TP-Link TL-SG108S 8 Port Gigabit Network Switch, Power Saving, Plug & Play, Metal Case, Ethernet Switch, Ethernet Splitter, S
Reviewed 23 August 2026 · price checked live
Check price on Amazon →Overview
A network switch is one of the few pieces of home tech where the cheap option is genuinely the right option for most people. This is an eight-port unmanaged gigabit switch: you plug it in, connect cables, and it works with no configuration. With 47,000 ratings it is the highest-rated networking device in our catalogue.
- Brand
- TP-Link
- Amazon rating
- 4.8 / 5 from 47,083 ratings
- vs Networking Devices
- 0.4 above the category median of 4.4
- Rank in category
- 1 of 50 rated networking devices we track
- Price position
- Mid-priced (category spans £4.24 to £307)
- How proven
- Well established, above-average review volume
How it compares in Networking Devices
Across the 50 rated networking devices products we track, the typical score is 4.4 out of 5. This one sits at 4.8, which puts it in the upper quarter of the category rather than level with it. Where almost everything is rated well, the gap at the top is small in points and large in practice. That places it first of the 50 we rank here.
It carries 47,083 ratings against a category median of 10,792. A rating from a large base is harder to distort and tends to hold up over time, so a high score here means more than the same score on a new listing.
On price it sits in the middle third of a category running from £4.24 to £307, where the midpoint is about £24.97. That is the part of the range where most sensible buys sit, neither cutting corners nor paying for the name.
Worked out from the 50 networking devices products in our catalogue, not from the brand's own claims. How we rank →
What a switch does, and what it does not
A switch multiplies wired ports. Your router probably has four; if you have a TV, a console, a NAS, a desktop and a printer in one room, you run out. A switch takes one cable from the router and turns it into eight sockets, and devices on it talk to each other at full gigabit speed without going back to the router.
What it does not do is create wi-fi, extend range, or increase your broadband speed. If your internet is slow, a switch will not help, because the bottleneck is upstream of it. A switch makes wired local networking convenient; it does not make the line faster.
Unmanaged versus managed, in plain terms
Unmanaged means there is nothing to configure: no web interface, no VLANs, no port monitoring. For a home, that is a feature rather than a limitation, because there is nothing to misconfigure and nothing to go wrong.
You want a managed switch only if you specifically need VLANs to separate networks, quality-of-service prioritisation, link aggregation, or port mirroring. Those are small-business and enthusiast requirements. If you cannot name which of those you need, unmanaged is the right choice.
The practical details that matter
<strong>Cables decide your speed.</strong> A gigabit switch on Cat5e or better will run at gigabit; older Cat5 cable may not. If a port is negotiating at 100Mbps, the cable is the first suspect, not the switch.
<strong>Metal case, no fan.</strong> Passive cooling means silence, which matters if it lives in a living room or bedroom. Give it a little air rather than burying it under a stack of boxes.
<strong>Daisy-chaining works</strong> but adds a small amount of latency per hop, and a switch plugged into a switch plugged into a switch is a sign you should be running a cable back to the router instead. For a home, one or two switches is normal and fine.
Key features
- Ethernet Splitter 1 to 7 - A robust solution for splitting your internet connection into 7 Gigabit signals without the speed reduction comparing with traditional splitters
- 8 Port Gigabit Switch - Enjoy the benefits of a fast and stable wired network with Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet Ports, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted connectivity with multiple devices
- Unmanaged Plug-and-Play Switch - Easy to use with no configuration required, making it simple to set up and expand your network instantly
- Eco-Friendly Silent Operation - Green Ethernet Hub features a fanless design for silent operation, making it perfect for noise-sensitive environments such as offices and homes
- Energy-Efficient Performance - Automatically adjusts power consumption based on link status and cable length, ideal for expanding your network while minimizing your carbon footprint
- Lifetime Tech Support – Limited Lifetime Warranty from manufacturer; 24-hour live chat customer service
Frequently asked questions
Will a network switch make my internet faster?
No. A switch multiplies wired ports and speeds up traffic between devices on your own network. Your broadband speed is set upstream of it, so a slow connection stays slow.
Do I need a managed or unmanaged switch?
Unmanaged for almost every home. You only need managed if you specifically require VLANs, quality-of-service prioritisation, link aggregation or port mirroring. If you cannot name which you need, you do not need it.
What is the difference between a switch and a router?
A router connects your home to the internet and hands out addresses; a switch just adds more wired ports to the network the router created. A switch cannot replace a router.
Why is my switch only running at 100Mbps?
Usually the cable. A gigabit switch needs Cat5e or better; older Cat5 or a damaged cable will negotiate down to 100Mbps. Swap the cable before suspecting the switch.
Can I connect one switch to another?
Yes, and it works fine for a home. Each hop adds a small amount of latency, so if you find yourself chaining three or more, running a cable back to the router is the better answer.
