The D-Link DGS-105 is one of the longest-running 5-port unmanaged gigabit switches on the market — D-Link’s mainstream answer to TP-Link’s TL-SG105 and NETGEAR’s GS305. At around $30 it is competitively priced, with a sturdy metal case and a silent fanless design. This D-Link DGS-105 review covers the specifications, real-world performance and value.
Prime D-Link DGS-105, 5 Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch Unmanaged, Network Splitter, Silent Fanless, Network Hub, Sturdy Metal with Shielded Ports, Desktop/Wall Mount, QoS, Energy Saving, Plug and Play
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D-Link DGS-105 at a Glance
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Port count | 5 ports |
| Port speed | 10/100/1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet) |
| Switching capacity | 10 Gbps non-blocking |
| Management | Unmanaged (plug-and-play) |
| PoE support | No |
| SFP uplinks | None |
| Form factor | Desktop / wall-mount, steel case |
| Cooling | Fanless (silent) |
| Approx price | around $30 |
Throughput & Real-World Speed
The DGS-105 is a true gigabit switch — every one of its five ports runs at 1 Gbps full-duplex with a 10 Gbps non-blocking switching fabric, so every port can run at full gigabit simultaneously without internal bottlenecks. In real-world use that is the practical ceiling of gigabit Ethernet, roughly 117 MB/s of file-transfer throughput, which is well ahead of typical online-gaming needs (a few megabits per second) and the natural fit for NAS file copies of about seven seconds per gigabyte. For the wired desk cluster — gaming PC, console, smart TV, streaming box, NAS — the DGS-105 delivers consistent low-latency, zero-packet-loss connections that WiFi can never quite match. Port-to-port latency on a switch like this is sub-millisecond, which is a fundamentally different experience to even a strong WiFi link where queueing, retransmissions and roaming events can introduce visible jitter in competitive online games. For the network basics, see our low-latency gaming network guide.
Managed vs Unmanaged Capabilities
The DGS-105 is fully unmanaged — no web interface, no VLANs, no QoS, no monitoring. That is the value proposition: plug it in and it works, with nothing to learn and nothing that can break on first power-on. D-Link’s range steps up to web-managed Smart switches such as the DGS-1100 series for users who need VLAN segmentation or QoS, with the DGS-1100-05 covering the same 5-port size at higher cost. But the base DGS-105 is the no-configuration option. For most home users that is precisely the right answer — the management features in higher-tier models are useful only if you actually plan to use them.
PoE Power for IP Cameras / APs
The DGS-105 does not provide PoE. For powering an access point or IP camera over the Ethernet cable you will need a separate PoE injector or a PoE-capable switch. D-Link offers PoE switches in its wider range for that role; the DGS-105 is built for simple desk-side use rather than camera or AP deployment. For a typical home network of PCs, consoles, smart TVs and a NAS, none of which use PoE, the lack of PoE is not a concern. The most common edge case is a ceiling-mounted WiFi access point expecting PoE — in that situation either an inline PoE injector or a PoE-capable D-Link variant is the right call.
Build Quality, Heat & Noise
D-Link houses the DGS-105 in a sturdy steel case, which is the appropriate choice at this price — the metal shell aids heat dissipation, gives the unit some weight to stay put on a desk, and feels durable in the hand. The switch is fanless and therefore silent, ideal for a desk in a home office, bedroom or living room where any fan noise would be intrusive. Even with all five ports busy at full gigabit it runs only mildly warm to the touch. The chassis includes wall-mount holes for tidy installations behind a desk or in a media cabinet, which is useful for keeping cable runs neat. D-Link has decades of networking experience and the DGS line has been on the market for a long time, with a long and largely positive buyer-review track record behind it. For matching cable, see our best Ethernet cables for gaming guide.
Best For – Gaming Home / SMB / Pro
The DGS-105 is a home and small-office switch. For the gamer it is ideal: take one cable from the router and add four more wired ports for the latency-sensitive devices in the household, removing WiFi variability from the connections that matter most. For a one-person home office it is equally suitable for printer, NAS and desktop. It is not built for environments that need VLANs, monitoring or PoE — but unmanaged switches at this price were never built for those roles. Buyers who need more ports should consider D-Link’s DGS-108 (8-port) or DGS-116 (16-port) in the same family; buyers who need management should look at the Smart Managed DGS-1100 line. For the wider network, see our best gaming routers guide.
Verdict
At around $30 the D-Link DGS-105 is a solid value 5-port unmanaged gigabit switch and a long-trusted alternative to TP-Link’s TL-SG105 and NETGEAR’s GS305. It is sturdy, silent, fully gigabit and plug-and-play, from a brand with decades of networking pedigree. For most home users any of these three top-brand 5-port gigabit switches is a sound choice; price at time of purchase, aesthetic, and brand loyalty usually decide. D-Link’s wider range provides easy upgrade paths to Smart Managed or PoE variants if needs grow over time. For the typical buyer who simply wants four extra wired ports behind a router, the DGS-105 is a default-tier answer and it does exactly what is asked of it. For the wireless side of the network, see our best WiFi 7 routers guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the D-Link DGS-105 compare to the TP-Link TL-SG105?
Performance and reliability are very similar — both are sturdy 5-port unmanaged gigabit switches with fanless designs at a similar price. Choose on price at time of purchase and brand preference.
Does the DGS-105 have PoE?
No. The DGS-105 does not provide Power-over-Ethernet. For PoE devices, choose a PoE-capable switch or use an inline PoE injector.
Is the D-Link DGS-105 a good gaming switch?
Yes. As a true gigabit unmanaged switch with low internal latency, it is well suited to wiring a gaming PC, console or streaming device.
Is the DGS-105 fanless?
Yes. It is fully fanless and silent, which makes it suitable for a desk install in a quiet room.
More Network Switch Reviews
- TP-Link SG2428LP Review: 24-Port PoE+ Gigabit Switch (2026)
- Tenda 8-Port 2.5G Switch Review: Multi-Gigabit Network (2026)
- TP-Link TL-SG108 Review: 8-Port Gigabit Switch (2026)
- TP-Link TL-SG105 Review: 5-Port Gigabit Switch (2026)
- TP-Link TL-SG116 Review: 16-Port Gigabit Switch (2026)
- TP-Link TL-SG105S-M2 Review: 5-Port 2.5G Switch (2026)
- TP-Link TL-SG108S-M2 Review: 8-Port 2.5G Switch (2026)
- NETGEAR GS305 Review: 5-Port Gigabit Switch (2026)
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