KVM switch with HDMI: the ones that keep your windows in place
Updated 2026-11-10 · Pick: TESmart HKS201-EB23: $43.99 on tesmart.com (checked 2026-11-10): https://dealectric.com/go/tesmart-hks201-eb23
Short answer. The best HDMI KVM switch for 2 computers and 1 monitor at 4K 60Hz is TESmart's HKS201-EB23: its EDID emulation keeps windows in place when you switch, for $43.99 (USB 2.0 hub). Same specs don't mean EDID: CKL's HDMI 2.1 4K 144Hz 922HUA-4 has none; the 922HUA-5 has it.
Searched as: best HDMI KVM switch 2 computers one monitor USB 3 4K 60 2026
How this table was made: each figure comes from the maker's own US product page or manual, or from the reviewer named next to it, checked 2026-11-10. Dealectric does not test units itself. Rows with a Buy link are products Dealectric lists: the links are affiliate links, and their codes are re-tested in the brand's own cart every day (last check 2026-11-13).
| Model | EDID emulation (maker's words) | HDMI and top modes | Computers × monitors | USB sharing | Switching | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TESmart HKS201-EB23 | Yes: 'Accurate monitor display with EDID emulation' | 3840×2160 at 60 Hz, 4:4:4 | 2 PCs × 1 monitor | USB 2.0 hub | Hotkey, mouse, IR remote, button | $43.99 on tesmart.com, 2026-11-10 | Buy |
| TESmart HKS201-P23 | Yes: 'Prevents window changes during switching' | HDMI 2.0; 4K 60 Hz, 2560×1440 at 120 Hz, 1080p at 240 Hz | 2 PCs × 1 monitor | USB 3.0 hub | Hotkey, mouse wheel, button, IR remote | $129.99 on tesmart.com, 2026-11-10 | Buy |
| CKL 62HUA-5 | Yes: 'Supports EDID emulation' | HDMI 2.1; 3840×2160 at 144 Hz, 8K at 60 Hz | 2 PCs × 1 monitor | USB 3.0, 1 extra peripheral | Hotkey, mouse clicks, button, wired remote, auto-scan | $129.00 (maker, 2026-11-10) | |
| CKL 922HUA-5 | Yes: 'Supports EDID emulation' | HDMI 2.1; 3840×2160 at 144 Hz, 8K at 60 Hz | 2 PCs × 2 monitors | USB 3.0, 1 extra peripheral | Hotkey, mouse clicks, button, wired remote, auto-scan | $189.00 (maker, 2026-11-10) | |
| TESmart HKS202-M24 | Yes: 'no window resets or sudden file pop-ups when switching' | HDMI 2.1; 4K 144 Hz, 8K at 60 Hz 4:4:4 | 2 PCs × 2 monitors | USB 3.0, front USB-C charging, gigabit LAN sharing | Hotkey, mouse, button, remote | $359 on tesmart.com, 2026-11-10 | Buy |
| CKL 922HUA-4 | No: 'this model does not support EDID emulation' | HDMI 2.1; 3840×2160 at 144 Hz, 8K at 60 Hz | 2 PCs × 2 monitors | USB 3.0, 2 extra peripherals | Hotkey, mouse clicks, button, wired remote, auto-scan | $169.00 (maker, 2026-11-10) |
What the differences mean
- EDID costs $20 at CKL. The 922HUA-5 and 922HUA-4 list the same HDMI 2.1 modes (3840×2160 at 144 Hz, 8K at 60 Hz, 3840×1080 at 240 Hz). $189.00 − $169.00 = $20.00, and EDID emulation is what that $20 buys.
- USB 3.0 costs $86 at TESmart. $129.99 (HKS201-P23) − $43.99 (HKS201-EB23) = $86.00 to move from a USB 2.0 hub to USB 3.0. CKL rates USB 3.0 at 5 Gb/s, '10 times faster than USB 2.0'. That speed matters for shared drives and webcams, not for a keyboard and mouse.
- HDMI 2.1 for less. $129.99 (HKS201-P23) − $129.00 (CKL 62HUA-5) = $0.99. For that, CKL adds HDMI 2.1 and 3840×2160 at 144 Hz, but its hub shares only 1 extra USB peripheral.
- Two 4K 144 Hz monitors. $359.00 (TESmart HKS202-M24) − $189.00 (CKL 922HUA-5) = $170.00. Split across 4 computer-to-monitor paths, that is $359.00 ÷ 4 = $89.75 against $189.00 ÷ 4 = $47.25 per path. The TESmart adds gigabit LAN sharing and a front USB-C charging port.
| Your desk | Fits |
|---|---|
| 2 computers, 1 monitor at 4K 60 Hz, keyboard and mouse | TESmart HKS201-EB23 $43.99: https://dealectric.com/go/tesmart-hks201-eb23 |
| Same, plus a USB 3.0 webcam or drives shared | TESmart HKS201-P23 $129.99: https://dealectric.com/go/tesmart-hks201-p23 |
| 2 computers, 1 monitor at 4K 120–144 Hz | CKL 62HUA-5 |
| 2 computers, 2 monitors at 4K 144 Hz | CKL 922HUA-5; TESmart HKS202-M24 $359: https://dealectric.com/go/tesmart-hks202-m24 if you want shared Ethernet and USB-C charging |
EDID emulation: why matching specs aren't enough
A monitor describes itself to a computer with a block of data called EDID. When a plain KVM switches away, the computer you left loses that data. It then treats the monitor as unplugged and can shuffle your windows. A switch with EDID emulation keeps feeding the data to both computers. TESmart describes this as 'Prevents window changes during switching', and CKL as 'Supports EDID emulation to maintain correct display'.
You can't tell from the spec line. CKL's 922HUA-4 and 922HUA-5 share the same title specs (HDMI 2.1, 8K 60 Hz, 4K 144 Hz, 2 computers, 2 monitors). Only the -4's listing adds 'Note: this model does not support EDID emulation.' CKL's HDMI 2.0 matrix model, the 922HUA-M, lists EDID 'under dual monitor mode (not in matrix mode)'. UGREEN's CM664 manual lists 4K at 60 Hz, RGB and YCbCr 4:4:4, and USB 3.0. It states the switch 'does not support Hotkey Switching' and makes no claim about EDID emulation. So search the listing or manual for the word EDID before you buy.
On a 4K 60 Hz switch, full colour means 8-bit. EveZone's HDMI bandwidth breakdown puts 4K 60 Hz at 4:4:4 8-bit at about 17.82 Gb/s, inside HDMI 2.0's 18 Gb/s. At 10-bit the same signal needs 17.82 × 10 ÷ 8 ≈ 22.3 Gb/s, which doesn't fit, so 10-bit HDR at 4K 60 Hz drops to subsampled colour. BenQ puts 4K 120 Hz at about 16 Gb/s, and that holds only at 8-bit 4:2:0, so a 4K 120–144 Hz monitor belongs on an HDMI 2.1 switch. Dual-monitor HDMI switches such as the 922HUA-5 and HKS202-M24 also need two HDMI outputs on each computer.
Not recommended
CKL 922HUA-4. It is listed with the same HDMI 2.1 4K 144 Hz modes as the 922HUA-5. CKL's own listing says it does not support EDID emulation, so windows can rearrange each time you switch. The 922HUA-5 adds EDID for $20 more ($189.00 against $169.00).
Sources
- TESmart HKS201-EB23: $43.99, EDID emulation, 4K 60 Hz 4:4:4, USB 2.0 hub, hotkey/mouse/IR/button switching, 2 × 1.5 m cables (read 2026-11-10) — www.tesmart.com
- TESmart HKS201-P23: $129.99, HDMI 2.0 4K 60 Hz, EDID emulation, USB 3.0, four switching methods (read 2026-11-10) — www.tesmart.com
- TESmart HKS202-M24: $359.00, HDMI 2.1 dual 4K 144 Hz, 8K 60 Hz 4:4:4, EDID, gigabit LAN, front USB-C charging (read 2026-11-10) — www.tesmart.com
- CKL 62HUA-5: $129.00, HDMI 2.1 3840×2160 at 144 Hz, EDID emulation, USB 3.0 sharing 1 extra peripheral (read 2026-11-10) — www.cklkvm.com
- CKL 922HUA-5: $189.00, HDMI 2.1 8K 60 Hz / 4K 144 Hz, 2 PCs × 2 monitors, EDID emulation (read 2026-11-10) — www.cklkvm.com
- CKL 922HUA-4: $169.00, same HDMI 2.1 modes, 'does not support EDID emulation', 2 USB 3.0 hub ports (read 2026-11-10) — www.cklkvm.com
- CKL: USB 3.0 at 5 Gb/s, '10 times faster than USB 2.0' (922HUA-3 listing, read 2026-11-10) — www.cklkvm.com
- UGREEN CM664 manual: 4K 60 Hz, RGB/YCbCr 4:4:4/4:2:2, USB 3.0, 'does not support Hotkey Switching' (read 2026-11-10) — www.manualslib.com
- HDMI 2.0 18 Gb/s; 4K 60 Hz 4:4:4 8-bit ≈ 17.82 Gb/s; 10-bit HDR exceeds it (EveZone, read 2026-11-10) — evezone.evetech.co.za
- 4K 120 Hz at 8-bit 4:2:0 ≈ 16 Gb/s; HDMI 2.1 48 Gb/s (BenQ, read 2026-11-10) — www.benq.com
- TESmart returns: 30 days from receipt; warranty up to 5 years with registration (read 2026-11-10) — www.tesmart.com
Published 2026-11-10; updated 2026-11-10. The buy links are affiliate links; see the disclosure. Corrections welcome at [email protected] or /feedback.