An 8-port gigabit switch is still one of the simplest ways to add more wired Ethernet connections to a home or small office. It will not magically increase the speed of your internet plan, but it can give PCs, consoles, TVs, access points and NAS devices a stable wired connection without replacing your router.
For most people, an unmanaged switch is the right choice: plug one port into your router or existing network, connect your devices to the remaining ports, and there is nothing else to configure.
Best 8-port gigabit switches in 2026
1. NETGEAR GS108 — best for durability
The NETGEAR GS108 is a long-running 8-port unmanaged switch with a metal enclosure, fanless cooling and eight 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet ports. NETGEAR lists support for IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet, 9K jumbo frames and desktop or wall mounting.
Why pick it: the GS108 is the straightforward choice when you want a compact switch that feels built for permanent installation rather than the cheapest possible box.
- 8 × Gigabit Ethernet ports
- Fanless, silent operation
- Metal case
- IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet
- Jumbo-frame support
- Plug and play
2. NETGEAR GS308 — best budget pick
The NETGEAR GS308 provides the same basic job at a lower-cost tier. It has eight gigabit ports, a fanless metal enclosure, plug-and-play operation and Energy Efficient Ethernet support. NETGEAR currently lists the GS308v3 at a maximum power consumption of about 3W.
Why pick it: if you simply need seven additional wired connections after using one port as the uplink, there is little reason to pay for management features you will never use.
3. TP-Link TL-SG108 — best alternative
The TP-Link TL-SG108 is another well-established fanless metal switch. Current versions provide eight 10/100/1000Mbps ports and add features such as 802.1p/DSCP QoS and IGMP Snooping while remaining plug and play.
Why pick it: it is a strong choice for a home network that carries streaming or IPTV traffic and you want a simple unmanaged switch from a major networking brand.
Will a gigabit switch make your internet faster?
Not by itself. A switch cannot make a 100Mbps internet connection become 500Mbps, and it cannot overcome a slow router, modem or ISP plan.
What it can do is move a device from Wi-Fi to wired Ethernet. If that device was suffering from weak signal, interference or congestion, the wired connection may be faster and more consistent. The improvement comes from changing the connection between the device and your network, not from the switch creating extra internet bandwidth.
If gaming latency is your main concern, our Wi-Fi 7 vs Ethernet for gaming guide explains where wired networking still has advantages.
Do eight ports mean eight devices?
Usually, not when the switch is connected to the rest of your network. One port normally acts as the uplink to your router, another switch or a wall jack, leaving seven ports for end devices.
You can also connect one switch to another, but all traffic still has to pass through the uplink between them. For an ordinary home network that is rarely a problem, but heavy NAS, workstation or server traffic can justify a faster 2.5GbE or 10GbE backbone.
Unmanaged, smart or managed?
- Unmanaged: best for most homes. No configuration required.
- Smart / easy-managed: useful when you want basic VLANs, traffic controls or monitoring without enterprise complexity.
- Managed: intended for networks where you need detailed control over VLANs, spanning tree, link aggregation, monitoring and other business features.
PoE is a separate feature. If you need to power security cameras, wireless access points or VoIP phones through the Ethernet cable, choose an 8-port PoE switch with enough total power budget for those devices.
Should you buy gigabit or 2.5GbE?
Gigabit Ethernet remains plenty for internet connections at or below 1Gbps, game consoles, smart TVs and general home networking. But if you have a multi-gig internet plan, a NAS that can exceed 1Gbps, or PCs with 2.5GbE ports, buying a 2.5GbE switch now can avoid creating a new bottleneck.
Bottom line
For a simple home network, the NETGEAR GS108, NETGEAR GS308 and TP-Link TL-SG108 all remain current, sensible 8-port gigabit switches. Choose between them based on price, enclosure and the small feature differences rather than expecting one to transform your ISP speed.
