How it works

PoE+ (Power over Ethernet Plus, IEEE 802.3at) is Type 2 PoE: up to about 30 W at the PSE port and about 25.5 W at the powered device after cable loss. A PoE+ switch or injector (the PSE) runs detection, then a two-event classification handshake so the PD and PSE agree on a Class 4 budget. Power still rides two pairs on Cat5e or better for the classic Gigabit case, with data on the same RJ45 run. That is the step up from 802.3af PoE (Type 1), which tops out near 15.4 W at the PSE and about 13 W at the PD.

PoE+ stays backward compatible with 802.3af devices. An af-only camera or phone will negotiate down. The reverse is not true for hungrier loads: a Wi-Fi 6 AP, PTZ camera, or thin client that wants more than ~25.5 W at the PD needs 802.3bt (PoE++ / Type 3 or Type 4, 60 W or 90 W class), not a 30 W PoE+ port. Marketing labels matter. "PoE" on a box can mean af, at, or bt. Passive injectors that dump 24 V or 48 V without IEEE detection are not the same as standards-based PoE+.

When it matters

It matters when you are powering Wi-Fi 6 access points, PTZ or multi-sensor cameras, VoIP phones, or some thin clients from a closet switch without a wall wart at each drop. Check the PD datasheet for 802.3at, PoE+, Type 2, or Class 4. Then match the PSE: watts per port and the switch's shared PoE budget both have to clear the load. Eight PoE+ ports at 30 W each is 240 W on paper; many desktop switches only have ~120 W total, so you cannot light every port at Class 4 at once.

Cable length and category still count. Budget for loss on long runs, prefer solid Cat5e or better, and do not confuse a cheap passive injector with a detecting 802.3at PSE. If the datasheet says 802.3bt, PoE++, Ultra60, or 60 W / 90 W, step up to 802.3bt silicon instead of hoping PoE+ is enough.

An 8-port Gigabit PoE+ Easy Smart switch for mixed APs and cameras, a compact JetStream unit when four PoE+ drops and smarter VLANs/QoS are enough, and a multi-gig Ultra60 box when some ports need more than Type 2.

The TL-SG1210MPE 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Easy Smart Switch is a classic 8-port Gigabit PoE+ easy-smart switch for APs and cameras on a home-lab desk.

The TP-Link TL-SG2008P JetStream 8-Port Gigabit Smart Switch with 4-Port PoE+ is the managed JetStream PoE+ class when you want VLANs and QoS with 802.3at ports.

The NETGEAR MS108UP 8-Port Ultra60 PoE Multi-Gigabit Switch covers 802.3at devices while offering Ultra60 ports when some loads need more than PoE+.

For the higher-power IEEE step (Type 3/4, 60 W / 90 W), read 802.3bt. For shopping PoE+ and PoE++ switches for cameras and APs, see Best PoE Switches for a Home Lab. Multi-gig copper that often shares the same closet: 2.5GbE. For the Wi-Fi security suite many PoE+ APs ship with by default, see WPA3.