How to know which HDMI cable to use for your game console, speaker, or Blu-ray player

There are so many types of HDMI cables these days that it’s tough to keep track of everything. In the past few years alone, there’s a good chance you have a mix of HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 cables in your house, and while they are mostly the same, there are some key differences between the two. Whether that matters to you is another thing entirely.

Both HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 output 4K resolution, and if you’re just watching shows on Netflix, both cables are more than fine. When you introduce other elements into the mix, such as gaming, that’s where the waters get muddied. There’s a lot you need to know, and although these two cables look alike, there’s more to them than meets the eye. You might find you’re better off running to the store and picking up a 2.1 cable instead of sticking with your current 2.0 one. Thankfully, new cables aren’t very expensive, so it won’t break the bank to do this.

You might need a new cable

It depends on what you do

For the purpose of this guide, I’m talking about HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 cables. You might still have some older ones like HDMI 1.4 hanging around, but those are mostly useful for older game consoles than anything at this point. If you’re even semi-serious about your viewing habits, you should grab an HDMI 2.0 cable or newer.

For most people, HDMI 2.0 and 2.1 are the sweet spot. If you’re mostly streaming shows and movies, I’d argue 2.0 is plenty. However, gaming on a PS5 or Xbox Series X means you should upgrade to a 2.1 cable. Both consoles are capable of 4K 120 FPS gaming, and while not everything takes advantage of that, it’s still nice to have, and that’s only possible if you have an HDMI 2.1 cable. A 2.0 cable still works for 4K 60 FPS gaming, and that’s what the majority of what you play targets, so it’s not like it’s the end of the world if you don’t upgrade. You also need a TV that can handle 120 FPS, and not everybody has that.

Your PS5 and Xbox Series X should have come with an HDMI 2.1 cable, so if you’re using the cable that came bundled with the consoles, you’re all good. Some people like to use the cables they’re already using, so there’s a possibility you’re using a 2.0 cable with these consoles.

Your cable is important for audio, too

It’s not just picture quality

If you have a Dolby Atmos setup in your home, an HDMI 2.1 cable is the best thing you can use at the moment. Dolby says pairing a 2.1 cable with your TV’s eARC port is the way to get the best audio, so make sure you’re doing that. Yes, Atmos works with your 2.0 cables, but it’s just not as good as 2.1 thanks to the slower speeds.

The biggest difference is noticeable when listening to Dolby Atmos through physical media, such as Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray discs. Streaming Atmos isn’t nearly as good as it is on a disc, and while I would still take it over not having it at all, it pales in comparison. With cables being as inexpensive as they are, I don’t see a reason to skip out on having an HDMI 2.1 cable, even for streaming. The beauty of the HDMI format is its backwards compatibility, so your 2.1 cable works on a PS3 if you want to try. It won’t magically give your PS3 extra power, but there’s no harm in using the best available cable with your devices. If you end up getting a new TV with more modern features, you’ll be glad you have a newer HDMI cable to plug into it.