5 Best Switches for Google WiFi in 2021 (Reviews and Guide)

Here are some of the best switches that will work with your Google WiFi system, allowing you to expand the router’s or mesh system’s performance in an instant.

One of the things that you must bear in mind when looking for a router or a home mesh wireless system is the incorporation of Ethernet ports. You need the best-wired connections for fast, stable, and more reliable connections, and this is made possible by Ethernet ports.

Unfortunately, routers and home mesh wireless systems are not created equal, which means that even with the wireless network solutions that come with at least four Ethernet ports, you will need some accessories to enhance the performance of the wireless system, especially if you have several devices that need to be connected to the mesh system directly.

In this review, we’ll look at some of the best switches designed to work well with Google WiFi. With each Google WiFi system designed with only two Ethernet ports, one LAN and one WAN, the need for the best switch on the market is crucial. And even with the 3-pack mesh system, you wouldn’t get to enjoy the best wired connections for your gaming and streaming devices, especially in a high-demand setting with several users. So, for you to enjoy a little more flexibility, you will need one of the switches reviewed below.

Comparison Table: 5 Best Switch for Google WiFi

Best Switch for Google WiFi	Best For	Number of Ports	Port Type	Switch Type	Price
NETGEAR GS316 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch	Best Unmanaged Switch	16	Gigabit	Unmanaged	Check Price
TP-Link TL-SG105 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch	Best Budget-Friendly option	5	Gigabit	Unmanaged	Check Price
TP-Link 8 Port Poe Gigabit Switch	Most Robust Network Switch for Gaming	8	Gigabit/ POE+	Unmanaged	Check price
NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS205)	Stylish Switch	5	Gigabit	Unmanaged	Check Price
Ubiquiti UniFi Switch – 24 Ports Managed (US-24-250W)	Best Managed Switch	24	Gigabit + 2SFP ports	Managed	Check Price

 

 Reviews of 5 Best Switch for Google WiFi

1. NETGEAR GS316 16-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch – Best Unmanaged Switch

Unmanaged switches are easy to install/ setup, and use and you don’t have to worry about network management, and this Netgear GS316 is one of the best unmanaged network switches that would work well with your Google WiFi mesh system thanks to its plug-and-play operation.

It comes with 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports that allow for fast connections and the best gaming/ streaming experiences over your mesh system.

It boasts a fan-less design, which means zero-added noise in your home, and the wide and compact design makes it a good fit for your home. The LED light on the switch’s left side enhances its use.

Pros

• 16-Gigabit Ethernet ports
• Low-noise fan-less design
• Plug-and-play operation
• 3-year warranty
• Durable design
• 10/100M/ 1G/ 10G/ Multi-Gig switch speeds
• 1Gbps data transfer rate

Cons

• No wall mounting

View Price on Amazon

2. TP-Link TL-SG105 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch – Best Budget-Friendly option

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This 5-port unmanaged Gigabit Ethernet network switch might be exactly what you need if you have been searching for the most affordable, high-performance, and durable network switch to last you a while.

Its plug-and-play operation, the sturdy metal casing, the fan-less quiet design, and the wall/ desktop mounting make this an excellent switch for wireless mesh systems. It’s designed with a reliable 802.3x system for flow control, which means more reliable data transfers and overall good performance.

It also works as an Ethernet splitter, and it boasts DSCP QoS and 802.1p functions for traffic optimization. These traffic optimization functions are important because they allow for smoother connections, especially on latency-sensitive traffic like video and voice.

You might also like this network switch because of its 84% power-saving capacity made possible by the built-in cable-length detection and link status technologies.

Pros

• Wall and desktop mounting
• Traffic optimization
• Reduced latency
• Sturdy metal casing for durability
• Fan-less for quiet operations
• Easy plug-and-play operation
• High data transfer speeds of 2Gbps
• 5x non-blocking, instant-transfer gigabit ports’
• Reduced interference
• No overheating – maximum heat dissipation rate at 8.3BTU/h

Cons

• Speeds drop when connected, but happens occasionally
• The rest of the connected devices disconnect for a moment when you plug in a new device

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3. TP-Link 8 Port Poe Gigabit Switch – Best PoE+ Unmanaged Switch

With a PoE+ 8-port Gigabit Ethernet ports design, this unmanaged network switch could be the perfect option for your Google WiFi mesh system because it allows for the best possible level of performance across all connected devices. The PoE+ port is a powered 126W port that offers consistent and stable connections across devices. This port design means super-high data transfer rates and power over single connected Ethernet cables.

The ports are shielded for durability, and you might also like it because it boasts a high level of energy efficiency thanks to the energy-efficient technologies incorporated into the switch. These technologies boost the device’s energy efficiency to 75%.

Whether you are using your Google WiFi mesh system for whole-home coverage or for internet access for your small office/ business, the network switch will ensure a reliable level of performance with the 1EEE 802.3af/at system (and compliant devices) allowing for easy network expansion. And for better connections and performance across devices, the switch makes use of QoS for traffic prioritization for data-hungry operations.

You might also like it because it works so well with compliant 802.3af and 802.3at PoE+ smart home devices, such as surveillance cameras and IP Phones.

The 126W power rating on this switch means overload protection for your devices – this switch will automatically and intelligently prioritize ports then disable the low-priority ports.

It is flexible and sturdy, thanks to the compact metal casing, as well as the shielded RJ45 ports.

Pros

• Easy plug-and-play operation
• Energy-efficient systems
• Traffic optimization
• Sturdy design
• Shielded ports
• Eight ports (PoE+)
• Overload protection
• Wall/ desktop mounting
• Overheating protection from the heatsink at the switch chip
• Compatible with all high-powered IEEE 802. 3af/at
• Solid performance

Cons

• The design of the ventilation holes could be better to prevent humidity and dust

View Price on Amazon

4. NETGEAR 5-Port Gigabit Ethernet Unmanaged Switch (GS205) – Stylish Switch

If you are looking for a switch that will fall right in with the rest of your décor, but most importantly, a switch that works well with your Google WiFi mesh, then this Netgear switch might be the ideal fit for you.

It is an ideal option for anyone looking for a gadget that will give them more leeway when it comes to the wired connection, as it only comes with five simple Gigabit Ethernet ports. Besides its plug-and-play operation, this switch is designed in a way that lets you know which ports are working, thanks to the light next to each numbered port.

It boasts a silent, fan-less operation, meaning that there isn’t any noise added to your work or gaming area from the installation of this switch. If you have a noise-sensitive environment that you wish to keep that way, this switch will be an excellent idea for you.

The five Gigabit Ethernet ports all boast solid performance, and they are up to 10x faster than the fast-Ethernet ports on your WiFi system.

You can mount the switch on your desktop or the wall, and thanks to the solid build, you wouldn’t have to worry about the switch falling apart after a few months or weeks.

It also offers great power-saving capabilities, thanks to the energy-efficient Ethernet mode from the 1EEE 802.3az protocol.

Pros

• Durable build
• Mounting on wall or desktop
• Plug and play, unmanaged operation
• Smart Cloud integration
• Excellent data transfer speed; 1Gbps

Cons

• No link aggregation
• Lacks advanced VLAN and network security

View Price on Amazon

5. Ubiquiti UniFi Switch – 24 Ports Managed (US-24-250W) – Best Managed Network Switch

If you are looking for a managed, 24-port network switch for use with your Google WiFi system, this robust Ubiquiti switch might be a great option for you. It boasts a really sleek and simple design, with ports on the right and Ubiquiti’s logo on the left.

It boasts auto-sensing IEEE 802.3af/at PoE+ setting for enhanced overall performance, and the best part is that the switch is easily configurable thanks to the management dashboard on the UniFi controller software. The software ensures the easiest management and monitoring of the switch, including firmware upgrades and new device/user setups.

While the switch is also available in 8, 16, and 48-port configurations, this 24-port option is the best option for anyone looking for more flexibility, either because of the large number of existing devices or in anticipation of more wired devices to be added to the Google WiFi’s mesh system. You will be happy to know that all the ports in this switch push POE+ standards, which makes the switch a good choice for you if you need to push more power through your devices.

Pros

• Great POE+ performance
• Durable design
• Easy management
• Energy efficient
• Good device integrations
• Ease of use/ installation
• Versatile
• Wall or desktop mounting

Cons

• Might run a little hot and loud

View Price on Amazon

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Comprehensive Buying Guide for the Best Switch for Google WiFi

You could enhance your Google WiFi’s wired connectivity with some of the best switches reviewed above. However, it is important that you know more about the features that make the best switches.

Types of switches

There are three main types of switches; the decision to choose one over the other will depend on the level of operational and management complexity you can handle.

• Unmanaged Network Switches

The unmanaged switches are some of the most common types of switches around. Their popularity is made possible by the fact that they come pre-configured by the manufacturer, which means a simple plug-and-play operation – no setup required. These switches enhance communication between two connected devices, which is pretty much all you need.

• Managed Switches

These switches are, on the contrary, designed to do more by giving you a higher level of control over your home network, as well as the connected devices. They allow for SNMP protocol connections and boast even better network management and monitoring options. The managed switches also make it possible for you to prioritize bandwidth delivered to specific devices on the network. The best part is that you can access the switch remotely thanks to GUIs or a command line.

• Smart/ Intelligent Switches

The smart switches sit between the managed and the unmanaged switches. They are cheaper than the managed switches, and they provide a great level of balance between the features offered and the cost.

When it comes to the mesh wireless networks, it is a good idea to buy the unmanaged switches because their use is pretty much straight-forward.

Number of ports

The other factor that will guide your decision on the switch you are going to buy is the number of ports present on the switch. Most switches will have Ethernet ports between 4 and 48, with the eight and 24-port switches being the most common options. Buying a 4-port switch doesn’t really make much sense, and 48 ports is an overkill, unless you are using it in an office setting.

Performance

Having the right number of ports is not enough, and you need to make sure that the switch you are buying promises the best level of performance in terms of its switching capacity, energy efficiency, and low-noise production. The data transfer rate is the other important consideration. Don’t forget to note that the best switch for you should prevent buffering and reduce lags.

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FAQs

Can you hardwire your Google WiFi system to other devices?

Yes. While this mesh WiFi system doesn’t need to be wired via the Ethernet cables for whole-home wireless coverage, you can hardwire it if you need to connect your TV, gaming PC, gaming console, or computer directly to the LAN port. Essentially, a switch will make it easier for you to connect extra devices to your Google WiFi mesh system.

What is a Switch?

A switch refers to the networking device that would allow you to connect your Google WiFi mesh system to devices and services (printers, computers, consoles, etc.). The switch works as a controller that allows the connected devices to communicate with each other while using the same internet connection.

How do I connect my new Switch to Google WiFi?

Easy. Just plug in an Ethernet cable to one of your switch’s uplink/ WAN ports. Then connect the other end of the switch into your Google WiFi’s LAN port.

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Conclusion

A switch allows for fast, high-performance, and reliable network connectivity between devices and routers (mesh or otherwise), and the network switches reviewed above might be the best options for you if you are looking for a reliable switch for Google WiFi.