You need an HDMI switch or splitter, depending on which direction the signal travels

If you want to connect two HDMI devices to a single HDMI input on your TV or monitor, you have two main options: an HDMI switch or an HDMI splitter. These do opposite things. A switch takes multiple HDMI inputs and sends one to your TV at a time — you choose which device to watch. A splitter takes one HDMI output and sends it to multiple TVs or displays at once. Most people need a switch.

The choice depends on what you're trying to do. If you have a cable box, gaming console, and streaming device all wanting to plug into your TV, you need a switch. If you have one device and want to display it on two screens in different rooms, you need a splitter. This guide covers both, but switches are far more common in home setups.

Key Takeaways

  • An HDMI switch lets you plug multiple devices into one input and choose which one to watch using a remote or button on the switch itself.
  • An HDMI splitter sends one device's picture to two or more TVs at the same time, and most TVs cannot receive a split signal.
  • Switches are passive (no power needed) or active (powered), and active switches work more reliably with modern devices.
  • Splitters require both the source device and the receiving TVs to support HDCP, a copy-protection standard that not all older equipment has.
  • A better long-term solution is often an AV receiver or soundbar with multiple HDMI inputs, which also handles audio switching.

How an HDMI switch works

An HDMI switch is a small box with multiple HDMI inputs on one side and one HDMI output on the other. You plug your cable box into input 1, your gaming console into input 2, your streaming device into input 3, and then run the single output cable to your TV. When you want to watch the cable box, you press a button on the switch or use its remote to select input 1. The picture from that device appears on your TV.

Passive switches (the cheaper kind, usually $10–$20) have no power cord and work by mechanical relay — you press a button and it physically switches which input connects to the output. These work fine for basic setups but can fail with newer devices that send high-bandwidth signals, especially 4K video. Active switches (usually $20–$50) have a power cord and use electronics to manage the signal. They handle 4K, HDR, and newer video formats more reliably and are worth the extra cost if you own any recent devices.

The switch itself does not control your devices. You still need your TV remote to turn the cable box on, your controller to use the gaming console, and so on. The switch only determines which device's signal reaches your TV.

How an HDMI splitter works

An HDMI splitter takes one HDMI output and duplicates the signal to two or more outputs. You plug your streaming device into the splitter, then run cables from the splitter to two different TVs. Both TVs show the same picture at the same time. This is useful if you want to watch the same thing in two rooms without buying two devices.

Splitters have a major limitation: both the source device and both TVs must support HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), a copy-protection standard. If any device in the chain does not support it, the picture will not appear. Older TVs, projectors, and some computer monitors do not have HDCP, which makes splitters unreliable in mixed setups. Many splitters also require a power cord and can introduce signal degradation, especially over longer cable runs.

Streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ often require HDCP to play content, so a splitter might block you from watching protected material on the second TV even if the hardware supports it. For these reasons, splitters are less common in home entertainment than switches.

Passive versus active switches

A passive HDMI switch has no power source. It costs less and takes up no outlet space, but it relies on mechanical contacts to route the signal. With modern high-bandwidth video formats like 4K at 60Hz or 8K, passive switches can lose signal quality or fail to work at all. They also do not amplify the signal, so if your HDMI cables are long or of poor quality, the picture may degrade.

An active switch has a power adapter and uses electronics to manage and sometimes amplify the signal. It handles 4K, HDR, and variable refresh rate (VRR) formats much more reliably. If you own a 4K TV, a PS5, an Xbox Series X, or any recent streaming device, an active switch is the safer choice. The extra $20–$30 is worth avoiding picture dropout or compatibility headaches.

When to use an AV receiver instead

If you already have or are considering buying an AV receiver or a modern soundbar with HDMI inputs, that is often a better solution than a separate switch. Most receivers have 3 to 5 HDMI inputs built in, and they handle switching automatically. You plug all your devices into the receiver, run one HDMI cable to your TV, and use the receiver's remote to select which input to watch. The receiver also manages audio routing, so you do not have to fiddle with TV speakers or separate audio cables.

This approach costs more upfront if you do not already own a receiver, but it simplifies your setup and gives you better control over both video and sound. Many soundbars marketed as "all-in-one" systems also include HDMI switching, though they typically have only 2 to 3 inputs. If you have more than three devices, a receiver is more practical than stacking multiple switches.

Choosing the right switch for your setup

Before buying, count how many HDMI devices you need to connect. If you have a cable box, a gaming console, and a streaming device, you need a 3-input switch. If you add a Blu-ray player, you need a 4-input switch. Switches with 5 or more inputs exist but are less common and more expensive.

Check whether your devices support 4K. If your TV is 4K and you own a PS5, Xbox Series X, or a 4K streaming device, buy an active switch rated for 4K at 60Hz. If all your devices are older or 1080p only, a passive switch will work. Look at the switch's specifications — it should list the video formats it supports. A switch that says "4K@60Hz" or "4K@120Hz" will work with modern devices. One that only lists "1080p" will not.

Cable length matters less with an active switch than a passive one, but keep HDMI runs under 25 feet if possible. If you need longer runs, use an HDMI extender or repeater rather than a very long cable, which can lose signal quality.

Setting up your switch

Installation is straightforward. Plug your HDMI devices into the switch inputs — it does not matter which device goes into which input, but labeling them helps. Run the output cable from the switch to your TV's HDMI input. If the switch is active, plug in the power adapter. Turn on your TV and select the HDMI input where the switch is connected. Press the button or use the remote on the switch to select which input you want to watch. The picture should appear within a few seconds.

If the picture does not appear, check that the source device is turned on and outputting video. Try a different input on the switch. If the switch has a power light, make sure it is on. If you are using an active switch and the light is off, the power adapter may not be connected properly. Swap HDMI cables between inputs to rule out a bad cable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a switch with a soundbar that has HDMI inputs?

Yes. Plug the switch output into the soundbar's HDMI input, then run the soundbar's HDMI output to your TV. The soundbar will handle audio from whichever device the switch is routing to your TV. This works well if your soundbar supports HDMI passthrough, which most modern ones do.

Will a switch add lag or delay to my gaming?

A good active switch adds no perceptible lag. Passive switches can introduce very slight delays, but most people will not notice. If you play competitive games where milliseconds matter, test the switch with your console before committing. Most gaming-focused switches are rated for low latency.

What if my switch stops working?

First, unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in. Try swapping the HDMI cables between inputs to see if a cable is bad. If the switch is passive, try pressing the button multiple times — the relay inside may be stuck. If it is active and the power light is off, check the power adapter. If none of that works, the switch has likely failed and needs replacement.

Can I daisy-chain two switches together?

Technically yes, but it is not recommended. Plugging the output of one switch into the input of another can cause signal loss and compatibility issues, especially with 4K. If you need more than five inputs, buy a larger switch or use an AV receiver instead.

Do I need special HDMI cables for a switch?

No. Standard HDMI cables work fine. If you are using 4K, make sure your cables are rated for high speed (they usually are if they are newer than 2015). Avoid very cheap cables, which may have loose connectors or poor shielding, but you do not need premium or gold-plated cables.