Published in: Cisco

Cisco 9200 vs 9300 Series: Which One Should You Choose?

Author Sahara Writers Team

Published on: April 7, 2025

Introduction

In the ever-evolving world of network switches, choosing the right model can significantly impact your IT infrastructure’s performance and efficiency. Cisco’s Catalyst 9200 and 9300 series are two standout options for network engineers and IT managers seeking to upgrade or expand their network capabilities. Both series offer robust features suitable for different scenarios, but understanding their nuances is key to making an informed decision. This comprehensive guide will delve into a detailed comparison of the Cisco 9200 vs 9300 series, highlighting their features, differences, and their applicability in environments such as managed switches in UAE.

Overview of the Cisco Catalyst Series

The Cisco Catalyst series has long been the gold standard for enterprise networking, offering a range of switches designed to meet varying networking needs from small offices to large-scale enterprises. In particular, the Cisco 9200 and 9300 series provide organizations with enterprise-level features, scalability, and cybersecurity measures designed to handle modern networking demands

Core Differences: Cisco 9200 vs 9300

When choosing between the Cisco 9200 and 9300 series, the decision often comes down to a few key factors: scalability, port density, power, and specific features.

1. Scalability and Modularity: The 9300 series offers more scalability with its modular design, allowing IT managers to easily expand capabilities as network demands grow. This is ideal for organizations anticipating growth or requiring customization. In contrast, the 9200 series is more fixed and compact, fitting smaller operations or static network environments.
2. Performance Capabilities: The 9300 series is known for its superior performance capabilities, capable of faster data throughput and supporting more advanced features such as Cisco DNA (Digital Network Architecture) automation, which can be critical for larger, complex networks. The 9200 series, while capable, is more suited to environments where peak performance and throughput are not the primary concerns.
3. Port Numbers and Types: The Cisco 9300 supports higher port densities and offers more flexibility in terms of port types and configurations, making it a versatile choice for varied and expanding networks. The 9200 series provides an economical solution without the need for high port counts.
4. Power and PoE Options: For environments necessitating Power over Ethernet (PoE), the 9300 series has enhanced power capabilities, supporting a wider array of PoE devices, which is crucial for environments deploying IoT devices.

Cisco 9200 Feature

The Cisco 9200 series is designed with simplicity and capability in mind, offering reliable, affordable network solutions for smaller operations. Key features include:

• Enhanced Security: Comes with enterprise-grade security with built-in capabilities for encryption, ensuring that data integrity and security are maintained at all times.
• IT Simplicity: Includes Cisco DNA assurance for simplified management, making it suitable for IT teams with limited resources.
• Compact Design: Ideal for small enterprise deployments with minimal space.

Cisco 9300 Features

For more demanding environments, the Cisco 9300 series offers robust features:

• Programmability and Automation: Equipped with Cisco DNA ready, enabling automated processes for efficient network management.
• Dynamic Scalability: Supports full-stack programmability and is equipped with SFP+ and 40G uplinks for superior performance.
• Resilient and Secure: Provides advanced high-availability protocols and multi-layer security solutions, ensuring protection against sophisticated threats.

A quick summary of Difference between Cisco 9200 vs 9300

Application Considerations: Managed Switches UAE

When considering managed switches for specific regional demands such as in the UAE, understanding network environments and compliance requirements is crucial. Managed switches like Cisco’s 9200 and 9300 series comply with regional standards and provide enhanced security measures needed to meet UAE’s stringent regulations on cybersecurity and data privacy.

Stacking, Power, and Performance

One of the most critical differences between the Cisco Catalyst 9200 vs 9300 lies in their stacking and power capabilities two features that significantly affect network scalability, redundancy, and long-term performance.

Stacking Bandwidth: Speed and Scalability

Both switches support Cisco’s StackWise technology, but with notable differences:

• Cisco 9200 supports StackWise-160 or StackWise-80 depending on the model, delivering a maximum stacking bandwidth of 160 Gbps.

• Cisco 9300, in contrast, supports StackWise-480, offering up to 480 Gbps of stacking bandwidth three times the capacity of the 9200.

As one network engineer noted on Reddit: “The 9300 has more stacking bandwidth, which matters in high-throughput access layer designs.”

This makes the 9300 better suited for environments with many users, high-speed uplinks, or data-heavy applications such as video conferencing and large file transfers.

StackPower: Shared Power Across Switches

• Cisco 9200 does not support StackPower. Each switch must have its own power supply, and redundancy is limited to internal or external backup units.

• Cisco 9300 supports StackPower, which enables switches in the same stack to share power. This allows for power pooling, redundancy, and load balancing essential for critical infrastructure where uptime is a priority.

For example, in a deployment with multiple 9300 switches, StackPower can reduce the need for separate backup power supplies, lowering costs and improving rack efficiency while maintaining power redundancy.

Performance Considerations

The 9300 also outperforms the 9200 in several architectural and software areas:

• ASIC capabilities: The 9300 supports more complex routing and QoS configurations.

• Advanced features: The 9300 is fully SD-Access capable and supports Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) for enhanced security and network visibility.

• High availability: Superior hardware redundancy options and faster failover behavior in case of hardware or link failure.

In summary, if you need scalable stacking, shared power infrastructure, and enterprise-grade performance, the Cisco 9300 is the better choice. The 9200 remains a cost-effective option for smaller or less demanding access networks that do not require power stacking or high throughput.

PoE, UPOE, and Power Efficiency

Power delivery over Ethernet is a key factor in switch selection especially when supporting devices like IP phones, wireless access points, or security cameras. While both the Cisco Catalyst 9200 and 9300 series offer PoE capabilities, there are critical differences in the range of power they can deliver and the types of devices they support.

PoE and PoE+ Support

• Cisco 9200 supports PoE and PoE+, delivering up to 30W per port. This is sufficient for most access layer devices including standard IP phones, basic access points, and some surveillance cameras.

• Cisco 9300 also supports PoE and PoE+, but with added flexibility and broader support for high-power devices.

UPOE and UPOE+ Capabilities

• Cisco 9200 does not support UPOE (Universal Power over Ethernet) or UPOE+.

• Cisco 9300 supports UPOE, providing up to 60W per port, and some models even support UPOE+, which delivers up to 90W per port. This allows powering more demanding devices, such as:

  • Multi-band Wi-Fi 6/6E access points

  • Advanced surveillance systems

  • Video conferencing hardware

  • Thin client terminals or small form-factor desktop computers

This makes the 9300 a future-proof choice for businesses planning to deploy modern high-powered devices.

Power Budget and Efficiency

The 9300 series generally offers higher overall power budgets per chassis, enabling more devices to run on a single switch without external power injectors or mid-span solutions. Combined with StackPower support, it creates a more efficient and resilient power architecture.

Summary: If your network must support a growing number of power-hungry devices or you plan to implement Wi-Fi 6/6E or high-end surveillance systems, the Cisco 9300 is the clear choice. For environments with basic power requirements, the 9200 remains a solid and cost-effective solution.

Routing, TCAM, and Network Scalability

While both the Cisco Catalyst 9200 and 9300 support Layer 3 routing, the depth of their capabilities differs significantly. These differences become especially important in larger networks with complex traffic patterns, advanced segmentation, or demanding security policies.

Layer 3 Routing Features

• Cisco 9200 offers basic Layer 3 routing support including:

  • Static routing

  • RIP

  • OSPF (limited)

  • EIGRP stub

This is sufficient for small networks or branch offices with simple routing requirements.

• Cisco 9300 supports full-featured Layer 3 routing, including:

  • OSPF

  • EIGRP

  • BGP

  • Policy-based routing

  • VRFs (Virtual Routing and Forwarding)

  • LISP (Locator/ID Separation Protocol)

This makes the 9300 better suited for enterprise environments that require robust routing between VLANs, multiple network segments, or integration with core and distribution layers.

TCAM: Access Control and QoS at Scale

TCAM (Ternary Content Addressable Memory) is responsible for storing ACLs (Access Control Lists), QoS policies, and other hardware-based forwarding logic.

• Cisco 9200 has limited TCAM capacity, which can become a bottleneck in networks with many VLANs, ACL rules, or advanced QoS requirements.

• Cisco 9300 offers significantly more TCAM space, allowing it to handle:

  • Larger and more complex ACLs

  • More granular QoS configurations

  • Extensive VLAN and route maps

As noted by engineers in community discussions, the 9300’s TCAM size is roughly double that of the 9200, which directly translates into greater policy flexibility and scalability.

Network Segmentation and Virtualization

• Cisco 9200 can support a small number of virtual networks and VRFs depending on the license tier, but it is not optimized for software-defined segmentation.

• Cisco 9300 is fully SD-Access ready and integrates tightly with Cisco DNA Center, allowing for dynamic segmentation, network virtualization, and policy enforcement across the enterprise.

This enables features like identity-based access, rapid provisioning, and automated threat response in zero-trust environments.

Summary: The Catalyst 9300 provides far greater routing flexibility, TCAM resources, and virtualization support. It’s designed for networks with complex requirements and offers room to scale. The 9200, while capable, is better suited for straightforward deployments where these advanced features are not critical.

Use Case Scenarios of Cisco 9200 vs 9300

Choosing between the Cisco Catalyst 9200 and 9300 depends on your network’s size, performance requirements, and future plans. Below is a decision matrix to help guide your selection based on typical deployment scenarios.

This matrix simplifies the decision by focusing on the practical needs of your deployment. If your current or future environment includes advanced access control, high-powered devices, or multi-site policy management, the Cisco 9300 provides more flexibility and performance. If your needs are straightforward and budget-driven, the Cisco 9200 remains a strong, reliable option.

Pricing Tips: How to Save Money

Cisco networking equipment is known for its performance and reliability, but it often comes with a high upfront cost. Fortunately, there are ways to acquire Catalyst 9200 and 9300 switches at a lower price without compromising quality or support.

1. Cisco Excess Program

Cisco’s official Excess Equipment Program offers fully functional hardware that is either overstock or unused customer returns. These devices:

• Come with full Cisco support and SmartNet eligibility

• Are up to 50% cheaper than standard list price

• Go through the same testing and validation as new units

For many businesses, especially those with multiple switch purchases planned, this is an excellent way to reduce CAPEX.

2. Certified Refurbished Equipment

In addition to Cisco’s own excess stock, many authorized resellers offer Cisco-certified refurbished switches:

• Fully tested and updated to the latest software

• Covered by reseller warranties (1 year or more)

• Ideal for projects with tighter budgets or for adding redundancy

If you don’t require the latest manufacturing batch or cosmetic perfection, refurbished 9200 and 9300 units are a reliable and affordable option.

3. License Considerations

Licensing can represent a significant portion of the total cost. Keep in mind:

• Cisco 9200 often includes a DNA Essentials license by default, which is cheaper and sufficient for most small deployments.

• Cisco 9300 frequently ships with DNA Advantage, which enables SD-Access and advanced features. Be sure you’re paying only for what you need.

• You may be able to negotiate better license terms with volume purchases or through Cisco partners.

4. Buy Only What You’ll Use

The 9300 offers many advanced features, but not every organization needs them. If your deployment doesn’t require multigigabit ports, SD-Access, or advanced routing protocols, you can likely save by choosing the 9200 or a lower model of the 9300 series.

Summary: Whether through Cisco’s Excess Program, certified resellers, or smarter license selection, there are multiple ways to save on both the 9200 and 9300 series. Work with a Cisco-authorized partner to compare prices and explore refurbished or excess inventory options that align with your technical and budget needs.

What Reddit and Real Users Say about Cisco 9200 vs 9300

In addition to official specs and vendor comparisons, community feedback offers valuable insights into how these switches perform in real-world environments. Here’s a summary of key takeaways from network engineers and Cisco professionals on platforms like Reddit:

Performance and Stacking

“The 9300 has more stacking bandwidth, which matters in high-throughput access layer designs.”

Real-world users consistently highlight the Cisco 9300’s superior StackWise-480 performance as a major benefit, especially in larger campus deployments. The ability to stack at higher speeds and share power across switches makes it more robust for enterprise-scale setups.

Power Capabilities

“9200s don’t support StackPower or UPOE, which are deal-breakers for powering high-end access points and cameras.”

Professionals deploying PoE-heavy networks often prefer the 9300 for its UPOE support and StackPower functionality, both of which simplify power management and reduce failure points.

Flexibility and Licensing

“Licensing is similar on both, but the 9300 gives you room to grow. You won’t outgrow it in a few years.”

While both switches require Cisco DNA licenses, engineers suggest that the 9300 offers better long-term value because it supports more advanced features and can scale with the business.

Use Case Fit

“9200 is a solid choice for branch offices or where budgets are tight. But in large campuses, it hits limitations fast.”

Network admins often choose the 9200 for cost-sensitive or smaller deployments. But they warn that limitations in TCAM, stacking, and PoE power can become issues as networks grow.

Summary: Feedback from working professionals reinforces the idea that the Cisco 9300 is better for future-proofing, power-heavy applications, and advanced routing needs, while the Cisco 9200 is ideal for smaller, simpler networks where cost and ease of use are top priorities.

FAQs: Cisco 9200 vs 9300

To help clarify remaining questions, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the differences between the Cisco Catalyst 9200 and 9300 series switches.

Q: Does the Cisco 9200 support UPOE?
A: No. The 9200 series supports only PoE and PoE+ (up to 30W per port). If you need UPOE (up to 60W) or UPOE+ (up to 90W), you’ll need to choose a 9300 model that supports it.

Q: Can I run advanced routing protocols like BGP on the 9200?
A: The 9200 supports basic Layer 3 protocols such as static routing, RIP, and OSPF. However, full BGP support is only available on the 9300, which is better suited for complex routing scenarios.

Q: What is the difference in stacking bandwidth between the two models?
A: The 9200 supports StackWise-160 or StackWise-80 (depending on the model), with maximum stacking bandwidth up to 160 Gbps. The 9300 supports StackWise-480, delivering up to 480 Gbps—making it more suitable for high-throughput environments.

Q: Does the 9200 support StackPower?
A: No. StackPower, which allows power sharing across switches in a stack, is only supported by the 9300. This makes the 9300 more efficient in terms of power redundancy and pooling.

Q: Can I mix 9200 and 9300 in a stack?
A: No. Cisco does not support stacking across different switch families. You can only stack switches within the same series (9200 with 9200, 9300 with 9300).

Q: Is the 9300 worth the extra cost?
A: If your network needs include high performance, future scalability, advanced routing, or support for high-power devices, the 9300 offers significantly more value. If your deployment is simpler and budget-driven, the 9200 remains a reliable and efficient choice.

Conclusion:

Cisco 9200 vs 9300: Which One Should You Choose?

Both the Cisco Catalyst 9200 and 9300 are reliable, enterprise-grade switches—but they serve different purposes.

• Choose the Cisco 9200 if you’re building a network for a small or medium-sized business, branch office, or cost-sensitive environment. It offers strong Layer 2 and basic Layer 3 features, solid PoE+ support, and a lower price point. For standard access layer deployments, the 9200 is often more than enough.

• Choose the Cisco 9300 if your network demands high performance, advanced routing protocols, UPOE support, or future scalability. It’s built for large enterprises, campus networks, and environments that need more throughput, more stacking bandwidth, and greater power flexibility. The 9300 is also SD-Access ready, making it a smart investment for modern, policy-driven architectures.

If you’re unsure which model best fits your use case, we recommend speaking with a Cisco-certified partner or consultant to evaluate your current and future needs. The right decision will depend on your performance requirements, power needs, budget, and plans for network growth.