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We have tested multiple ultra-high speed HDMI cables and added
As our recommendation.
We have also completed a complete revision of this guide to reflect the current state of HDMI and
Our highest recommendation. We have moved
To
.
your
guide
Geoffrey Morrison
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If your current HDMI cables are working properly, please keep them. However, if you have recently upgraded to a 4K TV or signal source, and your HDMI cable no longer reliably transmits audio or video signals, we recommend you
. The cable is certified to provide 4K high dynamic range (HDR) video at 60 Hz, which is what most people need to watch movies and TV shows. For PC and console gamers who need more bandwidth, we also provide cable recommendations for this.
This inexpensive but well-structured Monoprice HDMI cable is available in multiple lengths and can handle 4K HDR video without any problems.
This
An excellent cable for connecting 4K TVs to most HD and Ultra HD signal sources (such as cables or satellite TV boxes, Blu-ray players, media streaming or older game consoles). As the name suggests, the cable has passed the following certifications
Transmit 4K HDR signals with a bandwidth of up to 18 gigabits per second. In our test, even if it fails the certification, the bandwidth of the Monoprice 4K cable is even higher than that. It is 3 to 30 feet in length, can be shipped free of charge and has a lifetime warranty. Monoprice's Certified Premium cables can also be used in the following products:
, Size from 1 to 8 feet. Therefore, whether you need a short and thin cable or a longer length for installation work, Monoprice can provide an inexpensive option to complete the work.
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Most people don't need a super high-speed HDMI cable, but if you have the latest game console or plan to buy an 8K TV, we recommend that you use the Monomono 8K cable.
Although our top pick is sufficient for most people, hardcore gamers and 8K TV owners may need
Cable, which can transmit higher resolutions and frame rates at bandwidths up to 48 Gbps. You don't need that much bandwidth to transfer 4K HDR movies and TV shows between the TV and the source device. but
, This
, And high-end gaming PCs can output 4K video at 120 frames per second (or 4K 120 Hz), which requires more bandwidth. If you own one of these devices and
—You need an ultra-high speed HDMI cable. Similarly, if you have purchased (or plan to buy) an 8K TV and want to make sure that the cable is ready for future 8K sources, you may want to continue with the upgrade.
Fortunately, the price of ultra-high-speed HDMI cables is not much higher than that of ordinary HDMI cables. In our test, 6 feet
Works perfectly, Monoprice offers free shipping and a lifetime warranty. It also has lengths of 1.5 feet, 3 feet and 8 feet. There is also no performance difference between Monoprice and other ultra-high-speed HDMI cables we tested (nor should it exist), so
Would be a good choice.
In addition to being the editor-in-chief of Wirecutter, I also reviewed and wrote articles about HDMI extensively for CNET, Forbes and several other outlets. I also interviewed several cable manufacturers and
, Is the organization responsible for the HDMI specification.
Senior staff writer Chris Heinonen (Chris Heinonen), who has been reviewing TV and home theater equipment since 2008,
– A certified calibrator, other cable tests have been performed.
If your entertainment system is still rocking basic high-definition sources, such as cables or satellite TV boxes, Blu-ray players or streaming media players, and your current HDMI cable is working properly, you don't need to buy a new cable. There is no performance improvement.
However, if you have purchased a new 4K gear or plan to purchase a new 4K gear, you may need a new cable. Depending on when you purchased the cable and the level of production of the cable, they may be suitable for 4K video, or even
. Otherwise they may not. The only way to find them is to test them: set up your 4K source (for example, Apple TV or PlayStation game console) to output 4K HDR to your TV. If there is no image, a new cable may be required.
Passing 4K HDR video signals between the TV and the signal source requires more data than passing 720p or 1080p HD video. In order to do this reliably, you need at least one high-speed HDMI cable. "High speed" means that the cable is rated to provide at least 18 Gbps of bandwidth. Movies and TV shows have sufficient bandwidth and are usually displayed at a frame rate of 24, 30, or 60 frames per second. The "Ultra High Speed" logo indicates that the HDMI cable is rated to pass the higher 48 Gbps bandwidth, which is currently only required for certain game sources that can output 120 fps frame rate.
The longer the cable, or the worse it is made, even with 1080p, it is unlikely to work at a higher resolution. Although this is not a perfect analogy, you can consider imposing the problem on a water pipe that is too small: "1080p" amount of water works well, but the "2160p" amount of water required for 4K cannot be installed in the pipe, and Let the TV display the image.
You may also see the words "HDMI 2.0" or "HDMI 2.1" on the cable's packaging and sales materials. The label does not refer to the cable type. Instead, it is related to specific functions in HDMI-equipped TVs and signal sources. Despite the nominal digital changes, HDMI 2.1 still represents a huge increase in features and functions compared to HDMI 2.0, including resolutions up to 10K, higher potential frame rates, eARC and game-friendly features such as automatic Low latency mode and adaptive frame rate. You can read more about HDMI 2.1 in.
.
8K is a hot new feature on TV and home theater equipment, but do you really need to upgrade your equipment immediately? For most people, the answer is no.
To take advantage of HDMI 2.1 features, you need a TV and a signal source that supports them. Many of the latest TVs support certain HDMI 2.1 features, but not all. Few people support the higher bandwidth required for gaming (see
). Except for the two latest game consoles or high-end PCs, there is currently no source that can output the higher resolutions and frame rates that require ultra-high-speed HDMI cables.
High-speed HDMI cables can pass many HDMI 2.1 functions (if the TV and signal source support them), but only ultra-high-speed HDMI cables can guarantee the higher resolution and frame rate that may be achieved through HDMI 2.1.
The HDMI cable is valid or invalid. Due to their functions, it is impossible to use different HDMI cables with the same speed grade to provide varying image or sound quality. (See
A good cable may transmit AV signals more reliably than a poor cable, especially at longer runtimes, but a more expensive HDMI cable cannot provide higher AV performance advantages than the same cheap cable. Types of. In other words, a $100 HDMI cable can successfully transmit 4K signals, and the result is the same as the result of a $10 HDMI cable that can successfully transmit 4K signals.
With this in mind, we know that we can greatly simplify the standards for the models we want to call and test. The cables we are looking for are rated as high-speed or ultra-high-speed, are easily available, come from well-known companies, and preferably have a lifetime warranty.
In order to conduct preliminary tests on high-speed cables in 2015, we introduced 3 feet and 15 feet long cables, and included
Receiver and a
4K projector
Ultra HD Blu-ray player as 4K HDR source. Chris Heinonen further expanded our test range in 2018, using
Generator and
The analyzer carefully checks to ensure that all cables can handle the 18 Gbps required for 4K HDR video. (They can both.)
Compared with cheap cables, more expensive HDMI cables cannot provide any AV performance advantages.
In order to test the newly updated ultra-high-speed cable, we used an Xbox Series X game console running at 4K 120 Hz (with variable refresh rate enabled) and a GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card running at the same resolution and refresh rate. We use LG, Samsung, and Vizio TVs, these TVs have ultra-high-speed HDMI input, and used each cable to play games for a while. All the cables we tested with a rating of 48 Gbps worked well in our tests, and the 18 Gbps Monoprice 4K cable also worked well in this setup. The length of the cable we used in these tests was approximately 6 feet.
For this guide, we did not test any cables longer than 15 feet, but in the "Our Choices" section, we provide some suggestions based on personal experience.
cheap
It performed well in our tests and was certified to handle resolutions up to 4K at 60 Hz, which is the most common resolution and refresh rate for modern TVs and signal sources. The cost includes freight, and the cable has a
-So if something goes wrong, it can be replaced. If you need a very long or very short cable to set up, the length of this cable ranges from 3 to 30 feet. In order to spend a little more money, Monoprice also offers a thinner version.
This"
"The label indicates that these cables are guaranteed to work with 4K HDR video. Or as described by the HDMI licensing administrator," the [Certified Premium] program is designed to give end users the confidence to purchase new HDMI cables for their 4K/UltraHD products. It may include features such as 4K@60Hz, BT.2020 and HDR. "Certified does not mean that cables are better than uncertified cables, but that they have gone through an additional testing phase, so manufacturers can sell them as "certified advanced products", implying that they can work. In any case, we Tested them and passed the test.
The Monoprice 4K-certified Premium cable is a bit thick and not easy to bend. Depending on your setup, a thinner, more flexible cable may be preferable. under these circumstances,
The length is 1 to 8 feet. Its price is slightly higher, but it is also thinner and easier to manage in a narrow space.
In this guide, we did not test particularly long cables, but Monoprice has made several series to handle long-distance cables. I have 40 feet and 50 feet
In my lab, they can handle 4K HDR video very well. Monoprice also sells
The cables are more than 300 feet in length, and Monoprice claims that these cables can handle 18 Gbps. The company has
The same is true, but this extreme length is beyond the scope of this guide.
If you want to skip the long wires altogether, please check our
. Keep in mind, however, that there are currently no wireless HDMI transmitters that can transmit HDR signals, and only a few can handle 4K, so we do not recommend them to anyone who wants to watch 4K HDR videos.
All the ultra-high-speed cables we tested worked as expected, but we chose
Lifetime warranty and free shipping. In addition, Monoprice has been producing cheap but high-quality HDMI cables for a long time, and we are confident to recommend them. That is, unless you have an 8K TV and want to perform outdated verification of the system, or you are a gamer who has a console or PC that can output a higher bandwidth signal to a TV that supports these functions, you may not need this cable . signal.
"Ultra High Speed" is the latest classification of HDMI cables. This type of cable is designed to increase the bit rate to 48 Gbps, and our first choice is the 18 Gbps high-speed HDMI cable. Currently the only device that utilizes this extra bandwidth is
,
And a PC video card that can display 4K at 120 frames per second. Both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles come with super high-speed cables in the box. These cables work fine in our test setup, but if you need cables of different lengths or need a compatible AV receiver between you Or other equipment, source and TV, you may need other cables.
Remember, you also need a TV that can take advantage of this higher frame rate. Most TVs, even TVs that proclaimed the "120 Hz" frequency a few years ago cannot. For more information, see our guide to the best TV TV.
Comprehensive gaming functions and excellent image quality make it the first choice for the best gaming TV.
In addition to the Monoprice 8K Ultra High Speed HDMI cable and the cable that came with the game console, we also tested
with
. We found that all of them performed well in our tests, and we were not surprised.
However, to our surprise, our top product Monoprice 4K certified premium high-speed HDMI cable also performed perfectly in these tests. All our signal sources and the 3ft, 6ft and 8ft cables of the TV work at 4K 120 Hz without any synchronization issues or sparks. Therefore, if you already have one or more of these HDMI cables, you may not need to replace them even if you upgrade your game console and TV. Unfortunately, there is no way to judge whether they work or not just by looking at the cables themselves. You need to test it yourself. If the TV says that it is receiving a 4K 120 Hz signal, then you are fine.
However, if you do need a new cable, the Monoprice 8K Ultra High Speed HDMI cable is between 1.5 to 8 feet in length and comes with a lifetime warranty, which is the main reason we chose to upgrade.
It was originally the highest recommendation in this guide, mainly because it is a bit cheaper than Monoprice 4K cable and free shipping for Prime users. Now, Monoprice offers free shipping for everyone, and the prices are more comparable. The AmazonBasics cable is not a certified premium product, but it performed well in our tests. Newer
The version (we haven't tested it yet) is slightly more expensive than the Monoprice optional version, ranging in length from 3 to 15 feet.
Compared with other super high-speed cables we tested, it is slightly more flexible and is the only cable with the HDMI certification logo on its packaging, which may be the reason why its price is slightly higher than the Monoprice 8K cable. We found that there is no difference in performance between the two, but the Anker cable has a shorter warranty period of 18 months. During the test, we found that this model has more inventory and usability issues. If you feel more comfortable using only certified cables, you can accomplish this task.
It is the lowest-priced ultra-high-speed cable we have tested, and its performance is as reliable as Monoprice and Anker cables. But the warranty was vague; we had to email the cable to obtain warranty information and were told that the cable has a "limited lifetime warranty" without providing further explanation. In addition, the cable is only available in silver instead of black, so it has attracted more attention in our gear racks, but it really depends on personal preference.
Before running HDMI (or any wires) through the wall:
Make sure to thoroughly check the fit of the cable and gear
You pass it through the wall. This may sound obvious, but you might be shocked (and sad) by the number of emails I have never received from people who have never done so.
Also check local building codes in case you need to lay ducts. One option is
, Its rated CL2 grade can run on the wall, supports 18 Gbps speed, and the length can reach 50 feet.
You will find countless HDMI cables with prices ranging from "a lot" to "you are kidding me".
It is not necessary to go through every brand and cable, because these cables have only two claims that can justify their prices, and they are both easily refuted.
As mentioned earlier, this is impossible. The only way a cable can make your content look better or sound better is if it actually changes the data flowing through it. Not only is this impossible, but if any of the transmitted data is changed in some way, then the only two possible results on the TV side will be flicker (an effect, the effect caused by pixel loss is very obvious) or the whole The image is missing. The image will not look sharper (or softer), brighter (or darker) or colorful (or weaker). This means that huge aspects of the image have changed, and HDMI cables can't work that way. It's like saying that a better Ethernet cable will change what your email says. The same idea.
Otherwise, the only exception to the absolute fact is that the ratings of the two cables are different. A cable that claims to be capable of only 18 Gbps may not be able to send the amount of data that a cable rated at 48 Gbps can transmit. It can be said that the 48 Gbps cable is just a larger "pipe". Or in other words, a 1-inch pipe carries the same amount of water as any other 1-inch pipe, but if your water heater only has a 1/2-inch nozzle, then running a larger pipe will make no difference. But two cables that can transmit 48 Gbps will produce results that look the same.
There are many people on the Internet claiming to have seen huge improvements after switching to expensive HDMI cables. Objectively speaking, this is impossible.
In a longer running time, the signal may become worse, but this does not mean that the image itself will become worse.
This is not simulated. This is not how HDMI cables work. Regardless of the signal strength, the image will look perfect until it drops or flickers. After that, there is nothing left. Before that, it was perfect.
There are many people on the Internet claiming to have seen huge improvements after switching to expensive HDMI cables. Objectively speaking, this is impossible. Regarding what happened, there are many possibilities (different settings, confirmation deviation, HDMI cable company employees).
Another common boast is that the more expensive HDMI cables are better made, which implies that they last longer. Whether this is correct is actually irrelevant. For example, Monoprice's cables have a lifetime warranty, so even if one cable is damaged, you can buy a new one.
Even if this is not the case, and for some reason, the $8 HDMI cable you bought will only last for two years (it may last longer), and you need to replace it, it cost a total of $16. How can a $100 HDMI cable that can last four years be better traded?
No one has done more research and writing on HDMI cables than me. Since 2011, my "
"The series of articles on CNET have millions of page views and are subject to rigorous scrutiny. If you need other objective tests, then here are some good resources worth reading.
Audioholics did
Test long HDMI cables. Some suggestions are outdated, but the core of the science is still: "I have to say that in today's 1080p arsenal, most cables under 4-5 meters can pass through anything." Or, if you want to use more For a shorter, more concise version, check out the newer "
"And its analysis: "So, does a $10 HDMI cable make the appearance or sound of the system different from that of a $100 or $1,000 cable? The short answer is "Absolutely not."
Expert commented "
"It's a great article, and some very extensive objective tests have been conducted.
Eurogamer did a similar test,
: "The conclusion is that no matter how cheap the price, you can use any HDMI cable and get the same results." The writer continued: "The important thing to point out is that there is no real similarity to the world of analog cables. "
This is in "Popular Mechanics"
": "The fact is that HDMI is digital, which means you can get the feed or not. High prices and like headers (such as gold plating) will not affect 1 and 0. Our suggestion: buy cabling online at a cheap price, and then use the saved money to upgrade to a larger flat screen. "
The Murideo Six-G signal generator was used to analyze audios of different lengths and found that most of them (including several Monoprice models) have no problems with 4K/60 HDR.
although
, It shows all the hands-on tests I did before the first CNET article. "The fact is that performance will be more uniform below 50 feet. In other words, you will have more cables that can be used on all devices. In this way, cheaper cables are likely to be compatible with more expensive cables. The same performance. As we have always said, there will be no difference between short distances (under 10 feet)."
, HDMI Licensing Administrator
Geoffrey Morrison,
, CNET
, October 11, 2012
, October 29, 2012
Nathan Spendelow and Katharine Byrne,
,Expert Reviews
, January 13, 2020
Clint De Boer
, Audioholics
, July 8, 2008
Marshall Guthrie,
, December 23, 2013
Richard Leadbetter,
, Eurogamer
, January 30, 2012
Seth Porges,
, Popular Mechanics
, January 1, 2008
Will Greenwald
, PCMag
, January 27, 2021
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