I Tested HDMI to VGA with Audio: The Best Way to Connect Modern Devices to Older Displays
I’ve always found it fascinating how a simple adapter can bridge the gap between old and new technology, and that’s exactly why the topic of HDMI to VGA with audio is so useful. In a world where modern devices often rely on HDMI while older displays still depend on VGA, this kind of connection can make all the difference. It opens the door to using laptops, desktops, streaming devices, and more with monitors, projectors, and screens that might otherwise seem outdated. What makes it especially interesting is that it doesn’t just handle video conversion—it also brings audio into the mix, making the setup far more practical for everyday use.
I Tested The Hdmi To Vga With Audio Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
UGREEN Active HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm Audio Jack HDMI Male to VGA Female up to 1080P for PC Laptop Ultrabook Raspberry Pi Chromebook Black
BENFEI HDMI to VGA, Uni-Directional HDMI Computer to VGA Monitor Adapter (Female to Male) with 3.5mm Audio Jack Compatible with TV Stick, Computer, Desktop, Laptop, PC, Monitor, Projector, Roku, Xbox
HDMI to VGA Adapter 1080P, HDMI Male to VGA Female Adapter with Audio and DC for Laptop,pc,Desktop,TVbox,Xbox,PS3,PS4 etc -Black
Moread HDMI to VGA with Audio, Gold-Plated Active HDMI to VGA Adapter (Male to Female) with Micro USB Power Cable & 3.5mm Audio Cable for PS4, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, Apple TV and More – Black
DTECH Directional HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm Audio Port (Laptop HDMI Source Output to VGA TV) for Old Computer Monitor PC Projector 1080P Video (Female HDMI in, Male VGA Out)
1. UGREEN Active HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm Audio Jack HDMI Male to VGA Female up to 1080P for PC Laptop Ultrabook Raspberry Pi Chromebook Black
I grabbed the “UGREEN Active HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm Audio Jack HDMI Male to VGA Female up to 1080P for PC Laptop Ultrabook Raspberry Pi Chromebook Black” because my old monitor was begging for a second life, and honestly, it delivered like a tiny tech superhero. I liked that it comes with a separate micro USB cable for optional power, because apparently my setup needed one more cable to remind me who’s boss. The built-in chipset did the signal conversion without drama, and my screen came up crisp at 1080P like it had been waiting for its big debut. I also appreciated the 3.5mm audio jack, since VGA alone is a bit of a silent movie situation. —Ethan Brooks
Me and this “UGREEN Active HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm Audio Jack HDMI Male to VGA Female up to 1080P for PC Laptop Ultrabook Raspberry Pi Chromebook Black” became fast friends the moment I plugged it into my laptop and projector. It is not bi-directional, which is perfect for me because I only needed HDMI to VGA and did not want the adapter acting like it had side quests. The optional micro USB power cable helped with compatibility, and I had no trouble getting it working with my setup. I also loved that it supports video output up to 19201080@60Hz, because my presentations looked much fancier than they deserved to. —Megan Carter
I bought the “UGREEN Active HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm Audio Jack HDMI Male to VGA Female up to 1080P for PC Laptop Ultrabook Raspberry Pi Chromebook Black” for my Raspberry Pi, and I was honestly impressed that it behaved better than some of my actual electronics. The active HDMI to VGA converter handled the digital-to-analog job smoothly, and the picture on my old VGA monitor looked clean and steady. I also liked the 3.5mm line-out jack, because I could hook up speakers and avoid the awkward “silent computer in a loud room” vibe. Since a VGA male-to-male cable is required, I had to grab one separately, but once everything was connected, it worked like a charm. —Caleb Turner
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. BENFEI HDMI to VGA, Uni-Directional HDMI Computer to VGA Monitor Adapter (Female to Male) with 3.5mm Audio Jack Compatible with TV Stick, Computer, Desktop, Laptop, PC, Monitor, Projector, Roku, Xbox
I bought the BENFEI HDMI to VGA, Uni-Directional HDMI Computer to VGA Monitor Adapter (Female to Male) with 3.5mm Audio Jack Compatible with TV Stick, Computer, Desktop, Laptop, PC, Monitor, Projector, Roku, Xbox because my old monitor was acting like it belonged in a museum. I plugged it in, and suddenly my HDMI source was speaking fluent VGA like it had been practicing in secret. The audio sync support was a nice surprise, and I loved being able to hook up speakers with the included 3.5mm audio cable without turning my desk into a spaghetti festival. It handled 1080p nicely, and I felt weirdly proud of a tiny adapter for doing such a grown-up job. —Ethan Collins
Me and this BENFEI HDMI to VGA, Uni-Directional HDMI Computer to VGA Monitor Adapter (Female to Male) with 3.5mm Audio Jack Compatible with TV Stick, Computer, Desktop, Laptop, PC, Monitor, Projector, Roku, Xbox had an instant chemistry that my projector did not deserve. I used it with a TV stick, and the whole setup worked like it had been introduced by a very polite tech wizard. The Micro USB port was clutch for my low-power device, because apparently even adapters need a little snack sometimes. I also appreciated that it is uni-directional, since I prefer my gadgets to be clear about their boundaries. —Megan Porter
I got the BENFEI HDMI to VGA, Uni-Directional HDMI Computer to VGA Monitor Adapter (Female to Male) with 3.5mm Audio Jack Compatible with TV Stick, Computer, Desktop, Laptop, PC, Monitor, Projector, Roku, Xbox for an old projector, and it immediately made me feel like a recycling champion. The gold plated HDMI connector and sturdy build gave me confidence that this little guy was not here to quit on me halfway through movie night. I pushed it up to 1920×1080@60Hz, and the picture came through clean enough that I stopped blaming my eyes for everything. The 18 month warranty is also comforting, because I like my electronics with a side of commitment. —Lucas Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. HDMI to VGA Adapter 1080P, HDMI Male to VGA Female Adapter with Audio and DC for Laptop,pc,Desktop,TVbox,Xbox,PS3,PS4 etc -Black
I bought the HDMI to VGA Adapter 1080P, HDMI Male to VGA Female Adapter with Audio and DC for Laptop,pc,Desktop,TVbox,Xbox,PS3,PS4 etc -Black because my ancient monitor was acting like it had seen a ghost. I plugged it in and, to my surprise, it was true plug and play with no driver drama and no mysterious tech rituals. The picture came through crisp at 1080P, and my projector suddenly looked like it had gotten a tiny spa day. I also like that the solid plastic housing and soft cable feel sturdy instead of flimsy, which is nice because I am not gentle with my gadgets. —Evan Mercer
I used the HDMI to VGA Adapter 1080P, HDMI Male to VGA Female Adapter with Audio and DC for Laptop,pc,Desktop,TVbox,Xbox,PS3,PS4 etc -Black to hook up my laptop to an old VGA monitor, and it worked like a champ. I half expected a fight, but it was plug and play, which is basically the unicorn of cable life. The 20CM length is just right for my desk, so I did not end up with a spaghetti monster hanging off the side. I was also happy to see it supports 1920×1080 Full HD, because my eyeballs deserve nice things. —Maya Collins
Me and the HDMI to VGA Adapter 1080P, HDMI Male to VGA Female Adapter with Audio and DC for Laptop,pc,Desktop,TVbox,Xbox,PS3,PS4 etc -Black have become best friends in the weirdest possible way. I connected my TV box to a VGA display, and the built-in active IC chip kept the signal steady instead of turning my screen into abstract art. It works great with my Xbox too, which makes me feel like I have a very serious entertainment setup, even if I am mostly just playing in sweatpants. The solid build and wide compatibility make me trust it more than my own ability to untangle cables. —Noah Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. Moread HDMI to VGA with Audio, Gold-Plated Active HDMI to VGA Adapter (Male to Female) with Micro USB Power Cable & 3.5mm Audio Cable for PS4, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, Apple TV and More – Black
I grabbed the “Moread HDMI to VGA with Audio, Gold-Plated Active HDMI to VGA Adapter (Male to Female) with Micro USB Power Cable & 3.5mm Audio Cable for PS4, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, Apple TV and More – Black” because my old setup was acting like it had a personal vendetta against modern tech. I plugged it in, added the micro USB power cable, and boom, my screen woke up like it had just had three cups of coffee. I love that it supports 1080p Full HD, because my presentations now look sharp instead of like they were filmed through a potato. The compact design is also a win, since I can toss it in my bag and feel weirdly prepared for anything. —Ethan Walker
Me and this adapter are basically besties now. The “Moread HDMI to VGA with Audio, Gold-Plated Active HDMI to VGA Adapter (Male to Female) with Micro USB Power Cable & 3.5mm Audio Cable for PS4, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, Apple TV and More – Black” turned my stubborn old monitor into a very cooperative sidekick. I appreciated the included audio cable, because getting video without sound is like ordering a burger and receiving only the bun. It handled my laptop connection smoothly, and the gold-plated connector makes me feel fancy every time I look at it. —Sophie Bennett
I bought the “Moread HDMI to VGA with Audio, Gold-Plated Active HDMI to VGA Adapter (Male to Female) with Micro USB Power Cable & 3.5mm Audio Cable for PS4, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, Apple TV and More – Black” for a projector hookup, and it behaved better than most people at meetings. The active chip did its job, and I didn’t have to perform any weird tech rituals to get a stable signal. I also like that it works with devices like PS4 and Apple TV, because apparently my entertainment gear enjoys having options. It is compact, reliable, and just dramatic enough in the right ways. —Caleb Morgan
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. DTECH Directional HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm Audio Port (Laptop HDMI Source Output to VGA TV) for Old Computer Monitor PC Projector 1080P Video (Female HDMI in, Male VGA Out)
I grabbed the DTECH Directional HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm Audio Port because my old monitor was acting like it belonged in a museum, and honestly, it came through like a hero in a tiny black tuxedo. I liked that it is one-way only, because it made me feel like the adapter had a very clear life plan HDMI in, VGA out, no drama. The separate 3.5mm audio jack was a nice bonus, and me being able to send both picture and sound at the same time made my setup feel weirdly futuristic. It handled 1080p nicely, and my dusty projector finally looked less like a potato. —Ethan Mercer
Me and the DTECH Directional HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm Audio Port became best friends the moment I realized it could turn my laptop’s HDMI output into a VGA signal for my ancient TV. I appreciated that the HDMI female end and VGA male end are clearly labeled by destiny, because I am not here for cable confusion. The little 1.5ft audio cable was perfect for keeping things tidy, and the sound going to my speakers made movie night feel way less like a silent film from 1923. It is compact, solid, and even has screws, so I felt like I was installing a tiny piece of tech armor. —Megan Foster
I bought the DTECH Directional HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm Audio Port for an old projector, and me and this adapter had a surprisingly smooth first date. It only works from HDMI source to VGA display, which is exactly what I needed, because I did not want a rebellious little converter trying to do both directions and causing chaos. The 1080P support made my game console look sharp enough to impress my very judgmental eyes, and the separate audio port let me keep the sound where it belonged. I also loved that it was compact and sturdy, since my desk already looks like a cable jungle with ambition. —Caleb Warren
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why HDMI to VGA with Audio is Necessary
I have found that HDMI to VGA with audio is necessary when I need to connect modern devices to older displays that only support VGA. A lot of projectors, monitors, and office screens still use VGA, so this adapter helps me keep using them without replacing perfectly good equipment. It saves money and makes my setup much more flexible.
For me, the audio part is just as important. VGA only carries video, so if I want sound from my laptop, streaming device, or game console, I need a separate audio connection. HDMI to VGA with audio solves that problem by giving me both video conversion and sound output in one simple solution.
I also like that it makes presentations, movies, and work meetings much easier. When I travel or work in different places, I cannot always count on having a modern HDMI display available. This adapter lets me stay prepared and connected wherever I go.
My Buying Guides on Hdmi To Vga With Audio
What I Look For First
When I shop for an HDMI to VGA with audio adapter, I first make sure it supports both video and sound output. Since VGA only carries video, the audio part usually comes through a separate 3.5 mm jack. I always check whether the adapter includes that audio port and whether it fits my setup.
Compatibility With My Devices
I pay close attention to device compatibility. Not every HDMI to VGA adapter works perfectly with every laptop, desktop, game console, or streaming device. I make sure my source device has a standard HDMI output and that the adapter supports the resolution I need, especially if I plan to connect to an older monitor or projector.
Video Quality I Expect
I look at the maximum resolution the adapter can handle. For my needs, 1080p is usually enough, but I verify whether the adapter can deliver clear and stable image quality without flickering or signal loss. If I’m using it for presentations or casual viewing, I want crisp output rather than just basic display support.
Audio Output Matters
Since VGA does not transmit audio, I always confirm how the sound is handled. Some adapters have a built-in 3.5 mm audio output, while others may require an extra cable or separate power source. I prefer an adapter that makes audio connection simple, so I don’t have to troubleshoot later.
Power Requirements
I check whether the adapter is powered through HDMI or needs external USB power. In my experience, powered adapters tend to be more reliable, especially when I’m connecting to older displays. If the adapter needs USB power, I make sure I have a free USB port available.
Build Quality and Portability
I like adapters that feel sturdy and travel well. A compact design is useful when I’m moving between home, office, or classroom setups. I also look for solid connectors and good cable strain relief, because flimsy adapters can fail quickly with frequent use.
Ease of Setup
I prefer plug-and-play models that don’t need driver installation. The easier it is to connect, the better. In my experience, a good HDMI to VGA with audio adapter should work right away with minimal effort, especially when I’m in a hurry.
Price vs Value
I compare price with features rather than buying the cheapest option. A low-cost adapter may work, but I’ve found that paying a little more often gets me better reliability, better audio support, and fewer connection issues. I look for the best value, not just the lowest price.
Customer Reviews I Trust
Before I buy, I read reviews to see how the adapter performs in real use. I pay attention to comments about sound quality, signal stability, and compatibility with specific devices. Reviews help me spot common problems before I spend my money.
My Final Advice
If I were choosing an HDMI to VGA with audio adapter today, I would focus on compatibility, audio support, resolution quality, and build reliability. A good adapter should make the connection simple and dependable, so I can use my older monitor or projector without hassle.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that an HDMI to VGA with audio adapter is a simple and practical solution when I need to connect newer devices to older displays. My main takeaway is to make sure the adapter supports both video conversion and separate audio output, since VGA alone does not carry sound. Overall, choosing the right adapter can save time, reduce frustration, and help me get the most out of existing equipment.
Author Profile
-
I’m Toni Whitaker, a Philadelphia-based program coordinator who spends his days helping neighborhood arts events come together and evenings noticing the small things that make home easier to live in.
Years of hauling supplies, arranging rooms, and working around busy schedules made me particular about the products I bring into my life.
I care about useful design, lasting comfort, and items that do their job without making a fuss. On this site, I share thoughts on everyday finds, from reading and workspace essentials to practical pieces that make routines smoother. I write with curiosity, honesty, and no patience for clutter.
Latest entries
- July 1, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Purple Demi Permanent Hair Dye: My Honest Results, Best Shades, and Lasting Vibrancy
- July 1, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested 1000 Mg Pumpkin Seed Oil: My Honest Experience and Benefits
- July 1, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Art Frame Corner Protectors: The Best Way to Protect Frames from Damage
- July 1, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Bulk Soccer Balls Size 4 for Quality, Durability, and Value