For an access point deployment that needs many high-power ports, the NETGEAR GS524UP is the clear pick in this roundup: it combines 16 PoE++ ports, eight PoE+ ports, and a 480W total power budget in a 24-port switch. That mix gives me room to connect newer, power-hungry access points alongside devices that need less power. Its tradeoff is just as clear: this is an unmanaged switch, so I would not choose it when I need VLAN controls, traffic monitoring, or per-port configuration.
Get privacy and security gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
This comparison contains one supplied product, so I can name one recommendation but cannot fairly claim it beats alternatives that were not provided. I would shortlist the GS524UP for a straightforward wired access-point installation, then compare it against managed models if network segmentation or detailed troubleshooting matters. The main choice is between high PoE++ port capacity and simple setup on one side, and more network control or a different port-and-power mix on the other.
Key Takeaways
- The GS524UP has 16 Ultra60 PoE++ ports and eight PoE+ ports, giving an access-point installation flexibility across two power classes.
- Its 480W total power budget is shared across connected devices; the number of access points it can power depends on each device’s draw.
- The unmanaged plug-and-play design keeps setup simple, but it does not provide the VLAN and port-management tools some network deployments require.
- All 24 ports are Gigabit Ethernet, so this model does not provide multi-gigabit Ethernet links for access points that need them.
- Its fanless metal case supports quiet desktop use or rack mounting, though buyers should plan around its physical placement and available cooling.
| NETGEAR 24-Port PoE Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Network Switch (GS524UP) |  | Best Overall for Straightforward PoE++ Access-Point Deployments | Total ports: 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports | PoE++ ports: 16 Ultra60 PoE++ ports | PoE+ ports: 8 PoE+ ports | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| PoE++ switch for access point | Total ports | PoE++ ports | PoE+ ports | Total PoE budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NETGEAR 24-Port PoE Gigabit Et | 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports | 16 Ultra60 PoE++ ports | 8 PoE+ ports | 480W shared |
More Details on Our Top Picks
NETGEAR 24-Port PoE Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Network Switch (GS524UP)
The GS524UP makes the most sense when the central requirement is powering a substantial number of access points without adding switch configuration work. It provides 16 Ultra60 PoE++ ports and eight PoE+ ports, all across a 24-port Gigabit switch. That split gives me room to connect high-draw access points on PoE++ while using the PoE+ ports for models or nearby devices with lower power needs. Compared with a switch offering only PoE+, this arrangement is better suited to installations that include newer access points with higher power demands.
The 480W shared power budget is substantial, but it is not a guarantee that all 24 ports can supply their maximum power at once. Before selecting it, I would total the planned devices’ draw and leave appropriate headroom. The product description positions the switch for access points as well as cameras, lighting, and IoT equipment, which can be useful in a mixed installation. Yet every additional powered device uses the same finite budget, so an access-point-heavy site should plan its load before filling spare ports.
Its biggest compromise is the unmanaged design. Plug-and-play setup avoids software and switch configuration, which suits a small office or a network where routing and segmentation are handled elsewhere. But the GS524UP is a poor fit if I need to assign VLANs, inspect port status through a management interface, or apply per-port network policies. A managed switch in the comparison set would be the better direction for that job, though no such model was supplied here.
All 24 connections are 1Gbps Ethernet. That is adequate for many access-point installations, but it can constrain newer access points whose wired interfaces support faster-than-Gigabit links. The fanless metal design is an advantage for quiet placement, and desktop or rack mounting makes installation more flexible. In exchange, the buyer must accept fixed, unmanaged behavior and confirm that the shared power budget and Gigabit links fit the planned access points. I rank it as the lineup’s sole overall pick because its port mix and power budget directly address the stated use, not because a broader field of alternatives was evaluated.
Pros:- 16 PoE++ ports support access points with higher power needs.
- Eight additional PoE+ ports accommodate lower-draw access points or other devices.
- The 480W shared budget gives the installation room for a sizable powered-device load when planned carefully.
- Fanless metal construction and desktop or rack mounting support flexible, quiet placement.
Cons:- Unmanaged operation lacks VLAN and per-port configuration features.
- All ports are Gigabit Ethernet, which may limit access points designed for faster wired links.
- The 480W budget is shared, so maximum port capability does not mean every connected device can draw maximum power simultaneously.
Best for: Small offices, schools, or other sites connecting many PoE++ access points that need a simple, quiet, Gigabit switch and do not require switch-level management.
Not ideal for: Networks that require VLAN configuration, detailed port monitoring, multi-gigabit links to access points, or a power budget above 480W.
- Total ports:24 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- PoE++ ports:16 Ultra60 PoE++ ports
- PoE+ ports:8 PoE+ ports
- Total PoE budget:480W shared
- Switch type:Unmanaged
- Port data rate:1Gbps per port
- Mounting:Desktop or rack mount
- Cooling:Fanless design
- Case:Metal
Our verdict“I recommend the GS524UP for a straightforward, PoE++-heavy access-point deployment that fits within its shared 480W budget and does not need managed switching.”
How We Picked
I judged this option against the specific needs of access points: PoE++ availability, total power capacity, port count, link speed, installation flexibility, and the control available to whoever maintains the network. Those details determine whether a switch can power the intended access points, accommodate other wired devices, and fit into the network design. I treated the supplied product description and specifications as the basis for this guide; I do not imply hands-on testing.
There is only one product in the supplied lineup. That limits the ranking: the GS524UP can be assigned a clear role, but I cannot make evidence-based claims that it is better than named competing switches or identify a true runner-up. I compare its own tradeoffs instead. Its strongest case is a large group of access points needing PoE++ with minimal setup; its weakest case is a network that depends on managed switching, multi-gigabit uplinks to access points, or more power capacity than its shared 480W budget can provide.
I also separate port capability from actual deployment capacity. A PoE++ port does not mean every connected device draws the same amount, and the total power budget is shared across the switch. Buyers should check each access point’s power requirements and the switch’s available budget under their intended load. Since the provided information does not include a per-port power allocation table, noise measurements beyond its stated fanless design, or access-point compatibility testing, I leave those points unclaimed.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Best PoE++ Switch For Access Points
I would start with the access points’ power and network requirements, then decide whether the switch needs management features. The GS524UP is most compelling when those checks point toward PoE++ capacity and straightforward operation.
Match PoE class to the access points
Check the power specification for every access point you plan to connect. The GS524UP provides 16 PoE++ ports and eight PoE+ ports, so the port mix can cover devices with different power needs. Do not assume that every access point needs PoE++; a lower-draw model may fit a PoE+ port. Matching each device to a suitable port helps you make practical use of the switch rather than treating the PoE++ count as a target to fill.
When access-point requirements are not yet finalized, leave room for changes. A deployment that grows from a few access points to a larger set may need a different balance of power classes or more total power. The product information identifies the PoE++ ports as Ultra60, but buyers should verify the exact requirements and compatibility guidance for their chosen access points before installation.
Calculate the shared power budget
The switch’s 480W power budget is shared by connected PoE devices. I would add up the expected draw of the access points and any cameras, lighting, or other powered equipment, then compare that total with the available budget. The count of PoE-capable ports alone does not tell you how many devices the switch can power at once: actual capacity depends on what each device draws and how the total is allocated.
Plan for realistic operating conditions, including the possibility that access points draw more power under certain configurations. If the planned load approaches 480W, consider a switch with a larger budget or distribute powered devices across multiple switches. The supplied specifications do not state a detailed per-port allocation table, so I would confirm that information with the manufacturer if the design depends on specific simultaneous loads.
Decide whether unmanaged is enough
The GS524UP is plug-and-play and unmanaged, which keeps deployment simple when another device handles routing and network policy. This can suit a small installation where access points simply need wired connections and power. A buyer who wants to avoid switch software and configuration may prefer this straightforward behavior.
That simplicity also sets a firm limit. If I needed to separate staff and guest traffic with VLANs, diagnose an access-point link from a management screen, or configure individual ports, I would look for a managed model. Those functions can matter as the number of access points and network segments grows. They are not listed as capabilities of this switch, so I would not select it expecting to add them later.
Check the Ethernet speed your access points need
Every port on the GS524UP is Gigabit Ethernet. That speed works for many access points and wired clients, but the access point’s Ethernet interface is a separate limit from its Wi-Fi capabilities. Some models support faster wired links to carry more combined wireless traffic. If you have selected access points with multi-gigabit ports, a 1Gbps switch connection may cap their wired throughput.
Compare the switch port speed with both the access-point interface and the expected traffic. If the access points are Gigabit-only, the GS524UP’s port rate is a direct fit. If they have faster uplinks, choose a switch with corresponding port speeds or accept that the access points will connect at Gigabit rates. No multi-gigabit ports are listed for this model.
Plan the installation location
The fanless metal case supports quiet operation, and the included mounting options allow desktop or rack placement. Those characteristics can help when the switch sits near people or in a small office rather than in a dedicated equipment room. Its stated weight is 3.9 kg, so I would account for that when choosing a shelf or rack position.
Quiet operation does not remove the need to follow the installation guidance for temperature and ventilation. The product information lists an upper temperature rating of 50 °F, an unusual figure that I would verify against the manufacturer’s documentation before relying on it for a specific room. Confirm the intended operating range, physical clearance, and power arrangement before mounting the switch in a warm or enclosed space.
Compare the whole deployment, not just port count
A 24-port switch may appear to leave plenty of room, but access-point deployments also depend on power capacity, port speed, and network controls. The GS524UP pairs 24 Gigabit ports with a 480W budget, so it is a sensible candidate when the number of devices and their combined power fit those limits. A smaller switch could be a better match for a short run of access points, while a managed or multi-gigabit model may serve a more demanding network better.
Since only one product was supplied for this guide, I cannot make a direct model-to-model recommendation. I would use the GS524UP as a reference point: choose it when its power mix, Gigabit links, and unmanaged operation match the site. If one of those conditions fails, compare alternatives on that specific requirement rather than relying on port count alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NETGEAR GS524UP suitable for powering access points?
Yes, its 16 Ultra60 PoE++ ports and eight PoE+ ports make it suitable for access points whose power needs fit those port classes. I would check each access point’s specifications before connecting it and account for the switch’s shared 480W budget. The switch’s suitability also depends on whether Gigabit Ethernet and unmanaged operation meet the network’s needs.
How many access points can the GS524UP power?
There is no single device count that applies to every deployment. The switch has 24 total ports, with 16 PoE++ and eight PoE+ ports, but all powered devices draw from a shared 480W budget. The actual count depends on each access point’s power demand, the port type it requires, and whether other PoE devices are connected. I would calculate the planned load instead of assuming all 24 ports can power any device combination.
Can I use the GS524UP if I need VLANs for my access points?
The provided product details describe the GS524UP as an unmanaged switch and do not list VLAN configuration. If the network design requires switch-level VLAN setup, I would choose a managed model that explicitly supports the needed VLAN features. The GS524UP may still connect access points in a simple network where segmentation is handled elsewhere, but I would not buy it expecting managed controls.
Will this switch support multi-gigabit access points?
The GS524UP is specified with 1Gbps Ethernet ports, so it does not provide multi-gigabit links. A faster access point may still connect at Gigabit if its port supports that negotiation, but its wired connection would be limited to the switch port’s rate. If the access point’s faster uplink is a requirement, I would select a switch with matching multi-gigabit ports.
Is the GS524UP quiet enough for an office?
NETGEAR describes this model as fanless, which supports quiet placement in an office or another people-facing area. It also has a metal case and supports desktop or rack mounting. I would still confirm its operating temperature guidance and provide suitable ventilation at the chosen location, especially if it will sit in an enclosed cabinet or serve a heavily loaded set of PoE devices.
Conclusion
I would choose the NETGEAR GS524UP for a site that needs many PoE++ access-point connections, can work within a shared 480W budget, and values plug-and-play setup. It is a particularly direct fit when the access points use Gigabit Ethernet and the network does not depend on switch-level VLAN or port management.
If I were building a network that needs detailed controls, multi-gigabit access-point links, or more power capacity, I would compare managed or higher-capacity alternatives before buying. With only this product supplied, I can recommend the GS524UP for its defined use case, but cannot name a second pick or claim it wins against models outside this comparison.
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
