9 Best Ethernet Switches 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Whether you are an avid gamer or just someone looking to connect multiple wired devices at home or in the office, you need the best Ethernet switch.

But which one is right for you? You might just need a few more ports to plug in the devices.

If you have experience in networking, there might be some other additional features you should look for.

In this article, we’ll show you which Ethernet switches you need to focus on to build your dream home or office network.

9 Best Ethernet Switches 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

NETGEAR GS1088-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch Unmanaged – Best Overall

The NETGEAR GS1088-Port Unmanaged Switch Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet is the best Ethernet switch for the unpretentious network builder who just wants to share a single connection between different devices. 

Its Internet splitter provides connectivity to your gaming modem or router, allowing additional wired connections. 

Whether it’s an additional laptop, printer, or your gaming console, this Ethernet switch can meet all your needs.

You will no doubt love the eight switched ports that provide bandwidth for your entire home or office, not to mention the ease of use. 

This switch impresses with its plug and play configuration that does not require any software or configuration.

A metal case and small footprint make it easy to install on a desk. We also liked its fanless operation which is really quiet. 

Packing everything you could want from a premium choice and backed by a lifetime warranty, this switch is without a doubt one of your top picks.

NETGEAR GS308 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet 8 – Sturdy Metal Fanless

The bigger brother of our favorite GS108 above, the NETGEAR GS308 is another ideal 8-port switch for your home network. 

It is designed to automatically connect to any modem or router through any port, providing peace of mind even for less experienced network builders.

Perhaps the best feature of this switch is the auto-negotiation function which provides automatic connection at the highest speed between the switch and an end device.

While the blockless switching architecture ensures maximum throughput at wire speed.

Like the GS108, the GS308 has a plug and play setup with no software or setup required. 

It also incorporates an Internet splitter that allows you to create additional wired connections. 

Offering up to 16GB of non-blocking switching and incorporating energy efficient technology.

This switch is a great alternative if you need more power. It is a perfect electronic gift for your loved ones.

TP-Link TL-SG105 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet Network Switch – Shielded Ports

The TP-Link TL-SG105 may be the best network switch to consider if you only need a few ports. 

This one has five and has a quick and easy plug and play installation that requires no software or configuration. 

With a desktop and wall mount design, you will also be able to find the most suitable installation arrangement.

This Ethernet splitter provides connectivity to the router or modem and incorporates auto-negotiation RJ45 ports developed to extend network capacity. 

In addition, this switch ensures reliable data transfer and is perfect for gamers.

Another cool feature is Traffic Optimization which enables smooth latency-sensitive traffic including video and voice. 

Perfect to install in your office, living room, or even your bedroom, this Ethernet switch offers great value for money.

Also, be sure to check out our guide to the best HDMI cables for more great products like this.

D-Link DGS-1008G 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch – Best Compatible

The D-Link DGS-1008G 8-Port Gigabit Switch is a perfect gift for gamers and anyone who needs blazing Gigabit speed. 

It is designed to improve network performance and impress users with sleek design and unmatched performance. 

This LAN switch has eight ports and probably won’t let you down when running bandwidth-intensive applications.

Like the other switches described above, the D-Link DGS-1008G is a plug and play device that does not require any software or configuration. 

With the hassle-free installation, this unit is ideal for beginners, and you can easily connect multiple computers to share files over your home or work network.

Perfect for gamers, this switch can create the perfect gaming environment for multiple users and will never let you down due to poor performance or low speed.

TP-Link Unmanaged 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch TL-SG1016 – Lifetime Protection

Gamers looking for a reliable network switch capable of providing instant large file transfers might be satisfied with the TP-Link TL-SG1016. 

With 32 Gbps switching capacity and sixteen Gigabit ports, this device is up to anything the network can throw at it.

Built with green technology in mind, TL-SG1016 needs little power to expand your network capacity.

It also automatically adjusts its power consumption based on your link status, reducing your power consumption and carbon footprint.

Installing the switch is a snap thanks to the plug and play architecture. Plus, Auto MDI / MDIX eliminates the need for crossover cables. 

By intelligently adapting for maximum compatibility and performance, this switch allows you to get everything you could want from a high-end product. 

Be sure to also check out our list of the best smart plugs for more great items like this.

Linksys SE3008 8-Port Metal Gigabit Switch – Best Mounting Type

A great choice for most users, the Linksys SE3008 is an 8-port switch with an attractive all-metal construction that will surely look great on your desk or wall. 

Thanks to the blocking-free architecture, the switch guarantees fast data transfer.

QoS feature prioritizes audio and video applications for smoother streaming, while full-duplex flow control avoids port congestion.

Ideal for home or business networks, the Linksys SE3008 also incorporates advanced power-saving features that detect unused ports and adjust power consumption accordingly. 

If you like the product’s features but need fewer or more ports, the SE3008 is available in 5-port, 16-port, and 24-port versions. It is also a perfect gift for coworkers.

Linksys Business LGS105 – Auto Sensing Ports

If you are looking for the best Ethernet switch for your office, take a look at the Linksys Business LGS105.

This unmanaged switch promises high-end performance and offers five auto-discovery ports with connection speeds of up to 1000 Mbps.

It’s perfect for expanding your small business network while maintaining transfer speed, even when sending large files.

Easy to install thanks to its Plug and Play design, the LGS105 is also able to optimize the speed for each connected device. 

If you need more than five ports, the switch is also available in 8-port, 16-port and 24-port versions. 

Our handy guide to the best WiFi extensions features more great products like this.

D-Link EasySmart DGS-1100-05 Gigabit Ethernet Switch – 2 Power Over

The EasySmart DGS-1100-05 is another affordable solution for small businesses and homeowners looking to expand their network. 

This device integrates essential L2 switching functions including QoS and VLAN.

A simple and intuitive management interface makes this switching hub ideal even for those who are not really experts in building networks. 

Thanks to its energy efficiency compliance, you can also have peace of mind about your electricity consumption.

Quiet operation and lifetime warranty are two other features that may appeal to small business owners and more. 

The only downside is that your mounting options are rather limited. 

This switch has a desktop design and is not suitable for wall or rack mounting. 

Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best surge arresters.

Amcrest 9-Port POE Gigabit Gigabit Switch + Ethernet Switch – Working Temperature

The Amcrest Gigabit Uplink AGPS9E8P-AT-96 is a 9-port POE switch ideal for gamers, business owners and general home users. 

It is unmanaged and gives you the ability to expand your network up to eight POE devices.

This switch is perfect for connecting IP cameras, game consoles, smart TVs and computers. 

With its plug and play design, you won’t have to worry about setup, while the compact desktop size allows you to place the switch even in a tight space.

LED activity lights allow you to monitor your network status and see which devices are active. 

At the same time, the SFP fiber optic uplink ensures that the transfer speed is maintained under all circumstances. 

Packed with useful features and durable construction, this Power over Ethernet switch is without a doubt a great option. 

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Buying Guide

Building a wired network could turn into a complete fiasco if you don’t have a reliable Ethernet switch. 

Choosing the best is often a problem, which is why we focused on a few objective criteria when deciding which Ethernet switches to include in this guide. This is how we chose.

Home / Office Adaptability – Many who need a wired network are gamers, home owners, or business people who need an office network. 

We have tried to address all of these consumer categories and only included in our list Ethernet switches that can satisfy all users. 

The majority of these switches feature an easy plug and play setup that allows experts and beginners to create a hassle-free home or office network.

Build Quality – Most home users tend to place their switch on the desk or mount it on a wall in a visible location. 

More often than not, a quality build looks better than a cheaper build, which is why we only selected the models that inspired sturdiness. 

Some of the switches mentioned in this article have sturdy metal housings. The plastic ones gave us a feeling of overall quality.

Number of Ports – We know that different users may have different needs. Whether you’re looking for a small.

Ethernet switch with up to five ports or a larger unit with eight or more ports, you’ll find the model that’s right for you in the list above.

Consumer Reviews – The easiest way to find the true value of a product is to analyze consumer reviews.  All of the switches that made our list were praised for their performance, reliability, and durability.

Users also appreciated the build quality of these switches in addition to their down-to-earth prices.

Value for Money – It’s hard to decide the value of a switch based on its price alone. This is why we have made every effort to include only products that offer real value for money. 

From build quality to versatility, the above switches are definitely worth the investment.

Features to look for in an Ethernet switch

If you’ve never run out of Ethernet ports on your router, you might be familiar with that sense of frustration that comes with it. 

Or maybe you want wired connections for all the devices in your home entertainment center, but don’t want to thread multiple cables from the living room to where you have your router.

An Ethernet switch is often the best way to expand your network, and choosing the best one for your needs shouldn’t be too difficult. 

However, there are a few concepts you need to understand, so that you don’t buy the wrong switch or overspend.

Number of Ports – The most important thing to determine is how many ports you need. Think about how many devices you need to connect to your network. 

If that’s just a handful of them, you could easily get away with a five-port switch, which is perfect for wiring four devices plus connecting your switch to the router.

An eight-port switch is generally preferred by gamers who want to connect more than one computer – plus game consoles and other devices – to the network.

Unless you plan to use the Ethernet switch as the primary hub for all of your devices, odds are you won’t need a 16-port or 24-port switch. 

However, such a device might be necessary if you are building an office network. We have found that most people prefer eight port switches in terms of needs and budgets.

Speed ​​- Depending on your needs, you can choose between two types of switches, those with Fast Ethernet and those with Gigabit Ethernet. 

We’re huge fans of the latter, as most routers come with Gigabit Ethernet ports anyway and it’s a shame to tie yourself up by pairing it with a slower switch. In general terms, Gigabit is about ten times faster than Fast Ethernet. You may believe that a slower speed means a lower price. 

Even though this is technically true, you may not be saving enough to justify a less wise choice.

However, you should also consider the ISP plan you are paying for. If your ISP only gives you 50 Mbps downloads, it is unlikely that you will notice a speed difference between a Fast Ethernet device and a Gigabit Ethernet device.

You will still be able to stream 4K music and videos with Fast Ethernet, and you could save money on coffee. However, if you are on a fast fiber network, there is a huge difference between the two types of switches, and you could use the download speed ten times faster.

Quality of Service – Quality of Service – or QoS – is another important characteristic that you should consider. 

It allows you to manipulate the traffic so that your switch can forward it in a manner consistent with the behavior required by the application generating the traffic. With this feature, your network will be able to differentiate traffic and prioritize it.

This function is extremely important if you want to stream music or video. A device without QoS will deliver data on a first-come, first-served basis, without prioritizing time-sensitive data packets. 

In other words, the quality of voice or video services could be affected. However, if you subscribe to such a service, you may demand acceptable levels of quality each time you want to use these services. 

And that’s where QoS comes in this feature is able to prioritize traffic among a bunch of other technical things. Simply put, QoS is as important to your network as the waiting area is to McDonald’s Drive-Thru. 

If someone has ordered € 50 worth of stuff, they can sit down and wait for their order to be ready; those who only want a coke can just drop by and get along with their business without waiting in line.

Managed and Unmanaged Switches – If you’ve been looking for the best Ethernet switch on the market, you might have also noticed that there are managed and unmanaged devices.

Deciding which one is best for you depends largely on the type of network you are creating. Unmanaged switches are ideal for home users and anyone with limited technical and IT knowledge. 

This type of switch is nothing more than a simple hub that you can plug your devices into.  Once they’re all connected, just flip the switch somewhere and forget it’s there.

You won’t have to make updates or provide other types of inputs, while the Switch will do its job smoothly and silently.

Technical experts tend to prefer managed switches. These devices can do everything an unmanaged device can do, but they also allow you to log into a web UI or an app to adjust certain settings or update firmware.

You can manage QoS rules, VLANs, or you can set bandwidth limits. However, keep in mind that managed switches cost more than unmanaged switches. If you are not an expert, configuring your settings can also be tricky. 

Additionally, some managed switches tend to revert to factory settings every now and then, so you’ll have to keep reconfiguring your device every time this happens.

Types of Ethernet switches

In general terms, we can speak of two types of Ethernet switches, modular and fixed.

Modular Switches – These give you all the expansion capabilities you need and are perfect for anyone looking to build a professional network. You can add more modules as your network grows without having to purchase a new switch. This type of device offers the greatest flexibility, but the costs are exaggerated.

Yes, the costs are justified by their complexity. But if you don’t plan on connecting an entire neighborhood to your home network, a fixed switch might be a better place to start.

Fixed switches – not expandable, and almost all models designed for the home or small business fall into this category. By digging deeper into the question, we can break this category down into unmanaged, partially managed, and managed switches. We’ve already discussed managed switches and unmanaged switches above, but to summarize:

Unmanaged switches: These are most commonly used in home and small business networks. They are cheaper, but they cannot be changed or managed. However, most owners praise their simplicity. Plug them in, connect your devices and forget they exist.

Partially Managed Switches: Also known as smart switches, they come with basic management functions and the ability to create certain levels of security for your network. However, the management interface is much simpler than a managed switch interface. However, most smart switches allow you to configure QoS and VLANs.

Managed Switches: Provide the highest level of security and complete management of your network. They give you all the information you need, and you can configure and set up virtually any part of your network. It is easy to understand that this option is also the most expensive. They are ideal for organizations and also for growing networks.

Besides the above types, we can also categorize the switches based on their power over Ethernet capabilities or their stand-alone or stackable design.

PoE switches – allow you to power devices such as a wireless access point or IP phone and transmit data to the device through the same cable. They offer great flexibility for a larger network and are particularly useful in places where it is difficult to access a power outlet.

Stackable Switches – allow you to connect multiple switches and configure them as a single entity, while stand-alone switches must be configured separately, one at a time, and handled individually. 

Stand-alone models are great for home use and are also preferred by small businesses. If your network is growing rapidly, a stackable switch might be a better option.