Best HDMI Switches and Splitters for Multi-Device Setups

Modern TVs rarely ship with enough HDMI ports for everything people actually own — a game console or two, a 4K Blu-ray player, a streaming box, and a soundbar all competing for three or four inputs. Rather than crawling behind the TV to swap cables every time, an HDMI switch (many sources, one TV) or splitter (one source, many displays) solves it cleanly. Here’s the real difference and the models worth buying.

OREI BK-401 4-Port HDMI 2.1 Switch

• 4 inputs to 1 output, full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth
• Supports 4K at 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz passthrough
• Auto-switching detects which source just turned on

Pros: Full HDMI 2.1 spec means no bottleneck for next-gen consoles or high-refresh gaming PCs; auto-switching actually works reliably instead of requiring a remote

Cons: Four ports may not be enough for AV enthusiasts running five-plus devices; premium price versus basic HDMI 2.0 switches

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UGREEN 8K HDMI Switch 5-in-1

• 5 inputs to 1 output, HDMI 2.1 on every port
• Supports simultaneous connection of PS5, Xbox Series X, a gaming PC, a Switch, and a streaming box
• Remote control included for manual source switching

Pros: Enough ports for a genuinely stacked entertainment setup without daisy-chaining switches; HDMI 2.1 across all five ports, not just the output

Cons: Larger unit needs a stable surface or shelf behind the TV; still only one device displayed at a time, same as any switch

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avedio links 4K@60Hz HDMI Splitter (1×2)

• One HDMI source output to two displays simultaneously
• 4K at 60Hz with HDCP compliance
• Auto-downscaling if one display is lower resolution than the other

Pros: Lets one source (like a cable box or streaming device) show the same picture on two TVs at once — useful for open floor plans or a TV plus a projector; budget-friendly for a two-output splitter

Cons: Does not let you select between multiple sources like a switch does — it is strictly one input duplicated to multiple screens

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Buying Tips

• Know which one you actually need: a switch combines multiple sources into one TV; a splitter sends one source to multiple TVs. They solve opposite problems and aren’t interchangeable.
• Match the HDMI version to your most demanding device — if you own a PS5 or a gaming PC that outputs 4K at 120Hz, an HDMI 2.0-only switch will cap your frame rate even though the TV and console both support more.
• Powered switches (with their own power adapter, not just pulling power from the HDMI bus) tend to be more reliable for auto-switching and high-bandwidth signals than bus-powered ones.

FAQ

Will an HDMI switch reduce picture quality?

A quality switch that matches your source and display’s HDMI version (2.0 or 2.1) is lossless — picture or frame-rate loss usually means the switch is a lower spec than your devices, not an inherent downside of switching.

Can I use a splitter to mirror my TV to a second room?

Yes, as long as both displays support compatible resolutions and the HDMI cable runs are within spec length — for longer runs between rooms, an HDMI extender over Ethernet cable may be needed instead of a basic splitter.

Do HDMI switches introduce input lag for gaming?

A well-reviewed HDMI 2.1 switch like the OREI BK-401 adds negligible, generally imperceptible lag — budget switches without proper chipsets are more likely to introduce a noticeable delay.

Monoprice Blackbird 4K Pro HDMI Matrix

• True matrix switching: multiple sources to multiple displays simultaneously, not just one or the other
• 4K HDR passthrough across all ports
• IR remote and RS-232/IP control for custom installations

Pros: Solves both the switch and splitter problem at once for a whole-house or multi-room AV setup — any connected source can be routed to any connected display independently; control options suit more advanced custom installs

Cons: Significant overkill and expense for a single-TV living room that just needs a basic switch or splitter; setup is more involved than plug-and-play consumer switches

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More buying tips

For most single-TV households, a basic switch or splitter from the picks above is the right tool — only step up to a matrix system like the Blackbird if you’re routing multiple sources to multiple rooms or displays at once, since that added flexibility comes with real cost and setup complexity that a simple living room setup doesn’t need.

Can I daisy-chain two HDMI switches together if I need more ports than one unit offers?

Technically yes, but each additional switch in the chain adds a small amount of signal processing and potential compatibility risk, so it’s generally more reliable to buy a single switch with enough ports for your actual device count rather than chaining two smaller units together.

Does an HDMI switch support HDCP for streaming apps like Netflix?

Quality switches, including the OREI and UGREEN models above, are HDCP-compliant, which is required for protected 4K content from streaming apps and Blu-ray players to display at all — a non-compliant switch can cause a blank screen or forced downscaling on protected content specifically.

Will an HDMI switch work with a soundbar connected via HDMI ARC?

ARC and eARC connections are typically meant to run directly between the TV and soundbar, not through a switch sitting in front of sources, so most setups route the switch’s single output straight to the TV and let the TV’s own ARC port handle the soundbar connection separately, rather than trying to pass ARC signals backward through the switch.

How do I know how many HDMI ports I actually need before buying a switch?

Count every current HDMI source (console, streaming box, Blu-ray player, PC) plus one or two spares for future additions, since buying a 4-port switch for exactly four current devices leaves no room to add a new console or streaming box without buying another switch later.