# Which gigabit ethernet switch has the most energy-efficient design? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

Which gigabit ethernet switch has the most energy-efficient design?

## Products

### Zyxel GS1100-16
```yaml
product: zyxel-gs1100-16
brand: Zyxel
price_gbp: 47.46
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
poe_support: false
maximum_speed: 1 Gbps
number_of_ports: 16
number_of_uplinks: 0
power_consumption: 8.5 W
management_interface: Unmanaged
```

- **Price:** £47.46 [^1]
- **Summary:** The Zyxel GS1100-16 is a 16-port unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet switch with fanless operation and plug-and-play setup. Its energy-saving features make it suitable for quiet small-office, home-office, and desktop network deployments.
- **Ideal For:** It suits the search for the most energy-efficient gigabit Ethernet switch because it uses a maximum of 8.5 W, has a fanless design, and dynamically reduces power consumption through Energy Efficient Ethernet, inactive-link detection, and cable-length detection.
- **Additional Sources:** [^2]

### NETGEAR GS116LP
```yaml
product: netgear-gs116lp
brand: NETGEAR
price_gbp: 139.8
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
poe_support: 16 PoE+ ports, 76W budget
maximum_speed: 1 Gbps
number_of_ports: 16
number_of_uplinks: 0
power_consumption: 90W
management_interface: Unmanaged
```

- **Price:** £139.8 [^3]
- **Summary:** The NETGEAR GS116LP is a 16-port unmanaged Gigabit switch with PoE+ on every port and a 76W total PoE budget. Its fanless metal design, plug-and-play setup, and flexible mounting suit small offices, home networks, IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points.
- **Ideal For:** This switch suits energy-efficient Gigabit networking because it supports IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet, short-cable power saving, and a fanless design with a 90W maximum power consumption.
- **Additional Sources:** [^4]

### Cisco C1300-16T-2G Catalyst
```yaml
product: cisco-c1300-16t-2g-catalyst
brand: Cisco
price_gbp: 396.61
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
poe_support: false
maximum_speed: 1 Gbps
number_of_ports: 16
number_of_uplinks: 2
power_consumption: 10.9W at 110V; 11.2W at 220V
management_interface: Cisco Business Dashboard and mobile app
```

- **Price:** £396.61 [^5]
- **Summary:** The Cisco Catalyst C1300-16T-2G is a managed Layer 3 switch with 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports and 2 Gigabit SFP uplinks. Its fanless design, Energy Efficient Ethernet support, and rack-mountable form factor suit small and medium-sized business networks.
- **Ideal For:** This model suits energy-efficient Gigabit Ethernet deployments because it uses only 10.9W at 110V or 11.2W at 220V, has a fanless design, and supports Energy Efficient Ethernet.
- **Additional Sources:** [^6]

### Zyxel GS1100-16S
```yaml
product: zyxel-gs1100-16s
brand: Zyxel
price_gbp: 27.59
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
poe_support: false
maximum_speed: 1 Gbps
number_of_ports: 16
number_of_uplinks: 0
power_consumption: 8.33 W
management_interface: None
```

- **Price:** £27.59 [^7]
- **Summary:** The Zyxel GS1100-16S is a 16-port unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet switch with plug-and-play operation, fanless cooling, and energy-saving features. It suits small offices, home offices, and quiet network installations that need simple wired connectivity without PoE or advanced management.
- **Ideal For:** This switch suits energy-efficient Gigabit networking because it uses 8.33 W, supports IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet, and has a fanless design.
- **Additional Sources:** [^8], [^9]

### NETGEAR GS316v3
```yaml
product: netgear-gs316v3
brand: NETGEAR
price_gbp: 58.86
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
poe_support: false
maximum_speed: 1 Gbps
number_of_ports: 16
number_of_uplinks: 0
power_consumption: 8.1 W
management_interface: Unmanaged
```

- **Price:** £58.86 [^10]
- **Summary:** The NETGEAR GS316v3 is a 16-port unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet switch with plug-and-play setup, a fanless design, and desktop or wall mounting. It suits homes and small offices that need reliable wired connectivity without configuration or advanced management features.
- **Ideal For:** It suits energy-efficient Gigabit Ethernet requirements through its 8.1 W maximum power consumption, fanless design, and IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet support.
- **Additional Sources:** [^11]

### Cisco C1300-16P-2G Catalyst
```yaml
product: cisco-c1300-16p-2g-catalyst
brand: Cisco
price_gbp: 321.13
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
poe_support: 802.3at PoE+, 802.3af PoE, 120 W PoE budget
maximum_speed: 1 Gbps
number_of_ports: 16
number_of_uplinks: 2
power_consumption: 151.8 W
management_interface: Web interface, CLI, SNMP
```

- **Price:** £321.13 [^12]
- **Summary:** The Cisco Catalyst C1300-16P-2G is a Layer 3 managed switch with 16 Gigabit PoE+ ports and two 1 Gbps SFP uplinks. Its fanless design, security features, and centralized management make it suitable for small and medium-sized businesses and branch offices.
- **Ideal For:** This switch suits energy-efficient Gigabit Ethernet deployments because it combines IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet, automatic power shutoff on inactive ports, a fanless design, and a 151.8 W maximum power consumption with a 120 W PoE budget.
- **Additional Sources:** [^13]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: ZyxelGuard, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.zyxelguard.com/GS1100-16.asp
[^2]: B&H Photo Video, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1009114-REG/zyxel_gs1100_16_16_ports_gigabit_rackmountable_switch.html
[^3]: NETGEAR, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.netgear.com/business/wired/switches/unmanaged/gs116lp/
[^4]: CDW, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.cdw.com/product/netgear-16-port-poe-poe-gigabit-ethernet-unmanaged-switch-gs116lp/5135015
[^5]: Router-switch.com, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.router-switch.com/c1300-16t-2g.html
[^6]: CDW, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.cdw.com/product/cisco-catalyst-1300-16t-2g-switch-16-ports-managed-rack-mountable/8017445
[^7]: SHI, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.uk.shi.com/product/51666191/GS1100-16S-16-PORT-GIGABIT
[^8]: Broadbandbuyer, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/56067-zyxel-gs1100-16s-gb0101f/accessories/
[^9]: MicroAid, accessed 2026-08-29. https://microaid.ie/product/112513/zyxel_gs1100_series_gs1100_16s__switch__unmanaged__16_x_gigabit_ethernet__rack_mountable_deskto
[^10]: NETGEAR, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.netgear.com/business/wired/switches/unmanaged/gs316/
[^11]: Dell, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/netgear-business-gs316v3-ethernet-switch/apd/ad358240/wifi-and-networking
[^12]: BroadbandBuyer, accessed 2026-08-29. https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/50721-cisco-smb-c1300-16p-2g/
[^13]: Network Warehouse, accessed 2026-08-29. https://networkwarehouse.co.uk/products/cisco-catalyst-1300-16-port-gigabit-poe-switch-c1300-16p-2g