Best 5 HDMI Splitters and Switches for Uncompromising Signal Transmission

The Best 5 HDMI Splitters and Switches for Uncompromising Signal Transmission

The best HDMI splitters and switches transmit the highest picture resolution, have the right number of outputs and inputs, and are priced correctly. However,  between HDMI splitters and switches, which one should you get?

What you buy depends on what you intend to achieve. We’ll break down the differences, pros and cons to help you figure out which one is best suited for you.

What’s the Difference Between HDMI Splitters and Switches?

An HDMI splitter takes signals from one signal source like a PC, data center, or gaming console to several outputs like monitors and TVs. People use HDMI splitters when they lack enough HDMI ports on the source devices.

In other words, an HDMI splitter duplicates an HDMI signal from one input and sends it to multiple displays.

HDMI splitters are necessary for:

• Distributing HDMI signals to multiple devices like a network of computers
• Splitting audio and video from one signal into separate streams at the same time
• Displaying on multiple screens but you don’t have enough HDMI outputs on your signal source
• Creating a neater space by avoiding too many cable swaps

On the flip side, the HDMI switch receives signals from multiple inputs and sends them to the same display. HDMI switchers work opposite of splitters.

HDMI switches are necessary in instances when you:

• Have more devices than the HDMI ports on your monitor or TV but want them to display on the same screen
• Want to connect multiple devices to the same monitor or TV
• You don’t want to unplug your devices all the time you want to display. Instead, you want them to stay connected at once but control which input displays on your monitor or TV

There are hundreds of HDMI splitters and switches, so we want to focus on only the best and the most reliable to set up a business’ computer network. To be included, a device had to meet three requirements — it must be:

1. Widely used and recommended by the business community
2. Offer above board value
3. Non-compromising on picture quality

Let’s explore the top five go-to HDMI splitters options.

#1. Orei 4K 1×2 HDMI Splitter — Best-Rated Splitter on Amazon

The Orei 4K is Amazon’s top-rated HDMI splitter. You won’t spend a lot on the device, but you get the best picture quality you can get with a standard HDMI interface.

Starting at $15.99, you get a 1-in-2-out unit that splits one HDMI signal into two, full compatibility with all HDMI versions, and uncompromising media transmission quality.

Pros

• Superior compatibility with any HDMI: The Orei 4K HDMI splitter is compatible with all versions of HDMI, including version 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, and HDCP. While it can’t bypass HDCP, it readily splits signals for cameras, satellite receivers, PCs, gaming consoles, and even projectors.
• Support full video formats: The device can split 3D, 4K, 2K, and all video resolutions. You don’t have to worry about the splitter compromising picture quality.
• Transmit nearly all types of audio: In addition to transmission of high-quality video, Orei 4K HDMI cable can carry digital audio via the same cable. The device supports Dolby-AC3, LPCM, DTS-HD master audio — essentially nearly all types of audio available.

Cons

• Does not extend desktop: If you’re looking for a solution that extends the desktop to have two monitors, the Orei 1×2 HDMI splitter is not an option because it doesn’t support the extension function.
• Supports only up to 30 feet cable: Past 30 feet, the Orei 4K 1×2 splitter compromises the picture’s quality.

#2. Avedio Links HDMI Splitter 1-in-2-Out  — Best Splitter that Comes With HDMI Cable

Avedio Links HDMI splitter is your best shot if you’re looking for a splitter that comes with a free, standard HDMI cable. The device costs nearly the same as an Orei 4K 1×2 HDMI splitter at $16.98, but comes with an HDMI cable and is compact enough to suit an office setup.

You can mirror a monitor to another desk in the office, send video and audio to a larger screen monitor simultaneously, and stream Microsoft Teams while showing video presentations to a live video audience.

Pros

• Better audio and video transmission: No quality loss in video or sound — everything is an exact mirror of the original signal
• Best possible video split resolution: The device splits even 4K, 3D, and nearly all resolutions without compromising quality
• Supports up to 50 feet HDMI cable: Unlike many splitters, you can use Avedio Link HDMI splitter with a 50 feet HDMI cable.

Cons

• Cannot extend desktops: You can’t use it to display multiple signals on one screen
• Does not support 4K resolution at a frequency of 60Hz: If you’re input signal support 4K at a refresh rate of 60hz, you’ll need to reset the resolution to 4K@30Hz

#3. Keliiyo HDMI Splitter 1-in-4-Out — The Best 1×4 HDMI Splitter

If you want to split an HDMI signal to display to even more devices without loss of quality and up to 100 feet, the one-by-four setup of the Keliiyo HDMI Splitter is your best shot.

What makes Keliiyo 1×4 splitter stand out is that it allows you to mirror signals to four screens without quality loss. The device supports full HD and 3D resolutions.

Pros

• Uncompromising material for superior transmission: The device utilizes tough metal material and anticorrosive and antioxidative input and output port to give you a stable signal transmission
• Wider application: Because of its 1-in-4-out setup, the Keliiyo 1×4 splitter is suitable to split signals for data control centers, information distribution, shopping mall supermarket, education and training sessions, corporation showroom, and even projectors
• The best balance of price and functionality: Starting from $18.39, you get a 1×4 HDMI splitter that’s easy to set up and operate. Just connect the input signal, and plug the four outputs to share video and audio without any quality loss

Cons

• The device does not support the “extend” function: You cannot switch different signals on display.
• It does not come with an HDMI cable: You must buy the HDMI cable separately

#4. Kinivo 550BN 4K Switch 5 Port — Best-Rated Switcher on Amazon

Kinovi 550BN 4K switcher is the best solution when you have up to five devices that you want to display on one screen. The device lets you switch between devices without the need for a physical plugin in and out from your HDMI connection.

What makes it a reliable tech solution is that the device can handle all your devices’ demands, delivering even 4K signals at 60Hz frequency. The device also supports HDR and Dolby Vision — you won’t compromise your image or audio quality.

Pros

• Support up to five devices at once: For instance, you can connect a streaming device, a PC, a gaming console, a DVD player, and a TV signal to display on one screen. All you have to do is switch the signals.
• Uncompromising signal quality: The switcher will handle all your device’s signal demand — supporting even the advanced 4K 60Hz resolution, Dolby Vision, the immersive 3D, and HDR resolution.
• Auto-switching: This rare feature detects whether you’ve powered on or off an input device. When you switch on one of the connected devices, the Kinivo 550BN switcher will switch to that input automatically.

Cons

• Not all devices work with automatic switching: If you’re using PS4 Pro, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, PS4, Xbox, the automatic switching won’t work. However, it comes with a remote to help you switch signals manually.
• Have a longer lag time when switching signals: The switch will give you a black screen for several seconds before the picture and the sound switch.

#5. Zettaguard 4K HDMI Switcher — Best HDMI Switcher for Power Users

Zettaguard 4K comes with a picture-in-picture (PiP) functionality that lets you preview thumbnails of all active input. If it had five inputs like Kinivo  550BN, Zettaguard would have been the best option to go for.

You get four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. The ports connect game consoles, PCs, media players, and other signal sources to one screen — eliminating the need to plug cables and ports every time you switch a signal.

Pros

• True 4K/60Hz capability: The HDMI switch can transmit a 4K signal at a 60HZ refresh rate. It can handle all the picture quality of your device
• Compatible with HDCP v2.2: You can stop unauthorized devices from playing video or audio traveling across your connection. You can choose the source remotely
• PiP (Picture-in-Picture) mode: The feature lets you switch from one device to another easily by only pressing a button

Cons

• Zettaguard 4K HDCP 2.2 support does not work for 4K Ultra HD: When transmitting 4K Ultra HD signal over HDCP 2.2, it delivers a resolution of 1080.
• The remote control doesn’t work over a 10ft distance: You have to move closer to use the remote to set up the device, which might defeat the purpose of remote control.

While above are 5 of the best HDMI splitters and switches, it’s by no means a complete list. There are others. Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with any of the above.

You only have to consider:

• What you want to achieve — transmit one signal to multiple displays or connect many signal sources to display on one device
• The number of ports that suit your needs
• The ability of the device to deliver the picture resolution you want

Palindrome Consulting Will Shoulder All Your Professional Data Cabling Tasks

If you’re looking for HDMI splitters and switches for your business and don’t want to be dragged down into details, our expert can help you with recommendations that specifically suit your business.

For over two decades, we have delivered hundreds of thousands of IT solutions to businesses in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and across South Florida. We’ll be glad to help you too.

Contact us today and we’ll help you layout the design of your data cabling so that your business operates effectively.

Thanks to our colleagues at DataEcon in Dallas for their help with this article.