7 best HDMI cables for connecting up your TV or monitor

Don’t be put off by the name: the Amazon Basics range produces quality products for a fraction of the price of some other companies. We use them for all manner of cables with consistent success.

These HDMI cables offer more than enough spec wise, with gold-plated contacts and high-quality copper conductors: basically, it does everything you need for a clear connection, in cables from 0.9m to 7.6m, and the nylon braided cable lends a bit of flexibility when trying to cram it behind the TV set. It supports data transfer up to 18Gbps, so for this price (even better for a five-pack bundle), it’s an uncomplicated choice.

If you’re looking to futureproof your home, Ibra’s 8K cable is great value. This HDMI 2.1-compatible cable offers the sought-after 48Gbps bandwidth supporting 8K video, and has a nylon braided design. Its current price is not to be sniffed at, especially if you’re looking at upgrading for a few of your devices.

UK brand True HQ has a great range of premium cables that will last you well into the 8K era. The 2m ultra-high-speed HDMI 2.1 cable has been certified to produce 48Gbps of bandwidth – perfect for 8K – and is backwards-compatible with all previous HDMI versions. It also looks the part, which, when decisions are as tight as this, makes the difference. There are cheaper cables on the True HQ site which will work just as well, but for those who like the idea of certification from Hdmi.org, this is the cable to go for.

It’s not always plain sailing connecting cables round the back of the TV, especially if it's wall-mounted: tight spaces can mean the cables are permanently bent, leading to wear and a much shorter lifespan. There are a few brands, therefore, that provide a solution in the form of flexible cables. LinkUp’s version can be connected straight, at a 90° angle, or even swivelled round. Extra thick cabling ensures that a swivel doesn’t mean a snap.

For a cheap, no-nonsense HDMI cable, Monoprice has the answer. The cheapest in our round-up, it’s nonetheless certified by Hdmi.org, so it’s guaranteed to do the requisite work for you at a slice of the price. While it isn’t braided, the certification ensures that the cable won’t break at the first sign of stress, and you’ll probably get a few of these anyway. Definitely a great choice for travelling with.

If you’re in need of a longer cable, perhaps for an in-wall setup between devices, then ensure you buy one sturdy and durable enough for the job. BlueRigger offers a dedicated in-wall series of cables, from 1m to 10.5m, that feature a fire-resistant PVC jacket and components designed to protect against corrosion – something pretty important if you’re committing to putting it behind plaster. The BlueRigger range runs up to 18Gbps and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty, for extra peace of mind.

If you’re like us, and you have a fair few cables connected to various ports, you’ll know that organisation is a nightmare. Caavo has come up with a clever way of helping out by designing a special cable with buttons on the heads: press one, and lights will flash at each end, saving you time following it from one end to the other. The cables are expensive, so certainly a luxury for those who have little patience, but it’s a fun solution to a very first-world problem.