Cisco Catalyst 9300 vs Catalyst 9300X
Both are current premium Catalyst 9000 access switches: the 9300X is the higher-performance variant with up to 1 Tbps stacking, 100G uplinks, integrated IPsec/WireGuard-class encryption, and higher mGig/UPOE+ density. Choose the 9300 for mainstream campus access and the 9300X when you need maximum throughput, 100G uplinks, or on-box crypto.
Cisco Catalyst 9300
The standard premium stackable campus access switch on IOS XE with UADP 2.0 ASIC and StackWise-480.
- Up to 48 ports, PoE+/UPOE/UPOE+ options
- StackWise-480 (480 Gbps) stacking
- UADP 2.0 ASIC, modular uplinks to 40G
- Full DNA and SD-Access support
Cisco Catalyst 9300X
The high-performance 9300 variant adding 1 Tbps stacking, 100G uplinks, and on-box IPsec encryption.
- High-density 10G mGig and UPOE+ models
- StackWise-1T (1 Tbps) stacking
- UADP 3.0 ASIC with integrated IPsec/encryption
- Modular uplinks up to 8x25G or 100G
Cisco Catalyst 9300 vs Cisco Catalyst 9300X: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Catalyst 9300 | Cisco Catalyst 9300X |
|---|---|---|
| ASIC | Cisco UADP 2.0 | Cisco UADP 3.0 |
| Stacking | StackWise-480 (480 Gbps) | StackWise-1T (1 Tbps) |
| Switching capacity | Up to 208 Gbps | Up to 1 Tbps |
| Uplink options | Modular: up to 8x10G, 2x25G, 2x40G | Modular: up to 8x25G or 100G |
| mGig density | Select models (mGig) | High-density mGig (HX models) |
| PoE | PoE+, UPOE, UPOE+ | UPOE+ (90W) on HX models |
| Hardware encryption | MACsec-256 | MACsec-256 plus integrated IPsec/WireGuard-class crypto |
| Stack members | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
| Operating system | Cisco IOS XE | Cisco IOS XE |
| DNA / SD-Access | Full support | Full support |
| Warranty | Enhanced Limited Lifetime | Enhanced Limited Lifetime |
Choose Cisco Catalyst 9300 if
Choose the Catalyst 9300 for mainstream campus access where StackWise-480, 40G uplinks, and UPOE/UPOE+ are plenty, and you want the proven premium access switch at a lower price than the X.
Choose Cisco Catalyst 9300X if
Choose the Catalyst 9300X when you need maximum performance: 1 Tbps stacking, 100G or 25G uplinks, high-density mGig, UPOE+ everywhere, or on-box IPsec encryption for secure branch and campus aggregation.
Verdict
The Catalyst 9300 remains the right default for most campus closets. Step up to the 9300X when you need 100G/25G uplinks, StackWise-1T bandwidth, dense mGig and UPOE+, or built-in IPsec encryption. The 9300X is essentially the 9300 with significantly more headroom and security, at a higher price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Catalyst 9300 and 9300X?
The 9300X uses the newer UADP 3.0 ASIC, scales stacking to 1 Tbps (StackWise-1T), adds 25G/100G uplink options, denser mGig and UPOE+, and integrated IPsec encryption, whereas the 9300 uses UADP 2.0 and StackWise-480.
Can Catalyst 9300 and 9300X switches be stacked together?
Yes, the 9300 and 9300X are stack-compatible within the 9300 family, though a mixed stack operates at the capabilities of the lower member; for full StackWise-1T and X features, use an all-9300X stack.
Does the Catalyst 9300X have built-in encryption?
Yes. The 9300X adds integrated hardware IPsec encryption (in addition to MACsec-256), which makes it well suited for secure WAN/branch aggregation and SD-WAN edge roles the standard 9300 cannot match on-box.
Is the 9300X worth it over the 9300?
If you need 100G/25G uplinks, 1 Tbps stacking, high-density mGig and UPOE+, or on-box IPsec, the 9300X is worth the premium. For typical 1G/mGig access with 40G uplinks, the 9300 is the more cost-effective choice.
More Switching comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.