KVM Switches Explained and How to Choose One

A few decades ago, home computers were a rarity. Not only were they expensive, but they weren’t considered very useful for the average person. Having one computer for the entire family was common. But as computers have become the backbone of our daily lives, becoming increasingly portable and affordable, most of us have at least one computer, and many have two or more.

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You might have a desktop at home and a laptop that you take with you when you travel, or you might have a work laptop that sits alongside your personal computer. And, to compound the headache, you might have both a Mac and a PC. You probably want to be able to switch between computers more easily, especially if you have an external monitor, mouse, or keyboard that you constantly plug in.

Luckily, the solution for those juggling multiple computers comes in the form of a little gadget called a KVM switch. It stands for “Keyboard, Video, Mouse,” because those are the inputs these devices help switch from one computer to another. By connecting both computers to a KVM switch, you can seamlessly move one set of peripherals back and forth. These devices can save you a ton of hassle and can also be fairly inexpensive, making them one of the must-have gadgets for your home office. Here’s what exactly a KVM switch is, which computer setups can benefit from one, and how to choose the right one.

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A KVM switch is pretty simple in concept. These devices typically look a lot like USB hubs and docking stations, but instead of simply expanding your computer’s port choices, they allow you to share a set of peripherals across two or more computers or devices. For example, let’s say you have both a Windows laptop and a Mac, but only one monitor, mouse, and keyboard on your desk. You can connect these interface devices to a KVM switch, and then connect both laptops to it as well. With the push of a button (or sometimes a physical switch), you can change which laptop these devices are connected to.

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KVM switches come in a variety of configurations and prices. The most basic ones worth buying usually support an HDMI or DisplayPort monitor, as well as a few USB ports (most often Type-A, but sometimes Type-C) for a mouse, keyboard, etc. However, you can find KVM switches that support multiple displays, including higher resolutions, and have a variety of other ports, such as SD card readers and XLRs for professional audio devices. Of course, the larger and more robust the KVM switch, the more expensive it is likely to be.

Additionally, some monitors have built-in KVM switches, which allow you to connect top-brand monitors to multiple computers. You can then connect peripherals to USB ports on the monitor and switch between computers using the monitor’s controls.

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Of course, a KVM switch isn’t useful unless you need to share a single set of peripherals across multiple computers. But if you think KVM switches are only useful for those with two laptops, think again. Of course, those with multiple laptops or desktops are the primary use case for these devices, since you can dock both computers to the KVM switch and move between them on the same set of peripherals. But KVM switches can be useful for other devices as well. Here are some more common use cases:

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• You can connect multiple gaming consoles to a TV that has too few HDMI ports using a KVM switch.
• You can connect your game console and computer to the same monitor or TV using a KVM switch.
• Using a KVM switch, you can connect multiple streaming devices to the same monitor or TV.
• You can connect your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet to your computer monitor via a KVM switch and run the Samsung DeX app.
• Musicians can use KVM switches in the studio to allow visiting musicians to connect their laptops and use studio equipment.
• Live streamers can use a KVM switch to switch between their personal computer and the streaming computer.

This is not an exhaustive list, and you may have a unique use case for a KVM switch. In summary, anyone who wants to use the same monitor or peripherals with multiple devices can benefit from having one.

It’s easy to tell if you would benefit from a KVM switch. The hard part is choosing the right one. With so many switches on the market, varying in price, specifications, and form factors, you need to narrow down your choices to the perfect one for you by identifying your specific needs.

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The first question you should ask yourself is what devices you’ll be connecting to your KVM switch. For example, if you want to connect a mouse, a keyboard, an HDMI monitor, and a pair of wired headphones, you’ll need to find a KVM switch with at least two USB ports, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm TRS headphone jack. Next, you’ll want to decide how many host devices you’ll be connecting to the switch. If you only have two devices to connect—two laptops, for example—most KVM switches will support that. However, if you need to connect three or more devices, you’ll want to make sure you buy a switch that supports all of them. Additionally, if you plan on connecting devices that can be charged via USB-C, make sure the KVM switch has a power supply.

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Next, decide what kind of display connection you need between HDMI and DisplayPort, making sure you choose a switch that supports the correct version of the standard. For example, if your laptop and monitor both support DisplayPort 2.1, you’ll need a KVM switch that supports DisplayPort 2.1. While you’re at it, make sure your KVM switch also supports the highest refresh rate your monitor supports.

Finally, make sure that the USB ports on your chosen KVM switch support the highest standards that your connected devices support. For example, if your computer supports USB 3.2, you will need a KVM switch with the same functionality.