The best HDMI cables of 2026

As I mentioned above, just because you get a new TV doesn’t necessarily mean you need new HDMI cables, even if you’re upgrading to something with 4K and HDR. At short distances, say less than 6 feet, any modern “High Speed ​​HDMI cable” should work fine. “High Speed” and “Very High Speed” are the designations HDMI companies use to refer to cables that have the bandwidth to handle at least 1080p and 4K resolution, respectively.

You can think of bandwidth like a pipe. You should be able to get plenty of “water” through the tube with 4K and HDR content. A high-speed cable has to be “big” enough to handle it all.

The good thing is that if it works, it works. For example, if you’re sending a 4K HDR signal from a 4K Blu-ray player to your 4K HDR TV and the TV displays a 4K HDR signal, you’re ready. It is not possible to get better The picture using a different 4K HDMI cable. This is not how technology works.

There are only two types of “failure” with an HDMI cable. Most likely you will get no signal at all: a blank or flashing screen. First, make sure that everything is connected correctly and that all of your HDMI device settings are correct.

The only other “failure” mode for HDMI cables is scintillation. This looks like snow on your screen. They can be heavy enough to appear to be static, like an old TV set to a broken channel, or they can be random but regular flashes of white pixels. This means you will need new cables.

If the TV is receiving the same resolution you’re sending (for example, the TV says it’s 4K HDR when you’re sending 4K HDR), you’re all set. Using a different cable won’t make that picture any sharper, brighter, or anything else.

Also remember, if one step in your series isn’t 4K HDR, nothing is. If you connect a 4K Blu-ray player to an old soundbar and then to a 4K TV, you won’t be able to get a 4K signal to the TV. Also, some TVs only have one or two HDMI inputs HDMI 2.1 (or later) compatible. Check your owner’s manual for that too.