Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For most eero homes with gigabit-or-slower internet and wired devices, a five-port unmanaged gigabit Ethernet switch is the practical choice. Connect it to an available LAN port on the gateway eero, not directly to the modem. Choose a 2.5GbE switch only when the eero, internet service, and wired devices on that link can use the higher speed.
Which Ethernet switch works best with eero?
Eero recommends unmanaged switches for a straightforward setup. Two five-port gigabit models documented by their manufacturers are the NETGEAR GS105 and TP-Link TL-SG105. Their specifications fit typical gigabit-or-slower home links. These are specification-based suggestions, not products tested with eero.
A five-port switch provides five Ethernet ports in total. Reserve one for the cable to the eero, leaving four for wired devices or additional eero nodes. If you need more connections, compare switches by the number of ports left after reserving the uplink.
When does a 2.5GbE switch make sense?
A faster switch is useful only if the links it serves can use the extra capacity. Check the eero’s port speed, your internet service, and the Ethernet capabilities of the devices you plan to connect. A fast switch cannot make a slower eero port or client link faster.
#1 Best Overall
- 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: 5× 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports supporting Auto Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX.
- 𝗚𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆: Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money.
- 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁: IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation.
- 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆: Easy setup with no software installation or configuration needed.
- 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀: Prioritize your traffic and guarantee high quality of video or voice data transmission with Port-based 802.1p/DSCP QoS and IGMP Snooping.
The eero 7 has two 2.5 GbE ports; the eero Pro 7 has two 5 GbE ports. Those are product specifications, not guarantees of a particular internet or local-network speed. Eero says all eero models support gigabit Ethernet and recommends gigabit as a safe choice when you are unsure.
A five-port 2.5GbE option
The TP-Link TL-SG105-M2 is an unmanaged, fanless five-port switch whose ports auto-negotiate at 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, or 2.5 Gbps, according to TP-Link. It is a candidate for an eero 7 network with multi-gig internet or wired clients that support 2.5GbE. Confirm the hardware revision and product listing for your region before buying. The listed capabilities are manufacturer specifications, not independent performance-test results.
Rank #2
- GIGABIT ETHERNET PORTS: Features 5 x 1.0Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity. Auto-negotiating ports detect the optimal speed for connected devices and work with existing Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables.
- PLUG-AND-PLAY UNMANAGED NETWORK SWITCH: Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration required.
- FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OPTIONS: Compact metal design supports desktop or wall-mount placement for versatile installation.
- SILENT & ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPERATION: Fanless design ensures silent performance, while IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet reduces power consumption without compromising high-speed network performance.
- REGIONAL COMPATIBILITY: Made for use in U.S. & CA only
How to add a switch to an eero network
- Identify the gateway eero—the eero connected to your modem or ONT.
- Connect an Ethernet cable from an available LAN port on the gateway eero to any port on the switch.
- Connect wired devices to the switch’s remaining ports. Eero also permits additional eero nodes to connect through a switch attached to the gateway.
The gateway eero must remain between the modem or ONT and the home network. Do not connect the switch directly to the modem in place of the gateway eero. If wiring multiple eero units, do not connect them all to one switch in a way that bypasses the gateway; eero warns this can create a gateway conflict and network instability. Eero’s support instruction is to connect a switch to an Ethernet port on an eero.
Unmanaged or managed switch?
For ordinary home expansion, choose unmanaged: it avoids configuring features most households do not need. If you use a managed switch, eero advises disabling STP/RSTP, IGMP, VLAN, and QoS features. These settings can affect how the eero network behaves, so a managed model is best reserved for a real need for switch controls and an administrator prepared to configure it.
Rank #3
- GIGABIT ETHERNET PORTS: Features 8 x 1.0Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity. Auto-negotiating ports detect the optimal speed for connected devices and work with existing Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables.
- PLUG-AND-PLAY UNMANAGED NETWORK SWITCH: Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration required.
- FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OPTIONS: Compact metal design supports desktop or wall-mount placement for versatile installation.
- SILENT & ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPERATION: Fanless design ensures silent performance, while IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet reduces power consumption without compromising high-speed network performance.
- REGIONAL COMPATIBILITY: Made for use in U.S. & CA only
Do you need PoE?
Power over Ethernet is a separate requirement from adding a few ordinary LAN ports. The eero PoE Gateway combines routing with PoE switching: it has eight PoE-capable 2.5 GbE ports and two 10 GbE ports, and it has no Wi-Fi radio. Consider it for a wired or PoE deployment that needs those capabilities, not as the default solution for adding a handful of Ethernet connections.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Ethernet cable should you use?
For wired Ethernet backhaul between eero units, eero specifies Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a cable. Use cable appropriate to the connection and the port speeds you intend to support.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【One Switch Made to Expand Network】Features 5 RJ45 ports with 10/100/1000Mbps speeds, supporting Auto-Negotiation and Auto MDI/MDIX for hassle-free setup. Ideal for expanding your network, with 1 uplink (input) port and 4 output ports to split your Ethernet connection to multiple devices.
- 【Gigabit that Saves Energy】Latest innovative energy-efficient technology greatly expands your network capacity with much less power consumption and helps save money
- 【Reliable and Quiet】IEEE 802.3X flow control provides reliable data transfer and Fanless design ensures quiet operation
- 【Plug and Play】Easy setup with no software installation or configuration needed
- 【Ethernet Splitter】Connect to your router or modem for additional wired connections (laptop, gaming console, printer, etc)
Rank #4
- 8 GIGABIT PORTS: Features 8 RJ45 ports supporting 10/100/1000 Mbps speeds, providing high-speed wired network connectivity for computers, printers, gaming consoles, and other Ethernet-enabled devices
- PLUG AND PLAY SETUP: No configuration required; simply connect the switch to your network devices and it is ready to use immediately, making network expansion quick and hassle-free
- FANLESS QUIET DESIGN: The fanless design ensures silent operation, making this switch suitable for noise-sensitive environments such as home offices, bedrooms, or conference rooms
- STURDY METAL CONSTRUCTION: Built with a durable metal housing and shielded ports that provide reliable performance, better heat dissipation, and protection against electromagnetic interference
- TRAFFIC OPTIMIZATION: Supports IEEE 802.3x flow control and advanced traffic optimization technology to reduce data bottlenecks and ensure smooth, efficient data transfer across your network
Quick buying checklist
- Internet and devices at 1 Gbps or below: A five-port unmanaged gigabit switch is a sensible default.
- Multi-gig service or wired devices: Verify that the gateway eero port and connected devices support the faster link before choosing 2.5GbE or above.
- Several wired connections: Count the switch’s total ports, then subtract one for its connection to the eero.
- PoE equipment: Check the required PoE capability separately; a standard unmanaged gigabit switch does not automatically provide PoE.
- Multiple eero units: Keep the gateway eero in the path and connect downstream nodes through the gateway or a switch attached to it.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
