Best TP-Link pick: simple 8-port switch or full Wi‑Fi router?

Display

Neither product has a display or screen, so this category is not relevant in the usual sense. If we interpret this as the user-facing setup experience, the TL-SG108S wins for simplicity: it is true plug-and-play, with no app setup, no login, and no configuration beyond connecting Ethernet cables. The Archer C80 is still straightforward, but as a router it has a more involved initial setup because it must be configured as your network’s gateway, with Wi‑Fi SSIDs, passwords, and potentially ISP details. Winner: Product A for simplicity.

Performance

This is the biggest split. The TL-SG108S delivers 8 x 1GbE ports, which is ideal for wired devices such as a NAS, desktop PCs, a smart TV, a games console, or a Plex server. In a home lab, this is often the better foundation because every port can sustain full gigabit throughput simultaneously, assuming your upstream network supports it. The Archer C80 is stronger on wireless performance, offering AC1900 speeds up to 1300 Mbps on 5 GHz and 600 Mbps on 2.4 GHz, plus MU-MIMO for handling multiple clients more efficiently. However, real-world Wi‑Fi speeds are always lower than headline figures and depend heavily on walls, interference, and device capability. For pure wired performance, Product A wins; for wireless connectivity and whole-home internet access, Product B wins.

Build quality and design

The TL-SG108S has a metal case, desktop or wall-mount flexibility, and a compact fanless design that suits a cupboard, office desk, or network cabinet. For a NAS or homelab, that metal enclosure and silent operation are practical advantages: no moving parts, low heat, and minimal fuss. The Archer C80 is also a consumer-friendly unit, but as a router it is larger and more complex internally because it combines switching, routing, and Wi‑Fi radios in one box. It is designed to sit centrally in the home, not tucked away beside a server rack. Winner: Product A for robustness and cleaner hardware design.

Battery life

Neither product has a battery. If we translate this into power efficiency, the TL-SG108S wins because it is a passive, always-on switch with TP-Link’s power-saving features and no Wi‑Fi radios to keep active. That makes it a better fit for 24/7 use in a home lab, where lower power draw and silence matter. The Archer C80 will naturally consume more power because it is doing far more work: routing, NAT, firewalling, and broadcasting dual-band Wi‑Fi. Winner: Product A for lower power use and simpler always-on operation.

Price and value for money

At £17.99, the TL-SG108S is £22 cheaper than the Archer C80, and that price gap is significant. If all you need is more Ethernet ports, the switch offers outstanding value: 8 gigabit ports, QoS support, IGMP snooping, metal construction, and a strong 4.7/5 rating from 4,497 reviews. The Archer C80 costs £39.99 and brings much more functionality, but you are paying for a router platform rather than just a switch. Value depends on need: for adding wired ports, Product A is the clear bargain; for replacing a Wi‑Fi router, Product B is better value because it includes a full networking stack. Winner: Product A for most buyers who only need expansion.

Game library/features

This category does not apply literally, but in feature terms the Archer C80 is far richer. It includes dual-band Wi‑Fi, MU-MIMO, parental controls, guest Wi‑Fi, and gaming-oriented positioning, so it can serve as the main router for a family home or gaming setup. The TL-SG108S is intentionally minimal: its features are QoS and IGMP snooping, which are useful for prioritising traffic and supporting multicast/IPTV, but it does not provide routing, Wi‑Fi, firewalling, or app-based controls. If you want a network hub with more software features, Product B wins. If you want a reliable wired expansion device, Product A’s limited feature set is actually the point.

Overall user experience

The TL-SG108S is the easier product to live with if your goal is to expand an existing router’s wired capacity. It is silent, cheap, compact, and extremely dependable, which is exactly what you want in a NAS or Plex environment where stable LAN performance matters more than flashy extras. The Archer C80 is the better all-in-one home networking device if you need Wi‑Fi coverage, guest access, and parental controls in a single box. It will be the more visible, more central device in your network, and it has more to manage, but it replaces a router rather than merely extending one. Overall, Product A is the better buy for most people who already have a working router and just need more ports; Product B is the better buy if you are looking for a new main router with proper Wi‑Fi features.

Overall summary: the TP-Link TL-SG108S wins on price, simplicity, silent operation, and wired reliability, making it the better choice for NAS, Plex, and home lab expansion. The Archer C80 wins on functionality because it combines router, Wi‑Fi, guest network, and parental controls, but it only makes sense if you need those extra capabilities.