HDMI cables explained: the different types, the ones I use as TechRadar's TV reviewer, and what I recommend you buy (don't worry, they're cheap!)

If you’ve been shopping for a new HDMI cable for your gaming console, soundbar or streaming device, you may have noticed that there are tons of options. You’ll have also noticed they vary wildly in price, with some costing hundreds.

While it can initially seem like a minefield, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s actually simple, and you can pick up a great HDMI cable very cheaply.

As TechRadar’s lead TV reviewer, and through my time working in AV retail before that, I’ve used a lot of different HDMI cables on the best TVs and best soundbars — so I’m here to help explain what the different types of HDMI cables really mean, and how much you really need to spend.

HDMI basics

First things first, we need to establish what you need your HDMI cable for and which type is best. I’ve recently written about the different HDMI ports on your TV, and the same core specs basically apply to the cables.

If you want to get the most out of your soundbar or games console, you’ll want to use an HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) cable. Thankfully, they aren’t really that pricey any more. You can expect to pick one up a 1m cable (more on length below) for less than $10 / £10 / AU$30.

You may have also noticed that cables are boasting support for 8K and even 10K resolution. While this is great for future-proofing, it’s unlikely we’ll actually see content that utilizes this any time soon.

But because HDMI cables are labelled very confusingly, looking for 8K support is really useful for knowing if you're buying the right one. If you see a cable that supports 8K, you can be confident that it also supports HDMI 2.1, because that's necessary for 8K video – it just also happens to be what you need for 4K 120Hz on games consoles. Again, these cables don’t actually cost a great deal more than other options despite what they support.

In general, I always recommend people buy an HDMI 2.1 cable even if you don't care about 4K 120Hz or the latest fancy features – because it means you're futureproofed.

Yes, you can can buy more basic HDMI 2.0 (18Gbps) cable that supports 4K HDR and is fine for devices such as the best 4K Blu-ray players – but because the price difference between these and HDMI 2.1 cables is so small, you’re still better off getting a more advanced cable to cover your bases for the foreseeable future.

So in summary: just buy the HDMI cables that are labelled as supporting 8K, even if you have no interest in 8K, because they mean you'll never have to think about HDMI specs again in the future (probably).

What about the fancy expensive cables?

If you’ve really been down an HDMI rabbit hole, you may have noticed some extreme cases where HDMI cables cost over $400 / £400 / AU$800, with notable brands like AudioQuest, Chord and QED hitting these big figures.

Why are they so expensive? It actually comes down to the metal and casing. Some of these premium cables use gold rather than the standard copper you’ll find in most cables and this is claimed to produce better sound quality for audiophile applications, by providing better insulation and data transfer.

While this can sound like the best option, you’ll be absolutely fine with more basic cables. When I sold HDMI cables at my AV retail job, I often opted for the budget end. Heck, one of my main go-to cables even today is an Amazon Basics model!

HDMI sound is digital, meaning it's not interfered with in the same way that analog audio cables can be. Yes, the signal in HDMI cables absolutely can be interfered with – and yes, it's possible to buy a cheap cable that will make things look or sound bad.

But really, only if you buy a cable that costs $1 from a guy in a back alley. HDMI cables will only look back if they're the wrong spec, or made so badly that the connection doesn't work properly.

Budget-friendly cables work just as well as the high-end stuff in any standard setup – but cable length is one area where things can get non-standard, though.

Cable length

One area where you do need to be careful with HDMI cables is length. The maximum length at which you’re unlikely to experience issues with an HDMI cable is 5m (10ft). If you need a cable longer than this, for a home theater installation for example, it can be tempting to opt for a cheap cable as they are available. However, you should avoid doing this.

Once a standard HDMI cable exceeds 5m in length, you’re more susceptible to potential issues such as signal loss between a source and a display. If you need a longer HDMI cable, it’s best to opt for an optical HDMI cable, as these are designed to transmit signal over further distances without signal loss compared to standard HDMI.

So that's the area where you might need to look into paying more for a great brand, because you don't want to be re-doing your in-wall installation, do you…

My HDMI cable recommendations

Below I’ve chosen some of the best HDMI cables on offer, including the Amazon Basics 1.8m / 3ft, one I regularly use during my own testing, and it's super-cheap – just make sure it's long enough for you!

I’ve also picked a slightly slightly more premium cable such in the AudioQuest Pearl — but one that's still a reasonable price. There are also top Amazon sellers from Ubluker, Highwings and Anker — all of which support HDMI 2.1 4K 120Hz and 8K 60Hz.

My HDMI cable picks - US

My HDMI cable picks - UK