Switches
Best Gigabit Ethernet Switches 2021
| Our pick | Best value | Best gaming switch | Best for large networks |
|---|---|---|---|
  |   |   |   |
| Linksys SE3008 8-Port Metallic Gigabit Switch | TP-Link TL-SG108 | NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000 | TRENDnet TEG-224DG |
| $49.97 | $18.99 | $228.00 | $89.99 |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
What Ethernet switch is the best?
We think the best Ethernet switch for your network depends on how many ports and features you need, but if you’re just looking for a few more Ethernet ports for wired connections, the Linksys SE3008 Gigabit Switch is a great option. It has eight ports, an easy plug-and-play setup, and simple Quality of Service (QoS) features that prioritize audio and video streaming.
Top Ethernet switches
| Best for | Our pick |
| Model | Linksys SE3008 |
| Image |   |
| Price* | $49.97 |
| Number of gigabit ports | 8 |
| Get it | View on Amazon |
| Best for | Best value |
| Model | TP-Link TL-SG108 |
| Image |   |
| Price* | $18.99 |
| Number of gigabit ports | 8 |
| Get it | View on Amazon |
| Best for | Best gaming switch |
| Model | NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000 |
| Image |   |
| Price* | $228.00 |
| Number of gigabit ports | 8 |
| Get it | View on Amazon |
| Best for | Best switch for large networks |
| Model | TRENDnet TEG-224DG |
| Image | |
| Price* | $89.99 |
| Number of gigabit ports | 24 |
| Get it | View on Amazon |
| Best for | Best basic switch |
| Model | TP-Link TL-SG1005D |
| Image |   |
| Price* | $16.98 |
| Number of gigabit ports | 5 |
| Get it | View on Amazon |
Linksys SE3008
- 8 gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plug and play
- Full duplex
- Auto MDI/MDI-X cable detection
- Energy efficient
Price: $49.97
According to our research, the Linksys SE3008 is the best Ethernet switch for everyday use in your home network. Using it is as simple as plugging it in, but it offers some QoS functions to streamline your data flow for streaming movies and music.
The switch’s sturdy metal frame can sit on your desk or live in a rack mount, and it features eight front-facing ports with LED status lights so you know when each port is in use.
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Simple plug-and-play setup
- Basic QoS for multimedia performance
Cons
- Higher price than basic switches
- Power jack on opposite side of Ethernet ports
TP-Link TL-SG108
Specs:
- 8 gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plug and play
- Full duplex
- Auto MDI/MDI-X cable detection
- Energy efficient design
Price: $18.99*
This eight-port gigabit Ethernet switch is inexpensive but still has all the features you need in an unmanaged network switch. It has a metal frame, basic QoS for traffic optimization, and an automatic power-saving mode. Plus, its lifetime warranty guarantees that you’re covered if it fails.
Though the TL-SG108 has a metal chassis, it weighs less than 14 ounces. So, the weight of Ethernet connections can move it if it’s not secured correctly, which could be annoying since cord management is messy enough without your switch getting all tangled up.
Pros
- Low price
- Metal exterior
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Lightweight build
NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000
Specs:
- 8 gigabit Ethernet ports
- 2 10G/multigig ports
- User friendly interface
- Energy Efficient Ethernet mode
Price: $228.00*
The NETGEAR Nighthawk GS808E gaming switch is the only managed Ethernet switch on this list. That makes it a little more advanced and a little harder to set up, but it gives you more control over your network connections. That’s a huge benefit if you want to configure your connections to prioritize gaming data and reduce latency.
This switch also has superfast max switching speeds, thanks to its two multigigabit Ethernet ports. But all the fancy features make it cost more than unmanaged switches. The benefits outweigh the costs, however. And though the managed switch is a little more difficult to set up, you only have to configure it once.
Pros
- Low latency design
- User-friendly management software
Cons
- High price
- More difficult setup than unmanaged switches
TRENDnet TEG-S24DG
Specs:
- 24 gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plug and play
- Full duplex
- Auto MDI/MDI-X cable detection
- Energy efficient design
Price: $89.99*
If you need more than five or eight Ethernet ports, this TRENDnet TEG-S24DG network switch has plenty. With 16-port and 24-port options, this gigabit switch is an easy way to expand your connections.
Like other unmanaged Ethernet switches, this device doesn’t have many QoS features like port configuration. But it does follow GREENnet energy saving performance standards that adjust power consumption based on the devices plugged into the switch.
The TEG-S24DG can sit on your desk for easy access or be rack-mounted, but you have to buy the rack-mounting hardware separately.
Pros
- Plenty of ports
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- No included rack-mounting hardware
TP-Link TL-SG1005D
Specs:
- 5 gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plug and play
- Full duplex
- Auto MDI/MDI-X cable detection
- Energy efficient design
Price: $16.98*
The TP-Link TL-SG1005D is a great basic gigabit switch. It has five ports and a plastic exterior, but it’s a little less intelligent than the other devices we’ve featured.
Many unmanaged Ethernet switches use a traffic QoS protocol to prioritize data for streaming and gaming, but the TL-SG1005D does not. That makes it a good option if you’re pairing it with a high-end router that has its own QoS features.
Pros
- Inexpensive price
- Power-saving mode
Cons
- Plastic exterior
What is an Ethernet switch?
Very simply, an Ethernet switch gives you more Ethernet ports. It’s like a power strip but for network connections instead of electrical ones.
Wired internet connections are faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. So connecting your PC, gaming console, or streaming device to your router via Ethernet cable can give you an extra boost and keep the buffering blues at bay.
Wireless routers often have a built-in network switch to offer multiple ports (well, except for Eero). But if you run out of Ethernet port real estate on your router, an Ethernet switch is the best way to get more.
Pro tip:
Make sure to get a gigabit Ethernet switch.
What to look for in a gigabit Ethernet switch
Ethernet switches come in many forms and sizes. To make sure you find the best gigabit switch for your network, keep these things in mind.
Number of ports
The most important factor to consider when buying a gigabit Ethernet switch is how many Ethernet ports you actually need. It would suck to purchase a device and get everything set up just to find out that you’re a port short.
One key thing to remember here is that one of the ports on your network switch will be used to connect your switch to your router. For example, if you have five devices you want to connect to the Ethernet switch, you’ll actually need six ports.
Gigabit Ethernet switches start out with about five ports on the small side and scale up to dozens. The larger switches are often intended for commercial or business use, but if you need 24 gigabit Ethernet ports for personal use, more power to you.
Pro tip:
When purchasing an Ethernet switch, get one with enough ports for all your wired connections. When you set up your switch, only it should be connected to your router. All your other wired connections should be made through the switch so it can help regulate your network traffic.
Switches vs. hubs
Ethernet switches and Ethernet hubs look similar, and they perform a similar function in your home network. But you want a switch, not a hub.
An Ethernet hub isn’t as smart as an Ethernet switch. A hub doesn’t know where each piece of information is supposed to go, so it sends every piece of information in your network to every connected device. This creates a bunch of problems that result in poor network performance.
Hubs used to be popular, cheap alternatives to Ethernet switches. But switches are now so inexpensive that it makes absolutely zero sense to buy a hub instead of a switch.
Gigabit Ethernet
Make sure that you get a gigabit Ethernet switch. Gigabit Ethernet supports data speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, and it’s backward compatible with older Ethernet standards.
Fast Ethernet is one generation older than gigabit, and it reaches speeds up to 100 Mbps. Though that’s plenty of bandwidth for most connections, gigabit Ethernet has been available for twenty years. It’s the current standard, and the cost difference between fast Ethernet and gigabit Ethernet equipment is usually negligible. Just go gigabit.
Managed vs. unmanaged switches
Most of the devices on our list are unmanaged Ethernet switches. This means that they don’t require any configuration and work right out of the box. Any switch advertised as “plug and play” is an unmanaged switch.
The benefits of unmanaged network switches is that they’re inexpensive and very simple to use. But they don’t give you much control over individual connections.
Managed network switches are generally more expensive and require some configuration. But they allow you to manipulate how and where data flows in your network. Most let you monitor and regulate traffic through the switch and implement QoS.
There are some managed switches that are designed to be easier to configure and meant for residential settings, like the NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000. But because of their advanced features, managed switches are usually found in commercial or business networks.
Our verdict
If you’re in need of more Ethernet ports, go for the Linksys SE3008 network switch. Its simple plug-and-play setup, eight gigabit Ethernet ports, and automatic QoS traffic prioritization make it the easiest way to expand your home network.