C9300-48P-A vs C9300-48U-A vs C9300-48UXM-A: PoE+, UPOE, and mGig Buying Guide
C9300-48P-A, C9300-48U-A, and C9300-48UXM-A are three 48-port Cisco Catalyst 9300 access switches with Network Advantage licensing, modular uplinks, and StackWise-480 stacking. The decision between them comes down to one question: do your endpoints need standard PoE+, higher-power UPOE on 1G access, or multigigabit UPOE for high-bandwidth wireless and mGig endpoints?
- C9300-48P-A — 48 × 1G PoE+ access (30W per port), 437W PoE budget, 715W AC PSU. Best for standard 1G PoE+ access.
- C9300-48U-A — 48 × 1G UPOE access (60W per port), 822W PoE budget, 1100W AC PSU. Best for higher-power 1G endpoints.
- C9300-48UXM-A — 36 × 2.5G UPOE + 12 × 10G/mGig UPOE, 490W PoE budget, 1100W AC PSU. Best for Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 AP refresh and mGig access.
A common mistake is treating C9300-48UXM-A as the strict upgrade of C9300-48U-A. It is not. C9300-48UXM-A delivers higher port speed but a lower default PoE budget. The right model depends on whether your project is bandwidth-driven or power-driven.
What Is the Difference Between C9300-48P-A, C9300-48U-A, and C9300-48UXM-A?
The three models share the same Catalyst 9300 platform, license tier (Network Advantage), modular uplink design, and StackWise-480 / StackPower support. The differences are in port speed, PoE class, ASIC count, default PoE budget, and switching capacity.
| Item | C9300-48P-A | C9300-48U-A | C9300-48UXM-A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series | Cisco Catalyst 9300 | Cisco Catalyst 9300 | Cisco Catalyst 9300 |
| Downlink Ports | 48 × 1G PoE+ | 48 × 1G UPOE | 36 × 2.5G UPOE + 12 × mGig (10G/5G/2.5G/1G/100M) UPOE |
| Per-Port Power | 30W (PoE+ / IEEE 802.3at) | 60W (Cisco UPOE) | 60W (Cisco UPOE) |
| Default PSU | PWR-C1-715WAC-P | PWR-C1-1100WAC-P | PWR-C1-1100WAC-P |
| Default PoE Budget | 437W | 822W | 490W |
| Max PoE Budget (with 2nd PSU) | 857W | 1570W | 1590W |
| ASIC | 1 × UADP 2.0 | 1 × UADP 2.0 | 2 × UADP 2.0 |
| Switching Capacity | 256 Gbps | 256 Gbps | 580 Gbps |
| Switching Capacity with Stacking | 736 Gbps | 736 Gbps | 1060 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 190.47 Mpps | 190.48 Mpps | 431.54 Mpps |
| Stacking | StackWise-480 | StackWise-480 | StackWise-480 |
| StackPower | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Uplink | Modular (C9300-NM-* series) | Modular (C9300-NM-* series) | Modular (C9300-NM-* series) |
| License | Network Advantage | Network Advantage | Network Advantage |
| Best Fit | Phones, standard users, basic APs and cameras | UPOE endpoints, smart building, high-power 1G | Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 APs, mGig endpoints, campus modernization |
The simplest way to read the table:
- C9300-48P-A = standard 48-port 1G PoE+ access at the lowest cost
- C9300-48U-A = 48-port 1G UPOE with the highest default PoE budget of the three
- C9300-48UXM-A = 48-port multigigabit UPOE with higher switching capacity and 2× ASIC, but a lower default PoE budget
If your endpoints only need 1G with standard PoE+, C9300-48P-A is enough. If they need more power on 1G, choose C9300-48U-A. If they need more than 1G access speed, C9300-48UXM-A is the right model.
Cisco C9300-48P-A vs 48U-A vs 48UXM-A: Detailed Spec Comparison
This is the reference spec table for BOM planning. All values are taken from Cisco’s official Catalyst 9300 Series Switches data sheet.
| Spec | C9300-48P-A | C9300-48U-A | C9300-48UXM-A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downlink Ports | 48 × 10/100/1000 PoE+ | 48 × 10/100/1000 UPOE | 36 × 100M/1G/2.5G UPOE + 12 × 100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G UPOE |
| mGig Support | No | No | Yes (12 mGig ports up to 10G) |
| Per-Port Max Power | 30W (PoE+) | 60W (UPOE) | 60W (UPOE) |
| Default PSU | PWR-C1-715WAC-P | PWR-C1-1100WAC-P | PWR-C1-1100WAC-P |
| Default Available PoE | 437W | 822W | 490W |
| Available PoE with 2nd 1100W PSU | 857W (with 715W secondary) | 1570W | 1590W |
| ASIC | 1 × UADP 2.0 | 1 × UADP 2.0 | 2 × UADP 2.0 |
| Switching Capacity | 256 Gbps | 256 Gbps | 580 Gbps |
| Switching Capacity with Stacking | 736 Gbps | 736 Gbps | 1060 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 190.47 Mpps | 190.48 Mpps | 431.54 Mpps |
| Forwarding Rate with Stacking | 547.62 Mpps | 547.62 Mpps | 788.69 Mpps |
| StackWise | StackWise-480 | StackWise-480 | StackWise-480 |
| StackPower | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Uplink Modules | C9300-NM-* | C9300-NM-* | C9300-NM-* |
| License Level | Network Advantage | Network Advantage | Network Advantage |
| Form Factor | 1RU | 1RU | 1RU |
A key technical point that buyers often miss: C9300-48UXM-A uses 2 × UADP 2.0 ASICs while C9300-48P-A and C9300-48U-A use 1 × UADP 2.0. This is why the 48UXM-A delivers more than 2× the switching capacity (580 Gbps vs 256 Gbps) and forwarding rate (431.54 Mpps vs 190.48 Mpps) of the 48U-A. It is not just a port-speed upgrade, it is a higher-architecture access platform.
The trade-off is the default PoE budget. With its 1100W AC default PSU, the C9300-48UXM-A delivers 490W of available PoE, lower than the 822W on the C9300-48U-A. The reason is that the UXM platform reserves more system power for the higher-throughput ASIC and the multigigabit PHYs. To match or exceed the 48U-A on PoE budget, the 48UXM-A needs a secondary PSU, which raises its available PoE to 1590W.
What Do 48P, 48U, 48UXM, and -A Mean on Cisco Catalyst 9300?
The model suffix encodes the access-layer role. For Catalyst 9300 buyers, this is the fastest way to read a SKU.
| Suffix | Practical Meaning |
|---|---|
| 48P | 48-port 1G access with PoE+ (30W per port) |
| 48U | 48-port 1G access with UPOE (60W per port) |
| 48UXM | 48-port multigigabit access with UPOE (36 × 2.5G + 12 × 10G/mGig) |
| -A | Network Advantage license tier |
| -E | Network Essentials license tier |
So C9300-48P-A = 48-port PoE+ + Network Advantage; C9300-48U-A = 48-port UPOE + Network Advantage; C9300-48UXM-A = 48-port mGig UPOE + Network Advantage.
This naming logic matters because all three are 48-port Catalyst 9300 access switches, but they are not interchangeable. Buying the wrong suffix can create PoE shortages, access-speed bottlenecks, or unnecessary cost. For a complete breakdown of Cisco Catalyst SKU rules, see our guide on Cisco switch naming convention.
PoE+ vs UPOE vs mGig: Which One Actually Matters for Your Network?
The three downlink technologies solve different problems. Choosing correctly starts with understanding what each one delivers.
| Technology | Per-Port Power | Per-Port Speed | Standard | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PoE+ | 30W | 10/100/1000 | IEEE 802.3at | Phones, basic APs, standard cameras |
| UPOE | 60W | 10/100/1000 | Cisco proprietary (now aligned with IEEE 802.3bt Type 3) | Higher-power APs, smart building, IP turrets |
| mGig (Multigigabit) | 60W with UPOE | 100M / 1G / 2.5G / 5G / 10G | IEEE 802.3bz | Wi-Fi 6 / 6E / 7 APs, mGig endpoints |
For a deeper explanation of Cisco’s PoE classes, see our Cisco PoE, PoE+, UPOE, and UPOE+ guide.
When PoE+ Is Enough
PoE+ delivers 30W per port and is sufficient for most standard access deployments. Typical endpoints:
- IP phones (most models draw 7-15W)
- Standard wireless access points (Wi-Fi 5 and basic Wi-Fi 6 APs under 30W)
- Basic surveillance cameras
- Regular user devices in cubicle and office environments
- Cost-sensitive campus access refresh projects
If the access layer mostly carries 1G traffic and the powered endpoints stay within PoE+ class, C9300-48P-A is the practical choice. It uses the smaller 715W PSU, which keeps the BOM cost lower than the 1100W-PSU models.
When UPOE Matters
UPOE delivers 60W per port, double the per-port power of PoE+. This becomes important when:
- High-power Wi-Fi 6 APs require 35-45W
- Higher-resolution cameras with PTZ heaters draw above 30W
- Smart building endpoints, badge readers, IoT gateways
- IP turrets, video conferencing endpoints, compact desktop switches
- Access closets where total PoE load is heavy
If the project is power-constrained at 1G access speed, C9300-48U-A is the strongest fit. Its 822W default PoE budget is the highest of the three models.
When mGig Matters
mGig matters when 1G access becomes the bottleneck. Modern Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 access points routinely exceed 1 Gbps of aggregate client throughput, and a 1G access port becomes the choke point.
Typical mGig drivers:
- Wi-Fi 6 / Wi-Fi 6E AP refresh — most enterprise APs need 2.5G or 5G access
- Wi-Fi 7 AP deployments — typically need 10G access
- mGig endpoints (newer workstations, mGig-capable cameras)
- Campus access modernization for 5-7 year horizons
- Environments where AP traffic regularly exceeds 1 Gbps
For Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, C9300-48UXM-A is the right model. Its 12 mGig ports support up to 10G — enough headroom for current Wi-Fi 7 APs. For more on Cisco multigigabit switches, see our Cisco multigigabit switch guide.
A practical caveat: C9300-48UXM-A delivers 10G only on 12 of its 48 ports. The other 36 ports max at 2.5G. Plan AP placement and patching accordingly so that 10G-class APs land on the 12 mGig ports.
When Should You Choose C9300-48P-A?
Choose C9300-48P-A when the project needs reliable 48-port 1G PoE+ access without UPOE or mGig.
Best fit:
- Standard office user access
- IP phone-heavy deployments
- Basic surveillance camera networks
- Standard Wi-Fi 5 or basic Wi-Fi 6 AP access
- Budget-sensitive campus access refresh
- Projects that need Network Advantage features but not UPOE
The main advantage of C9300-48P-A is cost control. It delivers the full Catalyst 9300 platform — UADP 2.0 ASIC, modular uplinks, StackWise-480, StackPower, full IOS XE feature set on Network Advantage — without paying for UPOE or multigigabit access that the project may not need. The 715W PSU also reduces power consumption and rack-power planning compared with the 1100W-PSU models.
Limitation: it does not support UPOE or mGig. If any endpoint requires more than 30W per port or more than 1G access speed, compare the 48U-A or 48UXM-A.
When Should You Choose C9300-48U-A?
Choose C9300-48U-A when the project needs 48 × 1G UPOE access with strong PoE budget but does not need mGig.
Best fit:
- High-power Wi-Fi 6 APs that exceed PoE+ class but still use 1G uplink
- Smart building deployments (IoT gateways, building management endpoints, IP turrets)
- High-power surveillance cameras with PTZ and heaters
- PoE-heavy access closets where total endpoint power load is the constraint
- Projects requiring 1G access speed but more power than PoE+ can deliver
The biggest advantage of C9300-48U-A is its default PoE budget of 822W, the highest of the three models with stock configuration. With a secondary 1100W PSU, available PoE rises to 1570W, supporting close to full UPOE on every port.
Limitation: the access ports are still 1G. If the project includes Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 APs, or any mGig endpoints, the 1G ceiling becomes a long-term bottleneck. C9300-48UXM-A is the better fit in those cases.
When Should You Choose C9300-48UXM-A?
Choose C9300-48UXM-A when the project needs multigigabit access for modern wireless or mGig endpoints.
Best fit:
- Wi-Fi 6 AP refresh
- Wi-Fi 6E AP deployment
- Wi-Fi 7 AP deployment (uses the 12 × 10G mGig ports)
- Campus access modernization with a 5-7 year bandwidth horizon
- Mixed mGig endpoint environments
- Networks where AP traffic exceeds 1 Gbps
C9300-48UXM-A has two advantages over the other two models: multigigabit ports (36 × 2.5G + 12 × 10G) and higher switching capacity (580 Gbps vs 256 Gbps), backed by a 2 × UADP 2.0 ASIC architecture rather than 1 × UADP 2.0. For modern wireless modernization, this is the only model of the three that has the headroom.
Two cautions for buyers:
- The default PoE budget is 490W, lower than the 822W on the 48U-A. For PoE-heavy projects, plan a secondary 1100W PSU to raise available PoE to 1590W.
- Only 12 of the 48 ports support 10G. The other 36 ports max at 2.5G. This is fine for most Wi-Fi 6/6E AP layouts, but Wi-Fi 7 APs that need 10G must connect to the 12 mGig ports specifically.
Is C9300-48UXM-A Better Than C9300-48U-A?
Not by default. C9300-48UXM-A is better when the project is bandwidth-driven. C9300-48U-A is better when the project is power-driven.
| Requirement | Better Choice |
|---|---|
| More endpoint power on 1G ports | C9300-48U-A |
| Multigigabit AP or endpoint access | C9300-48UXM-A |
| Highest default PoE budget | C9300-48U-A (822W vs 490W) |
| Higher switching capacity and forwarding rate | C9300-48UXM-A (580 Gbps / 431.54 Mpps) |
| Wi-Fi 6 / 6E / 7 AP refresh | C9300-48UXM-A |
| Smart building, IoT, IP turret, high-power cameras | C9300-48U-A |
| Long-term bandwidth upgrade path | C9300-48UXM-A |
| Best PoE-per-dollar with stock PSU | C9300-48U-A |
This is one of the most common buying mistakes: assuming the mGig model is automatically the better choice. It is the better choice for bandwidth, but not necessarily for PoE budget. Always check both endpoint power load and access speed requirement before finalizing the BOM.
What Power Supply, PoE Budget, and Uplink Modules to Check Before Ordering
Comparing only the access-port label leads to under-sized BOMs. Real procurement should verify the full power and uplink design.
| Checkpoint | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Default primary PSU | Determines the base available PoE budget |
| Secondary PSU | Adds PoE budget and provides power redundancy; nearly doubles PoE on 1100W-PSU models |
| Endpoint PoE load calculation | Sum of actual per-endpoint draw, not nameplate; under-sizing causes PoE port shutoff under load |
| Uplink module | Catalyst 9300 ships without uplink module; choose C9300-NM-4G, NM-4M, NM-8X, NM-2Q, NM-4M, or NM-2Y based on uplink speed |
| StackWise cable | Required for stacking; choose 50 cm, 1 m, or 3 m |
| StackPower cable | Required for shared power across the stack |
| Optics and DACs | Required for uplink ports; not included with NM modules |
| Smart Net or DNA Subscription | Plan license term (3, 5, 7 years) and support coverage from day one |
A particularly common omission is the uplink module. C9300-48P-A, C9300-48U-A, and C9300-48UXM-A all ship without an uplink module. The module must be added to the BOM separately. Available choices include:
- C9300-NM-4G — 4 × 1G SFP
- C9300-NM-8X — 8 × 10G SFP+
- C9300-NM-4M — 4 × mGig (up to 10G)
- C9300-NM-2Q — 2 × 40G QSFP+
- C9300-NM-2Y — 2 × 25G SFP28
Match the uplink module to the distribution layer and to the actual aggregation bandwidth need. For C9300-48UXM-A handling Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 APs, an 8 × 10G uplink module (NM-8X) is usually the minimum to avoid bottlenecks at the uplink stage.
Which C9300 Model Is Best for Office, Cameras, APs, and Wi-Fi Refresh?
Map the deployment to the right model:
| Deployment Scenario | Recommended Model | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard office user access (1G data + IP phones) | C9300-48P-A | PoE+ covers the load at lowest cost |
| Basic IP camera network | C9300-48P-A | Standard cameras stay under 30W |
| High-power IP camera deployment (PTZ + heater) | C9300-48U-A | UPOE 60W headroom |
| Wi-Fi 5 / basic Wi-Fi 6 AP refresh | C9300-48P-A or C9300-48U-A | 1G access is enough; choose U if APs exceed PoE+ class |
| Wi-Fi 6E AP refresh | C9300-48UXM-A | mGig avoids 1G bottleneck |
| Wi-Fi 7 AP deployment | C9300-48UXM-A | Use the 12 × 10G mGig ports for 10G-class APs |
| Smart building / IoT-heavy access | C9300-48U-A | Highest default PoE budget |
| Mixed mGig endpoints (workstations, cameras) | C9300-48UXM-A | Only model with multigigabit access |
| Budget-sensitive campus access refresh | C9300-48P-A | Lowest BOM cost in the comparison |
| 5-7 year future-proof access platform | C9300-48UXM-A | 2× ASIC, 580 Gbps switching, mGig headroom |
| Power-heavy but 1G-only deployment | C9300-48U-A | UPOE without paying for unused mGig |
The simplest decision rule:
- Endpoints mostly 1G PoE+ → C9300-48P-A
- Endpoints need more power but still 1G → C9300-48U-A
- Endpoints need more than 1G → C9300-48UXM-A
Common Buying Mistakes When Choosing C9300-48P, 48U, or 48UXM
- Choosing by port count only. All three are 48-port access switches, but they are built for different endpoint requirements.
- Assuming C9300-48UXM-A is always the upgrade. UXM has higher switching capacity and mGig ports, but lower default PoE budget than 48U-A. For PoE-heavy 1G projects, 48U-A is often stronger.
- Confusing UPOE capability with available PoE budget. A switch with UPOE ports can theoretically deliver 60W per port, but the actual deliverable power is capped by the PSU and chassis budget. Always calculate against the PoE budget number, not per-port maximum.
- Forgetting the uplink module. None of these three models ship with an uplink module. Confirm the C9300-NM-* SKU in the BOM before submitting the order.
- Using C9300-48P-A for UPOE endpoints. PoE+ tops out at 30W. UPOE endpoints will not get full power on 48P-A.
- Using C9300-48U-A for Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 AP refresh. UPOE is fine for power, but 1G access creates a long-term bottleneck for modern wireless.
- Treating all 48UXM-A ports as 10G. Only 12 of the 48 ports support 10G. The other 36 max at 2.5G.
- Skipping the secondary PSU calculation. A second 1100W PSU on 48U-A or 48UXM-A nearly doubles the PoE budget. For PoE-heavy projects, it is often the cheapest way to remove a power constraint.
- Mixing license tiers in a stack. All members of a Catalyst 9300 stack should run the same Network Advantage tier and DNA license to avoid feature inconsistency.
- Over-buying when the network only needs 1G PoE+. If the project is a routine access refresh with standard endpoints, C9300-48P-A is enough.
Final Recommendation: Which Cisco C9300 48-Port Model Should You Buy?
| Buying Scenario | Recommended Model |
|---|---|
| Standard 1G PoE+ access | C9300-48P-A |
| IP phone deployment with standard APs | C9300-48P-A |
| Higher-power 1G endpoints (UPOE) | C9300-48U-A |
| Smart building, IP turret, IoT-heavy | C9300-48U-A |
| Wi-Fi 6 AP refresh (most enterprise APs) | C9300-48UXM-A |
| Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 AP deployment | C9300-48UXM-A |
| mGig endpoint requirement | C9300-48UXM-A |
| Highest default PoE budget needed | C9300-48U-A |
| Highest switching capacity needed | C9300-48UXM-A |
| Budget-sensitive campus refresh | C9300-48P-A |
| Unsure between power and bandwidth driver | Calculate endpoint PoE load and required port speed first |
The simplest rule is:
Choose C9300-48P-A for standard PoE+ access. Choose C9300-48U-A for higher-power 1G UPOE access. Choose C9300-48UXM-A for multigigabit UPOE access where bandwidth, not power, is the main driver.
If the access layer is a routine 1G refresh, 48P-A or 48U-A is usually enough. If the project is driven by Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 modernization or any mGig endpoint, 48UXM-A becomes the stronger long-term choice.
FAQ
What is the main difference between C9300-48P-A, C9300-48U-A, and C9300-48UXM-A?
C9300-48P-A is a 48-port 1G PoE+ access switch (30W per port). C9300-48U-A is a 48-port 1G UPOE access switch (60W per port). C9300-48UXM-A is a 48-port multigigabit UPOE switch with 36 × 2.5G + 12 × 10G/mGig ports, designed for higher-bandwidth wireless and mGig endpoints.
What is the difference between PoE+ and UPOE on Cisco Catalyst 9300?
PoE+ delivers up to 30W per port and follows the IEEE 802.3at standard. UPOE is Cisco’s higher-power class that delivers up to 60W per port (now aligned with IEEE 802.3bt Type 3). C9300-48P uses PoE+; C9300-48U and C9300-48UXM use UPOE.
Is C9300-48UXM-A better than C9300-48U-A?
Not always. C9300-48UXM-A is better when the project needs multigigabit access (Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 APs or mGig endpoints). C9300-48U-A is better when the project needs more PoE power on 1G ports — its default PoE budget is 822W versus 490W on C9300-48UXM-A.
Does C9300-48P-A support UPOE?
No. C9300-48P-A is a PoE+ model with 30W per port. For UPOE endpoints requiring up to 60W, choose C9300-48U-A or C9300-48UXM-A.
How much PoE power does C9300-48UXM-A provide?
C9300-48UXM-A provides 490W of available PoE with its default 1100W AC primary PSU. With a secondary 1100W PSU, available PoE rises to 1590W, enough to power most ports at near-UPOE levels.
Does C9300-48UXM-A support 10G on all 48 ports?
No. C9300-48UXM-A has 36 ports that support up to 2.5G and 12 ports that support up to 10G (mGig). When deploying Wi-Fi 7 APs that require 10G, connect them to the 12 mGig ports specifically.
Which model is best for Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, or Wi-Fi 7 access points?
C9300-48UXM-A is the right choice for modern wireless deployments. Wi-Fi 6 and 6E APs typically need 2.5G or 5G access, which the UXM-A’s 36 × 2.5G ports cover. Wi-Fi 7 APs that need 10G should connect to the 12 × 10G mGig ports.
Which model has the highest default PoE budget?
C9300-48U-A has the highest default PoE budget at 822W. C9300-48P-A provides 437W and C9300-48UXM-A provides 490W with stock configuration.
Do all three models support StackWise-480?
Yes. C9300-48P-A, C9300-48U-A, and C9300-48UXM-A all support StackWise-480 (480 Gbps stacking bandwidth) and StackPower for shared power across the stack.
Do these models include uplink modules?
No. All three Catalyst 9300 models ship without an uplink module. Buyers must add a C9300-NM-* uplink module (NM-4G, NM-8X, NM-4M, NM-2Q, or NM-2Y) to the BOM based on the required uplink speed.
Can Layer23-Switch help quote compatible modules, power supplies, and licenses?
Yes. Layer23-Switch can confirm the right Catalyst 9300 model for the project, along with compatible PSU, uplink module, StackWise cables, optics, license term (3, 5, or 7 years), stock status, lead time, and global shipping options. Send the endpoint type, PoE load, AP model, uplink speed, license preference, destination country, and project deadline for a complete BOM and quote.
About Layer23-Switch
Layer23-Switch is a global supplier of brand-new sealed Cisco network equipment, including the Catalyst 9300 family. We support enterprises, system integrators, and resellers with sourcing, technical assistance, and worldwide delivery for network deployment, expansion, replacement, and upgrade projects.
Need Help Choosing Between C9300-48P-A, C9300-48U-A, and C9300-48UXM-A?
Send us your endpoint type, PoE load, AP model, required uplink speed, preferred license term, destination country, and project deadline. Layer23-Switch will confirm the right model, compatible modules, PSU and license selection, stock status, pricing, and shipping options.
