Best Ethernet Switch
The 10 best Ethernet switches for 2026, ranked by speed, ports, and value.
Top 10 Picks
TP-Link TL-SG108
Best 8-port gigabit switch.
- Affordable
- 8 ports
- Gigabit
- Metal
- Unmanaged
Netgear GS308
Budget 8-port gigabit switch.
- Cheap
- 8 ports
- Gigabit
- Metal
- Unmanaged
TP-Link TL-SG105
Best 5-port gigabit switch.
- Very affordable
- 5 ports
- Gigabit
- Metal
- Unmanaged
TP-Link TL-SG116
16-port gigabit switch.
- 16 ports
- Affordable
- Gigabit
- Metal
- Unmanaged
Netgear GS316
16-port gigabit switch.
- 16 ports
- Affordable
- Gigabit
- Metal
- Unmanaged
TP-Link TL-SG2210P
Managed PoE switch.
- Managed
- PoE
- 8 ports
- VLAN
- Expensive
Netgear GS305E
Smart 5-port switch.
- Smart
- 5 ports
- Affordable
- VLAN
- Basic management
TP-Link TL-SG105E
Smart 5-port switch.
- Smart
- 5 ports
- Affordable
- VLAN
- Basic management
TRENDnet TEG-S80g
8-port gigabit switch.
- 8 ports
- Affordable
- Gigabit
- Metal
- Unmanaged
Linksys SE3005
5-port gigabit switch.
- 5 ports
- Affordable
- Gigabit
- Unmanaged
Comparison Table
| # | Name | Brand | Resolution | Panel | Refresh | Ports | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TP-Link TL-SG108 | TP-Link | — | — | — | — | 4.7/5
★★★★★ | $25 |
| 2 | Netgear GS308 | Netgear | — | — | — | — | 4.6/5
★★★★★ | $22 |
| 3 | TP-Link TL-SG105 | TP-Link | — | — | — | — | 4.6/5
★★★★★ | $16 |
| 4 | TP-Link TL-SG116 | TP-Link | — | — | — | — | 4.6/5
★★★★★ | $45 |
| 5 | Netgear GS316 | Netgear | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5
★★★★★ | $40 |
| 6 | TP-Link TL-SG2210P | TP-Link | — | — | — | — | 4.5/5
★★★★★ | $99 |
| 7 | Netgear GS305E | Netgear | — | — | — | — | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | $30 |
| 8 | TP-Link TL-SG105E | TP-Link | — | — | — | — | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | $22 |
| 9 | TRENDnet TEG-S80g | TRENDnet | — | — | — | — | 4.4/5
★★★★☆ | $25 |
| 10 | Linksys SE3005 | Linksys | — | — | — | — | 4.2/5
★★★★☆ | $25 |
Pros & Cons Summary
TP-Link TL-SG108
Netgear GS308
TP-Link TL-SG105
TP-Link TL-SG116
Netgear GS316
TP-Link TL-SG2210P
Netgear GS305E
TP-Link TL-SG105E
TRENDnet TEG-S80g
Linksys SE3005
FAQ
What is the best Ethernet switch?
The TP-Link TL-SG108 at $25 is the best 8-port gigabit switch. For 5 ports, the TP-Link TL-SG105 at $16 is excellent.
Managed or unmanaged switch?
Unmanaged is plug-and-play. Managed (TP-Link TL-SG2210P) offers VLAN, QoS, and monitoring. Most home users need unmanaged.
Do I need a gigabit switch?
Yes, gigabit (1Gbps) is the standard. 10Gbps switches are available but expensive and only needed for heavy data transfer.
How many ports do I need?
5 ports for small setups. 8 ports for medium. 16 ports for large offices. Always buy more ports than you currently need.
What is PoE and do I need it?
PoE (Power over Ethernet) powers devices via Ethernet cable. The TP-Link TL-SG2210P has PoE for IP cameras and access points.
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