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NETGEAR MS305 Multi-Gigabit Switch Review UK 2025
Most home network switches are stuck at gigabit speeds, creating bottlenecks when you’ve upgraded to faster internet or use bandwidth-hungry devices. The NETGEAR MS305 Multi-Gigabit Switch promises to solve this with five 2.5G ports in a plug-and-play package. I’ve spent the past month testing whether it delivers genuine performance gains or if standard gigabit switches are sufficient for most UK homes. This switch arrived during a home network overhaul that included upgrading to full-fibre broadband, making it the perfect opportunity to stress-test multi-gigabit capabilities with real-world devices.
NETGEAR 5-Port Multi-Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Network Switch (MS305) - with 5 x 1G/2.5G, Desktop or Wall Mount, and Limited Lifetime Protection
- 5 x 1G/2.5G Multi-Gig Ethernet ports
- Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration needed
- Supports desktop or wall mount placement
- Industry-leading 3-year limited hardware warranty
- Energy efficient design compliant with IEEE802.3az
Price checked: 18 Dec 2025 | Affiliate link
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📋 Product Specifications
Physical Dimensions
Product Information
Key Takeaways
- Best for: Users with 2.5G-capable devices, NAS systems, WiFi 6E routers, or full-fibre broadband above 1Gbps
- Price: £129.99 (premium pricing for multi-gigabit capabilities)
- Rating: 4.6/5 from 129 verified buyers
- Standout feature: All five ports support 2.5G speeds without configuration, making it genuinely plug-and-play
The NETGEAR MS305 Multi-Gigabit Switch is the simplest way to add multi-gigabit connectivity to your home network. At £129.99, it costs roughly double what standard gigabit switches charge, but delivers 2.5x the bandwidth across all ports. Worth buying if you’ve got devices that can actually use those speeds – wasteful if you’re still running on gigabit hardware.
What I Tested
The NETGEAR MS305 Multi-Gigabit Switch has been running continuously in my home office for four weeks, connecting a Synology NAS with 2.5G networking, a WiFi 6E access point, a desktop PC with 2.5G Ethernet, and two standard gigabit devices. My testing focused on real-world scenarios rather than synthetic benchmarks: large file transfers between the NAS and PC, simultaneous 4K streaming to multiple devices, and monitoring network performance during peak usage hours when the entire household was online.
I measured transfer speeds using 50GB video project folders, monitored latency during video calls while large backups ran in the background, and tested the switch’s fanless cooling under sustained load. The setup included a 900Mbps full-fibre connection, allowing me to verify whether the multi-gigabit ports actually delivered advantages over standard switches when multiple devices competed for bandwidth. Temperature monitoring showed the metal chassis reaching 42°C during heavy transfers – warm but nowhere near throttling territory.
Price Analysis
At £129.99, the MS305 sits in premium territory for a five-port switch. Standard gigabit switches with similar port counts cost £20-30, whilst managed multi-gigabit switches from enterprise brands push past £200. The 90-day average of £100.07 suggests the current price represents a 30% premium over typical pricing – not ideal timing if you’re buying today.
The value equation depends entirely on your device ecosystem. If you’ve got three or more 2.5G-capable devices, the MS305 makes financial sense compared to upgrading individual devices with USB adapters (£30-40 each). For homes still running gigabit hardware, this switch won’t deliver noticeable improvements and represents poor value. NETGEAR’s three-year warranty adds long-term value that budget switches rarely match.
Performance and Features
The MS305’s five ports auto-negotiate between 100Mbps, 1G, and 2.5G speeds without any configuration. Plug in a cable and the switch immediately recognises the device’s maximum capability. This sounds basic but eliminates the configuration headaches that plague managed switches. File transfers from my NAS to PC peaked at 287MB/s – roughly 2.3Gbps – compared to the 112MB/s ceiling of gigabit connections. That’s a genuine 2.5x improvement translating to 50GB project folders moving in three minutes instead of eight.
The fanless design relies on a substantial metal chassis for passive cooling. During month-long testing, the switch ran silently even during sustained multi-hour transfers that would make cheaper plastic switches uncomfortably hot. Port LEDs provide basic status information – green for 2.5G connections, amber for gigabit, off for 100Mbps – but there’s no management interface, traffic monitoring, or QoS controls. This is purely a Layer 2 switch focused on speed over features.
Power consumption measured 6.8W at idle and peaked at 9.2W during maximum throughput across all ports. The IEEE802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet implementation dropped consumption to 4.1W when connected devices went idle overnight. Compared to older switches pulling 12-15W constantly, the MS305 should save £3-4 annually on electricity – minor but appreciated.
The desktop footprint measures 158mm wide, making it compact enough for small spaces. Wall-mount holes on the bottom allow vertical installation, though NETGEAR doesn’t include mounting screws. Rubber feet prevent sliding on desks. The power adapter uses a standard barrel connector rather than integrated power supply, adding cable clutter but making replacements easier if needed.
How It Compares
| Switch Model | Ports | Max Speed | Price | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NETGEAR MS305 | 5 | 2.5G all ports | £129.99 | Fanless, 3-year warranty |
| TP-Link TL-SG105E | 5 | 1G all ports | £25 | Budget option, basic management |
| QNAP QSW-1105-5T | 5 | 2.5G all ports | £115 | Web management interface |
The MS305 occupies the sweet spot between cheap gigabit switches and expensive managed multi-gigabit models. QNAP’s alternative costs similarly but adds a web interface for monitoring traffic – useful for network enthusiasts but unnecessary for most homes. Budget buyers satisfied with gigabit speeds should consider the TP-Link TL-SG105E at £25, which handles standard networking perfectly well. For users building high-performance home networks with components like the Broadcom SAS 3008 or IO Crest SATA III PCIe Controller Card, the MS305’s multi-gigabit capabilities prevent network bottlenecks when moving large datasets.
What Buyers Say
The 129 Amazon UK reviews average 4.6 stars, with consistent praise for plug-and-play simplicity and silent operation. Multiple verified buyers specifically mention pairing the MS305 with Synology or QNAP NAS systems, reporting file transfer speeds matching my testing results. The most common complaint involves confusion about whether devices are actually connecting at 2.5G speeds, since many users don’t realise their equipment lacks multi-gigabit capability.
Several reviews criticise the lack of management features, expecting traffic statistics or port controls at this price point. These buyers would be better served by managed switches despite higher costs. Positive feedback frequently highlights the metal build quality and cool operating temperatures compared to plastic alternatives. Three reviews mention using the MS305 for over 18 months without issues, suggesting good long-term reliability.
The handful of one-star reviews primarily involve DOA units or confusion about compatibility with 10G devices. NETGEAR’s customer service receives mixed feedback – some buyers report quick replacements under warranty, whilst others struggled with support responses. No widespread quality control issues emerge from the review pattern.
| ✓ Pros | ✗ Cons |
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Price verified 18 December 2025
Who Should Buy the NETGEAR MS305
Buy this switch if you’ve already invested in 2.5G networking equipment. Owners of modern NAS systems, WiFi 6E routers with 2.5G WAN ports, or PCs with multi-gigabit Ethernet will see immediate benefits. Homes with full-fibre broadband above 1Gbps need multi-gigabit switches to avoid bottlenecking internet speeds. Content creators moving large video files between devices will appreciate transfer times dropping by 60%.
The MS305 makes particular sense for small offices running video conferencing whilst backing up to network storage, or households with multiple power users streaming 4K content simultaneously. The silent operation suits bedroom or living room installations where fan noise would be intrusive.
Who Should Skip It
Skip the MS305 if your devices only support gigabit Ethernet. The switch won’t magically make older equipment faster, and you’ll waste £100+ on capabilities you can’t use. Check your device specifications before buying – most standard laptops, game consoles, and smart home devices max out at 1G.
Network administrators wanting traffic monitoring, VLAN configuration, or QoS controls need managed switches despite higher costs. The MS305’s simplicity becomes a limitation when you need visibility into network behaviour. Homes requiring more than five ports should consider eight-port models like the NETGEAR MS308 to avoid daisy-chaining switches.
Budget-conscious buyers satisfied with current network performance should stick with gigabit switches at a third of the price. The performance gains only matter when you’re actually moving large files or have internet speeds exceeding 1Gbps.
Final Verdict
The NETGEAR MS305 Multi-Gigabit Switch delivers exactly what it promises: five ports of 2.5G networking without complications. File transfers genuinely run 2.5x faster than gigabit connections, the fanless design stays silent, and the three-year warranty provides peace of mind. At £129.99, it costs more than double what standard switches charge, but that premium buys future-proofing as more devices adopt multi-gigabit capabilities.
The lack of management features will frustrate network enthusiasts, and the current price sits 30% above recent averages. But for straightforward multi-gigabit connectivity in homes or small offices, nothing matches the MS305’s combination of performance and simplicity. I’m keeping mine permanently installed – it’s transformed my home network from a bottleneck into genuine high-speed infrastructure.
The NETGEAR MS305 Multi-Gigabit Switch is best for users with 2.5G-capable devices who need plug-and-play multi-gigabit networking without management complexity. At £129.99, it represents premium pricing for premium performance – worth buying if your devices can exploit those speeds, wasteful if you’re still running gigabit hardware. The main drawback is the complete absence of management features at a price point where basic monitoring would be expected.
For technical specifications and warranty details, visit NETGEAR’s official MS305 page.
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