Hooking up a console or a laptop to a monitor or projector often comes down to one question: which connector does your display actually have? VGA inputs are still common on older monitors and projectors, while newer TVs and displays lean on HDMI. The four adapters here cover both directions, with listed prices that stretch from $5.99 to $23.99. Below is a quick way to match your source and screen.
Quick take
- The onn HDMI to VGA Adapter, at $5.99, is the least expensive route when your laptop or PC has HDMI and your monitor or projector has VGA.
- The Hyperkin Xbox 360 HD VGA cable, at $12.40, is aimed at Xbox 360 owners who want a VGA connection to an HDTV, monitor, or projector.
- The CE Compass Sega Saturn HDMI Adapter, at $22.99, brings a Sega Saturn to an HDMI display.
- The CE Compass Original Xbox HDMI Adapter, at $23.99, is the highest listed price in this group and is positioned for retro gaming on HD displays.
Listed price comparison
| Adapter | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| XBOX 360 HD VGA HDTV for HDTV, Monitors, Projectors by Hyperkin | USD 12.40 | |
| Original Xbox HDMI Adapter for Xbox One to HD TVs, Monitors, and Projectors | USD 23.99 | |
| ONN HDMI to VGA Adapter Use With Laptops PCs PC Monitors Projectors & Other VGA | USD 5.99 | |
| Sega Saturn HDMI Adapter to HD TVs, Computer Monitors, and Projectors | USD 22.99 |
Which adapter should you pick?
| Adapter | Pick this when | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperkin Xbox 360 HD VGA Cable | You have an Xbox 360 and a VGA-capable display | The cable is VGA, not HDMI |
| CE Compass Original Xbox HDMI Adapter | You need an HDMI path from a retro console to an HD display | It uses HDMI, so a VGA-only display is not the target |
| onn HDMI to VGA Adapter | Your laptop or PC has HDMI and your monitor/projector has VGA | The adapter is one-way: HDMI source to VGA display |
| CE Compass Sega Saturn HDMI Adapter | You own a Sega Saturn and want to connect it to an HDMI display | It is for Sega Saturn and outputs HDMI, not VGA |
Product notes
XBOX 360 HD VGA HDTV for HDTV, Monitors, Projectors by Hyperkin
Hyperkin's gray VGA cable is built for Microsoft Xbox 360 consoles. It runs 5 feet, carries stereo sound, and can handle resolutions up to 1368 x 768, which makes it a solid fit for HDTVs, LCD TVs, projectors, and PC monitors that accept VGA. If you have an Xbox 360 and a VGA-capable display, this is a direct route. The cable also carries a California Prop 65 warning, so you'll want to consider that if chemical warnings matter in your household. It is not an HDMI solution, so displays without VGA input are outside its lane.
Original Xbox HDMI Adapter for Xbox One to HD TVs, Monitors, and Projectors
CE Compass lists this as an HDMI adapter setup for bringing retro gaming output to HD TVs, computer monitors, and projectors. The unit measures 5.5 inches long, 3.94 inches wide, and 1.18 inches high, with model number XBOX1_HDMI_CBL, and it is described as new. It is useful when you have an older console and want to connect to an HDMI display. Since the connection path is HDMI, a VGA-only monitor or projector won't be the right match, and the listing focuses on retro gaming rather than a specific console, so the adapter is best paired with your own console setup.
ONN HDMI to VGA Adapter Use With Laptops PCs PC Monitors Projectors & Other VGA
onn's adapter gives you an HDMI connector on one end and a VGA/SVGA D-Sub female connector on the other, which is a familiar setup for laptops and PCs connecting to VGA monitors or projectors. The model number is 1725A and the adapter is listed as new. If your laptop has HDMI but your classroom, office, or home display only offers VGA, this adapter is a simple bridge. The direction matters: it takes an HDMI source to a VGA display, so it won't convert a VGA source into HDMI.
Sega Saturn HDMI Adapter to HD TVs, Computer Monitors, and Projectors
This CE Compass adapter is designed for Sega Saturn owners who want to get the console's signal onto an HD TV, computer monitor, or projector. It is 5.5 inches long, 3.94 inches wide, and 1.18 inches high, with model number SGA_STRN_HDMI_CBL. For retro setups where the display only has HDMI, this kind of adapter is the practical bridge. The obvious limitation is that it is built around the Sega Saturn console, and it uses an HDMI path rather than VGA, so it won't help a VGA-only display setup.
Final recommendation
Make the call by starting with your source and display. If the source is a laptop or PC with HDMI and the display is VGA, the onn HDMI-to-VGA adapter is the simplest bridge. If the source is an Xbox 360 and the display has VGA, the Hyperkin cable is the matching link. If you're working with a Sega Saturn, the CE Compass Sega Saturn adapter handles the HDMI side. For a retro console that needs to reach an HDMI-equipped monitor or projector, the CE Compass Original Xbox HDMI adapter is the higher-priced option in that HDMI group-just confirm the display has an HDMI input before you commit.
