Cisco Catalyst 9300 vs 9400
The Catalyst 9300 is a stackable fixed access switch, while the Catalyst 9400 is a modular chassis with redundant supervisors and line cards. Choose the 9300 for scalable closet stacks; choose the 9400 when you need chassis-level density, in-service redundancy, and very high PoE.
Cisco Catalyst 9300
Stackable 1RU access switch with StackWise-480 and PoE+/UPOE.
- Up to 8 switches per stack via StackWise-480
- PoE+/UPOE and mGig port options
- Modular uplinks 1G/10G/25G/40G
- Lower entry cost, grows by adding stack members
Cisco Catalyst 9400
Modular chassis switch with redundant supervisors and hot-swappable line cards.
- 4-, 7-, and 10-slot chassis with line-card flexibility
- Up to 1.44 Tbps per Sup-1XL, 900 Mpps
- Dual supervisor and N+1 power redundancy
- Up to 9 kW PoE for very high UPOE density
Cisco Catalyst 9300 vs Cisco Catalyst 9400: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Catalyst 9300 | Cisco Catalyst 9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Stackable fixed switch | Modular chassis |
| Form factor | 1RU, stack up to 8 | 4/7/10-slot chassis |
| Switching capacity | Up to ~1 Tbps (stack) | Up to 1.44 Tbps (Sup-1XL) |
| Supervisor redundancy | Stack master/standby | Dual supervisor (in-service) |
| Scaling model | Add stack members | Add line cards |
| PoE/UPOE | Up to 1100W per unit | Up to 9 kW chassis |
| Uplinks | Modular 1G/10G/25G/40G | Supervisor uplinks up to 40G/100G |
| ASIC | UADP 2.0 | UADP 2.0 / 3.0 |
| Software | Cisco IOS XE | Cisco IOS XE |
| Power redundancy | StackPower / dual PSU | N+1 / N+N PSU |
| Warranty | Enhanced Limited Lifetime | Enhanced Limited Lifetime |
Choose Cisco Catalyst 9300 if
Choose the Catalyst 9300 for distributed wiring closets where you grow capacity by adding stack members and want a lower entry price with PoE/UPOE and mGig.
Choose Cisco Catalyst 9400 if
Choose the Catalyst 9400 for high-density floors or buildings that need a single chassis with redundant supervisors, in-service software upgrades, and up to 9 kW of PoE.
Verdict
Pick the architecture that matches how you scale. The 9300 is ideal for many closets stacked independently and is cheaper to start. The 9400 wins where you want one resilient chassis with dual supervisors, hitless upgrades, and very high PoE density. Both run the same IOS XE, so software and management are consistent across either choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Catalyst 9400 better than the 9300?
Not universally. The 9400 offers chassis-level redundancy and higher PoE density, but the 9300 is more cost-effective and flexible for distributed closet deployments. The right choice depends on density and redundancy needs.
Does the Catalyst 9400 support redundant supervisors?
Yes. The 9400 supports dual supervisor engines for in-service software upgrades and stateful failover, which the stackable 9300 does not offer at the same level.
How much PoE can each provide?
A 9300 provides up to about 1100W per unit, while a 9400 chassis can deliver up to roughly 9 kW depending on power supplies and line cards.
Do they run the same software?
Yes. Both run Cisco IOS XE and are managed the same way, so features and CLI are consistent across the two platforms.
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.