If your office network has started slowing down or struggling to support more devices, the switch might be the problem. A good network switch helps your systems stay stable, especially when multiple users are accessing shared drives, VoIP, CCTV, or cloud-based tools.
For small business IT managers, it’s about finding a switch that’s reliable, supports the right speeds, and doesn’t add complexity. You don’t need something built for a data centre. You need something that works quietly in the background and doesn’t need constant babysitting.
This guide covers five switches that work well in small business setups.
Whether you’re setting up a few desks or managing growing data demands, there’s a pick here that fits.
1. TP-Link TL-SF1016D 16-Port Fast Ethernet Switch
A basic, budget-friendly switch for small offices with minimal bandwidth needs. Ideal if you’re connecting older devices or running low-data tasks like file sharing or printer access.
Key Specs:
- Ports: 16 × 10/100 Mbps RJ45
- Type: Unmanaged, Plug and Play
- Build: Plastic case, fanless, desktop or wall-mountable
- Power Saving: Supports Green Ethernet technology
- Data Transfer Rate: Up to 100 Mbps
- Flow Control: IEEE 802.3x for reliable performance
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Dimensions: 20.1 × 14.2 × 4.1 cm
- Weight: 600g
2. Netgear JGS524 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
Designed for data-heavy environments, this switch handles high-speed file transfers with ease. Great for teams working with large multimedia files or high-volume backups.
Key Specs:
- Ports: 24 × 10/100/1000 Mbps RJ45
- Type: Unmanaged, Layer 2, non-PoE
- Build: Metal case, rack-mountable
- Switching Capacity: Up to 48 Gbps
- Compatibility: PC, Mac, Linux, Unix
- Data Transfer Rate: 1 Gbps per port
- Included Components: Power adapter, rack-mount kit, installation guide
- Voltage: 24V
- Weight: 2.82 kg
3. Cisco CBS350-8MGP-2X Managed Multi-Gigabit Switch
A feature-rich managed switch built for high-performance setups. Ideal for small businesses with IP phones, security cameras, or access points needing PoE and multi-gigabit uplinks.
Key Specs:
- Ports:
- 2 × 2.5GE
- 6 × 10/100/1000 Mbps
- 2 × 10G SFP+ combo uplinks
- Type: Managed, Layer 3, with Cisco Business Dashboard support
- PoE: 8 PoE ports, total 124W PoE+ power budget
- Security: IP-MAC port binding, IPv6 First Hop Security
- Management: Web UI, mobile app, central dashboard
- Build: Compact and fanless for silent operation
- Energy Efficient: Compliant with IEEE 802.3az
- Warranty: Limited lifetime hardware
- Weight: 4.31 kg
4. TRENDnet TPE-TG380 8-Port Unmanaged 2.5G PoE+ Switch
Perfect for high-speed setups in small teams. This compact switch delivers 2.5G performance across all ports with quiet, fanless operation and solid PoE+ support.
Key Specs:
- Ports: 8 × 2.5GBASE-T PoE+
- Type: Unmanaged, non-blocking
- PoE: 100W power budget, supports IEEE 802.3at/af
- Compatibility: Backward compatible with 10/100/1000 Mbps devices
- Build: Metal housing, fanless design, desktop form factor
- Switching Capacity: 80 Gbps
- Compliance: IEEE 802.3bz (2.5G)
- Power Supply: 55V, 2.22A adapter included
- Warranty: Lifetime Manufacturer Protection
- Dimensions: 23.9 × 10.2 × 2.6 cm
- Weight: 907g
5. TP-Link TL-SG3210XHP-M2 Jetstream 8-Port Multi-Gigabit PoE+ Switch
A high-power, L2+ managed switch built for businesses running bandwidth-heavy devices. Works seamlessly with Omada SDN and supports multi-gigabit PoE across all ports.
Key Specs:
- Ports:
- 8 × 2.5G Ethernet PoE+
- 2 × 10G SFP+ uplink slots
- Type: Managed, L2+ switch with Omada SDN integration
- PoE: 240W total PoE+ budget
- Bandwidth: Multi-gigabit (2.5G per port)
- Build: Rackmount-ready, plastic case
- Features: Supports IPv6, VLAN, ACL, QoS
- Compatibility: Desktop and enterprise devices
- Warranty: Limited lifetime protection
- Weight: 2.14 kg
Whether you’re setting up a new office, upgrading existing gear, or handling a temporary expansion, these switches offer a solid starting point. And if buying upfront doesn’t make sense right now, you can always rent the right model from Rank Computers – configured, delivered, and ready to plug in.
