Which of these switches is better?

[chetmaster12]

I am looking to upgrade my 10/100 switch to allow faster speeds to my NAS. I don't need a ton of ports, 8 is about right. I found these three switches on Amazon, and I am wondering which is the best. I would prefer to spend less than $30

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-ProSAFE-GS308-8-Port-Gigabit/dp/B00KFD0SEA/ref=sr_1_37?ie=UTF8&qid=1442643064&sr=8-37&keywords=Switch

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-ProSAFE-Gigabit-Desktop-GS108-400NAS/dp/B00MPVR50A/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1442643578&sr=8-10&keywords=switch

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-SG108-1000Mbps-Desktop-Gigabit/dp/B00A121WN6/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1442643603&sr=1-3&keywords=switch

My first question is, why are the two NETGEAR switches different prices, and are they better than the one made by TP-Link? I noticed that the NETGEAR switches are heavier, which would lead me to believe that they have more heatsink/better build quality.

Which would be the best one for my purpose?

BTW, threw in the more expensive Netgear on the list because I want to know why it is more expensive, not because I think it is better.

 

[techgeek]

It looks as if the major difference between the "more" expensive Netgear and the less expensive one is the more expensive one (GS108) is more power efficient, but more importantly has a better warranty.

As for whether to go with Netgear or TP-Link, I can only say that the Netgear products I've used in the past were excellent. I've never owned or used anything from TP-Link.

 

[Ra_V_en]

That TP-link is valid choice but techgeek has the point with the warranty. While tp-link has 5 years warranty Netgear has lifetime warranty and thus is a safe shot. I seriously doubt you will notice any difference in performance or in quality, so back to square one its actually question do you want to spend more for that warranty prolongation.

 

[jsmithepa]

While tp-link has 5 years warranty Netgear has lifetime warranty and thus is a safe shot.

Boy we are really deep-analyzing for a $30 bux item. Because in a couple of years, if you ever have to return it for warranty, the shipping and handling is on you, not free. For a $500 item, I say totally worth considering.

Very simple for you OP, you want to upgrade to a gigabit switch, that's it, any gigabit switch. The rest is up to you what "other" features you want to buy, but at your budget, doesn't sound like you want a managed switch with VLAN, layer-3, redundancy, 50 gigabit backplane for 200 users blah-blah.

I personally like cool-running and power efficient electronics, but that's just my personal quirk. They seldom advertise this so if interested I'd browse the user reviews.

 

[Ra_V_en]

Boy we are really deep-analyzing for a $30 bux item.

I didn't want to sound that rude tho, so found a reason for a valid consideration

Edit: Actually it's not even me who found it lol

 

[techgeek]

I offered a reason why the GS108 was more expensive, that's what the OP wanted in his original query. I wasn't attempting to persuade him either way, just offered my two cents as to why it costs more.

Really when it comes to unmanaged switched, there isn't much difference. I tend to stick to the names I trust, therefore Linksys, Cisco and Netgear, and stay away from D-Link. Of course my experiences are anecdotal and personal and are likely different to those of other users.

 

[Ra_V_en]

I tend to stick to the names I trust, therefore Linksys, Cisco and Netgear, and stay away from D-Link.

I've been working few years with in VOIP department, we've been using Linksys and D-link solutions (voip gateways or routers, switches).... they tent to make troubles the same as any other brand.
Personally i had ultra-cheap Tp-link router, after 7 years it started to behave weird... considering I've spend like 20$ on it i hardly had any reasons to cry buying a new one lately.

To make any valid argument you would have to really open each model of each brand and estimate quality of used components, since nobody does that, it's really hard to make any assumptions at all.
I do know tp-link is a Chinese brand, but where do you think the rest of those brands produce their products.
Cisco is another story, but Linksys with Cisco badge is nothing more than Chineese product over Cisco jurisdiction.