Ultimate Guide: Expert Picks for Premium HDMI 2.1 Cabling

You need HDMI 2.1 cables to enjoy content in 4K 120Hz, 8K 60Hz, or a similar high resolution and refresh rate. These cables also make your setup futureproof. So here are the best HDMI 2.1 cables to get you started.

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  Zeskit

Zeskit Maya Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

Best HDMI 2.1 Cable Overall
$14 at Amazon

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  Cable Matters

Cable Matters Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

Best Budget HDMI 2.1 Cable
$9 at Amazon

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  Ugreen

UGREEN HDMI 2.1 Cable

Best HDMI 2.1 Cable for Gaming
$17 at Amazon

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  Cable Matters

Cable Matters Angled Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

Best Angled HDMI 2.1 Cable
$15 at Amazon

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  StarTech.com

StarTech.com HDMI 2.1 Cable

Best Short HDMI 2.1 Cable
$20 at Amazon

What to Look For in an HDMI 2.1 Cable in 2023

An Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable (also known as an HDMI 2.1 or 48G HDMI cable) is essentially an HDMI cable that supports the features and specifications defined by HDMI Forum. It uses the same HDMI connectors as the older cables and is backward compatible. As long as the HDMI 2.1 cables support the necessary specifications, they are no different in features that they can offer.

So, while shopping for an HDMI 2.1 cable, the most important thing to look for is the Ultra High-Speed HDMI certification, which confirms the cable meets the required specifications. That said, a non-certified cable from a reputed manufacturer can also meet the specifications and offer the same experience as a certified cable.

Apart from the certification, you can look for specific cable attributes that make an HDMI cable more suitable for your setup than the other. For example, HDMI 2.1 cables with an angled connector or flat profile can be helpful in narrow spaces. Similarly, a braided cable is more durable than an HDMI cable with a regular TPU jacket. Plus, if you need a longer run of an HDMI 2.1 cable, it’s best to opt for an active, optical cable over a passive cable to avoid signal issues.

Finally, you have to consider your budget. Just because one cable is more expensive than the other doesn’t make it better. Look for officially certified cables within your budget and go for them without worrying about incompatibility or problems.

Best HDMI 2.1 Cable Overall: Zeskit Maya Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable

Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek

The Zeskit Maya is the best HDMI 2.1 cable for most people. It comes in various sizes from 0.5 meters to 3 meters and has braiding for added durability. Plus, the cable is Ultra High-Speed HDMI-certified. So you know that you can enjoy everything from 4K games at 120Hz and VRR to Dynamic HDR and eARC without issues. As you can expect, it’s fully backward-compatible.

In other highlights, the company has also priced the cable pretty reasonably. It’s not the cheapest cable on the market, but you are also not paying an exorbitant premium. Unfortunately, it’s a bit stiff, given the braiding and solid copper conductors. But that’s a sacrifice you’ll have to make for quality and durability.

Best HDMI 2.1 Cable Overall

Zeskit Maya Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

The Zeskit Maya is an officially certified Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable that’s durable and priced reasonably. It’ll work seamlessly with any of your HDMI devices.

$14 at Amazon

Best Budget HDMI 2.1 Cable: Cable Matters Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable

Cable Matters

If you don’t want to pay a premium for an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable, the Cable Matters Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable is an excellent option. It’s a no-frills but aggressively priced and officially certified HDMI 2.1 cable.

It comes in three sizes—one meter , two meters , and three meters —and you can pick from single or multipack options to save a bit more.

Remember that Cable Matters has not included braiding to keep the pricing down. This won’t impact most people. But if your cable will be handled quite a bit, going from one connector to another and switching between machines frequently, it’s better to go for the braided version from Cable Matters .

Best Budget HDMI 2.1 Cable

Cable Matters Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

This no-nonsense HDMI 2.1 cable from Cable Matters has everything you want from a high-quality Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable.

$9 at Amazon See at Walmart

Best HDMI 2.1 Cable for Gaming: UGREEN HDMI 2.1 Certified Cable

Ugreen

While all of our HDMI 2.1 cable recommendations are equally capable when it comes to gaming, the UGREEN HDMI 2.1 Certified Cable is another excellent option you can consider. As the name suggests, it’s officially certified Ultra High Speed. The cable can support all next-generation gaming features, such as 4K 120Hz gaming, 4K 144Hz gaming, VRR, and ALLM. It’s also equally capable when it comes to home theater aspects.

In addition, you get nylon braiding for enhanced durability and solid build quality. Unfortunately, the braiding does make it a bit bulky and stiff, but that’s to be expected.

It’s also priced reasonably and available in larger lengths of 6.6 feet , 10 feet , and 16 feet . But there are no smaller length options. For those, you will be best served by our best overall recommendation, the Zeskit Maya , or our best short HDMI 2.1 cable recommendation: the StarTech.com HDMI 2.1 Cable .

Best HDMI 2.1 Cable for Gaming

UGREEN HDMI 2.1 Cable

Available two meters or longer lengths, the UGREEN HDMI 2.1 Certified Cable is perfect for gaming as it adheres to all HDMI 2.1 specifications.

$17 at Amazon

Best Angled HDMI 2.1 Cable: Cable Matters Angled Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable

Cable Matters

If you are dealing with an awkwardly placed HDMI port or have a space issue, the Cable Matters Angled Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable can help. Available with 90-degree or 270-degree connectors, it is designed to fit in narrow spaces. In other highlights, you can pick from color options: black and gray.

Besides the angled connector, it has a braided jacket to reduce fraying and add extra strength. You also get support for all HDMI 2.1 specifications. Sadly, there is only one size option of 6.6 feet , and the cable is not officially certified. That said, given Cable Matters’ track record and the actual user reviews of the cable, you are unlikely to face any issues.

However, if Cable Matters Angled Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable isn’t slim enough for your space woes, the company offers a flat version with a 90-degree connector . It has two sizes but no 270-degree version.

Best Angled HDMI 2.1 Cable

Cable Matters Angled Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable

The Cable Matters Angled Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable is ideal for narrow spaces or wall-mounted televisions. It’s durable and comes with two color options.

$15 at Amazon

Best Short HDMI 2.1 Cable: StarTech.com HDMI 2.1 Cable

StarTech.com

If you don’t want unnecessary extra slack in your HDMI 2.1 cable, it’s best to get a short cable. Besides resulting in a neat setup, a shorter cable is also good for signal integrity as the signal has to travel a smaller distance. So there is little to no degradation. We recommend going with the StarTech.com HDMI 2.1 Cable for your short HDMI cable needs, as it’s available in lengths as small as 1.5 feet .

The cable is well-built and includes a flexible jacket to avoid putting unnecessary tension on the connectors. You will also be happy to know it is Ultra High-Speed HDMI certified.

The only issue with the StarTech.com offering is its relatively premium pricing. If you don’t want to shell out over $20 for a 1.5 feet HDMI 2.1 cable, you can go with the Zeskit Maya , which also comes in 1.5 feet size and has braiding for extra durability.

Best Short HDMI 2.1 Cable

StarTech.com HDMI 2.1 Cable

$20 $22 Save $2

The StarTech.com HDMI 2.1 Cable is an excellent short HDMI cable that’s officially certified and comes in lengths as low as 1.5 feet.

$20 at Amazon

FAQ

What is HDMI 2.1?

HDMI 2.1 is the newest major HDMI specification that builds upon HDMI 2.0 and brings greater bandwidth and native support for features like VRR, ALLM, Dynamic HDR, and more. This enables video resolutions up to 10K to be transferred over an Ultra High Speed or HDMI 2.1 cable.

What is the difference between HDMI 2.1 and eARC?

eARC or Enhanced Audio Return Channel is a feature introduced in the HDMI 2.1 specification. It allows a TV, AV receiver, or PC to send audio from one or multiple sources to a soundbar or speaker setup over a single HDMI cable. It’s a more advanced version of ARC (Audio Return Channel) .

Are all HDMI 2.1 cables the same?

Yes, all HDMI cables that meet the HDMI 2.1 specifications offer the same features. However, cable manufacturers differentiate by providing features like a flat jacket, angled connectors, and braiding. Otherwise, all HDMI 2.1 cables are the same.

How long can an HDMI cable be before the signal starts to degrade?

Different HDMI cable generations have different maximum lengths before their signal starts degrading. For example, the Standard HDMI (HDMI 1.0/1.1/1.2) and High Speed HDMI (HDMI 1.3/1.4) can be as long as 49 feet, whereas the relatively newer Premium High Speed HDMI cables (HDMI 2.0) are mostly limited to 25 feet. Similarly, the HDMI 2.1 or Ultra High Speed HDMI cables are limited to 16 feet in length.

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