Best Budget Network Switches Under $100

TL;DR: The TP‑Link TL‑SG105E is a five‑port, fanless Gigabit managed switch priced at $19.99, offering advanced QoS, web‑based control, and a sturdy metal case, suits small‑office networks.

This model packs five 10/100/1000 Mbps ports and a forwarding rate of 7.4 Mpps, so it handles full‑duplex traffic without bottlenecks. The chassis measures 170.18 mm deep, 114.3 mm high and 104.14 mm wide, and it weighs 0.95 lb (430 g), keeping it durable and silent thanks to its fanless design.

Compared with the other six switches in the roundup, the TL‑SG105E is heavier than the Netgear 5‑Port Managed Switch (0.55 lb) and the Tenda SG105 (0.12 lb), but lighter than the TL‑SG105S‑M2 (1.04 lb). It also offers more granular QoS options—port‑based, 802.1p, DSCP priority, four priority queues, rate limiting and storm control—beyond the basic 802.1p traffic classes found on the D‑Link DGS‑105.

User sentiment shows a 4.7‑star rating from 13,064 reviews. Reviewers frequently mention the intuitive web interface for VLAN and port mirroring, as well as the quiet operation of the fanless metal housing. The main criticism is the limited five‑port count, which some users say restricts larger home‑office setups.

The switch draws only 2.82 W from a 5 VDC supply, making it energy‑saving for continuous operation. It supports IGMP snooping (V1/V2/V3) and up to 32 VLANs, which provides enough flexibility for most small networks without overwhelming configuration complexity.

Best for: Most users looking for a well‑reviewed, reliable mainstream option

Avoid if: You have limited desk space or need portability

TL;DR: The D-Link DGS-105 Black delivers silent, fanless Gigabit networking with a solid metal case, 10 Gbps switching capacity and five ports for just $21.99.

The standout spec is its 10 Gbps switching capacity, which gives each of the five 10/100/1000 Mbps ports plenty of headroom for streaming, gaming or small‑office work. Housed in a 28 mm‑high, 100 mm‑long, 98 mm‑wide metal chassis, the unit weighs only 0.6 pounds, making it easy to mount on a desktop or a wall with the included rubber feet and keyhole slots.

Compared with the other six switches in this roundup, the DGS‑105 is lighter than the TRENDnet 8‑Port Switch (which tips the scales at about 0.84 pounds) and more compact than the Netgear Managed Switch that shares the same height but is slightly larger overall. It’s heavier than the tiny Tenda SG105 (roughly 0.12 pounds) but offers the same five‑port count, whereas the TRENDnet and TP‑Link TL‑SG105E provide eight and five ports respectively, with the former also being a bit bulkier. In short, you get a solid metal build without the extra size of some competitors.

User sentiment consistently praises the DGS‑105’s silent, fanless operation and the plug‑and‑play experience – the switch auto‑negotiates link speeds and supports Auto MDI/MDIX, so you never need crossover cables. Reviewers also note the sturdy metal case as both aesthetically pleasing and durable. The main criticism centers on the five‑port limit, which can feel restrictive for expanding home networks, and the lack of advanced management features that power users might expect.

Beyond the basics, the DGS‑105 includes 802.1p QoS prioritization for voice, video and gaming traffic, and it ships with a limited lifetime warranty from D‑Link, underscoring the brand’s confidence in the product’s longevity.

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high‑quality option

Avoid if: You're on a tight budget or only need basic functionality

TL;DR: The Tenda SG105 is a $8.99, 5‑port unmanaged Gigabit switch that packs a 10 Gbps switching capacity, 15,000‑byte jumbo frames, and a super‑mini 0.12 lb design into a plug‑and‑play unit.

The standout spec is its 10 Gbps switching capacity paired with a jumbo‑frame limit of 15,000 bytes, giving the tiny 82 mm long unit enterprise‑class throughput. It also sports a 2,000‑entry MAC address table and a 2,000‑size packet buffer, which are generous for a budget‑tier switch.

Compared with the other six switches in this roundup, the SG105 is markedly lighter—at roughly 0.12 lb it’s lighter than the plastic‑cased SG108 and far lighter than the metal‑housed TP‑Link and D‑Link models. It also offers the same five‑port count as the Netgear managed switch while staying in a more compact footprint, and it undercuts the eight‑port TRENDnet both in size and port count.

Everyday users praise the switch’s tiny footprint and instant plug‑and‑play setup, noting reliable high‑speed links for laptops, printers, consoles, and IP cameras. Professional reviewers point out the zero‑packet‑loss claim and full‑wire‑speed forwarding, making it a solid choice for dorm rooms or small home offices where simplicity matters.

Additional technical perks include auto MDI/MDIX for automatic crossover detection, auto‑learning MAC with aging, full‑duplex flow control, and a low power draw of under 3 W. Tenda backs the unit with a three‑year warranty and free lifetime 24/7 tech support.

Best for: Budget‑conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry‑level option

Avoid if: Reliability and user satisfaction are your top concerns

TL;DR: The TP‑Link TL‑SG105S‑M2 packs five native 2.5 GbE ports, a 25 Gbps switching capacity and a silent metal chassis for a solid, plug‑and‑play upgrade at $49.98.

This five‑port switch stands out with a native 2.5 Gbps port speed and a total switching capacity of 25 Gbps, backed by a 12 KB jumbo‑frame size and an 18.6 Mpps packet‑forwarding rate. Its metal housing, fanless design and 1.04 pound weight give it a premium feel while staying compact at 138 mm depth, 101 mm height and 126 mm width.

Compared with the other six budget switches, the TL‑SG105S‑M2 is pricier and heavier than the TRENDnet 8‑Port Switch, D‑Link DGS‑105, Netgear 5‑Port Managed, and the Tenda models, all of which weigh under 0.84 pound. However, its 25 Gbps switching capacity eclipses the 16 Gbps of the TRENDnet and the 10 Gbps found in several peers. The 12 KB jumbo frames also outsize the 9 KB frames of the TRENDnet and Netgear units, and the native 2.5 GbE ports deliver faster wired speeds than the typical 1 GbE ports on the other budget options.

Professional reviewers say the solid metal chassis offers a step up from the plastic builds of many competitors, and users consistently praise the silent operation—thanks to the fanless design—so it works well in quiet home offices or gaming setups. The switch also offers an 8 Mbit packet buffer, 4K MAC address table and 5.81 W max power draw, handling traffic smoothly without overheating (19.75 BTU/h max heat dissipation).

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high‑quality option

Avoid if: You're shopping on a tight budget — it's priced at $49.98

TL;DR: The Tenda SG108 delivers eight Gigabit ports, 0% packet loss and IP55 protection in a compact 0.295‑lb, plug‑and‑play package for just $11.39, making it a solid budget pick.

The SG108’s most notable spec is its eight 10/100/1000 Mbps ports paired with a reported 0% packet loss, which reviewers call “zero packet loss and continuous 7 × 24 stability.” It fits in a tiny footprint—0.9 in high, 4.88 in long and 2.32 in wide—and weighs only 0.295 lb, while the IP55 rating adds dust and water resistance for a home or small‑office environment.

Compared with the other six switches, the SG108 offers more ports than the 5‑port Tenda SG105 and provides a lighter chassis than the Netgear 5‑Port Managed Switch (0.55 lb), TP‑Link TL‑SG105E (0.95 lb), D‑Link DGS‑105 (0.6 lb) and TRENDnet 8‑Port Switch (0.84 lb). It's also shorter than the Netgear’s 1.1 in height and more compact than its 3.7 in depth, though its length of 4.88 in is a bit longer than the Netgear’s overall size.

Users repeatedly praise the plug‑and‑play setup, noting that the switch works straight out of the box with instant Gigabit connectivity. Reviewers also highlight the reliable performance for streaming and gaming, while a common complaint mentions the RJ45 ports being “a bit small,” and some users question Tenda’s long‑term durability compared with premium brands. The device runs in store‑and‑forward mode, draws power from an external 240 V adapter, and comes with a 3‑year warranty, lifetime tech support and eight port LEDs plus a power LED.

Best for: Budget‑conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry‑level option

Avoid if: Reliability and user satisfaction are your top concerns

TL;DR: The Netgear 5‑Port Managed Switch offers fanless metal durability, 10 Gbps switching capacity and jumbo‑frame support for just $17.98, making it an entry‑level option for simple home or small‑office networks.

The key spec is its support for jumbo frames up to 9 KB (9,000 bytes) and a non‑blocking switching capacity of 10 Gbps, which gives you headroom for high‑bandwidth tasks while staying silent thanks to its fanless metal housing. At 0.55 lb, it’s lighter than most metal‑cased peers such as the TP‑Link TL‑SG105E and D‑Link DGS‑105, yet still feels sturdy on a desk.

Compared with the six other switches in this roundup, the Netgear matches the TP‑Link TL‑SG105E’s 7.4 Mpps forwarding rate but is lower than the TRENDnet 8‑Port’s 11.9 Mpps and the TP‑Link TL‑SG105S‑M2’s 18.6 Mpps. Its 10 Gbps switching capacity equals the D‑Link DGS‑105 but is lower than the TRENDnet and high‑end TP‑Link models that push 16 Gbps and 25 Gbps respectively. In weight terms, it’s heavier than the tiny Tenda SG108 and SG105 plastic units but lighter than the bulkier metal options.

Users consistently praise the plug‑and‑play simplicity, silent operation and sturdy metal case. Professional reviewers point out the metal housing and fanless design as reliable for basic setups, while noting that the bright per‑port LEDs can be distracting in dark rooms and the unit may feel warm after prolonged heavy traffic. The switch also includes auto MDI/MDIX, IEEE 802.3az energy‑efficient Ethernet, and Easy Smart Managed Essentials software for straightforward configuration.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry‑level option

Avoid if: You want the best value‑per‑dollar in its price range

TL;DR: The TRENDnet TEG‑S82G offers eight gigabit ports, a 16 Gbps switching capacity, and fanless 0 dB operation while cutting power use up to 70%, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

The switch’s standout feature is its GREENnet technology, which the manufacturer claims can reduce power consumption by up to 70% by adjusting power based on link status and cable length. Coupled with a 16 Gbps switching capacity and a 9 KB jumbo‑frame size, it delivers solid throughput for a home‑office or small‑team setup.

Compared with the six other switches in this roundup, the TRENDnet is heavier than most budget models (around 0.84 lb versus 0.6 lb for the D‑Link and 0.55 lb for the Netgear) but lighter than the higher‑priced TP‑Link TL‑SG105S‑M2. Its 16 Gbps switching capacity outpaces the D‑Link and Netgear units, which sit at 10 Gbps, while the TL‑SG105S‑M2 pushes 25 Gbps. Port‑wise, it matches the Tenda SG108 with eight ports, giving it an edge over the five‑port peers.

User feedback frequently highlights the silent, fanless metal housing (0 dB noise) and the energy‑saving claims as real wins, especially for noise‑sensitive spaces. Reviewers also note the lack of management features—no VLANs or QoS—which can be a deal‑breaker for larger or more complex networks.

Technical details include auto‑MDIX support, store‑and‑forward forwarding mode, a MAC address table of 4K–8K entries, and an MTBF of 104,375 hours. The switch meets CE, FCC, LVD, and NDAA/TAA certifications, reinforcing its suitability for U.S. and Canadian environments.

Best for: Buyers willing to invest in a proven, high-quality option

Avoid if: Reliability and user satisfaction are your top concerns