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Is Wireless HDMI Good for Gaming?

Find out if a wireless HDMI transmitter is a good option for gaming. Learn about wireless HDMI and what other options are available to extend an HDMI connection.

Is Wireless HDMI Good for Gaming? Brandon Jones / TechReviewer

Last Updated: March 18, 2023

Written by Brandon Jones

Trying to extend an HDMI connection cleanly with Wireless HDMI may sound nice, but is it good enough for gaming? Using wireless HDMI for gaming has some positive and negative aspects that I'll talk about in this article so you can determine if it's the best fit for you. If you want more options to extend a wired HDMI connection, I also list some alternatives below.

What Is Wireless HDMI?

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Before determining if you should get a wireless HDMI transmitter for gaming, it's good to know what wireless HDMI is. Wireless HDMI is a way to extend an HDMI connection from a device to a display wirelessly by using an HDMI transmitter. Using an HDMI transmitter will still connect it to your display and device on each end, but between the two devices are connected wirelessly.

Wireless HDMI can extend an HDMI connection up to 50 to 650 ft (15 to 200 m), depending on the type of HDMI transmitters and conditions (is there a direct line of sight or walls obstructing the signal).

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Is Wireless HDMI Good for Gaming?

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Reasons to Use Wireless HDMI

If you have a large room where you don't want to run a long cable which can look messy or sending the HDMI signal to other room, wireless HDMI might be a good option.

It could also be helpful if you want to connect your PC, laptop, or console to a projector on the ceiling. Doing so would make it so that you wouldn't have to connect the two devices with a long cable running up the wall.

Limitations of Wireless HDMI

While wireless HDMI is a nice option for gaming, it's not suitable for all cases. Most wireless HDMI transmitters only support a maximum of 1080p resolution due to the wireless connection not having the same bandwidth speed as a standard HDMI cable. If you want a higher resolution, check out my other solutions for extending an HDMI connection below.

If you want to use wireless HDMI through multiple walls or other obstructions, then it might not work well for your situation. It's best to have a direct line of sight between the two HDMI transmitters since it'll give you the best signal quality.

Since wireless HDMI depends on the quality of the signal that it transfers, other wireless signals may cause interference with the connection. It's also best not to have multiple wireless HDMI transmitters in the same location since that can cause interference.

Conclusion

Since wireless HDMI is best for direct line-of-sight connections and lower resolutions, it won't always be a good option if you care about a higher resolution without any possible lag or interference.

While wireless HDMI might work fine in some situations, it might not be entirely reliable for gaming. However, wireless HDMI is an excellent option despite the limitations if you have no other choice.

If you're okay with having a long cable, check out my other options for extending an HDMI connection below.

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Teradek Spark 4K Wireless HDMI Extender

Other Ways to Extend an HDMI Connection

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Wireless HDMI is a great way to extend an HDMI connection. Still, other options may better fit your situation if you want a more reliable connection or support for higher resolutions. Wired HDMI extension methods are available, like an HDMI repeater, fiber optic HDMI cable, or an HDMI over Ethernet or fiber-optic extenders. Each solution has its limits, so it's best to pick the best type for your situation.

For example, if you need to extend an HDMI cable across a room, an HDMI repeater would be good enough. If you wanted to extend the connection from your top floor to the basement, you could use an HDMI to fiber or Ethernet extender.

Below are the recommended ranges and devices, along with more details about each solution:

HDMI Repeater

An HDMI repeater extends the connection for shorter runs by connecting two HDMI cables and amplifies the signals for better transmission.

Determining the max length when using a repeater depends on the HDMI repeater and the HDMI cable type, but I give the average ranges below. Remember that HDMI repeaters are directional, so be sure to use the device's correct input/output sides.

HDMI Repeater Range
Resolution Length
4K @ 60 Hz 60–100 ft (18–30 m)
4K @ 30 Hz 100–130 ft (30–40 m)
1080p @ 60 Hz 135–195 ft (40–60 m)

To be safe, assume a repeater can reach only the shorter end of those ranges.

Fiber Optic HDMI Cable

Fiber optic HDMI cables are like standard HDMI cables but made with optical fiber inside the cable and meant for farther distances up to 164 ft (50 m) for 4K @ 60 Hz.

These cables aren't meant to be used with an extender, repeater, or switch and should be used alone. They also must be installed in the correct direction, with the output/display label connecting to the side with the display.

Learn more about fiber optic HDMI cables in my article: What Is a Fiber Optic HDMI Cable and Is It Worth Getting?.

HDMI Over Ethernet Extender

The HDMI over Ethernet extender is similar to an HDMI over fiber optic extender but uses an Ethernet cable for a shorter extension. An HDMI over Ethernet extender can extend the connection up to 130 ft (40 m) for 4K @ 60 Hz or 230 ft (70 m) for 1080p.

Learn more about HDMI over Ethernet in my article: HDMI Over Ethernet - How to Extend HDMI With Cat 5e/6a.

HDMI Over Fiber Extender

An HDMI over Fiber extender uses an optical fiber cable to transmit the data to reach a much farther distance. You could use an HDMI over Fiber extender to extend the connection up 1,000 to 3,300 ft (300 to 1000 meters) for 4K @ 60 Hz.

Learn more about HDMI over fiber in my article: HDMI Over Fiber - How to Extend HDMI With Fiber-Optic Cable.

Learn About TVs

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Want to learn more about TVs? Check out the articles in my TV series:

Learn About HDMI

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Find answers to your HDMI questions by checking out the articles in my HDMI series:

A Note From the Authors

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