Recommended tiers
| Tier | Example class | Good fit | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | TP-Link TL-SG105-M2-class 5-port switch | Simple multi-gig desktop or NAS upgrade | No VLANs or management |
| Best value | QNAP QSW-1105-5T-class unmanaged switch | NAS, mini PCs, workstation, and router uplink | It is 2.5GbE only, not a 10GbE switch |
| Upgrade | QNAP QSW-2104-2T-R2-class 2.5GbE plus 10GbE | NAS or workstation with a faster uplink | Only buy 10GbE if storage can use it |
What matters most
- Enough 2.5GbE ports for the devices that move data.
- Quiet or fanless operation for desks and closets.
- VLAN support only if you actually plan to segment.
- Cat5e often works for 2.5GbE, so do not recable first.
What I would buy first
If you just need faster NAS transfers, buy a simple five-port 2.5GbE switch. If your NAS or workstation already has 10GbE, consider a mixed 2.5/10GbE model.
Source checks: QNAP describes the QSW-1105-5T as a five-port 2.5GbE switch that can upgrade compatible NAS and devices without new network cables; TP-Link lists the TL-SG105-M2 as a five-port 2.5G multi-gigabit desktop switch.