What Is The Best HDMI Cable For TV
Today, I’d like to take a moment to find out what is the best HDMI cable for TV, and some things to consider when looking at cables.
HDMI is a One Cable Solution
I’ve written about this before, and it really goes without saying that HDMI truly is the best way to connect the digitial devices of today.
Whether it is a DVD player or a game console, anything made these days will likely have an HDMI connection.
HDMI (aka High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables are designed to transmit an audio and video signal through one cable, and essentially replaces the old aging AV cables that we once used to have back in the day.
Fast forward to today, and we still use HDMI, but now there are newer versions of HDMI that support 4K Ultra HD TVs.
Is it Worth Getting HDMI?
It definitely is! As I mentioned earlier, HDMI is a single cable that connects your devices without the need for extra cabling, which makes things a lot easier to organize behind the TV.
With a digital signal, you get high-definition video and audio, which results in a clear picture quality when compared to any other type of cable.
Another great thing is backwards compatible with older HDTVs. I have an old TV from the 2010’s that still works with my newer HDMI cables. If you have a TV that uses AV connections, however, you may need to get an adapter.
Things to Consider
Before you consider getting new cables, it is crucial to look at a few factors.
Your Internet needs to be able to support HD!
Just because you get the most expensive cables, doesn’t necessarily mean that you can start streaming Netflix at the best video quality. The biggest bottleneck to picture quality is likely going to be your internet service provider(ISP).
According to Netflix, you need at least 5 Mbps to stream HD content without any issue. 25 Mbps is needed for 4K. A whopping 100 Mbps is needed to stream any 8K content.
What Kind of TV you have is Important
While your internet speed is crucial to ensure you have access to high definition content, you also need to have a HDTV that is capable of displaying that kind of picture quality. You would be wasting money if you went and got 8K cables when you don’t even have a TV that can provide such a resolution.
Cable Length is important
A great suggestion is to take some measurements in your home before you start setting up HDMI cables to run from your TV to your devices. A tape measure is all you need to see how long of a cable you’ll need. Many cables are priced based on length; the longer, the more expensive the cable will be.
Having shorter cables is much easier to maintain, and saves you some more money, but the big downside is that they’ll not be future proof if you ever plan on changing your home theatre setup. Obviously, the longer cables will solve anything but cable management.
Braided or Plastic Cables?
I find that plastic HDMI cables are pretty much the most budget-friendly option, so if you wish to save yourself some money, go for plastic!
That being said, the biggest drawback to a plastic cable is their lack of flexibility; sure, they might be good for stationary setups, but if you keep on unplugging and reconnecting devices on a regular basis, you may want to keep that in mind.
Braided HDMI cables are ideal for versatility. These cables are designed in a way that lets the cable be able to move without kinking and helps protect against scraping and bending. The end result is a longer lifespan for the cable.
As you can imagine, braided cables are a lot more expensive as a result, so be mindful of this when looking at cables.
The Best HDMI Cable For TV
Below, you will find a list of my top picks for HDMI cables, as of writing. As mentioned before, always consider some of the above factors before you even think of getting cables.
Highwings 8K HDMI Cable – Amazon’s Top Pick
I feel this cable still reigns as an excellent overall pick for those who value quality and versatility. This cable by Highwings features offers high-speed data speeds for 8K video. It has gold-plated connectors, which are perfect for signal transfer, and with a braided cable, it is durable.
Boasting over 530K customer ratings on Amazon, it’s no surprise that I find this cable to be a good reliable option for those who like the Amazon Basics brand. It is not the nicest looking cable being made with a plastic casing, but this cable boasts internal shielding which makes it durable. This pick of mine is for those who value affordability and performance.
This is a new cable I found that might be a good cheap option for those who like braided cables. This cable is made of a tin-shielded copper wire, and wrapped in double-braided nylon. Just like my previous picks, this cable has gold-plated connecters which not only ensure a good connection, but gold also is very resitant to corrosion.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, when it comes down to picking cables for your setup, it is a good idea to think about how the length of the cables, along with their durability and cost. Plastic will always be cheaper, but are only good for more permanent setups. Braided cables are costly, but they do allow for more robust setups.
My best overall pick for HDMI cables would be the Highwings brand, but for those looking for a surprisingly sturdy alternative, the Amazon Basics cable is the next best thing. My budget pick goes to PowerBear, and with these picks, I feel that these top-rated cables have earned their stripes. I definitely suggest that you explore these and look at others to ensure that you get the best the market has to offer.
Anyways, this is just about all I have for today. I hope this post helps you out, and if you have any questions or thoughts to share, feel free to leave a comment down below.
As always, have fun, and happy gaming!
~Ken