3. Grandstream GWN7701M: best 2.5G switch and most affordable in its class

This is where Grandstream takes the lead. The GWN7701M is an 8 port 2.5 gigabit unmanaged switch with a bonus 10G SFP+ uplink port, and it is the most affordable switch in the 2.5G category.

If your network has Wi-Fi 6/6E access points, NAS drives or any device that supports multi-gigabit speeds, a standard gigabit switch becomes the bottleneck. The GWN7701M removes that bottleneck at a price point that makes the upgrade genuinely practical.

Why this matters in 2026

Wi-Fi 6E access points, modern NAS systems and even some laptops now ship with 2.5G Ethernet ports. Running these through a gigabit switch means you are capping performance at 1 Gbps when your devices can handle 2.5x that speed. The GWN7701M is the most cost effective way to unlock that performance.

The 10G SFP+ uplink is a standout feature at this price. It lets you connect to a core switch, server or NAS at 10 Gbps, which prevents the uplink from becoming a traffic bottleneck when multiple 2.5G devices are active simultaneously.

Key specs

• • • • 8x 2.5 Gbps RJ45 ports
      • 1x 10G SFP+ uplink port
      • Auto negotiation (100/1000/2500 Mbps)
      • Auto MDI/MDIX
      • 802.1p QoS for traffic prioritization
      • Energy efficient Ethernet
      • Metal housing, fanless, desktop/wall mount
      • Plug and play, zero configuration

Best for: Wi-Fi 6/6E deployments, NAS and media server setups, homelabs, creative studios doing large file transfers, anyone future-proofing their wired network beyond gigabit.

4. TP-Link LS108GP: 8 port PoE switch and most affordable PoE option

The LS108GP is the most affordable 8 port PoE switch with all ports delivering PoE+. That last part matters. Many competing 8 port PoE switches only offer PoE on 4 of their 8 ports. The LS108GP gives you PoE+ on every single port.

It is part of TP-Link's LiteWave series, which means unmanaged, plug and play, no configuration. You connect your IP cameras, access points or VoIP phones, and the switch detects and delivers power automatically.

Why we recommend this for surveillance setups

The 250m Extend Mode is specifically built for CCTV deployments. Standard Ethernet tops out at 100 meters, but Extend Mode pushes PoE transmission up to 250 meters (at 10 Mbps). For IP cameras mounted at the far end of a warehouse, parking lot or campus building, this eliminates the need for additional switches or PoE extenders.

The PoE Auto Recovery feature automatically detects and reboots unresponsive PoE devices. If a camera freezes or an access point hangs, the switch cuts power and restarts the device without anyone touching it. For remote or hard to access camera locations, this saves service calls.

TP-Link backs this with a 3 year warranty, which is strong for a switch at this price point.

Key specs

• • • • 8x 10/100/1000 Mbps PoE+ ports (802.3af/at)
      • 62W total PoE budget (up to 30W per port)
      • 16 Gbps switching capacity
      • 250m PoE Extend Mode
      • PoE Auto Recovery
      • Metal chassis, fanless, desktop/wall mount
      • 3 year warranty

Important note on PoE power budget: With 62W shared across 8 ports, plan your power carefully. A typical IP camera draws 8 to 15W. Six cameras at 12W each would need 72W, which exceeds the budget. If you need to power 6 or more high draw devices, consider a higher budget switch like the TL-SG1008MP (126W).

Best for: IP camera and CCTV installations, powering access points, VoIP phone deployments, any setup where you need both data and power over a single cable.

5. TP-Link LS1008: Fast Ethernet option (not recommended in 2026)

The LS1008 is a basic 8 port 10/100 Mbps unmanaged switch. It works, it is cheap and it does the job of connecting devices. But fast ethernet caps out at 100 Mbps per port. In 2026, even the most basic home internet connections often exceed 100 Mbps, and internal file transfers between devices will feel painfully slow compared to gigabit.

The price difference between a fast ethernet switch and a gigabit switch has shrunk to the point where there is almost no financial reason to go with the slower option.

When does a Fast Ethernet switch makes sense in 2026?

Realistically, only in very specific legacy scenarios. If you are connecting devices that genuinely do not need more than 100 Mbps (old printers, legacy industrial equipment, basic IoT sensors) and cost is the single biggest constraint, the LS1008 exists. But for any new deployment, spend the small extra amount and get a gigabit switch.

Key specs

• • • • 8x 10/100 Mbps RJ45 ports
      • Auto negotiation, auto MDI/MDIX
      • Plastic housing, desktop design
      • Fanless, plug and play
      • Power consumption: minimal

Best for: Legacy device connectivity only. Not recommended for new network deployments.

Comparison table to make the decision