Best HDMI Splitters in 2023

The best HDMI splitters are an easy way to share what’s happening on one screen across countless. Just about every flashy device, from smartphones to computers and of course, video game systems, have HDMI outputs. Have you ever been in a casual dining establishment or a hospital and wondered how every screen displayed the same information? This tech wizardry is made possible using an HDMI splitter, and these handy devices may be just what your home entertainment or workstation needs. Here’s a compilation of the best HDMI splitters available right now.

— Best Overall: Orei UltraHD 4K HDMI Splitter 1-in-4
— Best for Gaming: AAXY HDMI Splitter
— Best Budget: Gana Bidirectional HDMI Splitter and Switch
— Best for Dual Monitors: Avedio Links HDMI Splitter 1-in-2
— Best 8-in-1:  J-Tech Digital Premium Quality Ultra HD 4K HDMI Splitter

How We Picked the Best HDMI Splitters

Versatility: In theory, all an HDMI splitter has to do is project one input device across multiple outputs. That doesn’t mean every splitter is more or less the same. Some of them pack extra features that require an external power supply. One thing’s for sure: if they do require power, the extra features better be worth it. If an HDMI splitter can pull off some impressive feats while also extending the use of your TV or computer monitor, all the better. 

Size: HDMI splitters aren't soundbars or LED light strips. It’s not really an accessory you want to show off, and they generally don’t look cool or impressive enough to display front and center on any given workstation. This means that by and large, you want something that tucks away or blends into any streaming, work, or gaming rig. Clunky systems, even when they work great, may result in cluttered space, especially on busier desks and entertainment centers. 

Accessibility: HDMI outputs are oftentimes found behind monitors, so there’s a fair chance that HDMI splitters will be tucked away there too. Accessing them should be easy, or better yet, done completely remotely via an app or remote. Messing around with an analog device every time you want to switch up screens will only cause headaches, unless by some miracle, the back of your monitor is very accessible. 

Price: HDMI splitters perform a pretty impressive feat, but even the best ones shouldn’t break the bank. Most at-home friendly devices will rarely run more than a hundred dollars, and that’s if you go for a model that covers an unfathomable amount of outputs. 

Best HDMI Splitters: Reviews and Recommendations 

Best Overall: Orei UltraHD 4K HDMI Splitter 1-in-4

Why It Made The Cut: Orei UltraHD 4K is versatile enough for most screen splitting needs. 

Specs:
— Dimensions: 6.5 inches W x 3.25 inches L x 0.6 inches H
— Weight: 1.01 pounds
— Output Ports: 4
— Transmission Rate: 18 Gps

Pros:
— 1080p and 4K ready
— Affordable
— Lightweight and versatile

Cons:
— No remote control

There’s a good chance that if you’re looking for an HDMI splitter, not only will this one cover you, but it may be a few years before you ever need to replace it. Orei UltraHD 4K is just that, a splitter that supports the new normal in HD resolution.

But let's say all the screens you want to project to aren’t 4K. No worries, it’s fully compatible with 1080p as well. It doesn’t just come with wide video support, but audio as well, including Dolby True HD. The amounts of ports should work equally well, whether you’re using this splitter at home or in a place of business. Sadly, it doesn’t come with a remote control, so make sure you can reach it easily in the unlikely event that it needs servicing. 

Best for Gaming: AAXY HDMI Splitter

Why It Made The Cut: For gaming, speed is everything, and AAXY HDMI Splitter is lightning fast. 

Specs:
— Dimensions: 3.54 inches W x 2.95 inches L x 0.79 inches H
— Weight: 0.4 pounds
— Output Ports: 2
— Transmission Rate: 48 Gps

Pros:
— 4K and 8K ready
— Super high refresh rate
— Simple and sleek design

Cons:
— No remote access
— Only contains two ports

Hardcore gaming on televisions and computer monitors lives and dies by speed. If there are latency issues, you can kiss ever winning a game of “Call of Duty” goodbye forever. The AAXY HDMI splitter shares one video game console between two screens but doesn’t sacrifice a second of speed. 

A transmission rate of 48 Gps works up to 4K at 120Hz (hertz), and 8K at 60Hz. That’s not low for 8K at any stretch, but it’s not optimized. Still, it may be quick enough for most of your gaming needs. Regardless of which mode you use, expect silky-smooth image quality without any dreaded lag. The casing is made from aerospace grade aluminum so it won’t overheat, even when you’re gaming for hours. And despite it being optimized for next-gen consoles like Xbox Series X and PS5, it works across plenty of HDMI-enabled devices like streaming sticks and projectors. 

Best Budget: Gana Bidirectional HDMI Splitter and Switch

Why It Made The Cut: While it lacks one of the main functionalities you may want out of an HDMI splitter, its price point may still make it worth the splurge. 

Specs:
— Dimensions: 2.95 inches W x 2 inches L x 0.5 inches H
— Weight: 2.08 ounces
— Output Ports: 2
— Transmission Rate: N/A

Pros:
— No external power source required
— Very inexpensive
— Doubles as an HDMI Switch

Cons:
— Won’t display two screens at the same

The Gana Bidirectional HDMI device rides the line between splitter and switch. It’s a very good switch, but only barely passes as a splitter. 

Splitters, by and large, let you project one input device across two or more screens. Gana Bidirectional does as well…so long as you don’t have two screens on at once. Weird, but it does have its uses. Using this, you can connect one device to two different televisions in two different rooms. Why buy a Roku for two different televisions when you can divide its time between two televisions? It’s compatible with all of today’s modern HDMI devices, including PS5, Xbox consoles, laptops, and even BluRay players. All without needing an external powersource. It’s even 4K ready, and doubles as an HDMI switch. Not too shabby for a splitter under $20. 

Best for Dual Monitors: Avedio Links HDMI Splitter 1-in-2 

Why It Made The Cut: Getting use out of multiple monitors is well within any budget with the Avedio Links HDMI Splitter.

Specs:
— Dimensions: 2.5 inches W x 2.1 inches L x 0.5 inches H
— Weight: 4.3 ounces
— Output Ports: 2
— Transmission Rate: N/A

Pros:
— Perfectly mirrors screens in 4K
— Supports deep 36-bit color
— Wide array of uses

Cons:
— Doesn’t come with a power source 

Various workstations, and the occasional gaming rig could benefit from mirroring a computer across two screens. To accomplish this task, the Avedio Links HDMI Splitter is all you need.

Well, that and an external power source. There’s a USB cord that plugs into an external power supply, but you need to already have one. And there’s a good chance if you’ve charged a smartphone recently, you can use it to power the Avedio as well. Not only does this device work with PCs and laptops that only have one HDMI out, but they work with televisions as well. Connect your living room Xbox to your main television, and the one in your game room, that way you can slink away and continue your gaming session at a moment’s notice. It even supports 4K and deep 36 bit color. 

Best 8-in-1: J-Tech Digital Premium Quality Ultra HD 4K HDMI Splitter

Why It Made The Cut: Looking to open a sports bar or arcade in your basement? J-Tech Digital HDMI splitter works across an unfathomable eight screens at once.  

Specs:
— Dimensions: 10.5 inches W x 4.8 inches L x 1.1 inches H
— Weight: 1.2 pounds
— Output Ports: 8
— Transmission Rate: 10.2 Gps

Pros:
— Works seamlessly
— Generates little heat as it operates
— Steady 4K quality across up to eight screens

Cons:
— Expensive

Do you own eight screens but only one HDMI-enabled streaming or gaming device? J-Tech Digital Premium Quality Ultra HD 4K HDMI Splitter will project one input screen beautifully. 

Logistics can become complicated the busier a media station becomes. But that’s the beauty of this HDMI splitter. Picture quality won’t degrade even a little bit, even if every single one of its output ports are in use. It supports up to 4K, though it’s fully compatible with lower resolutions all the way down to 480i. It even works with DVI connections, so long as you have an HDMI to DVI adapter. Still, as glorious as this HDMI splitter is, it may be a little overkill for most needs, especially at its price point. 

Things to Consider Before Buying an HDMI Splitter

HDMI Splitters vs. HDMI Switches

HDMI splitters and HDMI switches are easy to get mixed up. After all, they’re both essentially external devices that you plug HDMI cords into. The technical magic they perform is much different. An HDMI splitter works with a single input device, and dispatches its image across two or more screens. HDMI switches, on the other hand, let you make the most of a single screen. A switch takes two or more HDMI inputs such as a PS5, a Nintendo Switch, a laptop, and a streaming device and allows you to connect them to one screen. Both have their place, and their use, but they are not interchangeable, so make sure you get the device you need.

Uses on an HDMI Splitter 

Do you need an HDMI splitter? That depends. Mirroring one device across multiple screens seems like a strange thing to want to do in a home, but here are a few ideas that folks use an HDMI splitter for.

— Super Bowl Parties: Big sporting events like the Super Bowl or the next big UFC fight could quickly become busy if watching them is done on one screen. Using a splitter, you can mirror the same event in the living room, the basement, and maybe even an outdoor television so everyone is tuned in, no matter where in the house they are. 

— Game Rooms: The glory of the arcade might have to do with the sensory overload that comes with being surrounded by lights and sounds. If you’ve dedicated an entire room in your home to gaming, a switcher will link up a console across multiple screens, which comes in handy whether you’re hosting spectators or competitors. 

— Home Office: Try as we might, it’s hard to pull ourselves away from screens when we’re working remotely, even on our lunch break. After all, you never know what you can miss. If you use an HDMI splitter, you can echo your workscreen on the screen in your living room or bedroom, in case you want to dip away for a quick yoga session (or nap, we won’t tell).

Equipment for My HDMI Splitter

In most cases, your HDMI splitter won’t come with HDMI cords. You may already have some handy, but you may still need to get new ones depending on where you’re placing your splitter in any given space. For example, if you want to use your HDMI splitter home-wide, you need to place it within the cable range of all the screens in your home. Orei UltraHD 4K HDMI Splitter 1-in-4, our overall best, will only work HDMI cords 30 feet or smaller. Some devices will also require an external power source, though typically only the more inexpensive models. You will likely already have one handy, as they are usually USB power adapters. For more information on good HDMI cables, consult our best HDMI cables guide.

HDMI Amplifiers

HDMI is a very user-friendly audio and video input, especially since it’s more or less universal at this point. However, it does come with limitations. In general, HDMI will only work if a device is within 15 feet of an input source. The great thing about HDMI splitters is that some of them boost the minimum operating distance from 15 to 30 feet. Not too shabby. However, that still may not be long enough for some HDMI splitter setups, especially if the device is in a larger home, office, or business. There’s a way around these pesky limits, however. Screens that are more than 30 feet away may still work with your splitter, so long as you utilize an HDMI signal amplifier. The JerGo HDMI 2.0 Signal Amplifier extends the range up to 200 feet, ensuring the best picture quality without a single pixel out of place. 

FAQs

Q: Are there any HDMI splitters that actually work?

The Orei UltraHD 4K HDMI Splitter 1-in-4 works great for most HDMI splitting needs, and is our choice for overall best.

Q: Do HDMI splitters boost the signal?

Some HDMI splitters will act as repeaters and boost the digital HDMI signal, which usually top out at 15 feet. The Orei UltraHD 4K HDMI Splitter 1-in-4 will extend HDMI cable range up to 30 feet, in fact.

Q: What kind of HDMI splitter do I need for dual monitors?

The Avedio Links HDMI Splitter 1-in-2 will split on input source across two monitors. It will not extend the screen, however, only mirror it.

Q: What is the difference between HDMI Switch and HDMI Splitter?

An HDMI Switch allows you to connect many input devices across one output screen or monitor. An HDMI Splitter works in the reverse, where one input device connects to multiple screens. Some devices purport to do both, but expect to encounter compromises, like with the Gana Bidirectional HDMI Splitter and Switch.

Q: How can I add more HDMI ports to my TV?

The easiest way to add HDMI ports to your television is by using an HDMI switch.

Q: Are all HDMI ports the same?

No, all HDMI ports are not the same. While full-sized HDMI ports are the standard, there are also mini-HDMI and micro-HDMI ports across different devices on the market. 

Q: What should I look for when buying an HDMI splitter?

There are many aspects you should consider when buying an HDMI splitter, but first and foremost you should take into account how many output ports you will require. 

Final Thoughts on HDMI Splitters

If you want to project one device across two or more screens, an HDMI splitter is the best and easiest option to accomplish this. The Orei UltraHD 4K HDMI Splitter 1-in-4 is our best overall pick, because it sets up easily and works with up to four different devices. For gaming, bet on the speed and reliability of the AAXY HDMI Splitter. For small businesses and media projects, the J-Tech Digital Premium Quality Ultra HD 4K HDMI Splitter is powerful, reliable, and works with up to eight screens.

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.