FINALLY! CHEAP 10GbE and 2.5GbE Switches for the Homelab or Office
Published at : 23 Dec 2025
We take a look at four switch models and show why these are the best 2.5GbE and 10GbE switches for the homelab, home, and office. With pricing in the $95-130 range and many options to choose from, we dig into these switches and how they work. This is the best cheap #homelab switch out there.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Become a STH YT Member and Support Us ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Join STH YouTube membership to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv6J_jJa8GJqFwQNgNrMuww/join
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Where to Find The Unit We Purchased Note we may earn a small commission if you use these links to purchase a product through them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - MokerLink - https://amzn.to/3BfDlb4 - Sodola - https://amzn.to/3HYOfpq - NICGIGA - https://amzn.to/3LTC5zf - Horaco on AliExpress (long shipping times): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdnN7it
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Introduction and Pricing Levels 02:06 Unboxing 04:48 Hardware Overview 07:33 Diagram of Realtek Switch Chips 08:36 Power Consumption and Noise 10:44 Performance 11:09 Key Lessons Learned - 4 of the Same 11:33 Amazon vs. AliExpress Brands and Pricing 13:53 The Scary One-Time Bug 14:36 A Call to Vendors on 2.5GbE Switches 16:09 Wrap-up