The 5 Best VGA to HDMI Converters – [Reviews & Rankings]

Did you try and connect your older laptop to a brand new HDTV? There is a good chance your attempt failed because you did not have the right cables.

Modern televisions have HDMI ports, while older laptops only have VGA ports. The connection can only work with the right adapter or converter cable (Source).

With a HDMI to VGA adapter, you can easily transmit video and audio signals from your older laptop onto a brand new HDTV. You can get up to 1080p resolution and stunning audio quality. With right computer speakers, you can enjoy the high-quality sound when it’s connected to the projectors as well.

If you are searching for the best converters, we have compiled a list that you will find useful. Our extensive research and tested led us to the following five converters.

What Are VGA To HDMI Converters?

VGA and HDMI are the two commonly known standards for visual display. VGA, which stands for Video Graphics Adapters, is the analog video standard used by computers worldwide.

On the other hand, HDMI, or High-definition Multimedia Interface, is a digital video input utilized by contemporary computers. VGA ports are outdated but still in use. That’s why some machines still have VGA ports instead of an HDMI port.

For helping such computer owners,HDMI to VGA adapters are available to change the video signal from analog to digital. However, you do need the right converter cable to process this signal, or it can damage your monitor.

VGA signals require more voltage to transmit data. Therefore, VGA to HDMI cables that withstand the data flow at longer ranges can be beneficial for you to convert the video signal into a high-definition one.

VGA to HDMI connectors, nowadays, is quite advanced with just plug-and-play features without damaging your system. You can go for the one that will fulfill your purpose without problems.

Comparing The Best VGA to HDMI Converters

1. Cable Matters VGA to HDMI Converter Cable – Best HDMI to VGA Adapter

The Cable Matters converter offers the seamless ability to convert VGA signals into HDMI. You may use it to connect your laptop or desktop that has a VGA port to your HDMI-port television.

The adapter will require an HDMI port, which is not sold with the unit. It is possible to connect the converter cable straight into your computer’s VGA port. You can also connect the converter’s USB cable into a USB port on your computer for audio.

The Cable Matters adapter supports resolutions up to 1920x1080p for a full HD experience on your television. If you are hoping to stream television shows or movies through your computer, you will get stunning quality on your television.

2. Foinnex VGA to HDMI Cable – Best VGA to HDMI Cable

Desiring an all-in-one solution for your VGA-port computer so that it will connect to a modern HDTV? The Foinnex HDMI to VGA adapter 6-ft cable is the answer. Plug one end of the cable into your computer’s VGA port and the other end into your television’s HDMI port.

Plug the 3.5mm audio cable into your laptop’s headphone port and you will get full stereo audio support as well. It also comes with a USB port that you must have connected at all times. The cable’s chipset will not work if the USB connection is not maintained.

When the cable connections are complete, you can get a full 1920x1080p resolution on your television. While the cable does have both VGA and HDMI ports, it only works a single way. That means you can use the cable to convert a VGA signal into HDMI output. But it will not work the other way. For instance, you cannot use the cable to connect a HDMI-port computer to a VGA-port monitor.

If you want to engage the entire family like an indoor cinema,  consider buying a best motorized projector screen and convert your home to a makeshift home theater to enjoy terrific viewing experience.

3. SYTIVE VGA to HDMI Cable –  Converter Cable

The SYTIVE VGA to HDMI adapter cable is another excellent and simple solution to the issue of having different ports on your television and computer. You can use the cable to transmit an audio and video signal from your VGA-port computer to a television with HDMI.

The cable features one end with an HDMI connection. The second end features a VGA connection, USB connection and audio connection. The audio connection goes into your computer’s audio port, while the VGA connection goes into the VGA port. The USB connection must be active with your computer or the cable will not work.

Supports a full 1920x1080p resolution. The cable does work plug and play with most modern Windows systems. If you have a very old version of Windows, you may need to visit the company’s website to download appropriate drivers.

4. VicTsing VGA to HDMI Converter Adapter – VGA Male to HDMI Female Adapter

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The VicTsing HDMI to VGA adapter  is extremely useful if you want to maintain a quality connection between an older computer and a newer television. The benefit to such a cable is that you can get an HDMI cable of varying lengths to complete the connection. You do not need to keep your computer and television close to each other.

The adapter features a VGA connection, audio cable and a converter box where you will plug in an HDMI cable. The audio cable goes into your computer along with the VGA connection. This adapter does not have a USB connection, but you will need to buy a universal USB 2.0 cable to complete the connection. One end of the USB cable goes into the adapter box, with the other going into your computer.

The device supports a 1920x1080p maximum resolution, which is perfect for HDTVs. You will get stereo audio through the provided cable. It is intended to work as a plug and play device, which means no driver installation is necessary.

5. GANA VGA to HDMI Adapter – HDMI TO VGA Converter Box

The GANA VGA to HDMI adapter is a little different to all the above options. It works exceptionally well and will give you a quality connection between your older computer and newer television.

But you will need both HDMI and VGA cables to make it work. The VGA cable is connected to your computer and the adapter, while the HDMI cable is connected to the other side of the adapter and your television.

It does come with the USB power cable, which you can plug into your computer or into a USB wall adapter. The device supports resolutions up to 1920x1080p. While the device supports an audio connection through HDMI, you will need a seperate 3.5mm audio cable to make it work.

Can You Improve Quality with A VGA To HDMI Cable?

Upon using a HDMI to VGA converter cable or adapter, you might find a slight improvement in the quality. Do not expect it to change your HD resolution to 4K or something. It doesn’t work that way.

However, you can try improving the quality of the existing display when you use a new cable for it. You will need to keep in mind certain factors for it.

For instance, choose a cable of an appropriate length, which is neither too long nor too short. A very long cable may drop the voltage transmission, which can degrade the quality of the video at the receiving end.

HDMI is a digital signal that has a very low voltage. You do not want that voltage to dissipate while traveling through a low-quality cable or adapter. Hence, if you are using a high-quality converter, you can expect the video to run a full 1080p resolution without any problems.

A full HD resolution is decent enough to view videos and images for most smart TVs present today. A suitable converter can certainly help with a little bit of improvement.

How Do You Connect VGA Laptop to An HDMI TV?

Old laptops are usually outdated in terms of connectivity ports. One such port that they lack is an HDMI port, which is a standard port used in smart TVs nowadays. You might need to connect your old laptop to your smart TV to view videos or images.

For accomplishing this task, a HDMI to VGA adapter or converter cable is prudent. Such a cable will convert the VGA’s analog signal to HDMI’s digital signal – thus, maintaining the full HD resolution on the big screen for you.

The method to use such a converter is easy as long as you have the right equipment to accomplish the conversion.

Here are the steps for it:

• Link the VGA plug of the converter to the VGA port on your laptop. Make sure that the pins align in the right position to avoid damaging them. Tighten the screws to secure the plug in the port.
• Now, link the HDMI plug of the adapter to the HDMI port present on your TV. It might be on the side or the back of the appliance. Be careful with the alignment.
• Then, access the display properties on our laptop and adjust the resolution of the TV from the settings menu. You can also choose the appropriate option to duplicate the screen or extend it with the screen on your laptop as per your needs.
• Switch on the TV, and switch to the HDMI port for letting it receive the signal from your laptop. You might need to switch between multiple HDMI port options to select the correct one.

Things You Should Know Before Buying VGA to HDMI Converters

Buying a HDMI to VGA adapter or adapter becomes a necessity depending on the type of hardware you own. If you have an older laptop, desktop or media box that only offers VGA connections, you will not be able to use it with your newer television without an adapter.

Most newer televisions have HDMI ports, which work with HDMI cables. Some televisions and monitors also have DVI or Displayport connections. Neither of these are the same as VGA, which is a far older standard. Some older monitors still have VGA ports, but they are becoming a rarity.

If you are hoping to connect your older computer to a new television (or monitor), you will need a VGA to HDMI cable. The converter’s job is to take the VGA input and convert it into a HDMI output. And with the right converter, you will be able to get both audio and visuals.

But what are some important factors that go into the decision of what  converter to buy?

Cables vs. Adapters and Boxes

There are a few different options when it comes to the length of a  adapter. Some of these adapters are smaller, because they are intended to work with regular HDMI cables. For instance, you would plug the adapter into your computer’s VGA and audio ports. Then you would plug a HDMI cable into your converter, with the other end going into your television.

If you are happy with that setup, you will not be too bothered about the length of the cable. Whether the length is one to three feet, or it is a simple converter box, it will do its job just fine. The length you will care about in this instance is the length of your HDMI cables.

The usefulness of such an adapter is that you can connect devices that are very far apart. For instance, you may have a desktop computer in one room that you want to connect to your television sometimes. But your television is in another room. Moving the desktop is not an ideal option. If you got a converter, you would connect it to your computer’s VGA port. Then you would get a lengthy HDMI cable (25ft or 50ft) to complete the connection.

Now we come to the second option, which is to get a HDMI to VGA cable. With the cable, you are directly plugging it into your devices. One end of the cable is a VGA connection. The cable will also have a USB and/or 3.5mm audio connection. In this instance, you should not need to use your original HDMI cable. These cables are typically six feet.

Material and Adapter Quality

Most mainstream converters and cables are made with similar material. You will notice an outer layer that is meant to coat and protect the intricate wiring and connections that are on the inside. The ends of the converter or cable will be gold plated to ensure a quality connection. Some adapters will have a silver end and those are just as good.

If you have been to an electronics store in the United States, you have probably noticed those very expensive cables that are anywhere from $50 to $100. They advertise high speed and other qualities. But the truth is that you can get the same results using a quality cable or adapter that is within the $10 to $20 price range.

Resolutions

It is very important to find a VGA to HDMI adapter that will deliver the output resolution that you are seeking. If you are attempting to connect a computer or media box to a television, you will want a maximum resolution on the cable of 1920x1080p. The best HDMI to VGA adapters and cables will all deliver the resulting resolution. If an adapter is only giving you 720p or 900p as the maximum resolution, it is not worth your money.

Audio Support

One of the key differences between VGA and HDMI is the way audio is handled. VGA is strictly for video signals, with audio going through the device using a different connection. A computer or media box with a VGA cable gets audio through a seperate port. That is why you must look for VGA to HDMI converters and cables that have an audio connection. Otherwise you will have to figure out another way to get audio to your television.

Ease of Access

Is the connection plug and play? Will you need to install some type of software on your computer to make this cable or adapter work? The best cables will not make connectivity a hassle. You should be able to connect all the required components and immediately get a signal on your television.

When it comes to ease of access, the only decision to make involves the mechanism of the adapter. Will it include the cables that you need to connect to your two devices, or will you need to use two separate cables?

It comes down to personal preference. Some may already have many VGA and HDMI cables around their house of varying lengths. If your computer and television will be quite far apart, a 6-ft VGA to HDMI cable may not be long enough. You might prefer an adapter that will let you connect a 10-ft VGA and 20-ft HDMI cable to it!

Others may prefer the ease of use of a HDMI to VGA adapter cable. Put your computer close to your television, plug the cable into the appropriate ports and you are good to go!

Ready To Buy The Best VGA to HDMI Converter?

Finding a quality VGA to HDMI converter is not too difficult. It is all about knowing what you need, understanding how you will need to use the cable, and finding the product that includes the features you need the most. Each of the five converters mentioned is going to serve you nicely.

If you are happy to use separate HDMI and VGA cables, the Cable Matters Converter is the best option on the market. It delivers all the quality and features you need. Those who prefer a single cable for the entire operation should go with the Foinnex 6-ft cable.