Ubiquiti UniFi USW-Pro-8-PoE: Small But Mighty Switch for Kenya in 2025
Things are moving fast in Kenya’s tech space. It’s 2025, and places in Nairobi where people share office space, plus those cool hotels down in Mombasa, are pushing for internet to be everywhere. We’re talking about pretty much everyone being online (around 90%), and all sorts of gadgets using Power over Ethernet (PoE) are popping up (growing by about 30% according to the Kenya ICT Board).
That means you need networks that are small, but still pack a serious punch. The Ubiquiti UniFi USW-Pro-8-PoE, which you can grab at Phonex Technologies for about KES 45,000, fits that bill. It’s a little switch with 8 ports that can do some fancy Layer 3 stuff. It also has 120W of power for PoE and two fast 10G SFP+ ports to hook up to your main network.
Think of it as the go-to small business switch in Ubiquiti’s UniFi Pro lineup. The USW-Pro-8-PoE’s got six regular Gigabit Ethernet ports with PoE+, plus two Gigabit Ethernet ports with the extra-strong PoE++ standard. And those two 10G SFP+ ports? Perfect for fast connections. That makes it great for powering things like the newest WiFi 7 access points, security cameras, and desk phones in offices or resorts.
People in Kenya are already looking for this thing. Searches for Ubiquiti USW-Pro-8-PoE Kenya and 8-port PoE++ switch price Nairobi are way up compared to last year (like 50% more, according to Google Trends). So, let’s talk about what makes it tick, how it fits into the UniFi family, and why it might be the perfect little PoE switch for small and medium Kenyan businesses.
What the USW-Pro-8-PoE Brings to the Table
This switch is fully managed, meaning you can tweak a bunch of settings. It’s Layer 3, which opens up some advanced network options. And it handles PoE like a champ, with speedy connections to boot. Here’s what you need to know, straight from Ubiquiti:
- Type: Layer 3 managed, so you have control. It’s small enough to sit on a desk or go in a rack, and it doesn’t have a noisy fan.
- Ports: 6 of those Gigabit Ethernet ports support PoE+ (that’s 802.3at, giving up to 30W each), and 2 beefier Gigabit Ethernet ports support PoE++ (802.3bt, up to 60W each). Plus, 2 of those super-fast 10G SFP+ ports to connect to the rest of your network.
- PoE Power: It can dish out a total of 120W across all those PoE ports, and it figures out how to split that power up nicely.
- Speed: It can handle 44 Gbps without getting bogged down. There’s also a little 1.3 touchscreen that shows you what’s going on in real-time.
- Power Stuff: Plugs into a regular wall outlet (100-240V) and uses at most 140W. You can also get a backup power supply (the USP-RPS) if you want to be extra safe.
- Size: It’s compact (220 x 190 x 44 mm), made of metal, and doesn’t need a fan, so it’s silent.
- Extra Goodies: It hooks into Ubiquiti’s UniFi Network Controller software, does Layer 3 routing (static and OSPF), supports VLANs, Quality of Service (QoS), can isolate ports, and you can even manage it from your phone.
How It Fits In
The USW-Pro-8-PoE is a leader when it comes to compact Layer 3 PoE in Ubiquiti’s Pro lineup. Think of it as filling the space between the basic USW-Lite-8-PoE (which only does Layer 2 and 60W) and the bigger USW-Pro-24-PoE (which has 400W of power). Those two PoE++ ports giving 60W each are great for power-hungry gadgets like the U7 Pro access point or PTZ security cameras. The 10G SFP+ ports mean you can have speedy connections to your main switches.
Compared to the USW-Flex (which is made for the outdoors and only does 46W), this one gives you three times the PoE power for indoor stuff. And compared to the USW-Pro-24-PoE, you get fewer ports, but it’s smaller and silent, which is cool if you’re a Kenyan small business that doesn’t have a ton of space.
Good: It’s got 120W of PoE power, fast 10G connections, and doesn’t need a fan. Quiet and powerful!
Not so good: Only 8 ports might not be enough for everyone (check out the USW-Pro-24-PoE if you need more). And you have to be a little careful about how you split up that 120W of power.
What Can You Do With It?
That 120W of PoE and Layer 3 smarts means you can run way more powered devices than you could with a basic 8-port switch (like 40% more!). That’s great for the growing number of smart offices and hotels in Kenya. Here are some ideas:
Small Offices: In places like Westlands in Nairobi, you can power six or more WiFi access points, desk phones, and a PTZ camera, all with PoE. Then, use the 10G SFP+ port to link it all to your main switch. One startup in Rongai said they cut their cabling in half by using those PoE++ ports!
Hotels and Cafes: Resorts in Mombasa and Diani can use it for WiFi in the lobby, digital signs, and security cameras. And since it’s silent, it won’t bother the guests.
Shops: Stores in Nakuru can run cash registers, security cameras, and guest WiFi off of it, using VLANs to keep everything secure.
Tech Spaces: Innovators in Konza City can use it to try out the latest WiFi 7 access points, with fast 10G connections to servers.
Good: Small, quiet, and 120W of PoE with Layer 3 in one box. Perfect for small businesses.
Not so good: That 120W limit means you can’t run too many high-power devices at once (get the USW-Pro-24-PoE if you need more juice). There are other options, like the Netgear GS110MX (around KES 38,000), but they don’t have PoE++ or work with Ubiquiti’s software.
How It Stacks Up
Let’s see how the USW-Pro-8-PoE compares to some other Ubiquiti switches:
| Feature | USW-Pro-8-PoE | USW-Lite-8-PoE | USW-Pro-24-PoE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ports | (6) PoE+, (2) PoE++, (2) 10G SFP+ | 8 x PoE+ | 16 PoE+, 8 PoE++, 2 SFP+ |
| PoE Budget | 120W | 60W | 400W |
| Layer | Layer 3 | Layer 2 | Layer 3 |
| Switching Capacity | 44 Gbps | 16 Gbps | 88 Gbps |
| Cooling | Fanless | Fanless | Active |
| Price (KES) | 45,000 | 25,000 | 85,000 |
| Best For | Compact PoE++ SMB | Entry PoE | Mid-scale PoE |
The Verdict: Go for the USW-Pro-8-PoE if you need Layer 3, PoE++, and fast 10G connections in a small space. The USW-Lite-8-PoE is for the basics, while the USW-Pro-24-PoE is for bigger setups. There are non-UniFi options like the TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP (around KES 40,000), but they don’t have those fast 10G SFP+ ports or work with the UniFi app.
Getting It Up and Running
The USW-Pro-8-PoE is small and doesn’t need a fan, so setup is easy:
1. Gear Up: Grab some Cat6 cables and 10G SFP+ modules.
2. Set It Up: Put it on a desk or mount it on the wall.
3. Plug It In: Connect the power. Add that backup power thing if you want.
4. Configure: Use the UniFi app to get it online. Turn on Layer 3, VLANs, and PoE auto-sensing.
5. Local Tips: If you’re in Mombasa where it’s humid, lift it up a bit for airflow. In Nairobi, use a UPS to protect against power outages. Keep an eye on things using that little touchscreen!
Why Buy From Phonex?
Phonex gets you the USW-Pro-8-PoE in Kenya with:
- Price: KES 45,000 (cheaper than other places).
- Shipping: Free in Nairobi, fast to Mombasa and Kisumu.
- Warranty: One year, can extend it.
- Help: Around the clock. Dial +254 700 000 000.
- Deals: Get the USW-Pro-8-PoE and a U7 Pro access point together for KES 65,000.
You can even see it in action at their Nairobi store.
The Bottom Line
The Ubiquiti UniFi USW-Pro-8-PoE is a small but mighty switch for Kenyan businesses that need PoE power and fast connections. Get yours now at Phonex Technologies for KES 45,000 with free shipping in Nairobi. Power up your network while saving space! Call +254 700 000 000.
Quick Questions
1. How much does it cost? KES 45,000.
2. Good for offices? Yep, that 120W PoE is great for access points and cameras.
3. Does it do Layer 3? It sure does, with those fast 10G SFP+ ports.
4. Can Phonex install it? Yes, for KES 5,000 in Nairobi.
5. What else is out there? The USW-Pro-24-PoE for bigger setups, or the TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP if you don’t need UniFi.










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