10 Best Network Switches 2024 in the United States

These days, it seems like just about everywhere you go—and certainly in most businesses—you can find reliable wireless Internet service. However, that’s not always the case in some offices and Internet cables are still the way to go. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since the cable can provide lightning-fast Internet service that keeps running even when the wireless router is having trouble. If nothing else, the cable can be a great insurance policy. If you’re interested in adding a network switch to your office’s tool supply, here are some ways to find the best one.

Unmanaged: As the name suggests, unmanaged network switches do not require an administrator to run them (for instance, by approving new users or monitoring network use); if a person can plug her or his computer into the network, access is granted.

• This is a good option for offices where employees can generally be trusted to take care of their own needs online, especially as it relates to getting their computers to connect with the network, handling data downloads, etc.

Managed: Managed switches require a member of the staff to process requests and facilitate network access for members of the network.

• If you have an office with employees who are perhaps less technology-savvy, this might be the way to go—and if you already have an IT administrator, he or she can be added as the network manager.

Here are the most common themes that emerge in online reviews of network switches:

• Information direction: At the most basic level, a network switch allows multiple users to download information from the Internet quickly and efficiently, and for some offices, that’s all that’s needed. However, the best-rated network switches allow for direction to flow both ways, with fast uploads and downloads.
• Materials: Even though the most important quality of any piece of networking equipment is how well it facilitates information transfer, the materials the device is made of are important as well. This is especially important in busy offices where equipment gets used and moved around quite a bit. Better models feature sturdy construction, especially with things like cables, which are susceptible to wear and tear.
• Status Information: Just about every network switch has some kind of system to let users know how the switch is functioning (if you’ve ever watched the lights on a Wi-Fi router go from red to green when it’s plugged in, you understand). The best network switches feature readouts that are easy to read, both in terms of visibility and the logic behind the display.

• Ports: This might be the most important quality—before buying a network switch, be sure that it will meet your office’s networking needs. That means making sure that a switch has enough ports to handle all of the computers that need to be tied into the network at any given time.
• Speed: You can find this information by checking out the product’s specifications online—look for a model that allows downloading (and uploading) speeds that will fit your business’s needs.
• Power efficiency: Many newer network switches are designed to provide all of the networking power you need without using huge amounts of energy. In the product specifications you can find out how much electricity a particular switch can be expected to use, which will allow you to pick the best model for both your budget and the environment.
• Compatibility: When evaluating network switches, make sure to see if they have any limitations in terms of which operating systems they will work with, so you can buy a model that will work well with your employees’ computers.

Trendnet: Trendnet is an American company that focuses on manufacturing networking solutions. The company makes products for home and office use, including network switches and wireless routers.

TP-Link: TP-Link is a Chinese company, founded in 1996, that specializes in networking products. The company produces wireless routers, access hotspots, network switches, and other accessories.

Netgear: Netgear is an American producer of network devices. Founded in 1996, the company produces a number of products that boost the connectivity of computers, networks, cell phones, and other electronic devices.