5 Best USB Device Sharing Switches (Ranked By User Rating)
Connect a USB device with two PCs using a USB device sharing switch
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Key notes
- So, you have one USB device and you want to share it with two computers but don't know how to go about it?
- A USB device sharing switch, in this case, can help you share the USB peripherals with multiple computers.
- All you need is a reliable USB sharing switch from a reputed brand and we recommend some of the best in the business.
Are you on the hunt for a USB device-sharing switch for your USB peripherals? Worry not, as we have a quick guide for you to find the right one.
With a USB switch device, you can share one or more USB peripherals (printers, scanners, memory cards, etc.) between two or more computers.
The purpose of the USB sharing switch is to divert the connection of one set of USB devices from one PC to another effortlessly, by simply pressing the button once.
Those looking for the best KVM switches for dual & multiple monitors can refer to our detailed post for recommendations.
But how do you connect a USB device with two computers using a USB device sharing switch?
How to share a USB device between computers using a USB switch?
Follow the below instructions to connect one USB device to two computers using the USB sharing switch easily:
- Connect the USB device you want to share with the USB Switch.
- Now, connect the USB Switch with the two machines allowing them to access the USB devices at the same time.
- Next, press the button on the USB Switch to turn it on.
This will allow all the USB devices connected to the USB switch to change their connection path from the host to the guest PC.
Now that you know how to use a USB switch, here’s a list of the best switches for your device-sharing needs.
What are the best USB device sharing switches?
UGREEN USB Switch Selector – One-button swapping
- Connect and share 4 external devices
- Swap 2 PCs with one button
- Wide connectivity
- Universal compatibility
- No keyboard shortcut
With 4 USB ports for 2 peripheral devices, this device is easily the best USB device-sharing switch.
It does not just allow you to share multiple devices like printers, scanners, keyboards, etc., but also works seamlessly with all platforms.
The one-button switch & LED indicator allows you to effortlessly alter between 2 PCs in just one click as the LED light indicates that the PC is active.
Moreover, you can also expect a stable connection using the separate micro USB female port for optional power.
UGREEN USB 3.0 Switch Selector – High-speed data transfer
- 10 times faster than USB 2.0
- Suitable for multiple PCs or Macs
- Multiple device sharing
- Backward compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices
- Male connector on both ends
Known for its ultra-fast USB 3.0 data transfer speed of up to 5 GB/s, this device sharing switch secures the second spot with its increased work efficiency.
This helps the switch work seamlessly with the high-bandwidth USB 3.0 devices, for example, with external hard disks, high-resolution webcams, multichannel audio, and more.
The switch allows up to 2 users to share up to 4 USB 3.0 peripheral devices and supports the sharing for multiple devices.
Its other major features include backward compatibility with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices, a one-button switch with an LED option, and a separate micro USB female port.
KSWLLO USB 3.0 Switcher Selector – Driver free plug and play
- One button swapping
- Plug and play, driver free
- Fast data transfer up to 5 GB/s
- Push-button switch
- Not so convenient design
If you want to change flawlessly between your home and work laptops, this is one of the best USB device-sharing switches you can think of next.
Whether you want to use it for your keyboard, mouse, or any other external device, this simple switch allows you to swap between 2 computers easily.
Moreover, you can share 4 USB peripherals without the need to swap cables frequently or set up complex software.
What’s more? You can easily switch between 2 PCs or laptops with just a single click.
ABLEWE USB 3.0 Switch – Ultra-fast USB 3.0 data transfer
- LED indicators for active PC
- Supports micro USB charging
- Works with mice with extra buttons
- No drivers or configurations required
- Expensive in comparison
A dynamic USB switch selector that allows you to expand your laptop’s USB 3.0 ports into 4 for up to 2 computers, this is the device you need.
You can also swap conveniently between 2 computers using the push button placed at the top, while the LED indicates the active computer.
With a data transfer rate of up to 5 GB/s, it’s perfect for a small office environment, as well as for home setups working on multiple PCs.
The switch does not need additional power to connect the usual USB devices, except for high-power USB devices that need an external 5V adapter.
Rybozen USB Switch Selector KVM Switch – Saves time and space
- KVM USB switcher with plug and play
- 4-port USB switch
- Separate micro USB port for option power
- No driver, easy installation
- Not for heavy bandwidth devices
If you are looking for a USB sharing switch that helps you share 4 USB devices between two computers and save your time and space, then this is it.
The separate micro USB female port helps optimize its compatibility with more devices, including HDD, SSD, video cameras, and so on.
Additionally, push one button, and the LED indicator allows you to switch between computers easily.
Whether you use it for PC tests or share computers and other connected devices within office space or home, it helps increase user productivity in any environment.
Are USB switches safe to use?
A USB device sharing switch is usually considered safe. It is not known to cause any damage to your PC since it does not use the power and data pins for USB 2.0 backward compatibility.
However, if you are using a USB A/B switch box with a USB-A port, there are chances that the cable may overheat and create a fire hazard.
Therefore, it’s advised not to purchase devices with USB-A input, unless urgent. In short, the best USB sharing switch saves you the expense and space for an additional USB device.
Moreover, it also makes it easy to connect the USB device to any computer at the press of a button. Best of all, it does not even require any software to be installed.
With more than one reason to use a USB device sharing switch, our recommendations make it even easier to pick the right one.
But if you are looking for the best USB switch selectors based on their speed, you can read our post for guidance.
If you have any other queries regarding the USB device sharing switch, leave a message in the comments box below.
