How To: The Best HDMI Adapters for Turning Your Galaxy Note 10 into a DeX Desktop

Now that Samsung upgraded DeX in the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+, more users will be looking to use their phone as an "anywhere PC." With a simple USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter, you can turn your Note 10 into a desktop, complete with full access to your apps.

But not all USB-C to HDMI cables and adapters are the same. You can save money by just connecting to a monitor or television, or you can use a USB-C hub, which expands the Note 10's USB-C outlet into multiple ports. With a hub, you can genuinely transform your phone into a desktop experience — connect a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and even Ethernet, and you'll hardly be able to tell the difference.

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Option 1. The Simplest Solution — USB-C to HDMI Cables

The cheapest way to get DeX going is to use a USB-C to HDMI cable. This connects to your phone's USB-C port on one end, then the other end can be plugged into an HDMI port on any monitor or TV.

To save some cash, you can opt for a third-party cable. The best option we've found is the Choetech USB-C to HDMI cable. This is a 6-foot braided cable, so it's both long enough for most needs and durable enough to last. On average, it's less than half the price of Samsung's official cable, all while offering identical specs.

It's worth noting that with one of these cables, the only way you can use other accessories (such as a keyboard and mouse) is via Bluetooth, as your phone's only physical connection will be occupied.

For the peace of mind that OEM accessories offer, you can get Samsung's official DeX Cable — it'll cost you about double what other cables do, coming in at $42.99 on Amazon. The cable is around 5 feet long, and it supports HDMI 2.0 and 4K resolution.

Option 2. Splurge on a Multi-Port Adapter to Connect to Everything

The best option for Galaxy Note 10+ power users is a multi-port adapter — this is basically a USB hub that you plug into your phone. With the extra ports these hubs offer, you can enhance the DeX experience with accessories like a wired keyboard and mouse for latency-free precision, all while connected to a monitor or TV via HDMI.

The best balance of price and feature set comes from Euasoo. They offer an 8-in-1 adapter which includes an HDMI adapter, three USB 3.0 Type-A ports, one USB 2.0 port, SD card reader, and a USB-C charging port.

However, it's worth noting that you will also need to get a standard HDMI cable (try this one from Amazon Basics for $7.99) to connect this adapter to your TV, monitor or laptop.

If you need more ports and don't mind spending a bit more money, there's the VAVA USB-C Hub for $59.99 on Amazon. This is a 9-in-1 adapter with a USB-C port that supports Power Delivery for fast charging. There are two USB 3.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, a microSD card reader, an audio jack, and even an Ethernet port.

With one hub, you can use wired headphones, a keyboard, and a mouse. You can connect to a monitor, expand your storage (or add expandable storage to the Galaxy Note 10), and use the fast wired internet. Use this and the right accessories and you'll have yourself a real desktop experience.

Finally, for those who prefer products made by the manufacturer, there is always the Multiport USB-C Adapter from Samsung. It's more expensive than the other two options (almost three times the price of the Euasoo USB-C Hub), but offers peace of mind as you can be sure it will work. This adapter includes an HDMI port, one USB 3.0 port, one USB-C port, and an Ethernet port. With this, you can get wired internet, add a wired keyboard or mouse, and connect to a monitor.

Option 3. A Flexible Alternative — USB-C to HDMI Adapters

Another option is a USB-C to HDMI adapter. Similar to USB-C to HDMI cables, you'll need to use Bluetooth to connect extra accessories. You might use this if you already have a spare HDMI cable connected to your TV that you use with your laptop. Just plug one end into your phone, then connect the other end to the HDMI cable.

There is an official Samsung USB-C to HDMI Adapter if you prefer first-party accessories, but it'll set up back $49.99. It supports 60 Hz refresh rate, up to 4K resolution, and utilizes the HDMI 2.0 standard.

For less than half the price, the better overall option is Plugable's USB-C to HDMI 2.0 Adapter. This is virtually the same dongle, but much cheaper.