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Best HDMI Switchers

Updated June 2022
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Philips 4 Device HDMI Switch
Philips
4 Device HDMI Switch
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Philips HDMI Switch is easily the best model for connecting the latest game consoles and streaming devices to your 4K display.

Pros

Features 4 HDMI ports. User-friendly remote control. Optimized for 4K UHD content, HD audio and lower video resolutions. Easy to set up. Durable. Compact design.

Cons

A fairly pricey HDMI switcher.

Best Bang for the Buck
GANA 3 Port 4K HDMI Switch
GANA
3 Port 4K HDMI Switch
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A solid and straightforward product that comes at an exceptionally affordable price.

Pros

We love how easy this product is to use — just plug in your devices and you're good to go. Simply press the "Switch" button to change the devices. No extra remote that could be lost. Great value for money.

Cons

The red "Select" light can be off-putting to some users during nighttime viewing.

Dingsun 4-Port HDMI Switcher
Dingsun
4-Port HDMI Switcher
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

This inexpensive HDMI switcher stands apart for its ability to stream multiple devices to two separate displays at once.

Pros

Features 4 HDMI inputs and 2 output ports. Especially affordable. Simple remote control. Picture-in-picture mode. Auto switch mode. Fast setup.

Cons

Does not support HDMI 2.0 cables.

Kinivo 301BN HDMI Switch
Kinivo
301BN HDMI Switch
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User-friendly
Bottom Line

If you would enjoy the convenience of having an HDMI switcher automatically display your devices as you power them on, this model is a must-have.

Pros

Affordable. Features 3 HDMI ports. Optimized for 4K and 3D content. Simple setup. Features automatic and manual HDMI switching options. Includes remote.

Cons

No manual off button for this HDMI switcher.

C2G HDMI Switch
C2G
HDMI Switch
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

This fairly priced HDMI switcher is the best model if you have many devices and a single 1080p display.

Pros

Models with 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 HDMI ports available. Convenient remote control. Optimized for Full HD content. Slim design. Simple setup. Auto-switch functionality. Inexpensive.

Cons

Does not support 4K devices.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

62
Models
Considered
85
Consumers
Consulted
12
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best hdmi switchers

As technology advances, our entertainment sources keep multiplying. Where you once had a single cable box, you now may have a Blu-ray player, Roku box, Fire Stick, and multiple gaming units. While the number of devices you own grows, the number of HDMI inputs on your television does not. Perhaps you’ve been playing musical chairs with your HDMI input for a while. You’ve popped your popcorn, dimmed the lights, and settled down to enjoy a movie only to find the wrong component is plugged in. Or maybe your child broke a cable trying to plug in a gaming system. It’s time to get off the cable carousel. You need an HDMI switcher.

Simply put, an HDMI switcher expands the number of HDMI sources you can connect to your TV at once. It can help you avoid disruptions and damage. Instead of manually switching the cables between the components, you plug the cables into the inputs on the switcher. You then connect the switcher’s HDMI output to your television and select the source you want to use.

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High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is the easiest method for transmitting high-quality, uncompressed video and audio data.

Key considerations

When choosing an HDMI switcher, you need to think about your entertainment needs and habits.

Inputs

Typically, HDMI switchers offer between two and eight inputs. Units with more ports usually cost more than units with fewer inputs. However, since the point of buying an HDMI switcher is to expand your options, it might be wiser to purchase a unit with extra inputs to accommodate more components you may buy in the future.

Switching method

Different HDMI switchers toggle between sources using a handful of methods.

  • Manual: Nearly all switchers offer a manual switching method in which you push a button to change which source is being accessed. This is the most reliable method, but you still must get up from your seat to change the source.

  • Remote: Other HDMI switchers include a button on the unit and a remote control, so you can change which source is being accessed from across the room. This is more convenient, but it adds another remote to your collection to confuse or lose.

  • Automatic: Some advanced switchers sense which source device has been powered on most recently and select that HDMI source. These are admittedly the most convenient style, but the convenience comes with a higher price tag. Sometimes this feature performs as designed, but other times the source components and other factors keep it from working well.

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Did you know?
If you want to watch Blu-ray or HD DVD movies, you’ll need to buy a switcher that supports HDCP. Not all switchers support HDCP copy protection encoding. If you don’t use these devices, you won’t necessarily need a switcher that does.
STAFF
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HDMI switcher features

The type of television you have can also make a difference in which switcher you need. Virtually all consumer-ready HDMI switchers support 1080p and Dolby Digital/DTS. That said, if you plan to route the switcher’s output through a home theatre receiver rather than directly to the TV, you need to make sure it’s compatible with the system’s advanced audio format.

Compatibility: If you plan to use your switcher with an Ultra HD 4K TV and similar components, you’ll need to make sure the switcher is 4K compatible. Check to make sure the switcher supports your device’s HDMI handshake requirements, typically known as HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection) or HDCP 2.2, to get the devices to start communicating. Additionally, if your system requires signals that are HDR encoded, use 3D video, or feature other advanced styles, you’ll need an HDMI switcher that supports them.

Wireless: A handful of switchers can support wireless connectivity as well as connections to wired devices. These devices have a traditional HDMI output as well as a wireless one that sends a signal to a display. These devices are especially helpful with wall-mounted televisions or in instances where you don’t want to run cables across the room or through walls. They can also help to reduce tangled jumbles of wires. Again, convenience will cost you more, and you’ll need to be sure the switcher supports your system’s requirements.

PIP mode: Switchers equipped with picture-in-picture (PIP) mode let you see the feed from other sources without switching from the one you’re currently using. This can help you keep track of your different media options without losing the one you’re already using.

"If you’re having trouble with your HDMI components connecting, check your universal remote. Some turn on all components at once, which can interfere with the TV’s connection with the source you want. Make sure you’re only turning on one component at a time."
STAFF
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HDMI switcher prices

Prices of HDMI switchers vary greatly depending on the number of inputs and the formats supported.

Inexpensive

Budget switchers cost about $10. At this price, switchers can generally handle two or three sources and support 1080p. Some support HDTV 4K and a few other options.

Mid-range

These switchers cost between $20 and $30. Switchers in this price range should have at least three inputs and offer automatic or remote switching options. You should expect offerings to support 4K video to at least 30Hz, Ultra HD, and possibly 3D. They may not support all HDCP options.

Expensive

Higher-end HDMI switchers cost around $40 or more. If you’re paying this much, your switcher should have four or more ports and support a majority of video formats as well as HDCP. However, be sure to check for your specific format because the technology is always changing.

Premium

Some wireless switchers cost significantly more than $40. Remember, with these units, you’re paying for the aesthetics of wall mounting and fewer cables, as well as the convenience of not securing cables across the room or mounting them in your walls.

Tips

  • If you’re an Apple TV user, be aware that its “always-on” function interferes with some HDMI switcher auto-sensors. You may need to check carefully or be prepared to select sources manually or use a remote.

  • Some switchers don’t receive enough power to operate when only one source is turned on. If you’re having problems, turn on another device or two that are connected to the source.

  • If you’re specifically looking for a switcher that offers PIP, be sure to check the window sizes. Some PIPs practically split the screen into dual panes, while others make the secondary window much smaller. Select the one that best meets your needs.

  • When setting up your switcher, put it in a place where all the components feeding into it can reach it, such as the middle of an entertainment center.

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If you were playing “musical cables” before buying a switcher, don’t forget that you’ll now need a dedicated HDMI cable for each component.

FAQ

Q. I’m thinking about replacing my old television with a smart TV. Will I still need multiple HDMI ports?

A. Probably. One of the main selling points of a smart TV is that it can stream content through its internet connection as an alternative to using multiple devices. It might cut down on the number of cables you need, but it probably won’t eliminate your Blu-ray player or gaming systems, which all connect through HDMI cables. When you’re shopping, either buy a TV with the number of HDMI inputs you think you’ll need, or get a switcher that’s compatible with your new TV.

Q. If I buy a device that automatically switches sources, do I really need a remote, too?

A. We recommend it. While many HDMI switchers are designed to detect power and signals, in reality, it doesn’t always work. Some switchers can’t get enough power to operate if only one source is turned on, so a second source needs to be powered up, which can interfere with the sensors. Apple TV’s “always-on” feature is notorious for complicating things. Without a remote, you could be left getting up and toggling the switcher manually, one of the problems you were trying to avoid when you bought the unit.

Q. Is there any foolproof way to make sure I get a switcher that supports all my media?

A. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way other than carefully checking the specs. Every TV, sound, and theatre system is slightly different in its technology, signals, and inputs. The answers aren’t always intuitive. To save yourself a headache, hours of troubleshooting, and possible return costs, make sure what you buy is fully compatible before completing the purchase.

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