TP-Link TL-SG105 Review: 5-Port Gigabit Switch Specs and Speed
Published · UpdatedIf you buy through an affiliate link in this article, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The quick verdict
The TP-Link TL-SG105 is a compact, five-port gigabit Ethernet switch that worked well for expanding the wired network in my garage. After about two months of use, I found it easy to set up: connect power and Ethernet cables and it worked without installing software or configuring the switch.
In my 2024 test, a wired desktop connected through the switch reached 932 Mbps download, while a different laptop on Wi-Fi reached 125 Mbps. That is a useful example of my setup, not a controlled comparison of the switch against Wi-Fi. This is a 1 Gbps-per-port switch, so choose a multi-gigabit model if you need a single wired connection above gigabit speed.
Watch my TL-SG105 review and speed test
TP-Link TL-SG105 specifications
TP-Link has sold several hardware revisions of the TL-SG105. My video does not establish the revision of my unit. The table below uses TP-Link's published US V4 specifications and V4 datasheet as a reference, not a claim that V4 is the version I tested. Confirm the version on your device or listing, since specifications can change.
| Specification | TL-SG105 V4 reference |
|---|---|
| Switch type | Unmanaged desktop Ethernet switch |
| Ethernet ports | 5 × RJ45, 10/100/1000 Mbps, auto-negotiation and Auto-MDI/MDIX |
| Switching capacity | 10 Gbps aggregate |
| Packet forwarding rate | 7.4 million packets per second |
| MAC address table | 2K entries |
| Packet buffer | 1 Mb |
| Jumbo frames | Up to 16 KB |
| Forwarding method | Store and forward |
| Standards | IEEE 802.3i, 802.3u, 802.3ab, 802.3x and 802.1p |
| Traffic features | 802.1p/DSCP QoS, IGMP snooping and 802.3x flow control |
| Power adapter | External adapter, 5 V DC / 0.6 A |
| Maximum power use | 2.3 W on TP-Link's V4 page; measurement conditions and revision matter |
| Cooling and housing | Fanless, metal housing; desktop or wall mounting |
| Indicators | Power and per-port link/activity LEDs |
| Dimensions, W × D × H | 3.9 × 3.9 × 1.0 in, approximately 100 × 98 × 25 mm |
| Operating environment | 0–40°C (32–104°F); 10–90% relative humidity, non-condensing |
| Storage environment | -40–70°C (-40–158°F); 5–90% relative humidity, non-condensing on the US V4 page |
| In the box | Switch, power adapter and installation guide |
Revision matters: TP-Link's V3 page lists a 9 V / 0.6 A adapter, while its V4 page lists 5 V / 0.6 A. Its V9 datasheet lists a 9 KB jumbo-frame limit and up to 3.0 W under its specified test conditions. Use the power adapter specified for your exact unit, and verify the revision before relying on a particular feature or specification. TP-Link's general US product page currently labels the TL-SG105 end of life; check availability and support in your region.
How I set up the TL-SG105
I ran an Ethernet cable more than 50 feet from the house to the switch in my garage, then connected my computers. The small metal switch can sit on a surface or be mounted. It needs its external power adapter and an outlet; the standard TL-SG105 is not a PoE switch for powering connected devices.
- Connect an Ethernet cable from a LAN port on your router or existing network to any switch port.
- Connect your wired devices to the remaining ports.
- Plug in the correct power adapter and check the power and port activity lights.
There are five total ports, so an ordinary single-cable uplink to your router leaves four ports for devices. The switch expands an existing wired network; it does not replace your router or add Wi-Fi by itself. For my setup I didn't need to download an app or configure anything.
My wired speed test vs Wi-Fi
| Connection in my test | Download | Upload |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop connected through the TL-SG105 | 932 Mbps | 39 Mbps |
| MacBook Air over Wi-Fi | 125 Mbps | 36 Mbps |
At the time I was paying for a 1.2 Gbps internet plan. The wired result was close to a gigabit despite the long cable run, and the switch solved my need for more wired connections in that space. The two tests used different computers and connection paths, so the results do not isolate the switch or prove that it will improve every Wi-Fi connection. Your router, network adapters, cabling, internet service and local conditions all affect the result.
Each switch port negotiates up to 1 Gbps. The 10 Gbps figure in the specifications is aggregate switching capacity across ports and directions, not 10 Gbps internet speed or a 10 Gbps port. The switch cannot turn a gigabit link into a 1.2 Gbps connection.
What the networking features mean
Auto-negotiation lets a port establish a supported link speed with the connected device, while Auto-MDI/MDIX handles the cable crossover automatically. The V4 version uses store-and-forward switching and supports flow control, QoS traffic prioritization and IGMP snooping. These are manufacturer-listed features; I did not test them separately in the video.
The 1 Mb buffer is measured in megabits, not megabytes. The 16 KB jumbo-frame figure is a V4 specification and doesn't mean every device on your network supports that frame size. Check the revision and the rest of your network before enabling or relying on jumbo frames.
Who should buy it?
I like this switch for a desk, garage or home office where an existing Ethernet connection needs to serve a few devices. It is small, fanless and straightforward, and it worked well in my setup. If you need more than four device ports after the uplink, PoE output, configurable management, or speeds above 1 Gbps per port, this particular switch may not be the right fit.
For shopping, look specifically for TL-SG105 and check the hardware revision. The similarly named TL-SG105E is an Easy Smart model, while the TL-SG105-M2 is a different multi-gigabit switch. You can check the current TL-SG105 price on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TP-Link TL-SG105 a router?
No. It is an unmanaged switch that expands a wired network. Connect it to an existing router or network for internet access.
Does the TL-SG105 support PoE?
The standard TL-SG105 uses its external power adapter and does not supply PoE power to connected devices. Check the exact model if you need a PoE switch.
Can the TL-SG105 deliver more than 1 Gbps to one device?
No. Its ports are rated up to 1 Gbps each. Its 10 Gbps aggregate switching capacity should not be confused with a single port's speed.
Do I need software to set up the TL-SG105?
No configuration was required in my test. Connect the switch to power, your existing network and the devices you want to use.
How many devices can I connect?
It has five Ethernet ports in total. If one connects to your router, four ports remain for wired devices.
My verdict
For a simple gigabit network expansion, the TL-SG105 did what I needed without setup hassle. Check the port count, hardware revision and gigabit speed limit against your own network before buying.
Watch more practical tech reviews on FoxTail Media on YouTube.