Dual monitor DisplayPort KVM switch: which ones keep your windows in place
Updated 2026-11-13 · Pick: TESmart DKS202-M24: $329.90 on tesmart.com (checked 2026-11-13): https://dealectric.com/go/tesmart-dks202-m24
Short answer. A dual monitor DisplayPort KVM switch needs EDID emulation to keep windows in place when you switch PCs. The TESmart DKS202-M24 has it with two DP 1.4 outputs at $329.90; CKL's $149.99 622DP-4 and the Level1Techs switch do not, and CKL's EDID model costs $379.
Searched as: best dual monitor DisplayPort KVM switches Level1Techs TESmart AV Access 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 2026-11-13. 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 | Monitor outputs | Maker's video rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TESmart DKS202-M24 | Yes ('Smart EDID emulation') | 2 × DisplayPort 1.4 | 8K 60 Hz; 4K 60/120/144 Hz | $329.90 on tesmart.com, 2026-11-13 | Buy |
| AV Access 8KSW21DP-DM | No ('does not support EDID emulation at present') | 2 × DisplayPort (6 DP 1.4a cables in box) | 8K 60 Hz; 4K 165/144/120 Hz | $159.99 on avaccess.com, 2026-11-13 | Buy |
| CKL 622DP-4 | No (CKL: desktop locations may change on switching) | 2 × DisplayPort 1.4 | 4K 144 Hz; 8K 30 Hz per monitor | $149.99 (maker, 2026-11-13) | |
| CKL 622DP-5 | Yes ('built in emulated EDID') | HDMI (DisplayPort inputs, HDMI outputs) | 7680×4320 60 Hz; 3840×2160 144 Hz | $379.00 (maker, 2026-11-13) | |
| Level1Techs 1.4 DisplayPort KVM, Dual Monitor, Two Computer | No ('does not support monitor emulation') | 2 × DisplayPort 1.4 | 4K 120 Hz or 8K 30 Hz; 1440p 144 Hz; DSC supported | from $520.00 (maker, 2026-11-13) |
What the differences mean
- What EDID costs at CKL: its EDID model, the 622DP-5, costs $379.00 − $149.99 = $229.01 more than the 622DP-4, and it moves your monitors to HDMI.
- TESmart vs CKL's EDID model: $379.00 − $329.90 = $49.10 less for the TESmart DKS202-M24, which also keeps DisplayPort to the monitors.
- What EDID costs over the cheapest DP switch: $329.90 − $159.99 = $169.91 more than the AV Access 8KSW21DP-DM.
- Cables: two PCs × two monitors take 4 input cables plus 2 to the monitors, so 6 DisplayPort cables. AV Access includes all 6. CKL's 622DP-4 includes 4. At Level1Techs' $13 DP 1.4 cable, the CKL setup costs $149.99 + 2 × $13 = $175.99 against $159.99 for AV Access. Level1Techs ships no cables: $520 + 6 × $13 = $598.
- 4K 144 Hz is a DSC figure: VESA puts DisplayPort 1.4's video payload at 25.92 Gbps. 3840 × 2160 × 144 Hz × 24 bits = 28.67 Gbps before blanking, so it doesn't fit without Display Stream Compression (or 4:2:2 colour, per Cable Matters). 4K 120 Hz works out to 23.89 Gbps and fits, which matches Level1Techs' own 4K 120 Hz rating. Every '4K 144 Hz' rating above assumes your graphics card and monitors support DSC.
| Your desk | Fits |
|---|---|
| Two DP monitors, windows must stay put, up to 4K 120–144 Hz | TESmart DKS202-M24 |
| Lowest total cost, windows rearranging is acceptable | AV Access 8KSW21DP-DM (all 6 cables included) |
| HDMI monitors and EDID wanted | CKL 622DP-5, though the TESmart costs $49.10 less and keeps DP |
| Laptop with a single video output | CKL 622DP-MST ($169, one DP input per PC; both monitors at up to 4K 60 Hz together) |
Why EDID emulation decides a dual-monitor KVM
When a KVM switches away from a PC, a switch without emulation disconnects that PC from its monitors. The operating system sees both displays disappear and reconnect, so it moves windows and can reset the layout. CKL states this directly for the 622DP-4: 'This DisplayPort KVM switch does not support EDID emulation so the desktop locations may change upon switching and boot-up.' AV Access says the 8KSW21DP-DM 'does not support EDID emulation at present', and Level1Techs says its switch 'does not support monitor emulation'. A switch with EDID emulation keeps presenting each monitor to the PC you left. TESmart calls this 'Smart EDID emulation' on the DKS202-M24, and CKL says the 622DP-5's emulated EDID 'retains your monitor resolution, refreshrate and display configuration when switching between PCs.'
Know the limits before you buy the $329.90: https://dealectric.com/go/tesmart-dks202-m24. TESmart's FAQ says each computer needs two video connections for dual monitors. One owner on TESmart's community forum (2026-03-25) reported windows still moving after a Windows lock and unlock.
Mac owners: Apple's specs list one external display for the M2 MacBook Air, so only one of each computer's two KVM inputs gets a picture. An M3 MacBook Air or Pro drives two displays only with the lid closed, and the second display runs 4K at up to 100 Hz (or 5K at 60 Hz). Apple lists the M4 and M5 MacBook Air at two displays of up to 4K 144 Hz each.
Not recommended
CKL 622DP-4, if you want windows to stay put. CKL's own listing says it has no EDID emulation. It also ships without the two monitor cables, so a complete setup costs $175.99 at $13 a cable, more than the $159.99: https://dealectric.com/go/avaccess-8ksw21dp-dm at $159.99 with all six DP cables in the box. That one also lacks EDID.
Sources
- TESmart DKS202-M24: Smart EDID emulation, DP 1.4, 8K 60 Hz / 4K 60/120/144 Hz, $329.90 (read 2026-11-13) — www.tesmart.com
- CKL 622DP-4: no EDID emulation, 4K 144 Hz / 8K 30 Hz, needs dual DP outputs, cables except monitor cables, $149.99 (read 2026-11-13) — cklkvm.com
- CKL 622DP-5: emulated EDID, DisplayPort inputs and HDMI outputs, 7680×4320 60 Hz / 3840×2160 144 Hz, $379.00 (read 2026-11-13) — cklkvm.com
- CKL 622DP-MST: one DP input per PC, dual 4K 60 Hz at once, $169.00 (read 2026-11-13) — cklkvm.com
- AV Access 8KSW21DP-DM: no EDID emulation, 4K 165/144 Hz, 6 DP 1.4a cables in box, 5 Gbps USB, 30-day returns, $159.99 (read 2026-11-13) — www.avaccess.com
- AV Access warranty policy: 1-year limited warranty on the main unit of all models (read 2026-11-13) — www.avaccess.com
- TESmart warranty: 1-year limited warranty; registering extends KVM switch main units to 3 years for US/EU orders from TESmart's site or Amazon store (read 2026-11-13) — support.tesmart.com
- TESmart refund policy: 30-day returns in original condition and packaging, for tesmart.com orders only (read 2026-11-13) — www.tesmart.com
- Level1Techs dual-monitor DP 1.4 KVM: no monitor emulation, 4K 120 Hz / 8K 30 Hz, DSC supported, no cables included, $13 DP 1.4 cable, from $520.00 (read 2026-11-13) — www.store.level1techs.com
- DisplayPort 1.4 (HBR3) audio/video payload of 25.92 Gbps (VESA, read 2026-11-13) — vesa.org
- DP 1.4 reaches 4K 120 Hz; 4K 144 Hz needs 4:2:2 or DSC (Cable Matters, read 2026-11-13) — www.cablematters.com
- TESmart FAQ: two video connections per computer for dual monitors (read 2026-11-13) — support.tesmart.com
- Owner report of windows moving after Windows lock/unlock on the DKS202-M24, 2026-03-25 (TESmart Community, read 2026-11-13) — community.tesmart.com
- M3 MacBook Air/Pro: two external displays only with lid closed, second up to 5K 60 Hz or 4K 100 Hz (Apple, read 2026-11-13) — support.apple.com
- M2 MacBook Air: one external display (Apple, read 2026-11-13) — support.apple.com
- M4/M5 MacBook Air: two external displays up to 4K 144 Hz each (Apple, read 2026-11-13) — support.apple.com
Published 2026-11-13; updated 2026-11-13. The buy links are affiliate links; see the disclosure. Corrections welcome at [email protected] or /feedback.