With more and more wired devices in our homes requiring fast and stable internet connectivity, upgrading to a gigabit ethernet switch is becoming a necessity. While 8 port switches are common, a 5 port gigabit switch can provide ample ports for smaller networks. In this article, we’ll review the best 5 port gigabit switches on the market and help you choose the right model.
We’ll be looking at key factors like speed, build quality, reliability, and advanced networking features. A good 5 port switch will allow you to connect devices like desktop PCs, game consoles, NAS drives, and printers in order to enable file sharing, video streaming, media serving, and lag-free online gaming throughout your network. With the right gigabit switch, you can provide wired speeds up to 10 times faster than WiFi.
Whether you’re a networking novice or pro, your new 5 port gigabit switch should offer simple plug-and-play operation but also give you room to grow. We’ll highlight switches that provide features like VLAN configuration, link aggregation, traffic monitoring, and the all-important PoE to power devices like security cameras or VoIP phones directly over the ethernet cable. By the end of this in-depth review, you’ll have a solid understanding of which 5 port gigabit switches provide the best value and performance for budgets.
List of The Best 5 Port Gigabit Switch
Check out the thorough reviews of the best 5 port gigabit switch below.
1. NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS305)
Are you looking for a reliable, easy, and cost-effective approach to enlarge your network connections in homes and offices? If yes then the GS305 from Netgear is the best 5 port gigabit switch you can consider. It is an unmanaged switch with plug & play setup. No need to install software or make any configuration. Moreover, this switch is meticulously tested for reliability, performance, and quality.
Each port shows a green light that remains steady but flashes whenever data transfer takes place. Once you turn off the connected device, the light goes out. Furthermore, it is sturdily built for long-term usage.
Key Features
- It is compliant with IEEE802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet mode. So, it guarantees low operation costs and optimizes power usage.
- Auto MDI/MDI feature is implemented.
- LED indicator is available on each port to display its status.
- The design of the switch is based on auto-negotiation and non-blocking switching architecture.
- The fanless design suggests zero noise throughout the operation, irrespective of where it is located.
- Mounting options are desktop or wall-mount placement.
Pros And Cons
2. TP-Link TL-SG105 5 Port Gigabit Unmanaged Ethernet Network Switch
TL-SG105 can effortlessly expand your network in plenty of ways. You just need to connect it to a WiFi device like a range extender or a router. Consequently, it will transmit powerful Internet to up to 4 connected devices.
The aspect that makes it extraordinary is it is being implemented with innovative green technology. This energy-efficient technology extends your network capacity to avoid energy waste and save money. So, there will be significant saving in energy. The shielded ports avoid static interference while transferring files. The entire switch is protected inside a sleek yet durable casing.
No need to install any software or configure any settings. Its plug & play setup saves you time during installation.
Key Features
- The switch can expand the network by providing 10,100,1000 Mbps speed to each of its ports.
- RJ45 ports support Auto-Negotiation and Auto MDI or MDIX.
- IEEE 802.3X flow control offers consistent data transfer.
- The entire operation is quiet due to the fanless design.
- Administrators can employ the QoS feature to assign the priority of traffic. You can prioritize your IP phones or cameras to make sure that video and voice applications’ outputs are clear and lag-free.
- Cutting-edge software features arrange your traffic and promise superior quality voice or video data transmission through port-based 802.1p/DSCP QoS and IGMP snooping.
- IGMP Snooping is useful for the optimization of multimedia traffic delivery. So, it guarantees a better network experience.
- Each port is implemented with the auto-negotiation feature. It detects the link speed of a particular network device and smartly adapts it to provide compatibility and superior performance.
- The range of operating temperature is 0°C to 40°C.
Pros And Cons
3. NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged PoE Switch (GS305P v2)
Now you can efficiently and reliably expand your network connections to various devices quickly. This 5-port Gigabit switch from the NETGEAR 300 Series is an appropriate choice when it comes to reliable and cost-effective network connectivity for homes and offices.
It is an unmanaged switch with plug & play operation. 4 of its ports can supply POE which makes it outstanding for various applications. You can use the switch to power four IP cameras. Owing to its petite design, it can fit in tight spaces. Also, you obtain maximum throughput on every port and this capability is not found in several low-end switches.
Similar to all other Netgear switches, this one comes in a durable metal case. This case keeps it fully protected from external elements. It is easy to mount this switch on a wall or you can choose the desktop mounting option. The power jack is located at the back. The silent operation makes it perfect for a noise-sensitive environment.
Key Features
- 63W of the total power budget is enough to power 4 PoE+ ports.
- With Power-over-Ethernet (PoE+) capability, this switch delivers data and power from a single Ethernet (CAT-5) cable to some devices like wireless access points, IP cameras, VoIP/Internet-based phones, etc.
- This switch is an energy-efficient design compliant with IEEE802.3az.
- LED notifications are delivered for the PoE power draw and when you exceed the device’s PoE capability.
- 9k Jumbo frames maximize throughput.
Pros And Cons
4. TP-Link TL-SG1005P V2 | 5 Port Gigabit PoE Switch
If you have plenty of devices to connect then you need to prioritize versatility and device compatibility when choosing a Gigabit switch. To connect various types of devices and ensure powerful connectivity on all of them, you can pick this best 5 port gigabit switch from TP-Link. It can work with IP cameras, IP telephones, wireless access points, etc. Therefore, this gigabit switch is extensively used in warehouses, office telephone networks, hotels, etc.
The included power supply delivers adequate power and will not fail even after a couple of years of usage. The robust steel chassis keeps the switch protected. No need to waste time on software installation or configuration because the switch comes in plug & play setup. Due to the desktop/wall-mounting design and durable metal case, the switch is perfect for use in different environments. There will be no noise all through the operation.
Key Features
- Its 5 ports are characterized as 4 PoE+(802.3at/af) ports and an RJ45 port.
- All 4 PoE ports have a data speed of 10/100/1000 Mbps.
- The total PoE power budget is 65W and the maximum power per port is 30W.
- Traffic prioritization is accomplished through advanced software features. They also guarantee superior quality voice or video data transmission through Port-based 802.1p/DSCP QoS as well as IGMP Snooping.
- The optimization of multimedia traffic delivery is possible with IGMP Snooping.
Pros And Cons
5. D-Link 5 Port Gigabit Unmanaged Metal Desktop Switch
The aforementioned gigabit switch from D-Link lets you rapidly set up a reliable, quick, and efficient wired network. It is an economical device for small/medium businesses and SOHO so that they can benefit from the enlarged bandwidth of gigabit ethernet.
With the 5 available Gigabit ports, it is straightforward to expand your network or upgrade it to Gigabit connectivity. You can add devices like scanners, printers, storage, and backup devices. This plug & play switch is built to last with its rugged metal housing. This casing makes the switch perfect for small offices, conference rooms, and wiring closets.
Key Features
- The connectivity speed on each of the ports is 10/100/1000 Mbps.
- The operation mode is off, none, and on.
- The contact type is normally closed and the connector type is through-hole.
- To ensure long-lasting usage, the switch comes with an International Protection rating IP00.
- IEEE 8021p QoS traffic prioritization is supported.
- The Green Technology from D-Link saves energy and decreases heat. Consequently, it prolongs the product life. No compromise on functionality or performance.
- IEEE 802.3az Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) identifies whenever a connected computer gets shut down or whenever Ethernet traffic is absent. As a result, the switch would automatically power down the idle port and saves a significant amount of power.
Pros And Cons
6. MikroTik 5-Port gigabit Desktop Switch
The 5 ports in this desktop switch are comprised of a Gigabit Ethernet port and 4 SFP+ ports (supports 10 Gbps per port). The 1 Gigabit copper Ethernet port is useful for management access. Two DC jacks are useful for power redundancy.
Due to the sleek design, the switch can fit even in tight spaces. A compact metallic case ensures protection without making the switch bulky. Fanless design leads to quiet operation. If you are in search of a reliable, cost-effective, and quietly operating network switch then MikroTik gigabit switch is the best 5 port gigabit switch you can consider.
Key Features
- Connectivity sped on each port is 10/100/1000 Mbps.
- Dual boot functionality allows you to select among two operating systems i.e. RouterOS or SwOS.
- The SwOS operating system is easy-to-use and only contains switch-specific features.
- If you want to use routing ability and few other Layer 3 features in a CRS then RouterOS can be considered.
- If you don’t want to choose any of these two operating systems then you can choose the one from RouterBOOT loader settings.
Pros And Cons
7. TRENDnet 5-Port Gigabit Long Range PoE+ Switch
Especially for surveillance networking applications, this 5-port PoE+ switch is a reliable solution. The port isolation is possible on ports 1 to 4. It is easy to set up, just power up the switch and connect your devices. The fanless design not just promises quiet operation but also reduces energy consumption. If you want a network switch that saves on energy and also works reliably then this TRENDnet switch is appropriate for your needs.
The TPE-LG50L transmits power and data over Ethernet cables to several PoE devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and access points. These types of devices will run flawlessly and instantly when this switch is connected.
Key Features
- All the 5 Gigabit ports support 10 Gbps switching capacity. This much capacity is enough to allow edge network installations.
- The 4 Gigabit PoE+ ports facilitate long-range signal transmission to allow the DIP switch to expand the PoE+ signal up to 200 meters. Therefore, these ports are suitable for long-distance PoE installations.
- The switch supports both PoE and PoE+ devices.
- Total 32W PoE power budget can support up to 4 Power over Ethernet devices.
Pros And Cons
How To Pick The Best 5 Port Gigabit Switch?
With the below factors in mind, you can end up with the best 5 port gigabit switch for your needs.
1. Speed
For all network switches, speed is a vital aspect to consider. A 5 port Gigabit switch should possess the maximum speed on a given network. It must be competent enough to work quickly when multiple devices are connected. The network speed should be fast in all 5 ports connected and not just one.
Plenty of 5 port Gigabit switches including the ones discussed above support 10,100,1000 Mbps speed on their ports. A full-duplex switch is more efficient than a half-duplex switch.
2. Power budget
It is vital to make sure each of the connected devices obtains enough power as input. Many of the topmost 5 port Gigabit switches come with a total PoE power budget of more than 60W like 63W or 65W. This much power budget is enough to drive all the connected devices with enough power.
3. Energy efficiency
Many of these switches support IEEE 802.3az Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE). This feature detects when a connected computer is shut down. When the computer is shut down, this feature saves a significant amount of power. With this feature, there will be optimization of power usage and operational cost also reduces. Many of the 5 port Gigabit switches are compliant with IEEE802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet mode for low power consumption.
4. Mounting options
A 5 port Gigabit switch with multiple mounting options is always beneficial. Some of these topmost switches support desktop or wall mount placement for flexibility while mounting. The inclusion of a wall mount allows the switch to be directly installed on a desktop server. So, this mounting option offers great flexibility.
If you want to mount the switch to a wall and yet let the setup looks neat then make sure the switch includes an appropriate hanging mount on the back.
5. Additional consideration
When you focus on some additional considerations, it helps you gain maximum benefit from the switch. Some 5 port Gigabit switches come with LED indicators on each port. These indicators depict whether any device is connected to the port or not. Another aspect you can consider is plug & play setup that eliminates the need for software installation or configuration. To benefit from the quiet operation, consider a 5 port Gigabit switch with a fanless design.
FAQs When Picking The Best 5 Port Gigabit Switch
1. What’s the difference between a 5 port vs. 8 port gigabit switch?
The main difference is the number of available ports. A 5 port switch allows you to connect 5 wired devices, while an 8 port switch allows 8 devices. Choose based on how many wired connections you need.
2. Is a managed switch necessary for a home network?
For most home users, an unmanaged “plug-and-play” switch will be sufficient and easier to set up. Managed switches offer more advanced network controls best suited for office networks.
3. How difficult is it to set up a 5 port gigabit switch?
It’s very easy! Just plug in the switch, connect your devices to the ports via ethernet cables, and that’s it – all devices can now communicate at fast gigabit speeds.
4. Will a gigabit switch improve WiFi speed?
No, a network switch only affects wired connection speeds. To increase WiFi speeds, you would need a newer/faster wireless router. But a gigabit switch will allow faster file transfers between wired devices.
5. What is Power over Ethernet (PoE)?
PoE ports provide power over the ethernet cable, useful for devices like security cameras, VoIP phones, or access points that need to be powered. Not all gigabit switches have PoE.
Final Thoughts
After comparing the best 5 port gigabit switch options, the TP-Link TL-SG105 rises above the rest as the best overall value. With its affordable price, solid performance, intuitive interface, reliability features, and flexibility to work in any network environment, home or office, the TL-SG105 provides everything you need from a 5 port gigabit switch. Runners up like the Netgear GS305 and the Mikrotik CRS305 are also great choices depending on your specific needs and budget constraints. The Netgear GS305 is a simple plug-and-play option, while the Mikrotik provides 4 SFP+ ports, for up to 10Gb per port.
No matter which switch you choose, upgrading to gigabit speeds for your high-demand devices delivers a night and day difference compared to older 100Mbps networks. With the ability to transfer files, stream 4K video, game online, and video chat without lag, a new 5 port gigabit switch is one of the best investments you can make for your home or office network. We hope this detailed review has helped you select the perfect gigabit switch model to bring your wired connectivity to the next level.
Enjoyed this 5 port gigabit switch review? Then be sure to check out our other guides.
