YuanLey 18-Port PoE Switch — Reliable, No-Fuss Power for Home CCTV

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)

Why I Needed It

The Reolink RLN36 NVR doesn't have built-in PoE — cameras connect over the network rather than directly to the recorder. That means you need a separate PoE switch to power and connect your cameras.

I picked the YuanLey 18-port because it gives 16 PoE ports (802.3af/at, PoE+), 2 Gigabit uplink ports, rack-mount form factor, and a 250W PoE budget — plenty for a home camera setup. For the price it's hard to argue with.

The Setup

Currently running 5 Reolink PoE cameras through this switch, all feeding into the RLN36. Every camera has been solid since day one — no drops, no power resets, no link issues. The green activity lights are on and steady.

It's unmanaged, which means no VLAN configuration, no per-port controls, no web interface. For a dedicated CCTV switch that's completely fine — you plug in cameras, they get power and network, done. If you need to isolate cameras on their own VLAN for security reasons you'd want a managed switch, but for straightforward home use this is ideal.

Build and Installation

Rack-mountable with ears included. Metal chassis, reasonably solid. The front panel has clear port labelling and per-port link LEDs so you can see at a glance which cameras are connected and active.

Installation is plug-and-play — connect uplink to your main network switch or router, plug in cameras, everything comes up automatically. No configuration required.

I'll be honest about the cable management in my rack — it's a work in progress. The switch itself is fine; the chaos of cables is entirely on me.

PoE Budget

The switch has a 250W total PoE budget across 16 ports. Reolink PoE cameras typically draw 7–12W each, so you can comfortably run 16+ cameras before hitting the budget limit. I'm currently using a fraction of that with 5 cameras.

One thing to check: the switch is PoE+ (802.3at, up to 30W per port), so it'll handle higher-draw devices like PTZ cameras or access points alongside standard cameras.

Real-World Performance

Several months in, running 24/7, no issues. It just works. For an unmanaged switch that's really all you need to say — it powers the cameras, handles the traffic, and sits quietly in the rack doing its job.

Fan noise is low. The unit runs warm but not hot. No dropped connections, no unexpected reboots.

What to Know Before Buying

  • Unmanaged — no VLAN, no web interface, no per-port control
  • 250W PoE budget — more than enough for most home setups
  • Gigabit only — uplinks are 1G, not 2.5G or 10G
  • Rack ears included — fits standard 19-inch rack
  • No PoE on uplink ports — only the 16 LAN ports are PoE

Verdict

Exactly what a dedicated home CCTV PoE switch should be — reliable, rack-mountable, and affordable. If you're pairing it with a Reolink NVR or any other camera system that needs PoE power, this does the job without drama.

The lack of management features is a non-issue for camera-only use. If you need more control, step up to a managed switch — but for most home setups, this is the right buy.

Full CCTV Stack

Related guides and comparisons:

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This switch was bought with my own money.

Bottom Line

After testing YuanLey 18-Port PoE Switch and related security hardware for UK homes in 2026, here are the verdict picks that deliver the best balance of performance, reliability, and value.

Verdict Picks

Best Overall for Most Home CCTV Systems: YuanLey 18-Port Gigabit PoE Switch — 250W budget, 16 PoE+ ports, rack-mountable, proven with Reolink cameras.

Best for High-Speed Home Labs: GigaPlus 2.5G PoE Switch — 2.5G ports + 10G SFP+ uplinks for future-proofing.

Best Value Brand-Name Option: TP-Link TL-SG1218P 16-Port PoE Switch — Matches YuanLey specs with TP-Link reliability.

Best for Hikvision & Compatible Systems: Hikvision DS-3E0518P-E 16-Port PoE Switch — Native compatibility, solid build for CCTV.

All links are Amazon UK affiliate links (filce-21). Prices and availability fluctuate — check current deals.

Prices correct at time of writing. Affiliate links used where indicated — clicking them costs you nothing extra and helps support the site.