When you need to buy an HDMI cable, you may face two common problems. The first is not paying enough attention, or grabbing the first cable that says HDMI from a random store. This can lead to wasting money on a low-quality cable, and not getting the best HDMI cable for your needs.
The second problem is the opposite: paying too much attention. You may spend hours researching HDMI cable brands, lengths, versions, prices, and so on. But the truth is, the best HDMI cables are not the ones that keep you awake at night. HDMI cables, when they work well, are hardly noticed in most situations. You just plug them in and let them do their job. This guide will help you avoid overthinking, and make your HDMI cable choice easy and simple.
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall
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Zeskit Maya Ultra HDMI Cable
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Best Selling
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Highwings 8K HDMI cable
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Best for Pc Gaming
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Cable Matters 8K HDMI Cable
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Best Budget
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Amazon Basics HDMI 2.0 Cable
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1. Zeskit Maya Ultra HDMI Cable
The Zeskit Maya HDMI 2.1 cable is a low-cost, high-quality cable that supports the latest features and devices. It has a durable design with a braided exterior, a solid-body Copper wire, and a zinc alloy housing. It is the best HDMI cable for most people.
If you are looking for a high-quality HDMI cable that won’t break the bank, you might want to check out the Zeskit Maya HDMI 2.1 cable. This cable costs less than $20, but it meets the HDMI 2.1 standards that ensure compatibility with the latest devices and features. You can enjoy eARC, HDR, Dolby Vision Atmos and more with this cable, whether you are connecting your computer, TV, laptop, projector, Apple TV, console, monitor or anything else.
The Zeskit Maya HDMI 2.1 HDMI Cable is designed to last, with a durable braided exterior and a single solid-body Copper wire inside. It also has a zinc alloy housing for the uni-body plug-in heads, which prevents them from bending or breaking. It comes in various lengths from 1.5 feet to 10 feet, and it has been tested and approved by customers. This is the best HDMI cable for most people.
2. Highwings 8K HDMI cable
This cable has a braided exterior that looks great and prevents damage. It is ideal for traveling or presentations, but be careful with HDR and stiff ends. Choose the shortest length for the best performance.
If you are looking for a durable and attractive HDMI cable that can suit any length requirement, you might want to consider the Highwings HDMI cable. This cable is a close runner-up to the Zeskit Maya, but with a more affordable price tag. It has a tough and stylish braided exterior that protects the cable from breaking or fraying. This makes it ideal for traveling or using with a projector for business presentations. However, the downside of this design is that the cable ends are quite rigid and inflexible, which can make them difficult to connect in tight spaces.
The Highwings HDMI cable also offers a wide range of length options, from 1 foot to 330 feet. While it is advisable to choose the shortest length possible (most customers prefer the 1, 1.5, 3.3, or 6.6 foot models), you can opt for a longer cable if necessary. However, be aware that some customers have reported issues with HDR functionality with longer cables, which is a common problem with HDMI cables. As long as you select the appropriate length for your needs, the Highwings HDMI cable is one of the best HDMI cables on the market.
3. Cable Matters 8K HDMI Cable
The Cable Matters HDMI cable lets you play games with amazing speed and quality on your 4K or 8K gaming monitor. You can also get different colors for each cable to connect more than one monitor easily.
If you are an action gamer who wants to enjoy the full potential of your gaming monitor, you need the Cable Matters HDMI cable. This cable can support a 4K resolution with a refresh rate of up to 240Hz, which is ideal for fast-paced FPS games that require quick reactions and precision. It can also handle an 8K resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate, if you prefer more stunning visuals over speed.
The Cable Matters HDMI cable is one of the best HDMI cables for gaming because of its fast performance and its affordable price. You can buy color-coded multipacks to easily connect your dual-monitor setup. The only drawback is that the color coding is only on the heads, not on the wires, but that should not be a big issue if you need to troubleshoot.
4. Amazon Basics HDMI 2.0 Cable
If you need a cheap and decent HDMI cable, get the Amazon Basics HDMI 2.0 cable. But if you want better quality and compatibility, go for an HDMI 2.1 cable. The 2.0 cable might not work with the new features of your next TV or monitor.
For a budget-friendly and reliable HDMI cable, you can choose the Amazon Basics HDMI 2.0 cable. However, be aware that this cable is “only” HDMI 2.0, which means it can support up to 60Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution. This guide recommends getting an HDMI 2.1 cable instead — this is the only HDMI 2.0 cable on the list — but if you are not too picky about the quality, this cable can still do the job. To give you an idea, one of the best laptops (the Dell XPS 13) has a 60Hz refresh rate at lower than 4K resolution. It’s not that bad, right?
But don’t let the low price fool you. You might be missing out on some benefits if you skip over the better cables. An HDMI 2.1 cable will last longer and be more compatible with the latest technology. It will only cost a little more. Plus, you will be able to enjoy the new features that will come with your next TV, monitor, etc. that might not work with your old 2.0 cable. This cable is only suitable for you if you have a specific setup with older equipment or if you need to buy a lot of cables. Otherwise, you will end up buying two cables; one now and one later.