There isn’t a verified cheapest unmanaged Ethernet 100GbE switch in the available listings. The clearest low-cost new option is MikroTik’s CRS504-4XQ-IN, listed by the manufacturer at $799, but it runs RouterOS and is not an unmanaged appliance. Some cheaper used listings that say “100GbE” actually describe InfiniBand or Omni-Path equipment.
What is the cheapest unmanaged 100GbE switch?
A dependable cheapest model and delivered price could not be verified. The available price evidence does not establish a like-for-like unmanaged Ethernet switch comparison, and it would be misleading to name an InfiniBand or Omni-Path product as an Ethernet alternative.
“100G” on a listing is not enough to establish compatibility. Confirm the device’s protocol, exact model and supported host network cards before buying. Ethernet, InfiniBand and Omni-Path are distinct technologies.
Lowest-priced verified new alternative: MikroTik CRS504-4XQ-IN
MikroTik lists the CRS504-4XQ-IN at $799 and describes it as a 100 Gigabit switch. Its 100G product category lists RouterOS products and no SwitchOS products, so this is a configurable, managed switch—not an unmanaged plug-and-play answer. See MikroTik’s 100G product range.
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#1 Best Overall
- 4 x 100GbE QSFP28 RJ45 and 8 x 25GbE SFP28 ports to offer a backbone switching capacity of 1200Gbps for uplinking server rooms.
- 600 Gbps Total Non-Blocking Throughput & 1200Gbps Switching Capacity
- Powered by QNAP’s QSS (QNAP Switch System) switch OS that comes with an easy-to-use Web GUI and value-added functions to simplify network set up and management.
- Supports Layer 2 management features, such as LACP, VLAN, ACL and LLDP, for network bandwidth management and security.
- Supports FEC (Forward Error Correction) and IEEE-802.3ap Auto-Negotiation for high compatibility to connect to QNAP 25GbE NAS or NAS installing 100G network cards for high-performance, low-latency computing.
The manufacturer’s listing also shows two higher-priced alternatives:
| Model | Manufacturer-listed price | Relevant difference |
|---|---|---|
| CRS504-4XQ-IN | $799 | 100G model; RouterOS |
| CRS504-4XQ-OUT | $899 | Outdoor/IP66 variant; RouterOS |
| CRS510-8XS-2XQ-IN | $999 | 2 × 100G QSFP28 and 8 × 25G SFP28; RouterOS |
These are manufacturer-listed prices observed during the research period, not guaranteed retail prices or delivered costs. Final price, stock, shipping and tax depend on seller and country. MikroTik calls the CRS504 its “most affordable” doorway to 100 Gigabit networking; that is manufacturer positioning, not proof that it is the cheapest unmanaged switch.
Rank #2
- Ultra-fast 100G & 25G Connectivity – Delivers ultra-high-speed non-blocking throughput with 2 x 100GbE QSFP28, 4 x 25GbE SFP28, and 24 x 10GbE (RJ45) ports. Purpose-built for AI clustering workloads, large-scale NAS deployments, and high-bandwidth enterprise environments.
- Layer 3 Lite-Managed Features – Optimize your IT infrastructure with a robust web GUI supporting IPv4/IPv6 static routing, VLAN, QoS, and bandwidth control. Enables efficient network segmentation and highly secure data routing.
- Top-Of-Rack (ToR) Data Center Design – Engineered for server rooms requiring low-latency connectivity. Perfect for intensive virtualization (VMware ESXi, Hyper-V), enterprise storage area networks (SAN), and high-res media production workflows.
- Lossless Network Performance – Built-in advanced technologies including Priority Flow Control (PFC) and Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN). Minimizes packet loss and bottlenecking, making it ideal for optimizing RoCEv2 and high-speed data transmission.
- Future-Proof Scalabilty – Seamlessly bridge modern 100G/25G fiber optical backbones with existing 10G copper setups. Provides flexible multi-gigabit integration, ensuring cost-effective migration and scalable upgrades for growing businesses.
Why some cheap used listings are not safe Ethernet recommendations
Mellanox SB7790/MSB7790
A reseller listing describes this as a 36-port unmanaged 100GbE switch, but its detailed description identifies an externally managed InfiniBand EDR Switch-IB device. Do not assume it will work as an Ethernet switch based on the headline. Verify the exact SKU, protocol mode, firmware and host support with the seller. Review the reseller listing.
Intel/Lenovo Omni-Path 100
A refurbished 48-port listing showed €195 including German VAT and described an Omni-Path product with no CLI/managebar. That listing does not establish an Ethernet switch at that price. Review the secondary-market listing.
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![Arista DCS-7260CX-64-F 64-Port 100GbE QSFP 2x SFP+ Front-to-Back Airflow Switch w/ Dual PSU [No Rails Kit] (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31s8X-xdQ-L._SL160_.jpg)
- Switch: Arista DCS-7260CX-64 64x QSFP100 Port Switch
- Model: DCS-7260CX-64
- Ports: 64x QSFP 100Gb Ports and 2x SFP+ Ports
- Airflow Fans: 4x Front Flow Fans
How to evaluate a used 100G switch
Compare candidates only after checking the factors that determine whether the hardware and price actually fit your network:
- Protocol: Confirm Ethernet rather than InfiniBand or Omni-Path.
- Management: Establish whether the device is truly unmanaged or requires CLI, web configuration or external management.
- Ports and media: Check the number of 100G ports, QSFP28 support and any breakout requirements.
- Condition and completeness: Ask whether it is tested or refurbished and whether power supplies, rails and warranty are included.
- Delivered cost: Add shipping and tax in your country rather than comparing listing prices alone.
- Installation constraints: Check power draw, cooling, noise, rack depth and airflow direction.
Will an unmanaged switch work for a Proxmox or Ceph network?
It depends on the network design and what controls you need at the switch. A flat, isolated Layer 2 network may not need switch-level configuration. If your design depends on VLANs, switch-level MTU settings, monitoring or routing, determine whether the specific unmanaged device provides those functions before choosing it. A homelab user has raised these questions for Proxmox/Ceph storage links, but that discussion is an example of a use case, not a definitive finding about every deployment. Read the homelab discussion.
Check cabling and endpoint compatibility
QSFP28 is relevant to 100G connections, but the right cable depends on both endpoints and the required reach. Confirm the switch and network card support the same media before buying a DAC or other cable; the available information does not establish a universally compatible cable choice.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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