The purpose of routers is to link various networks, while Ethernet switches are utilized to interconnect different devices within a local network. This allows switches to connect computers, printers, gaming consoles, and televisions, among other devices.
For this reason, they are used a lot for both large corporate and home networks. After all, the times when there was only one computer in the house are over. Nowadays, more and more electronic devices connect to the Internet.
The configuration of a suitable local network is therefore, indispensable. Here we will be listing the top 9 best ethernet switches.
- 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration needed
- Supports desktop or wall mount placement
- ๐ข๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ: 8ร 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports supporting Auto Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX, Plug and play, no configuration needed
- ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐: Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money, Dimensions ( W x D x H ) - 6.2 x 4.0 x 1.0 in.(158 x 101 x 25 mm)
- ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ค๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐: IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation
- 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration needed
- Supports desktop or wall mount placement
- ใOne Switch Made to Expand Networkใ5ร 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports supporting Auto Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX, greatly expand network capacity
- ใGigabit that Saves EnergyใLatest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money
- ใReliable and QuietใIEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation
- 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Plus software with easy-to-use interface offers basic managed capabilities to configure, secure, and monitor your network
- Supports desktop or wall mount placement
- One Switch Made to Expand Network-16ร 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports supporting Auto Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX
- Gigabit that Saves Energy-Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money
- Reliable and Quiet-IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation
- ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐ ๐๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐: Expand your network with 5 high-speed ethernet ports.
- ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐: Manage and configure your network effortlessly via a web interface/free software.
- ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ก: Segment traffic with up to 32 VLANs simultaneously (out of 4K VLAN IDs) for better security.
- 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration needed
- Supports desktop or wall mount placement
Buyer Guide to Choose Best Ethernet Switches
In this guide, we try to clarify what a network switch is and what it is used for. In the ranking below, we present the review of the models most appreciated by users this year: compare prices and performance, and in a few minutes, you could find what you are looking for. Enjoy the reading!
What It Is and What It Is Used For?
When you have multiple computers in your home but not enough ports on the modem to connect them all, the network switch is the device that solves the problem. It adds other Ethernet ports (the number varies depending on the models) be able to connect them all.
The switch is like a hub that always keeps network traffic fluid because it eliminates unnecessary traffic and ensures that there are no drops in browsing speed and, in general, in performance. In this way, all computers can transmit and receive data simultaneously without any problem because there will be no conflicts.
This device was created to manage the most complex corporate networks better. Still, then versions for home users or small companies were made with a much lower price: they are the so-called unmanaged switches, that is, the plug and play ones that are immediately usable, without download nothing, without having to use special cables if not standard Ethernet cables and without the need for configuration. They are the ones we deal with on this page.
It is not said that only computers must be connected to the switch. These devices have great success on the market because they allow you to better manage, for example, access points, IP phones, and IP cameras, which are increasingly present even in homes or small businesses.
Doors and Speeds
So which switch to choose? The best brands offer the user a wide range of possibilities so that he can select the model that best suits his needs, starting with the number of doors: 4 or 5 should be enough for a home, but there are also models with 8 and 16 entries for small and medium-sized companies.
These are the most popular switches; the largest ones are typically used by companies with more significant needs for customization, functions, traffic prioritization.
Then you have to look at the speed: 10 Mbps is the minimum for Ethernet networks, the 100 Mbps standard is also widespread, and devices with 1000 Mbps or 1 Gbps are more and more popular, but soon we will hear about 10 Gbps.
It is better to focus on Gigabit ports because, even if the peripherals to be connected do not support this speed, the others you will buy in the future will do, so it is better to be prepared.
Researching network switches, you may come across two obscure abbreviations: SoHo and PoE. Letโs see what it is: SoHo is the acronym for Small office Home office and indicates that sector of the market is a middle ground between amateur and professional users.
The models analyzed below are part of this market segment, the most common ones, which are one step higher than those who have only one PC at home and have no particular needs and one rung lower than companies with a large volume of traffic sorted and optimized.
PoE means Power over Ethernet and indicates those devices that can be powered with the same cable with which they connect to the Ethernet network. This reduces the number of wires needed to compare the various equipment; installation is the simpler and more orderly workspace.
For Small Offices
This switch is designed to meet the needs of small offices, has eight ports, and supports MDI / MDIX functions. In practice, the use of crossed cables is unnecessary.
Thus reducing installation errors, a problem that frequently occurs to those users who lack the required technical skills. Being the automatic function, the straight cables work in all cases.
Going back to the ports, these are 10 / 100Mbps RJ45 with auto-negotiation. Well, the transfer of large files from one device to another takes place quickly.
The installation is plug and play, there is nothing to configure, and the auto-negotiation function allows the port to recognize the connection speed of the associated device. In this way, the performance is optimal.
Compact and Energy-Saving
One of the usersโ appreciated features of the TP-Link TL-SF1008D switch is its small size, despite the presence of eight ports that are not few.
As described by a user in expressing his opinion on the product, it is comparable, in size, to a pack of cigarettes. Who then needs something even smaller, there is also the five-door version.
The features that this switch has in terms of energy efficiency allow you to save electricity. In practice, consumption is regulated completely automatically according to the active connections but also according to the length of the cable.
Too Light
The main problem encountered by users concerns the weight of the switch. In their view, it is too light, and when connecting the ethernet cables, exceptionally if a little stiff, they cause the device to move if not fall. You will agree with us that dropping any device to the ground is never a good thing.
Furthermore, there is no possibility of fixing it to a wall, a solution that could have solved the aforementioned low weight problems. The aesthetic, however, is to be commended. The โboxโ is modern and elegant, white, and gray.
