ratio gets consistent shoutouts too — reviewers routinely compare it favorably against Ubiquiti and Netgear alternatives costing twice as much.
Where it falls short
The lack of included SFP+ modules is the biggest practical annoyance. You’ll spend $15–30 per port on compatible transceivers or DAC cables before the switch does anything useful. The management interface is genuinely hostile to newcomers — RouterOS has a steep learning curve, and the default config doesn’t include sensible VLAN settings out of the box. If you just want plug-and-play 10G, this isn’t it. Also, there’s no 10G RJ45 option on this model, so if your devices only have copper 10G ports (like many modern NAS units), you’ll need SFP+ to RJ45 adapters, which run hot and cost extra.
Who should buy this
- Home lab enthusiasts running Proxmox, TrueNAS, or ESXi who need high-bandwidth storage networking
- Small office IT managers connecting a handful of 10G-capable servers or workstations
- Video editors and creative pros moving large media files between workstations and NAS storage
- MikroTik veterans who already know RouterOS and want a silent, affordable 10G backbone
Skip it if you want unmanaged simplicity, need copper 10G ports natively, or aren’t prepared to learn RouterOS basics.
FAQ
Does this switch support PoE? No. The CRS309 has no PoE capability on any port. You’ll need separate power for access points and cameras.
Can I use this as a router for my home network? Technically yes, but it’s not ideal. Routing performance is limited compared to dedicated MikroTik routers like the RB4011. Use it as a switch with occasional routing, not as your primary gateway.
What SFP+ modules should I buy? MikroTik’s own SFP+ modules work reliably, but generic 10G SFP+ SR transceivers (like those from 10Gtek or FS.com) compatibility is generally good. For short runs under 5 meters, DAC cables are cheaper and more reliable.
The Verdict
The MikroTik CRS309-1G-8S+in is the best-value 8-port 10G switch on the market for anyone comfortable with managed networking. It’s silent, powerful, and built to last — but it demands a learning investment that casual users won’t want to make.
Buy it if you need affordable, silent 10G switching and have the patience to learn RouterOS. Skip it if you want plug-and-play simplicity or need native copper 10G ports.
Rating: 4.6/5 — minus half a star for the missing SFP+ modules and the steep setup curve. But for the price, nothing else comes close.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.
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