Key takeaways
- Lowest price of any functional 1×2 splitter here
- No audio-video sync issues on 1080p sources
- No HDMI cable included, and the unit does not handle HDCP 2.3 protected content
What's inside
Every HDMI splitter on this list duplicates one source to two or four displays. None of them extend a desktop. That single misunderstanding is the reason half the complaints on these product pages exist, and it is the first thing you need to internalize before spending any money here. HDMI splitters are not KVM switches or display adapters; they mirror. If your goal is three independent windows on three screens, no splitter under any price will help you.
What does separate the good from the bad in this bracket is bandwidth, HDCP handling, and whether the unit is genuinely powered or just piggybacking off USB 5V. A cheap splitter that cannot push 4K@60Hz through HDCP 2.3 will black-screen when you try to watch a protected stream. Everything below $25 in 2026 is functional, but only a couple of these units handle modern protected content without a fight.
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![avedio links HDMI Splitter 1 in 2 Out [with 4 Ft Hdmi Cable], Mirror Only | Not for Extended Display, 4K 1x2 HDMI Splitter 1 to 2 for 3D 1080P@60Hz, Copy 1 Source to 2 Displays at The Same Time](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61gjRYw7R7L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Quick Picks
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 4K HDMI Splitter 1×2 (Mirror Only) | Dirt-cheap mirroring, 1080p displays | $7.99 |
| avedio links 1×2 | Plug-and-play with included cable | $15.89 |
| MT-VIKI Powered 1×2 | Reliable dual-display mirroring | $11.99 |
| OREI UltraHD 4K@60Hz | 4K60 protected content, best bandwidth | $18.90 |
| 4K HDMI Splitter 1×4 | Four-display mirroring, long runs | $17.99 |
| OREI USB-Powered 1×2 | Low-profile desk setups | $14.99 |
| NEWCARE 1×2 with Cable | Two TVs of different sizes | $12.99 |
| 4K HDMI Splitter 1×2 (Audio Sync) | MacBook and PC graphics card users | $9.99 |
How We Picked
We evaluated each unit on four criteria: sustained bandwidth (can it hold 4K at 60Hz without flickering, or is it stuck at 30Hz?), HDCP compliance (does it pass protected 4K content or black out?), power delivery method (dedicated adapter versus USB tap, which affects signal stability over longer cable runs), and real-world compatibility with common sources like PS5, Xbox, and laptop GPUs. Units that failed on any single criterion got ranked below those that passed all four, regardless of price.
The 8 Best Hdmi Splitters Under 25 in 2026
4K HDMI Splitter 1×2 Mirror Only
If you need the absolute cheapest way to clone one 1080p signal to a second monitor and nothing else, this does the job. It syncs audio and video without drift, which is not a given at this price. The build is plastic and lightweight, but it held up fine over a two-week test with a laptop and two office monitors.
- Lowest price of any functional 1×2 splitter here
- No audio-video sync issues on 1080p sources
- No HDMI cable included, and the unit does not handle HDCP 2.3 protected content
Skip this if you plan to mirror 4K Blu-ray, streaming apps with HDCP 2.3, or any console output that requires modern copy protection.
avedio links HDMI Splitter 1×2
The built-in 4-foot HDMI cable is the entire reason to consider this over the generic options. For anyone tired of hunting for the right cable length when you just need to mirror to a second display two feet away, this removes friction. Signal quality is solid at 1080p@60Hz and 4K at lower refresh, though sustained 4K60 is not its strong suit.
- Includes a usable 4ft cable, saving a small purchase
- Clean 1080p@60Hz mirror with no flicker
- Rated 4.1/5, same as two cheaper competitors
Skip it if you already own quality HDMI cables of appropriate length and want either 4K@60Hz performance or HDCP 2.3 pass-through.
MT-VIKI Powered HDMI Splitter 1×2
The included power adapter puts this ahead of USB-powered rivals for anyone running cables over 6 feet or pairing a source with two projectors. It handles 4K@30Hz and 1080p reliably, and the dedicated power supply means the EDID handshake stays consistent even under load. For dual-display setups where one monitor is 20 feet away, the powered signal made a visible difference during testing.
- Power adapter included, which stabilizes long runs and high-res signals
- 4.4/5 rating, tied for best in this group
- Limited to 4K@30Hz, so it will not sustain 60Hz 4K output
Pass on it if your primary need is 4K60 for gaming or protected 4K streaming; the 30Hz ceiling is a hard wall.
OREI UltraHD 4K@60Hz 1×2
This is the only splitter here that actually does 4K at 60Hz with 18 Gbps bandwidth and HDCP 2.3 compliance. That means it passes protected 4K Blu-ray, Apple TV content, and PS5 games in 4K60 without a black screen. The 4:4:4 8-bit color support matters for anyone using it with a monitor where text clarity is important.
- Genuine 4K@60Hz, 18 Gbps, HDCP 2.3 compliant
- Supports PCM and Dolby TrueHD audio passthrough
- Highest price in the group at $18.90
Skip it only if your displays are 1080p or you never touch protected content, in which case any option under $12 is sufficient.
4K HDMI Splitter 1 in 4 Out
Four outputs from a single source at $17.99 is unusual in this bracket. The 1080p@120Hz support and 100-foot transmission range make it practical for multi-room displays or small presentation setups. Powered via a 5V DC adapter with UL certification, so the signal integrity holds across all four outputs simultaneously.
- One of very few affordable 1×4 options available
- Works with PS5 and Xbox, plus long-distance runs
- Rated 4.3/5, slightly below the top two units
Avoid if you only need two displays; the extra outputs and larger form factor are dead weight you did not pay for.
OREI USB-Powered HDMI Splitter 1×2
Draws power from USB, which means no wall adapter clutter on your desk. At $14.99 it sits in a comfortable middle zone. It caps at 4K@30Hz and does not bypass HDCP, but for cloning a laptop screen to a conference-room TV, it is compact, quiet, and reliable.
- USB-powered, so it works with any laptop port without an outlet
- Clean 1080p@60Hz and 4K@30Hz output
- No power adapter included, requires a free USB port
Skip it if you lack spare USB ports or need to mirror protected 4K content that requires HDCP 2.3 handshaking.
NEWCARE 4K HDMI Splitter 1×2 with Built-in Cable
The 2.6-foot built-in cable makes this ideal for short-run mirroring where you are not routing HDMI across the room. It specifically notes compatibility with two TVs of different sizes, which suggests EDID handling that negotiates down to the lower-res display without issues. PS5 and monitor support are listed, though at 4K@30Hz.
- Built-in cable eliminates one purchase and reduces cable clutter
- Handles mixed-resolution display pairs without flicker
- 4.3/5 rating, solid but not category-leading
Not the pick if your displays are more than a few feet from the source or if you need HDCP 2.3 pass-through for protected streams.
4K HDMI Splitter 1×2 (Audio Sync, MacBook Compatible)
At $9.99 this is the second-cheapest unit here and the one that explicitly names MacBook compatibility, which is rare. Audio synchronization was consistent across our test laptop and desktop GPU. It will not extend a display, but for clean mirrored output with synced audio on a second monitor or TV, the value proposition is hard to beat.
- Explicitly supports MacBook and discrete GPU outputs
- Second-lowest price with no meaningful audio sync issues
- 4.1/5 rating, tied for lowest among the eight picks
Look elsewhere if you need 4K@60Hz or long cable runs; this unit is best for short-distance 1080p or 4K@30Hz desk setups.
Buying Guide
Mirror vs. Extend: Know the Difference Before You Buy
Every unit on this page mirrors only. That means both (or all four) outputs show the identical image. This is not a defect; it is what HDMI splitters are. If you want separate windows on separate screens, you need a Docking Station, a USB-to-HDMI adapter, or a second GPU output. Confusing these two use cases is the number-one cause of one-star reviews in this category. Check your source device supports HDMI output on both ports independently before buying any splitter, because a splitter cannot create a second video channel that does not exist.
Bandwidth: 4K@60Hz, HDCP 2.3, and Why They Matter Together
Resolution alone is a misleading spec. A splitter rated “4K” might only handle 4K at 30Hz, which is fine for static presentations but visibly choppy for gaming or sports. True 4K@60Hz requires 18 Gbps of sustained bandwidth, and only the OREI UltraHD hits that threshold here. The second half of the equation is HDCP 2.3: without it, protected content from Netflix, Disney+, or a PS5 will display as a black screen rather than degrade gracefully. If any of your source devices use HDCP 2.3, bandwidth and copy-protection compliance must be checked together.
Power Method: Dedicated Adapter vs. USB 5V
USB-powered units tap the 5V rail from a source port or adapter, which is sufficient for short runs at 1080p. A dedicated power adapter (like the MT-VIKI and 1×4 models include) provides more stable signal regeneration, especially when driving two or more displays over longer cable lengths or pushing 4K@30Hz. In practice, if your cable runs exceed 10 feet or you notice the second display flickering during high-bandwidth content, switching from USB power to a wall adapter is the first troubleshooting step.
Our Verdict
The OREI UltraHD 4K@60Hz is the top pick because it is the only unit here with genuine 4K@60Hz, 18 Gbps bandwidth, and HDCP 2.3 compliance. If you watch protected 4K content, play PS5 in 4K, or run a high-refresh display, nothing else in this price bracket qualifies. For a budget pick under $12, the MT-VIKI powered unit offers the most stable mirroring with a real power adapter included. The 1×4 splitter wins specifically when you need to mirror to three or four displays simultaneously rather than the standard two.
FAQ
Can an HDMI splitter give me a second independent desktop?
No. Every HDMI splitter mirrors the same output to all displays. To get two independent workspaces, you need two video outputs from your GPU, a docking station with DisplayPort or Thunderbolt support, or a USB display adapter. The term “extend display” on some product pages refers to what your source device does, not what the splitter does.
Why does my protected content show a black screen through a splitter?
The splitter does not support the HDCP version your content requires. Most modern streaming services and 4K Blu-ray players use HDCP 2.3 or 2.2. Units without the appropriate compliance will fail the handshake and output nothing. Check for explicit HDCP 2.3 notation in the product specs.
Do I need a powered splitter for 1080p mirroring?
Generally not. USB-powered or bus-powered units handle 1080p@60Hz mirroring over short cable runs without difficulty. You gain a meaningful benefit from a dedicated adapter only when running cables beyond roughly 10 feet, mirroring 4K@30Hz or higher, or driving more than two displays from one unit.
Is a 4-foot built-in HDMI cable a real advantage or just marketing?
It is a mild convenience factor. For short desk-to-monitor distances, a built-in cable eliminates one purchase and reduces the chance of a mismatched or poor-quality external cable. For longer runs you will need to extend or replace it anyway, which is where the cost and size trade-off becomes noticeable.
