The best Ethernet switches for home in 2026
Four plug-and-play switches for adding wired ports to your router, from a $20 gigabit box to 2.5 Gbps.
If your router has run out of Ethernet ports, the TP-Link TL-SG105 adds four more for about $20. For a NAS or a multi-gig plan, get the TP-Link TL-SG105-M2 with 2.5 Gbps ports. Use a switch to wire a console, TV and NAS in one spot from a single cable to the router.
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Quick picks
The picks
TP-Link TL-SG105
Plug-and-play, silent, metal and cheap. It turns one cable from the router into four wired ports for a TV, console and streamer.
Gigabit only.
Netgear GS308
Eight gigabit ports for a desk or entertainment center full of wired gear.
Bigger than the five-port models.
TP-Link TL-SG105-M2
Five 2.5 Gbps ports for a multi-gig fiber plan, a 2.5 GbE NAS or a gaming PC with a 2.5 GbE port.
Only helps if your router and devices also have 2.5 Gbps ports.
TP-Link TL-SG1005P
Powers security cameras, mesh access points and VoIP phones over the Ethernet cable.
PoE budget is limited; check your devices' total wattage.
Do you need a switch?
A switch adds wired ports; it does not make your internet faster. You need one when your router's ports are full or you want several wired devices in a room with one cable run.
Put the switch where the devices are, not next to the router. One cable from the router to a switch behind the TV wires the TV, console and streamer at once.
- Unmanaged: plug-and-play; right for almost every home
- Managed: adds VLANs and settings for home labs
- Not a hub: old 'hubs' share bandwidth; every switch sold today gives each port full speed
How we picked
We compared published lab tests, owner reports and maker specs, and ranked on:
- Port speed and count
- Fanless, silent design
- Build quality and warranty
- Price
More on our process is in how we research.
Others we considered
- TP-Link TL-SG108: The eight-port version of our top pick.
- Netgear MS305: A five-port 2.5 Gbps alternative to the TL-SG105-M2.
- Managed switches: Only needed for VLANs and home labs.
Questions
Does a switch slow down my internet?
No. Each port gets full speed, and the internet connection is shared the same way as through the router.
Can I use a switch with mesh Wi-Fi?
Yes. Plug it into a mesh unit's Ethernet port to wire devices near that unit.
Is a switch the same as a router?
No. A router connects your home to the internet; a switch only adds ports.
- Maker product pages for TP-Link and Netgear, checked Oct 19, 2026
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.