Running out of Ethernet ports isn’t a crisis—it’s a sign your setup is leveling up. Whether it's a console, smart home hub, or PC needing a stable wired link, an Ethernet switch is the simple add-on that gives you more ports without replacing your router. Let’s walk through it.
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Modern American smart homes contain dozens of connected devices all vying for internet access. Many of these devices function just fine wirelessly, while others, such as data-hungry gaming consoles, perform better at peak capacity with a dedicated Ethernet connection (or simply don’t have WiFi). Most routers come with several Ethernet ports for routing connections, but how to expand a wired home network if all ports are in use? It’s a problem that’s becoming more common, but NETGEAR has the answers.
WiFi has come a long way, but Ethernet still rules for local area network devices and activities where uncompromised performance is important. These include:
WiFi 7 is faster, smoother and more convenient than ever, but wireless signals still have to battle interference and competing devices. A wired Ethernet link avoids that chaos, delivering the most stable, low-latency connection possible. While WiFi can add 5–10 ms of delay and occasional jitter, Ethernet keeps your connection rock-solid and predictable. Plugging in devices also “frees the airwaves” for devices that are WiFi exclusive, such as tablets.
Ethernet splitters are touted as a low-cost solution to increase connections, but they come with major drawbacks. Splitters physically separate the signal with wires, with no data processing, although two signals have their performance capabilities potentially halved. Furthermore, unmanaged switches with 4 ports are inexpensive (about $20) and easy to find. In fact, the terms “Ethernet splitter” or “Ethernet hub” are sometimes used incorrectly, as these specific devices are quite rare today given the very low cost of basic 1Gb unmanaged switches, which perform the same function much more effectively.
Now that we’ve clarified why Ethernet splitters aren’t ideal, let’s explore how switches work and why they’re the smarter choice for expanding your network. A Switch is a network device that is used to segment networks into different subnetworks (subnets or LAN segments). Switches filter and forward data packets between LAN segments based on the MAC address.
Switches have many ports. When data arrives at any port in your computer network, the switch examines the destination address and checks are done before the data is processed and transmitted. Typical switches process in <1ms adding minimal latency to connected devices. Supported communication types include unicast, multicast, and broadcast communication, but with a standard plug-and-play unmanaged switch in a home network the technical details can be largely ignored. Just click in the cable's two ends and you’re ready to go.
A router and a switch both direct traffic on a network, but they operate in different ways for distinct purposes.
Connecting a switch to a router can efficiently expand and organize your network. Your router is like a gatekeeper, while the switch is a local hub that lets your growing number of devices talk to each other. Connecting your router to a switch is particularly useful in homes and offices with lots of wired connections. Set up takes only minutes, as follows:
Reminder: The switch should always connect to a LAN port after your Modem and Router, or it can prevent the devices from connecting correctly.
NETGEAR Ethernet switches come in all types for large and small enterprises and smart homes. Options range from management style, port counts, PoE capabilities, and port-speed. With all the right choices, NETGEAR switches are sure to exceed your increasing network demands.
NETGEAR Unmanaged Switches are perfect for home users and small businesses who want hassle-free networking. Plug-and-play unmanaged switches require no configuration—just plug them in and you’re good to go. These are often the best switches for gaming / home office applications.
NETGEAR Plus Switches are a step up from basic unmanaged switches. They’re designed for small businesses and advanced home users who want more control over their network—Perfect if you want more than plug-and-play but don’t need the full feature set of enterprise-grade switches.
NETGEAR Power over Ethernet (PoE) Switches are a smart consideration in many scenarios. These include deploying IP cameras, setting up VoIP phones, and powering access points across large offices, campuses, or public spaces.
NETGEAR switches are built to meet the needs of everyone, from casual home users to large enterprises with complex networking demands. Whether you’re a gamer, a remote worker, or managing a smart home, our plug-and-play switches offer hassle-free simplicity. For businesses and advanced users, our enterprise-grade switches deliver powerful features and scalability to handle even the most demanding networks. Whatever your setup, NETGEAR has the perfect solution to keep your connections fast, reliable, and seamless.
No, adding a switch won’t slow down your internet speed. They can handle traffic as fast as your devices and cables allow. Internet speed is mostly determined by your ISP and router.
If you’re setting up a basic plug-and-play network with unmanaged switches, there’s no need for additional software or network hardware. If you’re working with a managed switch and you want to control settings like VLANs or security features, you may need to access the switch’s management interface via dedicated management software.
To connect your switch to your router, you’ll want to use one of the LAN ports on your router – not the WAN port or modem. NETGEAR WiFi 7 Nighthawk Routers and Orbi Mesh Systems contain multiple LAN ports and wireless access points.
Yes, you can daisy-chain network switches. Simply connect one network switch to another using an Ethernet cable. Switch cables should not form loops between ports. There is almost no practical limit to the number of daisy chained switches that can be added to a standard home network.
Gigabit switches support speeds up to 1 Gbps on each port. Multi-gig switches support speeds above 1 Gbps on compatible ports—perfect for WiFi 7 wired/wireless routers and WiFi 7-enabled devices. 2.5Gb 5Gb and 10Gb are the most common Multi-Gigabit ethernet speeds.
An Ethernet splitter allows two devices to share a single Ethernet cable, although speed and performance is compromised. A switch connects multiple devices on a network and allows them all to communicate simultaneously, without diminished speed or performance.
With a managed switch, you can configure settings like VLANs, bandwidth prioritization, security rules, and traffic monitoring. An unmanaged switch is all about plug-and-play simplicity with no configuration required.
Expanding your wired network doesn’t have to be complicated. With a simple plug-and-play NETGEAR switch, you’ve just unlocked the ability to connect all of your critical devices for the fastest, most stable connection possible. Enjoy lag-free gaming, stutter-free 4K/8K streaming, and rock-solid connections for your home office, all at the same time.
Explore NETGEAR’s lineup of home and small office switches today!
