6 Best HDMI switches For Corporate IT: A Buyer’s Guide

HDMI switches are devices that let you connect multiple HDMI sources to a single display and switch between them as needed. If you work in a corporate IT environment, they can turn out to be useful in simplifying AV setups and reducing cable clutter.

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve been on the market for the best HDMI switches. You might have also looked up alternative hardware solutions, like KVM switches or AV receivers.

The challenge is though, the market is flooded with low-cost options without much emphasis on quality and security, and most organizations need more than that.

To help you cut through the noise, we’ve done the research and listed the best HDMI switches for corporate IT. To learn more about those, keep on reading.

Key considerations when selecting an HDMI switch

Before we review the best HDMI switches, let’s look at the two key considerations when buying one.

The key considerations are:

1. Features (Number of outputs, resolution support, audio support, etc.)

Modern HDMI switches come with a range of features that improve their performance and usability. These are the features we recommend organizations prioritize for corporate IT environments:

• Number of inputs and outputs. HDMI switches come in various configurations, the most popular being 2×1, 4×1, 8×1, or 16×1. This means the switch can take 2, 4, 8, or 16 HDMI input sources and output them to a single display. You can find 2×2, 4×2, 8×8, or 16×16 HDMI switches for more complex setups. 
• Resolution support: Make sure the HDMI switch you choose supports your devices’ resolution rate. Most of today’s HDMI switches support 1080p and 4K 60Hz resolutions, and some even 8K 60Hz or 4K 120Hz.
• Audio support: Look for support for high-quality audio standards like Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, or ARC/eARC if audio routing is a factor.
• Switching control: HDMI switched either offers remote control, physical buttons, or automated switching. Remote control and automated switching HDMI switches are more expensive, but are often worth the convenience for organizations.
• EDID management: An industry standard for HDMI switches, a proper EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) prevents signal loss and display flickering, especially when switching between multiple sources. It’s a feature that organizations must have.

As part of checking the features, you should confirm the warranty offered. Most HDMI switcher manufacturers offer a warranty of one to three years, and in rare cases, like AVPro, even ten years.

You can always find the warranty information on the manufacturer’s website, and we’ve also included it down below.

Warranty example from AVPro

2. Security (Firmware updates, authentication, etc.)

HDMI switches vary from affordable consumer options to high-end models with enterprise-grade security.

Depending on your use case (and your organization’s security policies), you should prioritize security features like cloud management, firmware updates, EDID locking, HTTPS encryption, and HDCP authentication to prevent unauthorized access or signal interception.

The 6 best HDMI switchers for corporate IT environments¨

Based on what other IT managers recommend and our own research, the best HDMI switches for IT environments are:

• Crestron HD-MD8X8-4KZ-E – Best overall HDMI switch
• Atlona AT-HDR-SW-51 – Best mid-range HDMI switch for meeting rooms
• 8-1 TeSmart 60mhz switch – Best cost-effective HDMI switch
• AVPro 18Gbps 16×16 HDMI Matrix Switch – Best HDMI switch for enterprise deployments
• Crestron HD-MD4X1-4KZ-E – Best 4-port HDMI switch
• OREI 8K 2×1 HDMI Switch – Best HDMI switch for single users

Below, we’ve reviewed each of these HDMI switches in detail.

Crestron HD-MD8X8-4KZ-E – Best overall HDMI switch

Our expert’s choice for the best overall HDMI switch is Crestron HD-MD8X8-4KZ-E, which is an eight HDMI output switcher. It is an HDMI switch with remote device control, EDIT management, and video resolution supports up to 4K60 with 4:4:4 color sampling.

The HD-MD8X8-4KZ-E is compatible with the XiO Cloud service, which lets you manage Crestron devices across a larger enterprise environment. The cloud management is accompanied by enterprise-grade security, including 802.1x authentication, Active Directory credential management, PKI authentication, and HTTPS encryption.

Atlona Juno 451 – Best mid-range HDMI switch for meeting rooms

The Atlona Juno 451 is a popular mid-range HDMI switch with four HDMI inputs and one output. At a much lower price point than the Crestron 8×8, it still offers comparable performance for smaller IT setups, including support for up to 4K 60 Hz video, 4:4:4 chroma sampling, and HDMI rates up to 18 Gbps. According to Atlona, it’s “ideal for highly detailed 4K graphic presentations for visualization.”

The JunoX Series HDMI switchers can be controlled via Ethernet, RS-232, and IR. One Reddit user commented on the best HDMI switches, and said: “Look into either an Atlona Juno 451 or an AVPro Edge AC-MX-42. Both are remote controllable (IR) and both do auto switching. I own both and they are both very reliable.”

TESmart 8-1 T 60MHz switch – Best cost-effective HDMI switch

If you need a cost-effective HDMI switch, the TESmart 8-1 60mhz switch is available for $186.99 on TESmart’s website or for $189.99 on Amazon. It supports resolutions of up to 3840*2160@60 Hz, auto switching between active inputs, and includes an IR remote and front-panel controls. 

If you need more ports, another affordable option is the TESmart 16-1 HDMI switch, which is available for $235.99 at TESmart’s website. One Reddit user commented on the 16-port model: “I have the 16-1 TeSmart 60MHz switch. I can set it to switch to whatever system powers on or leave it. I have it set to stay on the channel it was last on. No issues.”

AVPro 18Gbps 16×16 HDMI switch – Best HDMI switch for enterprise deployments

The AVPro 18 Gbps 16×16 HDMI is a good HDMI switch for large-scale enterprise deployments. It’s a highly popular 16×16 HDMI switch for corporate IT environments, due to its excellent durability, high bandwidth 18Gbps switching, and full support for 4K60 4:4:4 video.

What’s great is that the AVPro HDMI switches are backed up by a 10-year warranty, which truly speaks to the company’s confidence in its products.

One reviewed recommended AVPro’s and said: “AVProEdge is top tier equipment and support. Leader in their product-space. 100/10 equipment. The price you pay is worth it tenfold and more.”

In fact, AVPro HDMI switches aren’t cheap, but you can be sure they’ll last.

Crestron HD-MD4X1-4KZ-E – Best 4-port HDMI switch

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Atlona Juno 451 (a 4-port HDMI switch), the Crestron HD-MD4X1-4KZ-E is our recommendation. In terms of features, it’s similar to Crestron’s 8×8 HDMI switch, but is scaled down for smaller use cases. It offers the same 4K60 4:4:4 video support, HDMI auto switch, and integration with Crestron control systems.

The Crestron 4×1 is priced at around ~$900, which makes it much more affordable than the Crestron 8×8 version. Like the 8×8 version, the Crestron 4×1 has security features, including AD credential management, HTTPS encryption, and 802.1x authentication.

OREI 8K 2×1 HDMI Switch – Best HDMI switch for single users

If you need a simple HDMI switch capable of switching between two media sources on a single display, the OREI 8K 2×1 is perhaps the best choice. Available at just $22 on Amazon, this HDMI switch is ideal for IT professionals needing quick switching between a business laptop and desktop. While being compact (and affordable), it doesn’t sacrifice performance, supporting up to 8K @ 60Hz and 4K @ 120Hz with full HDCP 2.3 compliance.

One Reddit user recommended OREI and said, “I have a ton of OREI HDMI switchers and distribution gear, and it is rock solid. I’m not sure if they make 3:1s, but I know they have 2:1s and 4:1s, of which I own a half dozen of each. They are available on Amazon and reasonably priced.”

Does it make sense to invest in an HDMI switch for a corporate IT environment?

Our review process is a bit different here at Atera. Instead of recommending the best HDMI switch boxes based on affiliate commissions (which we don’t accept), we focus on giving an honest assessment of the hardware, including both the pros and cons. For this reason, we also can’t recommend HDMI switches for all organizations.

If your setup only involves a single display and a couple of static inputs, the added cost (and complexity) of HDMI switches may not be worth it. However, for IT teams managing multiple sources or AV systems in meeting rooms, HDMI switches can help streamline operations and reduce cable clutter. You may also want to explore alternative hardware options, like KVM switches, Thunderbolt docks, and AV receivers.