CONCLUSION

   Since this is the first network switch review we’ve done in almost 3 years I feel we need to point out 3 things. First we didn’t perform 10GbE tests with the Netgear XJ712T in this review since on one hand we wanted to see how it would do with 1GbE while on the other we want to have another 10GbE switch in our charts for a more “proper” comparison (soon). Second we also benchmarked the D6300 Modem/Router again by Netgear so people can check and see how modem/routers compare with switches. In the long run we may “merge” these two categories but for that to happen we need to wait until we upgrade our main test rig (Core i7 6930 where is thy?). Finally the reason we equipped our two desktop rigs with Kingston HyperX Predator 480GB PCIe SSDs is because we wanted to be 100% certain that they can handle 10GbE tests with ease when we finally start such tests for good (although obviously for future 40GbE these will not be enough). With these out of the way the LGS116P produced solid numbers and although it even managed to surpass the many times more expensive XJ712T in some tests it’s just a tad more power “hungry” than the 10/100Mbps TPE-S44 by TRENDnet. The lack to control aspects of the switch via a web interface (like the LGS308P or the XJ712T) is something that may turn away some professionals and enthusiasts but for regular use we all feel that the LGS116P delivers.

   Whenever we publish a review about a Linksys product we always find that the pricing on their websites is far from what distributors and retailers ask. The same thing happened today but although the USD195.99 listed on their USA page is a bit more than what we’d like currently it’s available for USD164.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 177Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) a price tag which is quite good considering that slightly less costly solutions by other manufacturers don’t offer PoE+ with a maximum output of 80W. In the end many people will choose to go a different route and get either a smart or a managed switch to have more “control” over the device itself but since for regular use the LGS116P with its 16 Gigabit autosensing ports, PoE+ with a maximum power output of up to 80W and relatively low power consumption should be more than enough for most cases it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Quality
- 16 Autosensing Gigabit Ports (Speed/QoS/Sleep)
- 8 PoE+ Ports
- 80W Maximum Power Output (For PoE+)
- Power Consumption
- Lifetime Warranty
- Size
 

CONS

- No Control Interface / Unmanaged (For Some)