8 Best Ethernet Switches in 2024 [Affordable Home Networking]

In the modern age, everyone owns multiple gadgets and we want all those devices to be working at full speed. Networking isn’t just important in a workplace environment where multiple computers have to transmit information all the time but has now become a need in every house. After all, wouldn’t you like to have a lag-free connection in all your rooms?

The Ethernet switch lets you connect multiple devices directly to your modem so there are absolutely no connectivity issues unlike using a wireless system. Especially if you are a gamer, using cables to upgrade your Wi-Fi speed is one of the best tricks in the book for victory.

Ethernet Switch List

This is the switch you buy when you have to network a large office. With its 52 ports it gives you lots of versatility in joining multiple desktops together and giving them fast connectivity. However it is definitely an overkill for home use and even small offices. For a switch it’s just too expensive for the average man’s pocket.

But if you are a large business and ready to set up a working area with multiple workstations then this is a great long-term investment. It is perfect for a work environment thanks to its whisper quiet design so there is close to no irritating noise pollution and it even has an advanced configuration that gives your office’s local network extra security. Although the configuration process is a little confusing, once you’ve managed the initial setup there are a lot of options that will amplify your work rate.

It is covered by lifetime protection so you can rest assured this won’t stop working any time soon and you don’t have to worry about it shutting down randomly in the middle of work hours and causing a loss.

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The NETGEAR Home Switch is, as you guessed, perfect for a larger home network. It has 5 ports so you can attach many devices and enjoy high-speed Wi-Fi on all of them. On top of that, it offers all the ease that a home device should offer. It’s easy to set up, it has versatile mounting options so you can even mount it on a wall as you want, and our personal favorite feature is that it completely fans less so there is no noise. 

However, there are some unavoidable downsides. While it does have a 3-year warranty, this product is just not durable. It has a particularly annoying habit of locking up randomly and you’ll have to plug it out and plug in again so that it starts working, and on top of it there are many reports claiming that the device simply doesn’t work after 8 months. If you want a temporary wired system then this is probably best due to the cheap price point but in the long term, it would be a waste of money.

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If you are looking for a 5 ports Ethernet switch, this is a far more durable option compared to the NETGEAR model. It has a strong build and solid components so even when you receive it for the first time you can tell this will last a long time. Just like the previous pick this is a fan less device, very energy efficient and comes at an equally cheap price point.

However we have to point out that being fan less, and energy efficient may be negatives of this device too. This is because this switch heats up way too quickly and there is no fan to cool it down. Even the manufacturer claims this issue and says you shouldn’t place this box in a place with a temperature higher than 100◦F. So if you live in hotter climates we recommend staying away from this product because it is very likely to short circuit from the heat and cause a fire.

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Comparatively more pricey than the other 5 port switches but those few extra cents make it a far better investment. Perfect for small offices or large homes, this gives you the ability to transfer large files faster. This switch is great because not only does it produce close to no noise it also produces very little heat so you don’t have to worry about short circuits.

 And as you would expect from a home setup it is very easy to configure, and you just have to push the cables and start working, there are no other software installments to work around. It even has an LED light system to notify which ports are currently active, so if one port isn’t working correctly despite being plugged in you’ll know the issue immediately. But we are a little sad to say that this device is not energy efficient and you’ll feel the brunt of it in your electricity bills.

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NETGEAR is a market leader when it comes to Ethernet switches and that is why you will see this name repeated again and again in our list. This particular model has 16 ports which can be managed smartly. Yes, that’s right so if there is any problem in the network, this switch comes with a special software that will help you troubleshoot the issue and identify exactly which port is the cause of all this fuss. Of course because of this unique system it is a little tricky to set up.

We highly recommend this switch for an office environment because even though it has a high price point, it’s worth the investment. Especially when you consider that it has a lifetime warranty to last you many years without you worrying about durability, and on top of that it will help you save up on electricity charges.

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While 5 ports work for most households, sometimes we need a bigger network. And this 8 port device delivers exactly that. While this device has no eye-catching fancy features like smart management but it checks all the boxes of a basic Ethernet switch. It has a no noise system and is energy sufficient so you can save major coin on power usage. And don’t worry this device isn’t likely to heat up easily.

Configuring it is as simple as it gets, because you just need to plug in the cable and it will provide immediate fast connection. And if there is a problem then the LED light system on the body will tell you which ports are currently active, so if one port isn’t working correctly despite the cable being plugged in, you’ll be able to pinpoint the issue immediately.

One thing to remember is that it has a very high price point despite being one of the most basic switches, so you won’t be getting any additional features despite the price point.

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Often we buy these switches and hide them away in a corner of our house, but this one is such an aesthetic box that you wouldn’t even want to hide it. As you can guess by its cool name this is part of NETGEAR’s gaming series. Perfect for professional gamers and their home setups, it will make sure that all their devices get the highest connection speed possible. Because it is made specifically with gamers in mind, you know it will be compatible with all your high quality gadgets but it has a price to rival as well.

Despite only being an 8-port switch it has a high price point; almost double to that of the D-link one which we found was on the pricier side as well.  However this may be worth the cost, after all cool zinc technology was used to design it which makes sure it never heats up despite having no fan and being energy efficient. It is also among one of the most durable devices thanks to its ergonomic build.

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You may be tired of all of these pricey options, and almost given up hope in our rundown. But don’t worry we have a cheap option for you office owners as well! While it doesn’t have that smart management system that we recommend office owners should definitely invest in because it helps in terms of long-term problem dealing, it is definitely great for start-ups on a budget.

Not only does it have a fast connection so you can transfer large files in a matter of seconds, it is also energy efficient. It has solid components that prove that this device will last you many years, and the best thing is that this device doesn’t heat up easily either. It’s great for boosting overall workplace productivity and is pretty simple to set up so you won’t have to call in support to configure it.

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Features to Consider

Each Ethernet switch available on the market has its unique combination of features so you should look out for what works best for your circumstances. Some features may just end up being useless to you and you’ll have to pay more money for them so it’s important to keep that in mind when you begin your search or the device you end up purchasing may be an overkill.

Number of Ports

An Ethernet switch is an extension of our network and allows us to connect more individual devices to the network. For a home you may only have a few monitors that you want to connect but in an office there may be over 50 workstations you want to connect per switch. It would be ridiculous to buy less ports than you need because then you would have to invest in yet another switch to attach more devices.

On the other hand, the more ports there are in a switch the more rapidly its price increases, so we recommend carefully thinking out how many devices you connect at once. We also recommend buying a switch with one more port than what you immediately need so this way you have room for any future devices that you may own. So if you currently want to connect 3 gadgets it’s best to invest a little more money and buy a 4-port switch.

Energy Efficient

This switch may seem like a small device but it pulls a lot of power. Depending on how many ports you are using the switch will consume more electricity. It is not uncommon for these devices to heat up as well. We recommend investing in Ethernet switches that are energy efficient so you don’t end up paying more than what you saved in electricity bills.

Troubleshooting and Smart Management

Remember this isn’t a feature most switches have and you should only look for it if you are setting up a large office workspace. Basically, if there is an issue in the network, the smart management system will help you figure it out by sending a troubleshooting report on which port is causing the issue. This makes it easier to solve the issue and save up on precious work time.

Warranty

An Ethernet switch is a product that most like to set-up at once and then forget it ever existed after tucking it away in a corner. This is why it’s important to invest in a product that is sure to last you more than a few years. After all, it would be troublesome if it suddenly stopped working when you are in the middle of a high-stakes project or game that needs connectivity. Warranty’s show that the company trusts their product and is willing to back it up. Not to mention, these switches are expensive so it’s good to know if it fails you’ll get your money back. 

Conclusion

Choosing an Ethernet switch depends on multiple things like if you are buying it for a home or an office, how many devices you want to attach at once and what is your spending budget. When choosing our top picks we were careful to include a range of prices to fit all budgets and carefully highlighted each feature that is handy for long-term productivity and what is a downside that you should be aware of before going in for the final purchase.