1 hour ago
8
A poor HDMI cable can ruin your entertainment setup causing flickering screens, dropped signals, or laggy gameplay. If you're streaming in 4K, gaming at high frame rates, or juggling multiple displays, a reliable connection is key. Sadly, some manufacturers cut corners on materials or bandwidth, which leads to frustrating signal drops and degraded image quality.
I tested the best HDMI cables to ensure you get crystal-clear audio and video.
Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.
Best best mechanical keyboards deals of the week
Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.
What is the best HDMI cable right now?
My top recommendation for the best DMI cable is the AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI cable. It meets all relevant HDMI standards, is available in multiple lengths, delivers excellent performance, and is priced competitively. Keep reading to explore other excellent HDMI cables that offer great value and performance for various needs.
Also: Check out these best gaming consoles for your new HDMI cable
In our July update, we
The best HDMI cables of 2026
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Why we like it: The AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable offers dual HDMI and Ethernet connections to support 3D and 4K video, making it our overall pick for the best HDMI cable. This male-to-male cable measures six feet long and comes with a lifetime warranty for greater peace of mind. It is compatible with a series of devices like laptops, personal computers, gaming consoles, and any TVs or projectors you may have in your home or office. It can handle bandwidths up to 18 Gbps and is meant for indoor use.
Who's it for: If you want the best HDMI cable that won't break the bank, this is a great option.
Who should look elsewhere: If you need more advanced connector options or want a more expensive HDMI cable, this one won't be for you.
AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable tech specs: Cable Type: HDMI, Ethernet | Length: 3 ft, 6ft, 10 ft, 15 ft, 25 ft | Type: Male to Male
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Belkin/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Belkin HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed is our pick for the best HDMI cable for gaming because it works well with various devices, including PlayStation and Xbox, as well as your laptop and television for your favorite games and movies at lightning speed. There are 48 Gbps in this cable compared to the 18 Gbps normally associated with an HDMI cable, offering faster speeds without interruption or lag.
Who's it for: Gamers and those looking to stream.
Who should look elsewhere: Anyone not concerned about the fastest possible speeds, specifically for gaming.
Belkin HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed tech specs: Cable Type: HDMI | Length: 0.7 ft. 3.3 ft, 6.6 ft | Type: Male to Male
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Bluerigger/ZDNET
Why we like it: The BlueRigger Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable is a micro-HDMI cable that comes in various lengths. Choose from anywhere between three to 15 feet, depending on how you plan to use the cable. It works with devices like projectors, computer monitors, laptops, TVs, tablets, and even a camcorder. It supports 4K with 18 Gbps high speed for an ultra-HD picture that comes with a lifetime warranty.
Who's it for: If you want to choose how long of a cable you need without compromising speed, this is a safe pick.
Who should look elsewhere: If you don't need a specific cable length, you can opt for something more basic.
BlueRigger Micro tech specs: Cable Type: Micro HDMI, HDMI | Length: 3 ft, 6 ft, 10 ft, 15 ft | Type: Male to Male
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Cable Matters/ZDNET
Why we like it: If you're looking for an extra-long cable, we highly recommend the Cable Matters HDMI 2.1 cable. You can buy a cord almost 10 feet long, far exceeding the length of most HDMI cables. This cable supports up to 8K displays with 48 Gbps bandwidth for incredible performance. A lifetime warranty is also included.
Who's it for: Anyone that needs a an extra-long basic HDMI cablet to get the job done, with a guarauntee of a liftetime warranty.
Who should look elsewhere: If you don't need an extra-long selection, you can skip out on this.
Cable Matters HDMI 2.1 tech specs: Cable Type: HDMI | Length: 3.3 ft, 6.6 ft, 9.8 ft | Support: 8K
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
Zeskit/ZDNET
Why we like it: The Zeskit Maya Ultra High Speed is also a long HDMI 2.1 cord, ranging up to 10 feet with a male-to-male connection. It really shines with its speed, offering ultra-high-speed connectivity at 48 Gbps for faster performance. It is a bit limited in its connections, but it will still work with both your TV and Xbox.
Who's it for: Someone looking for an HDMI connector that's great for both your TV and gaming console.
Who should look elsewhere: If you need more connection options or need a longer cord, you may want to skip this option.
Zeskit Maya Ultra High-Speed tech specs: Cable Type: HDMI | Length: 1.5 ft, 3 ft, 5ft, 6.5 ft, 10 ft | Type: Male to Male
Read More
Show Expert Take Show less
The AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable is one of the most versatile and high-performing HDMI cables, making it our pick for the best HDMI cable overall. To see how it stacks up, here is an overview of the best HDMI cables you can buy today.
Best HDMI Cable | Price | Lengths avaiable |
AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable | $6 for 10 ft | 3 ft, 6ft, 10 ft, 15 ft, 25 ft |
Belkin HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed | $35 for 6.6 ft | 0.7 ft. 3.3 ft, 6.6 ft |
BlueRigger Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable | $10 for 6 ft | 3 ft, 6 ft, 10 ft, 15 ft |
Cable Matters HDMI 2.1 | $12 for 6.6 ft | 3.3 ft, 6.6 ft, 9.8 ft |
Zeskit Maya Ultra High Speed | $14 for 1.5 ft | 1.5 ft, 3 ft, 5ft, 6.5 ft, 10 ft |
We can help you find the best HDMI cable for your needs with these suggestions.
Choose this best HDMI cable... | If you want... |
AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable | A budget-friendly HDMI cable. This is everything you need -- it conforms to the HDMI standards, works flawlessly, you can get it next day, and the price is excellent. |
Belkin HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed | The top high-end option. This is for people who want a cable with a premium feel. |
BlueRigger Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable | An HDMI cable for your portable device. Perfect for connecting a camera, tablet or laptop through the Micro HDMI Port to an HDTV or projector. |
Cable Matters HDMI 2.1 | An extra-long HDMI cable. |
Zeskit Maya Ultra High Speed | An 8K cable. This one is Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable Certified, and supports 8K60, 4K120 and up to 10K resolution, as well as Dynamic HDR. |
When searching for these best HDMI cables, we used several factors to shape our decision, including these.
- Refresh rate: Look for a higher refresh rate if you plan on regular gaming.
- Resolution: HDMI cables can range from 4K support to 1080p compatibility, so be sure to check the right resolution for your intended use.
- Price: Cost is always an important consideration, so we keep budget in mind when searching for the best HDMI cables.
- User reviews: It's great being able to tap into the experiences of others. This is a great way to judge long-term reliability and durability.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables are a type of audio-video cable used to connect devices such as TVs, laptops, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. They have a small connector on each end -- with 19 pins on one side and a corresponding 19 pins on the other side.
These pins align and connect to transmit the audio and video signals from the source device to the display device. HDMI cables also support additional features such as 3D and 4K resolution, and some even support the latest technology like eARC, HDMI 2.1, and HDR. HDMI cables are a widely used and convenient way to connect devices,
HDMI 2.1 is typically not necessary for general use, but it's often necessary for specific PlayStation and Xbox gaming. An HDMI 2.0 cable is more than sufficient for video streaming and gaming, thanks to 4K 60 Hz support.
An HDMI cable is a pretty straightforward tool, and they're available from many different manufacturers. That said, we recommend buying one from a reputable retailer like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy.
The best HDMI cables range in cost from less than $8 up to $25, making an affordable addition to your home entertainment or gaming center.
No. There's also a mini-HDMI connector, or a Type-C HDMI, that's found on smaller devices, such as cameras. This mini connector is functionally the same as the full-sized, or Type-A HDMI, HDMI connectors.
Latest updates
- In our July update, we performed a full format update, adding new photos and refreshing our picks and langugage to create a page that's more efficient for readers.
English (US) ·