Lowest power draw (0.8 W max) and longest reach, but it needs fiber and a module at each end.
RJ45 10GBASE-T, 30 m over Cat6a, compatibility list published by TP-Link.
RJ45 10GBASE-T designed for MikroTik gear; runs hot like any 10G RJ45 module (MikroTik states up to 90 °C).
👍 What we like
- ✓All three modules reach 10 Gbps in an SFP+ port
- ✓Ubiquiti optical module: 0.8 W max, 300 m over OM3 and 400 m over OM4
- ✓RJ45 modules reuse copper cabling, with 30 m at 10 Gbps and 100 m over Cat5e at 1 to 5 Gbps
- ✓SFP+ is hot-pluggable: you can swap modules without replacing the equipment
👎 What to watch
- ✕The optical module requires multimode fiber (OM3 or OM4, duplex LC) and a second module at the other end
- ✕RJ45 modules draw about three times more power and run hot: MikroTik states up to 90 °C for the S+RJ10
- ✕Compatibility must be checked against the host's SFP+ cage: some devices only accept modules listed by their manufacturer
🏆 Our picks
Affiliate links · same price for youMikroTik S+RJ10
Amazon · price and availability on the listing
See all our recommended gear in the shop.
📑 Contents ▾
To move a NAS or server to 10 Gbps inside a network rack, you plug a module into the switch’s SFP+ port and, depending on the setup, into the network card on the other side. Every transceiver transmits (TX) and receives (RX); at 10 Gbps, these are SFP+ modules. The real question is elsewhere: optical fiber or RJ45 cable. This comparison puts one Ubiquiti optical module against two copper modules from TP-Link and MikroTik.
Why this choice matters
A rack is furniture: it has no network compatibility of its own. What matters are the SFP+ ports on the equipment it holds (switch, server network card, NAS) and the cable between them. A standard SFP port is designed for 1 Gbps; you need an SFP+ port to reach 10 Gbps.
The module dictates the cable. A multimode optical module such as the Ubiquiti UF-MM-10G connects to OM3 or OM4 fiber with duplex LC connectors, with a second optical module at the other end. An RJ45 10GBASE-T module such as the TP-Link TL-SM5310-T or the MikroTik S+RJ10 takes a twisted-pair Ethernet cable, but only up to 30 m at 10 Gbps. Buying one instead of the other means buying a product you cannot use with your setup.
SFP+ is modular: the same port can take a fiber or a copper module, provided the module is on the equipment’s compatibility list and, for the more power-hungry RJ45 modules, that the port can power and cool them.
Buying criteria
Link type: multimode fiber or copper RJ45. This comes first, because it depends on the cabling you have or can run.
Distance: at 10 Gbps, the Ubiquiti optical module reaches 300 m over OM3 and 400 m over OM4. The RJ45 modules stop at 30 m (Cat6a or better for TP-Link, Cat6/7 for MikroTik).
Power draw and heat: 0.8 W max for the optical module, 2.442 W max for the TP-Link, 2.4 to 2.7 W for the MikroTik. RJ45 modules run noticeably hotter, which matters in a closed rack or on a fanless switch.
Compatibility: the module must be accepted by the host’s SFP+ cage. TP-Link publishes a compatibility list; MikroTik states that all its current devices with an SFP+ cage support the S+RJ10.
Price: an optical link needs two modules (one at each end) plus the fiber; an RJ45 link needs a single module if the device on the other side already has an RJ45 10GBASE-T port. Prices vary between stores: compare the cost of the complete link, not of a single module.
The overall rating reflects these criteria: power draw, reach, heat and installation constraints.
Presentation of the 3 recommended products
1. Ubiquiti UF-MM-10G
A 10 Gbps multimode SFP+ optical module: 850 nm transmitter, duplex LC connector. Ubiquiti now sells it as the UACC-OM-MM-10G-D, including in pairs, which makes sense since you need one module at each end of the fiber. It reaches 300 m over OM3 and 400 m over OM4, draws 0.8 W max and operates from 0 to 70 °C. It is the most frugal of the three, but it does not plug into an Ethernet cable: you need a multimode fiber patch cord and an SFP+ port on both sides (switch and the NAS or server network card). Check that your switch or network card accepts Ubiquiti modules.
2. TP-Link TL-SM5310-T
A copper SFP+ module that turns an SFP+ port into an RJ45 10GBASE-T port. It runs at 10, 5, 2.5 and 1 Gbps, as well as 100 Mbps. TP-Link rates it for 30 m at 10 Gbps over Cat6a or better, and 100 m over Cat5e at 1, 2.5 and 5 Gbps. Maximum power draw: 2.442 W at 10 Gbps; operating range 0 to 70 °C; DDM monitoring (temperature and voltage). TP-Link notes that manual speed settings may be needed at 1 Gbps, and that flow control must be enabled when the device on the other side tops out at 2.5 or 5 Gbps. Check its compatibility list before buying.
3. MikroTik S+RJ10
Another SFP+ to RJ45 module, designed for MikroTik equipment: according to the manufacturer, all its current devices with an SFP+ cage support it. It handles six speeds, from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps, and reaches 30 m at 10 Gbps over Cat6/7. Its datasheet lists 2.4 W max, its documentation 2.7 W on average over a 30 m link. MikroTik warns that the module can heat up to 90 °C, recommends leaving an empty port or an optical module between two S+RJ10, and extra cooling on passively cooled devices. Its maximum speed is the same as the other two: it is mainly the logical choice on a MikroTik network.
Comparison table
| Product | Type | Max Speed (Gbps) | Max Distance at 10 Gbps | Power Consumption (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubiquiti UF-MM-10G | Multimode optical, duplex LC | 10 | 300 m (OM3), 400 m (OM4) | 0.8 |
| TP-Link TL-SM5310-T | Copper RJ45 10GBASE-T | 10 | 30 m (Cat6a or better) | 2.442 |
| MikroTik S+RJ10 | Copper RJ45 10GBASE-T | 10 | 30 m (Cat6/7) | 2.4 max (datasheet); 2.7 average (documentation) |
Manufacturer figures (Ubiquiti, TP-Link and MikroTik datasheets). For the MikroTik, the datasheet lists 2.4 W max and the documentation 2.7 W on average over a 30 m link.
Use cases
Start from your cabling:
- You can run fiber, or the link is longer than 30 m: the Ubiquiti UF-MM-10G, with one module at each end and OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber. It is also the most frugal option.
- Your NAS or server has an RJ45 10GBASE-T port, your switch only has SFP+ ports, and the cable is under 30 m: the TP-Link TL-SM5310-T, after checking the compatibility list.
- Your switch is a MikroTik: the MikroTik S+RJ10, keeping the recommended spacing between two modules.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Mixing up fiber and copper: an optical module does not plug into an Ethernet cable, and an RJ45 module does not take fiber.
- Forgetting the other end: an optical link needs two compatible modules and the right fiber type (multimode for an 850 nm module).
- Confusing SFP and SFP+: a standard SFP port is designed for 1 Gbps; a 10 Gbps module needs an SFP+ port.
- Stacking RJ45 modules side by side: they run hot. MikroTik advises leaving an empty port or an optical module between two S+RJ10.
- Ignoring compatibility: the module must be accepted by the host’s SFP+ cage. Check the manufacturer’s list before buying.
Verdict
If you can run fiber, the Ubiquiti UF-MM-10G is the best choice: the lowest power draw and the longest reach. If you have to stay on RJ45 cable under 30 m, the TP-Link TL-SM5310-T does the job, provided it appears on your equipment’s compatibility list. The MikroTik S+RJ10 is best kept for MikroTik networks, with an eye on temperature, as with any 10G RJ45 module. For more hardware recommendations and advice, visit /materiel-recommande/
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Host this yourself
SFP+ modules are physical hardware: no VPS can replace them. If what you actually want is to run the services your NAS provides without managing any hardware, a managed VPS is one option. See PlanetHoster plans