Ubiquiti USW-PRO-24-POE vs Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN: Specification Comparison
Both the Ubiquiti USW-PRO-24-POE and the Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN are 24-port managed Gigabit PoE rack-mount switches aimed at access-layer deployments. The Ubiquiti carries a 400 W PoE++ (802.3bt) budget and an 88 Gbps switching fabric, while the Cradlepoint delivers a 370 W PoE+ (802.3at) budget with a 128 Gbps switching capacity and NetCloud-managed branch intelligence. This comparison focuses on PoE capacity and port density, switching throughput and uplink architecture, and management platform and operating-environment suitability.
In This Guide
- Which switch delivers more PoE power and what PoE standard does each support?
- How do switching throughput, forwarding rate, and uplink options compare?
- What management platform does each switch use and which handles harsher operating environments?
- Which should you choose: the USW-PRO-24-POE or the SW2400P-GN?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which switch delivers more PoE power and what PoE standard does each support?
The USW-PRO-24-POE provides a 400 W PoE budget across its 24 RJ-45 ports using the PoE++ (802.3bt) standard, which allows up to 90 W per port. This makes it capable of powering high-draw devices such as pan-tilt-zoom cameras, 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 access points, and desktop video conferencing endpoints without external injectors. Total system draw with PoE is rated at 450 W from a single internal AC/DC power supply running on 100–240 VAC.
The SW2400P-GN provides a 370 W PoE budget and operates to the PoE+ (802.3at) standard, which caps individual port output at 30 W. That ceiling is sufficient for most IP cameras, standard 802.11ac/ax APs, and VoIP phones, but rules out high-wattage 802.3bt devices. Per-port and total input power consumption figures are not stated in the provided specifications.
Net difference: the Ubiquiti offers 30 W more aggregate budget and a full generation higher PoE standard (802.3bt vs. 802.3at). Installers powering any single device drawing more than 30 W must select the Ubiquiti; for mixed 802.3af/at branch loads the 370 W Cradlepoint budget is typically adequate.
How do switching throughput, forwarding rate, and uplink options compare?
The USW-PRO-24-POE is specified at 88 Gbps switching capacity with 44 Gbps non-blocking throughput and a 65 Mpps forwarding rate. Its uplink tier consists of two dedicated 10G SFP+ slots in addition to the 24 × 1G RJ-45 access ports, allowing full-speed aggregation to a 10G core without consuming access ports.
The SW2400P-GN is specified at 128 Gbps switching capacity. Forwarding rate in Mpps is not stated in the provided specifications. The switch is listed with 4 SFP+ slots and USB connectivity; uplink speed for those SFP+ ports is not explicitly stated in the provided specifications beyond the SFP+ physical form factor designation.
The Cradlepoint's higher stated switching-capacity figure (128 Gbps vs. 88 Gbps) may reflect a larger internal fabric, but because forwarding rate and individual port speeds for the SFP+ slots are absent from the provided specifications, a complete apples-to-apples throughput comparison cannot be made. The Ubiquiti's 10G uplink speed is explicitly confirmed; the Cradlepoint's SFP+ uplink speed is not confirmed in the provided data.
What management platform does each switch use and which handles harsher operating environments?
The USW-PRO-24-POE is managed via Ubiquiti's UniFi controller ecosystem (management listed as Ethernet/in-band). It supports up to 1,000 VLANs and holds NDAA Section 889 compliance alongside CE, FCC, IC, and Anatel certifications. Its enclosure is SGCC steel rated for 0–40 °C (23–104 °F) operating temperature.
The SW2400P-GN is managed through Cradlepoint's NetCloud platform, a cloud-first, policy-driven management layer designed for distributed branch and fixed-site deployments. NetCloud enables centralized visibility, policy push, and SD-WAN integration across multiple sites from a single pane of glass—a model that differs fundamentally from UniFi's on-premises or hybrid controller approach. The switch is described as having industrial temperature rating; the provided specifications cite –5 °C to 45 °C (23–113 °F), which is a modestly wider range than the Ubiquiti at the high end. TAA compliance is noted for the Cradlepoint; NDAA compliance is not stated in the provided specifications.
VLAN count, STP/RSTP details, and ACL depth for the Cradlepoint are not available in the provided specifications. Buyers operating in unconditioned IDF rooms will benefit from the Cradlepoint's higher upper temperature threshold (45 °C vs. 40 °C).
Which should you choose: the USW-PRO-24-POE or the SW2400P-GN?
Our take: The USW-PRO-24-POE is the stronger choice when PoE standard headroom and confirmed throughput specs are the primary drivers: it delivers 400 W of 802.3bt PoE++ versus the SW2400P-GN's 370 W of 802.3at PoE+, providing 30 W more aggregate budget and up to 90 W per port rather than 30 W per port—critical for PTZ cameras, Wi-Fi 6E APs, or any 802.3bt device. Its dual 10G SFP+ uplinks and 65 Mpps forwarding rate are explicitly confirmed, and its 1,000-VLAN capacity suits enterprise core integration. The SW2400P-GN is the stronger choice for multi-site branch deployments managed through Cradlepoint's NetCloud, where centralized cloud policy control and SD-WAN integration are priorities; its slightly wider operating range (45 °C vs. 40 °C) also suits unconditioned spaces. Buyers should note that several SW2400P-GN specs—SFP+ uplink speed, forwarding rate, per-port PoE wattage breakdown, and NDAA status—are absent from the provided data and should be confirmed with Cradlepoint before specifying.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Ubiquiti USW-PRO-24-POE | Cradlepoint SW2400P-GN |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | 1U Rack-mount | Rack-mount |
| Access Ports | 24 × Gigabit RJ-45 | 24 × Gigabit RJ-45 |
| Uplink Ports | 2 × 10G SFP+ | 4 × SFP+ (speed not stated in specs) |
| PoE Standard | PoE++ (802.3bt) | PoE+ (802.3at) |
| PoE Budget | 400 W | 370 W |
| Max PoE per Port | Up to 90 W (802.3bt) | Up to 30 W (802.3at) |
| Switching Capacity | 88 Gbps | 128 Gbps |
| Non-blocking Throughput | 44 Gbps | — |
| Forwarding Rate | 65 Mpps | — |
| VLAN Support | 1,000 VLANs | — |
| Management Platform | UniFi (Ethernet/in-band) | NetCloud (cloud-managed) |
| Operating Temperature | -5 °C to 40 °C (23–104 °F) | -5 °C to 45 °C (23–113 °F) |
| Power Supply | Internal 450 W AC/DC, 100–240 VAC | — |
| Switch Power Consumption (excl. PoE) | 50 W | — |
| NDAA Section 889 Compliant | Yes | — |
| Certifications | CE, FCC, IC, Anatel, NDAA §889 | TAA |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the USW-PRO-24-POE or the SW2400P-GN?
The USW-PRO-24-POE is the stronger choice when PoE standard headroom and confirmed throughput specs are the primary drivers: it delivers 400 W of 802.3bt PoE++ versus the SW2400P-GN's 370 W of 802.3at PoE+, providing 30 W more aggregate budget and up to 90 W per port rather than 30 W per port—critical for PTZ cameras, Wi-Fi 6E APs, or any 802.3bt device. Its dual 10G SFP+ uplinks and 65 Mpps forwarding rate are explicitly confirmed, and its 1,000-VLAN capacity suits enterprise core integration. The SW2400P-GN is the stronger choice for multi-site branch deployments managed through Cradlepoint's NetCloud, where centralized cloud policy control and SD-WAN integration are priorities; its slightly wider operating range (45 °C vs. 40 °C) also suits unconditioned spaces. Buyers should note that several SW2400P-GN specs—SFP+ uplink speed, forwarding rate, per-port PoE wattage breakdown, and NDAA status—are absent from the provided data and should be confirmed with Cradlepoint before specifying.
Can either switch power a high-wattage PTZ camera or Wi-Fi 6E AP that requires more than 30 W per port?
Only the USW-PRO-24-POE supports PoE++ (802.3bt), which allows up to 90 W per port. The SW2400P-GN is limited to PoE+ (802.3at) at a maximum of 30 W per port, which would not power devices requiring 802.3bt delivery.
Is the USW-PRO-24-POE or the SW2400P-GN better suited for a distributed branch network managed from a single cloud console?
The SW2400P-GN is purpose-built for that use case: it is managed via Cradlepoint's NetCloud platform, which provides centralized cloud-based policy management across multiple branch sites. The USW-PRO-24-POE uses Ubiquiti's UniFi ecosystem, which can operate in cloud or on-premises modes but is not part of the Cradlepoint NetCloud and SD-WAN stack.
Which switch is confirmed NDAA Section 889 compliant for federal or government-adjacent deployments?
The USW-PRO-24-POE is explicitly listed as NDAA Section 889 compliant in the provided specifications. NDAA compliance status for the SW2400P-GN is not stated in the provided specifications; TAA compliance is noted for the Cradlepoint, but TAA and NDAA are distinct requirements. Buyers with NDAA mandates should confirm the Cradlepoint's status directly with the manufacturer.
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