Editorial, 23 Aug 2026. Specs from maker pages and named street snaps. We have not burned these units in. Affiliate tags are not live.
Netgear MS305 vs TP-Link TL-SG105S-M2: the 5-port metal tax
The 8-port version of this argument is already a note. Five ports is the same tax on a smaller chassis. Buy the TP-Link unless the Netgear paper is the reason you opened the tab.
MS305-100NAS: five 100M/1G/2.5G RJ-45, metal, fanless, desktop or wall or under-table with the included kit. 158 × 101 × 29 mm. 0.48 kg. 16K MAC. 1 MB buffer. Jumbo 9,720 bytes. 802.1p. EEE. Maker max 9.24 W. Limited lifetime hardware warranty on the US maker page. Unmanaged. Plug it in.
Netgear.com, 23 Aug 2026: $99.99 (was $134.99). Amazon ASIN B0BGYS7731 printed other-seller from $81.64 on fetch. That is still about double the TL-SG105S-M2 sale street ($35–39 against $59.99 MRP). The 8-port cousin is MS308 vs SG108S-M2. Count ports first: 8 vs 5.
The short list
| Box | What it is | Street, 23 Aug 2026 | Buy if |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP-Link TL-SG105S-M2 | 5× 2.5G, fanless, unmanaged, 25 Gbps, 5.81 W max. ASIN B0CMXXPTVH. | MRP $59.99. Sale street $35–39 in 2026 snaps. Lowest logged $34.99 (4 Aug). | The 5-port closet default. Same job as the MS305, less money. |
| Netgear MS305-100NAS | 5× 100M/1G/2.5G, metal, fanless, 9.24 W max, 16K MAC, jumbo 9,720. Wall kit in the box. | Maker $99.99 (was $134.99). Amazon B0BGYS7731 other-seller from $81.64 on fetch. Print the live tag. | The Netgear warranty / support story is worth $40–65 to you. Otherwise no. |
| TRENDnet TEG-S350 | The other name-brand 5× 2.5G fanless unmanaged. See that note. | Print the live card. Usually between the TP-Link sale and the Netgear list. | The TP-Link is out and you still refuse the Netgear tax. |
Skip
Skip paying $82–100 for the MS305 when the SG105S-M2 is $35–39 and you have no support reason. Skip 5-port toys with one 2.5G uplink and four leftover 1G ports. Skip SODOLA / HASIVO no-names. Skip the MS308 if you counted under six — that is the 8-port tax on a closet that did not need eight. We have not sat with a unit.
Sources
Netgear MS305 (5× 100M/1G/2.5G, 9.24 W max, 16K MAC, jumbo 9,720, fanless, $99.99 / was $134.99, fetched 23 Aug 2026). Amazon B0BGYS7731 (other-seller from $81.64 on fetch). TP-Link TL-SG105S-M2. Amazon B0CMXXPTVH. Street moves. Check the live price before you click.