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The HDMI ARC port on the back of a component.

The 7 best HDMI switchers for 2024

Running out of HDMI ports on your TV or AV receiver? Not a problem. Consider adding one of the best HDMI switchers to your home theater to gain more inputs.
Sling TV app icon on Apple TV.

Best Sling TV deals: Save 50% off your first month and more

Sling TV is a great way to replace your cable subscription with an online live TV streaming service. Here are the best ways to save money on a new plan.
sling tv march madness 2024 ncaa basketball lead image

Sling TV has 46 March Madness games, and it’s $40 off

March Madness woes? Those that prepay for four months of Sling Blue service now will be able to save $40 over the course of those months, or $10 per month.
AKG N5005 in-ear headphones man wearing them on a couch relaxing
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These AKG in-ear headphones from Harman are 84% off today

This AKG in-ear headphones deal may just be one of the best we've seen in a long while, dropping their price by 84%. You have until the end of March to buy.
Five Star's Yagi antenna will let you take aim at broadcasting stations near and far.

The 6 best TV antennas for rural areas in 2024

The best TV antennas for rural areas have a lot of range, can handle rough weather, and are able to get the most channels. Here are our top picks for you.
Multiview on YouTube TV on an iPad.

YouTube TV just got even better on iPhones and iPads

You can now watch up to four shows at once in multivew with YouTube TV on iPhone and iPad. Just try not to burn out on all the cable news .
The Samsung 75-inch LED 4K Smart TV on a media cabinet.

Run — don’t walk — and buy this 75-inch Samsung TV while it’s $550

The 75-inch Samsung TU690T 4K TV is down to an affordable price of $550 from Best Buy, but you need to hurry with your purchase if you don't want to miss out.
The LG CineBeam Q projector.

LG sweetens the deal on its new CineBeam Q projector

LG is throwing in a free portable speaker and a $200 gift card if you preorder its new CineBeam Q projector by April 8.
A couple watches TV with a Sonos surround set with Arc wireless soundbar set up.

Best Sonos deals: Save $360 on speakers, soundbars and more

Right now you can save big on one of the best brands in the audio business with the the best Sonos deals on soundbars, Bluetooth speakers, and more.
samsung galaxy buds 2 pro review 12

Samsung Galaxy Buds deals: As low as $90 today

We've tracked down all of the best Samsung Galaxy Buds deals to help you save on a new set of earbuds for your favorite music and other digital content.
An Apple TV 4K sits on a media stand.

Best Apple TV deals: Save on the Apple TV 4K and more

These Apple TV deals will make the Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, Apple TV (3rd Gen), and even Apple TV (2nd Gen) a little lighter on the bank account.
Sony WF-1000XM5 in charging case with lid open, held between a finger and thumb.

Best wireless earbuds for 2024: Sony, Bose, Soundcore, and more

Looking for the best wireless earbuds, but overwhelmed by all of the choices? We've tried tons of them so you don't have to — here are the models we recommend.
The ESPN app featured on Roku.

ESPN’s standalone subscription could hit $30, receive preference on Roku

A new report says the standalone ESPN subscription set to be available in 2025 may cost between $25 and $30 and could get preferential treatment on Roku.
God of War running on the LG UltraGear OLED 45.

TV vs. monitor for gaming: 5 things you need to know

TVs and monitors are used by gamers, but which is best for you? The old wisdom of using a TV for a console and a monitor for a PC holds true today. Here's why.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Earcup/logo close-up.

The best wireless headphones for 2024 from Bose, Sony, 1More and more

Can you get great sound quality and wireless freedom in the same set of headphones? Absolutely. These are the best wireless headphones you can buy right now.
A single Kanto Ora Reference Desktop Speaker laying horizontally.

Best wireless speakers for 2024: Sonos, JBL, KEF, and more

Whether by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the best wireless speakers should sound great and last a long time. Here’s a few of our favorite wire-free speakers for 2024.
Ifi Go Bar Kensei.

Ifi says its latest portable DAC restores the missing quality in digital audio

Ifi's latest portable headphone DAC/amp uses Japanese tech inside and out for better audio and robustness.
Fire TV Omni QLED Series with widgets.

The best 4K TVs under $500: premium picture on a budget

You don’t have to spend more than $500 to get a great 4K TV, especially if you’re buying a smaller set. Here’s five of our favorite 4K models for under $500.
You Asked Ep 28

You Asked: tone mapping, bad Blu-ray players, mini-LED vs. microLED, and TCL X955

How do brightness and tone mapping affect SDR content? Why aren't all Blu-ray players created equal? Whatever happened to the TCL X955?
Plex logo screen.

Plex tells users that VR apps are going away

Plex has no plans to create apps for the Quest or the Apple Vision Pro, and now its existing VR apps are losing official support.
LG's 2023 C3 4K OLED TV.

This 77-inch LG C3 OLED TV is $400 off at Best Buy

Go big with your home theater and save big with this deal on the 77-inch LG C3 Series 4K OLED TV.
Apple AirPods Pro Second Gen charging case with USB-C and charging case with Lightning.

How to replace lost or broken AirPods, AirPods Pro, or cases

Damaged or missing AirPods is something no one wants to face, but fortunately, there are a few ways you can go about getting your earbuds fixed or replaced.
The Insignia 50-inch F30 Series 4K Smart Fire TV hangs in a living room.

Amazon is practically giving away this 50-inch 4K TV — now $210

Get a new screen on a tight budget by taking advantage of Amazon's $90 discount for the 50-inch Insignia F30 Series 4K TV, which lowers its price to just $210.
Vizio V-Series TVs in family room with smart TV on.

Hurry! This 65-inch 4K TV just had its price slashed to $348

The 65-inch Vizio V-Series 4K TV, which offers 4K Ultra HD resolution and access to streaming services through the SmartCast platform, is $180 off on Walmart.
Man watching NFL on Dish.
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DirecTV Customer? Switch to Dish and get a $300 gift card

If you're currently a DirecTV customer, you get a $300 gift card when you switch to Dish and use code DTV2DISH. Get $100 more for using their internet service.
A hand points a remote at a TV display a Netflix logo screen.

How to log out of Netflix on a TV

Is it time to sign out of your Netflix account? We’ve assembled this step-by-step guide to walk you through the logout process.
Sonos Move 2 in white, sitting on charging base.

Sonos sale: Up to 20% off speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers

With these Sonos deals taking place at Best Buy right now you can add some premium audio to your home theater or portable audio setups at a discount.
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LG’s stylish CineBeam Q projector changes name, hits the U.S. in April

The LG CineBeam Q has dropped the Qube from its name and goes up for pre-order this month before its U.S. release in April. There's still no price, though.
Pete Distad, CEO of the new sports streaming service from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Former Apple exec joins upcoming sports streaming service as CEO

Pete Distad, who most recently ran video and sports for Apple, will be at the helm of the new joint venture sports streaming service when it launches in 2024.
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in silver.

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are back at their Black Friday price

The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones are available for their Black Friday 2023 price of $328 on Crutchfield, but the $70 discount probably won't last long.
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Apple’s AirPods Pro earbuds are back at their cheapest-ever price

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C are at their lowest-ever price of $189 on Amazon. These wireless earbuds offer active noise cancellation and spatial audio.
JBL Xtreme 2 on a beach.

This JBL waterproof Bluetooth speaker is 43% off right now

The JBL Xtreme 2 is a portable Bluetooth speaker with a rugged design and a 15-hour battery life. It's available from Best Buy for $200 after a $150 discount,
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Sony still makes Walkmans, and two models are discounted today

Hate taking your phone everywhere? Buy a Sony Walkman in the Crutchfield sale and enjoy hi-res sound wherever you go.
The Hisense U7K on a TV stand.

Don’t miss your chance to get this 85-inch 4K TV for $700

Upgrade your home theater setup with a massive screen by taking advantage of Best Buy's offer for the 85-inch Hisense A7 Series 4K TV, which is down to $700.
Section Editor, Audio/Video
Kinivo 550BN HDMI Switch
Kinivo 550BN 4K/60Hz HDMI Switch
Best overall HDMI switcher
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Kinivo 501BN HDMI Switch
Kinivo 501BN 4K/30Hz HDMI Switch
Best affordable HDMI switcher
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Mrocioa 5-in-1 HDMI Switcher
Mrocioa 5-in-1 HDMI Switcher
Best for future-proofing
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Roofull HDMI Switcher
Roofull Premium HDMI Switch
Best for audio compatibility
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Gana 3x1 HDMI Switche
Gana 3x1 HDMI Switch
Best budget HDMI switcher
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Zettaguard 4x1 HDMI Switcher
Zettaguard 4x1 HDMI Switch
Best with picture-in-picture support
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MTVIKI 8 Port Rack Mount HDMI Switcher
MTVIKI 8 Port Rack Mount HDMI Switcher
Best for more than six HDMI devices
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When you buy a modern TV, you'll find it will typically have at least two HDMI inputs, and may even have up to four. And you might assume that will be more than enough for your needs! But it's easy to find out that in fact, between your game consoles, streaming devices, and other inputs, you might actually need more HDMI inputs than you have on your TV.

That's not a problem - of course, you can get away with unplugging the HDMI cable from a device that you're not using and swapping it for the device you do want to use - but that's not a very elegant solution, and it can be awkward to clamber around to the back or bottom of your TV to plug things in and out. An easier and smoother solution is to use an HDMI switcher, which is a device designed to mitigate just this issue.

A typical HDMI switcher will have at least four HDMI connections, and will also have important features like automatic switching and support for 4K or even 8K devices. But if you're not familiar with HDMI switchers, the variety of options that are available can be confusing. To help you out, we've rounded up a list of the best HDMI switchers that are available right now, so you can choose one which works for you and get all of your devices hooked up to your TV with no fiddling around with cables required.

The Kinivo 550BN.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Kinivo 550BN 4K/60Hz HDMI Switch

Best overall HDMI switcher

Pros
  • Compact, unobtrusive design
  • Lithium battery powered
  • HDR and Dolby Vision support
  • Auto input switching
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Auto switching can be finicky

Kinivo's line of HDMI switchers has some of the most popular on the market, and for good reason. Measuring 4.6 inches long and 2.5 inches tall, it's a breeze to sneak the 550BN in with your existing AV components without creating wire clutter. Best of all, there's no need to factor in where to run a power cable, as the switcher itself runs off a lithium-ion battery (included). Part of Kinivo's Pro Series, the 550BN features five HDMI inputs, each rated for 4K/60Hz with a data throughput of 18Gbps. Optimized for premium UHD pass-through, the 550BN supports HDR and Dolby Vision picture codecs, as well as Dolby Atmos, making it ideal for top-tier 4K Blu-ray players, UHD-capable gaming systems, and just about any other HD component you can throw at it.

Input switching is either automatic or manual. For auto-switching, performance is based on the connected hardware. Say you want to fire up your Xbox Series X. Once you power the system, the 550BN will automatically switch to the HDMI input your system is connected to. If you prefer manual switching, you can disable auto-sensing and change inputs with the included remote. Some users have reported the switcher being a bit finicky with certain components, although the vast majority report no issues whatsoever. While it's one of the more expensive switchers on our list, you'll be hard-pressed to beat the Kinivo's reliability and audio/video codec support.

Kinivo 550BN HDMI Switch
Kinivo 550BN 4K/60Hz HDMI Switch
Best overall HDMI switcher
The Kinivo 501BN HDMI switcher.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Kinivo 501BN 4K/30Hz HDMI Switch

Best affordable HDMI switcher

Pros
  • Well-priced, high-quality switcher
  • Automatic input switching
  • Remote included
Cons
  • Slightly slower data throughput than its premium sibling
  • No Dolby Vision or HDR support

If you want a 4K switcher that gets the job done, that's high-quality, and doesn't break the bank, the Kinivo 501BN is your guy.

Featuring the same number of HDMI inputs as its older brother, the aforementioned 550BN, the Kinivo 501BN is a little cheaper than the company's flagship switcher. In terms of specs and performance, the difference here is the 501BN only supports 4K/30Hz at a slower data throughput of 10Gbps. There's also no onboard support for Dolby Vision or HDR.

Like the 550BN, input switching is either automatic (based on connected hardware) or manual through the switcher's IR remote. For only $10 less than the 550BN, you'll net yourself improved codec support, faster throughput, and future-proofed HDMI inputs if you opt for the flagship tier. But for those shopping on a strict budget or home theater owners with older HD hardware, the Kinivo 501BN may be all you need.

Kinivo 501BN HDMI Switch
Kinivo 501BN 4K/30Hz HDMI Switch
Best affordable HDMI switcher

Mrocioa 5-in-1 HDMI Switcher

Best for future-proofing

Pros
  • Delivers 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz
  • Works with Dolby Atmos
  • Includes HDMI ARC
  • Five HDMI inputs
Cons
  • Not the best remote
  • Handshake issues with certain components

The Mrocioa 5-in-1 HDMI Switcher is ideal if you need an HDMI switcher that can handle your PS5’s best picture and sound settings, and you want to be future-proofed for the 8K TV you buy in two years.

Next-gen game consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, along with flagship 4K Blu-ray players, are the kind of AV peripherals you don’t want to mess around with in terms of ports and cables. In the event that your amazing entertainment system is short on HDMI inputs, you’ll want to set your sights on the Mrocioa 5-in-1 HDMI Switcher. For around $90, it’s one of the more expensive HDMI switchers on our list, but it has performance metrics that are pretty hard to beat.

Each of the five HDMI input is not only rated to deliver 4K at up to 120Hz, but you’ll also be able to push through 8K at 60Hz. The entire switch box is built to handle Dolby Atmos sound-processing, and the first input is ARC-ready, too. On top of NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync and VRR support, you’ll also be able to control the Mrocioa with the included remote or iOS app. While some users have reported occasional glitches with the device (when trying to integrate older gaming systems), in most cases, a quick reset seems to put things in order.

Mrocioa 5-in-1 HDMI Switcher
Mrocioa 5-in-1 HDMI Switcher
Best for future-proofing
The Roofull HDMI Switcher and its remote control.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Roofull Premium HDMI Switch

Best for audio compatibility

Pros
  • Dolby Vision, HDCP, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X support
  • Backward compatible
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Requires a power connection
  • Remote design is clunky

This five-port HDMI switcher by Roofull is HDMI 2.0 compliant with backward compatibility for all older HDMI protocols. While 2.0 is still one of the most common standards, there's a chance you may need to replace the switcher if you plan on re-outfitting your AV rack with HDMI 2.1 components. With that in mind, the Roofull's five inputs are each rated for 4K/60Hz with a throughput of 18Gbps. Component switching is handled by auto-sensing or manual operation (remote or Switch button on the unit).

Featuring onboard support for Dolby Vision, HDCP, as well as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and most other Dolby and DTS audio codecs, the Roofull's performance and compatibility more than match its $40 price tag. The only drawback we can think of is the unit does require a physical power connection, so consider that if your home theater room is running out of electrical outlets. If that's big trouble, you could also consider one of these surge protectors.

Roofull HDMI Switcher
Roofull Premium HDMI Switch
Best for audio compatibility
The Gana 3:1 HDMI Switcher.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Gana 3x1 HDMI Switch

Best budget HDMI switcher

Pros
  • No-nonsense, well-built switcher
  • HDMI cable built-in
  • No power cable needed
Cons
  • Date throughput is lacking
  • Manual switching and no remote

You should buy the Gana 3x1 HDMI Switch if you're short on ports and don't want to drop the dough on a top-tier switcher. Maybe you only need to add one or two additional HDMI inputs to your home theater. For around $14, you can grab yourself this three-to-one switcher by Gana. The three inputs each support 4K/30Hz with a lesser data throughput of only 3Gbps. Unlike the other switchers in our roundup, the Gana features a built-in HDMI 1.8 output connection, meaning you won't need to supply your own HDMI cable to connect it to your TV or projection system. There's also no required power cable, as the switcher itself is powered by the components you have connected to it.

For the money, this is one of the best inexpensive switchers on the market, but there are a few drawbacks. For starters, there's no remote control. This means you'll need to manually press the Select button on the top of the unit every time you want to switch inputs. The switcher does feature auto-switching, but some users have reported infrequent reliability with this function. Also, if you're trying to keep your gear hidden, there's little chance of a clean look with the Gana, as the switcher's HDMI pigtail isn't very long. If you don't mind these minor inconveniences, there's no reason to stray from the Gana.

Gana 3x1 HDMI Switche
Gana 3x1 HDMI Switch
Best budget HDMI switcher
The Zettaguard 4x1 HDMI Switcher.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Zettaguard 4x1 HDMI Switch

Best with picture-in-picture support

Pros
  • PIP feature lets you view multiple sources at once
  • Compact design
  • Includes remote
Cons
  • Sound throughput is not great
  • No 4K support

This Zettaguard switcher features four HDMI inputs, with each port capable of 4K/30Hz. One of the more minimalist switchers on our list, it's easy to tuck this guy away in a media cabinet or wherever you choose to house your AV components. While not capable of some of the stronger data throughputs and picture/audio codecs that the other switchers in this roundup can handle, the Zettaguard edges forward with one winning feature — picture-in-picture (PIP) displays.

The switcher is capable of displaying up to two sub-screens for your HD components, in addition to one main HD image that will take up most of the screen. Cycling between sub-screens and the main image is quick and easy with the included IR remote. While we may not suggest it for those looking to get the very best sound out of a picture outputted from an HDMI switcher, it's a great device for experiencing more than one HD source at once.

Zettaguard 4x1 HDMI Switcher
Zettaguard 4x1 HDMI Switch
Best with picture-in-picture support
The MTVIKI 8 Port HDMI Switcher.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

MTVIKI 8 Port Rack Mount HDMI Switcher

Best for more than six HDMI devices

Pros
  • Eight HDMI inputs
  • Tailor-made for A/V rack systems
  • Multiple control methods
Cons
  • No 120Hz or 8K support
  • Some handshake issues

If you have an awesome home theater system and a ton of HDMI peripherals to go with it, you probably need a solid HDMI switcher for multiple components and inputs. Whether that’s for seven Wii U systems, six Blu-ray players, or eight cable boxes is your business; but whatever the reason for all these connections, look to the MT-VIKI 8 Port Rack Mount for all your switching needs. Designed to be seated inside an AV rack system, the MT-VIKI’s eight HDMI ports are all rated to deliver 4K at up to 60Hz. You also have the option of switching inputs using the included remote, or by pressing one of the eight buttons on the front of the unit.

There’s also an RS232 switch if you’re planning on incorporating the MT-VIKI into your automated home theater system. Depending on what components you’re using, you may have a handshaking hiccup or two (one user reported some trouble with a Fire TV Cube), but reviews for this device are generally positive.

MTVIKI 8 Port Rack Mount HDMI Switcher
MTVIKI 8 Port Rack Mount HDMI Switcher
Best for more than six HDMI devices