eero network switch: Best Ethernet switch for eero

Using an Ethernet switch is the simplest way to expand your eero Mesh WiFi system network if you need additional Ethernet ports for your TVs, gaming consoles, computer or smart home devices. It lets you add extra ports without changing your current eero setup and helps improve stability for devices that need a consistent and fast connection. Most homes work well with a basic unmanaged Gigabit switch, while multi-Gigabit internet users may benefit from faster multi-Gigabit switches.

This article explains what Ethernet switches are, how to choose the right one for your eero mesh WiFi and how to set everything up for the best performance.

Yes. If your home uses Astound’s eero Whole Home WiFi, you can connect an Ethernet switch to your eero system, with an unmanaged Gigabit switch being the best choice for most households. These switches are straightforward plug-and-play network devices that automatically forward traffic and negotiate speed for each port, ensuring they operate smoothly and are highly compatible with eero auto-configuration.

In contrast, managed switches offer advanced and customizable features such as VLANs, QoS and DHCP servers. However, these features can conflict with how eero configures your mesh WiFi network. Unless you need specific features, an unmanaged switch is the easiest and most reliable option.

After setting up your eero mesh WiFi, the correct way to configure your switch is to connect it after the gateway eero, not between the modem and the eero. If the switch sits before the eero, the mesh can break because the eero handles routing, NAT and DHCP configurations for your entire network.

If you’re setting up a wired backhaul, you can also plug in additional eeros to the switch.

You need an Ethernet switch if you want additional Ethernet ports to connect multiple devices, such as smart TVs, gaming consoles, laptops and smart home devices. Switches are essential for building wired backhaul, which gives your eero nodes a faster, more stable connection than relying on wireless connections.

Does using a switch slow down eero? No. A properly wired switch will not reduce your eero network speeds, as these depend on the switch’s port capacity. Gigabit switches handle up to 1 Gbps, while multi-Gig switches support 2.5 Gbps or higher.

Slowdowns can happen if you use older switches or damaged Ethernet cables or if the eero nodes remain wirelessly connected. Using a quality Gigabit or multi-Gig switch ensures consistent mesh performance throughout your home.

Below are eero-compatible switches that match the most common household setups.

The TP‑Link TL‑SG105 and TRENDnet’s TEG‑S50g are excellent 5‑port switches for an apartment or small home with just a few wired devices. Both offer silent, energy-efficient operation and stable Gigabit speeds that pair well with eero 6 or eero 6+ systems.

• • TP-Link TL-SG105
    The TL-SG105 provides five auto-negotiating Gigabit ports and includes QoS and IGMP Snooping for traffic management. Its durable metal casing works for desktop or wall mounting and its fanless design keeps it silent. The switch uses Green Ethernet technology to reduce power consumption.
  • TRENDnet 5-Port Gigabit GREENnet Mini Switch (TEG-S50g)
    The TRENDnet TEG-S50g delivers similar Gigabit speeds with a 10 Gbps switching capacity in full-duplex mode. It features a compact metal casing with a minimalist design suitable for tight desk setups or wall mounting and it uses GREENnet technology that adjusts power usage for energy savings when devices or Ethernet ports are not in use.

For most households, the TP‑Link TL‑SG108 and the Netgear GS308 8-port Gigabit switches are ideal because they provide reliable Gigabit performance, easy plug-and-play setup and quiet operation for a noiseless environment. Each provides enough ports to support wired backhaul and several everyday devices.

• TP-Link TL-SG108
  The TP‑Link T‑SG108 delivers eight auto-negotiating Gigabit ports in a sturdy metal casing that sits well on a desk or mounts to a wall. It includes QoS and IGMP Snooping for traffic management, a fanless design and Green Ethernet technology for energy efficiency.
• Netgear GS308
  The Netgear GS308 delivers similar dependable Gigabit speeds with a non-blocking switching architecture for full Gigabit throughput. Its compact metal design is durable, fanless and energy efficient, making it a solid choice for typical households.

The TP‑Link TL‑SG116 and Netgear GS116 are excellent 16‑port Gigabit switches designed for homes with multiple wired devices, several Ethernet‑enabled rooms or multiple wired eero nodes.

• TP-Link TL-SG116
  The TL‑SG116 provides 16 auto‑negotiating Gigabit ports in a durable metal chassis with fanless silent operation. Its Green Ethernet technology makes it energy efficient and its high switching capacity makes it ideal for heavy workloads like home offices, wired backhaul or multi‑device setups.
• Netgear GS116
  The GS116 delivers true Gigabit speeds with non‑blocking performance across all ports. It uses a solid metal housing, operates quietly without fans and offers reliable, energy-efficient operation suitable for desktops or wall‑mounted structured panels.

• eero PoE Gateway
  The eero PoE Gateway is the best choice when you want a unified, PoE‑powered eero mesh WiFi system. It combines routing and PoE switching in one device, with two 10 GbE uplinks and eight 2.5 GbE PoE+ ports for powering multiple eero PoE access points or outdoor installations. This makes it ideal for ceiling-mounted eero PoE 6, eero PoE 7 or eero Outdoor 7 units, structured wiring panels or professional-style whole‑home WiFi deployments.
• TP-Link TL-SG1008P
  For homes that primarily need to power PoE cameras, VoIP phones or access points, the TP‑Link TL‑SG1008P is a practical and budget-friendly option. It includes four PoE ports for powering devices directly over Ethernet and four additional Gigabit ports for wired devices or wired backhaul connections. Its silent, fanless design and plug‑and‑play setup make it easy to integrate alongside any standard eero gateway.

Power users and homes with eero Pro 6E, eero 7 or eero Max 7 models benefit from multi‑Gig switches. These prevent Gigabit speed bottlenecks and enable high-performance devices, large file transfers and wired backhaul to operate at full multi‑Gig speeds.

• TP-Link TL-SG108-M2 (8-port 2.5GbE)
  The TL-SG108-M2 provides eight 2.5GbE Ethernet ports in a compact, fanless metal chassis. Its 40 Gbps switching capacity supports consistent, high speed connections for NAS drives, servers, gaming PCs and WiFi 6/6E/7. It’s ideal for quiet, high-performance home setups with demanding workloads.
• QNAP QSW‑2104‑2T (2-port 10GbE + 4-port 2.5GbE)
  The QSW‑2104‑2T pairs two 10GbE and four 2.5GbE ports, with the 10GbE ports useful for high speed devices, such as the eero Max 7 gateway, while the 2.5 Gbps ports work well for eero 7 or eero Pro 6E nodes, gaming PCs and other compatible devices.

This switch is ideal for power users who frequently move large files or want a future-proof wired network designed for WiFi 6/WiFi 6E/WiFi 7 and next-generation multi‑Gigabit speeds.

Use this quick comparison table to find the switch that fits your eero setup based on port count, speed, price and home network needs.

Setting up an Ethernet switch with eero is simple once you understand where each device goes in the network chain. The steps below show how to wire your setup correctly for a reliable connection.

1. Connect your modem to the gateway eero router
   Start by connecting your modem or fiber ONT to the WAN port on your gateway eero. The gateway router must sit between the modem and the switch.
2. Connect the gateway eero to the switch
   Use an Ethernet cable to connect the gateway eero LAN port to any port on the unmanaged switch.
3. Connect wired devices to the switch
   Plug in your TV, gaming consoles, PCs or smart home devices to the remaining ports on the switch. The devices will receive internet access through the switch.
4. Connect additional eero units to the switch for a wired backhaul
   Plug additional eero units into the switch to create a wired backhaul. eero will automatically detect the wired connection and switch to Ethernet instead of using a wireless connection between the nodes.

Can I connect multiple eeros to the same switch? Yes. As long as the switch is connected to the gateway eero in the network chain, you can wire multiple nodes to the same switch for a wired backhaul.

Once everything is wired, open the eero app on your phone to confirm if everything is set up correctly.

1. Go to Activity > Devices to see which devices are connected via Ethernet.
   You can view the Connection Type for each device. A device connected directly to an eero Ethernet port or to a switch will be listed as Wired.
2. Open the Network Map to check that wired eero nodes are detected correctly.
   A wired eero node will state “Wired” or “Ethernet” as the connection type, while wirelessly connected eero nodes will show a signal strength icon.

Choosing the best Ethernet switch for your eero mesh WiFi system depends on the type of switch you want, the number of devices you plan to connect, your internet speeds and whether you need multi-Gigabit or PoE support capabilities.

Apartments and smaller homes with few devices can rely on a 5-port Gigabit switch, while most mid-size households benefit from an 8-port switch that provides a wired backhaul and can connect everyday devices. Larger homes with multiple wired rooms and devices may require a 16-port switch, while power users with multi-Gig internet will want a multi-Gig switch to prevent bottlenecks. Homes with PoE-powered devices like IP cameras, access points and outdoor devices will want a PoE switch that can supply both power and data.

With the right switch in your setup, your eero mesh WiFi network can provide faster wired backhaul, stable performance and improved whole-home coverage, especially when paired with fast, reliable internet from Astound.