If you have a 4K Ultra HD TV and 4K source components, the switcher must also be 4K compatible. If you need to pass HDR-encoded or 3D video signals, your HDMI switcher must have those capabilities. So if you’re planning to split one source into two screens – one in your living room and one in your bedroom – you should first consider how far that bedroom is. You may want to consider the following things before purchasing an HDMI splitter as it may alter your desicion. Copy protection and HDCP HDMI splitters that send two, three, four, or more signals from a single HDMI source are available, but for consumers, two is usually enough. Splitters with more outputs are primarily for business and commercial use, where one source needs to be sent to multiple TVs or projectors.

This switcher excels at advanced PiP (again, only in HD and specifically the 1080p/1080i formats) and supports a whole bunch of advanced audio formats, so if you've got a home cinema setup, you're good to go, with support for PCM2, 5.1, and 7.1 surround sound, Dolby 5.1, and DTS 5.1. This is another niche product, but like above, we're glad it's available. Getting the top HDMI splitter for your needs is not just a question of build quality – it’s also a question of what your needs are, exactly. How many screens do you have? Do you need 4K? Are you a console gamer? It won’t give you 4K at 120Hz, which can be beneficial for next-generation consoles like the PS5, though.You can use an HDMI switcher with two HDMI outputs to send the same HDMI signal to two TVs or a video projector and TV, but you can use an HDMI splitter if you don't need a switcher. An HDMI Splitter is used to connect ONE DEVICE to two or more TVs (or other screens/projectors), by duplicating the stream. One of the more common uses of an HDMI switcher is picture-in-picture, allowing you to watch two video sources simultaneously. If PiP functionality is a must for you, but 4K isn't, we can recommend the Orei HD-201P. The HDMI splitter from Zettaguard can handle a maximum resolution of 4K at 30Hz and is compatible with Dolby Audio. It accepts video signals from laptops, gaming consoles, and Blu-ray players, making it a versatile device for media enthusiasts. An HDMI Splitter lets you “split” the signal from one media box (a streaming device, a gaming console, a Freeview box, etc.) to two or more screens – be it another TV, a projector, etc.

Like the other splitters the Avedio links HDMI splitter can support a resolution of up to 4K with no lag or data loss, ensuring smooth crisp visual quality. It is also fully HDCP (an anti piracy protocol) compatible so there shouldn’t be any issues using it. The ability to connect multiple devices to one display is the biggest draw of an HDMI switch, and the Kinivo 550BN handles this task reliably. It is designed with power users in mind and supports up to five HDMI inputs for a single output. We tested it for weeks with a BenQ HT3550 4K projector, and it was a match made in heaven. And to top it all, it has an S/PDIF port, if you want to connect it to a digital audio device (and bypass the HDMI audio).If your home entertainment setup is a bit more complicated than just one media device and two screens – the TESmart Splitter/Switcher will give you more options.

This box has eight inputs and a single output to accommodate the largest home and professional theater setups. If you need a lot of inputs, you'll have to deal with 1080p/1080i output. For the price, we'd like to see 4K support, especially today. But, with eight inputs, it's about the only game in town (and the only one we recommend). So a switcher lets you switch between different HDMI signals, while a splitter lets you split one HDMI signal out to several screens. (If you need one – see our list of the best HDMI switchers.)

If you're looking for a thoughtfully designed HDMI switcher with a premium look and feel, the Zettaguard 4K is worth some consideration. Our reviewer tested it for weeks and thought the 4K content she streamed on her PC looked great, with the HDR coloring making the videos pop.