Cisco Catalyst C1300-16FP-2G 16-Port Gigabit PoE+ Compliant Managed Network Switch (240W)

For home use, a simple unmanaged Gigabit switch is all you need to expand your router's ports. Buy a managed switch or a switch with PoE only if you are running security cameras, access points, or complex VLAN setups.

Network switches are extremely reliable solid-state devices. They are usually replaced because networking speed standards outgrow them, rather than due to hardware failure.

The Cisco Catalyst C1300-16FP-2G 16-Port Gigabit PoE+ Compliant Managed Network Switch (240W) is available at bhphoto, starting at $826.99.

Basic unmanaged network switches use negligible power and have zero maintenance costs. PoE (Power over Ethernet) and large managed switches use more electricity but are still relatively cheap to run.