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.
Kinivo 550BN 4K/60Hz HDMI Switch
Best overall HDMI switcher
- Compact, unobtrusive design
- Lithium battery powered
- HDR and Dolby Vision support
- Auto input switching
- 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 501BN 4K/30Hz HDMI Switch
Best affordable HDMI switcher
- Well-priced, high-quality switcher
- Automatic input switching
- Remote included
- 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.
Mrocioa 5-in-1 HDMI Switcher
Best for future-proofing
- Delivers 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz
- Works with Dolby Atmos
- Includes HDMI ARC
- Five HDMI inputs
- 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.
Roofull Premium HDMI Switch
Best for audio compatibility
- Dolby Vision, HDCP, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X support
- Backward compatible
- Affordable
- 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.
Gana 3x1 HDMI Switch
Best budget HDMI switcher
- No-nonsense, well-built switcher
- HDMI cable built-in
- No power cable needed
- 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.
Zettaguard 4x1 HDMI Switch
Best with picture-in-picture support
- PIP feature lets you view multiple sources at once
- Compact design
- Includes remote
- 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.
MTVIKI 8 Port Rack Mount HDMI Switcher
Best for more than six HDMI devices
- Eight HDMI inputs
- Tailor-made for A/V rack systems
- Multiple control methods
- 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.
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