Do I need a managed switch for UniFi access points?
Not strictly — an access point will work on any PoE port. But a UniFi switch puts port control, VLANs and power cycling in the same console as everything else, which is why most estates use one.
Ubiquiti UniFi
UniFi Switches — PoE Switching Supplied and Configured in the UK
Overview
UniFi Switches — PoE Switching Supplied and Configured in the UK
The switch is what actually powers a UniFi network — access points, cameras and door readers all draw from it. We size the PoE budget and uplinks properly so the estate still has room when you add the next ten devices.
unifi switch
ubiquiti switch
unifi poe switch
poe switch
Picking the right UniFi switch
Port count is the easy part. The figures that catch people out are total PoE watts and uplink capacity — a fully loaded 24-port switch feeding access points and cameras can run out of power long before it runs out of ports.
- 8 and 16 port — small offices, back rooms and satellite cabinets
- 24 port — the standard floor switch for most offices
- 48 port — larger floors and comms rooms, usually with SFP+ uplinks
- Aggregation models where multiple switches feed back to a core
| Deployment | Size | Typical use | Powers | Uplinks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 port PoE | Small office, satellite cabinet | 2–4 access points | 1 GbE / SFP | |
| 16 port PoE | Small floor, retail unit | 6–10 PoE devices | SFP | |
| 24 port PoE | Standard office floor | 12–20 PoE devices | SFP / SFP+ | |
| 48 port PoE | Comms room, large floor | 30+ PoE devices | SFP+ |
PoE budget done properly
We add up what every connected device draws, allow headroom for growth, and confirm whether you need PoE, PoE+ or PoE++ ports rather than assuming the highest tier everywhere.
- Device-by-device power draw totalled against the switch budget
- PoE, PoE+ and PoE++ port mix matched to the kit being powered
- Fibre or 10G uplinks where floors aggregate back to a core
- Spare capacity planned so the next expansion does not need a new switch
Configured before it reaches you
VLANs, port profiles and uplinks can all be set before dispatch, adopted into your existing console, so installation is a rack-and-patch job.
- VLANs and port profiles pre-configured
- Adopted into your existing UniFi console
- Genuine UK stock, warranty and RMA handled by us
Explore
Related Hardware and Services
Jump straight to the ranges and services buyers most often pair with this one.
- Ubiquiti UniFi supplier
- Ubiquiti switch range
- UniFi access points
- UniFi 24 port PoE switch
- UniFi Flex Mini switch
- PoE switch buying guide
- 48 port switch buying guide
- Request a UniFi switch quote
FAQs
Questions We Are Asked Most
What is the difference between PoE and PoE+?
PoE (802.3af) supplies up to about 15W per port, PoE+ (802.3at) up to about 30W. Older access points and cameras run on PoE; newer higher-power models need PoE+.
Can UniFi switches work with non-Ubiquiti hardware?
Yes. They are standard managed switches and will power and connect any compliant device — you simply manage third-party kit outside the UniFi console.
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Tell Us What You Need
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Talk to us about ubiquiti unifi
Ubiquiti UniFi switches supplied in the UK — 8, 16, 24 and 48 port PoE models with SFP uplinks. PoE budget planning, VLAN configuration and same-week quotes.