Collection: HDMI Cables

Which HDMI cable do you actually need?

Most PC builders treat HDMI cables as an afterthought, then wonder why their 4K 120Hz screen drops to 60Hz or flickers black during a game. The cable matters because the bandwidth requirement has jumped a long way. Entry-level "High Speed" cables are built for 18Gbps, which covers 4K at 60Hz and 1440p at 144Hz. That is plenty for an office rig, a secondary Monitors setup or a console on an older TV.

The sweet spot for current-gen builds is a certified Ultra High Speed cable, rated for 48Gbps. Under the hood, HDMI 2.1 switches from the older TMDS signalling to Fixed Rate Link, which pushes data over four lanes at much higher rates. A cable that is not built to those tolerances may pass a basic picture test, then fall over with sparkles, dropouts or a failed handshake once you ask for 4K 120Hz with 10-bit colour and HDR. Uncompressed 4K 120Hz 10-bit 4:4:4 needs roughly 32Gbps of real payload, which is well past what an 18Gbps cable can carry.

The enthusiast tier is mostly about length and construction, not extra speed. A premium cable has tighter shielding, better conductor consistency and sturdier strain relief, which lets it hold 48Gbps at longer runs. Beyond a few metres you are into active copper or fibre territory. Diminishing returns kick in fast: a $20 certified cable and a $120 one both carry the same 48Gbps if both are genuine, so you are paying for length, durability and flexibility, not sharper pixels.

Upgrading and technical nuances

HDMI 2.1 is a feature set, not one single thing, and that is the main trap. A monitor or TV can have an "HDMI 2.1" port without supporting the full 48Gbps. Some panels use 24Gbps or 32Gbps links and lean on Display Stream Compression to reach high refresh rates. Check the spec sheet for FRL rate, VRR support and whether the port runs 4K 120Hz or 4K 144Hz. The cable only needs to match what both ends can do.

On the GPU side, modern Graphics Cards / GPU from both Nvidia and AMD ship with at least one HDMI 2.1 port, but it is usually the only one, with the rest being DisplayPort. For desktop monitors, DisplayPort is often the better pick for high refresh gaming, as it has strong variable refresh support and doesn't rely on HDMI licensing quirks. HDMI wins when you are plugging into a TV, a projector or an AV receiver, where eARC for lossless audio and features like ALLM (auto low latency mode) matter. Plenty of builders running a living room PC connect straight to the TV, then use a separate eARC path to the soundbar.

For benchmark cables, look at the Belkin Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 line, Cable Matters Ultra High Speed cables, Club3D's certified 8K/48Gbps range and Kordz, an Australian brand with a solid reputation for AV installs. Ugreen and Anker sit in the budget-to-mid range and are fine if they carry the official certification label. Look for the QR code on the packaging, which you can scan with the HDMI Forum's certification app to verify it. Browse the wider Cables & Connectors range if you need adapters or DisplayPort alternatives alongside.

Active optical cables are worth knowing about. Passive copper gets unreliable beyond roughly 3m at full 48Gbps, so for runs of 5m to 15m an active copper or fibre cable keeps the signal clean. Fibre cables are directional, with a labelled source end and display end, and plugging them in backwards is a classic reason for a blank screen.

Practical things to check before buying

Measure the run first. Include the detour around the desk, through cable management and up the back of the monitor, then add 20 to 30 per cent slack. Buying a cable that is just long enough puts strain on the connector, and that is how ports get damaged.

Check the rear of your Computer Cases. The GPU's output ports sit at the bottom of the rear I/O, often tight against the PSU shroud or a support bracket, and a stiff cable with a chunky moulded connector can bend awkwardly. If you have a vertical GPU mount, outputs face sideways toward the glass panel, so a slim connector or a low-profile right-angle adapter makes a real difference. Make sure it is rated for 48Gbps too, since cheap adapters are a common bottleneck.

Also check the connector on the display side. Wall-mounted TVs and monitor arms put the port in a tight spot, and a flexible braided cable with a slim plug will cope better than a thick shielded one. If you're running a multi-monitor setup, label each cable so you can swap without guessing.

Finally, think about what else is in the chain. A cheap HDMI switch, splitter or older AV receiver can cap you at 18Gbps even with a perfect cable. If you're running a whole-home setup, a decent Networking backbone helps with streaming apps, but it doesn't change HDMI signal limits. A fresh Computers purchase will often include an HDMI port on the motherboard too, though on discrete GPU builds you should always plug into the card.

Brands and local warranty

Belkin, Cable Matters, Club3D, Kordz, Ugreen and Anker are the names to look for. Belkin and Kordz tend to have the clearest certification and installation guidance, while Cable Matters and Club3D give you strong value for desktop use.

Warranty matters more than most people think. Under Australian Consumer Law, a cable has to be of acceptable quality and last a reasonable time, and buying from a local retailer means you deal with a business that is accountable here, not an overseas marketplace seller who vanishes. A genuine local warranty also helps with the annoying failures, like a cable that works for months, then starts dropping signal at high refresh. Keep your invoice, and note that certified products give you a clear standard to argue against if it falls short.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special cable for 4K 120Hz?

Yes, in practice you do. Look for a certified Ultra High Speed cable rated at 48Gbps. Older High Speed cables might work at lower settings, but they can fail the moment you enable 120Hz with HDR and VRR.

Is a more expensive HDMI cable better quality?

Not for picture quality. A digital signal either arrives intact or it doesn't. Extra money gets you better shielding, durability and longer reliable runs, so pay more only if you need length or a tough cable.

Should I use HDMI or DisplayPort for my monitor?

For most PC monitors, DisplayPort is the safer choice at high refresh rates. Use HDMI when the display is a TV, you need eARC audio, or the monitor's only high-bandwidth input is HDMI 2.1.

How long can an HDMI 2.1 cable be?

Passive copper is usually dependable up to about 3m at full bandwidth. Past that, use an active or optical cable designed for 48Gbps, and check which end connects to the source.

Will an 8K cable work for my 1440p monitor?

Yes. "8K" on a cable is just marketing for 48Gbps Ultra High Speed. It will work fine with lower resolutions, and it gives you headroom if you upgrade your screen later.