The Switch Pro XG 10 PoE delivers 10GbE switching with PoE on all ports—exactly what you’d want for high-bandwidth aggregation, storage traffic, or between-switch uplinks. It also delivers noise and heat in quantities that make me wish I’d bought something else. The fans run hard enough to be audible from across the room, a jarring change from the near-silent operation of smaller UniFi switches, and the thermal output is significant. In practice, most devices connecting at 10GbE speeds don’t need PoE—they’re servers, NAS units, or other switches with their own power supplies—so the PoE adds thermal load and fan noise for a capability I’d happily trade away. If you need 10GbE aggregation in a location far from where you spend time, it performs well; otherwise, consider the non-PoE alternatives.

The Speed

It’s fast. Ten gigabit switching with PoE on all ports. For high-bandwidth applications—aggregation, storage traffic, between-switch uplinks—it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. No complaints about performance.

The Noise

It’s loud. The fans run hard to keep up with the thermal load, and they’re audible from across the room. This is not equipment you want in a living space or a home office. It belongs in a closet, a basement, or somewhere you don’t spend time.

If you’re used to the near-silent operation of smaller UniFi switches, the XG 10 PoE is a jarring change.

The Heat

It runs hot. The combination of 10GbE ports and PoE power delivery generates significant thermal output. The fans are loud because they have to be—there’s real heat to dissipate.

In a well-ventilated rack with proper airflow, this is manageable. In a cramped space or a Mini Rack , it’s a concern.

The Tradeoff I’d Make

I would trade the PoE capability for a quieter, cooler version in a heartbeat.

The PoE on a 10GbE aggregation switch sounds useful in theory, but in practice most devices connecting at 10GbE speeds don’t need PoE—they’re servers, NAS units, or other switches with their own power supplies. The PoE adds thermal load, which adds fan noise, which makes the switch unpleasant to be near.

A 10GbE switch without PoE would run cooler, quieter, and serve the aggregation role just as well for my use case.

Verdict

The Switch Pro XG 10 PoE is capable hardware that performs its core function well. But the noise and heat make it difficult to recommend for home environments unless you have a truly isolated location for your network equipment. If you need 10GbE aggregation and can live without PoE on those ports, consider whether a non-PoE alternative might be a better fit for your sanity.

That said, when the fans aren’t running – under low load or when the unit has sufficient airflow to keep the heat down – it can be quiet. But are you really using the 10GbE then?

If you just want 10GbE on your desktop and don’t need PoE, look at the Flex 10GbE . If you do need PoE and aren’t putting this in a rack far away from your desk, consider the Pro XG 8 PoE , which has 8 ports instead of 10 but appears designed for desktop use, so likely runs quieter.