r/UNIFI • u/WinterMute2026 • 1d ago

Routing & Switching Advice on PoE switch

I could use some advice of which switch to choose. I need a switch that can handle 2.5Gbps and I need at least one PoE output port to power a VoIP phone.

I’m considering two options:

1) a Flex Mini 2.5G + a PoE injector
2) a Flex 2.5G PoE

The first option would obviously be the most cost effective. Any reason to go with option 2 beyond the future expandability argument?

4 Upvotes

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1

u/ccrocks426 1d ago

This is very much a: it depends on the situation. For me I like just PoE and have a Flex 2.5 PoE powering two APs and a Flex Mini 2.5g, it still would have been cheaper to run injectors but I didn't have any power sockets nearby so this was the best option, plus less cabling is a bit neater.

Also are you planning on adding more VoIP phones? Or maybe a camera or other PoE thing in the future as this would help you answer the question

1

u/WinterMute2026 1d ago

More VoIP phones are unlikely, but cameras and APs might be possible down the line just not in the near term. I do like the idea of having the option to expand and the neater cabling, so I lean toward the Flex 2.5G PoE for those reasons.

1

u/Senior-Afternoon6708 1d ago

i have the flex 2.5g poe. The power adapter is a huuuuge brick. So if you’re limited in space (like my 10 inch rack) that could be something to keep in mind. I’d still go with option 2 if you are thinking about connecting more devices in the near future, otherwise stick with the cheap option

1

u/WinterMute2026 1d ago

Space isn't a huge issue. The switch, and brick if I go with the Flex 2.5G PoE, will essentially have a shelf to themselves. So it's really just a practical issue about possible expandability versus cost. And maybe a little OCD about neater cabling. 😄

1

u/user_none 1d ago

I don't know if it's something new on the 2.5G PoE switch, but you can now select to use the 60W adapter like what comes with the UDB Switch. The 60W is tiny in comparison, though of course very limited in what it can supply.

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u/Zealousideal_Aside96 1d ago

You can also just run the 2.5G poe off of POE and skip the brick entirely

1

u/pakeco 20h ago

In my case, I'm going to choose a Flex 2.5G PoE for my UDR7 and my U7 Pro XG access point. I hope I don't make a mistake, lol