I know this is a somewhat common and nearly pointless question. Also excuse the SNL joke in the title.
I had a repurposed Linksys router being used as a gigabit switch to replace a DES-1005E 10/100 switch I've had for years. The Linksys now has random lockups and freezes; so that's in the recycle pile now.
Most people seem to go for TP-Link gear, and I suspect that is more about price than quality or performance.
I don't mind paying a bit more for something better.
Right now I'm considering the D-Link DGS-1005G which is the gigabit version of the unit I started with. It's plastic, but the styling is pleasant.
The DGS-105 isn't much more, has a metal chassis and is more SOHO oriented, so possibly better technically. If nothing else, it has a better status light arrangement.
The Netgear GS305 is the 5-port version of TH's recommendation in a round up of 8-port switches in 2016 that didn't include TP-Link or D-Link units: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/unmanaged-gigabit-ethernet-switch-roundup,4321.html
D-Link has a lifetime warranty, but considering you could throw out two cheaper units for the same price, I'm not sure that's important.
I'm open to other suggestions, but these seem to be slightly more towards mid-tier rather than bottom.
I had a repurposed Linksys router being used as a gigabit switch to replace a DES-1005E 10/100 switch I've had for years. The Linksys now has random lockups and freezes; so that's in the recycle pile now.
Most people seem to go for TP-Link gear, and I suspect that is more about price than quality or performance.
I don't mind paying a bit more for something better.
Right now I'm considering the D-Link DGS-1005G which is the gigabit version of the unit I started with. It's plastic, but the styling is pleasant.
The DGS-105 isn't much more, has a metal chassis and is more SOHO oriented, so possibly better technically. If nothing else, it has a better status light arrangement.
The Netgear GS305 is the 5-port version of TH's recommendation in a round up of 8-port switches in 2016 that didn't include TP-Link or D-Link units: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/unmanaged-gigabit-ethernet-switch-roundup,4321.html
D-Link has a lifetime warranty, but considering you could throw out two cheaper units for the same price, I'm not sure that's important.
I'm open to other suggestions, but these seem to be slightly more towards mid-tier rather than bottom.