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No matter how much money you have or how big your network is, we have best ethernet switches that will work for you. You can choose from smaller ones that can only connect a few devices to the network to bigger ones with a lot of ports that can connect a lot of devices to the network.
But a wireless connection adds a few new factors. Protocol compatibility, interference, wall materials that block signals, or even poorly made radios and antennas can slow down a gigabit connection to a crawl. For a lot more information.
We looked at each switch’s number of ports, mounting style, overall speed, and power over ethernet functionality to find the best one. If you’re still not sure if your best ethernet switches needs PoE ports, keep reading.
Best Ethernet Switches
NETGEAR 8-Port (GS108)
Specifications
| Dimensions | 8.54 x 6.5 x 4.29 inches |
| Weight | 1.69 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Netgear |
| Number of Ports | 8 |
| Cable Type | Ethernet |
This Netgear switch is a rugged little device that is capable of handling high traffic in a home or office environment. It is made of sturdy metal and features a Kensington Lock port and eight RJ-45 ports on the back.
Netgear states that the device can operate at speeds of up to 16 Gbps. It has its own management software that allows you to change settings from any device connected to any port. It also comes with a handy utility that lets you find best ethernet switches on the network.
Pros
- Plug-and-play installation
- Guarantee for life
Cons
- expensive compared to some competitors
TP-Link TL-SG108
Specifications
| Ports | 8 |
| Dimensions | 158×101×25 mm |
| Power Supply | External |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
When it comes to 8-port network switches for the home or small office network, the TP-Link TL-SG108 is hard to beat. It’s compact, has a fanless metal chassis, and dimmer and less distracting LEDs than some of its competitors.
The TL-SG108 also features QoS, full duplex flow control, auto-negotiating ports to select transmission speeds up to one gigabit, and easy plug-and-play setup. This best ethernet switches was able to roughly keep up with other 8-port switches we tested and ran cool.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Build quality is good.
- Dim LEDs
- Warranty for Life
Cons
- No Detection of Loops
NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000
Specifications
| Dimensions | 6 x 7 x 1.07 inches |
| Color | black |
| Manufacturer | Netgear |
| Weight | 1.65 pounds |
Gamers know how important fast network hardware is. If the ping is too high, you can experience delays that may cost you the win. NETGEAR offers the ultimate solution, a gaming switch it calls the Nighthawk S8000.
Named after a nimble predator, the NS8000 is also fast, offering 99% lower latency than best ethernet switches. If you want to give your gaming a competitive edge, you should also consider the best gaming mouse pad.
Pros
- Less waiting time for video games
- Customizable RGB LED controls
- took charge of each port.
Cons
- Costing about the same
Linksys Ethernet Unmanaged Switch
Specifications
| Dimensions | 2.95 x 6.69 x 0.98 inches |
| Color | Black/Blue |
| Voltage | 240 Volts |
| Manufacturer | Linksys |
This best ethernet switches, with its comparatively minimalist design and sophisticated appearance, is best suited for establishing a wired connection with the ability to transfer data at a speed of 1000 Mb per second.
It is housed in a sturdy metal casing to ensure that the internal circuits and connectors are not damaged. Moreover, it is equipped with auto-sensing ports to optimize the speed for each connected device you want to connect in a single network.
Pros
- Metal body
- Wall-mounted
Cons
- Front and back cables
D-Link DGS-1008G
Specifications
| Ports | 8 |
| Transfer speeds | Gigabit |
| Dimension | 5.4 x 3.3 x 1.3 inches |
| Weight | 4.48 ounces |
The D-Link DGS-1008G is our top pick for both homes and small businesses. It does everything you need from best ethernet switches, looks great, and doesn’t cost much. It has eight Gigabit ports and can switch at a total speed of 16 Gbps.
The DGS-1008G’s shell is made of matte black plastic, so it shouldn’t stand out in your home office or workplace. The DGS-1008G is an unmanaged switch, which means it is very easy to set up and use. It also runs quietly because it doesn’t have a fan.
Pros
- Data prioritization
- 16Gbps capacity
- Green tech
Cons
- A plastic case
Amcrest Gigabit Uplink
Specifications
| Dimensions | 10.51 x 9.45 x 3.03 inches |
| Weight | 2.47 Pounds |
| Manufacturer | Amcrest |
| Voltage | 48 Volts |
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a feature of Amcrest’s metal switch that lets you plug-and-play power up to 8 PoE devices, such as VoIP phones, IP cameras, computers, TVs, game consoles, and more.
Its LED lights show which devices are connected to the network, and the best ethernet switches is small and light, but built to last, so you won’t worry about putting it in a bag and taking it with you.
Pros
- Up to 8 devices can use PoE.
- Metal construction that is strong
Cons
- Quite large and heavy.
Ubiquiti Unifi USW-Flex
Specifications
| Ports | 5 |
| Dimensions | 122.5×107.1×28 mm |
| Cooling | Fanless |
| Warranty | 2 years |
This is a hard suggestion to make. Even though Ubiquiti had a privacy breach recently, we think the Unifi USW-Flex is the best ethernet switches for anyone who wants to bring Power over Ethernet to the edge of their network.
So, if you use all of that power at each port, the fourth port gets less attention and less power. Also, the PeE features only work if the Unifi USW-Flex is powered by a PoE injector. If you don’t know which injector to get, Ubiquiti sells a cheap one.
Pros
- 802.3af PoE power
- Small Size
- Resistant to weather
- Gigabit Speeds
Cons
- Can get warm
- There’s no real SSH.
FAQs
What is the best Ethernet switch?
The Linksys SE3008 is the best high-speed network switch for most uses. It has eight Gigabit Ethernet ports, easy plug-and-play setup, and simple Quality of Service (QoS) features that give priority to audio and video streaming.
Do Ethernet switches reduce speed?
If your switch can’t handle gigabit speeds and your internet service is faster than 100 Mbps, the switch will slow down your connection. Switches that aren’t gigabit would be fast Ethernet, which can only move 100 Mbps at most.
Are there better Ethernet switches than others?
It is important to buy the best Ethernet switch because it can affect how well a local area network works. It can be hard to find a good balance between making sure its performance is up to par and making sure its specs aren’t so high that it costs too much.