Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE

The Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE, officially known as the UniFi Lite 16 PoE (USW-Lite-16-PoE), is a compact managed Gigabit Ethernet switch designed for offices, businesses, CCTV installations, UniFi Wi-Fi networks and professional network deployments. It provides 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports, with 8 ports supporting PoE+, allowing compatible network devices to receive power and data through a single Ethernet cable.

This switch is a strong option for buyers who need more ports than a basic 5-port or 8-port switch but do not want the size or cost of a larger rackmount model. It is particularly suitable for powering compatible UniFi access points, IP cameras, VoIP phones and other PoE devices while also connecting computers, printers, network storage, NVRs and other wired equipment.

The USW-Lite-16-PoE is managed through the UniFi Network platform, giving administrators centralized control over switch ports, VLANs and supported Layer 2 networking features. Its compact wall-mountable design and fanless cooling system also make it suitable for quiet offices, shops, homes and small communications rooms.

Key Features of Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE

• 16 × 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet ports

• 8 × PoE+ capable ports

• 45W total available PoE power budget

• Up to PoE+ output on supported ports

• 32 Gbps switching capacity

• 16 Gbps total non-blocking throughput

• 24 Mpps forwarding rate

• Managed Layer 2 switching

• UniFi Network management

• Supports up to 1,000 VLANs

• 8,000-entry MAC address table

• LACP port aggregation

• STP and RSTP support

• IGMP snooping

• Advanced IGMP configuration

• 802.1X control

• DHCP snooping and guarding

• Port isolation

• Network isolation

• Port mirroring

• Jumbo frame support

• Voice VLAN support

• Loop protection

• Compact desktop and wall-mountable design

• Fanless cooling

• Internal 60W AC/DC power supply

• Universal 100–240V AC input

• Approximately 192 × 185 × 44 mm

• Approximately 1.2 kg

16 Gigabit Ethernet Ports

The USW-Lite-16-PoE provides sixteen RJ45 Ethernet ports supporting 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps and 1 Gigabit Ethernet connections.

This makes it suitable for connecting a wide range of wired devices, including:

• Desktop computers

• Network printers

• NAS storage systems

• NVRs

• IP cameras

• VoIP phones

• UniFi access points

• Network controllers

• Smart TVs

• Additional network switches

A 16-port switch is particularly useful for small and medium-sized businesses that have outgrown an 8-port switch but do not yet need a 24-port or 48-port enterprise model.

All sixteen RJ45 ports support Gigabit Ethernet, making the switch suitable for modern office and business networks where fast local network communication is important.

8 PoE+ Ports

Eight of the sixteen Ethernet ports support PoE+, allowing compatible devices to receive both network connectivity and electrical power through the same Ethernet cable.

This can simplify installations because separate power adapters and nearby electrical sockets may not be required for every powered device.

Typical PoE equipment that may be suitable includes:

• UniFi wireless access points

• Compatible IP surveillance cameras

• VoIP phones

• Network intercoms

• Other standards-compatible PoE equipment

The switch has a 45W total PoE budget.

This overall power budget is one of the most important specifications to consider when planning an installation. The combined maximum power requirements of all connected PoE devices should remain within this 45W limit.

45W Total PoE Budget

The USW Lite 16 PoE provides up to 45 watts of total available PoE power across its eight powered ports.

Ubiquiti's current technical specification lists a maximum PoE+ output of up to 32W per supported port, while older official documentation listed 30W. For practical deployment planning, buyers should focus on the more important limitation: the switch has only 45W total PoE availability across all powered devices.

This means that eight high-power devices cannot each draw the maximum per-port output simultaneously.

Before buying the switch, calculate the power requirements of all devices you plan to connect.

For example, an installation using several low-power access points or fixed IP cameras may fit comfortably within the available PoE budget. A network using multiple high-power access points, PTZ cameras or other demanding equipment may require a switch with a larger overall PoE capacity.

Switching Performance

The Ubiquiti USW Lite 16 PoE is built for Gigabit access-layer networking and provides:

• 32 Gbps switching capacity

• 16 Gbps total non-blocking throughput

• 24 million packets per second forwarding rate

These specifications are suitable for typical office networks, surveillance installations, UniFi Wi-Fi deployments and business environments where multiple Gigabit-connected devices need to communicate reliably.

The switch is designed around standard Gigabit Ethernet.

It does not provide:

• 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet

• 5 Gigabit Ethernet

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet

• SFP fibre ports

• SFP+ fibre ports

If your network requires direct fibre uplinks or multi-gigabit Ethernet connections, another UniFi switch would be more appropriate.

UniFi Network Management

One of the main advantages of the Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE is its integration with the UniFi Network management platform.

Instead of configuring the switch as an isolated device, administrators can manage it alongside compatible UniFi gateways, access points and other UniFi switches.

The centralized platform can be used to manage areas such as:

• Switch ports

• VLAN assignments

• Connected devices

• Port profiles

• Network topology

• Traffic controls

• Supported security settings

• PoE configuration

Ubiquiti currently specifies UniFi Network version 7.2.94 or later for the switch.

This integrated management approach is especially useful for businesses already running a UniFi network because multiple network devices can be viewed and managed through the same interface.

VLAN Support

The USW-Lite-16-PoE supports up to 1,000 VLANs, making it suitable for networks that require logical separation of different types of traffic.

A business could, for example, separate:

• Employee devices

• Guest Wi-Fi

• CCTV cameras

• VoIP phones

• Management devices

• IoT equipment

• Servers

VLAN segmentation can help improve network organization and can form part of a broader security strategy.

The switch also supports features such as network isolation and port isolation where additional separation between connected devices is required.

Layer 2 Management Features

The USW Lite 16 PoE provides considerably more control than an unmanaged switch.

Verified Layer 2 features include:

• LACP port aggregation

• STP

• RSTP

• IGMP snooping

• Advanced IGMP configuration

• 802.1X control

• DHCP snooping

• DHCP guarding

• Port isolation

• Network isolation

• Port mirroring

• Flow control

• Storm control

• Multicast rate limiting

• Broadcast rate limiting

• MAC address blocking

• MAC-based ACLs

• IP-based ACLs

• Jumbo frames

• Voice VLAN

• LLDP-MED

• Loop protection

• Virtual network override

These functions make the switch suitable for professional network environments where administrators need greater visibility and control over connected equipment.

LACP Port Aggregation

The switch supports LACP port aggregation.

This can allow multiple physical Ethernet connections to be grouped into a logical link where compatible equipment and network design support the feature.

LACP can be useful for applications such as connecting compatible servers, network storage systems or other switches where redundancy or aggregated link capacity is required.

The actual benefit depends on the connected equipment and traffic pattern, so it should not be interpreted as turning an individual 1GbE connection into a faster single-device port.

STP and RSTP

Support for Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) can help prevent switching loops in networks containing redundant connections.

Network loops can cause serious problems, including excessive broadcast traffic and service disruption.

STP and RSTP are therefore useful features in managed business networks, especially where several switches are interconnected.

IGMP Snooping

The USW Lite 16 PoE supports IGMP snooping and advanced IGMP configuration.

IGMP snooping can help a managed switch control multicast traffic more efficiently instead of automatically sending multicast traffic to every port.

This can be useful in networks involving applications such as multicast video, IPTV and other services that rely on multicast communication.

DHCP Snooping and Guarding

The switch supports DHCP snooping and DHCP guarding.

These features can help administrators manage DHCP behaviour within a network and reduce problems caused by unauthorized or incorrectly configured DHCP servers.

In a properly designed network, this can provide another level of control over how connected devices receive their network configuration.

Port Isolation

Port isolation can be useful where devices connected to the same switch should not communicate directly with each other.

This may be helpful for:

• Guest networks

• CCTV installations

• Shared accommodation

• Hospitality environments

• Public-access networks

• IoT deployments

The exact implementation should be planned alongside VLANs, firewall rules and gateway configuration.

For more complex UniFi deployment, VLAN design, structured cabling and professional business networking, buyers can use a specialist such as OrbitLink Solutions while sourcing the switch and related hardware through Tawa.

Fanless Cooling

The USW-Lite-16-PoE uses fanless cooling.

This makes it particularly suitable for environments where noise should be kept low, including:

• Offices

• Reception areas

• Meeting rooms

• Home offices

• Residential installations

• Retail shops

A fanless design eliminates the constant fan noise associated with some larger PoE switches.

Proper airflow around the device should still be maintained, particularly when the switch is powering multiple PoE devices.

Compact Desktop and Wall-Mountable Design

The Lite 16 PoE is considerably smaller than a traditional full-width rackmount switch.

Its dimensions are approximately:

192 × 185 × 44 mm

The unit weighs approximately:

1.2 kg

Ubiquiti identifies the switch as suitable for compact desktop or wall-mounted installation.

This makes it a practical option for small offices, shops, homes and installations where a dedicated network rack is unavailable or unnecessary.

The enclosure is made from polycarbonate.

Internal Power Supply

The USW Lite 16 PoE uses an internal 60W AC/DC power supply.

It supports a universal mains input of:

100–240V AC, 50/60Hz

The switch therefore does not rely on a large external desktop power brick.

Ubiquiti lists maximum power consumption at approximately:

• 15W excluding PoE output

• 60W including PoE output

Actual consumption will depend on the load placed on the switch and the PoE devices connected to it.

Using the USW Lite 16 PoE with UniFi Access Points

One of the most common uses for this switch is powering compatible UniFi wireless access points.

A PoE access point can receive network connectivity and power through one Ethernet cable, making ceiling and wall installations cleaner and easier.

However, there is no fixed number of UniFi access points that should automatically be assumed to work with the switch.

Different access-point models consume different amounts of power.

Before installation, calculate the maximum power requirements of the selected access points and ensure that their combined demand remains within the switch's 45W PoE budget.

This is particularly important when using newer or more powerful UniFi access points that may require significantly more power than older models.

Using the USW Lite 16 PoE for CCTV

The switch can also be used in IP surveillance deployments.

Compatible PoE cameras can connect directly to the powered Ethernet ports, while other ports can be used for equipment such as:

• Network video recorders

• Routers

• Workstations

• Additional switches

• Servers

For CCTV installations, always verify the PoE requirements of each camera.

A basic fixed camera may consume relatively little power, while equipment such as PTZ cameras, cameras with powerful infrared illumination or devices with heaters may require considerably more.

The switch's 45W overall PoE budget should therefore be checked before designing the surveillance system.

No SFP or Fibre Ports

An important detail is that the USW-Lite-16-PoE does not have SFP or SFP+ ports.

All sixteen data interfaces are RJ45 copper Ethernet ports.

This matters because the similarly named USW-16-POE is a different Ubiquiti switch.

The Standard USW-16-POE includes:

• 16 Gigabit RJ45 ports

• 2 × 1G SFP ports

• Rackmount chassis

• Different PoE and switching specifications

The USW-Lite-16-PoE should therefore not be confused with the USW-16-POE when ordering.

If direct fibre connectivity is required, choose another switch that provides the appropriate SFP or SFP+ interfaces.

Best Uses for Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE

The USW Lite 16 PoE is well suited to:

• Small offices

• Medium-sized offices

• Retail shops

• Wi-Fi installations

• UniFi deployments

• IP CCTV systems

• Schools

• Training centres

• Restaurants

• Cafés

• Small hotels

• Guest houses

• Residential networks

• Home offices

• VoIP networks

• Small business server environments

• Network expansion projects

It works particularly well where a business needs both standard Gigabit ports and a moderate amount of PoE power in a compact managed switch.

Who Should Buy Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE?

You should consider the USW-Lite-16-PoE if you need:

• 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports

• PoE for several compatible devices

• Centralized UniFi management

• VLAN capability

• Managed Layer 2 networking

• Silent fanless operation

• A compact desktop or wall-mounted switch

• A switch for UniFi access points

• A switch for a small CCTV installation

It is especially suitable for businesses already using UniFi equipment.

Because the switch can be managed within the same UniFi environment as compatible access points and gateways, it can simplify administration compared with combining many unrelated network products.

When You May Need a Different Switch

The USW Lite 16 PoE will not be the best choice for every network.

Consider another model if you need:

• More than 16 Ethernet ports

• More than eight PoE ports

• A significantly larger PoE budget

• SFP fibre uplinks

• SFP+ 10Gbps uplinks

• 2.5GbE ports

• Higher-power PoE deployments

• Full-size rackmount installation

This is particularly important for large Wi-Fi or surveillance systems.

A switch can have enough physical PoE ports but still have insufficient total PoE wattage for all the connected devices.

What to Check Before Buying

Before ordering the Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE, confirm the requirements of your installation.

Check:

• The model number is USW-Lite-16-PoE

• 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports are sufficient

• Eight PoE+ ports are sufficient

• Your PoE devices are compatible

• Your total PoE requirement stays within 45W

• You do not require SFP fibre interfaces

• You do not require 2.5GbE or 10GbE ports

• Your UniFi management environment is compatible

• Your planned installation location has adequate ventilation

Also consider future network expansion.

If your installation is already close to using all sixteen ports, buying a larger switch may be more economical than adding another switch shortly afterwards.

Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE Price in Kenya

The Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE price in Kenya can change depending on stock availability, exchange rates, international shipment costs and supplier pricing.

For this reason, a fixed Kenya price should not be assumed unless current stock has been confirmed.

Buyers can check Tawa for the latest USW-Lite-16-PoE price in Kenya, availability and related networking accessories.

When comparing offers, verify the exact model number.

The USW-Lite-16-PoE and USW-16-POE are different products and should not be priced or specified as though they are the same switch.

Buy Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE in Kenya

The Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE is a practical choice for buyers looking for a compact managed switch with Gigabit Ethernet, UniFi Network management and built-in PoE capability.

Its 16 Gigabit RJ45 ports, eight PoE+ ports, 45W total PoE budget, Layer 2 management features and silent fanless design make it suitable for small offices, UniFi access-point deployments, CCTV networks, retail businesses and residential installations. It is particularly attractive where full rackmount hardware, fibre uplinks and high PoE capacity are unnecessary.

Before ordering, confirm that sixteen ports are sufficient, calculate the combined power requirements of your PoE devices and make sure you specifically require the USW-Lite-16-PoE, rather than the larger USW-16-POE rackmount model.

To buy Ubiquiti 16 Port Switch USW Lite 16 PoE in Kenya, visit Tawa for current pricing, stock availability and compatible networking accessories.