Best Network Switches

The NETGEAR GS308P-100NAS 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch is the perfect choice for anyone who needs to add a large number of available Ethernet ports for a home or small office network. There are a number of factors as to why this particular model is great for this role. For one, it comes in at a very affordable price, meaning that those looking for a switch on a budget will find this to be a great deal. Second, this switch is great for those who don't want to add a massive expense to their energy bill. The device detects the link status on each port and automatically cuts power to inactive ports to reduce power consumption.

In addition to the above-mentioned features, one that will really get your attention is the fact that you won't need a separate power source in order to use this switch. The device supports PoE (Power over Ethernet), which allows you to place the switch even in places where there are no electrical outlets. Plus, there won't be any need to lay additional cables, as it should fit in perfectly with your existing network infrastructure. The metal housing of the unit ensures that it will remain in perfect operating condition even in high traffic areas where it might be susceptible to bumps. Overall, if you are needing to add more Ethernet ports to your existing home or small office network, this network switch will be a great choice.

Linksys is a brand that has been well known to many computer and network technicians for years. They have long been a leader in home and small office network equipment, and this reputation continues to the present day. The Linksys SE3008 8-Port Metallic Gigabit Switch is another high-quality product from them, providing an 8 port switch that has numerous features that place it above the competition.

This great 8 port Ethernet switch provides full-duplex IEEE 802.3x flow control and half-duplex backpressure, meaning that all network activity on the switch is properly maintained and making intelligent use of the switch's capabilities, preventing packet congestion, which can drag down a network's performance. All ports support auto MDI/MDI-X cable detection, which means that devices can easily connect to the switch without needing prior configuration. The QoS packet scheduling optimizes network traffic and prioritizes audio and video streaming, which ensures that all media streams will be smooth and not affected by network performance. The metallic case of this switch also provides it with high durability, meaning it should last for years. With such a great name behind this network switch, this model is one that shouldn't be passed over.

TP-LINK is a newer name in the home networking equipment market, but they have quickly become well known and highly regarded for providing high-quality products at an affordable price. The TP-LINK TL-SG108 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch is yet another product that continues in this line. This 8 port Gigabit Ethernet switch provides Gigabit (1000Mbps) speeds on all 8 ports, ensuring that all connected devices are able to take full advantage of the high network bandwidth.

This switch has a number of features that make it a great value. It fully supports plug and play operation, with no configuration necessary. Just connect it to your router, connect the various devices through Ethernet, and it should be ready to go. The IEEE 802.3x flow control is supported by this model, providing highly reliable data transfer over the network. The 802.1p and DSCP QoS packet scheduling helps to optimize network traffic, especially for latency-sensitive data such as audio and video streaming. The power saving features of this device are also top notch, meaning that the switch can be left on for long periods of time without worry of it wrecking havoc on your electric bill. All of the great features of this device combined with the low price means that anyone looking for a high-quality switch on a budget should give this model a try.

Some people will often find themselves needing to add a few more available Ethernet ports to their home network, and of course, they don't want to spend a fortune doing so. With that being the case, the NETGEAR GS305-300PAS Network Switch is the perfect choice as it adds 5 more free ports to your home network but at a budget price. The device is quite energy efficient, with it being designed to operate with the IEEE802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet mode. It operates with minimal noise and has a high-quality assembly that will keep it safe even if it is in high traffic areas. Furthermore, there are additional models available for more ports if you require them.

What really helps set this affordable network switch apart from many others, though, is its total ease of setup and use. The included plug and play technology allows for instant installation and connectivity, while Auto MDI / MDI-X Cable Detection eliminates the need for crossover cables. To connect your devices to the network, all you need to do is plug them into the Ethernet ports and they should automatically be ready to go. This is all well and good as the instructions that come with this switch aren't very clear, but it is easy enough to set up and use for those who are not network gurus. In short, anyone who needs a few extra network ports for their home network will find this model to be right up their alley.

Network switches aren't all meant to handle the demands of an office. Many of the smaller and more affordable network switches are made for those who have simple demands for a switch, and the TP-LINK TL-SG1005D 5-Port Unmanaged Gigabit Desktop Switch is no exception. Featuring 5 Ethernet ports, this switch includes a splitter for allowing easy connection to a model or router, which makes it perfect for those who just want to add a few more Ethernet ports to their home network.

Although this simple model is very affordable, it doesn't lack for features. The full Gigabit Ethernet capability of the switch allows for high network traffic running at full speed, so network congestion shouldn't ever be a problem. The IEEE 802.3x flow control also provides highly reliable data transfer, meaning that the network won't be filled up with improperly routed packets. The power savings capabilities also mean that it can run continuously with almost no effect on your total electricity usage. The limited lifetime warranty of the device also means that you don't have to worry about hardware failures causing trouble with your home network. Anyone looking for a small, lightweight network switch with an extremely affordable price will be quite happy with this model.