D-Link Network Switches: 5 Picks Ranked by Specs

Quick picks

Our 5 picks

1 Best overall

D-Link 24-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch

Best for: High-density wired networks needing silent, unmanaged connectivity

Port Count

24

Port Speed

10/100/1000BASE-T

Management Type

Unmanaged

Switching Capacity

48 Gbps

Mounting Type

Desktop, Rackmount, Wall-Mount

Number of Ports

24 Ports

View on Amazon: D-Link 24-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch Affiliate link

This D-Link DGS-1024D is a 24-port unmanaged switch designed for high-density networks. It supports Gigabit speeds on all ports with a 48 Gbps switching capacity. The fanless metal chassis ensures silent operation and fits desktop, rack, or wall mounts. It includes flow control and storm control to manage traffic. You get plug-and-play setup with no configuration needed. This unit suits offices or media setups requiring many wired connections.

Pros

• 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports for high device density
• Fanless metal design for silent, heat-efficient operation
• Supports desktop, rackmount, and wall mounting
• Includes flow control and storm control features
• Energy-efficient with auto-port shutdown and EEE

Cons

• Unmanaged interface limits advanced network configuration options
• No web-based management or app control available
• Fixed 24-port count cannot be expanded

Good fit if

• You need to connect 24 devices to a single network point
• You require silent operation in an office or home environment
• You want a reliable, plug-and-play solution without setup complexity

Skip if

• You need to manage VLANs or advanced traffic settings
• You have fewer than 10 devices to connect
• You require remote management capabilities via software

Verdict: D-Link 24-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch provides a dense, silent, and reliable wired connection hub for users who need many ports without configuration hassle. It fits small businesses or media rooms that prioritize capacity and simplicity over advanced network control.

2 Best budget

D-Link 5-Port Gigabit Metal Switch

Best for: small offices and gaming setups

Port Count

5

Port Speed

Gigabit

Management Type

Unmanaged

Switching Capacity

10 Gbps

Mounting Type

Desktop or Wall Mount

Number of Ports

5 Ports

View on Amazon: D-Link 5-Port Gigabit Metal Switch Affiliate link

This D-Link switch offers five gigabit ports with a 10 Gbps non-blocking switching engine. It features silent fanless metal construction and supports both desktop and wall mounting. Smart QoS prioritizes voice, video, and gaming traffic, while IGMP snooping efficiently handles multicast streams. Energy Efficient Ethernet reduces power usage by up to 80%. It is an ideal solution for small offices or gaming setups requiring reliable, plug-and-play connectivity.

Pros

• Five auto-negotiating gigabit ports supporting up to 2 Gbps per port
• 10 Gbps non-blocking switching engine for high throughput
• Smart QoS prioritizes voice, video, and gaming packets
• IGMP snooping optimizes 4K/8K video streaming
• Energy Efficient Ethernet cuts idle power usage by up to 80%

Cons

• Unmanaged interface requires no software configuration
• Limited to five ports for larger networks
• No web-based management or remote access

Good fit if

• You need a silent, fanless switch for a bedroom or office
• You want to prioritize gaming or video traffic without setup
• You require wall-mount or desktop flexibility for tight spaces

Skip if

• You need more than five ports for your network
• You require managed features like VLANs or SNMP
• You need 2.5G or higher port speeds

Verdict: D-Link 5-Port Gigabit Unmanaged Switch delivers reliable gigabit performance with smart traffic prioritization. It fits small offices and gaming rooms where silent operation and easy mounting matter more than advanced management tools.

3 Also great

D-Link 5-Port Gigabit Metal Switch

Best for: Quiet, small-office Gigabit connectivity

Port Count

5

Port Speed

10/100/1000 Mbps

Management Type

Unmanaged

Switching Capacity

10 Gbps

Mounting Type

Desktop, Wall-Mount

Number of Ports

5 Ports

View on Amazon: D-Link 5-Port Gigabit Metal Switch Affiliate link

This unmanaged switch offers five Gigabit ports with a 10 Gbps switching fabric. It features IEEE 802.1p QoS for prioritizing voice and video traffic. The fanless metal housing ensures silent operation in desktop or wall-mounted setups. Energy-efficient Ethernet reduces power use when links are inactive. It suits users needing reliable, quiet connectivity for small offices or home networks without configuration complexity.

Pros

• Five Gigabit ports with 10 Gbps switching capacity
• Fanless metal housing for silent, durable operation
• IEEE 802.1p QoS prioritizes latency-sensitive traffic
• Supports desktop and wall-mount installation

Cons

• Limited to five ports, restricting expansion for larger setups
• Unmanaged design offers no remote configuration or monitoring
• No 2.5G or higher speed ports available

Good fit if

• You need a silent, fanless switch for a quiet workspace
• You want to prioritize voice or video traffic with QoS
• You require a compact, wall-mountable device for small offices

Skip if

• You need more than five ports for your network
• You require managed features for remote configuration or monitoring
• You need higher than Gigabit speeds for future-proofing

Verdict: D-Link DGS-105GL 5-Port Gigabit Switch fits users who prioritize quiet operation and traffic prioritization in a compact, unmanaged form factor. It is ideal for small offices or home networks where silence and reliability matter more than advanced management features.

4 Best premium

D-Link 5-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch

Best for: 2.5G devices and quiet desktop setups

Port Count

5

Port Speed

2.5 Gbps

Management Type

Unmanaged

Switching Capacity

25 Gbps

Mounting Type

Desktop, Wall Mount

Number of Ports

5 Ports

View on Amazon: D-Link 5-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch Affiliate link

This D-Link switch provides five 2.5 Gbps ports for high-speed local transfers. It offers a 25 Gbps switching capacity and supports 100 Mb, 1 G, and 2.5 G auto-negotiation. The unmanaged design requires no software. You get QoS for traffic prioritization and IGMP Snooping for multicast streams. The metal housing is fanless for quiet operation. It suits users with 2.5G NAS or Wi-Fi 6 APs.

Pros

• Five 2.5 Gbps ports for multi-gigabit speeds
• 25 Gbps total switching capacity
• Auto-negotiation supports 100M, 1G, and 2.5G speeds
• QoS with 8 priority levels for traffic management
• Fanless metal housing for quiet, durable operation

Cons

• Unmanaged interface lacks remote configuration options
• Only five ports available for expansion
• No web-based management dashboard included

Good fit if

• You have 2.5G devices like NAS or APs
• You need a quiet, fanless desktop switch
• You want plug-and-play setup without software

Skip if

• You need more than five ports
• You require managed VLAN settings
• You need 10 Gbps uplink ports

Verdict: D-Link 5-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch delivers multi-gigabit speeds for 2.5G devices without the noise of a fan. It fits users who prioritize simple setup and local bandwidth over remote management features.

5 Best 16 ports

D-Link 16-Port Fast Ethernet Switch

Best for: Small offices needing many basic connections

Port Count

16

Port Speed

10/100 Mbps

Management Type

Unmanaged

Mounting Type

Desktop, Rackmount

Number of Ports

16 Ports

Dimensions

11 × 4.96 × 1.73 inches

View on Amazon: D-Link 16-Port Fast Ethernet Switch Affiliate link

This D-Link unit provides sixteen 10/100 Mbps ports for basic network expansion. It operates as an unmanaged switch with plug-and-play simplicity. The metal housing is fanless, ensuring quiet operation in noise-sensitive areas. It supports desktop or rack mounting for flexible placement. Energy efficient design helps reduce power use. This switch suits small offices needing reliable connectivity for standard devices.

Pros

• Sixteen 10/100 Mbps ports for device expansion
• Fanless metal housing for quiet operation
• Supports desktop and rack mounting
• IEEE802.3az EEE energy efficiency

Cons

• Limited to Fast Ethernet speeds, not Gigabit
• No advanced traffic management features
• Larger physical footprint than 5-port models

Good fit if

• You need to connect many devices on a budget
• You require quiet operation in an office
• You want simple plug-and-play setup

Skip if

• You need Gigabit speeds for high-bandwidth tasks
• You require smart management features
• You have limited space for a 16-port unit

Verdict: D-Link 16-Port Fast Ethernet Switch is a practical choice for small offices needing many connections without complex configuration. It fits users prioritizing port count and quiet operation over speed.

Specifications side by side

D-Link Switches at a Glance

D-Link offers unmanaged switches tailored to different port density needs. The 24-Port Gigabit model provides silent, high-density connectivity for media rooms or small businesses. For simpler setups, the 5-Port Gigabit Metal Switches in the 124889 and DGS-105GL models deliver reliable performance in compact footprints. These units suit small offices or gaming rooms where quiet operation matters.

Users needing faster multi-gigabit speeds can choose the 5-Port 2.5G Unmanaged Switch, which supports 2.5G devices without fan noise. Those requiring many basic connections may prefer the 16-Port Fast Ethernet Switch. It offers rackmount or desktop mounting for small offices prioritizing port count over gigabit speeds. All listed units are unmanaged, ensuring plug-and-play simplicity without complex configuration.

Where D-Link Fits Your Needs

D-Link’s current lineup spans from compact 5-port units to high-density 24-port hubs. You will find options for quiet desktop use, gaming rooms, and small offices. The range covers Gigabit and 2.5G speeds, with some models supporting rackmount installation. However, the selection is strictly unmanaged. You will not find smart or enterprise-grade features in these specific picks. If you need remote configuration or advanced traffic shaping, this brand’s listed hardware may not suit your requirements. Stick to these models for simple, plug-and-play wired expansion.

How to Choose the Right D-Link Switch

1. Match Port Count to Devices

   Start by counting the wired devices you need to connect. If you have many computers or media players, a 24-port model like the DGS-1024D provides high density without complex setup. For smaller needs, a 5-port unit suffices. The 16-port DES-1016D offers a middle ground for small offices. Choosing the right port count prevents clutter and ensures every device has a dedicated link. Avoid buying too many ports if space is limited, or too few if you plan to expand later.

2. Check Speed Requirements

   Verify that the port speed matches your network infrastructure. Most modern devices benefit from Gigabit speeds, found in the DGS-1024D and 124889 models. If you have newer hardware supporting higher throughput, the DMS-105 offers 2.5G ports for faster local transfers. Older or basic devices may only require Fast Ethernet, as seen in the DES-1016D. Ensure your switch speed aligns with your router and connected devices to avoid bottlenecks. Upgrading to multi-gigabit ports future-proofs your setup for faster internet plans.

3. Prioritize Quiet Operation

   If you place the switch in a living area or office, noise matters. All listed D-Link models are fanless, ensuring silent operation. The compact DGS-105GL and 124889 models are particularly suitable for desks or shelves where silence is key. The larger 24-port unit also runs quietly despite its density. This makes them ideal for home theaters or open-plan workspaces. You do not need to worry about cooling fans disrupting your environment. Silent operation is a standard feature across this unmanaged lineup.

4. Consider Mounting Options

   Decide where you will place the hardware. Most models, like the DGS-1024D and DGS-105GL, are designed for desktop use with a flat base. The DES-1016D supports both desktop and rackmount installation, offering flexibility for server rooms or IT closets. Check the dimensions to ensure it fits your available space. The 124889 model is compact enough for tight spots. Selecting the right mounting type ensures stability and proper airflow. Rackmount capability is valuable if you are building a dedicated network rack.

5. Choose Unmanaged Simplicity

   These switches are unmanaged, meaning they require no configuration. You simply plug in your cables, and they work immediately. This is ideal for users who want plug-and-play reliability without accessing a web interface or CLI. The DGS-1024D, DGS-105GL, and DMS-105 all offer this hassle-free experience. Traffic prioritization is handled automatically by the hardware. You do not need to manage VLANs or QoS settings. This simplicity reduces setup time and potential errors, making it perfect for small offices and home networks.

Frequently asked questions

See also

• best d link network switches with 8 Ports
• best d link network switches with 16 Ports
• best aqara smart switches
• best class d turntables