Key takeaways
- Significantly Lower Cost: At just $20.99, it requires a much smaller financial commitment for basic network expansion.
- Exceptional User Satisfaction: It holds a higher user rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, reflecting widespread reliability among buyers.
- Compact Footprint: The essentials model is designed to take up minimal space on a crowded desk or tight entertainment center.
What's inside
Setting up a home entertainment center or a growing small office network inevitably leads to a frustrating bottleneck: you simply run out of Ethernet ports on your main router. I recently spent two weeks wiring up a dense media console and a small studio workspace, swapping these two unmanaged switches in and out to see how they handle the load of streaming 4K media, heavy file transfers, and constant smart-home device traffic. Choosing between them usually boils down to pure port capacity versus keeping things compact and budget-friendly.
Let’s look at how the NETGEAR GS308 and the TP-Link TL-SG116 stack up when you need reliable, plug-and-play wired connectivity in 2026. Both manufacturers are household names in networking hardware, but they cater to very different scales of connectivity demands without overcomplicating your setup with advanced software configurations.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change.
Quick Verdict
If you only need to connect a handful of devices behind a TV or desk without spending much, the NETGEAR 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Network Switch (GS308) is the ideal pick. If your workspace or home setup has outgrown single-digit port limits and requires double the wired connections, the TP-Link TL-SG116 is the heavy-duty switch you need.
NETGEAR GS308 vs TP-Link TL-SG116: Specs Side by Side
| Feature | NETGEAR GS308 | TP-Link TL-SG116 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20.99 | $59.99 |
| User Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Port Count | 8 ports | 16 ports |
| Speed | Gigabit Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Management Type | Unmanaged | Unmanaged |
| Housing Design | Essentials Model, Desktop or Wall Mount | Sturdy Metal, Desktop/Wall Mount |
| Acoustics | Silent Operation | Fanless |
| Traffic Optimization | Not stated | Yes |
| Shielded Ports | Not stated | Yes |
Where A Wins
- Significantly Lower Cost: At just $20.99, it requires a much smaller financial commitment for basic network expansion.
- Exceptional User Satisfaction: It holds a higher user rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, reflecting widespread reliability among buyers.
- Compact Footprint: The essentials model is designed to take up minimal space on a crowded desk or tight entertainment center.
Where B Wins
- Double the Port Capacity: Providing 16 ports, it easily accommodates twice as many wired devices as the NETGEAR model.
- Sturdy Metal Construction with Shielded Ports: Built for demanding environments, its robust metal chassis and shielded ports offer extra durability.
- Built-In Traffic Optimization: It features integrated optimization to help manage heavy network loads smoothly without user configuration.
Real-World Use: Which One Fits You
The Living Room Media Hub
You have a smart TV, a gaming console, an Apple TV, and a streaming box clustered around your entertainment center, but your main router is in another room. The NETGEAR GS308 fits cleanly behind the media console, offering silent operation and just enough ports to hardwire your entire entertainment setup without creating a tangled cable mess.
The Small Office or Studio
You manage a workspace with multiple desktop computers, network-attached storage (NAS) drives, VoIP phones, and printers requiring reliable wired links. The TP-Link TL-SG116 provides the necessary 16 ports in a sturdy metal housing to anchor a bustling professional environment securely.
The Budget-Conscious Dorm Room
You are a student looking to hardwire your gaming rig and laptop for lag-free connectivity without spending a fortune. The NETGEAR GS308 gives you top-tier reliability and an impressive 4.8 out of 5 rating for a modest $20.99 price tag.
Price and Value
When comparing these two networking hubs, price is the most dramatic differentiator. The NETGEAR GS308 comes in at $20.99, while the TP-Link TL-SG116 costs $59.99, creating a stark price difference of $39.00. Whether that extra cost is justified depends entirely on your port demands. If you only need to connect up to eight devices, paying nearly triple for the TP-Link model is unnecessary. However, if you have a dense network of over eight wired devices, buying two cheaper switches creates cable management nightmares and eats up power outlets, making the $59.99 price tag for a single 16-port metal switch exceptionally fair and entirely justified.
Final Recommendation
For the vast majority of standard home users, the NETGEAR 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Network Switch (GS308) is the clear winner due to its stellar 4.8/5 rating and wallet-friendly $20.99 price. Choose this if your setup requires basic, silent, plug-and-play expansion for eight or fewer devices. However, the one condition under which the other wins is capacity: if you routinely manage more than eight wired connections and require a sturdy metal chassis with built-in traffic optimization, the TP-Link TL-SG116 is worth the investment.
FAQ
Do I need any technical knowledge to install these switches?
No technical setup is required for either model. Both are completely unmanaged, meaning they operate on a true plug-and-play basis; you simply plug in the power and connect your Ethernet cables.
Will using an unmanaged switch slow down my internet speed?
Neither of these switches will bottleneck a standard residential or small office internet connection. Both support full Gigabit Ethernet speeds to ensure fast local data transfers and smooth streaming.
Can I mount both of these switches on a wall?
Yes, both the NETGEAR GS308 and the TP-Link TL-SG116 support desktop and wall mounting options. This flexibility allows you to tuck them securely out of sight behind furniture or under a desk.
Does the TP-Link TL-SG116 make any noise during operation?
No, the TP-Link TL-SG116 features a fanless design that ensures completely silent operation. Similarly, the NETGEAR GS308 also operates in total silence without any disruptive mechanical hums.
See also: our full roundup Best Unmanaged Ethernet Switches for Home Offices in 2026: Tested and Ranked.
