The Best HDMI Switchers of 2024 (original) (raw)

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Don't let your TV limit your port selection

Updated on February 15, 2024

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One of the most annoying things about TVs is the limited number of ports for streaming boxes and game consoles. An HDMI switcher lets several devices share the same cable with your TV, adding more ports.

Be sure to get a switch that supports the highest resolution you'll need. The two main options are HD, which is a little cheaper, and 4K, also known as ultra HD, which gives a sharper picture.

Pros

Cons

The ability to connect multiple devices to one display is the biggest draw of an HDMI switch, and the Kinivo 550BN handles this task reliably. It is designed with power users in mind and supports up to five HDMI inputs for a single output. We tested it for weeks with a BenQ HT3550 4K projector, and it was a match made in heaven.

The Kinivo does come with some cable management issues. Since all the ports are lined up along one side, organizing the cables is hard. That said, it's simple and pleasant to use, and competitively priced.

Input/Output Ports: 5/1 | HDMI Standard: 2.0 | Remote/Voice Operation: Remote

Lifewire / Emily Ramirez

Pros

Zettaguard Upgraded 4K 60Hz 4x1 HDMI Switcher Review

If you're looking for a thoughtfully designed HDMI switcher with a premium look and feel, the Zettaguard 4K is worth some consideration. Our reviewer tested it for weeks and thought the 4K content she streamed on her PC looked great, with the HDR coloring making the videos pop.

The Zettaguard 4K could've been our top pick. The picture-in-picture (PiP) preview mode alone almost had us, but the switcher is held back by having only four inputs and no HDMI audio splitter. The included remote has a dedicated PiP button that lets you view all active inputs simultaneously and a button for each HDMI input.

Input/Output Ports: 4/1 | HDMI Standard: 2.0 | Remote/Voice Operation: Remote

Lifewire / Emily Ramirez

Pros

Cons

Sometimes, three inputs are enough. We like the Newcare HDMI switch, but it is limited. You do pay less, sure, but with so few inputs (on opposite sides again, grrr) and the lack of a remote, this switch is best for smaller systems and small budgets. If that’s you, you won’t have any trouble with it.

Input/Output Ports: 3/1 | HDMI Standard: 2.0 | Remote/Voice Operation: None

Pros

Cons

One of the more common uses of an HDMI switcher is picture-in-picture, allowing you to watch two video sources simultaneously. If PiP functionality is a must for you, but 4K isn't, we can recommend the Orei HD-201P.

This switcher excels at advanced PiP (again, only in HD and specifically the 1080p/1080i formats) and supports a whole bunch of advanced audio formats, so if you've got a home cinema setup, you're good to go, with support for PCM2, 5.1, and 7.1 surround sound, Dolby 5.1, and DTS 5.1. This is another niche product, but like above, we're glad it's available.

Input/Output Ports: 2/1 | HDMI Standard: 2.0 | Remote/Voice Operation: Remote

Pros

Cons

This box has eight inputs and a single output to accommodate the largest home and professional theater setups.

If you need a lot of inputs, you'll have to deal with 1080p/1080i output. For the price, we'd like to see 4K support, especially today. But, with eight inputs, it's about the only game in town (and the only one we recommend).

Input/Output Ports: 8/1 | HDMI Standard: 1.4 | Remote/Voice Operation: Remote

Lifewire / Emily Ramirez

What to Look For in an HDMI Switcher

Output Resolution

HDMI switchers available for consumers are at least 1080p and Dolby Digital/DTS compatible.

If you have a 4K Ultra HD TV and 4K source components, the switcher must also be 4K compatible. If you need to pass HDR-encoded or 3D video signals, your HDMI switcher must have those capabilities.

Key Features

All HDMI switchers pass standard Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround audio signals.

If you are routing the output of your HDMI switcher through a home theater receiver that provides decoding for advanced audio formats, such as Dolby TrueHD, Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS:X, make sure that your HDMI switcher is compatible.

The switcher must also support HDMI handshake requirements implemented via the HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection) or HDCP 2.2 for 4K devices protocol between source devices and the TV or video projector. This is important when switching between devices, as there is a temporary break in the handshake until the newly selected device locks in with a new handshake.

HDMI Splitters

You can use an HDMI switcher with two HDMI outputs to send the same HDMI signal to two TVs or a video projector and TV, but you can use an HDMI splitter if you don't need a switcher.

HDMI splitters that send two, three, four, or more signals from a single HDMI source are available, but for consumers, two is usually enough. Splitters with more outputs are primarily for business and commercial use, where one source needs to be sent to multiple TVs or projectors.

Splitters can be powered or passive (no power needed). It is best to use powered splitters to avoid handshake or signal loss issues. The splitter must also be compatible with the video and audio signals you may need to pass through. Just as with a switcher, if one video display device is a lower resolution than the other, the output for both may default to a lower resolution.

Lifewire / Emily Ramirez

Using a Home Theater Receiver as an HDMI Switcher or Splitter

Another option to consider that can add more HDMI inputs for TV viewing sources is a home theater receiver. Low-priced home theater receivers usually provide four HDMI inputs. As you go up in price, you will find receivers with up to six or eight HDMI inputs and two or three outputs, allowing you to connect to more than one TV or a TV and video projector similar to a splitter.

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