Quick answer
Our overall pick is the NETGEAR GS305, a straightforward 5-port Gigabit switch for most homes. Other picks are better for offices needing more ports, for users with faster 2.5G devices, or for networks that require Power over Ethernet or basic traffic management.
Adding a network switch is a simple way to expand your wired network, providing more Ethernet ports for computers, game consoles, printers, and smart home hubs. We’ve compared the specifications for 11 of the best network switches to help you find the right one for your setup, whether you need just a few extra ports or a larger hub for an office.
Quick picks
- Best overall basic switch: NETGEAR GS305 (see on Amazon)
- Best for 2.5G multi-gigabit speed: TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 (see on Amazon)
- Best for Power over Ethernet (PoE): NETGEAR GS324P (see on Amazon)
- Best for basic network management: NETGEAR GS305E (see on Amazon)
11 Best Network Switches compared
| # | Product | Best for | Port Count | Port Speed | Mounting Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NETGEAR GS305 | Best overall basic switch | 5 Port | 1.0Gbps | Desktop or Wall Mount |
| 2 | TP-Link TL-SG108 | Best for an 8-port metal hub | 8 Port | 1 Gigabit | Not listed |
| 3 | NETGEAR GS308 | Best for a compact 8-port option | 8 Port | 1.0Gbps | Desktop or Wall Mount |
| 4 | TP-Link LS1005G | Best for a very compact 5-port switch | Not listed | 10/100/1000Mbps | Not listed |
| 5 | NETGEAR GS324 | Best for a large 24-port unmanaged switch | 24 Port | 1.0Gbps | Desktop, Wall, or Rack Mount |
| 6 | NETGEAR GS316v3 | Best for a 16-port unmanaged switch | 16 Port | 1.0Gbps | Desktop or Wall Mount |
| 7 | NETGEAR MS305 | Best for a 5-port 2.5G switch | 5 Port | 2.5Gbps | Desktop or Wall Mount |
| 8 | NETGEAR GS305E | Best for basic network management | 5-Port | 1.0Gbps | Desktop or Wall Mount |
| 9 | NETGEAR GS308E | Best for an 8-port managed switch | 8-Port | 1Gbps | Not listed |
| 10 | NETGEAR GS324P | Best for Power over Ethernet (PoE) | 24 Port | 1.0Gbps | Desktop or Rack Mount |
| 11 | TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 | Best for 2.5G multi-gigabit speed | 8 Port | 2.5 Gigabit | Desktop/Wall Mount |
How we chose
We compared manufacturer listings and specifications on Amazon as of October 2026 to identify the best network switches. We did not test or use any products hands-on. Our picks are based on key criteria: the number and speed of ports, whether the switch is unmanaged or offers management features, the inclusion of Power over Ethernet (PoE), physical design for mounting, and energy efficiency.
Best basic unmanaged switches
These plug-and-play switches are ready to use out of the box with no configuration needed.
1. Best overall basic switch: NETGEAR GS305
Pros
- 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plug-and-play unmanaged setup
- Fanless silent operation
Cons
- The listing does not mention rack-mount capability.
The NETGEAR GS305 is a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch. It features auto-negotiating ports for high-speed connectivity with existing Cat5e or Cat6 cables and requires no software or configuration for plug-and-play setup. Its fanless metal design is silent and energy-efficient, and it can be mounted on a desktop or wall.
Best for: This is the best network switch for most homes needing a few extra reliable, high-speed Ethernet ports.
2. Best for an 8-port metal hub: TP-Link TL-SG108
Pros
- 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Sturdy metal construction
- Fanless quiet design
Cons
- The listing does not mention rack-mount capability.
The TP-Link TL-SG108 is an 8-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch. Its eight RJ45 ports support 10/100/1000 Mbps speeds for wired network expansion. It has a plug-and-play setup, a fanless quiet design, and is built with a sturdy metal housing for durability and heat dissipation.
Best for: This is the best network switch for adding eight ports in a home office or entertainment center where quiet, metal construction is preferred.
3. Best for a compact 8-port option: NETGEAR GS308
Pros
- 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plug-and-play unmanaged setup
- Compact metal design
Cons
- The listing does not mention rack-mount capability.
The NETGEAR GS308 is an 8-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch. It offers eight auto-negotiating 1.0Gbps ports for plug-and-play connectivity. The fanless, compact metal design supports silent, energy-efficient operation and can be placed on a desktop or mounted on a wall.
Best for: This is the best network switch for a simple, compact expansion to eight Gigabit ports without management features.
4. Best for a very compact 5-port switch: TP-Link LS1005G
Pros
- 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Very compact and lightweight
- Fanless quiet operation
Cons
- The listing does not mention wall-mount or rack-mount capability.
The TP-Link LS1005G is a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch. It features five RJ45 ports with 10/100/1000Mbps speeds and supports auto-negotiation. It uses energy-efficient technology, has a fanless quiet design, and offers plug-and-play setup with no configuration needed.
Best for: This is the best network switch for a very small, lightweight, and quiet 5-port expansion in a tight space.
5. Best for a large 24-port unmanaged switch: NETGEAR GS324
Pros
- 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Desktop, wall, or rack mount
- Fanless silent operation
Cons
- The listing does not mention Power over Ethernet capability.
The NETGEAR GS324 is a 24-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch. It provides 24 auto-negotiating 1.0Gbps ports for high-speed connectivity. The fanless, compact metal design supports silent operation and offers flexible mounting options for desktop, wall, or rack placement.
Best for: This is the best network switch for a home server closet, office, or any setup requiring a large number of unmanaged Gigabit ports.
6. Best for a 16-port unmanaged switch: NETGEAR GS316v3
Pros
- 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plug-and-play setup
- Fanless silent metal housing
Cons
- The listing does not mention rack-mount capability.
The NETGEAR GS316v3 is a 16-port Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch. It features 16 auto-negotiating 1.0Gbps ports and supports plug-and-play setup. The fanless metal housing ensures silent operation, and the switch can be mounted on a desktop or wall.
Best for: This is the best network switch for a medium-sized office or advanced home network needing 16 unmanaged Gigabit ports.
7. Best for a 5-port 2.5G switch: NETGEAR MS305
Pros
- 5 x 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig ports
- Plug-and-play unmanaged setup
- Fanless silent operation
Cons
- The listing does not mention rack-mount capability.
The NETGEAR MS305 is a 5-port 2.5G Multi-Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch. It provides five 2.5Gbps Multi-Gig ports with auto-negotiation for high-speed connectivity with existing Cat5e or Cat6 cables. It has a plug-and-play setup, a fanless design, and a compact metal case for desktop or wall mounting.
Best for: This is the best network switch for connecting a handful of high-speed 2.5G devices in a simple, unmanaged setup.
Best for network management
These easy smart managed switches offer features like VLANs and QoS for organizing and prioritizing traffic.
8. Best for basic network management: NETGEAR GS305E
Pros
- 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Easy Smart Managed capabilities
- Fanless silent operation
Cons
- The listing does not mention rack-mount capability.
The NETGEAR GS305E is a 5-port Gigabit Ethernet easy smart managed network switch. It offers five 1.0Gbps ports and an intuitive software interface for configuring VLANs, prioritizing traffic with QoS, and monitoring ports. It has a fanless, compact metal design for desktop or wall mounting.
Best for: This is the best network switch for small businesses or advanced users who want basic traffic management features like VLANs and QoS without complexity.
9. Best for an 8-port managed switch: NETGEAR GS308E
Pros
- 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Easy Smart web GUI
- Built-in protection features
Cons
- The listing does not mention mounting options or physical dimensions.
The NETGEAR GS308E is an 8-port Gigabit Ethernet easy smart managed network switch. It features eight 1Gbps auto-negotiating ports and offers a web GUI for management across Windows, Mac, or Linux. It supports features like VLANs, QoS, IGMP snooping, and includes built-in protection like auto DoS prevention.
Best for: This is the best network switch for users who need to segment and prioritize traffic across eight ports with easy management tools.
Best for Power over Ethernet (PoE)
This switch can deliver both data and power over a single Ethernet cable to compatible devices.
10. Best for Power over Ethernet (PoE): NETGEAR GS324P
Pros
- 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- 16 PoE+ ports @ 190W
- Desktop or rack mount
Cons
- The listing does not mention wall-mount capability.
The NETGEAR GS324P is a 24-port PoE Gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch. It features 24 Gigabit ports, with 16 of them being PoE+ ports with a 190W total power capacity for dynamic power allocation to devices. It offers plug-and-play setup and supports desktop or rack-mount placement.
Best for: This is the best network switch for powering devices like IP cameras, wireless access points, and VoIP phones over the Ethernet cable.
11. Best for 2.5G multi-gigabit speed: TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2
Pros
- Eight 2.5-Gigabit ports
- Auto-negotiation for compatibility
- Works with existing Cat5e wiring
Cons
- The listing does not mention rack-mount capability.
The TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 is an 8-port Multi-Gigabit 2.5G unmanaged Ethernet switch. It features eight 2.5-Gigabit ports with auto-negotiation between 100Mb, 1G, and 2.5G speeds. It is designed for scenarios like home entertainment or workstations and can work with existing Cat5e cabling for hassle-free upgrades.
Best for: This is the best network switch for unlocking higher performance from 2.5G Wi-Fi access points, NAS devices, and other multi-gigabit equipment.
How to choose a network switch
Choosing a network switch starts with understanding your needs. The most basic decision is port count: how many devices do you need to connect? A 5-port switch is suitable for a home entertainment center, while an 8-port model suits a home office with several computers and printers. For larger setups like offices or home server racks, 16 or 24-port switches provide ample connectivity.
Next, consider port speed. While Gigabit (1,000 Mbps) is standard and sufficient for most internet plans and file transfers, newer Multi-Gigabit switches with 2.5G ports can unlock higher speeds for compatible devices like high-end Wi-Fi 6 access points or Network Attached Storage (NAS) drives. Check if your devices and router support these faster speeds to consider the upgrade.
What to look for
- Port Count & Speed: Match the number of ports to your devices. Choose Gigabit (1G) for general use or 2.5G for compatible high-speed equipment.
- Managed vs. Unmanaged: Unmanaged switches are plug-and-play. Managed switches (like “Easy Smart” models) offer features for organizing your network with VLANs or prioritizing traffic with QoS.
- Power over Ethernet (PoE): If you need to power devices like security cameras or wireless access points over the data cable, look for a switch with PoE ports and a sufficient total power capacity.
- Design & Mounting: Consider where the switch will live. Compact, fanless models are quiet for living spaces. Check if it supports desktop, wall, or rack mounting for your intended location.
Finally, think about physical design and features. A fanless switch operates silently, making it suitable for bedrooms or living rooms. Mounting options like wall or rack brackets help with organization. For more on setting up your network devices, see our Tech Setup and Troubleshooting Guide.
FAQ
What’s the difference between an unmanaged and a managed network switch?
An unmanaged network switch is a simple plug-and-play device. You connect your cables, and it immediately starts passing data between devices with no configuration required. A managed switch, like the “Easy Smart” models in our list, provides a software interface (often a web page) where you can configure settings like Virtual LANs (VLANs) to segment network traffic or Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize certain types of data, like video calls or gaming.
Do I need a 2.5G network switch?
You only need a 2.5G network switch if you have devices that support Multi-Gigabit speeds and a use case that benefits from the extra bandwidth. This includes having a 2.5G port on your router, a high-speed NAS for large file transfers, or a Wi-Fi 6/6E access point that can exceed Gigabit wireless speeds. For typical internet browsing, streaming, and file sharing on a standard home network, a Gigabit (1G) switch is usually sufficient.
What is Power over Ethernet (PoE)?
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that allows an Ethernet cable to carry both data and electrical power to a device. This is commonly used for devices like IP security cameras, wireless access points, and VoIP phones, as it eliminates the need for a separate power cable and outlet near the device. A PoE switch, like the NETGEAR GS324P, has special ports that can deliver this power.
Can I connect a network switch to another switch?
Yes, you can connect one network switch to another to expand the number of available ports. This is often called “daisy-chaining.” You simply connect a standard Ethernet cable from any port on the first switch to any port on the second switch. For the best performance, especially when daisy-chaining, using a Gigabit or faster switch is recommended to avoid creating a bottleneck for connected devices.
References
- Amazon product listings and manufacturer specifications (accessed October 2026)
- IEEE Standards Association. IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet.
