Even if you don’t have a need for it, it would be better since the internet speeds are getting faster and faster as the time goes on and having a good switch is going to be an important thing that will contribute to it.
Now, when we are talking about buying a gigabit switch, the important part comes in when we have to decide how many ports are required.
Normally, for a house, I would suggest 5 ports are enough. That is, actually what we are going to do in this article.
Related Article: Tips to choose network switch
Best 5 Port Gigabit Switch of 2023
1. NETGEAR GS305P
Netgear as a company which makes networking products has come a long way.
They have been making some amazing networking products, and the Netgear 5-port gigabit switch is no different.
Before we go ahead and look at what the product is about. Let’s have a look at some highlights.
Product Highlights
- The switch can be mounted on the wall or placed on a tabletop.
- The fan-less design ensures there is zero interference of any sort.
- Ships with an industry-leading warranty.
- The build quality is solid as you would expect from a Netgear product.
Now that we are done looking at the highlights, it is time to talk about all the moans and niggles about this device, in the first place. Thankfully, for such an affordable device, there is nothing to dislike.
To start with, the process of setting it up is incredibly simple. You just hook all the necessary wires, and there is even proper status information shown on the back that will guide you on what needs to be done, and once you are done with that, you are all set.
The build quality as I have mentioned before is spectacular, and the all-black and low profile design mean that you can put it anywhere you want without any intrusions.
The downsides are that you are getting a very simple, industrial design and Netgear is not bothering with more features that you are not going to need.
The NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE Switch is a simple, straightforward network switch, and considering the price you are paying, we have no ideas.
Pros
- Offers the simplest installation.
- Solid build quality.
- Fan-less design.
- Can be installed discretely.
Cons
- The simpler feature set might not be for everyone.
- Design can often look uninspiring, even though a lot of people might like it.
2. Linksys SE3005
- Full duplex IEEE 802.3x flow control and half duplex backpressure with intelligent port based congestion detection and broadcast rate control
- All ports support auto MDI/MDI X cable detection
Linksys does not really need any introduction as far as good networking products are concerned.
Talk about routers, modems, network switches, and other similar connectivity options and they have got you covered.
If you are looking for a good network switch that does not break the bank, this one is it.
Product Highlights
- The switch offers full-duplex IEEE 802.3x flow control.
- All ports have support for MDI/MDI X cable detection.
- The ports are auto-sensing and can adjust the data flow rates.
- The Quality of Service feature prioritizes video and audio applications when it comes to streaming.
Getting the basics out of the way, it is important to understand that SE3005 is a great network switch for various reasons. I
get it that you are just getting a switch and it might be nothing more than a switch for a lot of people, as well but the aforementioned features make it one of the finer ones to use.
Now, the good thing about is that despite being loaded with some really impressive features, the price on it is a lot less than some of the other options we have come across.
The installation process is also one of the simplest, and more importantly, it works really well in all conditions. So you are not left out in the dark.
As for downsides, it is really hard for me to judge this network switch based on anything. The performance is just as Linksys has advertised, and everything works accordingly.
I suppose if I do have to find some caveats, I would say that the blue colour scheme might not be the most discrete option but that would be it.
Pros
- Excellent set of features for a great price.
- Easy to install.
- Small, compact form factor.
Cons
- The iconic Linksys blue is not for everyone.
3. Cisco SG100D-05-NA
- 128GMB RAM/Flash Memory
- 5x Gigabit Ethernet Ports
Cisco is one of the companies that have been in the networking space for as long as anyone can remember and the best thing is that they are known for creating some fine networking products.
The Cisco SG100D-05-NA is no different as it is one of the smallest networking switches available in the market.
Product Highlights
- Brings 7.4 Mbps forward capacity.
- The small, fan-less design allows you to place it anywhere.
- 10Gbps Switching Capacity is great to have.
Now, naturally, there is no real need to review such a renowned network switch but considering how we have already seen a trend happening, it would be better to treat the Cisco SG100D-05-NA the same way as we have treated the others.
Right off the bat, the best thing about this switch is just how small it is, and that is just the beginning. For starters, you are also getting a switch that is fan-less and can be mounted on the wall.
The router does not need a lot of advanced configuration from the user’s end, which means that you will not have to spend hours figuring out what to do.
As far as the downsides are concerned, I don’t think there is anything wrong with the switch.
I did think that the small size could cause some heat-ups, but the fan-less design works perfectly fine and there are no overheating issues that come in the place, to begin with.
It should go without saying that the Cisco SG100D-05-NA works as intended. It is a small network switch that works really well in most of the cases.
Whether you are looking for something for a small business or for your home, this switch is going to work just fine.
Pros
- Ridiculously compact.
- Extremely easy to setup.
- The matte black colour makes it discrete.
- Solid build quality.
Cons
- None for the price.
4. TP-Link TL-SG105 – Buy From Amazon
The last network switch on our list is coming from TP-Link, again, another company that does not require any formal introduction, to begin with.
Nearly everyone who is reading this or connected to the internet, in general, have heard about the company, and for all the right reasons, too.
The TP-Link TL-SG105 is definitely a very good switch for the price you are paying.
Product Highlights
- Offers a plug and play experience.
- Has a really great IEEE 802. 3x flow control for reliable data transmission.
- Great power saving by automatically adjusting the consumption based on the link status or the length of the cable.
Now, TP-Link TL-SG105 is perhaps one of the most affordable network switches available in the market. But the lower price does not mean that it does not have good quality.
As a matter of fact, this one, much like the rest of the products on our list is built like a tank, and the small design makes it really easy to place or mount wherever you want.
I would give credits to TP-Link for making sure that the design and the looks are as unobtrusive as possible because, in such situations, you can easily be certain of the fact that you are not going to come into anyways.
It is a simple, five-port Gigabit Ethernet switch that is unassuming, sits at its place, and gets the job done. Just what we are going to need from this, to begin with.
Pros
- One of the most affordable switches available.
- The plug and play nature of it makes it easier to install.
- Smart features allow it to truly enhance your networking experience.
Cons
- Hardly a problem in its performance.
What to Look for in a Network Switch ?
Now that you have gone through the best 5 port Gigabit network switches available in the market, the next step is to look for a buying guide that will help you determine just what you should be buying in the first place.
Get how difficult the buying process can be, and therefore, we aim to make the process easier for all the readers.
Below, we have mentioned some pointers that are ultimately going to be of great help for those who are still relatively new in the process of buying these switches.
How Many Users Are Going to be There
The first thing that you should be considering is just how many users are going to be there, in the first place.
I know it might sound like something that is not as important but the whole experience can vary on this.
Therefore, just be certain that you are fully aware of how many people will be using your network switch and that way, you can be certain that you know what you are doing.
Because otherwise, you are just left without a proper understanding of what needs to be done, in the first place.
Do You Require Power on Ethernet
Having Power Over Ethernet or PoE is one of the best features that you can find in a network switch. However, switches with this feature can be on the more expensive side.
If you have phones, firewalls, and other such devices connected that are going to require this feature, make sure that you are making a considerable choice so that you do not have to worry about making the wrong one.
Thankfully, the switches that are available in the market are with and without the PoE feature.
So, making a choice will not take long. I would always suggest that you pick a switch that does deliver power over ethernet because if in the future, you do plan on changing something, you know what to do.
How Fast Does the Switch Have to Be
You need to understand that while network switches do not directly contribute to how fast your internet is going to work.
The wrong switch can easily end up lowering the overall speed of your internet.
Thankfully, all the switches that we have listed here are Gigabit Ethernet switches, which can handle speeds of different calibres, allowing you a much smoother overall experience that you will not have to worry about at all.
It is just how easy it is, to ensure that everything works without any problems for the users.
Do You Want a Managed Switch or an Unmanaged Switch
This is an important decision making factor. When going for a network switch, you will have the choice between managed and unmanaged switches.
If you are working for an organization and you want to be sure that you can control different aspects of your network, buying a managed switch is the right way to go.
However, if you want to install it in your home, and you are not as concerned about such factors, it would be ideal if you go for the managed switch, which in other terms, means plug and play.
Conclusion:
Buying a network switch does not have to be a difficult task, in the beginning.
As someone who has bought countless of these switches, I can tell you from the ground up that the process itself is very easy and if you are careful with this, you can easily get what you are looking for.
Granted, for someone who is in the market for the first time, there might be some issues that could potentially come in the way, but if you are going through our buying guide, you can easily make the right buying decision without spending a lot of time wondering.