5 HDMI Switches Perfect for Gaming Consoles & HD Displays

Looking for a way to connect all your devices to one TV without going through the constant struggle of plugging and unplugging different cables? An HDMI switch is the best option for you. HDMI manages all different devices with one single switch, offering a highly effective and extremely reliable device management solution to fulfill your needs. This blog shares the 5 best HDMI switches that fit every purpose without costing a fortune!

What is an HDMI Switch

An HDMI switch is an all-in-one hub to connect and stream different HDMI sources, such as gaming consoles and online streams, on a single screen. You can switch between the sources via remote control without the need to change wires and cables every time you leave the stream and set up gameplay. It helps you expand the device capabilities within a single television or monitor. 

Whether you want to switch from 4K resolution to 8K or change your device from streaming to gameplay, an  HDMI switch can help ensure a smooth transition from one device to another with just a single button. You can plug in multiple devices at once and then drift along the options without the need to change plugs and switches.

HDMI Switch vs Splitter | Which one do you need?

People often become confused with a switch and splitter. However, they are different in purposes. An HDMI switch box lets you connect multiple devices on a single TV, whereas an HDMI splitter allows you to split and run multiple HDMIs to multiple televisions. People often become confused between switch and splitter; however, these two options offer completely opposite solutions and can’t be used as interchangeable devices. 

If you want to experience multiple devices streaming on a single device, the HDMI switch is the best option for you; however, if you want to display one HDMI to multiple televisions, choose the HDMI splitter.

C2G41604 – C2G 4-Port HDMI Switch 4K 60Hz

Finding a high-quality switch brand at affordable prices that smoothly streamlines upgraded devices is a lot more difficult these days. The C2G41604 HDMI Switch is the best option that fulfills your requirements without breaking the bank. C2G HDMI ports provide up to 4K resolution at 60 Hz. It is in compliance with HDMI 2.0 as well as HDMI 2.2.

Specifications: 

Brand: C2G

Number of Ports

• 4 port HDMI 

Resolution Support:  

• 4k 60Hz
• HDMI 2.0 compliant
• HDCP 2.2 compliant 
• Condition: New

Year of Warranty: C2G – 5 Years warranty

VS381B – Aten 3 Port True HDMI Switch 4K 

If you are looking for a multiple-device compatible HDMI switch, then the VS381B Aten 3-port HDMI is one of the best HDMI switches for you. With the help of a single switch, you can seamlessly switch between three HDMI devices of 4K resolutions. It fully supports ultra-HD Blu-ray plays and provides a smooth, high-quality streaming experience. VS381B Aten 3-port HDMI offers an easy transition from devices without requiring additional software or drivers. Its compact design enables you to keep your room while enjoying the experience of multiple HDMI devices on a single television. 

Specifications

Brand: Aten

Connector Type: HDMI

Number of ports: 3 HDMI Ports

Resolution Support: 

• 4096 x 2160 / 3840 x 2160 60 Hz
• HDR10+ supported 
• HDCP 2.2 Compliant
• Dolby Vision supported 

207416 – Manhattan – Strategic 2-Port Switch W/Cable 

207146 Manhattan Strategic is a 2-port HDMI switch box made for compact device control. It can connect two of your high-definition HDMI devices to a single television, supporting HD resolution and 3D videos. This switch is capable enough to expand device connectivity to HDTV, video projector, as well as flat display. You can perfectly enjoy the gaming experience, satellite receivers, set-up boxes, and a lot more on a single device. The switch comes with a cable and can automatically detect and select the active HDMI sources. You can also manually select the source if you prefer. When more than one HDMI source is detected, it will automatically transition to manual mode for device selection.

Specifications:

Brand:  Manhattan 

Number of ports: 2 HDMI Ports

Resolution Support: 1080p, 3D/Video

• HDCP 1.0, 1.1 compliant
• HDMI 1.3b compliant

Audio Support:  LPCM, Dolby True HD Audio, DTS-HD Master 

Warranty: 3 years warranty

VS221HD20 – StarTech VAC 2-Port HDMI 4K 60Hz

The VS221HD20 HDMI Switch Box is specially designed by Startech to offer a screen resolution of up to 4K 60Hz. There are many switches available in the market that support 4K resolutions but work only at 30 Hz at a refreshing rate; however, this Startech VAC 2-port leverages the latest technology to offer full support of 4K resolution. It is also backward compatible with 1080p displays, making it highly compatible with recent and old gaming consoles, set-up boxes, and satellite receivers.

You can use the VS221HD20 2-port switch with both manual supports using the IR-Remote control or toggle switch available in the front panel of the device. 

Specifications: 

Brand:  Startech 

Number of ports: 2 HDMI Ports

Resolution Support: 3840x2160p at 60 Hz

• HDMI 2.0 Compliant
• HDCP 2.2 Compliant 

Audio Support:  LPCM, Dolby True HD Audio, DTS-HD Master 

Warranty: 2 years warranty, Free lifetime technical support. 

Control Panel: Automatic + IR Remote control + Button 

GHSW8441 – IOGEAR 4-Port Switch W/4K 60Hz

IOGEAR is a four-port HDMI switch box that offers a smooth transition from one device to another. It is 100% compatible with Blu-ray media players and satellite receivers. It can provide uncompressed audio and screen resolution up to 4096×2160 at 60 Hz. GHSW8441IOGEAR HDMI uses 4:4:4 chroma subsampling that effectively transports both luminance and color data entirely. The HDMI is capable of switching between multiple devices automatically as well as manually, as you prefer. You can set it up on automatic with the switch mode auto-cycle and use the IR remote control for manual transition. The simplest option is still the front panel button.

Specifications:

Number of ports: 4 0HDMI Input Ports

Resolution Support: 4k 4096 x 2160 at 60Hz 

• HDMI 2.0 Output
• HDCP 2.2 Compliant 

Audio Support:  Dolby True HD Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio

Warranty: 1-year limited warranty

Control Switch: Automatic + IR Remote control + Front Control Button 

Comparison Chart of Best HDMI Switches

Conclusion:

An HDMI switch box can make everything convenient when you need to switch between devices and swap cables every time you need to stream a video or play a game. However, if you are looking for more features in less budget, this blog shares the best options for high-quality HDMI switches. When planning to buy an HDMI, check for your requirements. Be clear about the number of ports you need in a switch, expected resolution, and device compatibility. Then go for the cheapest options for HDMI with greater features.

FAQ’s 

How do I use HDMI Switch?

Connect one end of your HDMI cable to the HDMI port in your television and the other end to the bottom of the dock labeled “HDMI UT.” Then connect the switch to the power supply. If switch HDMI not working, then check the cable connection or a different port. 

What to know before buying HDMI cable?

Before buying an HDMI cable, make sure you have the same connector type as in your HDMI device. Check the display resolution and cable wire length, and check the compatibility if you need it for a special case, such as installing the cable through the wall.

How to check if my HDMI cable is 4K or 8K?

You have to check the HDMI switch 4k performance via the bandwidth and speed rating. The bandwidth should be 18 Gpbs in order to support 4k video. In addition to that, if it is labeled as “High Speed” it must provide 4k signals up to at least three meters. Make sure the package contains an official label of HDMI.org. 

What is an HDMI KVM Switch?

If you need to control multiple computers/monitors, you can function all of them with a single mouse, keyboard, or monitor with the help of an HDMI KVM switch.