Buying Guide
The Best KVM Switches with Audio Support: Our Picks
We looked at 5 KVM switches with audio support side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
9 min read5 products evaluated
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5mm audio jack for a dedicated speaker or headset setup often needs manual switching on many switches, worth confirming which audio path a specific model actually supports before assuming full automatic audio switching.
Not every KVM switch with 'audio support' switches audio output and microphone input together, some only handle speaker output while leaving microphone switching as a separate manual step, worth checking this specifically if you use a headset for calls across both computers.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best KVM Switch with HDMI-Carried Audio Overall
UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 1 Monitor 2 Computers, 8K@60Hz, Aluminum
Buyers using monitor speakers or HDMI-connected audio wanting automatic switching
Our take Check price for UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 1 Monitor 2 Computers, 8K@60Hz, Aluminum (opens in a new tab)
Best Dual-Monitor Pick with HDMI Audio
UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers 4K@60Hz, with 4 USB 3.0 Ports
Buyers wanting dual-monitor HDMI audio switching with USB headset flexibility
Our take Check price for UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers 4K@60Hz, with 4 USB 3.0 Ports (opens in a new tab)
Best Multi-Format Pick with HDMI Audio
UGREEN 8K@60Hz HDMI Displayport KVM Switch 3 Monitors 2 Computers, Aluminum
Buyers with multiple audio-capable monitors wanting flexible multi-format connectivity
Our take Check price for UGREEN 8K@60Hz HDMI Displayport KVM Switch 3 Monitors 2 Computers, Aluminum (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget Pick with HDMI Audio
USB3.0 KVM Switch 2 Port HDMI, 4K@60Hz KVM Switch 1 Monitors 2 Computers with 3 USB3.0 Ports
Budget-conscious buyers wanting basic HDMI-carried automatic audio switching
Our take Check price for USB3.0 KVM Switch 2 Port HDMI, 4K@60Hz KVM Switch 1 Monitors 2 Computers with 3 USB3.0 Ports (opens in a new tab)
Best Ultra-Budget Pick with HDMI Audio
Hearvo USB 3.0 HDMI KVM Switch for 2 Computers 1 Monitor, 4K@60Hz, S7232H
Budget-conscious buyers wanting the most affordable HDMI-carried audio switching
Our take Check price for Hearvo USB 3.0 HDMI KVM Switch for 2 Computers 1 Monitor, 4K@60Hz, S7232H (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best KVM Switch with HDMI-Carried Audio Overall1 of 5
UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 1 Monitor 2 Computers, 8K@60Hz, Aluminum on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
HDMI-carried audio should switch automatically alongside video.
Best for
- Buyers using monitor speakers or HDMI-connected audio wanting automatic switching
Why we like it
On price, it comes in below UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers 4K@60Hz, which is worth weighing if cost is your deciding factor between the two.
On the other side, Single monitor only, not suited for a dual-display setup.
Key dimensions & specs
- 1 monitor, 2 computers
- HDMI-carried audio
- 8K@60Hz resolution support
- Aluminum build
Pros
- HDMI-carried audio should switch automatically alongside video
- Very high 8K@60Hz resolution ceiling for future-proofing
- Reliable UGREEN aluminum build quality
- Straightforward single-monitor, two-computer switching
Cons
- Verify current reviews confirm smooth automatic audio switching
- No separate 3.5mm audio jack for dedicated speaker or headset setups
- Single monitor only, not suited for a dual-display setup
Best Dual-Monitor Pick with HDMI Audio2 of 5
UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers 4K@60Hz, with 4 USB 3.0 Ports on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
0 ports also give options for a USB headset requiring separate microphone switching consideration.
Best for
- Buyers wanting dual-monitor HDMI audio switching with USB headset flexibility
Why we like it
0 ports accommodate a USB headset setup. On the other side, Higher price than a single-monitor switch.
Key dimensions & specs
- 2 monitors, 2 computers
- HDMI-carried audio
- 4K@60Hz resolution support
- 4 USB 3.0 ports
Pros
- HDMI-carried audio switches automatically with video across two monitors
- 4 USB 3.0 ports accommodate a USB headset setup
- Dual-monitor support for a robust setup
- Good value for the feature combination
Cons
- Verify whether microphone input switches together with speaker output for USB headsets
- No separate 3.5mm audio jack for dedicated speaker setups
- Higher price than a single-monitor switch
Best Multi-Format Pick with HDMI Audio3 of 5
UGREEN 8K@60Hz HDMI Displayport KVM Switch 3 Monitors 2 Computers, Aluminum on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Both HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity carry audio to varying degrees depending on your monitor's own audio support, verify this against your specific setup.
Best for
- Buyers with multiple audio-capable monitors wanting flexible multi-format connectivity
Why we like it
5mm audio jack for dedicated speaker setups.
Key dimensions & specs
- 3 monitors, 2 computers
- HDMI and DisplayPort audio carrying capability
- 8K@60Hz resolution support
- Aluminum build
Pros
- Both HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity for mixed audio-capable monitor setups
- Supports up to three monitors for a demanding setup
- Very high 8K@60Hz resolution ceiling
- Reliable UGREEN aluminum build quality
Cons
- Verify your specific monitors' own audio output capability alongside the switch
- Higher price than single-monitor alternatives
- No separate 3.5mm audio jack for dedicated speaker setups
Best Budget Pick with HDMI Audio4 of 5
USB3.0 KVM Switch 2 Port HDMI, 4K@60Hz KVM Switch 1 Monitors 2 Computers with 3 USB3.0 Ports on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A low-cost switch with HDMI-carried audio, appropriate for buyers wanting basic automatic audio switching without a premium price.
Best for
- Budget-conscious buyers wanting basic HDMI-carried automatic audio switching
Why we like it
The real tradeoff against that pick: Verify whether microphone input switches together with speaker output.
0 ports accommodate a USB headset setup. 5mm audio jack for dedicated speaker setups.
Key dimensions & specs
- 1 monitor, 2 computers
- HDMI-carried audio
- 4K@60Hz resolution support
- 3 USB3.0 ports
Pros
- low-cost price with HDMI-carried automatic audio switching
- 3 USB 3.0 ports accommodate a USB headset setup
- 4K@60Hz resolution covers typical monitor needs
- Good entry point for basic audio switching needs
Cons
- Verify whether microphone input switches together with speaker output
- Lower rating than higher-priced picks, verify current reviews
- No separate 3.5mm audio jack for dedicated speaker setups
Best Ultra-Budget Pick with HDMI Audio5 of 5
Hearvo USB 3.0 HDMI KVM Switch for 2 Computers 1 Monitor, 4K@60Hz, S7232H on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The absolute lowest price point in this guide, HDMI-carried audio should switch automatically alongside video for basic speaker output needs.
Best for
- Budget-conscious buyers wanting the most affordable HDMI-carried audio switching
Why we like it
0 KVM Switch 2 Port HDMI.
On the other side, Build quality less proven than higher-priced alternatives.
Key dimensions & specs
- 1 monitor, 2 computers
- HDMI-carried audio
- 4K@60Hz resolution support
- USB 3.0 connectivity
Pros
- Absolute lowest price in this guide
- HDMI-carried audio switches automatically alongside video
- USB 3.0 connectivity for peripheral switching
- Simple, no-frills reliable switching
Cons
- Fewer USB ports than pricier alternatives
- No separate 3.5mm audio jack for dedicated speaker setups
- Build quality less proven than higher-priced alternatives
How We Chose These KVM Switches with Audio Support
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- 5mm audio jack, which often requires manual switching on many models.
- Microphone switching checked separately from speaker output
- Checked whether microphone input switches together with speaker output, since not every 'audio support' switch handles both together.
- USB headset compatibility considered as an alternative audio path
- Monitor's own audio capability factored in alongside the switch
- Factored in that a monitor's own speaker or audio output capability matters alongside the switch's audio-carrying capability.
What to Look for in a KVM Switch with Audio Support
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Verify EDID emulation is included, regardless of price
EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) is the information a monitor sends to a connected computer describing its supported resolutions and refresh rates, and a KVM switch without EDID emulation can cause a real, recurring annoyance: when you switch away from a computer, that computer loses its connection to the monitor's EDID data, and some graphics drivers respond by dropping to a default low resolution or losing the display arrangement entirely until you manually reconfigure it after switching back.
A switch with proper EDID emulation stores and continuously presents the monitor's display information to every connected computer regardless of which one is actively selected, so switching back and forth doesn't repeatedly trigger resolution resets or display rearrangement.
This feature isn't reliably tied to price, a budget switch can include it while a similarly priced competitor omits it, so check the listing or current buyer reviews specifically for EDID emulation rather than assuming it based on price alone.
Match USB peripheral support to what you actually plug in, not just keyboard and mouse
0 or higher) vary significantly beyond that baseline, and this matters concretely if you also want to switch a USB webcam, external drive, audio interface, or other peripheral along with the computer selection rather than leaving it permanently connected to one machine.
0 ports can handle a webcam or external drive at full speed as part of the same switching action.
Count your actual USB peripherals beyond keyboard and mouse, and check both the port count and the stated USB generation against what those specific peripherals need to function at full speed.
Check whether switching happens via hotkey, a physical button, or both, and whether that matches your workflow
KVM switches offer switching through a physical button on the device itself, a keyboard hotkey combination (commonly a specific key pressed a set number of times), or both, and this is a genuine day-to-day usability factor rather than a minor detail, since a physical button requires reaching across or behind your desk setup every time you switch, while hotkey switching lets you change computers without moving your hands from the keyboard at all.
This matters more the more frequently you actually switch between computers during a session, someone switching once or twice a day may not care, while someone switching dozens of times while referencing one machine and working on another benefits meaningfully from hotkey support.
Check whether hotkey switching is explicitly supported and confirm the specific key combination works with your operating system, since some hotkey implementations have compatibility quirks on certain OS versions.
Confirm audio switching is included if you need it, since many KVM switches handle video and USB but not audio
A significant number of KVM switches route video and USB peripherals between computers but do not switch audio output at all, meaning your speakers or headphones stay connected to whichever computer they were originally plugged into regardless of which computer is currently selected for video and keyboard control, a confusing experience if you're not expecting it.
This is a distinct, separately-implemented feature, not something that comes automatically bundled with video and USB switching, so a switch's audio support (or lack of it) needs to be checked explicitly rather than assumed.
If you regularly use audio output and want it to follow the same switching action as your monitor and keyboard, check the listing specifically for stated audio switching support rather than assuming any KVM switch handles this by default.
Check physical port placement and cable routing, since a technically capable switch can still be annoying to use daily
Beyond core specs like resolution support and port count, the physical layout of a KVM switch's ports on its housing meaningfully affects how pleasant it is to actually live with on a desk: ports crammed close together can make thick HDMI or USB-C cables difficult to seat fully, and ports facing an awkward direction relative to how the switch sits on or under your desk can turn routine cable management into a recurring frustration that a spec sheet never reveals.
This is exactly the kind of detail that only shows up in real photos of the actual unit or in buyer reviews mentioning cable fit and port spacing, not in the resolution and port-count specs that dominate most listings.
Look at actual product photos showing port placement and spacing before buying, and check reviews specifically for mentions of cable clearance issues if you're using thicker high-speed cables.
How to Choose a KVM Switch with Audio Support
Port count isn't consistently confirmed across every pick in this comparison; check each listing's product details directly.
| 0 HDMI KVM Switch for 2 Computers 1 Monitor | |
| UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 1 Monitor 2 Computers | |
| No firm budget ceiling, prioritizing build or resolution | UGREEN 8K@60Hz HDMI Displayport KVM Switch 3 Monitors 2 Computers |
Hotkey Switching vs Physical Button Only
- Switches computers without reaching for the device, faster for frequent switching during a work session. In this comparison: check each listing's switching method directly.
- Simpler and more predictable, but requires reaching the device every time you switch. In this comparison: UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 1 Monitor 2 Computers, UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers 4K@60Hz, UGREEN 8K@60Hz HDMI Displayport KVM Switch 3 Monitors 2 Computers.
| 0 speed for drives or webcams | UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 2 Monitors 2 Computers 4K@60Hz |
|---|---|
| Basic keyboard and mouse only | UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 1 Monitor 2 Computers |
- Explicit confirmation of audio switching in the listing, since many KVM switches handle video and USB but leave speakers or headphones tied to one fixed computer.
- UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 1 Monitor 2 Computers fits this specifically: HDMI-carried audio should switch automatically alongside video.
- You want what UGREEN 8K@60Hz HDMI Displayport KVM Switch 3 Monitors 2 Computers offers: Both HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity for mixed audio-capable monitor setups. That's a real functional upgrade over the budget picks here, not just a brand markup.
- 0 HDMI KVM Switch for 2 Computers 1 Monitor already covers the essentials: Absolute lowest price in this guide. The main thing you'd be paying extra for elsewhere in this list is resolution headroom or build quality you may not need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does audio switch automatically with a KVM switch?
5mm jack often needs manual switching.
Does a KVM switch's audio support include my microphone?
Not always, some only handle speaker output while leaving microphone switching as a separate manual step, verify this for your headset needs.
Can I use a USB headset instead of worrying about audio switching?
5mm audio switching questions by routing audio through USB peripheral switching instead.
Do I need a monitor with speakers for a KVM switch's audio to work?
The switch's audio-carrying capability only matters if your monitor itself has working speakers or audio output, verify both.
Bottom Line
Best overall: UGREEN HDMI KVM Switch 1 Monitor 2 Computers, 8K@60Hz, Aluminum — best kvm switch with hdmi-carried audio overall pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all kvm switches with audio support on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.