Author：Jake | TIME：July 17,2019 974
You might not be very familiar with 4K HDMI cable, but you must have heard of the term “4K” or “ultra high definition”. As a matter of fact, ever since Apple’s announcement of Mac Pro’s support for 4K ultra HD, it has been the blooming seaon for 4K.
While the world is crazy about 4K, market-oriented manufacturers and businesses seized the chance to upgrade their TV sets to new 4K devices, and use 4K displays for PCs. And consumers maybe including you, can’t wait to have a better home cinema experience. A 4K HDMI cable is capable to help cast 4K signal from your media device to the high-end television set.
An HDMI cable is the serial interface between your TV and signal source: a media streamer; DVD, Blu-ray, 4K UHD Blu-ray player; a projector; a video game console; a PC. The name of the HDMI cables indicate how much data they can carry. For example, 4K means a maximum resolution of 4.096px x 2.160px = 8 million pixel = four times Full HD resolution. 4K is also often referred as Ultra High Definition, 4K2K, Ultra HD, UHD, Quad Full HD, QFD, and 2160p.
Standard HDMI: Up to 720p or 1080i resolution at 30Hz
High Speed HDMI: Up to 4K resolution (including 1080p) at 30Hz
Premium High Speed HDMI: Up to 4K resolution with high dynamic range (HDR) at up to 60Hz
Ultra High Speed HDMI: Up to 10K resolution with HDR at a 120Hz refresh rate (4K video can refresh at up to 240Hz)
| Image | Product | Editor's Rating | |
| CableFocus 4K Premium High Speed HDMI Cable | ★★★★★ |  |
| Twisted Veins HDMI Cable High Speed with Ethernet | ★★★★ |  |
| SecurOMax 4K HDMI Cable with Braided Cord | ★★★★ | |
| FosPower Nylon Braided HDMI 2.0 Standard Cord | ★★★★ | |
| Mediabridge Flex Series High Speed HDMI Cable | ★★★★ | |
Even people around you are talking about 4K, and you do think it really great for visual experience, yet don’t rush to buy a 4K HDMI cable. What you need to do first is check if your device supports ultra high resolution. If your TV set is not a 4K device, why bother to get a new 4K HDMI cord?
On the contrary, if any of below is your case, then it’s time to search for a new 4K HDR HDMI cable:
You want more than simply a basic TV signal and plan to buy a new 4K TV set
You want to have a smoother experience with your game console
You intend to get the most out of your HDR TV
You need a powerful cable to transfer mass data over Ethernet
There are different types of HDMI cables, and not all of them support 4K ultra high definition. So be careful while buying the best HDMI cable. A Premium High Speed HDMI cable should cover almost all your needs for TV sets with 4K resolution, high dynamic range (HDR) and Dolby Vision. This does not matter whether you want a 4K UHD HDMI cable for TV or a PS4 HDMI cable.
And you just need to make sure that the cable you choose meets the 4K standards. So please take the followings into consideration:
Refresh rate: measured in cycles per second, and known as Hertz, or Hz. The higher the refresh rate, the better.
Level of color presision: this is the color depth measured in bits. The higher, the better.
Corlor data compression: chroma subsampling. The less the color data compression is, the more data will be cast into the TV.
So make sure the HDMI cord has sufficient bandwidth to transmit such huge data from the media source to the targeted 4K TV. The following chart shows specifications of the Standard, High Speed, Premium High Speed, and Ultra High Speed HDMI.
Note: fps is short for frames per second; a 60fps is equal to a display refresh rate of 60Hz.
Of course, apart from above parameters which are really important, there are other things to consider while buying the right HDMI to HDMI cable. For example: quality or durability, length, pricing, and maybe color.
Quality & Durability: This mainly depends on the material of the cable - generally speaking, nylon braided jacket is more durable than plastic one.
Cable Length: It’s not true that the longer the cable is the better. The source signal weakens as the cable wire extends. So choose a short HDMI cord (which is long enough to connect your devices) instead of a super long one.
Pricing: Though such a HDMI cable won’t cost much, it’s good to make a comparision with several good candidates to pick up the most cost-effective one.
No, it’s not that necessary and urgent. 8K is more powerful, yet it has not come to its heyday. And devices (such as 8K TVs) that can make use of an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable are really rare and very expensive. So what do you do with this 8K HDMI cable? Besides, 8K cables are also a lot more expensive that 4K ones that are good enough for now.
You may also be a little confused by HDMI 1.4 vs 2.0. So what are the differences between? Actually there are different HDMI versions, varying from version 1 to 2.1. Below chart shows specifications of each version and what features each version supports. The more features it allows, the more bandwidth it requires. HDMI 2.0 is still leading the industry while version 2.1 hasn’t been fully unlocked its potentials - maybe very soon, but not now! So you don’t need to rush for the HDMI 2.1 - HDMI 2.0 cable is still the prior option for most users.
Known as a high speed 4K HDMI cable, this product can deliver 4K signal with 18Gbps transfer rate at 60Hz, without data loss. This CableFocus HDMI 2.0b cable also supports earlier HDMI versions and works with all devices with HDMI port. If you want impressive quality image and video on your theater hardware, you can connect your 4K TV set with this UHD HDMI cable. If you want to have a better gaming experience, you can connect your game console with this male to male HDMI cord for PS 4/PS3/Xbox. For some users, this 1 foot HDMI cable is a little short, though it ensures high speed transfer rate and full signal transmission quality.
High speed HDMI for 4K signal
Short cable eliminates signal loss & ensures full transmission
HDMI 2.0b for all HDMI comaptible devices
Durable & quality design ensure long lasting
A little short for some users
The Twisted Veins HDMI cord is high speed with Ethernet. It supports HDMI 2.0b and is also backward compatible with previous HDMI versions like 2.0a, 2.0, 1.4 and 1.3. It allows for signal up to 18Gbps bandwidth, 4K resolution, 60Hz refresh rate and HDR10. So if you want a high definition and crisp screen, this cable is one of your best choices. Customers also like its wide compatibility with various media devices such as 4K TV sets, PS4, Xbox, and Blu-ray players. The additional 270° left angle adapter and 3 micro fiber cable ties are a plus.
The drawback of this cable is that it only supports up to 4K 30Hz HDR on some devices for an unknown reason. And, some consumers complain about the flickering screen or signal loss of some cables.
Support HDMI 2.0b and earlier versions
Support 18Gbps bandwidth, 4K resolution, 60Hz refresh rate
Compatible with almost all 4K media devices
Only support 4K 30Hz HDR on some devices
Occasional defectives
Designed with quality oxygen-free bare copper wiring, 24K gold-plated connectors, thick aluminium shell, and braided jacket, this 4K high speed HDMI cable ensures a durable use for long. This HDMI 2.0 cable is capable of transmmiting 4K signal up to 18Gbps at 60Hz. It can cater to your needs for Ethernet and Audio Return Channel (ARC). And you don’t need to worry about the compatibility issue as this cable supports any device branded with the HDMI logo, including HDMI 2.0, 1.4 and 1.3 standards. Some users are not very happy with it because it’s hard and stiff to bend. And the price is a little more expensive than its rivals.
Support 4K at 60Hz over HDMI 2.0
Allow for UHD 4K 2160p, QHD 1440p, HD 2K 1080p, 3D and HDTV
Quality material makes it durable
Compatible with HDMI v2.0, v1.4, v1.3
Not flexible enough
A little expensive than its rivals
The FosPower braided HDMI cable is compatible with HDMI 2.0 and earlier standards. What do we like about this HDMI cord? It can transfer 4K data to all HDMI devices and displays at an 18Gbps speed and 60Hz refresh rate. And the end result on the screen is amazingly wonderful with sharper and clearer images and videos. While the nylon braided jacket ensures it to be flexible, the 24K gold-plated connectors are built to resist corrosion and reduce tarnish for full transmission quality. Of course it has its shortcoming: the quality seems not as good as other options.
Up to 4K Resolution at 60Hz, with HDR support
Compatible with HDMI 2.0 and earlier versions
Support all HDMI devices and displays
Not as durable as its rivals
The Mediabridge FLEX Series HDMI cable is lightweight and flexible for convenient use and installation. This 4K HDMI cable is compatible with all HDMI 2.0b functions with a 18Gbps transfer speed at 60Hz refresh rate. It should be the great HDMI cord for PS4, PS3, Xbox One, HDTV, Blu-Ray player, computer, Apple TV, Roku, cable box, etc. All these enables the FLEX Series HDMI cable to deliver high quality image and audio to your home theater and gaming devices.
Flexible and lightweight for installation
Excellent picture and sound quality
Works with all HDMI compatible devices
1-year warranty
Cable jacket may crack after wide angle of bending
