Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.

HDMI vs DisplayPort
Which is the best?

Updated

HDMI Cable

HDMI and DisplayPort are two of the most commonly used connectors on displays and media devices. From computers and gaming consoles to the smallest monitors and the largest TVs, chances are you have something that supports at least one of these connectors. When it comes to monitors, most of them come with at least one HDMI and DisplayPort connection, and most computers support both. But what is the difference between the two, and how do you decide which one to use?

Supported Technologies

HDMI and DisplayPort were designed for different uses, so they support different technologies. Each has its own advantages depending on how you plan to use it.

Supported Resolutions

The maximum resolution and refresh rate available depends on the specific versions of DisplayPort and HDMI available to you. Most monitors on the market today support either DisplayPort 1.2 or 1.4 and/or HDMI 1.4 or 2.0. While the exact specifications vary depending on a few other factors, below is a list of the approximate maximum formats each connector can support.

  HDMI 1.4 HDMI 2.0 HDMI 2.1 DP 1.2 DP 1.3 DP 1.4 DP 2.0
1080p @ 120Hz
1440p @ 30Hz
1440p @ 60Hz
1440p @ 120Hz
4k @ 30Hz
4k @ 60Hz
4k @ 120Hz
8k @ 30Hz
8k @ 60Hz
8k @ 120Hz
HDR

HDMI is technically superior thanks to the release of HDMI 2.1, which surpasses the capabilities of DisplayPort 1.4, but monitors that support it are scarce. Expect that to change soon, though, as a number of manufacturers announced HDMI 2.1 monitors at CES 2021. Compared to standard HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4 is superior. DisplayPort 2.0 has also been announced, and it has an even higher maximum bandwidth than HDMI 2.1 at nearly triple the bandwidth of DisplayPort 1.4. This would theoretically make it possible to achieve resolutions of up to 16k with compression or lower resolutions with much higher refresh rates than is currently possible. As of writing, though, there's no hardware that supports DisplayPort 2.0, and due to global delays, we likely won't see any until late 2021 at least.

Winner: HDMI, for now

Multi-Stream Transport (MST)

First introduced with DisplayPort 1.2, Multi-Stream Transport, or MST, allows you to connect multiple displays to a single DisplayPort connection on your computer. Although the total bandwidth can't exceed the maximum bandwidth of the port you're using, in theory, this technology allows you to run up to 63 separate displays on a single port. This device chaining can be done either from one display to another, a technique known as 'daisy-chaining', or through an external hub.

HDMI doesn't natively support MST, but it's possible to achieve similar results using DisplayPort to HDMI hubs. This still requires a DisplayPort connection on the source device.

Winner: DisplayPort

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

HDMI

  • Supports only FreeSync

DisplayPort

  • Supports G-SYNC and FreeSync

With two different mainstream VRR technologies on the market, it's important that your choice of connector match your needs. If you're looking to connect a PC with an AMD graphics card, or an Xbox, you'll be looking for a display that supports FreeSync. FreeSync is supported on both HDMI and DisplayPort, so you don't really have to worry about it. G-SYNC, NVIDIA's VRR technology, is only supported over DisplayPort at the moment, so if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, a DisplayPort connection is best. For options, see our recommendations for the best G-SYNC monitors.

Winner: DisplayPort

Learn more about the difference between FreeSync and G-SYNC.

USB-C Alt-Mode

Mainly supported on compact 2-in-1 PCs and some phones, USB-C Alt-Mode can send a video signal over a USB-C port. DisplayPort has supported this capability since 2014 and depending on the bandwidth required for the display, it also allows USB data to be sent over the same cable, so if your monitor has built-in USB ports, you can drive the display and the USB ports with a single cable. This also allows for USB Power Delivery mode, powering your computer with a single cable. HDMI also supports USB-C Alt-Mode, but requires a more complex cable, as the signal must be converted from DisplayPort to HDMI.

Winner: DisplayPort

Other Technologies

This is just a summary of the major technologies supported by both DisplayPort and HDMI. HDMI also supports other technologies, including ARC and eARC, and Ethernet-Over-HDMI. With very few exceptions, these technologies are mainly designed with TVs in mind, and they aren't supported on the vast majority of monitors, so they're beyond the scope of this article.

Physical Differences

HDMI CableHDMI Connector
DisplayPort CableDisplayPort Connector

HDMI

  • 19-Pin Connector
  • Friction Latch

DisplayPort

  • 20-Pin Connector
  • Mechanical Latch on most

HDMI and DisplayPort are physically very similar. HDMI uses a 19-pin cable, while DisplayPort has 20 pins. Both connectors look alike, but most DisplayPort cables have a physical latch that prevents them from being disconnected accidentally. Although not officially part of the DisplayPort standard, the majority of DisplayPort cables have a latching mechanism. On the other hand, very few HDMI cables have latches.

Winner: Draw

Maximum Length

HDMI

  • 100' for 1080p signals
  • 30' for 4k signals
  • Active cables can be used for longer runs
  • Supports other cable types, including HDBaseT, for runs over 300'

DisplayPort

  • Officially: 10'
  • Longer cables exist, but maximum resolution may decrease
  • Expensive extenders required for longer runs

Standard HDMI cables are available in lengths exceeding 100' for 1080p signals, or 30' for 4k signals. Using active cables, or other transmission methods, like HDMI over HDBaseT, makes it possible to run HDMI cables for over 300'. DisplayPort, on the other hand, has a maximum length of about 10' according to the official standard. Longer cables exist, but the maximum resolution and refresh rate may decrease with longer cables.

Winner: HDMI

Compatibility

Originally designed for HD TVs, HDMI is now supported by almost any home audio/video device, including computers, home theater systems, game consoles, etc. HDMI is also supported by the vast majority of displays currently on the market, from small portable displays to the largest 8k TVs.

DisplayPort was designed for computer use as a replacement for DVI and VGA connectors. There are no consumer TVs that support DisplayPort at this time, and we don't know if there ever will be. None of the major game consoles support DisplayPort, nor do most cable/satellite boxes or streaming devices.

  HDMI DisplayPort
TVs Yes No
Projectors Yes No
Monitors Yes Yes
Computers Yes Yes
Game Consoles Yes No
Blu-ray Players Yes No
Streaming Devices Yes No
Cable Boxes Yes No

Winner: HDMI

Conclusion

DisplayPort and HDMI cables deliver very similar performance, but they each have their advantages and disadvantages. HDMI is supported on more devices, but DisplayPort, which was designed for computers, has a few technical advantages. Overall, if you're looking to connect your computer to a new monitor, use DisplayPort if it's an option. If not, HDMI is an almost equally good choice. If your monitor has a limited number of inputs, using DisplayPort will also leave your HDMI ports free, which is great if you want to connect a game console or other device.