TP-Link SG6428XHP vs Ubiquiti USW-24: Specification Comparison
The TP-Link SG6428XHP and Ubiquiti USW-24 are both 1U rack-mount 24-port Gigabit managed switches targeting mid-scale enterprise, surveillance, and campus LAN deployments. The comparison pivots on three meaningful differences: PoE delivery capability and budget, switching fabric capacity and Layer 3 feature depth, and platform ecosystem lock-in. Buyers choosing between these two are typically deploying IP cameras, wireless access points, or VoIP endpoints and must decide how much PoE headroom, routing sophistication, and management-stack alignment they need.
In This Guide
- Which switch delivers more PoE power, and does the USW-24 support PoE at all?
- How do switching fabric, forwarding rate, and Layer 3 capability compare?
- Which management ecosystem is each switch locked into, and how does that affect deployment decisions?
- Which should you choose: the SG6428XHP or the USW-24?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which switch delivers more PoE power, and does the USW-24 support PoE at all?
The SG6428XHP provides PoE+ (802.3at, also backward-compatible with 802.3af) on all 24 RJ45 ports with a rated PoE budget of 720 W when equipped with two PSM500-AC power supply modules. It also supports perpetual PoE and fast PoE as spec'd. At 30 W per port under 802.3at, that budget can theoretically power all 24 ports simultaneously at the maximum 802.3at draw — a meaningful advantage for dense IP camera or dual-radio AP deployments.
The USW-24 specs list '_Power: PoE' and '_Power Watts: 30W', but also show a 'Power Consumption: 25W' (device draw) and an internal 36 W power supply. These figures are irreconcilable with a full 24-port PoE switch; the 36 W internal supply cannot deliver meaningful PoE across 24 ports. No dedicated PoE budget figure appears in the provided USW-24 spec set, and Ubiquiti's USW-24 product line is publicly positioned as a non-PoE access switch. Buyers requiring PoE on downstream ports should treat the USW-24 PoE fields in this spec record as unverified and should not plan a PoE deployment around them without independent confirmation.
How do switching fabric, forwarding rate, and Layer 3 capability compare?
The SG6428XHP is specified with a switching capacity of 128 Gbps and a dual-core ARM processor running at 1.5 GHz. It is described as a stackable Layer 3 managed switch, implying routing capabilities (static routes, inter-VLAN routing) beyond Layer 2. Four 10G SFP+ uplink slots provide high-bandwidth aggregation to core switches or servers. No forwarding rate (Mpps) figure is provided in the supplied specs.
The USW-24 is specified at 52 Gbps switching capacity with a 39 Mpps forwarding rate and 26 Gbps non-blocking throughput. It supports up to 1,000 VLANs. The spec record does not describe the USW-24 as a Layer 3 switch, and no routing protocol support is listed. Its four unlisted uplink port types are not specified in the provided data. The SG6428XHP's 128 Gbps fabric is 2.46× the USW-24's 52 Gbps, and the 10G SFP+ slots give it a clear edge in uplink density for aggregation roles.
Which management ecosystem is each switch locked into, and how does that affect deployment decisions?
The SG6428XHP is managed through TP-Link's Omada SDN platform, which supports cloud-based or on-premises controller management. The spec lists an RJ45 management port and references egress rate limiting and broadcast control under bandwidth management. Storage is listed at 2×4 MB NOR flash plus 8,192 MB eMMC, which supports local logging and firmware. The operating system field lists 'PF', which is not further elaborated in the provided spec data.
The USW-24 is a UniFi platform device, managed through Ubiquiti's UniFi Network controller (self-hosted or via UniFi Site Manager). It carries CE, FCC, IC, and Anatel certifications and is listed as NDAA-compliant. No on-device management port type beyond 'Ethernet' is specified. Neither switch is cross-compatible with the other's controller. Shops already standardized on UniFi will absorb the USW-24 with zero additional tooling; Omada shops gain L3 routing and a much larger PoE budget with the SG6428XHP.
Which should you choose: the SG6428XHP or the USW-24?
Our take: The SG6428XHP is the stronger choice when PoE delivery, fabric headroom, and Layer 3 routing are required. Its 720 W PoE+ budget versus no credibly specified PoE budget on the USW-24 makes it the only verified option for powering 24 PoE endpoints. Its 128 Gbps switching capacity is 2.46× the USW-24's 52 Gbps, and its four 10G SFP+ slots support higher-speed aggregation links — no uplink speed is specified for the USW-24. Its stackable L3 designation adds inter-VLAN routing the USW-24 does not claim. The USW-24 has meaningful advantages in two areas: NDAA compliance (specified; not listed for the SG6428XHP) and native integration into existing UniFi deployments at a notably lower device power draw of 25 W. Choose the SG6428XHP for PoE-heavy surveillance or AP deployments on Omada; choose the USW-24 for non-PoE UniFi network expansion where NDAA compliance is a procurement requirement.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | TP-Link SG6428XHP | Ubiquiti USW-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Managed L3 Switch | Managed Switch |
| PoE Standard | 802.3af/at (PoE+) | Not credibly specified |
| PoE Budget | 720 W (with 2× PSM500-AC) | — |
| PoE Ports | 24 × PoE+ RJ45 | Not specified |
| Switching Capacity | 128 Gbps | 52 Gbps |
| Non-Blocking Throughput | — | 26 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | — | 39 Mpps |
| RJ45 Ports | 24 × 10/100/1000 Mbps | 24 × Gigabit Ethernet |
| Uplink Slots | 4 × 10G SFP+ | Not specified |
| VLAN Support | — | Up to 1,000 VLANs |
| Layer | Layer 3 (stackable) | Layer 2 (implied) |
| Management Platform | Omada SDN | UniFi |
| Device Power Draw | — | 25 W typical |
| Power Supply | 100–240V AC, 50/60 Hz | 100–240V AC, 50/60 Hz (internal 36W) |
| Operating Temp | −5°C to 45°C | −5°C to 45°C |
| NDAA Compliant | — | Yes |
| Dimensions (W×D×H mm) | 440 × 420 × 44 | 442 × 200 × 44 |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack | 1U Rack |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the SG6428XHP or the USW-24?
The SG6428XHP is the stronger choice when PoE delivery, fabric headroom, and Layer 3 routing are required. Its 720 W PoE+ budget versus no credibly specified PoE budget on the USW-24 makes it the only verified option for powering 24 PoE endpoints. Its 128 Gbps switching capacity is 2.46× the USW-24's 52 Gbps, and its four 10G SFP+ slots support higher-speed aggregation links — no uplink speed is specified for the USW-24. Its stackable L3 designation adds inter-VLAN routing the USW-24 does not claim. The USW-24 has meaningful advantages in two areas: NDAA compliance (specified; not listed for the SG6428XHP) and native integration into existing UniFi deployments at a notably lower device power draw of 25 W. Choose the SG6428XHP for PoE-heavy surveillance or AP deployments on Omada; choose the USW-24 for non-PoE UniFi network expansion where NDAA compliance is a procurement requirement.
Is the USW-24 a PoE switch I can use to power IP cameras directly?
Based on the provided specs, the USW-24 has an internal power supply rated at 36 W with a device power consumption of 25 W, leaving no credible PoE headroom for 24 ports. No PoE budget figure is provided. The SG6428XHP, by contrast, specifies a 720 W PoE+ budget across all 24 ports. If powering IP cameras or APs via PoE is a requirement, the SG6428XHP is the switch with verified PoE capacity.
Can either switch perform inter-VLAN routing without a separate router?
The SG6428XHP is spec'd as a Layer 3 managed switch, which typically includes inter-VLAN routing and static route support. The USW-24 spec record does not describe Layer 3 capabilities or any routing protocol support — it appears to be a Layer 2 managed switch. For network segmentation requiring routed VLANs at the access layer, the SG6428XHP is the indicated choice based on the provided specifications.
Which switch is better suited for a government or federal deployment requiring NDAA compliance?
The USW-24 is explicitly listed as NDAA-compliant in its specifications. The SG6428XHP spec record does not include an NDAA compliance field. For deployments subject to NDAA Section 889 procurement restrictions, the USW-24 has a documented compliance claim while the SG6428XHP's compliance status cannot be confirmed from the provided data.
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