Those color-coded RCA cables are long gone. Thankfully, we have the technology to replace the three different connectors with just one cable. Newer 4K TVs and displays support HDMI cables rather than RCA. The same goes for Blu-ray players and modern game consoles—you can't play video games or a Blu-ray without an HDMI cable.

Want to know the best HDMI cable for your LG, Samsung, Apple TV, and more? The following HDMI cables promise you long-lasting quality for any media.

Here are the best HDMI cables for your TV.

The Cable Matters Certified Active Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable is an officially certified HDMI 2.1 cable with 48Gbps bandwidth. It supports the highest resolutions and frame rates possible, including 8K and 4K at 120 frames per second.

This cable uses fiber optics to ensure high signal fidelity and reliable video transmission over longer runs. If your TV or source device is in another room, this is the kind of HDMI cable you need for your setup. It is available in lengths up to 50 feet.

The cable might be expensive, but it is well worth the investment if you want to run an HDMI cable over longer distances. Regular copper HDMI cables lose signal strength over long runs, resulting in flickering or reduced resolution/picture quality. For cable runs longer than 10 feet, an optical cable is the best option.

Key Features
  • Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable 48Gbps
  • Fiber optic technology
  • Supports up to 8K resolution and 4K at 120Hz
  • Designed for Xbox
Specifications
  • Brand: Cable Matters
  • Cable Type: Ultra High Speed HDMI
  • Length: 50 feet
  • Data Transfer Rate: 48Gbps
Pros
  • 50-foot HDMI cable
  • Compatible with all TVs and resolutions
  • Can handle 4K at 120 frames per second
  • Supports HDMI 2.1 specification
Cons
  • Cable is not bi-directional
Buy This Product
Cable Matters Certified Active Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

The Anker Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable is well-suited for almost every TV, from cheaper HDTVs to premium 8K TVs. It's officially certified by the HDMI Forum, so you can be sure your connection will be reliable.

With a 48Gbps bandwidth, the cable can handle 4K at 120FPS, which is an excellent option for gamers with the latest gaming consoles. You can watch your favorite movies and TV shows in crystal clear 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, HDR10, or any HDR format supported by your TV and source device.

You can also use it to connect your Dolby Atmos home theater or soundbar to your TV. The cable is well built with high-quality, durable material.

It has a double-braided nylon finish and gold-plated connectors for increased durability. You can plug and plug this cable more than 10,000 times without damaging it.

Key Features
  • Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable 48Gbps
  • Supports up to 8K resolution and 4K at 120Hz
  • Can be plugged and unplugged 10,000 times
  • Double-braided nylon finish
Specifications
  • Brand: Anker
  • Cable Type: Ultra High Speed HDMI
  • Length: 6.6 feet
  • Data Transfer Rate: 48Gbps
Pros
  • Wide TV compatibility
  • Supports latest 8K TVs
  • Can handle 4K at 120 frames per second
  • Supports HDMI 2.1 specification
  • Strong and durable
Cons
  • Available in six feet only
Buy This Product
Anker Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

If you have multiple TVs, you can't go wrong with this deal. This Cable Matters 3-Pack HDMI 2.0 Cables package comes with three six-foot cables for the price of one. That way, you can use different devices on three separate TVs.

Each cable allows for a bandwidth of up to 18Gbps and supports 4K resolution. These cables are also color-coded; if you use all three HDMI cables for one TV, you can quickly tell which cable belongs to which device.

Key Features
  • Color-coded to easily differentiate input sources
  • Three High Speed HDMI cables
  • Gold-plated connectors
  • Over-molded strain-relief for durability
Specifications
  • Brand: Cable Matters
  • Cable Type: High Speed HDMI
  • Length: 6 feet
  • Data Transfer Rate: 18Gbps
Pros
  • Incredible value
  • Solid and durable build quality
  • Support 4K resolution
Cons
  • Not certified
Buy This Product
Cable Matters 3-Pack HDMI 2.0 Cables

What if you don't care about 8K or 4K at 120Hz and want an affordable HDMI cable to connect an A/V receiver, Blu-ray player, or soundbar to your TV? In that case, the Monoprice 4K Certified Premium High Speed HDMI Cable is the best option for you.

It's one of the cheapest HDMI cables available and comes in different lengths, ranging from 3 feet to 30 feet. The best highlight is that this cable is Premium certified, meaning it's been tested by HDMI Authorized Test Centers to ensure it meets the full 18Gbps bandwidth needed to push 4K at 60Hz. You won't have any problems watching movies with HDR or playing 4K games on the PS4 or Xbox One.

Key Features
  • Certified Premium High Speed HDMI cable
  • Supports resolutions up 4K (3840x2160p @60Hz)
  • Different length options up to 30 feet
Specifications
  • Brand: Monoprice
  • Cable Type: Premium High Speed HDMI
  • Length: 6 feet
  • Data Transfer Rate: 18Gbps
Pros
  • Very cheap
  • Premium certified
  • Great HDMI cable for 4K gaming
  • Lifetime warranty
Cons
  • Not braided
Buy This Product
Monoprice 4K Certified Premium High Speed HDMI Cable

The Belkin 4K Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 Cable is the best HDMI cable for the Apple TV 4K. It's recommended by Apple and officially certified by the HDMI Forum to provide the full 48Gbps required to enable HDMI 2.1 features, including 4K at 120Hz and Dynamic HDR such as Dolby Vision.

You can still use a regular High Speed HDMI cable with the Apple TV 4K, but you may experience issues such as intermittent screen flickering, flashing, or just no video when you enable 4K Dolby Vision.

For that reason, Apple recommends using an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable as the 48Gbps bandwidth is more than enough to push 4K/60 Hz with Dolby Vision, even at longer distances.

Key Features
  • Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable 48Gbps
  • Supports Dolby Vision and 4K HDR
  • Delivers 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz
  • Recommended by Apple
Specifications
  • Brand: Belkin
  • Cable Type: Ultra High Speed HDMI
  • Length: 6.6 feet
  • Data Transfer Rate: 48Gbps
Pros
  • Eliminates flickers and flashes on Apple TV 4K
  • HDMI 2.1 compatible
  • Great for 4K120 gaming on PS5 and Xbox Series X
  • Can handle the highest resolutions and frame rates
Cons
  • Overkill for some users
Buy This Product
Belkin 4K Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 Cable

The Cable Matters 3-Pack 48Gbps Ultra HD 8K HDMI Cables are perfect for upgrading your home theater setup. You get three cables for connecting all of your devices to save you from the hassle of unplugging and plugging when changing to a different TV source.

With bandwidth up to 48Gbps, these cables support all video and audio signals, making them ideal for a Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos set. The color-coding makes it easy to organize and troubleshoot devices connected to your TV.

You can quickly identify which cable goes to what device and plug them into the correct HDMI port, handy if your TV has both HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 ports. The cables are available in different sizes, from 3.3 feet to 10 feet.

Key Features
  • Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos compatible
  • Supports up to 8K resolution
  • Bandwidth up to 48Gbps
Specifications
  • Brand: Cable Matters
  • Cable Type: Ultra High Speed HDMI
  • Length: 2m
  • Data Transfer Rate: 48Gbps
Pros
  • Incredible value
  • Color-coded for easy organizing and troubleshooting
  • Durable design
  • Supports HDMI 2.1
Cons
  • Not certified
Buy This Product
Cable Matters 3-Pack 48Gbps Ultra HD 8K HDMI Cable

If you plan to run the HDMI cable through a wall or ceiling, you'll want to consider the Amazon Basics High Speed 4K HDMI Cable. This cable is CL3-rated, meaning it's designed with low-smoke materials to resist fire, making it safe for in-wall use. It can accept up to 300 volts.

The cable itself is a High Speed HDMI and supports resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz. It's a great addition to any 4K setup, whether for multimedia or console gaming. The build quality is impressive for a cable at this price, and there's a lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.

Key Features
  • CL3-rated for in-wall installation
  • Length options up to 50 feet
  • Bandwidth up to 18Gbps
Specifications
  • Brand: Amazon Basics
  • Cable Type: High Speed HDMI
  • Length: 6 feet
  • Data Transfer Rate: 18Gbps
Pros
  • Cheap and affordable
  • Safe for installing through walls and ceilings
  • Support for 4K resolution at 60Hz
  • Amazon Basics lifetime warranty
Cons
  • Not certified
Buy This Product
Amazon Basics CL3 Rated High Speed 4K HDMI Cable

The UGREEN 90-Degree Angled 4K HDMI Cable is an excellent choice if you want to connect an HDMI cable to a wall-mounted TV. It has a right angle on one of the HDMI connectors, allowing it to fit perfectly in tight spaces without being wedged against the wall.

That way, you can protect both the cable and HDMI ports on your wall-mounted TV. The cable supports resolutions of up to 4K at 60Hz, making it ideal for use with 4K TVs, PS4, and Xbox One. It's available in sizes ranging from 3 feet to 15 feet.

However, for 15 feet or longer runs, the cable can only support 4K at 30Hz. Ensure to check the orientation of the HDMI ports on your TV. If the ports are oriented backward, the UGREEN 270-Degree Angled HDMI Cable is the best option for you.

Key Features
  • Right-angled design
  • Audio and video sync
  • Supports up to 4K at 60Hz resolution (15-foot or longer supports 4K@30Hz)
Specifications
  • Brand: UGREEN
  • Cable Type: High Speed HDMI
  • Length: 6 feet
  • Data Transfer Rate: 18Gbps
Pros
  • Excellent design for tight spaces
  • Good for 4K TVs
  • Durable and flexible
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Not ideal for every situation
Buy This Product
UGREEN 90-Degree Angled 4K HDMI Cable

FAQ

Q: What Is the Best HDMI Cable for My Smart TV?

Spending a lot of money on an expensive HDMI cable won't improve the TV's picture and audio quality. A $10 cable is just as good as a $30 one. Don't let a high price convince you that a specific cable is better. If you come across a more expensive HDMI cable, it's likely because of its length.

In general, there are six main HDMI types for TV displays and monitors:

  • Standard HDMI Cable
  • Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet
  • High Speed HDMI Cable
  • High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet
  • Premium High Speed HDMI Cable and Premium High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet
  • Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

Although you don't really have to worry about the types of HDMI cables, it's just good to know them. Today, most HDMI cables are of the high-speed variety and also come equipped with Ethernet capabilities.

If you happen to have an 8K TV, TV with HDMI 2.1 ports, or the latest gaming consoles, you'll benefit from having the newest form of HDMI cables: Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable. This cable supports the 48Gbps bandwidth of the HDMI 2.1 Specification, making it possible to transmit up to 10K video to your screen. Although most TVs don't even support 8K resolution yet, we can definitely expect more in the future.

Q: Do You Need an HDMI Switch or Splitter?

It's easy to get mixed up between HDMI switches and splitters. While you don't necessarily need an HDMI splitter or switch, they both come in handy in certain situations.

You should consider buying an HDMI splitter if you want to show the same media—from a gaming console or Blu-ray player—on multiple TVs. Simply plug your device's HDMI cable into an HDMI splitter. Since the splitter comes with several HDMI outputs, you can then plug those into multiple TVs.

This lets you simultaneously show content on several TVs.
On the other hand, HDMI switches help you keep your cables better organized. They're especially useful if you only have one or two HDMI ports on your TV. To use an HDMI switch, just plug all of your devices' HDMI cables into the switch.

From there, you can plug the switch's cable into your TV's HDMI port. That way, you won't have to keep swapping between different HDMI cables—the switch lets you toggle between multiple HDMI displays while using only one HDMI port.

Q: Which Is the Best HDMI Cable for 4K?

Both High Speed and Premium High Speed HDMI Cables can handle 4K. However, High Speed cables support 4K at 30Hz and some up to 60Hz on shorter distances. Premium High Speed HDMI cables are the best for 4K if you want peace of mind. They fully support 4K at 60Hz along with advanced features such as Dynamic HDR and eARC.

If you have invested in the latest TVs with HDMI 2.1 ports or the PS5 and Xbox Series X, the new Ultra High Speed HDMI cables are the best for you. These cables support 4K at 120Hz and all flavors of HDR and audio signals.