Our experts recommend buying the Kinivo 550BN HDMI switcher if you need an HDMI switcher but don’t want to get bogged down in the finer points: It has the appropriate price, the correct number of inputs, and it really just works.
The lack of connectors on TVs to connect devices like streaming boxes and gaming consoles is among their most bothersome features. By allowing many devices to share a single connection to your TV, an HDMI switcher circumvents this and adds more ports.
When purchasing, it’s important to make sure that the switch you choose can support the highest resolution you’ll want. The two primary choices are HD, which is slightly less expensive, and 4K, commonly referred to as ultra HD and offers a clearer image.
Kinivo 550BN HDMI Switch, Best Overall
550BN HDMI Switch by Kinivo
What We Enjoy
5 inputs, 1 output
offers 4K image support
integrated remote
Things We Dislike
No PIP
Port location
The main appeal of an HDMI switch is its ability to connect numerous devices to a single display, and the Kinivo 550BN does this job well. It can accommodate up to five HDMI inputs for a single output, making it ideal for power users. It seemed like a match made in heaven as our reviewer Emily Ramirez used it for weeks with a BenQ HT3550 4K projector.
There are various cable management concerns with the Kinivo. It’s challenging to arrange the wires in a visually appealing way because all of the ports are lined up along one side. Having said that, it’s easy to use, enjoyable to use, and reasonably priced.
5/1 Input/Output Ports, HDMI 2.0 Standard, Remote Voice Operation
How We Tested
The Kinivio 550BN has a lot of functionality but is not particularly appealing. It has automatic switching, supports Dolby digital encoding, and can display 4K at 60Hz. Even a two-year warranty is included.
However, it lacks an integrated HDMI splitter, so if your sound system is independent of your display, you must utilize a third-party solution. The Kinivo 550BN fulfills its promises overall.
Although the time it takes to switch between inputs isn’t particularly quick, the videos played without any issues. Similar to other seamless experiences, playing games involved no discernible lag between controller input and the screen. — Product tester Emily Ramirez
550BN HDMI Switch by Kinivo
by Emily Ramirez for Lifewire
Best 4K HDMI Switcher for Power Users: Zettaguard
4.8
Switcher Zettaguard 4K HDMI
What We Enjoy
PiP, but merely a sneak peek
allows for 4K picture quality
good structure
every port in the back
Things We Dislike
Audio cannot be divided
The Zettaguard 4K is a smartly made HDMI switcher with a high-end look and feel that is worth taking into account. The 4K content our reviewer viewed on her PC for weeks looked fantastic, with the HDR colors truly making the films shine.
Our preferred choice might have been the Zettaguard 4K. We almost bought the switcher just for the picture-in-picture (PiP) preview mode, but there are only four inputs, and there is no HDMI audio splitter. Along with a button for each HDMI input, the accompanying remote contains a dedicated PiP button that allows you to view all active inputs at once.
Also Read: How to Mirror iPhone to Tv without Any Hurdle!
4/1 Input/Output Ports, HDMI 2.0 Standard, Remote Voice Operation
How We Tested
A reliable contender in the HDMI switcher market is the Zettaguard Upgraded 4K 60Hz 4×1 HDMI Switcher. The installation is simple, the chassis is plain and durable, and the aid of the strategically positioned port in wire management.
The switcher’s time to switch inputs was roughly nine seconds, placing it in the middle of the tested items. Thanks to an 18Gbps transfer speed, video games are played without any discernible lag. — Product tester Emily Ramirez
Switcher Zettaguard 4K HDMI
by Emily Ramirez for Lifewire
Newcare HDMI Switch 3-In-1 Has the Best Price
3 in 1 CARE HDMI Switch
What We Enjoy
enables 4K video
cord HDMI included
Things We Dislike
opposite sides for the input and output
three sources
Not everyone needs to connect a lot of gadgets. Occasionally, three inputs are sufficient. The Newcare HDMI switch is good, but it has certain limitations. Although it costs less, this switch is best suited for smaller systems and budgets because it has so few inputs (again, on opposing sides, grrr). If that describes you, you won’t struggle with it.
Three input/output ports, an HDMI 2.0 standard, and no voice or remote control functionality.
Best 4K 60 Hz Matrix Switch for Multiple Displays: Cable Matters
Matrix Switch 4K 60 Hz by Cable Matters
What We Enjoy
2 outputs and 4 inputs
3.5mm (a headphone jack) and optical audio inputs are both available.
Things We Dislike
Bad included remote
There aren’t many options available if you need four inputs and two outputs for a multi-monitor configuration. But the one we’d choose is the Cable Matters 4K 60 Hz Matrix Switch. It even supports audio switching and the appropriate protocols. Although it is somewhat specialized, we are happy that it exists.
Also Read: FireStick Not Working: Check out The Best Ways to Fix This Issue
4/2 Input/Output Ports, HDMI 2.0 Standard, Remote Voice Operation
Orei HD-201P 2 X 1 High Speed Has the Best Picture-In-Picture Quality
High-Speed 2 X 1 Orei HD-201P
What We Enjoy
encompassing distant
Four possibilities for PiP size
Things We Dislike
No auto-off feature
can be perplexing
not compatible with 4K
The ability to simultaneously view two video streams is one of the most popular uses of an HDMI switcher. We can suggest the Orei HD-201P if PiP capability is a must-have for you but 4K resolution is not.
If you have a home theatre setup, you’re good to go because this switcher excels at advanced PiP (again, only in HD and especially the 1080p/1080i formats) and supports a tonne of advanced audio formats, including PCM2, 5.1, and 7.1 surround sound, Dolby 5.1, and DTS 5.1. The availability of this specialty product, like those mentioned before, makes us happy.
2/1 Input/Output Ports, HDMI 2.0 Standard, Remote Voice Operation
IOGEAR 8-Port HDMI Switch Is the Best for 1080p
8-Port HDMI Switch by IOGEAR
B&H Photograph
Visit B&H Photo and Video
What We Enjoy
eight sources
a remote control
Things We Dislike
Pricey
not compatible with 4K
Some professional and home theatre setups need more input. For the larger systems, this box has eight inputs and a single output.
You will have to deal with 1080p/1080i output if you must have numerous inputs. We’d like to see 4K support for the price, especially in this day and age. However, with only eight inputs, it is essentially the only option (and the only one we recommend).
8/1 input/output ports; HDMI 1.4 standard; voice operation via remote
Also Read: 4k Video Downloader: Download in Finest Quality on One Platform for All the Formats
Final Conclusion
In general, we adore the Kinivo 550BN (view on Amazon). It is compact and unobtrusive, has five inputs and one output, and supports almost every format. If you store the unit in a setup, it also comes with a very handy remote for simple switching.
In the absence of the Kinivo, pick up the Zettaguard 4K HDMI switcher (view at Amazon). Although it lacks one port, it is generally just as reliable as the Kinivo (and thanks to its rear ports, an overall neater product). It is also less expensive.
550BN HDMI Switch by Kinivo
by Emily Ramirez for Lifewire
The Qualities of an HDMI Switcher
According to Christian Young, Pro AV Product Manager at ATEN Technology, Inc., “Home customers typically need two to four ports, but they can go up to an 8-port switch depending on the number of sources they want to connect to a display.”
Output Clarity
Consumer-level HDMI switchers are at least 1080p capable and Dolby Digital/DTS compliant.
When using a 4K Ultra HD TV and 4K source equipment, the switcher must likewise support 4K. Your HDMI switcher must support HDR-encoded and/or 3D video signals if you need to pass those signals.
Christian Young, Pro AV Product Manager, ATEN Technology, Inc. “Image quality should not be affected by the HDMI switchers because the source is digital. If the image quality is diminished, it can be ascribed to a faulty connection, damaged cables, or to the quality of the switcher.”
HDMI switchers typically include a remote control for more convenient source selection and plug into an AC power source. Some HDMI switchers additionally feature HDMI-CEC, enabling them to switch to the most recently active device’s right input automatically.
Key Elements
All HDMI switchers, as mentioned above, pass standard Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround audio signals, but if you are routing the output of the switcher through a home theatre receiver (instead of going directly to the TV), you need to make sure that your HDMI switcher is compatible with advanced audio formats like Dolby TrueHD, Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS:X.
The switcher must also handle the HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection) or HDCP 2.2 for 4K devices protocols used for the handshake between source devices and the TV or projector. When switching between devices, this is crucial since the handshake will temporarily break until the newly chosen device locks in with a new handshake.
HDMI Dividers
Want to deliver the same HDMI signal to two TVs, a video projector, and a TV but don’t require an HDMI switcher for that? As was already said, if an HDMI switcher with two HDMI outputs is not necessary, an HDMI splitter can be used instead.
Although there are HDMI splitters that can transfer two, three, four, or more signals from a single HDMI source, for most people, two is plenty. For business and commercial applications, splitters with several outputs are typically used when one source needs to be delivered to several TVs or projectors.
There are powered and passive splitters (no power needed). In order to eliminate handshake or signal loss difficulties, powered splitters are recommended. The splitter must also work with any audio and video signals that you might need to pass through.
The output for both devices may by default use the lower resolution if one video display device has a lower resolution than the other, just like with a switcher.
Upgraded 4K 60Hz 4×1 HDMI Switcher by Zettaguard
by Emily Ramirez for Lifewire
Switching Or Splitting HDMI With A Home Theater Receiver
A home theatre receiver is an additional choice to take into account that might add more HDMI inputs for TV viewing sources.
Four HDMI inputs are typically included in low-cost home theatre receivers, but when you pay more, you can find receivers with up to six or eight HDMI inputs and two or three outputs, allowing you to connect to multiple TVs or a TV and a video projector similarly to a splitter.
Also Read: Google Tv vs Android Tv: What Is the Difference Between It and Which Should You Buy for 2022
FAQ
An HDMI switcher: what is it?
The most widely used audio/video connector is HDMI. TVs, however, might only have one or two HDMI inputs.
There might not be enough HDMI inputs if you need to connect a number of HDMI-equipped source devices to your tvs, such as an upscaling DVD/Blu-ray/Ultra HD Blu-ray player, cable/satellite box, media streamer, and game console. However, don’t get concerned.
Consider purchasing an external HDMI switcher to make up the difference rather than purchasing a new TV solely to add more HDMI inputs.
Will the Image Quality Suffer if I Use An HDMI switcher?
Even with the addition of a switcher, HDMI is digital transmission and won’t deteriorate in the same manner as earlier analog connections. If you notice a significant decline in signal quality, the cause could be a faulty signal coming from your switcher or a broken cable.
What Distinguishes an HDMI Switch from An HDMI splitter?
While an HDMI splitter transmits a single signal to many panels, an HDMI switch allows you to choose between inputs sent to a single screen.
Can a 4K Signal Be Sent Over An HDMI Switch?
Yes, you can transmit a 4K broadcast without any quality loss as long as your HDMI cable and switcher support HDMI 2.0.
About Our Reliable Consultants
Since 2019, Emily Ramirez has been a writer for Lifewire. She has a background in media and narrative design and has written for the MIT Game Lab and the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute. She has a large family of gaming, TV, and audio equipment, and she really loved the Knivo 550BN for its dependability and five high-speed HDMI connectors.
The Benefit of the Doud podcast, which evaluates and discusses popular technology, was created and is hosted by Adam Doud, a writer in the technology field who has been writing professionally for almost ten years.
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