when you need to buy the most expensive cable and when the 5 euro one is worth it

You go to a store like Amazon and type ‘HDMI cable’ in the search engine. The results show a lot of options and all, at a glance, they are almost identicalyes. Yes, there are braided cables, cables of different lengths, or you can even find cables of other colors, but there doesn’t seem to be much difference between them all. Despite this, there are very cheap cables and others that cost more than 20 euros.

Your first impulse may be to go for the cheapest one that has the meters you need. Ideally, you should spend a moment on the details, since the cheapest ones are usually HDMI 2.0, while the most expensive ones are HDMI 2.1. What does that mean for you? Let’s take a look at it so you know if it’s worth investing a little more or if one of these cheap cables works for you.

Choosing an HDMI 2.1 cable

In short, HDMI 2.1 cable is better. The main difference between this and HDMI 2.0 is that it has greater bandwidth (more than double, in fact). In practice, this means that the cable can handle and transport more information per second. Since we are talking about an HDMI cable, we are referring to image and sound.

Precisely because it has more bandwidth, this cable can move higher resolution at higher hertz. It is the right one if you plan to see 8K resolution content (although for commercial 8K content there is still) or if you are looking to play something at 4K at 120 Hz. The latter is what leads many people to go for one of these cables because it is the way to get the most out of a PlayStation 5 or one Xbox Series X.

To the greater bandwidth of this cable, we must add some technologies such as dynamic HDR or others that are also great for video games and that are not present in HDMI 2.0. The most important one is called VRR (either Variable Refresh Rate), which basically makes the console or PC and the TV “agree” so that the image does not jerk. We have two examples of VRR with two technologies that are usually present in many monitors, such as NVIDIA G-Sync or AMD FreeSync.

There is also ALLM, which makes the TV’s Game Mode activate automatically when you connect the console. This is very convenient because it will save you from doing it manually every time, but it is great when playing because reduce latency. That is, it minimizes the time that passes between you pressing a button and the action being displayed on the screen. For competitive games it is key.

If you have a good sound bar for TV at home and you want to connect it via HDMI, then choosing an HDMI 2.1 cable may be a good idea. Here comes into play what is called eARCwhich allows you to command uncompressed audio in the highest quality from the TV.

Where is the “but”? So that all these things that we tell you are worth something, It is necessary that both the TV and the console or PC are compatible. You can use the cable if they are not, but you will have spent more money and you will not be taking advantage of it. The good thing is that check if your TV or monitor has HDMI 2.1 It’s not difficult.

Choose an HDMI 2.0 cable

The best cable doesn’t have to be what you need. The HDMI 2.0 cable has less bandwidth, as we said above, but it is still more than enough for 4K and 60 Hz content. This combination, today, is the most common when playing with all consoles. Plus, it still supports HDR. For this reason, it can be great for consoles from previous generations (PlayStation 4 or Nintendo Switch, for example) or for a TV Box.

Another asset that this HDMI 2.0 cable has: the price. Generally, this type of cable It is significantly cheaper than HDMI 2.1. That, which is great for our pocket, also allows us to buy one of better quality without having to spend a good pinch. Because yes, the quality of the cable or connector matters (a lot). And the distance, because the longer the cable is, the more likely it is to suffer losses or interference.

What is the main drawback of this cable? May it become obsolete soon. If you don’t plan to change your TV or console right now, HDMI 2.0 is perfect. Now, when you switch to a newer device that supports HDMI 2.1, you will have to buy a new cable if you want higher resolution and more fps. In other words: if renewing consoles or TVs in the short or medium term is on your mind, buy an HDMI 2.1 directly.

The good and the bad of both options, face to face

We do the math to see which one can compensate you more.

Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so now let’s see which one may interest you more depending on which cases. Here it will depend a little on what you are looking for, but especially on What TV or monitor are you going to use the cable for?.

The advantages in resolution, Hz and technologies of HDMI 2.1 are obvious, but one of these cables only makes sense if you have a television or monitor with at least one of these ports. If that’s the case, then that’s what I would recommend.

• Actual use: You want to get the most out of your screen or your console.
• So?: It’s worth spending a little more and heading straight for an HDMI 2.1 cable.

Now, if you don’t have an HDMI 2.1 port on your television, then an HDMI 2.0 cable will work fine. And for less money, you will have a higher quality cable.

• Actual use: You don’t have a TV or monitor with an HDMI 2.1 port
• So?: You take home an HDMI 2.0 cable with which you have more than enough for 4K and 60 Hz, and it is also of higher quality.

In summary:

👉 Choose HDMI 2.1: If you have a current console, a TV compatible with HDMI 2.1 or you plan to renew your TV in the short-medium term. Same in the case of a monitor.

👉 Choose HDMI 2.0: If you play on older consoles (or don’t play at all), your TV is 4K at 60 Hz and you are also not going to renew your TV anytime soon.

Recommended models

HDMI 2.1: UGREEN cable

A certified HDMI 2.1 cable three meters long. That logo that we see in the image tells us that it is certified, something that we should look at before buying this or another. It’s the one I have at home and, if I had to buy another cable, I would probably buy it again. I use it together with a PlayStation 5 Pro and it is ideal to take advantage of all those technologies and improvements that this standard brings. In addition, its braiding is resistant and the connector is of quality.

HDMI 2.0: Nersligek cable

This would be my choice if I was looking for an HDMI 2.0 cable and I would like it one meter (although it is available in various lengths). It does not cost 6 euros and in exchange we have a cable with good braiding and gold-plated aluminum connectors, which makes them more resistant and wear less when connecting or disconnecting the cable.

Do you want to know more about HDMI cables?

If you are interested in knowing more about these cables, you have our article on all the cables. types of cables that exist of this type and this other one about the new HDMI 2.2 cable.

Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary.

Image | Amparo Babiloni, Antonio Vallejo

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