TP-Link Omada switches come in four tiers: Easy Managed (ES), Smart Managed (SG2000), L2+ Managed (SG3000 and SX3000) and Lite L3 Managed (SG5000). Pick the tier by how much control the network needs, then pick the model by port count, port speed and total PoE budget. Zenith Security Co is listed on TP-Link UK's where-to-buy page as a VAR Partner and Online Store, and every switch below is on our site.
For a wider overview of Omada, including PoE for CCTV, see our TP-Link Omada buying guide. For plain unmanaged switches, see the TP-Link gigabit switch guide.
The four Omada switch tiers
- Easy Managed (ES): basic management such as VLANs and port settings without a full configuration job. Good for small offices and CCTV.
- Smart Managed (SG2000): fuller management in the Omada system. Some models, such as the SG2008 and SG2218, list static routing.
- L2+ Managed (SG3000, SX3000): for larger networks and core or aggregation roles, with 10G SFP+ uplinks on the X models.
- Lite L3 Managed (SG5000): stackable switches with 10G SFP+ uplinks, for sites that route between VLANs at the switch.
Model codes help: "P" means PoE, "MP" and "XMP" mean a larger PoE budget, "PP" means PoE++ ports, "X" means 10G uplinks and "-M2" means 2.5G ports.
Easy Managed switches
Smart Managed switches (SG2000)
L2+ Managed switches (SG3000 and SX3000)
Lite L3 Managed switches (SG5000)
How to choose an Omada switch
1. Count ports, then add spares
Count every camera, access point, phone and PC that needs a cable, plus the uplink to the router. Leave a few spare ports for growth.
2. Work out the PoE budget
The PoE budget is the total power the switch can share across its PoE ports. Add up the maximum draw of each device from its product page and keep the total comfortably under the budget. Two switches with the same port count can have very different budgets: the ES210GP has 63 W and the ES210GMP has 123 W. Wi-Fi 7 access points and PTZ cameras may need PoE++ ports.
3. Choose the port speed
Gigabit ports suit cameras, phones and most Wi-Fi 6 access points. Many newer access points have 2.5G ports, so a 2.5G switch (the "-M2" models) lets them run at full speed. 10G SFP+ ports link switches together or connect a server.
4. Choose the management tier
A small CCTV or office job often only needs Easy Managed or Smart Managed. Larger multi-floor networks with many VLANs suit L2+, and Lite L3 suits sites that route between VLANs at the switch.
5. Check where it will live
Rackmount models suit a comms cabinet. Fanless desktop models such as the SG2210P and SG2016P suit quiet offices. The IES industrial models mount on DIN rail and run from -40 to 75°C. The SG2005P-PD mounts outdoors on a pole or wall and is powered by PoE++ from upstream.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Omada Easy Managed, Smart, L2+ and L3 switches?
Easy Managed (ES) switches give basic management. Smart Managed (SG2000) switches add fuller management in Omada. L2+ (SG3000 and SX3000) switches suit larger networks and aggregation. Lite L3 (SG5000) switches are stackable and suit sites that route between VLANs at the switch.
Which Omada switch should I use for CCTV?
Choose by camera count and PoE budget. For example, the ES210GMP has 8 PoE+ ports with 123 W, and the SG2428P has 24 PoE+ ports with 250 W. Our Omada buying guide explains PoE budgets for CCTV in more detail.
What does PoE++ mean on an Omada switch?
PoE++ ports can deliver more power per port than PoE+. Models with PP in the name, such as the SG3428XMPP and ES210XPP-M2, include PoE++ ports for devices that need more power.
Do I need a 2.5G switch for Wi-Fi 7 access points?
Several Omada Wi-Fi 7 access points have 2.5G or faster ports. A 2.5G switch such as the SG3210XHP-M2 or ES210XPP-M2 lets them run above gigabit speed.
What is a PoE budget?
It is the total power a switch can share across all its PoE ports. Add up the maximum draw of every powered device and keep the total under the switch's budget.
Where can I buy Omada switches in the UK?
Zenith Security Co is listed on TP-Link UK's where-to-buy page as a VAR Partner and Online Store. We deliver to England, Scotland and Wales within 1-2 working days, and trade accounts are available.
Related TP-Link guides
Zenith Security Co is listed on TP-Link UK's where-to-buy page as a VAR Partner and as an Online Store. We are a UK supplier, not an installer, and have been operating since 2012. Our trade counter is at Unit 3 Park View Centre, 243 Dudley Road, Wolverhampton WV2 3JU. We deliver within 1-2 working days to England, Scotland and Wales (not Northern Ireland), and trade accounts are available. Read more on where to buy TP-Link in the UK, or call 01902 902251.
