Best Ethernet Hubs and Switches 2023
The vast majority of routers have four usable Ethernet ports, and the fifth is usually reserved for modem connection. Mesh Wi-Fi routers rarely have this many, with just one or two ports on each device.
If your router or Wi-Fi mesh device doesn’t have enough ports to connect all the wired network devices you have, an Ethernet hub is the solution.
A hub is an inexpensive device that has multiple Ethernet ports (usually five or eight) and connects to an Ethernet port on your router.
You don’t need to set anything up: just plug them in and they work. This is why they are known as “unmanaged” hubs.
We recommend buying an eight-port hub because they aren’t much more expensive than five-port models, and of course one of those ports is used when you connect the hub to your router.
These little boxes are interchangeably called hubs, switches, or splitters, and they allow your devices, such as an Xbox, PC, TV, or set-top box, to work simply by being plugged directly into your router.
If you need to place the switch in a different room from your router, you can connect the two with a pair of Powerline adapters – this will make the connection slower, but at least make it possible without running a long network cable through your router. house.
There are no big differences between unmanaged switches from different brands. But there are subtle differences that can make one more attractive than the other, whether it’s wall-mountability, power jack placement, port orientation, or even LED visibility.
Price and warranty also matter, as do construction and aesthetics, although the latter will naturally not be a priority for many.
One point you need to be careful with: speed. All models shown here are gigabit and full duplex, which means they can operate at 1000 Mbps in both directions (i.e. send and receive) at the same time.
If you see a cheaper option, it will most likely be the 10/100 Mbps version. This means that the ports are limited to 100 Mbps in each direction, so they are ten times slower. It’s never worth saving a few pounds or dollars for such a big compromise. Even if all the devices you need to connect right now are 10/100 speeds, you’ll be glad you chose a gigabit switch when you purchase a device that can take advantage of those gigabit speeds.
None of these switches here come with network cables, but we’ve saved you the hassle of choosing which ones to buy in our separate guide to the best Ethernet cables.
1. TP-Link TL-SG1008D is the best overall
Minuses
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Less warranty than some
Like most manufacturers, TP-Link offers switches in both metal and plastic cases. This plastic one is by far the most popular and it’s easy to see why.
It looks better, with a much less business-like design. The ports are on the back, and the activity lights are on the front. In this way, cables can be routed more neatly instead of coming out of the front of the device.
Unlike others here, the power outlet is on the back instead of on the sides, which again makes cable management easier.
The SG1008D can be wall-mounted if you need to, and again, TP-Link is better designed than some as the cable tie-downs remain accessible rather than against the wall.
Don’t need eight ports? There is a 5 port version called SG1005DA: It’s $16.99 / £12.99 / AU$27.50 on Amazon. Both have a three year warranty.
2. Zyxel GS-108BV3 is the most versatile
pros
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Rugged metal housing
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QoS on two ports
Minuses
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Latch tabs facing the mounting surface
The Zyxel hub is a little unusual in that it has a metal body, but unlike most of its competitors, it has ports and a power connector on the back. It also looks good with a silver finish and slanted grille slots on the sides.
Another reason for its unusualness is that it offers QoS on certain ports. Ports seven and eight are for high priority devices such as media streamers or anything that depends on low latency, while six and five are labeled for medium priority devices. The other four are for all other devices and connections to your router.
There are mounts on the bottom for wall mounting or hanging under a table, but be aware that the network ports face the wall (or table) and so it can be difficult to open the tabs if you need to unplug the cable from the connector.
Plastic versions are available that follow the 5- and 8-port metal versions in design and also have low, medium, and high priority ports. Since they aren’t cheaper, it makes sense to buy the metal version, and it’s nice to see a five-year warranty.
3. Netgear GS308 – easy to hide
pros
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metal case
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wall mounting
Minuses
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Cables front and back
Netgear is another well-known networking brand that produces both plastic and metal ethernet splitters for home use.
We chose the metal version here because the GS908 – plastic – isn’t widely available, and it tends to be significantly more expensive when you can find it. (Also, its cable management isn’t perfect—the grooves aren’t wide enough to accommodate a standard round network cable.)
The GS308, like other metal switches, has its ports on the front along with status LEDs, so it won’t look good if it’s flaunted in your living space. Because the power cable connects from the back, you can’t just twist it: the cable will still come out.
Tucked away inside or behind a TV cabinet, this isn’t a problem, and as you’d expect, it doesn’t have a fan for silent operation. Finally, it can be fixed on the wall if you need to hang it.
4. Trendnet Unmanaged Gigabit Switch
Minuses
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Side outlet
The Trendnet unmanaged switch comes in five and eight port versions, but both versions regularly disappear from stock. Both plastic and metal body versions exist, and prices vary.
For reasons unknown to us, prices have skyrocketed recently and this is no longer the budget option it once was.
Keep in mind that, as with all hubs, one port will be used to connect to your router, so you can use four ports on five-port hubs and seven on eight-port hubs.
Pay attention to the side power connector – in some situations it can be inconvenient.
Like others here, it offers quiet operation, low power consumption, and plug-and-play setup.
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