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Getting your hands on the best HDMI 2.1 cable is a great way to unlock higher refresh rates at higher resolutions.
HDMI 2.1 has been out for long enough that more and more people are making the choice to upgrade, and there are tonnes of benefits to doing so, with HDMI 2.1 being capable of 4k at 120 FPS and even 8K at 60 FPS.
Make sure you know which HDMI cable comes with PS5, which HDMI cables comes with Xbox Series X and which HDMI cable comes with the Nintendo Switch.
Best HDMI 2.1 cable at a glance
Belkin HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed
Transfer speed
48Gbps
Length
6.6ft
Certification
HDMI 2.1
Highwings 8K HDMI Cable 2.1
Transfer speed
48Gbps
Length
6.6ft – 200ft
Certification
HDMI 2.1
LINKUP Ultra High-Speed HDMI 2.1
Transfer speed
48Gbps
Length
3ft/ 6ft
Certification
HDMI 2.1
Ubluker Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1
Transfer speed
48Gbps
Length
6.6ft
Certification
HDMI 2.1
It goes to show that cables can be wrongly overlooked when building your gaming set-up. Having the best ethernet, the best USB-C, and the best HDMI 2.1 cables to match it, is a great way to ensure you can game consistently at high refresh rates.
It’s also worth noting that these cables may be overkill for those simply looking to hook up their laptop or Xbox One to watch Netflix. That being said, if you want to future-proof yourself against the inevitable changes and growths in technology, the best HDMI 2.1 cable will do just that.
Now let’s get into our picks. We’ve provided a variety of cables here including ones which are premium and budget-friendly and we’re confident one of these will be right for you and your gaming set-up.
Best HDMI 2.1 cable for gaming – Belkin HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed
Belkin HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed
Transfer speed
48Gbps
Length
6.6ft
Certification
HDMI 2.1
This is a well designed and durable HDMI 2.1, provided by one of the most reputable companies in the tech world. The Belkin HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed cable comes with all the benefits of HDMI 2.1, including Dolby Vision compatibility, HDR support and ultra HD capabilities.
This data is transported along a cable with a robust 2-layer shielding design which protects the delicate internal wiring both from physical and electrical damage.
HDMI 2.1 is a technology that is designed with the future in mind, already capable of transferring a 10K resolution that few screens or computers can produce. Because of this, it makes a lot of sense that Belkin has reflected this with a highly durable cable, that could last you for years.
Transmitting every image with brightness, colour and contrast maintained, this cable is great for everything from gaming to streaming, providing you have a TV or monitor that is capable of the high resolutions and refresh rates that HDMI 2.1 can reach.
Best cheap HDMI 2.1 cable – Highwings 8K HDMI Cable 2.1
Highwings 8K HDMI Cable 2.1
Transfer speed
48Gbps
Length
6.6ft – 200ft
Certification
HDMI 2.1
- Option for very long length
- Durable
- Tranfer speed decreases with distance
Highwings 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable offers a durable and capable HDMI cable for a very competitive price. Despite this low price, you’re still getting all the premium features HDMI 2.1 is capable of. This includes the 12 Bit colour processing technology which results in more accurate depth, detail, contrast, and colours than ever before.
Gamers can also make the most of variable refresh rate (VRR) technology now possible with HDMI 2.1. This protects against screen tearing, which occurs when the refresh rate of your monitor or TV is out of sync with the one provided by your console or gaming PC. The result of this is temporary image jitters or freezes that can affect immersion and gaming performance. VRR stops this by varying the frame rate of the monitor or TV to match its input. If you pair this with one of the best HDMI 2.1 monitors you can be sure it’ll be compatible with the same technology.
Durability has not been sacrificed either. With an aluminium alloy shell, and a tail design that is bend resistant, the connectors should last. The internal cabling meanwhile is protected by a tensile nylon weave that is, according to Higwhings, military grade.
Best HDMI 2.1 cable for 4K at 120Hz – LINKUP Ultra High-Speed HDMI 2.1
LINKUP Ultra High-Speed HDMI 2.1
Transfer speed
48Gbps
Length
3ft/ 6ft
Certification
HDMI 2.1
- Useful swivel feature
- Tangle free cable
- On the expensive side
This LINKUP Ultra High-Speed HDMI 2.1 cable offers a unique twist, giving it an advantage over the other cables on this list. As you can see from the image above this cable can be swivelled and angled across two axes, 90 degrees up and down and a full 360 degrees around.
This grants unparalleled ease of installation in tight spaces, fitting into places where the other cables on this list simply couldn’t. This means you won’t have to adapt your gaming set up to satisfy your cable’s needs.
Linkup claims the cable is still durable too, with a sturdy moulded cable housing and premium strain relief that should prevent the wiring inside the cable from fraying.
What’s more, there is not a significant markup in price, and you’re still getting access to 4K at framerates up to 120 fps, eARC compatibility and VRR.
The only issues are the lack of brand recognition providing fewer assurances, though there is a one-year warranty, and the fact that it is only available in two sizes – 3ft or 6ft.
Best HDMI 2.1 cable for gaming – Ubluker Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1
Ubluker Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1
Transfer speed
48Gbps
Length
6.6ft
Certification
HDMI 2.1
- Compatibility with eARC and ALLM
- Durable build
- Less options for length
This HDMI 2.1 cable from Ubluker is perfect for reaching the high-speed, high-resolution gameplay that the next generation of consoles is capable of. The Xbox Series X, for example, is able to run games at 4K at 120 frames per second. For this to be possible you have to have an HDMI 2.1 cable and this one from Ubluker is a great choice.
This is a fully certified and compliant cable, that adheres to all the requirements necessary to be recognised by HDMI. There are a tonne of support features including ALLM, VRR, and Dynamic HDR as well as many others. Take a look at the breakdown of screen tear, to understand why these features are so helpful.
The physical build is great, with the braiding around the cable offering good protection and thereby increasing durability.
Overall, this is a great cable for those looking to unlock the potential of their gaming console or PC.
Does HDMI 2.1 need a special cable?
Yes, HDMI 2.1 requires compatible cables, as these need to be able to handle the higher volume of data, as well as the new features that HDMI 2.1 is capable of. Fortunately, these cables do not currently cost much more than their HDMI 2.0 counterparts.
Do HDMI 2.1 cables make a difference?
HDMI 2.1 represents a huge step up over HDMI 2.0. The former is capable of 48Gbps versus the latter’s 18Gbps. However, a large amount of this power increase is for future-proofing, meaning that for now HDMI 2.0 is still capable of many people’s needs.
Do I need HDMI 2.1 for gaming?
You don’t necessarily need HDMI 2.1 for gaming, depending on what console you’re gaming on. It’s highly recommended for PS5 and Xbox Series X, though Xbox Series S, PS4 and Xbox One might find it overkill.
