Internet connection and networking has become intertwined with our lives. We cannot imagine a single day without the internet. When we talk about the internet and browsing, the first thing that comes to our mind is the WiFi. Wherever we go, we look for spots with WiFi. But WiFi is not the preferred option for many office enterprises and networking engineers. Here comes the role of a Gigabit switch.
If you’re wondering what a Gigabit switch is, the Gigabit switch is a multi-purpose switch that is used to connect devices such as computers, TV, and multiple servers to a LAN (Local Area Network). Gigabit switch is used mostly by network engineers, construction of the smart home, and office purposes. It is an efficient way to connect multiple devices to a single switch. A Gigabit switch will replace the efficiency of WiFi to connect so many devices to the internet. It is not very expensive.
When you want to connect multiple computer systems to the internet Gigabit switch plays a significant role to do it. It is very essential for networking purposes. Places like small and medium enterprises use the Gigabit switch. You can expand the network in a cost-effective simple way through the Gigabit switch. In the absence of Wifi, a Gigabit switch can be used to connect to the internet directly. Gigabit switch can be used in modern TVs like 4K HDTVs, LED TVs, etc. Compared to Wifi, the Gigabit switch takes a faster time to respond and provides an internet connection. It will speed up your data transfer activities.
In this article, we are going to look at the best 5 port Gigabit switch in the market.
Best 5 Port Gigabit Switches in 2023
1. TP-Link 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch
- Model number: TL-SG1005D
- Voltage: 110 Volts
- Color: Black
- Weight: 4.2 ounces
TP-Link 5 Port Gigabit Switch can be set up easily with little effort. It is the best choice for setting up your home or office network. The TP-Link 5 Port Gigabit Switch does not require any configuration or software for setting up. It provides a connection to your modem or router through an added Ethernet splitter.
The presence of five 10/100/1000Mbps ports will make the transfer of huge bandwidth files without any lag. You can connect to wired devices using this facility. This includes devices like laptops, printers, and gaming devices. The port switch offers great internet speed and data transfer. The RJ45 ports can expand network capacity. The Gigabit switch is very much affordable. It comes with a simple fan-less design, which is very quiet providing no noise. It also tends to save power up to 80 percent.
The Ethernet switch will automatically adjust power concerning the link status. The switch offers you a great benefit by avoiding crossover cables as it supports auto-MDI/MDIX. Apart from all these advantages, TP-Link also provides free 24/7 technical support. It comes with a warranty of 2 years.
Pros
- Much efficient for home/office network
- Affordable
- 2-year warranty period
- 24/7 free technical support
- Supports Auto-MDI/MDIX
- Set-up process is much simpler
Cons
- Technical support unresponsive at times
2. NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch
- Model number: GS305-300PAS
- Color: Black
- Weight: 8.8 ounces
NETGEAR 5 port Gigabit switch is an ideal choice for your home network, as it comes with trustable quality and performance. This switch is exclusively designed for home networking purposes. It does not require any software or configuration to set up. It requires just a few minutes to set up your home network using this 5 port Gigabit switch.
The switch can be set up with a desktop or can be mounted on a wall. The device is designed in such a way as to not disturb its users. It comes with a fan-less design, providing no noise. Do not worry about any technical error as the Gigabit switch has a hardware warranty for up to 3 years.
The brand also offers free technical support for 90 days from the date you purchased. Technical support is available 24/7. The switch operates at a low cost and utilizes an efficient amount of power supply.
Pros
- Best for home network
- Simple set up process
- No configuration/software required
- 3-year warranty period
- Utilizes less power usage
Cons
- Technical support expires in 90 days
- Port connectivity issues by some customers
3. TRENDnet 5 Port Gigabit GREENnet Desktop Metal Switch
- Model number: TEG-S50G
- Weight: 6.4 ounces
- Color: Black
- Volts: 7.5 Volts
This model 5 port gigabit switch allows high-speed data transfer and network connections to multiple devices. TRENDnet Gigabit switch is an ideal choice for desktop installation. You can switch for environments that require silent operations. The handles fan-less design allows you to work efficiently without any noise. The performance of this device is quite good. It is designed in a way to reduce power usage by up to 70 percent. The switch comes with an energy-saving function. It can be mounted on a wall for networking usage
The device set up takes only about a few minutes. You can plug in and connect the required devices instantly. The standby mode and link down detect technology in this switch allows less power supply to ports that are unused/off mode, thus saving power. The switch can be used either for home networking or office networking purposes. It will boost your internet speed by 10 Mb-2000 Mb per second.
The switch is light-weight and easily portable. The maximum data speed of TRENDnet 5 port gigabit switch is 2000 Mb per second. The switch will work on any Ethernet device including Xbox. Each port has a LED to denote the data speed.
Pros
- Affordable
- Reduces power usage up to 70%
- Internet speed
- Good choice for desktop installation
Cons
- Few complaints on the device’s noise
- Tech support quite unresponsive
4. Linksys Business 5-Port Desktop Gigabit Switch
No products found.
- Model number: LGS105
- Weight: 8.6 ounces
- Color: Black/Blue
- Volts: 240 Volts
Linksys 5 port desktop Gigabit switch offers up to 1000 Mb per second data speed. The Ethernet ports are auto-sensing in nature. You can boost your network connection efficiently through the Linksys Gigabit switch. The switch is exclusively designed for business purposes. You can expand the network in your business or office premises and transfer larger size files easily through this switch. The device’s auto-sensing ports can optimize speed for each device that is connected. The switch is an ideal choice for desktops.
The device can be set up instantly within few minutes. It does not require any software or configuration for installation. The Ethernet ports have the power saving feature, hence reducing power usage and preventing power wastage. The device disables unused ports by putting down the power and enabling sleep-mode. The Gigabit switch also comes with LED lights to show the port status.
Linksys desktop Gigabit switch uses smart power for short cable runs. The device does prioritization of your data, thus delivering important data as soon as possible. You can choose top priority activities in the device over fewer priority works. The Gigabit switch delivers the fastest data speed for these top priority activities. It can be anything like a video calling or file transfer.
Pros
- Ideal for Office networking
- Prioritizes your activities
- Easy to set up
- Auto-sensing ports lessen power usage
- Fast network speed
- Performance is appreciated by maximum users
Cons
- No cons
5. NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE Switch
No products found.
- Model number: GS305P-100NAS
- Weight: 1 pound
- Color: Black
NETGEAR 5 port Gigabit PoE switch can be set up instantly with no software or configurations. The device is built with metal construction. The device’s price is pretty affordable and can be mounted on a wall or set up with your desktop. It comes with a PoE switch. The design is fan-less, thus letting no noise out. It will be suitable for any silent working environment.
The total power budget for this device is 55W. The switch comes with three years of warranty. It is designed in a way to consume less power to function. The device delivers quality performance with high network speed. The device is a perfect choice for home networking and small to medium office premises. The switch is a must choice if you are using PoE security cameras.
The smart-managed Pro feature of the Gigabit switch allows it to be used for large organizations that require managing complex business networks. It will prioritize data as per your requirement. You can control the device system from anywhere using a remote access option. It is done using a NETGEAR Insight app and NETGEAR cloud portal. The device comes with high-end security, which will make it an ideal option for managing office networks.
Pros
- Affordable
- Optimizes power usage
- Provides security of data
- PoE switch
- Fast internet speed
- 3 years warranty period
- Ideal for home and office networking
Cons
- Minor complaints about less performance
6. YuanLey 5 Port Gigabit PoE Switch
No products found.
- Model number: YS2041G-P
- Weight: 1.89 pounds
YuanLey 5 port Gigabit PoE switch comes with 4 Gigabit POE+ ports and 1 Gigabit UpLink Ethernet port. All five ports offer data to speed up to 100/1000Mb per second. The switch delivers network performance with high speed and reliability. The device can be set up instantly without any software or configuration. The installation process will just take up to few minutes. It uses to power up to 78W. Each port uses to power up to 30W. All five ports are capable of connecting to both PoE and non-PoE devices. The switch comes with PSE chips and ports that are noise-free.
The switch applies to devices such as cameras, computers, routers, APs, etc. If you enable the extended model in this switch, all the PoE ports will support VLAN isolation. The network traffic will be separated and network safety will be improved. The device is designed in a manner to escape heat produced. The device is an apt choice for security purposes, office, and home networking. It comes with LED indicator lights.
The switch supports MDI/MDIX auto flip and self-negotiation. YuanLey 5 Port Gigabit PoE Switch can be used for wireless APs, security IP cameras, computer networks, wireless bridges, IP printer servers, etc. It can be mounted on a wall or used with desktops. It is one of the best PoE switches available in the market for security uses. It comes with an affordable rate.
Pros
- Best usage for security cameras
- Affordable
- Port isolation feature
- Easy to set up
- Performance quality
Cons
- No cons
7. MokerLink 5 Port Gigabit POE Switch
No products found.
- Model number: POE-G041G
- Weight: 1.89 pounds
MokerLink 5 port Gigabit switch comes with 5 ports, including 4 Gigabit POE ports and 1 Gigabit Uplink Port which is not a PoE. All the five ports support data speed at 1000 Mb per second. The switch supports maximum power up to 78 W. It can provide higher bandwidth and also connect 4 PoE devices. It can also connect non-POE devices. It can be installed using a simple set up process, which won’t take more than a few minutes.
No configuration or installation software required. The switch is an unmanaged switch. The switch is capable enough to detect devices automatically on its own. The fan-less design provides no noise while the switch is operating. It can be mounted over a wall or fit with a desktop. The switch has LED lights to display port status. The switch can be used for security IP cameras, home networks, office networking, wireless access points, etc.
The device is made in a solid metal case, which is safe to use in any environment. It comes with lifetime technical support. The brand also promises to return money from 30 days of purchasing, if the device is faulty in any case.
Pros
- Affordable
- High data speed
- Ideal for multi-purpose such as for security IP camera, home, and office networks
- Simple installation process
- Detects devices automatically
Cons
- No cons
8. TP-Link TL-SG105
With so many different types of 5-port Gigabit switches in the market, you can’t afford to miss out on the TP-Link TL-SG105. This one is unlike anything else that you’d likely come across, especially because it’s from one of the most reliable brands in the market.
One of the best things about the TP-Link TL-SG105 switches is that it’s not overpriced and you get such amazing and multifunctional features for under $15. The product is designed in a way to ensure that one switch can expand the network for different functions.
The product is designed to support Gigabit that saves energy, thanks to the latest power-efficient functions that you come across. Besides that, you also get to experience reliable and quiet functions without unnecessary squeaking noise.
The product is perfect for beginners who don’t have a lot of knowledge when it comes to additional software installation and other additional functions. The advanced software features in this product ensure high-quality rendition of the data or the voice data transmission for a better understanding of things.
The exterior of the switch is designed with durable metal construction with a fanless design that prevents creating unnecessary noises while the device is functioning. Also, the product doesn’t overheat despite longer period usage. The only downside to this product is that it doesn’t come with the necessary warranty.
Pros
- Power-efficient option
- High-quality voice data transmission
- Fanless design
Cons
- Poor customer support
9. D-Link 5 Port Unmanaged Gigabit Desktop Ethernet Switch
No products found.
- Model number: GO-SW-5G/B
- Weight: 3.52 ounces
- Color: White
- Voltage: 5 Volts
D-Link Unmanaged Gigabit Desktop Ethernet Switch is an affordable, 5 port switch which offers network speed up to 10/100/1000 Mb per second. The switch comes with auto MDI/MDIX feature, thus eliminating the need for crossover cables. The device can be installed easily. It is a switch with plug and plays operation. It does not require any configuration or software to install. It is an apt choice for small offices and home networking.
You can expand your network quickly using the D-Link 5 port Gigabit switch. The switch can be used to connect computers, transfer intensive files, and even play games. D-Link uses Green Technology to save power usage and energy. The switch is known for delivering high performance with optimum power usage. For customer satisfaction, D-Link provides 3 years of product warranty.
Pros
- Affordable
- Ideal for small and medium enterprises
- Multipurpose (laptops, PCs, games, etc)
- High-speed networking
Cons
- Minor complaints in implementation of inbound filters in ports
10. TP-Link Litewave 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
No products found.
- Model number: LS1005G
- Weight: 5.6 ounces
TP-Link Litewave 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch can be set up instantly with no software or configurations. The device is built with a plastic case. The device’s rate is affordable and can be set up with your desktop. The device can be installed easily. It is a switch with plug and plays operation. No configuration or software is needed. It can be used with a desktop or mounted on a wall. The design is fan-less, thus letting no noise out. It will be ideal for any silent working environment.
The device delivers quality performance with high network speed. The switch comes with auto MDI/MDIX feature, thus eliminating the need for crossover cables. It can be connected to your laptop, PC, printer, gaming device, etc. TP Link’s LiteWave Series supports energy-efficient technologies to promote power-saving and reducing the carbon footprint.
The switch will automatically adjust ports according to the link status and cable length. Thus, delivering maximum output with optimum power. The switch enables you to transfer high bandwidth files with great speed. The switch is best for small office and surveillance purposes.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to set up
- Auto MDI/MDIX feature
- Reduces carbon footprint by optimum power usage
- High-speed data transfer
- Ideal for surveillance
Cons
- Few complaints on network speed
11. D-Link Ethernet 5 Port Gigabit Unmanaged Desktop Switch
No products found.
- Model number: 2161366000
- Weight: 7 ounces
D-Link Unmanaged Desktop Switch is an ideal choice for small and medium enterprises, as the switch works with increased bandwidth and high network speed. You can expand your network in your office using its 5 ports. It comes with a plug and plays installation (Unmanaged). Therefore, it requires simple steps and just a few minutes for installation.
D-Link uses Green Technology to save power usage and energy. The switch is known for delivering high performance with optimum power usage. The switch reduces heat while giving increasing network speed and fair performance. The device delivers quality performance with high network speed.
The switch comes with auto MDI/MDIX feature, thus eliminating the need for crossover cables. The device uses energy-efficient ethernet to detect if network traffic is down or if a computer is ON or OFF. This is done to reduce or save power usage. The switch also saves energy by detecting cable length. The 5 ports will support network speed up to 10/100/1000 Mb per second. You can use this switch to expand the network for your printers, laptops, PCs, scanners, etc. You can place this device on a flat surface or mount it on the wall, according to your need.
Pros
- Saves power and reduces heat
- Affordable and efficient
- Fast network speed
- Auto MDI/MDIX feature
- Detects network traffic automatically to save power usage
Cons
- No cons
12. Cudy 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch
No products found.
- Model number: GS105D
- Weight: 3.79 ounces
Cudy 5 port Gigabit switch is used both in-home and office networking. The plug-and-play feature makes the installation process very simple. No configuration is needed. You do not need any crossover cables as the switch comes with auto MDI/MDIX feature. All five ports can detect the speed of a device and adjust it accordingly to deliver high performance.
The network speed of up to 10/100/1000Mb per second is supported. The switch is applicable in PCs, laptops, Gaming devices, Printers, and any device which has an Ethernet port. The switch supports MAC address auto-learning and auto-aging. Your network speed can be improved efficiently through the 5 ports. It makes even high bandwidth file transfers easier.
The switch is available at an affordable rate in the market. Cudy Gigabit switch will make all your internet activities function effortlessly. The switch uses power as per the need and reduces wastage of power. Innovative energy-saving technology in Cudy 5 port Gigabit switch will save maximum power and deliver great performance output. Your network capacity can be expanded efficiently with the Cudy Gigabit switch. The brand of the device offers you 2 years of warranty.
Pros
- Affordable
- Ideal for both home and office networking
- Simple installation process
- Auto-detection of ports
- Reduced power usage
- High-speed network performance
Cons
- No cons
13. Tenda 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch
No products found.
- Model number: SG105
- Weight: 2.4 ounces
- Color: Black
- Voltage: 5 Volts
Tenda 5 port Gigabit switch can be installed easily with a simple setup. Just plug and play to start using. It does not require any configuration or software. As it is a small device, it takes little space to deliver maximum performance.
The Ethernet splitter will provide an efficient connection to your modem or router. It can be connected to your laptop, PC, printer, gaming device, etc. The ports offer high-speed networking and data transfer, thus eliminating buffering.
It can be used in home networking, small office premises, schools, etc. The five ports will support network speed up to 10/100/1000 Mb per second. The auto-negotiating RJ45 Gigabit ports will help to expand your network capacity. The switch supports auto MDI/MDIX feature, thus avoiding the need for crossover cables. The switch comes with lifetime technical support for free. It also provides 3 years of warranty.
Pros
- Simple set up
- Affordable and light-weight
- Multi-purpose use (PCs, laptops, printers, etc.)
- Auto MDI/MDIX feature
- 3 years warranty
Cons
- No cons
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Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to choosing the right 5 Port Gigabit Switches in 2023
Before buying a 5 port Gigabit switch to expand your network, there are certain things you need to consider:
1. Managed switch / Unmanaged switch
Before buying a network switch, you must know that there are two types of Gigabit network switch in the market. They are Managed network switch and Unmanaged network switch.
Unmanaged network switch: If you are looking for a Gigabit switch for a very simple network system, then opt for an unmanaged switch. As your network won’t be very complex, you can just leave all the 5 ports open without needing to isolate them. Unmanaged switches usually come with a budget price. The switch will allow a limited number of devices to connect to it, as you are buying it for a not so complex network. This switch type allows plug and plays operation. You just have to plug in to connect and start working, and it will require less than 2 minutes to set this up.
Managed network switch: You can opt for a managed network switch if there is a chance for your network to be expanded later. A managed switch will just require default configuration and you don’t need much to do. A managed switch will enable you to automatically rebuild the network if it expands later. It will get adjusted to your network change remotely on itself. This switch type is used in complex network places and requires a professional to monitor the network functions such as allocation of bandwidth, security, access control lists, etc. According to the switch type, your access to quality of service (QoS) and virtual networks (VLANs) will be decided.
2. Speed
Speed is a crucial aspect of a Network switch. Many network switches come with up to 1000 Mb per second network speed. A 5 port Gigabit switch must be able to possess the highest speed on a given network. The switch should be capable enough to work rapidly when multiple devices are connected to it. The network speed must be fast in the entire 5 ports connected, and not just only one. When it comes to speed, a full-duplex switch is much more efficient than a half-duplex switch. Some switch offers high priority speed to preferred port that is operating vital and intensive tasks.
3. Warranty and technical support
Warranty and technical support are practical factors that you should consider while buying any electronic items rather than the network switch alone. For the network switch, these are important because we never know when a technical error occurs. Warranty will help you return and replace defective items within a specific period, while technical support allows you to get connected with the company authority for any doubts or functional errors or doubts. Though these factors do not come under a technicality, it is good to consider these while buying. Some switches provide you 24/7 free technical support. Some offer a limited period of free technical support. Prefer to opt for switches with lifetime tech support, as you can connect for support whenever you want.
4. Port number
The number of ports in a network switch will allow you to decide the number of devices connected to it. The number of devices varies based on home or office networking. Office networking generally requires more number of devices to be connected. Here, we are looking at the 5 port gigabit network switch, while there are up to 64 port network switches available in the market. The 5 port Gigabit network switch will be a perfect choice to expand your home network. It can be used in small and medium enterprises also, depending upon the number of devices.
5. Power
You must look for a network switch that supports your Power over Ethernet (PoE) needs. At most times, access points are placed in locations that make powerpoints tough to reach. But, there are many network switches in the market which allows power through Ethernet. Users can get power supply through the Ethernet. Many of the network switches mentioned above qualify under these criteria. PoE generally uses already existing network wires to power devices like wireless access points, surveillance cameras, and VoIP phones.
6. Price
Price is the most practical factor to consider before you buy a network switch. You should check whether the Ethernet switch you are buying is worth your money. Look for product reviews before purchasing. This will help you eliminate choices that are unworthy of your wishlist. There are so many types of network switches in the market. The types vary according to the users’ needs. This includes managed network switch, an unmanaged network switch, PoE Gigabit switch, etc.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About 5 Port Gigabit Switches in 2023
1. Is a 5 port Gigabit switch ideal for business purposes?
The usual conception is that gigabit switches of higher port numbers are best suited for business purposes. But, switches of less number of ports are also ideal for small to medium business enterprises. A 5 port Gigabit switch works well for both home and office purposes.
2. What is Auto MDI/MDIX feature in a Gigabit switch?
Most 5 port gigabit switches come with Auto MDI/MDIX feature. This feature will allow automatic detection of the type of cable connection and will help configure this connection. This function eliminates the need for crossover cables.
3. What are the common applications of a Gigabit switch?
A gigabit switch is used widely to connect multiple devices such as laptops, PCs, computer systems, smart TVs, IP phones, security IP cameras, wireless bridges, printers, scanners, servers, etc.
4. Why should MAC address needs to be standalone?
MAC address is unique for every card. You can’t differentiate between 2 stations if the MAC addresses are the same.
5. Can Manage and Unmanaged switch be used on the same network?
Yes, you can use both Managed and Unmanaged switches on the same network. But, in the case of huge networks where there are more than 9 devices connected, you must use Managed switches alone. This will help you give an uninterrupted network performance.
6. Do Ethernet switches reduce network speed?
No, an ethernet switch will not affect the speed of your network, but sometimes it can provide a lower speed depending upon the maximum speed of your ethernet switch. For example, if your ethernet switch offers the top speed of 100 Mbps and your internet speed is 150mbps, then as a result, you will get only 100mbps speed by using the ethernet switch because its maximum capability is 100mbps only.
Network speed and the number of ports are two essential factors to check, so keep these in mind while buying an ethernet switch. Connecting more and more devices with your home network can also reduce your network speed because your local area network has limited bandwidth. By connecting multiple devices with the network, your speed will automatically reduce because connecting multiple devices means less bandwidth for each connection, resulting in less bandwidth buffering and slow speed.
7. What does a 5 port switch do?
Five port switches can connect five individual devices with your local area network. Some of them don’t require configuration, and you can easily connect any of your device’s power efficiently. With the help of an ethernet switch with five ports, you can connect five and more devices simultaneously without facing any disconnectivity or network problem. An ethernet switch allows you to connect your device with your local area network directly, which gives you a stable connectivity experience.
While using a wireless network connection, sometimes we face low network problems because of the walls/electronics between the device and the modem. To dodge these problems, we use ethernet switches for a direct and steady network. Many business areas use these network switches to get direct connectivity from LAN so that their work won’t stop.
8. Are all Gigabit switches the same?
No, all gigabit switches are different; they come with various features. Network speed capability and number of ports are the primary two differences in every switch. People buy gigabit switches as per their requirements; majorly, it is used in the business environment areas to connect multiple devices simultaneously for stable network connection. These switches come with different ports with features like power efficiency. Gigabit switches give you the maximum transmission speed of 1Gbps.
There are mainly two types of network switches: managed and unmanaged. Managed switches give you the ability to customize, manage and monitor Local area network traffic; you can also modify switch operations in many ways. Unmanaged switches come with the power of plug-and-play functionality, and you cannot alter or customize switch operations with them. Gigabit switches come with various features. Buying them without knowing all the features can be a waste; you can read our recommendations about some of the best and most affordable gigabit switches.
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Conclusion
Apart from price, there are also different colors of network switches. Though black is the color of most switches, the device also comes in white and blue. So, first, conclude the price you can afford. Decide the budget before you place your order. The efficiency and performance of the switch will also vary based on the price of the device. Last but not least, purchase the one that ticks all the above boxes!
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