If you’ve ever wanted to share HD content on multiple displays, an HDMI splitter is the perfect gadget for you. There are many varieties on the market, however, which makes choosing a perfect splitter no easy task. To help narrow down your choices of the absolute best, check out our top 10 HDMI splitter picks for 2018.
We rate all our products on a scale of one to five stars, with a five-star item being of the highest quality. Our ratings aren’t biased or just made up on the fly, either. Because we value accuracy and honesty, we base our ratings on the reviews and testimonials, good and bad, of people who have purchased the HDMI splitters on our list. We also look at general brand reputation and hard data facts about each model, then we factor the information into our five-star rating system.
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SOWTECH HDSP0001 |
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J-Tech Digital JTD MINI-ax2SP |
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Zettaguard ZW120 |
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Goronya 4-Port HDMI Splitter |
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Cable Matters 4-Port HDMI Splitter |
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J-Tech Digital JTD PRO 4×8 |
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OREI HD-102 |
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FarSail FS0102B |
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Aocome 1×2 4K HDMI Splitter |
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StarTech.com ST122HD4KU |
This HDMI splitter is currently a top seller at Amazon and much of the internet in general. It supports full 1080p HD video, audio, and 3D content for up to two additional display outputs.
SOWTECH nailed the functionality on this model with sleek, a compact design and high-quality materials while still making this splitter affordable for the masses. This model was our top pick due to its strong compatibility. The HDSP0001 can support 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p resolution while maintaining an incredibly strong signal.
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Another of the more affordable HDMI splitters on the market, the J-Tech Digital JTD Mini-ax2SP splitter can also deliver a 1080p full HD signal. Like SOWTECH, J-Tech features dual outputs and support of audio and 3D content transmission. We love this model for how cheap it is, as well as the included accessories because the J-Tech HDMI splitter comes with a power adapter and a one-year warranty. At just sixteen dollars at Amazon, it’s a pretty good deal.
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The Zettaguard ZW120 HDMI splitter is also a bestseller on Amazon. Its unique design boasts discreet yet stylish functionality. It’s slightly more expensive than our previous models at about $25, but Zettaguard can produce 2K and 4K content at a refresh rate of 30Hz, or it can produce 1080p footage at a whopping refresh rate of 120Hz. The audio format support capabilities are pretty solid as well. We’d like to give Zettaguard one last thanks for being remarkably easy to set up and featuring vents for optimal cooling.
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The first splitter on our list to feature more than two output ports, the Goronya 4-Port HDMI splitter is yet another Amazon bestseller. It supports 4K content, 3D content, and all audio formats. What makes this model unique is that it comes with its own 5V power supply, which is a convenience we believe our readers would truly appreciate. Users also love this model’s compatibility with HDTV, Blu-ray DVD, PS4, PS3, Xbox, Fire TV, ROKU, and Apple TV. The Goronya 4-Port also features LED lights that turn on when the ports are in use.
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This four-port HDMI splitter can distribute identical video and audio signals from one HDMI source to as many as four HDMI displays. Cable Matters 4-Port HDMI splitter is a tad more expensive than our previous models at around $40, but many reviewers believe the price is well worth it. It has a non-flashy, practical design and is of high quality. Since this model is a box splitter, it comes with its own AC power supply. It also features gold-plated HDMI connectors for a touch of classy flair.
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J-Tech does it again with another high-quality HDMI splitter. Because the J-Tech Digital JTD PRO 4×8 splitter is designed to handle up to eight HDMI output signals, it’s highly recommended for hardcore or industrial users. Although this is one of the most powerful, high-quality splitters on our list, the overwhelming price tag of $155 persuaded us to knock off a star. Still, with a one-year warranty and overall outstanding design, we think it’s a worthwhile consideration for regular users as well.
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The OREI HD-120 splitter can convert one HDMI input into up to eight output signals, so we consider it one of the more powerful models on our list. OREI supports full 1080p HD and 3D, as well as a wide variety of audio and video formats. The supported audio for this model includes LPCM, Dolby-AC3, DTS7.1, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD master audio. The OREI comes in a heavy-duty metal enclosure design to keep inner contents cool at all times. It also comes with its own power supply and a handy one-year warranty.
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This HDMI splitter is the traditional one input to two output model that is a popular choice on the market today. At $42, we’d consider the FarSail FS0102B to be a middle-of-the-road model in terms of budget. FarSail splitters support HDCP 1.4 Protocol compliance and up to 4K x 2K resolution at a refresh rate of 30Hz. Unfortunately, some buyers have complained that they ordered FarSail splitters online that never worked despite troubleshooting efforts. However, according to online reviews, most buyers were happy with their purchase. This model also features LED light indicators that show when the ports are active.
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The Aocome 1×2 4K HDMI splitter brings us back to the more affordable options on our list. At just under $20, the Aocome model is a worthy contender for your display mirroring needs. It comes with a one-input, two-output configuration and supports content with up to 4K resolution. What’s great about this model is that it’s capable of displaying identical picture and audio quality without suffering a loss in value. Like most box HDMI splitters, Aocome comes with a one-year warranty and its own external power supply.
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StarTech’s ST122HD4KU HDMI splitter is one of the more unique devices on our list due to its attached HDMI source cable making it an incredibly convenient purchase. At around $50, this splitter model isn’t the cheapest item on our list, but for those who want to eliminate as many cables in their setup as possible, it’s not a bad deal. The StarTech HDMI splitter is backward compatible with 1080p full HD and compatible with 4K HDMI resolution. This model also comes in a four-port configuration for more heavy-duty users.
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HDMI cables are among the best inventions to come out of the 21st century, but up until the last decade they were limited in function to the number ports your TV, monitor, or other display device had. Those days can now be distant memories thanks to the invention of HDMI splitters. These useful gadgets enable what is known as ‘display mirroring,’ allowing you to stream content from one source onto multiple displays seamlessly.
HDMI splitters are both inexpensive and a high-quality method for sharing your content with as many as sixteen devices. They’re also a great way to minimize cord clutter in your home or workspace.
Because HDMI splitters are so convenient and popular, there are now a countless variety of models to choose from. Some HDMI splitters can be powered by USB cables, although most come with an AC adapter for power supply.
Choosing the right one can be overwhelming for the average shopper, so we’ve complied a list of what we believe are the top 10 best HDMI splitters out there this year. The models we chose incorporate the latest audio and video technologies while retaining high-quality picture resolution
Now that you’ve seen our 10 best picks for HDMI splitters, it’s time to make sure you purchase one with every feature and capability you’re looking for. Additionally, it’s important to remember that your splitter can’t do its job to full capacity when working with low-quality HDMI cables and display devices.
Consider the factors below for HDMI splitters, HDMI cables, and display devices to help you pick the right splitter for your needs:
Although most HDMI splitters have the same common features, the properties can vary from product to product. For example, many splitters can be used with either the HDMI or DVI cables, but some splitters can only be used with one or the other.
Also, some splitters are known to be non-compliant with newer HDMI types, and other splitters lose signal between the original output device and the display, so look for a model that specifically advertises that these factors aren’t an issue.
Do you know what your display device’s color depth is?
One of the key factors that should determine the type of HDMI splitter you should purchase is the amount of color your display device can produce. If your splitter doesn’t match the display device’s color depth, the resulting image will be dulled or mismatched.
To combat this and get the best color depth possible, all you need to do is purchase a high-quality splitter as opposed to a bare-bones type among the cheapest available.
Refresh rate refers to how many times a display’s image is refreshed per second.
If your display device has a refresh rate of 60Hz, for example, that means that the image on your display is refreshed 60 times every second. It’s important to be aware of the refresh rates of both your display device and HDMI cable. Because if a 120Hz HDMI cable is transmitting a signal to a 60Hz device, only 60Hz will be transmitted.
This means if your HDMI splitter can’t produce the high frequencies required to mirror the display properly. Then you’ll be stuck with a low-quality picture on your mirrored displays.
Most HDMI splitters are designed to handle a high-quality signal. However, the output source doesn’t always match the display device’s resolution.
For example, if the device’s resolution display signal is 480p and your HDMI splitter has a resolution of 720i/p or 1080i/p, the splitter will convert its signal to the lower quality of 480p to match the display device’s capabilities. Although this is the fault of the display device available and not the fault of the HDMI splitter. It is important to know what resolution all the devices you’re connecting are capable of before purchasing a high-resolution splitter.
HDMI splitters come in two versions: cable splitters and box splitters.
Cable splitters are designed to split the connection by duplicating the output signal via standard cables. They typically come in one or two split options, as opposed to box splitters that can provide more display connections. Box splitters include hardware featured in a small box that allows several output ports, but they can also have their own on/off switches. The main difference between cable splitters and box splitters is the need for an external power source.
Because cable splitters generally don’t use a lot of power, an external power source is not needed, while box splitters require an external power source to be powerful enough to split the original signal up to the number of times specified by the device.
How often you plan to use your HDMI splitter is also a factor in what type of model to choose. If you plan to have a regular setup featuring multiple display devices, it’s best to choose a splitter with the power to handle being heavily used on a regular (even daily) basis. Generally, the splitters with the most port configurations are the most powerful and reliable. Although you may not need as many as sixteen output signals. It won’t hurt to purchase one with that capacity if you’re going to be using your splitter a lot.
Armed with the knowledge above, you should be ready to go forth and decide which HDMI splitter to purchase.
If you’ve purchased or are planning on purchasing one of the splitters on our list, we’d like to say: Congratulations! We believe that every model in our review is worthy of consideration and usage. So take comfort in knowing you made a spectacular consumer decision.
We truly hope you enjoy splitting your HDMI signals into as many displays as you need.