The OREI BK-21S is the cleaner pick for a console-and-soundbar room that needs a compact switch, and its 48Gbps path keeps the gaming features that matter intact.
Who the OREI BK-21S is for
If your living room needs a simple way to keep a TV and soundbar happy without giving up gaming features, the BK-21S is the sensible place to start. It is built around a two-input layout rather than a bigger hub, so it fits small setups better than a box with extra ports you will not use.
If the TV’s eARC port already handles the console cleanly, you may not need a switch at all. HDMI says eARC sends TV audio to a sound bar through a single HDMI cable, and it says a non-audio device can act like a regular HDMI input when you plug it into the eARC port.
Readers who need three sources and sofa control should look at the UGREEN alternative instead.
Key specs at a glance
| Setup | OREI BK-21S | UGREEN switch | TV eARC port |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source count | 2 HDMI inputs | 3 HDMI devices to one display | Not stated by the maker |
| Gaming ceiling | 48Gbps; 4K120, VRR, ALLM | 40Gbps; 8K60, 4K240 | 4K120-capable on some TVs |
| Soundbar routing | No eARC or audio extraction | Not stated by the maker | Single HDMI cable to an AVR or sound bar |
| Control | Auto switching or button control | Remote and button control | Not stated by the maker |
If you need a compact switch that keeps the setup simple, start here.
Use the TV’s eARC port before buying a switch
When eARC behaves like a normal HDMI input
HDMI’s eARC spec exists to send TV audio to a sound bar or AVR through a single HDMI cable, and HDMI describes it as an advancement over ARC rather than a small software tweak.
That matters because many TV owners already have the cleanest path sitting on the back of the panel. Pocket-lint says the eARC port is often the best HDMI port on some TVs, and on some models it is the only HDMI 2.1 port available.
Just as important, eARC does not behave like a locked-off audio jack. HDMI says a non-audio device can use the eARC port like a regular HDMI input and still deliver video and audio. Pocket-lint also says its own TV showed no difference between eARC and the other HDMI 2.1 ports.
When a switch only adds clutter
If your TV already handles the console well, a switch may add one more box without solving anything. HDMI’s own LIP feature is aimed at multiple-hop setups such as receiver and soundbar chains, which is a reminder that extra hardware is mainly useful when the room actually needs it.
For that reason, the first question is not “which switch is fastest?” It is whether the TV’s eARC port already does the job. If it does, the simplest answer is usually to leave the extra box out and keep the signal path short.
OREI BK-21S: the best two-source gaming switch
What it passes through for PS5 and Xbox
Tech Steve describes the BK-21S as a compact two-input, one-output switch with a 48Gbps signal path. The same review says it supports 8K at 60Hz, 4K at 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, and major HDR formats.
That is the core of the appeal for a PS5-and-soundbar room: the switch is not trying to be a giant control box. It is trying to keep modern game features intact while giving you one extra input over the TV’s own port. Tech Steve also says it worked with a PS5 and Xbox Series X, and that he could not detect a gaming difference versus a direct TV connection.
The audio side is stronger than the tiny size suggests. Tech Steve says the BK-21S passes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, so it is not limited to plain stereo or basic TV sound formats.
What it leaves out for soundbar users
The BK-21S is fast, but it is not a full-featured AV hub. Tech Steve lists the main limitations as the lack of eARC, audio extraction, a remote control, and additional inputs.
That list is why the BK-21S makes sense only when the room is simple. If your soundbar already lives on the TV’s eARC port, the switch does not need to manage audio return at all. If you are hoping for a couch-friendly remote or a three-device layout, this is the wrong shape of product.
When USB power helps stability
The switch can draw power over HDMI, which is convenient in a small cabinet. Tech Steve says the included USB power cable is the fix if flickering or unreliable operation shows up.
That is useful because it keeps the product flexible: it can run as a tidy inline box most of the time, but it still has a fallback when HDMI power alone is not enough. For a compact gaming setup, that is exactly the kind of boring reliability you want.
UGREEN: the better pick if you need three sources and a remote
The UGREEN option is the right comparison point for readers who need more than a two-source switch. Bigshopper’s listing says it can route three HDMI devices to one display, includes remote control and button switching, and reaches a control range up to 33 feet.
The same listing also claims 40Gbps data transmission, plus 8K@60Hz and 4K@240Hz support. Because that comes from a retailer listing rather than maker copy, treat it as a useful clue, not a final spec sheet.
For a family room or a shared TV stand, the remote matters as much as the bandwidth claim. If you do not want to reach for the box every time you change source, the UGREEN style of switch is easier to live with.
Which setup is right for your room?
Two consoles plus one soundbar
If the room is just one console and one other source, the BK-21S is the cleaner buy. Its two-input design is enough for a simple stack, and its 48Gbps path is the safer match for a gaming-first setup than a generic switch that only talks about video resolution.
Just remember that the soundbar should stay on the TV’s eARC port. The OREI does not add eARC or audio extraction, so the TV still does the audio-return work.
Three devices and sofa control
If you need three devices on one screen and want remote control from the sofa, the UGREEN path is easier. That is especially true in a room where the switch sits inside a cabinet or behind the TV and physical buttons are awkward to reach.
When to skip a switch entirely
If the TV’s eARC port already accepts the console like a regular HDMI input, and if the picture looks the same on the TV’s other HDMI 2.1 ports, then the best answer may be no switch at all. That is the simplest outcome for buyers who only need one console and one soundbar.
Verdict
The OREI BK-21S is the best HDMI 2.1 switch for a console-plus-soundbar room when you want the smallest box that still keeps gaming features intact.
Buy it if you need a clean two-source switch and want to preserve the TV’s eARC port for sound. Skip it if your TV already handles the console well, or if you need a remote and three-device switching instead.
If you need a compact two-input switch for a console-and-soundbar room, the BK-21S is the one to get.
