Rankie HDMI to VGA Adapter (R1150) Review

Rankie Active HDMI to VGA Adapter with Audio (R1150)

Photos coming soon.

The short version

Buy it if

Anyone connecting a laptop, mini PC or streaming box to a VGA only monitor or projector
Raspberry Pi and Chromebook users with older VGA screens

Skip it if

Your display has an HDMI or DisplayPort input, since a direct digital cable gives a sharper picture
You need more than 1080p or plan to play copy-protected content

What owners like

Works as described for putting a newer device on an older VGA monitor
A common choice for Raspberry Pi setups with VGA screens
Solid feeling build with a larger, sturdier body than many rivals
Clean picture at higher resolutions once the extra power cable is connected

Common complaints

Some third-party 3.5 mm cables do not seat fully in the audio jack, while the included cable works
Bulkier than slim dongle style adapters

Based on eBay product reviews, a Nerdtechy HDMI to VGA adapter roundup, and the ShopClues and PCPartPicker product listings.

Research scores

Performance 7.0 clean 1080p VGA output, with a cleaner picture when the extra power cable is used

Build quality 7.5 sturdy, gold-plated build, with one report of a picky audio jack

Ease of use 7.0 plug in and go, though audio and power need separate cables

Value 8.0 low price band with power and audio cables included

Scored from the maker's specs and what owners report. Drew's own notes and photos will refine these.

Ownership

Times bought1

Price range$

Drew's hands-on notes for this product are on the way. Long-term updates will be added to this timeline.

What it does

A short active adapter that turns an HDMI output into VGA for older monitors and projectors, with a 3.5 mm audio jack and a micro USB power input.

Active conversion chip, which HDMI to VGA needs because VGA is an analog signal
Micro USB power input for sources with low HDMI port power, such as a Raspberry Pi or some laptops
Separate 3.5 mm jack carries HDMI audio to speakers or headphones, since VGA has no audio
Short cable section between the plug and the box to take strain off the HDMI port
Ships with a micro USB cable and an audio cable

A sensible pick for hooking a laptop, mini PC or Raspberry Pi up to an older VGA monitor or projector, since the micro USB power input helps with devices that put out little power over HDMI. The trade-off is the usual VGA ceiling: 1080p at most, sound has to come out of a separate 3.5 mm cable, and it is not built for protected HDCP 2.2 sources.

How it compares

UGREEN HDMI to VGA Adapter with 3.5mm AudioA slimmer adapter from a large accessory brand if you do not need a separate power input$

Cable Matters Active HDMI to VGA Adapter with AudioA similar active adapter from a brand with wide retail availability$

Specs

Input: HDMI male
Output: VGA female
Max resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p), also 720p and 1600 x 1200
Audio: 3.5 mm analog audio out
Extra power: Micro USB input, cable included
Connectors: Gold-plated

Questions

Does the Rankie HDMI to VGA adapter carry sound?

Yes, but not over VGA. Audio comes out of the 3.5 mm jack on the adapter, so you run a separate cable to speakers or a monitor with an audio input.

Is the micro USB power cable needed?

Not always. Rankie says it provides extra power for sources with low-power HDMI ports, and a reviewer found the picture cleaner at high resolutions with it connected.

Will it work with a Raspberry Pi?

Rankie lists the Raspberry Pi as compatible, and owners report using it that way. The adapter has a full size HDMI plug, so check which HDMI port your board has.

What is the maximum resolution?

1920 x 1080, plus 1600 x 1200 for older 4:3 monitors.

Sources

Researched 2026-10-01. We bought this product; our page is built from the maker's details and what owners report across reviews and forums. We never copy Amazon customer reviews.