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Ranked & Reviewed by Primea Reviews

The 6 Best TP-Link Network Switches of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed

By the Primea Editorial TeamUpdated November 1, 202610 min read6 products ranked

The short answer

The TP-Link TL-SG105 is the best switch for most desks, five Gigabit ports with QoS and a three-year warranty under $25. The TL-SG1005P adds four PoE+ ports. The TL-SG105S-M2 and TL-SG108S-M2 bring 2.5G, the TL-SG116 offers 16 Gigabit ports, and the TL-SG3452P is a managed 48-port PoE+ rack switch for large installs.

The Primea Scoreboard

Ranked & Reviewed

01
Best Overall
TP-Link TL-SG105 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
The plug-and-play five-port switch that fits most desks.
Outstanding
Check price
02
Best PoE
TP-Link TL-SG1005P 5-Port Gigabit PoE Switch
Powers four PoE+ devices from one box with 65W total.
Excellent
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03
Best 2.5G Value
TP-Link TL-SG105S-M2 5-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch
Five 2.5G ports that run over existing Cat5e cabling.
Excellent
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04
Best 8-Port 2.5G
TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 8-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch
Eight fanless 2.5G ports for a growing multi-device setup.
Excellent
Check price
05
Best 16-Port Gigabit
TP-Link TL-SG116 16-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
Sixteen Gigabit ports for a crowded closet.
Very Good
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06
Best Managed PoE
TP-Link TL-SG3452P 48-Port L2+ Managed PoE Switch
A 48-port managed PoE+ switch for large installs.
Very Good
Check price

Most people shopping for a network switch count ports and stop. The number that actually limits you is the speed of each port. A Gigabit switch quietly throttles a 2.5G internet plan or a 2.5G NAS, and a switch without PoE cannot power a camera no matter how many ports it has. Port count is cheap to fix later; speed and power are not.

Six TP-Link switches are ranked here from spec sheets, weighing port speed, PoE budget, port count, management features and warranty length, and we checked what each listing states rather than benchmarking throughput. They run from a five-port Gigabit box under $25 to a 48-port managed PoE+ rack unit, so the order puts general usefulness first and size or specialization last.

Before you buy

What Actually Matters

Port speed

Port speed is the maximum data rate per port, either 1Gbps or 2.5Gbps here. A Gigabit switch caps a faster router or NAS no matter how large its total capacity. Check the listing for the per-port speed, not only the total switching capacity, and match it to your fastest device, because the slowest link in a chain sets the real speed.

PoE budget

PoE sends power over the Ethernet cable. The total budget is shared across ports, so 65W covers a few devices but not many. Add up each device's wattage before buying, and leave a margin of at least ten percent, since devices can draw more at startup. The TL-SG1005P has 65W for four ports, while the TL-SG3452P has 384W across 48.

Unmanaged vs managed

Unmanaged switches work on plug-in with no setup. Managed switches add routing and VLAN control through a web interface. Most homes do not need management, and a managed unit costs more and needs configuring. Check the listing for the word managed or L2+ before assuming simplicity, and remember a managed switch is wasted money in most homes.

Port count

Buy a few more ports than you need today. Extra ports cost little, but replacing a full switch costs more, and a crowded switch has no room for a new console or camera. Count every wired device, including TVs and printers, then add two or three spares for future gear, such as a streaming box or a second desk.

Warranty and case

Warranties here run from 3 to 5 years, and a metal case and fanless design help with heat and noise. Check both on the listing. A fanless metal case is quiet in a living room, and the operating temperature range matters in a closet or a garage, where heat builds up quietly.

In-depth reviews

Our Ranked Picks, Reviewed

Best Overall

TP-Link TL-SG105 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch

Outstanding

Check price on Amazon

Our verdict: The plug-and-play five-port switch that fits most desks.

The TL-SG105 is the switch to buy when you just need more wired ports. It has five Gigabit ports with QoS and IGMP snooping, a metal desktop or wall-mount case and a three-year warranty, under $25. QoS lets it prioritize traffic, and IGMP snooping stops multicast streams, such as IPTV, from flooding every port.

It ranks first because it covers the most common need at the lowest price. The 2.5G models below are faster but cost more, and they only help when the rest of your gear is also 2.5G.

Buy it for a desk or a small TV cabinet. The caveat is the ceiling: every port is capped at Gigabit, so a 2.5G router or NAS will be held back, and there is no PoE, so cameras and access points need their own power adapters.

Ports: 5 Gigabit
Features: QoS and IGMP snooping
Case: Metal, wall-mountable
Warranty: 3 years

What we like

+Lowest price bracket
+QoS and IGMP snooping
+Metal wall-mount case
+3-year warranty

Watch out for

−Gigabit only
−No PoE

Buy it if: Desks and small setups with Gigabit gear.

Skip it if: You have a 2.5G plan or devices.

Best PoE

TP-Link TL-SG1005P 5-Port Gigabit PoE Switch

Excellent

Check price on Amazon

Our verdict: Powers four PoE+ devices from one box with 65W total.

The TL-SG1005P adds power to the same formula. It has four PoE+ ports sharing 65W in total, plus one uplink, with QoS, IGMP snooping and a three-year warranty, in the $25 to $50 bracket. PoE carries power and data over one cable, which means a camera or access point needs only a cable run, not a nearby outlet.

It ranks second because it extends the TL-SG105 idea into PoE, but the limit is the budget: 65W is shared, so four hungry devices can exceed it.

Best for a few cameras or one access point. Check each device's wattage against the 65W total before buying. The caveat is the layout: one port is a plain uplink, so you have only four powered ports, and all of them share the same budget.

PoE+ ports: 4 at 65W total
Uplink: 1 port
Features: QoS and IGMP snooping
Warranty: 3 years

What we like

+Four PoE+ ports
+65W total budget
+QoS and IGMP snooping
+3-year warranty

Watch out for

−Shared 65W budget
−Only one non-PoE uplink

Buy it if: Small camera or access point setups.

Skip it if: You have no PoE devices.

Best 2.5G Value

TP-Link TL-SG105S-M2 5-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch

Excellent

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Our verdict: Five 2.5G ports that run over existing Cat5e cabling.

The TL-SG105S-M2 is the cheapest way to go beyond Gigabit. It has five ports at 2.5G with 25Gbps switching capacity in a compact metal case, works over existing Cat5e cabling and sits in the $25 to $50 bracket. Capacity matters because a switch must carry every port's traffic at once, and 25Gbps covers five 2.5G ports in both directions with room to spare.

It ranks third because 2.5G only pays off with matching gear. Against the TL-SG105 it costs more but removes the Gigabit ceiling.

Buy it if your router, NAS or PC already has a 2.5G port. The caveat is that it has no PoE, so cameras still need separate power, and if everything else you own is Gigabit, the extra spending buys nothing.

Ports: 5 at 2.5G
Capacity: 25Gbps
Cabling: Works over Cat5e
Case: Compact metal

What we like

+2.5G on every port
+25Gbps capacity
+Works over Cat5e
+Compact metal case

Watch out for

−Costs more than Gigabit
−No PoE

Buy it if: Anyone with a 2.5G router or NAS.

Skip it if: You only have Gigabit gear.

Best 8-Port 2.5G

TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 8-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch

Excellent

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Our verdict: Eight fanless 2.5G ports for a growing multi-device setup.

The TL-SG108S-M2 extends the idea to eight ports. It has eight ports at 2.5G with 40Gbps capacity, a fanless unmanaged design and Cat5e compatibility, in the $50 to $100 bracket. Fanless means no moving parts and no noise, which matters if the switch sits on a desk or in a living room cabinet.

It ranks fourth because it is the same concept as the five-port 2.5G model with more ports and a higher bracket. You pay for headroom you may not use.

Best for a home lab with several 2.5G devices, such as a NAS, a workstation and a mini PC. The caveat is plain: do not buy it for only two or three devices, since the five-port model covers that. It has no PoE or management either.

Ports: 8 at 2.5G
Capacity: 40Gbps
Cooling: Fanless
Cabling: Works over Cat5e

What we like

+Eight 2.5G ports
+40Gbps capacity
+Fanless and quiet
+Works over Cat5e

Watch out for

−Higher price bracket
−No PoE or management

Buy it if: Home labs with several 2.5G devices.

Skip it if: Five ports are enough.

Best 16-Port Gigabit

TP-Link TL-SG116 16-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch

Very Good

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Our verdict: Sixteen Gigabit ports for a crowded closet.

The TL-SG116 trades speed for volume. It has 16 Gigabit ports with QoS and IGMP snooping, a 0 to 40 degree operating range and a three-year warranty, in the $50 to $100 bracket. In a house with consoles, TVs, desktops and printers all on cables, sixteen ports means everything connects without a second switch.

It ranks fifth because it offers volume rather than speed, and the 2.5G switches above are faster per port. It has no PoE either.

Best for a wired home with many devices. The 0 to 40 degree range matters in a warm closet, where a switch with a narrower range can overheat. The caveat is that every port is capped at Gigabit, so it will not suit a 2.5G plan.

Ports: 16 Gigabit
Features: QoS and IGMP snooping
Operating temp: 0 to 40 degrees C
Warranty: 3 years

What we like

+Sixteen ports
+QoS and IGMP snooping
+3-year warranty
+Wide operating range

Watch out for

−Gigabit only
−No PoE

Buy it if: Homes with many wired devices.

Skip it if: You need 2.5G or PoE.

Best Managed PoE

TP-Link TL-SG3452P 48-Port L2+ Managed PoE Switch

Very Good

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Our verdict: A 48-port managed PoE+ switch for large installs.

The TL-SG3452P is a different class of equipment. It has 48 PoE+ ports sharing 384W, L2+ management, four SFP slots, static routing and a five-year warranty, in the $500 and up bracket. Management lets you create VLANs and control traffic, and 384W of PoE budget can power dozens of cameras and phones.

It ranks last for a general audience because it is far more switch than a home needs. For a business or large lab, it leads the list on features.

Buy it for offices and campuses where someone will configure it. The caveat is cost and complexity: a home user would pay for ports and management they never use, and the setup takes network knowledge. Everyone else should choose a smaller unmanaged model.

Ports: 48 PoE+ at 384W
Management: L2+ managed
Uplinks: 4 SFP slots
Warranty: 5 years

What we like

+48 PoE+ ports
+L2+ management
+4 SFP slots
+5-year warranty

Watch out for

−Highest price bracket
−Overkill for homes

Buy it if: Offices and large installs needing management.

Skip it if: You have a home network.

Methodology

How We Ranked These

Port speed

We compared Gigabit and 2.5G ports and which cabling each needs.

PoE budget

We looked at PoE+ port counts and total wattage for powered devices.

Port count

We matched port totals to typical home and office device counts.

Management features

We separated plug-and-play models from managed switches with routing and SFP.

Warranty

We compared warranty lengths, from 3 to 5 years.

Every Primea Score uses the same weights: Performance 30% · Build & Materials 20% · Everyday Usability 20% · Value 20% · Owner Satisfaction 10%. Full scoring rules

Buyer's guide

How to Pick the Right One for You

By Port Speed

Speed should match the slowest bottleneck in your path.

Your network	Our pick
All Gigabit, few devices	TP-Link TL-SG105 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
2.5G router or NAS, five devices	TP-Link TL-SG105S-M2 5-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch
2.5G, eight devices	TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 8-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch
Gigabit, 16 devices	TP-Link TL-SG116 16-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch

By Budget

Spend	Our pick
Under $25	TP-Link TL-SG105 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
$25 to $50	TP-Link TL-SG1005P 5-Port Gigabit PoE Switch
$50 to $100	TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 8-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch
$500 and up	TP-Link TL-SG3452P 48-Port L2+ Managed PoE Switch

Gigabit vs 2.5G

Gigabit

Cheaper and fine for most homes. The TL-SG105, TL-SG1005P and TL-SG116 are Gigabit.

2.5G

Removes the ceiling for fast plans. The TL-SG105S-M2 and TL-SG108S-M2 run over Cat5e.

Default to Gigabit unless a device you own already supports 2.5G.

By Power Needs

Need	Our pick
No PoE	TP-Link TL-SG105 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch
Up to four small PoE devices	TP-Link TL-SG1005P 5-Port Gigabit PoE Switch
Many PoE devices	TP-Link TL-SG3452P 48-Port L2+ Managed PoE Switch
Quiet fanless	TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 8-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch

For Home Security Cameras Specifically

Look for

PoE+ ports and a total budget that exceeds your cameras combined wattage.

In this ranking

The TL-SG1005P gives four PoE+ ports at 65W total. For large camera counts, the TL-SG3452P gives 384W.

When to Spend More

Spend more if

You run 2.5G gear or need management. The TL-SG108S-M2 and TL-SG3452P fit.

Save if

Your gear is Gigabit. The TL-SG105 is in the under $25 bracket.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a 2.5G switch work with Gigabit devices?+

Our listings do not cover this in detail, but 2.5G switches generally negotiate lower speeds. Check the listing to confirm backward compatibility with your Gigabit gear before buying.

What is the biggest mistake with switches?+

Overbuying ports or ignoring speed. Match port speed to your fastest device, and buy PoE only if you have cameras or access points to power, not as an extra, because PoE ports cost more per port.

Is the TL-SG1005P worth it over the TL-SG105?+

Yes if you have PoE devices, thanks to four PoE+ ports at 65W total. If not, the TL-SG105 is cheaper and does the same switching with a lower price and a smaller footprint.

Do I need new cables for 2.5G?+

The 2.5G models here are listed as working over existing Cat5e cabling, so you may not need to rewire, which saves time in a finished house. Damaged or very long cables may still limit the speed, so test the cable if you see only Gigabit links.

How do I keep a switch cool?+

Give it airflow and avoid stacking it under other equipment or inside a closed cabinet without ventilation. The TL-SG116 lists a 0 to 40 degree C operating range, which suits most rooms but not a hot attic.

Can the SG3452P be used at home?+

It can, but it is built for large installs with 48 PoE+ ports and management. Most homes will pay for ports and features they never use, so pick the TL-SG116 instead unless you truly need management or a large PoE budget.

Final take

Buy the TL-SG105 unless a device you own already runs faster than Gigabit or needs power. Choose the TL-SG1005P for cameras and access points, the TL-SG105S-M2 or TL-SG108S-M2 for 2.5G gear, and the TL-SG116 for a crowded closet. The TL-SG3452P belongs in offices, not homes.

More Ranked & Reviewed Guides

The 8 Best 5-Port Network Switches of 2026, Ranked & Reviewed The 7 Best 8-Port Network Switches for Home and Small Office, Ranked & Reviewed The 7 Best Managed Network Switches for VLANs, Monitoring and Control, Ranked & Reviewed