I want to minimize the number of cables I carry while traveling. Ideally, I'd like one USB-C cable that can connect either my laptop or my iPad—or possibly my phone—to an HDMI display. Would a USB-C-to-USB-C cable with an HDMI adapter on each end work, or are HDMI/USB-C adapters directional and incompatible when chained together? If that setup is unreliable, would it be better to carry an HDMI-to-HDMI cable plus a USB-C adapter, or use a USB-C-to-HDMI cable? My main priority is carrying video from both devices; charging through the same cable is not essential.
4 Answers
For the simplest setup, use a normal HDMI-to-HDMI cable and add a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter when you need to connect the laptop or iPad. A USB-C-to-HDMI cable can also work, but it is less flexible because the USB-C end is fixed and the adapter may not work in the reverse direction. Check that both devices support USB-C video output before buying.
USB-C and HDMI are different standards, even though USB-C ports can sometimes carry video. A device needs to support DisplayPort Alt Mode, Thunderbolt, or USB4 for video output over USB-C. HDMI-to-USB-C adapters are generally directional, so putting two adapters on a USB-C cable does not reliably create a reversible HDMI connection. It may simply not work.
Two HDMI adapters connected through a USB-C cable are not a good solution. The adapters usually convert USB-C video output into HDMI output; they do not convert HDMI back into USB-C video input. The USB-C cable itself does not solve that conversion problem, so you could end up with a chain that has the right-looking connectors but no usable signal.
If you want one cable for both charging and display, use a USB-C hub or dock with HDMI and USB-C Power Delivery. For video only, a proper USB-C-to-HDMI cable is enough for a compatible laptop or tablet, but it normally does not carry charging power. Some inexpensive USB-C display products perform conversion internally and may use more system resources than a straightforward video adapter.
That kind of product is more than a passive cable adapter—it contains actual display-conversion hardware. Compatibility and performance can vary, so a standard adapter or cable from a reputable manufacturer is safer.
Charging is not really important to me. I mainly want one video cable that works with both my laptop and iPad, with one end permanently connected to the HDMI display if possible.