These days, having multiple devices to connect to the network is not only common in offices, but in most of our homes. Regardless if you are a passionate gamer or just need to connect multiple devices – you have come to the right place.
Yes, having a modem can be useful, but not in all cases. To be sure that things will work properly, you should find the fastest ethernet switch, which will make your life and job easier. With such, all your devices will have access to the internet.
Of course, finding the right home network switch is far from an easy task, in case you are not a specialist. Also, there are lots of different models and makes available on the market, which is constantly increasing due to higher demand.
Top 7 Best Ethernet Switches
In this guide, we have pinned the top 7 network switches for home or office. Hopefully, after going through this guide, we will make things clearer for you, and you will be able to make the right choice. Keep scrolling down to check our top picks!
NetGear GS308 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
This ethernet switch can be the best switch for a home network for every beginner. It is so easy to set up and does not require any configuration – it is made to connect automatically to any router or modem through any of the ports. You will achieve complete peace of mind after doing “all the work” by yourself.
This ethernet unmanaged switch is energy efficient, power-saving, and thanks to its fanless design – it does not even make any noise. Plus, it can be desktop or wall mount placed – whenever you need it. And the clear black design makes it almost invisible. This NetGear product has everything that the unmanaged switch should have – and to ensure your satisfaction, the product is covered by a 3-year limited warranty.
- 8 port gigabit network unmanaged switch
- Easy plug-and-play setup
- Auto MDI and LED indicator on each port
Linksys Business LGS116 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch
If you need to accelerate the performance of your network and if you are seeking a number of ports with rapid connections, the Lynksys 16-Port Gigabit ethernet switch could be one of the favorite networking switches for you and your business. You can add up to 16 devices easily via the Plug and Play installation and provide them with up to 1000Mbs of speed. You can easily transfer much information and large files between the devices. For sure, this ethernet switch will take your local office network to another level.
The unmanaged switch from Linksys comes with various power-saving characteristics but without even one compromise on performance. The unused ports are automatically disabled, while the sleep mode ensures minimal power consumption when the ethernet switch is inactive. It can easily do the job of a professional gaming switch as well!
- 16 port gigabit ethernet switch
- Lowered power usage
- connection speed up to 1000Mbs
NetGear GS316 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS316)
This network switch has the ability to meet all your business requirements. It not only meets but exceeds all the high standards and demands regarding reliability, performance, and durability. Getting this ethernet switch will ensure peace of mind. This will result in a trouble-free operation and peace of mind when doing your business
Its fanless design allows for quiet operation, and the power-saving and the energy-efficient feature will allow for decreased power usage, so your bills can even be lowered. And with the Plug and Play setup, it could be installed effortlessly in minutes. And it could be placed wherever you need it – on the desk, or on the wall. This device could be considered as one of the leading switches for a home network or office needs.
- 16 ports gigabit ethernet switch
- desktop or wall mount installation
- 3-year limited hardware warranty
Linksys SE3008 8-Port Metallic Gigabit Switch
This switch has been designed for everyone who is looking for a reliable, high-performing device. It is one of the finest ethernet switches for beginners, as it is unmanaged and is set up easily, thanks to the Plug and Play function. With its attractive all-metal design, this ethernet switch will look good both on your wall or desk.
The switch comes with some great features. There is QoS to prioritize audio and video applications for better streaming. Power-Saving and auto-sensing could be useful for each local family network to be energy efficient. The device also has MDI/MDI-X ethernet cable detection, and it complies with IEEE 802.3ab/az/p/x/u standards. The number of ports can turn this switch into a perfect gaming switch.
- 8 ports gigabit switch
- Metal housing
- Full-duplex flow control
TP-Link Litewave 8 Ports Gigabit Network Switch
This is another great device presented by TP-Link. The Litewave 8-port gigabit ethernet switch could be one of the best-unmanaged switches for your large home network of small office needs. With its 8 gigabit ports, it can also become a gaming switch – you decide how to use it.
It has power efficiency features allowing for less power usage, which is good for your bills! With the Plug and Play installation, you can easily connect it to your router or modem for extra wired connections. There is also IEEE 802.3X flow control, which ensures reliable data transfer between the devices. The RJ45 ports support auto-negotiation and auto MDI/MDI X and expand your network’s capacity at the same time!
- Eight port gigabit switch
- No settings or installation needed
- Features allowing for lowered power usage
TP-Link 16 Ports Gigabit PoE Switch
This ethernet switch with PoE ports could be a perfect solution if you want to connect your access points, surveillance cameras, Ip phones, or any other PoE-supported devices. It could be really useful if you don’t have much experience in networking. Each of the 8 Power-over-Ethernet ports can offer up to 30W.
Network security is improved thanks to the abundant VLAN features. In addition, this PoE ports switch will prioritize your traffic and ensure the highest quality of videos or voice data transmission as it has port-based 802.1p/DSCP QoS, IGMP snooping, rate limiting, and traffic monitoring settings. The good thing is that to ensure you will be pleased with this purchase, it comes with a lifetime warranty!
- 16/8 Power-over-ethernet port switch
- Advanced software features
- Improving network performance
TP-Link 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch
If you are in demand for a lower number of ports, you can consider getting this ethernet switch. It can easily become a good ethernet switch for any home network needs without compromising on performance. It could be easily installed and placed on your desktop or wall, and the sturdy metal design makes it more reliable and good-looking.
The 5-gigabit ports ensure the instant transferring of large files without blocking or issues. The ports can surely expand the network capacity. In addition, they support auto-negotiation and Auto MDI/MDI X. This ethernet switch can save you money as well with much less power consumption. And the fanless design ensures quiet operation – you will not even notice it! One of the great things regarding this wall/desktop switch is its limited lifetime warranty – you can be sure you have a reliable device.
- five ports gigabit network switch
- IEEE 802.3X flow control
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between ethernet and the internet?
A: While the communication protocol for worldwide networks is called the internet, local areas (LAN) are ethernet. The local area network – LAN is an independent network, but at the same time, it can be linked to WAN (internet) through devices called routers.
Q: What is an ethernet switch
A: By default, an ethernet switch is a device used to connect different devices such as computers, consoles, and others, through a local network. This can be found practical in both your home and office. It is defined as a station that connects the devices to each other with a wired network.
Q: Does it reduce speed?
A: It depends. A WiFi could provide a faster internet connection, but an ethernet switch sends any files through your network devices a lot faster.
Q: Can a network switch improve the network’s overall performance?
A: Yes, definitely. Having tour devices wired will decrease the chances of signal loss and interference, which both are known to happen often when you are using s WiFi. The network will be additionally secured, and getting one of the best ethernet switches for your home, office, or gaming place will make sure you can rely on it.
Q: Can I connect two ethernet switches together?
A: Yes, it would be possible. You can ensure they could work together if you want to have as many ports as possible. A number of switches can be stacked to form a stack unit.
Q: Which is faster – Fast Ethernet or Gigabit ethernet?
A: The switches using gigabit ethernet are definitely the faster ethernet switches. This is because Fast Ethernet operates at most of 100mbps while gigabit ethernet provides up to 1 Gbps speed, which is 10 times faster.
Tips on Finding the Best Network Switch For Home or Office
Even if you spend hours on the web researching if you do not have networking experience, finding the top switch for your need can be a real pain. But your search can become a lot easier if you know what you are looking for. Actually, only a few things could help you find the ethernet switch for your needs.
It is important to keep in mind that there are a lot of models and types on the market, so you have to be careful. Here are the essentials to look for when browsing – they will help you find the device and guarantee your satisfaction.
Number of ports
You will need to start by determining the purpose of the switch – if you use it for a small home network – five ports are perfectly enough. For gaming, you need a switch with at least eight ports, as they will do the job, but the more – the better. It also depends on your devices. For office needs, even small ones, you can bet on a switch with sixteen or more ports. That will be enough. It all depends on your needs.
Type
There are basically 2 types of ethernet switches: Unmanaged and managed.
The unmanaged switches are more commonly used, as most of them use the Plug and Play setup – you install it without any configuration and/or settings. How does the installation happen? Just take them out of the box, plug them in, and connect your devices, and the job is done. However, they cannot be modified if needed.
But the managed switches may make your local network safer. However, if you aren’t an expert, setting them up can be challenging. Managed switches may be an excellent option for expanding businesses and organizations.
Not all switches are created equal; PoE capabilities are one factor that can choose which switches to use. They could support PoE and be stacked.
If you want to provide data and power to multiple devices over a single wire, such as security cameras, a PoE port switch may be your best bet. They’re perfect for locations with limited access to electrical sockets.
A stackable port switch will allow you to connect multiple switches and set them up as one entity. They could be great for large and fast-growing businesses.
Design and Additional Features
Most commonly, most of the switches can be metal or plastic. While the plastic ones are lighter, the metal ones tend to have a longer lifespan.
The quality of service is most likely the first crucial feature to look for when looking for your switch. Thanks to it, your network will determine the traffic and prioritize different types of traffic. For example, with this feature – sound and video quality will be the highest possible.
You can also check for Auto-MDI/MDI-X function. The two standards will allow you to send and receive different types of data.
Remember the power usage of your switch – there are some reliable models that lower energy consumption and, therefore, decrease your costs. Plus, you can find fanless designed gigabit switches, which you will never notice – this is important if you will use it in your home.
Installation can be 2 types as well – desktop or wall. Here everything depends on the type that will fit your needs the most, but many of the models come with an allowance to install in both places.
And lastly – do not forget the warranty! You will feel much more satisfied knowing your purchase is covered!
Wrap Up
Regardless if you need a switch for your home or business, you need to find the prime one to save you any hassle and network troubles. It is a complex field, so we hope we have managed to enlighten the most important parts of it, so you should know what to look for now. Not only, but we hope that our top picks regarding the gigabit switch worth adding to your buying list, so after getting one of them, you will be ready to keep things under control.
Last update on 2023-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API