What Is a Network Switch Used For?

If your router only has one or two open Ethernet ports and you’ve got a growing pile of devices that need a wired connection — a gaming console, a smart TV, a desktop PC, a printer — a network switch is almost certainly the simple fix you’re looking for. It’s one of the least glamorous pieces of networking gear out there, but it’s also one of the most useful once you understand what it actually does. This guide covers what a switch is for in plain terms, how it’s different from a router or a hub, how to actually set one up, which models are worth buying, what they cost, and whether you even need one in the first place.

What a Network Switch Actually Does

At its core, a network switch is a box that lets multiple wired devices talk to each other and to the rest of your network, without every device needing its own separate cable back to your router. Here’s how that actually works:

1. It expands the number of wired connections you have available. Most home routers only have a handful of Ethernet ports — a switch takes one of those ports and turns it into many, letting you connect far more wired devices than your router alone would allow.
2. It learns which device is connected to which port. When a device sends data, the switch reads the destination address and remembers which port that device lives on — this is why it’s called a “switch” rather than a simple splitter: it actively directs traffic rather than just repeating it everywhere.
3. It sends data only where it needs to go. Because the switch knows which port each device is on, it sends data directly to the intended recipient’s port instead of blasting it out to every connected device — this keeps your network faster and reduces unnecessary traffic.
4. It handles multiple conversations at once. A switch can manage many devices communicating simultaneously without those conversations interfering with each other, which is part of why wired connections through a switch tend to feel more consistent than Wi-Fi under heavy use.
5. It connects back to your router for internet access. The switch itself doesn’t provide internet access — one of its ports connects to your router, and every device plugged into the switch reaches the internet through that single connection back to the router.

The clearest takeaway: think of a switch as a smart traffic director for wired devices — it doesn’t replace your router, it extends your router’s reach by giving many more devices a fast, reliable, wired path onto your network.

Switch vs. Router vs. Hub: What’s the Difference

These three devices get confused constantly, partly because they can look almost identical from the outside. Here’s how they actually differ:

The clearest takeaway: you almost certainly already have a router providing your internet and Wi-Fi — a switch doesn’t replace it, it simply gives you more wired ports branching off that same router. Hubs, meanwhile, are largely obsolete; if you’re buying new hardware today, you’re choosing a switch, not a hub.

How to Set Up a Network Switch at Home or in the Office

Physically installing a switch is genuinely one of the simplest pieces of networking hardware to set up. Here’s the process:

1. Choose a location near your router or wherever you need extra wired ports. Switches don’t need to sit directly next to your router — you can place one anywhere convenient and run a single cable back to your router or to another switch already connected to it.
2. Connect the switch to power. Most home and small-office switches simply plug into a standard power outlet — no special power requirements for basic models.
3. Run one Ethernet cable from your router (or an existing switch) to any port on the new switch. This single “uplink” cable is what gives every device plugged into the switch access to your network and the internet — it doesn’t matter which specific port on the switch you use for this.
4. Plug your devices into the remaining open ports. Desktop computers, game consoles, smart TVs, printers — anything with an Ethernet port can now connect directly to the switch using a standard Ethernet cable.
5. Check the port lights. Most switches have small indicator lights next to each port that turn on or blink when a device is properly connected and communicating — if a light isn’t on, check the cable connection at both ends.
6. That’s it for a basic unmanaged switch. There’s no software to install and no settings to configure — the switch begins working the moment it has power and a connection back to your router.
7. If you bought a “smart” or “managed” switch instead, you can optionally log into its web interface (usually by typing its IP address into a browser) to configure more advanced features — but this step is entirely optional for most home and small-office use, and the switch will still work with zero configuration if you skip it.

Best Network Switches to Buy

For the vast majority of home and small-office needs, here are the most consistently recommended models:

1. TP-Link TL-SG108 — Frequently the top overall pick for most users: 8 gigabit ports, metal construction, silent fanless operation, and one of the best-selling switches on the market with a strong review track record.
2. NETGEAR GS308 — A close alternative to the TP-Link, offering the same core 8-port gigabit, plug-and-play simplicity with NETGEAR’s typically strong warranty coverage.
3. TP-Link TL-SG105 — The right pick if you only need a handful of extra ports (it supports 4 connected devices plus the uplink), ideal as a small expander in a single room rather than a whole-home solution.
4. NETGEAR GS308E / TP-Link TL-SG108E — “Smart managed” versions of the above unmanaged models, adding basic VLAN and traffic prioritization features for only a small price premium — worth considering if you might want IoT device isolation or prioritized video-call traffic down the line.
5. NETGEAR MS308 (2.5G Multi-Gigabit) or similar 2.5G unmanaged switches — Worth the upgrade if you have newer devices like a Wi-Fi 6/6E access point or a NAS that can actually use faster-than-gigabit speeds; standard gigabit switches remain plenty fast for typical streaming, gaming, and browsing.
6. TP-Link TL-SG108PE or similar PoE-enabled smart switches — Only necessary if you specifically need to power devices like IP cameras or access points directly through the switch; skip this category entirely if you don’t have PoE devices, since it adds meaningful cost for a feature you won’t use.

For most people setting up a home or small office, an 8-port unmanaged gigabit switch like the TP-Link TL-SG108 or NETGEAR GS308 covers the need completely — the more advanced options above only matter if you have a specific reason to need them.

Network Switch Pricing and Where to Buy

Here’s what to expect to pay across the common categories:

1. Basic 5-port unmanaged switches — Roughly $15–$25, the cheapest way to add just a few extra wired ports in one room.
2. Basic 8-port unmanaged switches — Roughly $18–$30, the most popular category for home use, offering the best balance of port count and price for typical needs.
3. Smart/web-managed 8-port switches — Roughly $30–$45, adding basic VLAN and traffic-prioritization features for a modest premium over fully unmanaged models.
4. 2.5 Gigabit unmanaged switches (8-port) — Roughly $50–$90, worth it specifically if you have newer high-speed devices that can actually use the extra bandwidth.
5. 8-port switches with PoE — Roughly $60–$100+ depending on total power budget, needed only if you’re powering cameras, access points, or similar devices directly through the switch.
6. Larger 16 to 24-port unmanaged or smart switches — Roughly $60–$180, appropriate once you’re well beyond typical home needs, such as a small office or a home with an extensive wired setup.

Where to buy: Major retailers (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart) and the manufacturers’ own websites (TP-Link, NETGEAR) all carry these switches at consistent pricing, with Amazon typically offering the widest selection and fastest shipping for the most popular models. Buying from the manufacturer directly or a major retailer, rather than an unfamiliar third-party marketplace listing, is worth the small peace of mind for a device that’s simple but still needs to be genuinely reliable.

Do You Actually Need a Network Switch? Beginner FAQ

If you’re still not sure whether this applies to your situation, here’s a straightforward FAQ:

How do I know if I actually need a switch? If you’ve run out of open Ethernet ports on your router and have more devices you’d like to connect with a wired cable rather than Wi-Fi, that’s the clearest sign you need one.

Can’t I just use Wi-Fi for everything instead? You can, and for many devices Wi-Fi is perfectly fine — but a wired connection through a switch is generally faster, more consistent, and has lower latency than Wi-Fi, which matters more for things like gaming consoles, desktop PCs used for video calls, or any device where a dropped or slow connection is especially annoying.

Do I need to know anything technical to set one up? No — for a basic unmanaged switch, the entire setup is plugging in power and one cable back to your router, then connecting your devices. There’s no software, no login, and no configuration required.

Will adding a switch slow down my internet? No — a switch doesn’t add any meaningful delay, and a wired connection through a switch is typically faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi, not slower.

What if I only need one or two extra ports — is a switch overkill? Not at all — a small 5-port switch is inexpensive and perfectly suited for adding just a couple of extra wired connections in one room, like a desk with both a computer and a printer that need to be wired.

Is there any downside to just buying more ports than I currently need? Not really, beyond a small extra cost — an 8-port switch costs only a little more than a 5-port one, and having a couple of spare ports available for future devices is generally worth that modest difference.

Do I need a “smart” or “managed” switch, or is basic unmanaged enough? For the vast majority of home users, a basic unmanaged switch is genuinely all you need — smart or managed features (like isolating smart-home devices onto their own network, or prioritizing video calls) are nice extras, not requirements, and most people never end up using them even when available.

Please follow and like us: