HDMI vs DisplayPort

Two digital video standards with different homes: HDMI dominates televisions and consoles, DisplayPort dominates PC monitors and graphics cards.

Last reviewed 10 September 2026

Quick answer

Use whichever your two devices both have — that settles most cases. Where you have a choice, it usually comes down to what you plugged in: televisions, soundbars and games consoles are built around HDMI, while PC graphics cards and computer monitors favour DisplayPort. For a gaming PC driving a high refresh rate monitor, DisplayPort is generally the safer pick. For anything connected to a TV, HDMI, because it also carries the audio return and remote-control features a TV needs.

Verdict:: HDMI for televisions and consoles, DisplayPort for PC monitors

Side by side

Specification	HDMI	DisplayPort
Found on	TVs, consoles, soundbars, laptops	Graphics cards, monitors, docks
Latest common version	2.1 — 48 Gbps	2.1 — up to 80 Gbps
Audio return (ARC/eARC)	Yes	No
Remote control passthrough	Yes, via CEC	No
Daisy-chaining monitors	No	Yes, via MST
Connector locks	No	Often, with a latch
Adaptive sync	Yes, HDMI 2.1 VRR	Yes, Adaptive-Sync

They grew up in different places

HDMI came out of the consumer electronics industry and carries the things a living room needs: audio back down the same cable, and one remote controlling several boxes. DisplayPort came out of the computer industry and carries what a desktop needs: very high bandwidth and several monitors from one port.

For gaming

Both support variable refresh rate now, so the old rule that only DisplayPort did is out of date. On a PC, DisplayPort is still generally the more predictable route to high refresh rates at high resolution, and it is what a graphics card gives you most of. On a console, the question does not arise — it is HDMI.

Adapters are directional

DisplayPort to HDMI usually works, because DP sources can output an HDMI signal. HDMI to DisplayPort needs a powered active converter and is far more likely to disappoint. Buy the cable that matches the source rather than planning to adapt.

Multiple monitors from one port

DisplayPort can daisy-chain, running a second monitor from the first over a single cable back to the computer, and a DisplayPort dock can drive several displays from one connection. HDMI has no equivalent — every screen needs its own port on the source.

The connectors themselves

DisplayPort plugs usually have a latch that clicks in and needs a button pressed to release, which is why a DisplayPort cable rarely falls out of the back of a desktop. HDMI relies on friction, which is more convenient behind a television and less secure on a desk.

What to check when nothing appears

Most no-signal problems on either standard are the cable or the input. Try a different cable before assuming the port is dead, make sure the display is on the right input, and on a PC remember that a monitor plugged into the motherboard rather than the graphics card will often show nothing at all.

Check before you swap. Batteries with similar dimensions are not always interchangeable. Always verify voltage, chemistry and the requirements printed in your device manual before fitting a replacement.