Out of HDMI ports on your TV, projector, or soundbar? An HDMI switch fixes that for very little money, as long as you buy the right kind. These two cover consoles that need 4K at 120Hz and everyday streaming boxes that don't.
For a PS5, Xbox Series X, or gaming PC, get the Kinivo HDMI 2.1 switch (~$67): four 48Gbps inputs with 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and Dolby Vision, plus a remote and auto-switching.
For streaming boxes, cable boxes, and older consoles, the UGREEN 5x1 (~$36) is all you need: five 4K/60Hz inputs and a remote for a fraction of the price.
An HDMI switch turns one HDMI port into several. Plug your game consoles, streaming box, and Blu-ray player into the switch, run one cable to your TV, projector, or soundbar, and pick the source with a button or remote. It's the cheapest fix when your TV has run out of ports, or when a soundbar or older receiver has only one HDMI input.
Before you buy one, check whether you need it. Most TVs have three or four HDMI ports, and an AV receiver adds more, so a switch is mostly for projectors with one or two inputs, TVs with only a couple of HDMI 2.1 ports, and soundbar setups. If your problem is getting sound to a soundbar, see our guide to fixing eARC first.
Most cheap switches are HDMI 2.0 and carry up to 4K at 60Hz. That's all a streaming box, cable box, or Blu-ray player needs. A PS5, Xbox Series X, or gaming PC can run at 4K at 120Hz with variable refresh rate (VRR), and that needs a true HDMI 2.1 switch rated for 48Gbps, plus Ultra High Speed HDMI cables. Plug a console into a 4K/60Hz switch and it still works, just capped at 60Hz.
Watch out for boxes that say "HDMI 2.1" or "8K" but list a lower bandwidth such as 18Gbps or 40Gbps in the fine print. Look for 48Gbps, and for VRR and ALLM if you game. Our picks lean on How-To Geek's comparison of 20 switches, checked against each maker's specifications.
| Switch | Inputs | Max signal | Remote | Auto-switching | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinivo 4K/120Hz 4x1 | 4 | 4K 120Hz / 8K 60Hz (48Gbps) | Yes | Yes (can turn off) | ~$67 |
| UGREEN 5x1 | 5 | 4K 60Hz | Yes | No | ~$36 |
The switch to buy if you game. All four inputs and the output are full HDMI 2.1, so a PS5, Xbox Series X, and gaming PC can each run at 4K and 120Hz with VRR through it. It also passes Dolby Vision and HDR10+, so your streaming box and Blu-ray player keep their best picture. You can switch with the button, the included remote, or automatically when a device turns on, and you can turn auto-switching off if it gets in the way. The aluminum case helps keep it cool.
Worth knowing: it costs two to three times as much as a 4K/60Hz switch, and How-To Geek found the remote's signal can be finicky. Some devices, including Apple TV, PS5, and Roku, don't always trigger auto-switching reliably.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.If you don't need 120Hz gaming, this inexpensive switch is all you need. It turns one HDMI port into five, so a streaming stick, cable box, Blu-ray player, older console, and laptop can share one TV input. LEDs show which input is active, and the remote works from across the room. It passes HDR video and Dolby Atmos and DTS audio, so your soundbar still gets surround sound.
Worth knowing: there's no automatic switching, so you change inputs with the remote or button; the Kinivo above switches on its own. It comes with a USB power cable but no wall adapter; it can often draw power from a TV's USB port.
Check price on Amazon Prices change often — verify current pricing on Amazon.