Best Network Switches with 4 Ports: 5 Spec-Based Picks

Quick picks

The best fit for you

• You need PoE power for low-speed surveillance cameras TP-Link 6-Port Fast Ethernet PoE+ Switch It offers Fast Ethernet ports with PoE support for reliable power delivery over long distances.
• You want the most compact model on the list MokerLink 4 Port 2.5G Switch This Mini model provides 2.5G and 10G SFP uplinks in the smallest form factor available.
• You want silent 2.5G networking for gaming YuLinca 4 Port 2.5G Network Switch It features a quiet metal chassis with 2.5G ports and 10G SFP uplinks for fast local transfers.
• You need to power devices while using 10G uplinks NICGIGA 6-Port 2.5G PoE + 10G Switch It combines 2.5G PoE+ ports for power with dual 10G RJ45 uplinks for high-speed data.

Our 5 picks

1 Best overall

TP-Link 6-Port Fast Ethernet PoE+ Switch

Best for: low-speed PoE surveillance systems

Number of Ports

4 Ports (what this guide is about)

Port Count

6

Port Speed

10/100Mbps

PoE Support

PoE+ (802.3at/af)

PoE Power Budget

67W

Dimensions

6.22 × 3.96 × 1 inches

View on Amazon: TP-Link 6-Port Fast Ethernet PoE+ Switch Affiliate link

This TP-Link switch offers six ports with four supporting PoE+ standards. It delivers a 67W total power budget, providing up to 30W per port. The device operates at Fast Ethernet speeds of 10/100 Mbps. It includes an Extend Mode that reaches 250 meters for surveillance setups. You get plug-and-play simplicity with no configuration required. Priority modes help ensure clear video or voice transmission.

Pros

• Four PoE+ ports with 30W per port limit
• 67W total PoE power budget
• Extend Mode reaches 250m for cameras
• Priority mode for ports 1-2

Cons

• Only 10/100 Mbps port speeds
• Six ports total, not four
• Speed drops to 10 Mbps in Extend Mode

Good fit if

• You need to power four PoE devices
• You are installing long-distance surveillance cameras
• You want simple plug-and-play setup

Skip if

• You require Gigabit Ethernet speeds
• You need more than four ports
• You want SFP+ uplinks

Verdict: TP-Link 6-Port PoE Switch is a practical choice for low-bandwidth surveillance setups requiring PoE power over long distances. It suits users who prioritize reliable power delivery over high data throughput.

2 Also great

MokerLink 4 Port 2.5G Switch

Best for: High-speed local transfers and uplinks

Number of Ports

4 Ports (what this guide is about)

Port Count

4

Port Speed

2.5 Gbps

Management Type

Unmanaged

Uplink Ports

2 x 10G SFP+

Switching Capacity

60 Gbps

View on Amazon: MokerLink 4 Port 2.5G Switch Affiliate link

This unmanaged switch provides four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports and two 10G SFP+ uplinks. It delivers 60Gbps of switching capacity for high-speed data forwarding. The fanless metal design ensures quiet operation. You get plug-and-play simplicity with auto-negotiation. It suits users needing fast local transfers to NAS devices or servers without complex configuration.

Pros

• Four 2.5Gbps RJ45 ports for fast wired connections
• Two 10G SFP+ slots for high-speed uplinks
• 60Gbps switching capacity for efficient data handling
• Fanless metal build for silent operation
• Unmanaged plug-and-play setup with no configuration needed

Cons

• SFP+ modules are not included in the package
• Unmanaged design offers no VLAN or traffic control
• No web interface for remote monitoring or settings

Good fit if

• You need 2.5G speeds for NAS or gaming PCs
• You want silent operation without fans
• You prefer simple plug-and-play connectivity

Skip if

• You require managed features like VLANs
• You need PoE power for connected devices
• You want included SFP transceiver modules

Verdict: MokerLink 4 Port 2.5G Switch delivers robust 2.5G and 10G uplink speeds for users who prioritize raw bandwidth and silent operation over managed network features.

3 Best budget

YuLinca 4 Port 2.5G Network Switch

Best for: Silent 2.5G home networking

Number of Ports

4 Ports (what this guide is about)

Port Speed

2.5 Gbps

Management Type

Unmanaged

Uplink Ports

2 x 10G SFP

Switching Capacity

60Gbps

Mounting Type

Desktop

View on Amazon: YuLinca 4 Port 2.5G Network Switch Affiliate link

This unmanaged switch offers four 2.5 Gbps RJ-45 ports and two 10 Gbps SFP uplinks. It features a 60 Gbps switching capacity and a fanless metal design. You get auto-negotiation for 10/100/1000/2.5G speeds. The device sits on a desktop. It suits gamers and NAS users needing faster local transfers. You do not need configuration software to use it.

Pros

• Four 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports
• Two 10 Gbps SFP uplink slots
• Fanless metal casing for quiet operation
• 60 Gbps switching capacity
• Plug-and-play unmanaged setup

Cons

• SFP modules are not included
• No web management interface
• Desktop mounting only

Good fit if

• You need 2.5G speeds for NAS or gaming
• You want silent operation without a fan
• You prefer simple plug-and-play networking

Skip if

• You require managed switch features
• You need wall-mounting capability
• You want included SFP transceivers

Verdict: YuLinca 4 Port 2.5G Network Switch delivers fast 2.5G and 10G uplinks in a quiet metal box. It fits users who want simple, high-speed local networking without configuration hassle.

4 Also great

MokerLink 4 Port 2.5G Switch

Best for: Upgrading local network speed to 2.5G

Number of Ports

4 Ports (what this guide is about)

Port Count

4

Port Speed

2.5 Gbps

Management Type

Unmanaged

Uplink Ports

2 x 10G SFP+

Switching Capacity

60 Gbps

View on Amazon: MokerLink 4 Port 2.5G Switch Affiliate link

This unmanaged switch provides four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports and two 10G SFP+ uplinks. It features a 60Gbps switching capacity and a fanless metal design. You get plug-and-play operation with auto-negotiation for 10/100/1000/2.5G speeds. The compact form factor supports desktop or wall mounting. It suits users needing high-speed local transfers for NAS or gaming devices without configuration complexity.

Pros

• Four 2.5Gbps RJ45 ports for fast device connections
• Two 10G SFP+ slots for high-speed uplinks
• 60Gbps backplane bandwidth for efficient data forwarding
• Fanless metal casing for quiet, stable operation

Cons

• No PoE support for connected devices
• Unmanaged interface limits advanced network settings
• SFP+ modules not included with the unit

Good fit if

• You need 2.5G speeds for local file transfers
• You want a quiet fanless design for home use
• You require 10G uplinks for future expansion

Skip if

• You need PoE power for cameras or phones
• You require web-based management controls
• You only have Gigabit Ethernet devices

Verdict: MokerLink 4 Port 2.5G Switch delivers robust 2.5G and 10G connectivity for users upgrading their home network speed. It fits those who prioritize raw bandwidth and quiet operation over managed features.

5 Best premium

NICGIGA 6-Port 2.5G PoE + 10G Switch

Best for: Powering cameras and APs with 10G uplinks

Number of Ports

4 Ports (what this guide is about)

Port Count

6

Port Speed

2.5 Gbps

Management Type

Unmanaged

PoE Support

IEEE 802.3af/at

PoE Power Budget

50W

View on Amazon: NICGIGA 6-Port 2.5G PoE + 10G Switch Affiliate link

This unmanaged switch offers four 2.5G PoE ports and two 10G uplinks. It delivers up to 30W per port with a 50W total budget. The metal case ensures quiet, fanless operation. You get plug-and-play connectivity for cameras and access points. It suits users needing high-speed data and power over a single cable. The 10G ports handle heavy traffic to routers or servers.

Pros

• Four 2.5G ports support 802.3af/at PoE standard
• Two 10G RJ45 uplink ports for high bandwidth
• Fanless metal design with lightning protection
• Auto-detection of PoE devices saves power
• One-year warranty included

Cons

• Only four ports provide PoE power
• Total PoE budget is limited to 50W
• Requires 44-57V PoE devices for operation

Good fit if

• You need to power cameras or APs directly
• You require 10G uplinks for fast backhaul
• You want a silent, fanless network device

Skip if

• You need more than four powered ports
• Your devices require higher PoE budgets
• You need managed switch features or software

Verdict: NICGIGA 6-Port 2.5G PoE + 10G Switch fits users who need to power devices while maintaining high-speed data connections. It is ideal for setups with multiple cameras or access points that require reliable, silent operation.

Specifications side by side

How to Choose the Right 4 Port Switch

1. Check PoE Support Needs

   Determine if your devices require power delivery. The TP-Link 6-Port Fast Ethernet PoE+ Switch supports PoE, making it suitable for low-bandwidth surveillance setups. You can power cameras or access points directly through the Ethernet cable. This eliminates the need for separate power adapters near each device. If you do not need to power devices, you can choose a standard unmanaged switch. Prioritize PoE only when your setup requires reliable power delivery over long distances. This feature simplifies installation and reduces cable clutter in your home network.

2. Evaluate Port Speed Options

   Select the port speed based on your data transfer requirements. Most modern switches offer Gigabit speeds, but some provide 2.5G or 10G uplinks. The MokerLink 4 Port 2.5G Switch delivers robust speeds for high-speed local transfers. You should choose 2.5G ports if you want to boost local network performance beyond standard Gigabit limits. Fast Ethernet is sufficient for basic connectivity but offers lower throughput. Match the port speed to your devices' capabilities to avoid bottlenecks. Higher speeds ensure faster file transfers and smoother streaming for connected devices.

3. Consider Uplink Port Types

   Look for SFP uplink ports if you need flexible connectivity options. Several models, including the MokerLink and YuLinca switches, include SFP ports for 10G uplinks. These ports allow you to connect fiber optic transceivers or additional networking hardware. You benefit from this feature if you require high-speed connections to your router or NAS. Standard RJ45 ports are common but limit uplink speed to copper standards. SFP ports provide versatility for future upgrades. Check if your existing network infrastructure supports SFP modules before purchasing a switch with these ports.

4. Assess Physical Size and Weight

   Measure your available space before buying a switch. Dimensions vary significantly across models. The TP-Link switch is compact, measuring 3.96 inches wide and 6.22 inches long. The MokerLink 4 Port 2.5G Switch is larger, with a width of 7.87 inches. You must ensure the switch fits in your designated location, whether on a desk or in a rack. Weight also matters for portability. The TP-Link model weighs 11.3 ounces, while heavier models exceed one pound. Choose a size that matches your installation environment and cooling requirements.

5. Verify Management Type

   Decide if you need managed or unmanaged features. All listed switches are unmanaged, meaning they operate plug-and-play without configuration. This is ideal for users who want simple, high-speed local networking without setup hassle. You do not need to configure VLANs or traffic prioritization. Unmanaged switches are reliable for basic home networks. If you require advanced control, you would need a managed switch, but none are listed here. For most users, the unmanaged design ensures silent operation and immediate connectivity. Check the management type to ensure it matches your technical comfort level.

Frequently asked questions

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