Hands-On Review: UniFi Flex Mini 2.5G Switch - Is It Worth $49?

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

Of note, I meant to say a "A few years ago" not 2 years ago when talking about the age of the Original UniFi Flex Mini

[@TheDillio187]

And at 49 dollars,it already has more 2.5gbps ports than the 16 port pro max. Lol

[@JamisonStaysAtHome]

Yeah and no Dante support. The pro max switches are intended to have more than the sum of the parts.

[@tvojejbabkydedko]

@@JamisonStaysAtHome you use network for music transmission? time to educate yourself and do it the proper way.

[@JamisonStaysAtHome]

@@tvojejbabkydedko I work in IT/AV, but thanks for the opinion.

[@DJ-Coma]

@@JamisonStaysAtHomewhat makes it not Dante compatible?

[@DJ-Coma]

@@tvojejbabkydedkowhat’s the “proper way”?

[@2008mjb]

I use option 43 at remote locations for my work. Took a minute to figure out but if you need it, you need it.

[@scampi_ml]

Finally some cheap 2.5G hardware, and yes all of the missing "features" i dont need. This is GREAT !!!!

[@mehr5821]

Perfectly said

[@MarkRose1337]

That looks awesome. I could use a small VLAN-capable switch or three.

[@Sylvan_dB]

Agreed! Many switch chips support VLANs, and I've wondered if any of these are hackable to add a microcontroller which could program that chip and provide a configuration interface.

[@AaronBregg]

It would have been nice if you could have done some RW bandwidth testing to check out it's actual throughput.

[@obi1998]

Neat. I look forward to being able to actually buy this in a year.

[@robertt9342]

Bought one a couple of months after your post, but I was only looking for a week.

[@a9503128]

Needs one PoE out so you can power a U7 AP

[@_TbT_]

Get an injector and use this switch.

[@a9503128]

@@_TbT_ try find a 2.5Gb version

[@ahslan18]

Need a POE version for my U7 Pro's. Sweet to see this supports vlans

[@Thamli]

What's option 43

[@Palmolive360]

Just got a couple of these, had hoped turning off LED in settings would also kill the activity LEDs, it doesn't...

[@gpjuan]

Its just what I have been looking for to supplement a US-8 60W for a small home network now I have a couple of 2.5G devices that can use the extra speed.

[@jammin8844]

In australia we get ripped off so bad. These are selling for $120aud =~ $79usd

[@KennethHaldbk]

So a 2.5G version of the USW-Ultra would be nice 😊

[@kaseyklynstra2210]

0:01 Quick note: the original Flex Mini was launched in early 2020, so 4.5 years ago.

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

Wow, I forgot it was that long ago.

[@accesser]

From a technical standpoint. What might be the reason for those limitations and missing features? Are they using a lower cost chip inside that likes those?

[@curtispavlovec]

They want to sell their more expensive switches of course. The same reason Apple doesn’t make the “SE” as good as their flagships even though they easily could.

[@estusflask982]

@@curtispavlovec So it's the same hardware, they just leave out the software?

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

It keeps the price lower using less capable hardware.

[@estusflask982]

@@LAWRENCESYSTEMS I mean, they don't have a similar form factor switch at any price

[@Sylvan_dB]

@@estusflask982 Many times the actual switch chip(s) can be programmed for more features, such as VLANs, but that requires a controller that can run a configuration interface and translate that to program the switch chip(s) and that requires flash storage to store the code and the user entered configuration, more complicated circuit board and trace routing, different/additional RFI and EMI considerations for certification and higher power requirements, etc. Then that software stack needs documented, supported, etc. (Former router+switch firmware engineer.)

[@hh00ng]

Pfsense new dhcp is broken, can't set option 43 :(

[@lo0ops]

Anyone got tagged VLANs working? I want port to use a simple VLAN so what's connected to it gets a different DHCP IP than the Default profile. Can't create a tagged port at all.

[@slipknottin]

So tempting with frontier offering high speed fiber

[@martinmarjuszycz4133]

Sold out everywhere (

[@utooboobnoob]

Isn’t UniFi notorious for not meeting initial demand?

[@NPzed]

The day it was announced within 7hrs I could not find any inventory

[@tac73]

I spent days waiting for them to come in stock. A number of times I received an email from UI Notify, only to be too late getting to the buy button. Then, yesterday, I finally got in before they were sold out again. It seems like this is a very sought after item!

[@Bob_Smith19]

This is the case w/ most of their products. Don’t know why anyone would use them.

[@nathanscarlett4772]

​@Bob_Smith19 wanna give us a reason why you wouldn't use it?

[@cidercreekranch]

I'm hoping TP-LINK will respond with their own version for Omada.

[@adriftatlas]

I'm on TP-Link's Omada platform and need a cheap 2.5GbE switch with VLAN support. Don't really care for the rest of the fancy enterprise features. Right now the cheapest option is the SG3210X-M2, which happens to be a whopping $232 USD. Not something I'm gonna throw behind the home theater console. Yes, they do have unmanaged 2.5GbE switches in the $80 range, but no VLAN support is a deal breaker.

[@BenjaminLeung]

They're finally responding to the original Flex Mini with the ES205G and ES205GP, so fingers crossed they will see the 2.5G Flex Mini and get something out soon

[@cidercreekranch]

@@BenjaminLeung Those switches do not support 2.5GbE. According to TP-Link's web site these switches are "5× 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 ports (4× 802.3at/af-compliant PoE+)". Though they do support VLANs.

[@adriftatlas]

@@BenjaminLeung Those aren't even out yet and are not much different than the existing SG2008 and SG2008P. If they're only now noticing the 2.5GbE flex mini, then we won't have anything small and affordable for another year.

[@gompie71]

Does it support IGMP snooping in case you need it for your TV provider?

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

I don't think so

[@WMU9898]

Hi, just interested to know if this Ubiquiti USW-Flex-2.5G-5 be can used outside of Ubiquiti EcoSystem? I mean can this 2.5G switch be used with a Netgear Modem and Netgear switches (instead of Ubiquiti modem & switches)?

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

Yes, but you still need the UniFi controller software to manage it.

[@mcury85]

I want one, to replace my mini 1Gbps, to combo with my sg-4100

[@Rell187J55]

Would this be okay for media setup

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

Yes, but would need more storage.

[@mx338]

If I upgrade the office to 2.5Gbit these would be useful, but for now I just don't see a need for that.

[@gabrielnilo6101]

Does this work with any hardware or just unifi stuff?

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

It should work with any 2.5g NIC

[@MIQ6666]

Hey Tom, I have been using Unifi for couple of months now. Wired connections are awesome but wireless is very bad. I added Omada to my setup but the same story. My current setup Unifi UDM SE Unifi USW Aggregation Unifi U6 Pro (connected but not in use) Omada OC300 Omada SX3206HPP Omada EAP773 Internet speed two feet from AP is 600 up and down, move to next room about 10 feet and 1 drywall brings internet speed down to 350 up and down. Unifi and Omada have the same story Any solution?

[@msolace580]

still waiting for a cheaper managed switch @ sfp+ 2-4x 4-8 poe 2.5 slots. 1g is so last year. the unifi gateway doesn't help me id rather just run a mini pc with op/pfsense facing out with the firewall. than hanging a device behind the gateway, where it has to loop in out and back out again... but for sure still great price for its size will grab one for the desk

[@franzpleurmann2585]

I'm new to Ubiquiti products. Do I need additional hardware to use the management features on the flex 2,5G?

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

You do need to at least be running their free controller software to manage it.

[@franzpleurmann2585]

@@LAWRENCESYSTEMS I see. Whats the rational behind externalizing the management software? Cost savings?

[@NikeshAmin]

​@@franzpleurmann2585It puts everything behind a single pane of glass. Rather than having to go to three different IP addresses to separately configure three different devices, you go to your single instance of your controller software and configure them all at once from there. It then also makes down the line issues much easier such as adding additional devices or replacing failed ones, adding VLANs that are correctly recognized and handled by all parts of the network, etc.

[@Angryfuture]

​​@@franzpleurmann2585the controller usually comes with a Ubiquiti router like the dream machine, it is meant to put all the information and settings in one location. Rather than going to each device and setting settings. You can do it all from one interface. But you can run the controller by itself in docker or something like that

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

@@franzpleurmann2585 Scalability, you can manages hundreds of devices via one self hostable control plane.

[@allanpick4235]

Pity no 802.1x - thats a deal breaker. Other wise we could put a load of these out there.

[@calebneudorf6112]

No SSH is a dealbreaker for me

[@JPEaglesandKatz]

I got the flex mini but have hardly used it because of its limitations.. Looks like this upgraded 2.5 version has the features I want and mostly the VLAN support. Might get one in the future.

[@MegaWatzProduction]

the regular flex mini has vlan support. or are you referring to more blank options?

[@nubink]

No SNMP still... 😢

[@ascot4000]

Going to miss PoE passthrough as we drift towards 2.5 GbE links for WiFi APs.

Yeah. At first I thought it would be perfect for getting 2.5G extra ports at one of my Wifi 6APs, but without PoE passtrough it's a miss for me.

[@boicutt]

injector until they come out with PoE Lite 2.5

[@andrewskaterrr]

I chose a YauhLey switches instead. They have 8 port 10Gb and 2.5Gb + POE++. UniFis multi-gig options suck.

[@YanivNahum-zg8uh]

Nice review , I would edit this video and reupload it , The flex mini released around April 2020(4.5 Years ago)

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

It's an oversight on the previous product, but the review is about the current model.

[@fahaad9]

only if Unifi would offer free shipping!!

[@estusflask982]

They used to, then they got greedy.

[@fahaad9]

@@estusflask982 I know right. I just bought it yesterday and it came out to be 62$ including taxes and shipping!

[@procekim]

pitty it doesn have POE to power wifi7APs.

[@_TbT_]

Poe injector.

[@procekim]

@@_TbT_ it would bring too much mess in my server box. I hope they will introduce flex with 2.5 that would complete entire line.

[@_TbT_]

@@procekim My ideal switch would be 8x2,5Gbit, with PoE in and PoE passthrough. For about 80-100 $/€.

[@procekim]

@@_TbT_ I think they will make one. because tp link has one for 80 euro. Even smaller with 5 would be useful to power wifi 7 AP's.

[@keyboard_g]

This router is really a killer deal with no other vendors offering managed 2.5 gbps switches in this price range. Even the cheap noname chinese brands. Great move from Unifi to 1) listen to customers and 2) provide an affordable on ramp into the ecosystem.

[@andrebrait]

There are plenty of cheap chinese web managed switches at this price point, and with 1 or 2 SFP+ ports for some 10GbE uplinks and whatnot.

[@Chris-hy6jy]

This isn't a router.

[@adaster98]

@@Chris-hy6jy It is. It's VLAN capable. It routes traffic. By definition a router.

[@Chris-hy6jy]

@@adaster98 across vlans? No.

[@adaster98]

@@Chris-hy6jy It's not a Level 3 switch no

[@FAPPJAPPDAPP]

Nice. 49b for 2.5G, hey...

It's so close to perfection for me. If only it also had PoE passtrgough. Otherwise it looks like a solid offering.

[@deanthomson1654]

Looks like a loss-leader into the unifi ecosystem.

[@dosmaiz7361]

Glad i didnt order a bunch of $60 chinese switches.

[@TechySpeaking]

First

[@zachansen8293]

Why wouldn't you just buy the switch instead of having to say that you're taking gifts from the company you're reviewing? Take a cue from Project Farm and buy the stuff you review.

[@Sco1t_]

You can’t get pre-release units at retail and being able to publish early is important. That’s the reason that so many reviewers get test units from manufacturers. I think you’d have a hard time convincing many people that the likes of Hardware Unboxed are being bought with their review samples. Further, Tom runs an MSP/consulting business that deploys a lot of Ubiquiti hardware. He’s got a business relationship with them anyway. If him getting a review sample is enough to make you not trust him then I can’t see why his business wouldn’t do that already. I and many others value Tom’s opinion and to a great extent that comes from his wealth of experience. But that experience comes with having a relationship with the vendor. If that sort of thing means you can’t trust a source (which is obviously fine) then this channel is not and never will be for you.

[@02semiata]

@@Sco1t_ I don't disagree but this was not what I would call a early upload... Most reviews dropped 8 days ago.

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

Thanks and while we do mostly buy the gear, the exceptions are the early release equipment that we get and do provide feedback to Ubiquiti if we find any issues during testing and prior to release.

[@zachansen8293]

@@Sco1t_ You refuted yourself right in your own answer: You said "You can’t get pre-release units at retail and being able to publish early is important" If it is so important to get prerelease units then it's so important not to make the company mad. So now your opinions are heavily biased based on your own logic. That's exactly the way the companies buying this advertising (yes, this review is brought to you by unifi's advertising budget) want it to be. The money is laundered through youtube ad sales but it is ad sales that is funded by the company whose products are being given away. That's why you shouldn't accept gifts from those you are "reviewing" Just because it's mainstream doesn't mean it's unethical.

[@utiniposungu1221]

@@zachansen8293Hi, what kind of interesting things did you smoke today? Or did you just wake up this angry? Chill, dude, chill.