8K is the latest resolution technology, which refers to an image or display resolution with a width of approximately 8,000 pixels. It supports up to [email protected] and [email protected] resolution and features HDR10, HDCP2.2, 3D, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, which can bring the ultimate audio-visual experience better than 4K and 1080P via a widescreen 8K TV (Actually, a small 8K screen can’t bring us a significant visual improvement). If you plan to build your own 8K home theater in the future, a reliable 8K HDMI 2.1 switch that we will mention today seems to be a necessary accessory. Its greatest value is to save us from a bunch of tangled wires scattered here and there and allow us to switch between two or more source devices easier.
The number of pixels and frames per second specified by 8K means that it requires a significant amount more bandwidth to deliver compared with 4K. In addition to premium-quality 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 8K cables, the stability of the 8K HDMI switch is also important, otherwise, you will often encounter annoying signal problems such as audio and video synchronization issues, black/red screen, or even no signal. Therefore, we need to find those options with premium quality, reliable suppliers, affordable prices, and good customer reviews from so many products on Amazon, and this is why we wrote this post.
In addition, we need to take some extra factors into consideration before buying the best 8K HDMI switch:
Do I really need an 8K HDMI 2.1 switch?
If you have no plans to buy 8K devices or TV in the short term, or your 8K TV already provides multiple HDMI 2.1 ports like Samsung QN75Q900RBFXZA and which provides you a simple way to switch the signal sources, you don’t need to buy an 8K HDMI 2.1 switch yet.
Number of HDMI Ports
The 8K HDMI switch is backward compatible with [email protected]/30Hz, [email protected]/120Hz, and below, you can connect your new 8K source devices (e.g. PS5, Xbox series x) and old HDMI devices together and control them through one remote control. So if the price is not much different, or you have enough budget, we strongly recommend the 8K HDMI switch with at least 4 ports, unless you are sure that 2 or 3 ports are enough to hook up your source devices and there are no plans to add more in the future.
HDCP
High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP, the newest version is 2.3), is a necessary security measure for data protection and preventing data infringement, which stops users from copying movies, videos, and music to other devices while streaming. The HDCP-compliant 8K HDMI switch is the most appropriate choice and won’t be unable to output content due to copyright protection issues. Fortunately, most 4K/8K HDMI switches are at least compatible with HDCP 2.2/1.4.
Need Automatic Switching?
If you turn on the new source device and HDMI switch with the auto-switching function will detect a strong current and will switch to that device automatically, if you do not turn off the current source device, the HDMI switch will jump to the next active source device. If the 8K HDMI switch has no auto-switching function, you can only switch between different source devices manually through a remote or button.
Need audio output?
If you want to get enough HDMI 2.1 ports through the HDMI switch, but also want to be able to extract the audio from the source device and output the audio to your external soundbar, headphones, or amp, you can consider an 8K HDMI 2.1 switch with audio extractor. Unfortunately, no reliable 8K HDMI 2.0 switch with audio out has been found yet.
Price
Just like when 4K was just launched, more and more 8K devices including 8K HDMI switch with release in 2022, you will have more choices, and the corresponding prices will be lower. If you are not in a hurry to need an 8K HDMI switch, we suggest you wait.
The following are the best [email protected] HDMI 2.1 switches on Amazon right now that we have selected after a comprehensive analysis. There are no reliable 8K HDMI switches with 3 or more ports yet, we will keep regular updates and add richer options.
1. CABLEDECONN HDMI Ultra HD 8K 2.1 High-Speed 48Gbps Directional Switch Only 2in 1out [email protected] [email protected] Converter Compatible with Xbox PS5 Projectors Monitors
Specs & Features:
- HDMI Version: 2.1
- Input: 2* HDMI Inputs (female)
- Output: 1* HDMI Output (female)
- Switching Modes: Button
- Support up to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] resolution
- Supports HDR/HDR10/HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
- Transmission rate: up to 48Gbps
- Support DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD, Dolby-TrueHD, LPCM7.1, Dolby-AC3, DSD HD(HBR), PCM
- Backward Compatible with V2.0, V1.4, V1.3 V1.2, V1.1, and V1.0
- 18-month warranty
Disadvantages:
- No remote
- No auto-switching function
- Do not support bi-directional
2. 8K HDMI Switch High-Speed 48Gbps 2 in 1 Out Directional HDMI 2.1 Switcher, Supports [email protected] [email protected], Compatible for PS5/PS4 Projectors Monitor Blu-Ray Player Xbox
Specs & Features:
- HDMI Version: 2.1
- Input: 2* HDMI Inputs (female)
- Output: 1* HDMI Output (female)
- Switching Modes: Button
- Support up to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] resolution
- Supports HDR/HDR10/HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
- Transmission rate: up to 48Gbps
- Support DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD, Dolby-TrueHD, LPCM7.1, Dolby-AC3, DSD HD(HBR), PCM
- Backward Compatible with V2.0, V1.4, V1.3 V1.2, V1.1, and V1.0
- Come with 3 free 8K HDMI cables (4ft)
- 360 days warranty
Disadvantages:
- No remote
- No auto-switching function
- Do not support bi-directional
3. HDMI 2.1 Switch, 8K HDMI Switch [email protected] Supports High Speed 48Gbps [email protected], Directional Switcher Only 2 in 1 Out, Compatible with Xbox PS5/4 Projectors Monitor Blu-Ray Player(Not Bi-Directional
Specs & Features:
- HDMI Version: 2.1
- Input: 2* HDMI Inputs (female)
- Output: 1* HDMI Output (female)
- Switching Modes: Button
- Support up to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] resolution
- Supports HDR/HDR10/HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
- Transmission rate: up to 48Gbps
- Support DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD, Dolby-TrueHD, LPCM7.1, Dolby-AC3, DSD HD(HBR), PCM
- Backward Compatible with V2.0, V1.4, V1.3 V1.2, V1.1, and V1.0
- Lifeliable warranty
Disadvantages:
- No remote
- No auto-switching function
- Do not support bi-directional
Conclusion
It is best to plan your budget before you buy and choose a reliable HDMI switch from the options that meets your needs. Unless you are sure that you will need it, there is no need to pay more for those extra features (e.g. picture-in-picture, audio extractor, etc.) and more ports that you rarely use. If you think there are something negligent or proposed biased opinions, let me know in the comments.
