The TP-Link TL-SG105 is the 5-port sibling of the TL-SG108 and one of the most popular small unmanaged gigabit switches on the market. At around $15 it is genuinely cheap, and like its 8-port stablemate it is a sturdy steel-cased, silent, plug-and-play box. This TP-Link TL-SG105 review covers the specifications, real-world performance and value.
Prime TP-Link TL-SG105, 5 Port Gigabit Unmanaged Ethernet Switch, Network Hub, Ethernet Splitter, Plug & Play, Fanless Metal Design, Shielded Ports, Traffic Optimization
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TP-Link TL-SG105 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 $15 |
Throughput & Real-World Speed
The TL-SG105 is a true gigabit switch — each of its five ports runs at up to 1 Gbps full-duplex, so a wired client can in practice hit the gigabit Ethernet ceiling of roughly 117 MB/s of file transfer. With a 10 Gbps non-blocking switching fabric, the switch can serve all five ports simultaneously at full gigabit without internal bottlenecks. In real-world use this matters most for two things: copying files to and from a NAS, where gigabit means roughly seven seconds per gigabyte, and lag-sensitive gaming, where the value is not raw bandwidth but consistently low latency and zero packet loss versus WiFi. The small port count makes the SG105 ideal for a desk cluster — gaming PC, console, smart TV, one wired peripheral, and a cable back to the router. For the wider network basics, see our low-latency gaming network guide.
Managed vs Unmanaged Capabilities
The TL-SG105 is fully unmanaged — no web interface, no VLAN, no QoS. You plug a cable from the router into one port and you have four more wired ports. That is the appeal of an unmanaged switch: nothing to configure, nothing to break, nothing to learn. For most home setups that is precisely the right answer. If you need VLAN segmentation (for example to isolate IoT devices) or QoS, you need to step up to the TL-SG105E Easy Smart variant or a managed switch from TP-Link’s wider range. But for $15 of plug-and-play, the unmanaged TL-SG105 is the simplest possible network upgrade.
PoE Power for IP Cameras / APs
The TL-SG105 does not provide Power-over-Ethernet — there is no PoE budget and the unit does not deliver power on any port. PoE devices such as ceiling-mounted access points or IP security cameras will need either an inline PoE injector each, or a PoE-capable switch. For the typical home network of PCs, consoles and a NAS that is not an issue, since none of those devices need PoE. If you are planning even a small camera system or wired access point install, it is cheaper and tidier to buy a PoE switch outright rather than retrofit injectors to an SG105.
Build Quality, Heat & Noise
The TL-SG105 ships in a sturdy steel case, which is unusual at this price and a clear point in its favour — the metal shell aids heat dissipation, feels durable and gives the unit enough weight to stay put on a desk. The switch is fanless and therefore silent, so it is well suited to a bedroom, living room or office desk where any fan noise would be intrusive. Even when all ports are pushing gigabit traffic it runs only mildly warm. The chassis is small enough to tuck behind a TV or under a desk, and it includes wall-mount holes for tidy installations. For pairing with the right cable, see our best Ethernet cables for gaming guide.
Best For – Gaming Home / SMB / Pro
The TL-SG105 is the ideal small home switch. For the gamer it is the simplest possible upgrade: take one cable from the router and turn it into four more wired ports for the gaming PC, the console, the smart TV and a streaming box, eliminating WiFi variability from the latency-sensitive devices. For a very small home office of one or two desks plus a printer it works equally well. It is not for professional use that needs VLANs, monitoring or PoE, but it was never designed for that role. Buyers who already have more than four devices to wire up should choose the TL-SG108 instead — at less than $10 extra for three more ports it is usually the better buy. For the wider wireless network, see our best gaming routers guide.
Verdict
At around $15 the TP-Link TL-SG105 is among the easiest network purchases on the market. It is a sturdy, silent, fully gigabit plug-and-play 5-port switch with a vast positive buyer-review base behind it, from the default brand in this category. Its limitations are honest and well understood for the price — no PoE, no management, no SFP — and they are the right trade-offs for a small home switch. For most readers who simply need four extra wired ports, it is an easy recommendation; buyers who think they will eventually want more should consider stepping up to the TL-SG108 from the start. For Wi-Fi alongside the wired network, see our best WiFi 7 routers guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TP-Link TL-SG105 fast enough for gaming?
Yes. It runs every port at gigabit Ethernet with a non-blocking switching fabric and very low latency, which is far more bandwidth and stability than any online game needs.
Does the TL-SG105 have a fan?
No. The TL-SG105 is fully fanless and silent, which makes it well suited to bedrooms, living rooms and quiet offices.
Should I buy the TL-SG105 or the TL-SG108?
If you only need three or four wired ports, the SG105 is fine. If you have more devices or anticipate adding any, the SG108 is usually worth the small price difference for three extra ports.
Can the TL-SG105 power a PoE access point?
No. The TL-SG105 does not provide Power-over-Ethernet. For a PoE access point you need either a separate PoE injector or a PoE-capable switch.
More Network Switch Reviews
- 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)
- NETGEAR GS308 Review: 8-Port Gigabit Switch (2026)
- NETGEAR GS316 Review: 16-Port Gigabit Switch (2026)
- TP-Link TL-SG105E Review: 5-Port Easy Smart Switch (2026)
- D-Link DGS-105 Review: 5-Port Gigabit Switch (2026)
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