The best HDMI switches of 2026
Which HDMI switch to buy when your TV runs out of ports: HDMI 2.1 for consoles at 4K 120Hz, simpler 4K switches for streamers, and how to keep your soundbar working.
For a PS5, Xbox Series X or gaming PC, buy an HDMI 2.1 switch such as the OREI 8K 3-Port, which keeps 4K at 120Hz and VRR. For streamers and cable boxes, a cheaper 4K 60Hz switch like the Kinivo 550BN is enough. Keep the soundbar on the TV's eARC port, not on the switch.
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The picks
OREI 8K 3-Port HDMI 2.1 Switch
Runs a PS5, Xbox Series X and a streamer through one HDMI 2.1 port and keeps 4K at 120Hz, VRR and Dolby Vision on each. Webs-TV names it its editor's choice for gaming.
Needs USB power. Use Ultra High Speed cables on both sides or you lose 120Hz.
OREI 8K 4-Port HDMI 2.1 Switch
The same feature set as the three-port model with one more input, for setups with two consoles plus a PC.
Costs more than the three-port. Count your HDMI 2.1 devices before you buy.
avedio links 3-in-1 HDMI 2.1 Switch
The cheapest switch we found that passes 4K at 120Hz with VRR. It comes with an 8K-rated HDMI cable.
No remote: you change inputs with a button on the switch.
Kinivo 550BN 5-Port HDMI Switch
For a TV with several streamers, a cable box and an older console. It switches to whichever device turns on, and the remote covers the rest.
Not for 4K 120Hz gaming. It tops out at 4K 60Hz.
Anker 2-in-1 HDMI Switch
A small, cheap switch for a monitor or TV with one free port. It draws power from the HDMI connection.
Manual button only, and 4K 60Hz only.
Do you need an HDMI switch?
Check your TV first. Most 4K TVs have three or four HDMI ports, but often only two support HDMI 2.1, and one of those is usually the eARC port for a soundbar. A switch makes sense when you have more devices than ports, or more 4K 120Hz devices than HDMI 2.1 ports.
HDMI 2.1 or 4K 60Hz?
The biggest choice is bandwidth. Buy for the fastest device you plan to connect.
- Buy HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) if a PS5, Xbox Series X or gaming PC runs at 4K 120Hz on your TV. A 4K 60Hz switch will cap those devices at 60Hz.
- A 4K 60Hz switch is enough for streamers, cable boxes, Blu-ray players and the Nintendo Switch. Streamers such as the Roku and Apple TV output 4K at 60Hz.
Plug the soundbar into the TV's eARC port, not into the switch. Most switches don't pass eARC, so audio from the TV's own apps would never reach the soundbar.
Cables matter too
A switch is only as fast as the cables on each side. For 4K 120Hz use certified Ultra High Speed cables; see our HDMI 2.1 cable picks. For everything else, our best HDMI cables guide covers which to buy.
Switch or splitter?
A switch puts several devices on one screen. To send one device to two screens, such as a cable box to the living room and a second TV, you need a splitter instead. See the best HDMI splitters.
Questions
Does an HDMI switch reduce picture quality?
No, as long as it has the bandwidth for your signal. A 4K 60Hz switch passes a 4K 60Hz picture unchanged. Feed it a 4K 120Hz console signal and it will drop to 60Hz or show a black screen, which is why consoles need an HDMI 2.1 switch.
Does an HDMI switch add input lag?
Not noticeably. Switches pass the signal through without processing it. The common problem is cheap switches that break VRR or ALLM, so the TV doesn't enter game mode.
What is the difference between an HDMI switch and a splitter?
A switch connects several sources to one screen and shows one at a time. A splitter sends one source to several screens at once.
Can I use an HDMI switch with a soundbar?
Yes, but plug the soundbar into the TV's eARC port and the switch into a different HDMI input. Most switches don't pass eARC audio back to a soundbar.
Do HDMI switches need power?
Small two-port switches can run on power from the HDMI port. Switches with remotes, auto-switching or HDMI 2.1 usually need USB power, which can come from the TV's USB port.
- Webs-TV, "8 Best HDMI Switches for 4K TVs (October 2026)" and "8 Best HDMI Switches (October 2026) Tested and Compared"
- OBSBOT, "The Best 10 HDMI Switchers for 2026"
- HDMISplitters.com, "Best HDMI Switch for Gaming 2026"
- Maker spec pages for OREI, avedio links, Kinivo and Anker
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.