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Do you want to stream a movie on your phone but view it on a larger screen? What about a way to connect your laptop to a projector for an important presentation at work? If so, you need some sort of HDMI adapter and if the tech is old you need an HDMI to VGA adapter. If your laptop, phone, or tablet has a USB-C port, you’re going to need a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
With the correct adapter, you can connect your devices to audiovisual displays easily. You’ll be able to stop worrying and start sharing what matters to you. Read on to discover more about the best and most popular USB C adapters on the market today, as well as the answers to several common questions you might have.
Why Would You Need a USB-C to HDMI Adapter?
A USB-C to HDMI adapter will let you connect a device with a USB-C port to a device with an HDMI port. Smartphones, tablets, and an increasing number of laptops use USB-C ports, instead of regular USB. You’ll find HDMI ports on a range of audio and video devices, including TVs, projectors, and video game consoles.
Anytime you want to connect a personal device with a USB-C port to an audiovisual display, you’ll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. Having one on hand in your home or at the office can save you time and prevent you from having to struggle with technical issues in front of friends or coworkers.
Best USB-C to HDMI Adapters
You don’t want to order an adapter only to discover that it’s faulty, cheaply manufactured, or incompatible with your devices. Most ports on electronic devices look similar, so research the exact specifications of your particular device to ensure what you’re looking at really is a USB-C or HDMI port.
Now that you know your hardware, it’s time to start shopping for the best adapter for you. You have a lot of options, so no matter what devices you’re attempting to connect, there’s something out there for you.
Anker USB-C to HDMI Adapter
The Anker USB-C to HDMI Adapter is a popular option for people searching for a USB-C to HDMI adapter. It’s compatible with Apple products, including the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iPad Pro, as well as the Google Pixelbook, Dell XPS, Samsung Galaxy phones, and more.
With this Anker product, you can connect your device to a TV without any fuss or difficulty. Particularly impressive is its durability. The cable itself is braided nylon meant to stand up to daily use, while the casing is aluminum to help prevent overheating.
Anker has a reputation for excellence, and this adapter meets the company’s usual standards. If you run into issues while using it, they will likely stem from device incompatibility. For example, this adapter won’t work with some laptop models or Nintendo Switches. If you encounter other problems, Anker’s customer support services tend to be friendly and efficient.
Keep in mind that if your device has a refresh rate higher than the 60Hz this adapter supports, you will be limited to 60Hz while using the adapter.
This adapter is one of the best choices on the market because:
- Anker has excellent customer service
- The braided nylon cable and aluminum casing are both durable
- It supports 4K at 60Hz
- An 18-month warranty
Uni USB C to HDMI Cable
The Uni USB Type C to HDMI Cable is an excellent option for your home or office, particularly if you’re looking for a cable with a longer reach. It’s compatible with newer versions of Apple products, including the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, Dell XPS 13 and 15, Google Pixel Slate, and more.
You can use this cable for everything from your day-to-day office activities to connecting your laptop to a projector for an important presentation. Outside of work, you can connect your phone to a big-screen TV, so you won’t miss any shows or sporting events.
This adapter offers a smooth, clear picture with a resolution of 4K at 60Hz. Please note that both of the devices you’re connecting need to have 4K capabilities for this to work. You can also enjoy 1080p at 30Hz and 2K at 144Hz.
The aluminum casing allows for heat dissipation and reduces potential interference, so your WiFi connection will remain strong and stable. The cable itself is sturdy, braided nylon, and, as an added benefit, uni provides a lifetime warranty for this product.
This adapter is an excellent choice because:
- It’s slim, lightweight, and professional-looking
- You can enjoy clear resolution as it supports 4K at 60Hz
- The nylon cable and aluminum casing are built to last
- The cable is six feet long, so it’s versatile without necessitating an extension cable
Upgrow USB C to HDMI Adapter 4K Cable
The Upgrow USB C to HDMI Adapter is another common choice for anyone looking for a USB-C to HDMI adapter. It’s a highly durable option, with Upgrow estimating that it can withstand more than 10,000 uses.
The Upgrow adapter is compatible with versions of Apple products from 2018 or later, including MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iPad Pro, as well as the Google Pixel Slate, Microsoft Surface Book 2, and a range of Samsung Galaxy products.
The adapter features a braided nylon cable, which adds to its durability and resists tangling. In addition, its high-quality aluminum casing works to prevent overheating and reduce potential interference with your WiFi signal.
With 4K at 30Hz, the adapter allows for a crisp, clear picture on devices with 4K capabilities. It’s typically best to have a refresh rate of 60Hz or more for gaming, so keep that in mind if that’s why you’re shopping for an adapter.
With that said, the refresh rate you can achieve with this adapter is perfectly fine for office work, most presentations, and most videos.
Upgrow offers an 18-month warranty on this adapter so that you can purchase it without worry. The company wants to ensure you’re satisfied with your purchase, so the warranty covers a refund or replacement under any condition.
The benefits this adapter offers include:
- An 18-month warranty
- 4K resolution at 30Hz
- Strength and durability stemming from its construction
- Signal transfer protection from the snug USB-C port fit
How to Hook up USB-C to HDMI Adapter?
Hooking up your USB-C to HDMI adapter is fast and easy to do. By design, all of the options included in this guide fall into the plug-and-play category—simply plug each end of the adapter into the matching port and press play.
You don’t need to download any additional drivers or software to use plug-and-play adapters, making them ideal for casual use.
The most challenging part of using a USB-C to HDMI adapter is determining which adapters are compatible with your devices. Most products have a relatively comprehensive list of compatible devices, but less common products might require a bit of research.
Before purchasing a USB-C to HDMI adapter, look at the manufacturing specifications for all of the devices you intend to use with it. There are multiple types of USB-C ports and HDMI ports, so ensure you’re shopping for an adapter that will work with what you have.
A USB-C to HDMI adapter won’t work as a charging cable, so keep that in mind if one of the devices you’re using runs on battery. You will have to plug it in separately if you intend to use it for a while. In the case of a smartphone with only one port, you will have to limit your activities based on the length of the phone’s battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Use USB-C to HDMI Adapter with Smartphone?
The first thing you should know before you purchase a USB-C to HDMI adapter to use with a smartphone is that iPhones aren’t compatible. You’ll need a lightning connector to HDMI adapter if you have an iPhone, not a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
Smartphones from manufacturers like Google, LG, Samsung, Huawei, and OnePlus will typically have a USB-C port, which means you should be able to use a USB-C to HDMI adapter. If you have a plug-and-play adapter, all you need to do is plug the USB-C end of the adapter into your smartphone’s port and the HDMI end into the other device you want to connect.
How to Play Phone on TV with USB-C HDMI Adapter?
You likely consider your smartphone an essential piece of technology, but the relatively small screen size limits its use. If you want to look at pictures, watch a video or play a game, doing so on a larger screen will make your life easier.
USB-C to HDMI adapters let you connect your phone to a TV screen. First, connect the USB-C end of the adapter to your phone and the HDMI end to your TV.
If your TV screen says “no signal” or something similar, you will likely need to change your TV’s input setting. The method you use to do so will depend on what type of TV you have and what your remote looks like.
Generally, you’ll need to locate the source or input button on your remote. A quick search online or of your user’s manual can tell you the specifics. Once you know how to change your TV’s input setting, shift it to HDMI.
Many TVs have more than one HDMI input setting. Don’t panic. HDMI1, HDMI2, and so on refer to the ports on your TV, so select the one you’re connecting your smartphone to. Most of the time, the port on the TV will be labeled.
With the right input setting selected, you should see your phone screen mirrored on your television. Now, you only have one more thing to do. Pull up whatever you want to view on your phone and press play.
Why Am I Losing Picture Quality Using USB-C to HDMI Adapter?
The manufacturers of USB-C to HDMI adapters intend the cable to allow for excellent picture quality between devices. However, you may find that you’re losing picture quality or never had a good quality picture in the first place.
Screen Resolution and Refresh Rate
The first things to check are the refresh rate and screen resolution of the devices you’re using. A quick search for how to check them followed by your exact device should result in clear, easy-to-follow directions. For a laptop running Windows 10, you’re going to want to click Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced Display Settings.
Changing these settings may improve your picture quality. Generally, the higher your refresh rate and the more pixels your screen resolution offers, the better.
4K means a device has a horizontal screen resolution of around 4,000 pixels. However, not every device has 4K capabilities. If one of your devices doesn’t, you may not have the best picture quality possible with your adapter.
Hardware Limitations
If checking your screen resolution and refresh rate doesn’t yield results, it may be worth taking another look at the manufacturing specifications of your devices. Older, more basic versions of HDMI and USB-C ports don’t transfer data as quickly as the new ones.
Slower data transfer speeds can cause a significant decrease in image quality, so it’s worth exploring if you’re struggling with your picture quality.
Final Thoughts on USB-C to HDMI Adapters
A high-quality, durable USB-C to HDMI adapter can improve both your productivity at the office and your media viewing experience, so finding the perfect one for you is well worth the time you spend doing so. And a USB-C to USB adapter or a USB C to VGA adapter is also something you might have use of in the office.
If you’re looking for a USB-C to HDMI adapter that will let you seamlessly connect devices, you need Anker’s version. Being highly durable and offering near-universal compatibility, Anker’s adapter is an excellent choice whether you’re looking to buy it for personal or professional use.
Because it’s a plug-and-play adapter, you won’t need to install any new drivers or worry about a time-consuming setup. It also comes with an 18-month warranty, allowing you to purchase it worry-free. As an added benefit, it offers 4K resolution at 60Hz, so you can use it for gaming as well as streaming or presenting.