Cheap 8-Port Switch or Wi‑Fi 6 Router: Which One Actually Fits?

Display

There is no display/screen on either product, so this category is not relevant. If you are comparing them as network devices, the practical equivalent is the management interface. Winner: GL.iNet GL-AX1800 (Flint), because it offers a full router admin interface, wireless configuration, guest networking, VPN controls, and broader network features, while the TP-Link TL-SG108S is an unmanaged plug-and-play switch with no real interface beyond link/activity LEDs.

Performance

Product A, the TP-Link TL-SG108S, is an 8-port gigabit switch with 8 x 1GbE ports. For pure wired throughput, it is excellent: once a device is plugged in, traffic is switched at line speed with very low latency and no Wi‑Fi overhead. That makes it ideal for NAS boxes, desktop PCs, smart TVs, game consoles, and access points that need stable wired connectivity. Product B, the GL.iNet GL-AX1800, is more versatile: it combines dual-band Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 5 x 1G Ethernet ports and support for up to 120 devices. For mixed wireless and wired use, it wins because it can serve the whole home, offer better Wi‑Fi efficiency, and provide OpenVPN/WireGuard support. Winner: GL.iNet GL-AX1800 overall, but TP-Link wins for dedicated wired switching performance.

Build quality and design

The TP-Link TL-SG108S has a metal case, desktop or wall mount support, and a very simple, robust design. That is exactly what you want from a switch: no fans, no unnecessary complexity, and a small footprint that can disappear into a cupboard or sit behind a media cabinet. The GL.iNet Flint is also designed for home networking, but as a router it is inherently more complex, with antennas, more thermal considerations, and more user-facing controls. In terms of physical simplicity and durability, the TP-Link feels more appliance-like and easier to deploy. Winner: TP-Link TL-SG108S.

Battery life

Neither device has a battery, so this category does not apply. If you mean power efficiency, the TP-Link TL-SG108S has a power-saving design and will usually consume less than a full router because it is only switching Ethernet frames and not running Wi‑Fi radios, VPN services, and routing logic. Winner: TP-Link TL-SG108S for lower likely power draw and simpler always-on operation.

Price and value for money

This is the biggest difference between the two. Product A costs £17.99, while Product B costs £89.99, a £72.00 gap. If all you need is more Ethernet ports, the TP-Link is outstanding value: for under £20, you get 8 gigabit ports, QoS, IGMP snooping, and a metal chassis. That is exactly the kind of purchase that makes sense for a NAS or home lab where you already have a router and just need to fan out wired connections. The GL.iNet Flint is far more expensive, but it bundles Wi‑Fi 6, router functionality, VPN acceleration, WPA3, MU-MIMO, and 5 gigabit ports into one device. It is better value only if you would otherwise buy a separate router or need advanced features. Winner: TP-Link TL-SG108S for most buyers on a budget.

Game library/features

Neither product has a game library, so this category is not relevant. Interpreting this as feature set, the GL.iNet GL-AX1800 wins decisively because it supports Wi‑Fi 6, WPA3 security, MU-MIMO, OpenVPN, WireGuard, and up to 120 devices. The TP-Link TL-SG108S has a much narrower feature set: QoS and IGMP snooping are useful, but it is still fundamentally a basic unmanaged switch. Winner: GL.iNet GL-AX1800.

Overall user experience

For ease of use, the TP-Link TL-SG108S is almost impossible to get wrong. Plug it in, connect your devices, and it works; there is no configuration burden and essentially no learning curve. That makes it ideal for people who want reliable wired expansion for a NAS, printer, desktop, or media centre. The GL.iNet GL-AX1800 offers a richer user experience if you want to manage a whole network: better wireless coverage, VPN options for remote access, and more control over connected devices. But with that comes more setup and more things to configure correctly. Winner: TP-Link TL-SG108S for simplicity; GL.iNet GL-AX1800 for capability.

Overall summary: these products are not direct substitutes. If your problem is "I need more Ethernet ports," the TP-Link TL-SG108S is the clear answer and the best value by a wide margin. If your problem is "I need a new router with Wi‑Fi 6, VPN support, and enough ports for a small home network," the GL.iNet GL-AX1800 is the better all-in-one choice. For most buyers comparing these two, the TP-Link wins because it is cheaper, simpler, and perfectly suited to wired expansion.