When the HDMI port first came out, more than 20 years ago, TVs that had one were an advanced novelty. But now, with so many streaming devices, set-top boxes, gaming consoles and more – we keep running out of ports. That’s where an HDMI switcher comes in handy.
A small box that sits next to your telly, an HDMI switcher connects to an available port on your TV. Then, you connect all your other HDMI-based devices to the switcher itself, and by pressing a button (or using a remote, on some switchers), you can switch between the devices without connecting and disconnecting their cables over and over again.
However, even though these devices are simple, there are still some significant differences between them. In this review, I take a look at the better ones out there, as well as explain what you need to consider before you buy.
Best HDMI Switchers 2024
An excellent HDMI switcher with a good combination of performance and price.
Excellent HDMI switcher if you need support for 4K @ 120Hz, but costs more
Great HDMI switcher with 4K/HDR support (60Hz), and auto-switching.
Very good HDMI switcher at a great, but doesn’t have a remote.
A simple bi-directional 2-port HDMI switch that can also be used as an HDMI splitter.
What Is An HDMI Switcher?
In the olden days, our video and set-top boxes had a variety of connectors – RCA (Red/Yellow/White), SCART, S-VHS, etc. These days, however, almost all digital video devices (such as DVD players, Blu-ray, streaming devices and others) have an HDMI plug.
While in the past, we only had one or two devices connected to our tellies (such as a VCR and a gaming console), these days, each living room might have a whole tower of devices – a streaming device (like the Amazon Fire TV or Roku Stick), a PS5 or Xbox, a soundbar / amplifier, a Freeview recorder, and the list goes on and on.
Yet some TVs have a minimal number of HDMI ports -some older ones even have just one. So, how would you connect several HDMI-based devices with just one or two ports available on your TV? An HDMI switch is the answer.
An HDMI switcher is a small box with several HDMI input ports, and one HDMI output port. So if the switcher has 3 “in” ports, you can connect three devices to it – let’s say a streamer, a gaming console and a Freeview recorder.
Then, with one cable, you connect the “out” side of the switcher to your TV’s available HDMI port – and voila – you have three devices connected to the same port on your TV.
But how will you switch between these three devices? There are three options, depending on the HDMI switcher you buy:
- Automatic switching: The switcher senses which device is active at the moment, so it automatically switches the output on your TV screen to that active device. While it sounds convenient, this automatic switching is far from perfect: many devices these days (streaming sticks in particular), don’t actually “turn off” and keep sending a signal even when they’re idle – so the automatic switching won’t be able to “sense” what’s on and what’s off.
- Manual Switching: You switch between the HDMI input ports by pressing a button on the switcher itself.
- Manual Switching with a Remote: You still have to switch between the connected input ports manually, but at least you don’t have to get up from the sofa, as you have an IR remote that controls the switcher.
Remember, however, that you can’t use the devices connected to the HDMI switcher simultaneously.
So connecting a streaming device and a soundbar via the switcher, for example, is not a good idea – as you’ll always have to choose BETWEEN either the soundbar or the streaming device working at the same time.
What’s The Difference Between An HDMI Switcher And HDMI Splitter?
When you search to buy the best HDMI switcher, you’ll see devices called “HDMI Switch”, devices called “HDMI Splitter”, and those that mix it up and say they’re a Switcher AND a Splitter.
But be careful, as these are two very different devices, that serve an opposite function:
An HDMI Switcher is meant to connect two or more devices to ONE TV.
An HDMI Splitter is meant to connect ONE DEVICE to two or more TVs (or other screens / video projectors).
So a switcher lets you switch between different HDMI signals, while a splitter lets you split one HDMI signal out to several screens.
There are, however, a few products that can serve as BOTH an HDMI Switcher and Splitter, meaning their HDMI ports can serve as either Input or Output. But to keep things simple, it’s usually best to buy a product that fits your specific need. In this article – we’re looking at HDMI Switchers (and one that does both).
If you do need a splitter, check our guide on the Best HDMI Splitters in the UK.
Buying The Best HDMI Switch: Things To Consider
Getting the perfect HDMI switcher for your needs is not just a question of quality or even price – it also depends on which features you want and what exactly you’re planning to connect to your TV – now and in the future.
So use these points as your buying guide:
How Many HDMI Ports Do I Need?
The main reason for buying an HDMI switcher is that you no longer have enough ports on your TV. Therefore, it would be annoying to run into the same problem two months after you buy the switcher…
So the first step is to look at the number of HDMI devices you want to connect to your TV now. But then, I would recommend you add at least one (or even two) free HDMI ports, to future-proof your switcher.
Most HDMI switchers have three ports, which should be enough for most (as the TV itself – if it’s a modern one – will have two or three ports as well).
But if you already have several HDMI devices, AND your TV has only one or two ports – think about getting a switcher with five available input ports.
HDMI Switchers With 4K/HDR Support
4K (and HDR) are becoming more and more popular, so TVs and streaming devices with 4K support are becoming very common.
But if you want to connect 4K devices to your 4K TV – your HDMI switcher has to support 4K, otherwise you’ll only get Full HD (1080p).
This also comes down to the HDMI version on the switcher. All switchers will support HDMI 1.4, but if you want 4K, you need the switcher to support HDMI 2.0a, or preferably HDMI 2.1.
If you don’t have a 4K TV and you’re not planning to get one anytime soon, there’s no need for a 4K HDMI Switch – but otherwise, you should get one that does.
Should I Get An Automatic HDMI Switcher?
As mentioned above, some HDMI switchers can automatically switch between your HDMI devices by detecting which “feed” is active.
Manual ones will have a manual button that switches between the connected devices – or a remote control that is used for the same purpose.
While switching automatically sounds good on paper – in my experience, it often doesn’t work very well. Some video devices tend to “steal” the feed by sending signals even when they’re supposed to be idle.
So even though that can still happen with a manual switcher, at least you have the power to decide on the fly which device should be in the front.
The best workaround is to get an HDMI switcher with a remote control – you still have manual control, but you don’t have to get up and reach the button which is near your TV…
How Is The HDMI Switcher Powered?
Some HDMI switchers come without a separate power supply – instead, they get their power from the HDMI devices you connect (which are usually connected to either the wall outlet or your TV’s USB port).
This is actually enough for some devices. However, some of the more sophisticated switchers (especially those that come with a remote) need additional power – so they have a 5V or USB port that you need to connect to a power outlet.
HDMI Switching And HDCP Support
High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (or HDCP) is a copyright protection mechanism built into all modern HDMI-based video devices.
It’s a technology that encrypts the signal that comes out of your video device (Blu-ray, streaming stick, etc.’), with your telly decrypting it on the other side.
HDCP is there to protect video feeds from illegal copying, and you need to make sure the HDMI switcher you’re buying supports this standard. Otherwise, most devices you connect to it won’t broadcast anything to your TV.
Most reputable HDMI switchers will already support the HDCP standard – but it’s something to consider.
HDMI Switching And The PS5 / PS5 Pro / XBOX
Connecting a gaming console to your TV is one of the main reasons people buy an HDMI Switch. However, while there should be no issues with the original PS4, the older XBOX, and most other gaming consoles – the PS4 PRO, PS5 / PS5 Pro and XBOX Series X do raise some concerns.
First, you need to make sure your HDMI Switcher supports 4K and HDR (as do the PS5 and XBOX Series X).
But other than that, the modern Playstations are very fussy about the switchers (and even HDMI cables) they “agree” to work with. I believe this is mainly due to issues with the HDCP copy-protection standard and power issues.
In my personal testing, the Belfen 4K HDMI Switcher and OREI 8K Switcher worked flawlessly with both the PS5, but the UGREEN and Kinivo switcher should be fine as well.
Then there’s the refresh rate issue. PS5 and XBOX Series X support 120Hz 4K gaming, while most HDMI switchers only support 60Hz at 4K.
So if your TV also supports 120Hz, you would need a switcher that supports 120Hz. They’re generally more expensive, so I only included one in my roundup – the Orei 8K / 4K 120Hz switcher.
Cord Busters Best HDMI Switchers 2025
Best Overall
Pros
- Supports 4K (60Hz)
- IR Remote control
- Great price
Cons
- No automatic switching
- Doesn't come with a power adapter
Features and Specs
- 4K Support: Yes (60Hz) / HDR
- Remote Control: Yes
- Manual Button: Yes
- Automatic Switching: No
- Power: Via USB-C Cable
UGREEN 5 Port HDMI Switcher 4K Review
I’ve always been a fan of UGREEN’s devices, and this HDMI Switch finds a great balance between the important features and a very competitive price.
It supports 4K and HDR (and even Dolby Vision), but note that it only supports 4K at up to 60Hz – that’s fine for most use-cases, except for next-gen video game consoles such as the PS5, which benefits from 4K at 120Hz (assuming your TV supports it as well).
Build quality is good, and there are 5 input ports (generally speaking, it’s good to always get one or two more ports than what you actually need today).
A compact remote is included, but the affordable price does mean a few cuts were made – there’s no auto-switching (not a big issue for me as that rarely works with streamers anyway), and even though you can’t power the device via HDMI, but have to use a USB power cord – there’s no power adapter included in the box.
All in all, if you don’t need 4K at 120Hz, and you don’t mind adding your own power adapter and remote batteries – this is a great switcher.
Pros
- Supports 8K (at 60Hz) and 4K (at 120Hz)
- HDR Dolby Vision support
- Great for PS5 and Xbox Series X
- Remote control and Auto switching
Cons
- Not cheap
- Requires external power
Features and Specs
- 8K / 4K Support: Yes (8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz)
- Remote Control: Yes
- Manual Button: Yes
- Automatic Switching: Yes
- Power: Via power cable (included)
OREI 8K BK-401 HDMI Switcher
While most people will be fine with 4K at 60Hz, some power users—particularly those using next-gen video game consoles like the PS5 – need 4K at 120Hz, and the Orei BK-401 delivers, and then some.
It’s an excellent little switcher (in fact, it’s so lightweight, that the HDMI cables toss it around my TV cabinet), and comes with everything you need – including a power adapter and batteries for the remote.
It supports most HDR standards (HDR10+, HDR10, and Dolby Vision), but there’s no direct Dolby Atmos support.
All in all, having tested it for a few days, I can’t fault it – it does exactly what it says on the tin, transferring excellent picture and sound quality with almost instant switching between the different ports.
The only downside? It’s certainly not cheap, though the price is competitive, considering what you’re getting.
Pros
- 5 Input Ports for extra flexibility
- Supports 4K, HDR / Dolby Vision
- IR Remote control
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Not cheap
- One of the ports is on the side
- Requires external power
Features and Specs
- 4K Support: Yes (60Hz)
- Remote Control: Yes
- Manual Button: Yes
- Automatic Switching: Yes (in theory)
- Power: Power adapter (Supplied)
Kinivo 550BN HDMI Switcher Review
While switching between three devices is enough for some – these days, needing to switch between 5 different HDMI devices isn’t that far-fetched. So the Kinivo is a high-quality solution for those who need more port.
Because of the extra ports, and the top quality, this Kinivo switcher is a bit more expensive than the rest, but it offers 4K 60Hz, HDR and DolbyVision support – so that might be worth the extra cost.
The Kinivo comes with a remote control, with the receiver built into the device itself. There’s also auto-switching, that would only work well with some configurations.
Performance-wise, the Kinivo delivers great streaming, and you can’t really go wrong with this switcher – especially if you need 5 ports (now – or for future-proofing).
Pros
- Supports 4K (60Hz) and HDR
- Power is supplied via the HDMI (no external power supply needed)
- Great price
Cons
- No remote control
- HDMI Power can cause issues
Features and Specs
- 4K Support: Yes (60Hz) / HDR
- Remote Control: No
- Manual Button: Yes
- Automatic Switching: Yes
- Power: Via HDMI
Befen 3 Ports 4K HDMI Switcher Review
If you don’t need a remote control, this is a great – and rather cheap – HDMI switcher, which is why I picked it as the “Best Value” winner.
It doesn’t require an external power supply and works well with power from HDMI devices. While that’s convenient, keep in mind that if you have less than 3 HDMI devices connected – the power it gets is sometimes insufficient, and high-power devices (like video game consoles) can sometimes flicker or blackout – something I’ve witnessed occasionally.
As with most auto-switching devices, that automatic switch only works with certain devices. Furthermore, I had instances where a device (the Google Chromecast in particular) “snatched” the focus, even though it was supposed to be idle.
And keep in mind that while this supports 4K, you only get 60Hz – which is fine for TV and streaming, but not good enough for gaming consoles like the PS5.
All in all, for the price, you get a great device that does most of what you’ll need – but without a remote, and with only 3 ports.
Pros
- Can work both as a Switcher and a Splitter
- Supports 4K
- Excellent price
- Power is supplied via the HDMI (no external power supply needed)
Cons
- No Remote
- As a Splitter, can't use both screens at the same time
- Only 2 ports
- No HDR Support
Features and Specs
- 4K Support: Yes (No HDR)
- Remote Control: No
- Manual Button: Yes
- Automatic Switching: No
- Power: Via HDMI
Benfei HDMI Switcher / Splitter Review
As mentioned above, HDMI Switchers and Splitters serve two different purposes. But sometimes you have a setup in your house where you might need to occasionally use both – and the Benfei device lets you do just that, because it’s bi-directional.
This means the two HDMI ports on one side can serve as either Input or Output, and the same goes for the single HDMI port on the other side. So you can connect two devices to one television, OR connect one device to TWO televisions/projectors.
However, with the switch button, you’ll have to choose which output port to use when you’re splitting – so you can’t use both televisions at the same time, unlike with most HDMI splitters.
With only two ports and no remote control, it’s a bit limited as an HDMI switcher – but if you need that flexibility, this is a good choice at a good price.
I’ve had three Kinvio devices over the years, but they do suddenly fail.
I found this device works fine for me when I go on holiday, and on my home tv (as it’s an old one). Fosmon 4K HDMI Switch 3 in 1 Out 4K@30Hz, 3-Port HDMI Splitter Hub Switcher Auto Switching UHD 3D HDR HD 1080P HDCP
I am in the UK and the devices are 25hz. All the devices say 30/60hz. Is this a problem?