A KVM switch, short for keyboard, video and mouse switch, is a device that lets one set of input devices and a monitor be shared between two or more computers. Instead of duplicating a keyboard, mouse and screen for each machine, a KVM switch lets you flip between computers while keeping the same physical setup.
Traditional KVM switches used separate video and USB connections for each computer, but many modern versions rely on a single USB-C cable per computer, bundling video, USB data and sometimes Power Delivery charging together, which simplifies cabling considerably compared with older designs.
A KVM switch is particularly useful for anyone regularly working across a personal and a work computer, or managing several machines from one desk, without needing a full second set of peripherals. See our guide to hubs and docks and our desk setup ideas for related equipment.
