{"id":52,"date":"2019-07-09T18:19:26","date_gmt":"2019-07-09T18:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finalviews.com\/?p=52"},"modified":"2021-03-18T00:50:44","modified_gmt":"2021-03-18T00:50:44","slug":"best-gigabit-switch-for-home-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finalviews.com\/best-gigabit-switch-for-home-network\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Gigabit Switches for Home Network: Reviews & Buyer\u2019s Guide 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Finalviews.com receive some form of compensation from the links on this page, at no extra charge to you. Learn more<\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

A gigabit switch is an inexpensive and solid investment that you can make for protecting your home network. It assists in directing the connection to a variety of home network wired devices, including computers, printers, etc. However, the talk of the town is \u201cwhich one is best Gigabit switch for home network.\u201d Worry not, this query will be addressed in this post along with providing tons of useful information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Gigabit Ethernet switch is a brilliant option for boost the wired home connection even to the 1,000 Mbps data rate in a theatrical way. Let\u2019s stick with us until the end so that you will end up gaining tons of information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Gigabit Ethernet switch and why do you need it?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A Gigabit Ethernet switch is an essential device that you can add in your home network for directing the network\u2019s bandwidth. It can adequately support 10, 100, and 1,000 Mbps data rate that brings stability and reliability in a network. They can be used for connecting a variety of devices that include game systems, computers, and servers to LAN. That\u2019s not all; it boosts devices such as DVRs and HDTVs for connecting to the internet without any need to worry about the internet connection. It has a solid ability to boost the speed of data transfer that causes quicker response and a good frame rate. In simple words, the Gigabit Ethernet switches are made for expanding the capacity of the network through additional ports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another common query that we received from readers is why we should buy a gigabit switch. Is it beneficial to invest in this device? The majority of routers come with an Ethernet switch, but there are many cases when connection ports aren\u2019t enough for the needs of people\u2019s needs. On top of that, one has to connect devices located away from the router.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0In that case, you have to buy a Gigabit Ethernet switch that comes with ports ranging from five ports and go up to 24 ports. Having a gigabit switch will let you connect devices to a network where connection usually made to the Wi-Fi. Furthermore, they are more reliable and quicker when compared with the traditional wireless connection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What are the different types of Ethernet switches available in the market?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The switches are available in a great variety of variants in the market. The relevant switch is used according to the number of devices types of networks. The most convincing and affordable choice for expanding the network is using the basic fiber optic Gigabit switch. It is the most incredible choice to make for small and medium environments to boost network efficiency. When it comes to home use, an 8-port Gigabit switch is perfect to choose from. Let\u2019s check out, the major types of Ethernet Switches available in the market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unmanaged Switch<\/b><\/p>\n

It is the most common type of switches used by the homeowners and small business organizations. The Unmanaged model is a basic switch that doesn\u2019t demand any user configuration and can be set up quite easily. The people who only look to add some additional Ethernet ports should think about buying these types of switches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The main purpose of users behind installing this unit is to make a connection of devices with each other. It can be connecting a computer with a laptop or even a printer. Furthermore, they don\u2019t demand too much maintenance, and that\u2019s why known as unmanaged switches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Managed Switches<\/b><\/p>\n

There are many instances where the users have to customize the switch to boost the functionality in a network. For such conditions, the managed switches are highly recommended by our team. They not boost the functionality, but also assist in monitoring and adjusting certain aspects like speed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, this type of switch monitors traffic and help in reporting any network activity. It is costlier than unmanaged switches but provides much-better flexibility to the system. They are further divided into two types, i.e., smart switches and enterprise switches. The smart switches come with a limited set of features and give liberty to do customizations for basic settings. On the other hand, the enterprise switches equipped with a solid variety of management features. Additionally, they also can fix, copy, and transform the network configurations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stackable Switch<\/b><\/p>\n

It can be defined as a network switch that can work alone without any dependence on the other. However, this type of switches can also work in a partnership with other network switches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The stack of the switch gets reroute automatically if a port or cable failure takes place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PoE Switch<\/b><\/p>\n

This one is another form of network switch that uses Power over Ethernet technology where multiple network devices can be connected. The PoE Switch is capable of supporting power and data transmission over a single network cable at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n

The cabling process gets simplified with the presence of this switch. It is also one of the most common types of switches available in the market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Managed vs. Unmanaged Switch: Which one should choose?<\/b><\/h3>\n

We have tried to give you information about both types of switches in the above section. However, the majority of people often gets confused and end up making the wrong choice. Managed Switch vs. Unmanaged switches has become a solid debate among the technical community. We often received requests from readers to solve this puzzle so that they can easily make the right choice.\u00a0 Let have a look at the key differences between both of these types in the table mentioned below:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Managed Switches<\/b><\/td>\nUnmanaged Switches<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
There is brilliant security offered using managed switches to management, control, and data plane.<\/span><\/td>\nThey offer very average security using accessories like the lockable port cover.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
These switches are very costly to buy.<\/span><\/td>\nAvailable at a very affordable price.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Capable of working perfectly in larger networks.<\/span><\/td>\nIdeal for installing in small business networks and homes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
These types of switches can be configured perfectly with Access Control and LAN traffic<\/span><\/td>\nThis one has a plug and play working system with pretty limited configuration<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
It is equipped with a solid set of features like IP routing, redundancy, CLI, etc.<\/span><\/td>\nIt has fixed-configuration and lacks any configuration interface<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Now, choosing one out of them strongly depend on the requirements of your business. Let\u2019s first talk about the use of these switches in the business sector. An unmanaged switch will be the ideal option to choose for small-sized businesses as they only need basic functions. On the other hand, unmanaged switches will be the ideal option for data centers and businesses with complex centers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to homes, the majority of people will suggest going for an unmanaged switch. But it isn\u2019t that easier in reality. You should go for a plug and play an unmanaged switch if you don\u2019t need any complications and want your home network to work normally. On the other hand, the managed switches are the best pick to make if you want more privacy and security.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We have gone through both types in a detailed way, so you know how to choose the right one. Go for the managed switches if you can manage a LAN and know the configuring process. Choose an unmanaged switch if you prefer keeping things simple.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the top 5 best gigabit switches for the home network?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Now, we have reached to the real business, i.e., which one is the best gigabit switch for home network. It is a very tricky question considering the abundance of options available in the market. However, we are here to help the readers, and that\u2019s why our team researched and tested nearly 20 units to create the list of top 5 best gigabit switches for the home network. Have a look at each one and choose the one that suits your needs perfectly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. NETGEAR GS308 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch<\/a> (Editor choice)<\/b><\/h3>\n

This product is manufactured by a mature brand like Netgear who has a respectful name in the SMB networking world. It is an 8-port unit that considered as a leader in the unmanaged switch segment. The GS308 model is an incredible option to choose for a home or small office. The most interesting thing about this unit is it\u2019s the only model manufactured by Netgear brand in a metal chassis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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On top of that, the installation process is quite easier, even if you have a tighter space in your house. There are four sticky rubber feet added by the manufactured that let the users attach the unit anywhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Construction<\/b><\/p>\n

It is crafted in a sturdy metal chassis that is adequately rugged for both homes as well as office uses. As we all know, there are eight ports in this switch along with status indicators added on the RJ-45 ports. It is an unmanaged switch so relatively simple to use even for a complete beginner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Noise-free operations<\/b><\/p>\n

Another considerable feature in this unit is its fanless design that means no noise will create irrespective of the place you install it. The thing that we want to say is it\u2019s an ideal option for noise-sensitive areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Performance<\/b><\/p>\n

In the testing phase, this switch performs well than the majority of other options with a considerable margin. The company advertises 16GBPS switching, and they mean it for sure. You won\u2019t any issues related to lag or disturbance in the signal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pros<\/b><\/p>\n