This Wired buying guide rounds up recommended Ethernet switches, which allow users to add extra wired ports to routers or mesh systems that often have limited built-in connectivity. Ethernet switches are useful for setting up a wired backhaul to boost Wi-Fi performance, connecting a TV to avoid buffering, or running a local Power over Ethernet (PoE) security camera system without a subscription, and the guide focuses on models the reviewer has personally tested.

The reviewer highlights options from Netgear and TP-Link as offering the best value for most households. Netgear's five-port GS305 ($16) is a simple, fanless, plug-and-play unmanaged switch, while its eight-port GS308E ($40) adds a web interface for configuring VLANs and Quality of Service. TP-Link's TL-SG108S ($25) offers eight Gigabit ports in a sturdy metal case, and its TL-SG1008P PoE switch ($70) provides four power-supplying ports for cameras, though it can run warm due to its fanless design.