10 Best HDMI Cables 2024 | UK Filmmaker Reviewed
Whether you’re using a Sky Box to enjoy the latest football game on your 4K TV, gaming at 60 frames per second, setting up a home cinema with a Blu-Ray player and a 3D projector, or just connecting your work laptop to a monitor, a high-speed HDMI cable is what you’ll need.
However, with so many different HDMI cables available from online shops, choosing the right one for you can be tough. Our handy guide breaks down the different options available, from bog-standard budget choices to regular HDMI 2.0 cables for 4K, to top of the range multi-functional gold-plated ones ready for ultra high definition 8K images.
Quick List - Top HDMI Cables
Jani is a professional photographer and filmmaker from Finland with over 15 years of experience in both fields. He has studied at some of the best schools and universities across the globe, leading him to become an expert in creative industries. Today he is the creative director and the owner of JP Harrow Portraits that specialises in portraiture for same-sex couples and families in London, UK.
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With Specialist Consultation From Filmmaker Jani Ahonen
Jani is a professional photographer and filmmaker from Finland with over 15 years of experience in both fields. He has studied at some of the best schools and universities across the globe, leading him to become an expert in creative industries. Today he is the creative director and the owner of JP Harrow Portraits that specialises in portraiture for same-sex couples and families in London, UK.
If you're looking for an expert in portrait photography, filmmaking, drone flying or anything else technical, make sure to visit Jani's website JP Harrow Portraits for quotes and direct contact, or follow him on Instagram.
How to Choose a HDMI Cable in the UK
- Choose a Cable That Suits the Resolution of the Content
- Check if It's the Right Size and Shape for the Ports on Your Devices
- Look Out for Design Features That Keep Cables Tidy and Save Space
Pick a Cable to Suit Your Purpose: 2.0 Supports up to 4K, 2.1 Is Ready for the Future
HDMI 2.0 Is the New Normal: Pick 2.0 to Support Video Quality up to 4K
The first thing you need to think about when buying an HDMI cable is what you're connecting. Any HDMI cable you can get your hands on should give you a good quality 1080p HD picture, but if you have a UHD 4K or 3D TV or projector, you’ll want to make sure the cable you use can deliver that quality.
Now, while many argue that even older or lower-quality cables are just as capable as sending 4K images down the pipe, to be on the safe side you’ll want a cable that has been certified for HDMI 2.0 and has 18Gbps. These are often called ‘high-speed’ HDMI cables.
HDMI 2.1 Is Future Proofed: Go For This if You Require Video Quality of 4K or Higher
If you want to future-proof your set-up for 8K, consider an HDMI 2.1 cable. In the coming years, 8K will become the standard for football, rugby and other sports - ensuring you never miss a thing.
Additionally, for other forms of recreation such as videogames, making sure that your cable works as the years go by provides you with peace of mind and ultimately helps avoid unnecessary waste for the planet. A win-win all-around!
When you choose what HDMI cable to buy, the best thing is to look for what kind of television or projector you will be plugging it in. If your television can only do FullHD 1080p, then you can pretty much buy any HDMI cable out there.
If your television or projector supports 4K, look for HDMI with 4K support. Buying an HDMI cable that supports 8k will be overkill for most users since there simply isn’t any content out there that would allow you to get the most out of this cable.
Check the Ports of Your Existing Tech to Make Sure the Cable Will Be the Right Size and Shape
HDMI ⇔ HDMI Cables Will Allow You to Connect Your PC, Games Consoles and Blu-Ray Players
In most cases, the HDMI cable you’ll need will be HDMI to HDMI - i.e. both ends of the cable are the same. This will be the case when connecting a PC to a monitor, an Xbox to a TV, or a DVD player to a projector, for example.
While there are loads of different HDMI cables out there, in the majority of all cases, a classic HDMI to HDMI cable is all you ever need. That's it. All game consoles from Playstation to Nintendo Switch can be plugged into any television, display, or projector using a standard HDMI cable.
You should only consider getting a specialised HDMI cable if the device you own doesn't support a standard HDMI port output, to begin with.
HDMI ⇔ mini-HDMI Are Ideal if You Need to Connect up to a Digital Camera
The HDMI port on a DSLR camera is slightly smaller than the port on a DVD player. This is because DSLR cameras, video cameras and standard-sized tablets tend to use mini-HDMI for space reasons. If you want to get your latest photos or home movies up on screen, choose an HDMI to mini-HDMI cable.
In all fairness, it is pretty rare these days to come across a device that has a Mini-HDMI port. Most video cameras tend to have a regular HDMI port anyway, and it is usually the smallest compact cameras on the market that might even use these ports.
If you own a camera that uses a Mini-HDMI port, then buying an HDMI to Mini-HDMI cable might be a justifiable investment, but only if you actually plan to use it. Most people don't like showing pictures by attaching a camera directly to television since it's much easier to do it via a computer instead.
HDMI ⇔ micro-HDMI Connections Are the Best for Connecting Smaller Devices Like Smartphones, GoPros and Tablets
GoPros, smaller tablets and some (but not all) smartphones have the even tinier micro-HDMI port, so you'll want an HDMI to micro-HDMI cable to get images, videos, and games from these gadgets on your TV.
Micro-HDMI ports are even rarer than Mini-HDMI ports, and those devices that support Micro-HDMI are usually very specialised ones such as small action cameras. Considering that majority of people don't own devices that use these ports, you might not even need to worry too much about these miniature HDMI ports at all.
HDMI ⇔ USB-C Work Best if You Use Multiple Apple Products
Many Apple products don’t have an HDMI port at all, opting to output video through their lightning connectors (in older products) or USB-C (in current Apple products). In these cases, you can either get a cable to suit your needs (HDMI to USB-C for example) or an adaptor to make a standard HDMI to HDMI cable Mac-ready.
Find the best MacBook adapters while you're here.
In October 2021, Apple released the next generation Macbook Pro's that brought back the regular HDMI port. The previous generation Macbook Pro's didn't have them, and you always had to use separate USB-C to HDMI adapters or cables to connect your Mac to a display, television or monitor.
Considering that Apple seems to be bringing HDMI ports back to the new Apple Silicon Macs, it means you might not need to worry about getting these adapters or cables at all if you are buying a new Mac!
Check for Design Features That Keep Cables Tidy and Save Space
Opt for HDMI Cables With Ethernet to Reduce the Number of Cords You Need
Many HDMI cables come with Ethernet capability. This means that as well as hooking up your PC or MacBook to the TV, you can also share the internet connection between those devices, and you won’t need an ethernet cable going into the back of your TV. That’s one less cable you need to worry about!
HDMI cables with Ethernet capacity can be a great way to connect some older devices to the Internet. However, if your devices are pretty new, they will most likely support WiFi anyway, which means you don't need to pay extra for these features on an HDMI cable.
If you are having issues getting your device, such as PS3, for example, to connect the WiFi, an HDMI cable with Ethernet built-in might be a good solution to do the latest firmware updates and so on. Since this feature often comes with an extra cost, you should know before purchase do you really need it. If not, invest in a better quality HDMI cable instead.
In-Wall or Flat Cables Keep Your Living Room Tidy and Reduce the Chance of Tripping Over Them
Most HDMI cables aren’t designed to be hidden away in your walls, so if you want to keep your living space cable-free, you should make sure the cable you choose is In-Wall Rated. This means that it is safe to be run inside your walls.
An alternative to buying an In-Wall Cable would be to get a flat HDMI cable. As the name suggests, these cables aren’t thick and round like your typical cord, but thin and flat - perfect for being placed under carpets and keeping your wiring out of sight and out of mind.
If you wish to keep your home clutter-free, you might appreciate in-wall or flat-sided HDMI cables. However, if your HDMI cable doesn’t need to be longer than a meter or two, you will most likely not care how the HDMI cable even looks, as it will always be hidden behind the television anyway.
Right-Angle Connectors and Slim-Line Cables Are Great for Those Wanting to Save Space
A few cables on the market offer 90 degree right-angle connectors, so you can hook your gear up in the tightest of spaces. This can be very helpful when you have your TV mounted on the wall or a projector tucked away in the corner of the room, for example.
Alternatively, HDMI cables can often be quite thick, so if space is an issue you might want to consider a slim-line cable. These are thinner than the average HDMI cable and are also very useful if you need an HDMI cable on-the-go for business presentations, for example.
Most consumers don’t ever need angled HDMI cables or connectors, and the classic version of HDMI will be more than enough. But if you are building your ideal home cinema theatre experience, you might learn that your cables need to be more adjustable to achieve your dream design. In those instances, it might be worth investing in these specialised HDMI cables.
10 Best HDMI Cables in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | True HQ HDMI 2.1 Cable | | Future-Proof Yourself With This 8K-Ready Cable | |
2 | AmazonBasics HDMI 2.0 Cable | | Reliable and Affordable, With a Range of Lengths Available | |
3 | Rankie High-Speed HDTV Cable | | A Great All-Rounder for Every Viewing Need | |
4 | Snowkids 4K HDMI cable | | A Flat Cable for Keeping Your Space Tidy | |
5 | UGREEN 90 Degree Angled 4K HDMI Cable | | A Right-Angled Connector for Tight Spaces | |
6 | SlimHDMI Slim HDMI Cable | | A Slim-Line Solution to Cable Clutter | |
7 | AmazonBasics High-Speed CL3-Rated HDMI Cable | | A Lengthy In-Wall Cable for Large Spaces | |
8 | CSL-Computer Mini HDMI Cable | | Connect Your Cameras With This Gold-Plated Cable | |
9 | Amazon Basics High-Speed Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable | | A Multi-Purpose Cable for Your Smaller Devices | |
10 | Syntech USB C to HDMI Cable | | HDMI to USB-C That Connects Your Apple Products - and More! |
Future-Proof Yourself With This 8K-Ready Cable
This cable ensures you won't be needing to buy another one for a long, long time. As an HDMI 2.1 cable, it can transmit 8K Ultra-High-Definition images at 60Hz. For early adopters and those wanting to get ready for the next era of image quality, this is the cable for you.
In the meantime, this cable is suitable for all your HDMI⇔HDMI needs, whether you want to connect to a monitor, DVD player, game console, or something else. The cable also looks great encased in a zinc alloy shell.
Reliable and Affordable, With a Range of Lengths Available
AmazonBasics provide a range of lengths to suit your set-up needs - up to 15.3m for those with larger spaces. The connectors are gold-plated too, ensuring that these affordable cables will last a long time.
Same as the previous product, this product will suit most of your needs, but the AmazonBasics name and 1-year warranty may give you some extra peace of mind if you will be plugging and unplugging it more than not.
A Great All-Rounder for Every Viewing Need
This cable with gold-plated connectors will suit most people's video needs. If you need to hook-up a games console, TV box or DVD player, this cable will reliably do so.
It also supports Ethernet, allowing you to share Internet connection among multiple devices without separate Ethernet cables. It's extremely affordable, and has 85% 5-star reviews on Amazon; we can't fault it!
A Flat Cable for Keeping Your Space Tidy
This flat cable is perfect for tucking into small gaps or even running under the carpet as it's only 0.3 cm thick. If you hate having a jungle of wires in your living room, this cable offers a solution.
This is also a popular choice with business people who need to pop HDMI cables into their bags, as the thin cable means it folds to a very small size. Additionally, the cable's nylon braided body means it will last longer than your average cable.
A Right-Angled Connector for Tight Spaces
This HDMI cable features one right-angled connector. If you don't have much space behind your TV or you have a projector tucked away in a corner, this ensures you can get connectivity in the tightest of spaces.
HDMI 2.0 compatible, this cable has HDMI connectors on both sides, so is suitable for Blu-Ray players, tv boxes, game consoles, computers, monitors and more.
A Slim-Line Solution to Cable Clutter
This cable is designed to keep out of the way. With a range of lengths available starting at the very short 0.25m, and a slim cable design, you can ensure your space remains free of unnecessary mess.
However, reviewers have commented that its slim design can lead to some image problems and that it's not great for 4K resolution.
A Lengthy In-Wall Cable for Large Spaces
This cable is what you'll need if you're setting up a large space or creating your dream home cinema. The 30.5-metre length ensures you can have a projector on the other side of a large room from your laptop, Blu-Ray player or games console.
The cable is also CL3-rated, meaning it's safe to be installed in walls, cutting down on unsightly cable clutter.
Connect Your Cameras With This Gold-Plated Cable
This cable is designed for all those photographers out there - it sports the mini-HDMI connector which can be commonly found on DSLR and video cameras.
This cable comes in a range of lengths, and the connectors are gold-plated, ensuring it will last longer. Again, it will only be suitable for those looking for a mini-HDMI connector.
Amazon Basics High-Speed Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable
A Multi-Purpose Cable for Your Smaller Devices
This is what you'll need for your digital cameras and camcorders, MP3 players, and other devices with smaller ports. Make sure you check the port on the gadget you want to connect - it can be easy to confuse the micro-HDMI port with the slightly larger mini-HDMI port.
This particular option is 6 feet, or 1.83m, but comes in a range of other lengths. The high-quality connectors are gold-plated, and the cable meets HDMI 2.0 standards. To top it off it has a lifetime Amazon Basics warranty! But once again, this product is ranked lower because it's only suitable for products that use micro HDMI.
HDMI to USB-C That Connects Your Apple Products - and More!
This is the cable you'll need to hook up your MacBook or iPad Pro to your TV or monitor. However, it's not just Apple products that it works with - Dell XPS laptops, Microsoft Surface laptops and tablets, Samsung Galaxy S9/S10 and more are all compatible.
On the downside, this cable is specific for USB-C gadgets, and therefore won't be compatible with the bulk of HDMI devices such as Sky boxes, Blu-Ray players and so on.
Tips From the Specialist on Buying HDMI Cables
When deciding which HDMI cable to buy, think of the primary devices you will be connecting it with. If your television can only support FullHD aka 1080p resolution, then you will be wasting your money on buying a premium HDMI cable that supports 4k or even 8K, especially if you are not planning to upgrade your television anytime soon.
Always match the cable to your needs, not what you think you might need in the future. Because by the time you might upgrade your television, you would be able to get that same cable for half the price since even HDMI cables come down in price like any other electronics.
Top 5 HDMI Cables
No. 1: True HQ｜HDMI 2.1 Cable
No. 2: AmazonBasics｜HDMI 2.0 Cable
No. 3: Rankie｜High-Speed HDTV Cable
No. 4: Snowkids｜4K HDMI cable
No. 5: UGREEN｜90 Degree Angled 4K HDMI Cable
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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