Updated May 4, 2022

Best HDMI Cable for Gaming

It would be easy to dismiss the HDMI port on our graphics cards as a relic of days gone by, but you would be missing out.   HDMI can put out up to 4K resolutions which means most monitors and certainly most televisions will deliver excellent quality when using HDMI.
A widespread myth is that all HDMI cables are the same. Armchair tech gurus scream, "Don't buy the pricey ones; you're simply getting ripped off." There's a fair chance the HDMI cable you bought years ago isn't rated high enough for the output you want, which could result in resolution and refresh issues. This is especially true if you're using an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090, which promises 8K gaming when properly hooked.

If you're unsure which cable rating you need for your setup, our handy FAQ at the bottom of the page should clear up the confusion.

The latest standard specifications are HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.0. Realistically DisplayPort will continue to be the superior connection for PC gamers, offering higher bandwidth for high-res, high-refresh-rate displays. But, HDMI is the next best thing if you're connecting to a TV (or older monitor) or if you've only one Display port to work and you're trying to set up multiple monitors. And having the wrong sort of HDMI cable will only do you a disservice.

Best HDMI cable for gaming

 

(Image credit: Amazon)

1. AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI

The best budget HDMI cable for gaming

SPECIFICATIONS

Transfer speed: 18 Gbps

Max resolution: 4K 60Hz

Length: 6–35 ft (1.8–10.6 m)

Certification: CL3-certified

REASONS TO BUY

+Great value for money+Lots of length options

REASONS TO AVOID

-Not HDMI Premium certified

Don’t be put off by the own-brand label and a lower cost; this is still a fantastic cable. It’s the perfect example of not needing anything too showy or expensive to get the job done, and you’ll save some money. As well as providing the coveted 18Gbps, this comes in an extensive range of lengths and is built to handle higher voltages. The only downside is that it’s not HDMI Premium certified. However, you can’t complain too much when you’re getting excellent 4K visuals at under ten bucks.

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(Image credit: Belkin)

(Image credit: Belkin)

 

(Image credit: Belkin)

2. Belkin HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed

The best high-end HDMI cable for 8K or 4K@120Hz

SPECIFICATIONS

Transfer speed: 48 Gbps

Max resolution: 10K 120Hz

Length: 6.5 ft (2 m)

Certification: HDMI 2.1

REASONS TO BUY

+High-specs+Reliable brand+Supports 10K

REASONS TO AVOID

-Only pay more if you actually need it

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If you want a high-quality HDMI cable that’ll last you a good few years, look no further than Belkin’s HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed. As the name would suggest, it offers superior performance at an affordable price. That’s not the end of it, though. An excellent refresh rate and ludicrous transfer speeds of 48Gbps make this a big deal. 

Unsure why that’s worth the cash? In short, it’s ready to serve up 10K resolution when the time comes. Even now, it's your best bet for 8K or high-refresh 4K gaming.

Belkin is a brand we’d trust with… well, not quite our lives, but definitely the connection between our graphics card and monitor. So, if you're looking for a future-proof cable, here ya go. 

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(Image credit: Rhinocables)

 

(Image credit: Rhinocables)

 

(Image credit: Rhinocables)

3. Rhinocables Flat HDMI

The best space-saving HDMI cable for gaming

SPECIFICATIONS

Transfer speed: 27 Gbps

Length: 10 ft (3 m)

Certification: N/A

REASONS TO BUY

+Flat cabling+Sturdy

REASONS TO AVOID

-Not HDMI Premium certified

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Keen on saving space? Here's the HDMI for you. The Rhinocables' flat cabling is the right solution for those playing with limited real estate or anyone who needs to run a cable under their carpet. Stocky casing emphasizes this sense of reliability, as does the fitting brand name. Rhinocables' HDMI can hit 27Gbps as well. The flexible build doesn't compromise the quality of the cable and is versatile enough to fit just about anywhere you need it to go. 

 

(Image credit: Vivify)

4. Vivify Arquus W73

The best RGB HDMI Cable

SPECIFICATIONS

Transfer speed: 18 Gbps

Length: 9–15ft (2.7–4.5 m)

Certification: 4K 18G Deep Color certification

REASONS TO BUY

+Frickin' RGB+Frickin' laser beams

REASONS TO AVOID

-Frickin' expensive

You don't need this cable. No one needs this cable. It's an HDMI lead that costs as much as some graphics cards, and that's mostly down to the fact that it comes with an RGB strip down one side of its length. I mean, that's cool? It's also an HDMI 2.0b fiber optic cable, so it should allow significantly less signal loss over distance and avoid any potential electrical or RF interference if that's an issue for you.

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But, let's be honest, you'd try talking up the benefits of fiber optics, but really you'd only want this Arquus W73 cable because of the RGB lighting, which you can change at the press of a button or via Razer's Chroma app. As if you care, you're just looking at the pretty lights, aren't you?

Best HDMI cable FAQ

What HDMI cable do I need for 8K gaming?

 

A key component of 8K gaming is HDMI 2.1, which will see bandwidth requirements of up to 48Gbps, up from 18Gbps, and cable requirements to match. Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables can hack a 48Gbps bandwidth and support 8K at 120Hz. Of course, these cables sell at a premium, but if you're targeting more than 60Hz at 4K, then this is what you want.

What HDMI cable do I need for 4K gaming?

 

The best HDMI cable for 4K gaming is the Ultra High-Speed HDMI, as HDMI 2.1 and one of these cables will deliver 4K at 120Hz. That said, most will get by just fine with a Premium High-Speed HDMI cable. These support a bandwidth of 18Gbps, which covers you for 4K gaming at 60Hz and supports HDR content. Make sure it's certified to support the HDMI 2.0 standard, too.

Of course, you'll need one of the best graphics cards around, as well as a 4K monitor or 4K TV (or both), or it won't matter how fancy your cable is.

Should I use HDMI or DisplayPort for gaming?

 

This decision comes down to the type of device and monitor you're trying to game on. For most going from PC to PC monitor, though, DisplayPort is the simplest and best way to connect.

That's because even older DisplayPort connections support 4K at 60Hz, and the newer ones, DisplayPort 1.4 and 2.0, deliver 8K and beyond at high refresh rates.

HDMI, on the other hand, is a bit more restricted on older connections. HDMI 1.4 only supports 4K up to 30Hz, and you'll need HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1 to game at higher fidelity and speed than that. That said, if you have a newer HDMI port and compatible cable handy, it will work wonderfully.

Are HDMI cables backwards compatible?

 

Yes. The latest HDMI cable will operate just as well plugged into a device with an older HDMI version.

What's the maximum length of an HDMI cable?

 

Most passive cables (meaning they have no active parts within repeating the signal) will work without signal degradation up to 20 metres. That said, some may only manage around 5 metres.

There are ways to extend the distance a HDMI cable will work at, though. Active cables can increase distances much further, even doubling passive cables in some cases. While fibre optic cables can, in theory, go for miles. Generally, though, manufacturers make them up to 60 metres, and even at that length they're incredibly pricey.

What are CL2 and CL3 ratings in HDMI cables?

 

You'll see reference to CL2 and CL3 ratings for HDMI cables, and this is to do with how the copper cables are coated and define their abilities to handle high voltages for in-wall installations. CL2 HDMI cables can handle up to 150 volts and are designed for residential use, while the CL3 cables are intended for commercial installations and can handle up to 300 volts.