The best HDMI cables help connect source devices to displays, such as gaming monitors, TV sound systems, and projectors, for users to enjoy high-quality audio and visuals. They do so by leveraging state-of-the-art technology that delivers high-fidelity audio and visual experiences at extremely high bandwidth in some cases. Having a to-spec HDMI cable can help transform gaming, watching movies, or even productivity-related tasks from a blurry mess on a capable display to a sharp, detailed experience with audio quality to match.
But how does one choose a suitable HDMI cable? There are various types of HDMI cables available with different build quality tiers, HDMI certifications, bandwidth limitations, and lengths on offer. Users have to keep in mind aspects such as the HDMI version, cable certification, and cable quality when shopping for an HDMI cable that meets their needs. This guide delves into the best HDMI cables to help users select one that is both future-proof and meets their current needs.
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Anker 8K Certified HDMI Cable
A Simple, Well-Designed Product
The Anker 8K Certified HDMI cable offers up to 48gbps of bandwidth across its HDMI 2.1 compliant connectors while offering 10 feet or 3 meters of length. It comes with an extensive 18-month warranty from Anker and what the manufacturer states is a 1000+ bends lifespan as a testament to its durability versus its competition.
- Length(s)
- 10 FT / 3 Meter
- Materials/Construction
- Double-braided nylon finish
- Capacity
- 48Gbps / 8K60Hz / 4K120Hz
- Brand
- Anker
- System Compatibility
- Works with all HDMI Interface supporting devices
- Externally Powered
- No
- Offers HDMI 2.1 Certification out of the box unlike cheaper 3rd party options
- Meets the 48gbps requirement for HDMI 2.1b standards
- Is just about the right size for most users at 10 feet
- Much more durable than the competition
- Slightly more expensive than most entry-level HDMI cables
Anker is a brand that is often considered synonymous with quality cable products and its HDMI 2.1 cable does not disappoint. It offers the full 48gbps of bandwidth that the HDMI 2.1b spec requires, with support for eARC in tow. It comes in a more supple, yet solid-feeling design versus most of its braided alternatives, with Anker touting a 1000-bend lifespan that should be enough for almost any but the most demanding environments.
At 10 ft in length, it is just about the right size for most users looking for an everyday cable that can keep up with their newer hardware devices without costing an arm and a leg like some of their peers do. For users needing a longer cable in a similar spec, Anker does deliver a 25ft version of the same cable, but one that is restricted to HDMI 2.0 speeds.
All in all, the Anker HDMI 2.1 cable is a versatile, if slightly pricier proposition, but one that should make up for its cost thanks to the superior durability associated with Anker's product lineup extending itself to its well-built HDMI cable in 2024.
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Amazon Basics 8K HDMI Cable
The No-nonsense option
The AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable is an affordable yet useful cable that can connect various devices to monitors, sound systems or TVs. It supports 4K resolution at 120 Hz refresh rate, 8K resolution at 60 Hz, Ethernet, Audio Return Channel (ARC) and has speeds of up to 48Gbps. It features a flexible and durable architecture, with gold-plated contacts, and it comes in three different sizes, 3, 6 and 10 feet.
- Length(s)
- 6 feet / 2 meters
- Materials/Construction
- PVC and Gold-Plated Plugs
- Capacity
- 48 gigabits per second
- Brand
- Amazon Basics
- System Compatibility
- Works with all HDMI Interface supporting devices.
- Externally Powered
- No
- Comes in 3 different sizes for user convenience
- Uses gold-plated connectors and PVC for a reliable & durable option
- Supports HDMI 2.1 specs out of the box
- Maxes out at 10ft in length which could limit users needing a longer option
For users needing a no-nonsense HDMI cable that just works and costs under a tenner for 2 of its sizes, the Amazon Basics 8K HDMI Cable does the job considerably better than its budget-centric competition, many of which can have issues with eARC, higher refresh rates or inconsistent QC, leading to problems that no user wishes to deal with.
The Amazon Basics 8K HDMI Cable comes in 3 different sizes (3 ft, 6.6ft, and 10ft) with prices to match. It also comes in an 80-pack carton for users needing more than a handful of spares or for office users looking to stockpile for future use. With gold-plated connectors and a PVC cover to shield the cable, Amazon's brand does what it says an HDMI 2.1 cable should do in 2024, minus the outrageous price tags that some of its competition comes with or the quality control issues that plague many of its alternatives that also trade in a sub-$10 price range.
This makes it uniquely poised to take advantage of a market that continues to be underserved differently despite having thousands of options on hand: Amazon's brand name and backing lend credibility to a cable option that competes on price that most of its competition lacks with a no-frills offering that gets the job done sans the fancy artwork.
Cable Matters 8K HDMI Cable 25ft
A Longer High-Bandwidth Option
Cable Matters is a brand that is synonymous with high-quality and durable cables that tend to deliver excellent value for money versus most of their competition. The 8K HDMI cable offers the maximum 48gbps bandwidth and a much longer than average length of 25 ft while delivering a shock-resistant solution for users needing a high-bandwidth cable in 2024.
- Length(s)
- 25 ft / 7.6 meters
- Materials/Construction
- Metal and PVC, Shock Resistant
- Capacity
- 48 gbps
- Brand
- Cable Matters
- System Compatibility
- Works with all devices with an HDMI port up to 2.1 spec
- Externally Powered
- No
- Offers a long HDMI 2.1 cable that can be used in multiple settings
- Has official HDMI Certification for HDMI 2.1 specs
- Extremely good build quality on offer
- Is more expensive than most other 25ft HDMI cables
For users needing a fast, long HDMI cable that gets the job done at the highest resolutions, the Cable Matters 8K HDMI Cable does the job in a 25ft trim without needing extenders or multiple cables in tow. The Cable Matters brand needs no introduction for most users with it being synonymous, much like Anker for making quality cables and the cable above does not disappoint, sporting superior material than many of its peers.
It does clock in a bit more expensive than most competing HDMI 2.1 cables, which also offer similar lengths but at a significant 10-20% discount in tow. One could argue that paying for peace of mind when it comes to a longer HDMI 2.1 cable might be a tradeoff that could favor users looking to install a cable once and Cable Matters offers a quality product that stays relevant versus many of its hit-or-miss peers in 2024.
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Ubluker 10k 8k 4k HDMI 2.1 Cable
A Budget-Friendly Braided Cable Option
The Ubluker HDMI is a budget cable that supports the latest features like ALLM (Auto Low-Latency Mode), VRR (variable refresh rate), QMS (quick media switching), and Dynamic HDR (high dynamic range). It also features HDR10, CEC, HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) 2.2 and 2.3, VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association), and DSC (Digital Security Controls) 1.2a.
- Length(s)
- 6.6feet/2m
- Materials/Construction
- Braided cord
- Capacity
- 48Gbps
- Brand
- Ubluker
- System Compatibility
- 2.1/2.1a/2.0b/2.0a/2.0/1.4/1.3/1.2/1.1
- Works with a wide variety of HDMI devices
- Compatible with HDMI 2.1 specifications
- Offers excellent build quality for a budget HDMI 2.1 cable
- Users report that the cable is stiffer than most of its competitors
For users looking for a braided HDMI 2.1 cable under $10, the Ubluker 10k 8k 4k HDMI 2.1 Cable is one of the better options currently available with a 5% coupon available on Amazon for users looking to save a bit more than its alternatives. It offers superior build quality to most of its peers, has the requisite 48gbps of bandwidth covered, and works with a wide variety of HDMI devices.
It is, however, stiffer than some of its competition, which could make it a tricky affair for users looking to use it in tighter spots where a more 'bendy' cable would be a boon such as behind a mounted cable or a space-restricted TV console for example.
Monster Cobalt 8K HDMI Cable
A Premium HDMI Experience
For users needing a more premium option than most of its peers, the Monster Cobalt 8K HDMI Cable delivers the goods, albeit at a premium versus its competition. It offers a decent length at 12 feet, a premium feel and heavy-duty shielding to prevent interference in more demanding setups, making it a great option to pair with most HDMI 2.1 devices on the market currently.
- Length(s)
- 12ft / 3.66 meters
- Materials/Construction
- Gold Contacts with Zinc alloy shielding to reduce interference
- Capacity
- 48 Gbps
- Brand
- Monster
- System Compatibility
- Works with all HDMI devices with up to HDMI 2.1 bandwidth
- Externally Powered
- No
- Comes with premium build quality on offer
- Has superior shielding versus the competition
- Longer than most competing HDMI cables at 12ft
- Offers eARC support out of the box
- More expensive than competing 8K HDMI cables
For users needing an 8K certified cable for their current 8K TV or future upgrades, the Monster Cobalt 8K HDMI Cable has them covered, albeit at a price that exceeds most of its peers handily. Monster backs this up by offering a longer 12ft of length better build quality and perhaps most importantly, better shielding in play compared to most of its peers.
With a 15% discount, Monster's offering does seem cheaper than it has historically been but still is a tad pricier than most of its direct competitors even as its strengths remain intact, backed by a well-known brand that is head and shoulders above the competition when it comes to build quality in 2024.
Snowkids 10K 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable
Good Things Come In Dual Packs
The Snowkids 10K 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable comes in a 2-pack value-centric offering that comes with a premium braided Nylon finish in addition to a silicon anti-slip strip.
Snowkids claims that its cable offers superior EMI shielding than most of its peers while meeting HDMI 2.1 standards, offering the full 48gbps of bandwidth required, making it an ideal pair of inexpensive HDMI cables to pair with most high-refresh 4K or 8K sources in one's household
- Length(s)
- 10 feet / 3 meters
- Materials/Construction
- Braided Nylon cord
- Capacity
- 48Gbps
- Brand
- Snowkids
- System Compatibility
- HDMI 2.1 or lower
- Offers support for high-refresh-rate 4K and 8K/10K data streams
- Supports DTS:X, eARC, and HDR 10 like other HDMI 2.1 cables
- Compatible with most old-generation HDMI devices
- Comes in a dual-pack offering that is cheaper than the competition
- Some users report issues with higher-bandwidth use cases (4K120 or 8K use cases)
For users needing a budget option for their HDMI needs, the Snowkids 10K 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable comes in a dual-pack that clocks in just under $5 a cable (based on a $10 price at the time of writing) while offering a longer-than-average 10ft length in tow. This, along with a max bandwidth rating of 48gbps, allows it to handle 4K at 120 Hz and 8K at up to 60 Hz with optional use for higher-resolution options such as 10K. Finding a 10K display would be a challenging affair, but it is nice to have an option that does, at the very least offer future-proofing in that regard with a spare cable in tow.
Users do have mixed reviews when it comes to the product, with some pointing out issues when maxing out the bandwidth of the cable. Others, however, seem to suggest that the product works fine, so individual mileage may vary, as is the case with most, if not all budget-friendly HDMI 2.1 cables at a sub-$5 price tag currently. The Snowkids 10K 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable does have an advantage in this regard: it comes highly recommended by users, comes with an alternate cable in the same package, and costs nearly half as much as Amazon's products, making it a great alternative in its own right.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best HDMI Cables
Anyone in the market for an HDMI cable would understand how important it is to get one that checks all their boxes for the devices it aims to connect. This should not be difficult, especially for those who understand what to look for. The following are the factors to consider when selecting an HDMI cable:
Cable Bandwidth & Resolution
The HDMI cable speed is essential in determining its ability to transmit 4K, 8K, or 10K videos. With each video resolution level, the HDMI cable would be at ultra-high speed or 48Gbps. This is true for HDMI 2.1 cables. Older cables can only reach 18 Gbps or high speed and can only support 4K video at limited refresh rates. An HDMI cable with 10.2Gbps for example is restricted to running 4K at even lower refresh rates (30 Hz)
Length of HDMI Cable
An HDMI cable should be long enough to cover the distance between the source device and the screen. Users should pick cables that can ideally cover the distance between the HDMI source and its display without having to invest in multiple extenders, cables, and switches.
HDMI Versions and Compatibility
Users with older devices should look for the latest HDMI version. For example, users of the PS5 should get an HDMI 2.1 cable like the one it ships with when running it at a high resolution and refresh rate. However, an HDMI 2.0 cable may limit bandwidth for an HDMI 2.1 device like the PlayStation 5 despite the specification being forward and backward-compatible.
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Factors to Consider When Buying an HDMI Cable in 2024
To help users make an informed choice, here are important aspects to take into account when shopping for the best HDMI cable;
- HDMI Version: This directly correlates to the feature set on offer and the maximum bandwidth available to devices on either end of the connector. The latest HDMI cables are compliant with the HDMI 2.1b standard. They can handle higher resolutions and frame rates with a total bandwidth of 48gbps on offer which can handle resolutions of 4K and 8K at 120Hz and 60Hz respectively.
- Connector Type: While HDMI cables are generally considered to be the 19-pin type-A connectors, others such as C, D, and E also exist and the first two are often commonly seen when it comes to smaller devices such as ultraportables, cameras, and mobile phones.
- Cable length: With over 10 billion HDMI-supporting devices sold, devices that use the standard come in all shapes and sizes. As a result, so do the cables which could mean that users could need very short cables that can range as low as 2-3 feet to extremely large 20 or 30 ft (or more) alternatives designed to move visual data across entire rooms.