How to Choose the Best HDMI Cable for a 4K or 8K TV

Learn what to look for when buying an HDMI cable for your 4K or 8K TV and which cables work for 120 Hz refresh rates.

If you want to get the best out of your 4K or 8K TV, you'll need the right HDMI cable. Not all HDMI cables are the same, and not all will work for 4K or 8K TVs, so it's important to understand the differences between them.

This article will help you choose the best 4K/8K HDMI cable for your TV. You will also learn what to look for when buying an HDMI cable and which cables support a 120 Hz refresh rate.

HDMI Cable Version for 4K/8K

You will need an HDMI cable designed for 4K 120 Hz and 8K TVs to handle the high resolution and refresh rate. HDMI 2.1 cables are best for this purpose since they support 4K up to 120 Hz and 8K up to 60 Hz.

HDMI 2.1 is currently the standard for high-performance displays, offering the bandwidth needed for next-generation gaming consoles and high-end home theater setups. HDMI 2.0 cables can only handle 4K at 60 Hz and do not support 8K resolutions.

For the best cable for your setup, check out Our Recommended HDMI 2.1 Cables.

Max Supported HDMI 2.1 Refresh Rates
	60 Hz	120 Hz	144 Hz	240 Hz
1080p	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
1440p	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
4K	Yes	Yes	No	No
8K	Yes	No	No	No

Refresh Rate

Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), determines how smoothly a TV displays motion. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the motion.

Refresh rate is the number of times a display redraws the screen per second. For example, a 120 Hz refresh rate means the screen redraws 120 times each second. This makes 120 Hz twice as fast as 60 Hz, resulting in significantly smoother motion on screen.

HDMI 2.1

HDMI 2.1 cables are a significant upgrade from the HDMI 2.0 standard. The main difference is increased bandwidth, allowing for higher resolutions and refresh rates, along with several new features that improve gaming and viewing experiences.

The table below shows the main new features of HDMI 2.1 cables.

New Features With HDMI 2.1
HDMI 2.1 Feature	Benefit
Increased Bandwidth	Adds support for 4K, 5K, 8K, 10K resolutions at 120 Hz.
Auto Low Latency Mode	Enables ideal latency setting to be set automatically. Allows smooth lag-free and uninterrupted viewing and interactivity.
Dynamic HDR	Lets a display alter the HDR metadata on a scene by scene or frame by frame basis.
Variable Refresh Rate	Eliminates stuttering and frame tearing in games.
Enhanced Audio Return Channel	Improves support of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio standards.
Quick Media Switching	Decreases the delay when switching video sources.
Quick Frame Transport	Reduces latency for smoother gaming without lag and real-time interactive VR.

Types of HDMI Cables

There are different types of HDMI cables made with different materials. Standard HDMI cables use copper, while active HDMI cables use fiber optic technology. Fiber optic HDMI cables are designed to reach much greater distances than standard copper HDMI cables while maintaining the high speeds required by HDMI 2.1 specifications.

Higher HDMI cable speeds enable higher resolution displays and faster refresh rates, which improve motion quality. If you need an HDMI cable that reaches across a large room for your 4K or 8K TV, a fiber optic HDMI cable is an excellent choice.

Standard copper HDMI cables have limited ranges and speeds, which you can learn about in the section: Max HDMI Cable Length.

If you prefer standard HDMI cables but need to extend their reach beyond what fiber optic cables offer, check out the section: How to Extend HDMI 2.0 Cables.

Qualities of HDMI Cables

The quality of HDMI cables varies depending on the brand, price, and construction. Very cheap cables have a higher chance of breaking, experiencing signal loss or interference, or developing other issues. While you might not notice the difference between a cheap 6 ft HDMI cable and an expensive one in all cases, there are important quality factors to consider, especially with longer cables.

When buying an HDMI cable, look for one with high-quality insulation, EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) shielding, and durable connectors. While not all cables advertise these features, they are important quality indicators. Cheaper cables are less likely to include higher-quality components, which can affect long-term reliability and performance.

Which HDMI Cable Type Should You Get?

Since HDMI 2.1 is backward compatible with older HDMI versions, it's probably best to buy an HDMI 2.1 cable for future-proofing. You will ensure that you'll get the most out of your display without worrying about which one to buy. HDMI 2.1 is also needed for devices that support eARC, for better quality audio to soundbars and audio receivers. If you want to make it even easier, be sure to check out Our Recommended HDMI 2.1 Cables below.

With that said, to get all of the features and speed increase, be sure to check if your display and device (PCs, game consoles, etc.) both support HDMI 2.1 and its features.

Keep in mind that HDMI cables can only go up to specific lengths. If you want a very long HDMI cable, you may need to go with HDMI 2.0 instead and follow one of these HDMI extension methods.

Our Recommended HDMI 2.1 Cables

Anker 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable

After conducting our research and analysis, we have found that the Anker 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable offers exceptional performance and a range of impressive features.
You can find the Anker 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable (6.6 ft) on Amazon
With a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, it supports high-resolution formats like 8K at 60 Hz, 4K at 120 Hz, and chroma 4:4:4 (no compression), all while delivering stunning Dynamic HDR.
Additionally, it boasts support for eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), allowing for enhanced audio transmission. It is compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS X 7.1, and DTS X 5.1 surround sound.
We have found that the Anker 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable offers an excellent solution for those seeking top-notch performance and compatibility. Whether you're a casual viewer or a dedicated enthusiast, this cable delivers the reliability and quality necessary to elevate your home entertainment experience.

Monoprice 8K Certified Braided HDMI 2.1 Cable

After conducting our research and analysis, we have found that the Monoprice 8K certified braided HDMI 2.1 cable offers exceptional performance and a range of impressive features.
You can find the Monoprice 8K Certified Braided HDMI 2.1 Cable on Amazon , available in lengths ranging from 6 to 10 feet.
With a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, it supports high-resolution formats like 8K at 60 Hz, 4K at 120 Hz, and uncompressed video resolutions, all while delivering stunning Dynamic HDR and 3D visuals.
Additionally, it boasts support for eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), allowing for enhanced audio transmission. It is compatible with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and DTS X surround sound.
We have found that the Monoprice 8K certified braided HDMI 2.1 cable offers an excellent solution for those seeking top-notch performance and compatibility. Whether you're a casual viewer or a dedicated enthusiast, this cable delivers the reliability and quality necessary to elevate your home entertainment experience.

Cable Matters Active 8K Fiber Optic HDMI 2.1 Cable

After conducting our research and analysis, we have found that the Cable Matters Active 8K Fiber Optic HDMI 2.1 cable offers exceptional performance and a range of impressive features.
You can find the Cable Matters Active 8K Fiber Optic HDMI 2.1 cable on Amazon , available in lengths ranging from 16.4 to 49.2 feet.
With a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, it supports high-resolution formats like 8K at 60 Hz, 4K at 120 Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and and chroma 4:4:4 (no compression), all while delivering stunning Dolby Vision HDR (10 bit/12 bit color depth).
Additionally, it boasts support for eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), allowing for enhanced audio transmission. It is compatible with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and DTS X surround sound.
After conducting our research and analysis, we have found that the Cable Matters Active 8K Fiber Optic HDMI 2.1 cable surpasses expectations, providing an unrivaled solution for those seeking top-notch performance and compatibility. Whether you're a casual viewer or a dedicated enthusiast, this cable delivers reliability and exceptional quality that will elevate your home entertainment experience to new heights.

Max HDMI Cable Length

Each type of HDMI cable has a limitation on how far it can reach. There's no official "max" length specified in HDMI standards, but there is a practical limitation based on the materials used and the bandwidth requirements.

Most passive copper HDMI cables reliably reach around 10 to 25 ft (3 to 7.5 m) depending on the HDMI version and resolution. Newer HDMI 2.1 cables supporting 48Gbps typically max out at 10 to 15 ft (3 to 4.5 m), while older HDMI 2.0 cables can reach 15 to 25 ft (4.5 to 7.5 m). HDMI cables made with fiber optic technology can reach much farther. On average, active optical HDMI cables can extend from 50 to 300 ft (15 to 90 m) or more.

Below are the three types of copper HDMI cables with their average length limits and resolutions they can handle at their max cable length:

Max Length of Copper HDMI Cables
Type	Max Cable Length	Speed	Supported Resolutions
Standard HDMI	49 ft (15 m)	< 10 Gb/s	720p 60 Hz \| 1080i 60 Hz
High Speed HDMI	15–25 ft (5–7.5 m)	18 Gb/s	1080p 60 Hz \| 4K 30 Hz
Ultra High Speed HDMI	10–15 ft (3–5 m)	48 Gb/s	4K \| 5K \| 8K \| 10K 120 Hz

Why HDMI Cables Have a Max Length

Most HDMI cables are made of copper, which limits the cable's length because the signal loses strength the farther it travels. Signal loss can occur with cables made of other materials as well. This signal loss (called attenuation) is measured in decibels per distance. The greater the distance, the more signal loss occurs.

Higher bandwidth requirements also reduce maximum cable length. HDMI 2.1 cables supporting 48Gbps (for 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz) experience more attenuation than older HDMI 2.0 cables. The recently released HDMI 2.2 specification in June 2025 doubles the bandwidth to 96Gbps, which will require even more careful cable design for longer runs.

If an HDMI cable is too long, the signal level may not be high enough due to excessive attenuation, resulting in visual artifacts, audio dropouts, or complete signal loss. For longer distances, an HDMI extender, repeater, or active optical cable is needed. Otherwise, a shorter HDMI cable should be used.

How to Extend HDMI 2.0 Cables

Short-range extension: HDMI repeater.
Medium-range extension: Fiber optic HDMI cable or HDMI over Ethernet
Long-range extension: HDMI over fiber extender.

HDMI Repeater

An HDMI repeater extends the connection for shorter runs by connecting two HDMI cables and amplifies the signals for better transmission.

Determining the max length when using a repeater depends on the HDMI repeater and the HDMI cable type, but I give the average ranges below. Remember that HDMI repeaters are directional, so be sure to use the device's correct input/output sides.

HDMI Repeater Range
Resolution	Length
4K @ 60 Hz	60–100 ft (18–30 m)
4K @ 30 Hz	100–130 ft (30–40 m)
1080p @ 60 Hz	135–195 ft (40–60 m)

To be safe, assume a repeater can reach only the shorter end of those ranges.

I recommend the JerGO HDMI 2.0 Repeater on Amazon
Extends up to 100 ft for 4K @ 60 Hz.
Supports 6.0 Gb/s bandwidth with 3D transmission.

Fiber Optic HDMI Cable

Fiber optic HDMI cables are like standard HDMI cables but made with optical fiber inside the cable and meant for farther distances up to 164 ft (50 m) for 4K @ 60 Hz.

These cables aren't meant to be used with an extender, repeater, or switch and should be used alone. They also must be installed in the correct direction, with the output/display label connecting to the side with the display.

Learn more about fiber optic HDMI cables in my article: What Is a Fiber Optic HDMI Cable and Is It Worth Getting?.

I recommend the ATZEBE Fiber Optic HDMI Cable on Amazon
Supports 18 Gb/s bandwidth and 4K @ 60 Hz chroma 4:4:4 (no compression) with HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
Comes in lengths ranging from 6 to 164 ft (2 to 50 meters).
Supports ARC (Audio Return Channel).

HDMI Over Ethernet Extender

The HDMI over Ethernet extender is similar to an HDMI over fiber optic extender but uses an Ethernet cable for a shorter extension. An HDMI over Ethernet extender can extend the connection up to 130 ft (40 m) for 4K @ 60 Hz or 230 ft (70 m) for 1080p.

Learn more about HDMI over Ethernet in my article: HDMI Over Ethernet - How to Extend HDMI With Cat 5e/6a.

I recommend the AV Access HDMI 2.0 Over Ethernet on Amazon
Supports 18 Gb/s bandwidth and 4K @ 60 Hz chroma 4:4:4 (no compression) with HDR10.
Supports ARC (Audio Return Channel).
To go along with the HDMI over Ethernet extender, I recommend the Cable Matters Snagless Long Shielded Cat6A Ethernet Cable on Amazon

HDMI Over Fiber Extender

An HDMI over Fiber extender uses an optical fiber cable to transmit the data to reach a much farther distance. You could use an HDMI over Fiber extender to extend the connection up 1,000 to 3,300 ft (300 to 1000 meters) for 4K @ 60 Hz.

Learn more about HDMI over fiber in my article: HDMI Over Fiber - How to Extend HDMI With Fiber-Optic Cable.

I recommend the AV Access Fiber Optic HDMI 2.0 Extender on Amazon
Supports 18 Gb/s bandwidth and 4K @ 60 Hz chroma 4:4:4 (no compression) with HDR10.
Supports multi-channel PCM, Dolby, and DTS HD audio supported up to 7.1.
Supports bi-directional IR pass-through.
I also recommend the Cable Matters Multimode Duplex OM3 Fiber Cable on Amazon to go along with the HDMI over Fiber extender (for indoor use).

Learn About TVs

Want to learn more about TVs? Check out the articles in my TV series:

Learn About HDMI

Find answers to your HDMI questions by checking out the articles in my HDMI series: