If you are looking for an inexpensive way to increase the dimensions of your network at your home or office, then Ethernet switches are the way to go. They are very easy to use and do not require you to be tech-savvy.
The best Ethernet switches can be highly beneficial in ensuring high-speed data transfers, along with much more diverse and versatile connectivity options. For gamers, offices, schools and even sometimes at home with a number of wired devices, Ethernet switches can sometimes become essential.
In this article, we'll review seven of the best Ethernet switches and also learn more about them on our way.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Ethernet Switches
Comparison Chart of the Best Ethernet Switches
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What is Ethernet Switch and What is it Used For?
An Ethernet switch is also known as a network switch. Put in simpler words, ethernet switches act as a networking bridge between computer devices and the desired destination. They allow data reception and transfer from one point to another. They have multiple parts that allow you to connect multiple computer devices at one time. Every wired device, such as a printer, a computer, or a smart TV, can be connected to the Ethernet switch. Here are instances in which these can be used:
Gaming PC Setups
Where lots of PCs and computer devices are involved, Ethernet switches become a must. Therefore, many gamers use these to finish off their gaming setup with a much faster, reliable, and efficient way of data connection and transfer.
Businesses and Offices
Businesses and office spaces usually have more than one device. In such environments where more than one computer is at work, Ethernet switches play an imperative role. They connect the devices that allow transfer speed even faster than the internet connection.
Communication Departments
For fast and efficient communication that needs to take place through several mediums, Ethernet switches are used.
Industrial Use
For industrial use, where the conditions are harsh and tough, industrial-level Ethernet switches are also used. These switches have a different design and build quality compared to regular, home/office use switches.
How to Choose an Ethernet Switch
Before we can go ahead and review some of the best Ethernet switches, let's first understand the important factors and considerations involved in choosing the right one.
Warranty Information
A lot of switches come with a warranty. However, warranty rules and specifications can get complicated and misleading as well. Therefore, before choosing an Ethernet switch, make sure you inquire everything about the warranty that comes with it. You can always ask your seller or contact the direct manufacturer of the product for better details and understanding.
Take Help From Customer Feedback
For choosing the right product, you should always take help from real customer feedback. Users who have actually used the product should be able to help you a lot when it comes to the final decision making.
Brand Reliability
Always check the brand you are buying from. An old, well-renowned brand should be your top priority. Make sure that the brand has a good amount of customer feedback, has good customer support, and has a reliable supply of products and services.
Build Quality
The construction quality of an Ethernet switch will matter a lot. This is significant, especially if you are looking for a switch for gaming and professional usage. The better the build quality, the longer it will last. Go for high quality plastic if you want something lightweight.
Quick Take - Best Ethernet Switches
In a hurry? Below are our recommendations for the best Ethernet switches:
Review of the Best Ethernet Switches
Here are detailed reviews of seven of the best Ethernet switches. Our in-depth reviews will lead you to a well-informed decision about which switch you want to invest in. Read ahead to learn more about the best Ethernet switches available today. The reviews consist of a diverse variety of switches, ranging from high-end, pricey to budget-friendly switches.
Best Overall:
Aumox 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The Ethernet switch by Aumox is backed by a huge number of highly positive customer feedback. It has worked great in all aspects for the majority of its users. Customer reports suggest that it provides a quick and very reliable connection to 5 different devices at one time. Moreover, the switch is also very small in size, which made it easier for users to keep it. Users also reported a consistent speed and high quality connection, along with a flexible and lightweight design.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The reason why we have added this outstanding Ethernet switch to our list is that it is packed with great features at such an affordable price. It's budget-friendly for whoever may want to buy it, whether for commercial use or regular home use. It has five ports that ensure consistent speed and a reliable connection for all your devices. It's one of the most well-designed, strongly built versatile Ethernet switches on the market.
Who Will Use This Most
The switch is made with industrial-grade material but is still beneficial for home use as well as commercial use. Its compact design also makes it good for small-space owners.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, this is the best Ethernet switch you can find on the market today. It's affordable and has some of the best, high-end features and functionalities. It's a great option for anyone and all kinds of usage. We highly recommend this product, considering its highly positive customer feedback.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have reported this product to be one of the best and most reliable Ethernet switches. Reports suggest that it has proved to be highly stable and consistent even with high traffic. Moreover, some have also used it for more than 5-6 years and still experience high quality performance. They also showed positive appreciation towards the customer support team that quickly replace and repair the device under the generous warranty.
However, there were some negative remarks regarding the connection stability. Some said that only 3-4 ports worked well, and started losing the connection when more devices were connected. Meanwhile, there are also some users who report the switch to be working smoothly even when all ports are connected.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The reason why this stands out to us is that it is available with versatile options. You can buy it in a number of ports including 8 and 24 ports. This gives the buyer great control over the purchase so they can make an informed decision.
Who Will Use This Most
The switch is particularly great for home use and professional use as well. It has proven to be highly functional for gamers and professional uses as well.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this is a great option. It might be slightly pricier, but it still adds great value to your money. It is a great option for absolutely anyone who is looking for a versatile, reliable, and long-lasting Ethernet switch.
Best for the Money:
TP-Link 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers and users of this product were impressed by the convenience and efficiency the design brought. Most of the buyers were home users who needed to connect multiple devices in their living room, and therefore it proved to work really well for them. However, there were some complaints regarding the loss of speed, even if only one device was connected. Moreover, some complaints also suggested that it might not last for a very long time. However, buyers who were first-timers and beginners found it easy to set up and said it worked great instantly after installation.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It is hard to find budget-friendly Ethernet switches on the market that also offer great quality features and functionality. This TP-Link switch is one of the most affordable ones on the market that also come with excellent features. It has a low-noise production design which further impressed us and led the product to our list.
Who Will Use This Most
With its simplistic features and functions, we highly recommend the product for regular home use. It's great for online streaming and basic usage. It is, however, not recommended for gaming and pro-level use.
Bottom Line
All in all, the switch is a reliable choice if you want to get your hands on the best, yet budget-friendly product. It comes with a warranty as well, which ensures good value for your money.
Best Ethernet Switch for Gaming:
NETGEAR Nighthawk S8000
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users and buyers of this Ethernet switch have used it with multiple devices at one time such as PCs, game consoles and Smart TVs. It has worked consistently well for everyone and has proved to be reliable for gaming as well. The only issue reported by users was regarding the unreliability of tech support. Little or very poor tech support proved to be problematic for some first-time buyers. However, with a lifetime warranty, there is very little to worry about.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It's very hard to find the right setup for gaming. This is one of the most reliable and sturdy switches you can use for gaming. With its versatile features and a wide range of options to choose from in terms of ports, the switch obviously stood out to us and outperformed many others. It is also backed by a generous warranty and still comes at a relatively affordable price.
Who Will Use This Most
It's the best for gamers, coding and programming purposes. However, with its plug-and-play functionality, it's also great for home users and beginners.
Bottom Line
To wrap it up, the NETGEAR Ethernet switch is one of the finest on the market. It has great functionality and is manufactured by one of the leading brands on the market. It's a great choice for all kinds of users.
Best Home Ethernet Switch:
TP-Link 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This Ethernet switch by TP-Link is backed by a huge number of positive user feedback. Majority of the user reports suggest that the switch has proven to be long-lasting. It has provided a consistent speed and reliable connections to home users for over a year and more without any major setbacks. It has also pleased first-timers and beginners with its easy setup and quick installation operation.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The most distinctive feature of this Ethernet switch is its energy-efficient design. The eco-friendliness of this product outperforms other alternatives on the market. At such a great price, the unit can automatically save power and reduce consumption by a great percentage. Therefore, we have added this outstanding product to our list.
Who Will Use This Most
For home users, this is a significantly well-designed Ethernet switch. We highly recommend this for regular, everyday use, such as for computers and TV. It's not recommended for gamers due to its speed reliability issues.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this is the cheapest yet the most efficient switch you can get your hands on. It is energy-efficient along with a fan-less design that ensures low noise production. Therefore, it's a complete all-in-one package.
Best Gigabit Ethernet Switch:
TP-Link 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of users have highly appreciated the sturdy and strong build of the switch. Many buyers reported that it worked great for a long time, even in harsh conditions. With this, users have also commented positively on its design that includes LED lights for each port and easy setup. However, there are a few negative comments regarding poor warranty support switch failing to work after a few months of use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The best feature of this Gigabit switch is that it features 24 ports with an LED light each. The LED lights ensure ease of use and great convenience for the users. Moreover, the product is also built with high-quality material, which makes it suitable even for unusual and harsh conditions.
Who Will Use This Most
This is highly recommended for use in gaming. It's great for professional and commercial use that requires lots of devices to be connected simultaneously.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, features like auto-negotiation in each port and LED light for extra user-friendliness make this Ethernet switch an outstanding option for commercial and professional use. It has a great number of ports that have LED lights and therefore stands out from other ordinary products on the market.
Best 8 Port Ethernet Switch:
Linksys 8-Port Metallic Gigabit Switch
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have positively commented on the build quality of the switch. They have found the metallic construction to be sturdy and strong, along with a sleek and professional finish. Some users reported additional configurations to be very easy and quick with this. However, some negative comments and reports were seen regarding the weak link and the need to restart the device once in a while after some months of use. However, users found the tech support to be highly useful in such situations.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The reason why this metallic Ethernet switch stands out to us is that the product has a highly efficient design that produces little or no heat even after hours of running. With this feature, the switch is great for professional and commercial use as well. Furthermore, it is very rare to find metallic switches with a strong build that will last through all kinds of conditions. Therefore, this product stands out to us.
Who Will Use This Most
With its efficient, energy-saving design, we highly recommend this switch for commercial and professional use. It will last long even if it's used for long hours. Moreover, it is also good for regular home use and for connecting computer devices and other home electronics.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, this Ethernet switch is a great option for anyone who wants a durable unit for long-duration usage. It can provide good speed with a reliable and consistent connection. The switch might be a little pricier than other alternative products, but if you have a good budget, then this product will make a great choice.
Types of Ethernet Switches
There are more than just one kind of Ethernet switches on the market. The most common types that you may find are:
Managed Switches
These switches are much more secure and user-friendly as they allow control and customizability. You also have more control over LAN traffic. They use the Simple Network Management Protocol technology that lets you manage, add, change, and alter networking between connected devices.
Unmanaged Switches
Unmanaged switches come with default settings and facilities. They cannot be altered or changed as you may please. You get less control and customizability over such units. These are usually plug-and-play switches that allow devices to connect and communicate with one another in a fixed form. These are best for use in homes, schools, and ideal for less tech-savvy people.
Modular Switches
You can add more modules and configuration in such switches. They are highly recommended for professional use as you don't need to replace them in case you need expansion. They also come with other beneficial features such as child protection.
Fixed Switches
Fixed switches are not expandable, and therefore have a fixed number of ports and configurations. They give you less flexibility.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Some important considerations will be needed before you buy an Ethernet switch. Even if it seems like a great product otherwise, you still need to assess the following factors to ensure that it matches your needs.
Speed
Speed is affected by Ethernet. However, everyone does not go for these switches just to enhance or work on the speed of their network. You need to remember that the switch itself cannot fully change and revolutionize your internet's speed. If your internet lags or you have an unstable connection, then you need to contact your service provider rather than go for an Ethernet. Other than that, make sure that the switch you are buying provides a good speed that is also consistent. Consistent speed is very important.
Energy Efficiency
If you are a gamer or are buying the switch for professional use, you will be keeping the switch on for long hours. Therefore, make sure that the one you are buying is energy-efficient, so it does not put a strain on your utility bills.
Number of Ports
If your use is regular home use where you have to connect 3-4 devices, then buying a switch with 12 ports will be a waste. Make sure that you buy one with an appropriate number of ports, neither less nor more than you need to use. The number of ports does not guarantee better performance, therefore choose accordingly.
Design Flexibility
Check what options your switch provides. Make sure that it has a flexible design that lets you either put it on a desk or mount it on a wall. This is one of the key considerations that guarantee comfort, convenience, and positive user experience.
Conclusion
When you need to upgrade the speed of your office network or just want to connect and use multiple devices at one time, Ethernet switches are the best solution. However, to choose the right one for yourself, make sure to inquire about its warranty, learn about its design and construction quality and also look for other key features such as noise production and the number of ports.
People Also Ask
We want to make sure that even if you are buying an Ethernet switch for regular home use, you know everything about the product. It's important to have all your queries and questions answered before you can go ahead and pick one product. Therefore, we've answered some frequently asked questions.
What's the Difference Between an Ethernet Switch and a Router?
A router's function is to create connections and networks within already connected devices. Their core function is to forward data packets along a network. Meanwhile, Ethernet switches connect two computer devices and create a network. So, a switch creates a network by connecting devices, and a router connects two or more networks.
Do Ethernet Switches Affect Speed?
Yes, Ethernet switches affect speed. Their prime function is not to affect speed; however, the quality of connection and networking they provide put a huge impact on the speed of data transfer.
Is Ethernet Faster Than Wi-Fi?
The speed of Ethernet depends greatly on the kind of wire you are using. However, it's true that Ethernet can be much faster than Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi uses wireless connections, and while most of the focus is now shifting towards wireless, Wi-Fi speeds have significantly increased. The biggest difference between Wi-Fi and Ethernet speed is that the speed of the former is less consistent and is unstable compared to that of the latter. However, remember that the overall performance in terms of speed will always be determined by your internet's own speed.
Should I Buy a Managed Switch Instead of an Unmanaged One?
The basic functionality of managed and unmanaged switches is more or less the same. The core difference between the two is that one lets you make changes in configurations and add/remove functions, while the other does not. We recommend going for unmanaged switches if you are less tech-savvy and need a simpler switch for home use. If you are a professional or need the switch for professional functions like gaming and programming, managed switches will be your best friends.
