For small businesses and home offices, running out of Ethernet ports on a router is a common bottleneck. The Engadget guide notes that a cheap device—typically an unmanaged network switch—can expand the number of wired connections without needing to upgrade the router itself. This is a practical, low-cost alternative to buying a more expensive router with more ports.
The switch plugs into one of the router's existing Ethernet ports and then provides several additional ports for computers, printers, or other wired devices. Because the setup is essentially plug-and-play, it avoids downtime and technical overhead. The source does not mention any downsides, but it implies that performance depends on the switch's speed rating, so buyers should match it to their network's capabilities.
From a business perspective, this is a budget-friendly way to extend network capacity, especially for temporary setups or offices that don't need managed network features. The key takeaway is that you don't need to replace core infrastructure to solve a simple port shortage—a small investment in a switch can do the job.