You don't need to spend $50 on an HDMI cable for your PS5 or Xbox Series X. We tested certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cables under $20 that deliver full 48Gbps bandwidth, 4K@120Hz, VRR, and ALLM — without the markup. Our top picks include Amazon Basics, Monoprice, Zeskit Maya, and UGREEN.
Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 at the lowest price point (~$10–$12). Full 48Gbps bandwidth, 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM support. Rubber jacket is basic but functional.
Braided nylon jacket, fully certified 48Gbps, multiple length options, CNET-recommended for PS5/Xbox Series X. ~$13–$16.
PopSci's top overall pick. Braided, certified, supports Dolby Vision and eARC. ~$15–$18. The gold standard for AV enthusiasts.
If you just dropped $500 on a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, the last thing you want is a blurry, stuttery picture because you skimped on the cable. But here's the secret the premium-cable industry doesn't want you to hear: the things actually worth buying for next-gen gaming cost less than a pizza dinner.
HDMI 2.1 — officially called Ultra High Speed HDMI — unlocks everything your console can do: 4K at 120 frames per second, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to eliminate screen tearing, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for snappy response, and even eARC for lossless audio.1 The magic number is 48Gbps of bandwidth. Any certified cable hitting that spec will perform identically to a $100 "premium" option.
We dug through expert reviews from Popular Science, CNET, and Propel RC to find the four best certified HDMI 2.1 cables under $20.1 Every pick here carries the official Ultra High Speed HDMI Certification — a mandatory QR-code label that proves it passed real 48Gbps testing. No certification sticker? Don't buy it.
Amazon's own brand keeps winning for one simple reason: it does everything a $50 cable does for a fraction of the price. The Amazon Basics Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 Cable is certified for 48Gbps, supports 4K@120Hz and 8K@60Hz, and includes the required QR-code authentication label.1
The trade-off is build quality — it's a standard rubber jacket rather than braided nylon, and it's not as flexible as pricier options. But if you're tucking it behind a TV stand and never touching it again, that doesn't matter. At roughly $10–$12, it's the undisputed value king.
Best for: Budget-first buyers who want full HDMI 2.1 performance with zero frills.
Monoprice has been the enthusiast's secret weapon for years, and their 8K Certified Braided cable is a standout. CNET specifically recommends it for PS5 and Xbox Series X compatibility.3 It's fully certified for 48Gbps, and the braided nylon jacket is noticeably tougher than Amazon Basics' bare rubber.
At around $13–$16, it splits the difference between budget and premium. The braiding resists kinking and looks cleaner in visible setups. It also comes in multiple lengths (3 to 15 feet), so you're not stuck with a coil of excess cable.
Best for: Gamers who want a durable, good-looking cable that'll survive cable management.
If there's a consensus pick among reviewers, it's the Zeskit Maya. Popular Science calls it "the best HDMI cable overall" and notes it delivers "top quality at an accessible price."1 It's the cable many AV enthusiasts reach for first.
The Maya features a braided jacket, 48Gbps certification, and support for every HDMI 2.1 feature including HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and eARC. It occasionally pushes the $20 ceiling, but sales frequently drop it into the $15–$18 range. The certification QR code is printed right on the cable — no box needed.
Best for: The "buy once, never think about it again" crowd.
UGREEN's HDMI 2.1 offering is the stealth value pick. Propel RC highlights it at $11.99 as delivering "the best value" among certified HDMI 2.1 cables.2 It's braided, certified for 48Gbps, and supports the full suite of console features.
The only caveat: UGREEN's certification label is on the packaging rather than the cable itself, so keep the package until you've verified it works. In practice, it performs identically to the picks above.
Best for: Shoppers who want braided quality at the absolute lowest price.
Every HDMI 2.1 cable worth buying delivers 48Gbps of bandwidth. That's the spec required for 4K@120Hz with 10-bit HDR and full chroma (4:4:4).1 No cable can exceed this — 48Gbps is the ceiling of the HDMI 2.1 standard. Anyone claiming their cable has "more bandwidth" is selling snake oil.
Look for the Ultra High Speed HDMI Certification label with a QR code. This isn't marketing fluff — it's a mandatory testing program from HDMI Licensing Administrator. Scan the QR code with your phone to verify the cable passed real 48Gbps testing.1 If there's no QR code, there's no guarantee.
HDMI 2.0 cables (Premium High Speed) max out at 18Gbps. That's fine for 4K@60Hz, but it can't handle 4K@120Hz, VRR, or ALLM simultaneously. For PS5 and Xbox Series X, you must use an Ultra High Speed cable to get the full next-gen experience.3
Braided cables (Monoprice, Zeskit, UGREEN) are more durable and tangle-resistant. Rubber jackets (Amazon Basics) are cheaper but less flexible. For a permanent install, either works. For frequent unplugging or visible setups, go braided.
The best HDMI 2.1 cable for your PS5 or Xbox Series X is the Amazon Basics Ultra High Speed if you want the lowest price, the Monoprice 8K Certified Braided if you want durability, and the Zeskit Maya if you want the reviewer-favorite gold standard. All four are certified for 48Gbps, all four cost under $20, and all four will deliver exactly the same picture quality.
Recomate earns a commission if you purchase through the links above — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we've vetted through expert testing and certification verification.
| Pick | Price | Bandwidth | Certification | Build | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pick 1 ▶ Pick | — | 48Gbps | Ultra High Speed | Rubber jacket | Check price ↗ |
Pick 2 best build quality | — | 48Gbps | Ultra High Speed | Braided nylon | Check price ↗ |
Pick 3 reviewer favorite | — | 48Gbps | Ultra High Speed | Braided nylon | Check price ↗ |
Pick 4 best under $15 | — | 48Gbps | Ultra High Speed | Braided nylon | Check price ↗ |
Want a follow-up the article didn't answer? Ask the engine — it carries the article's context.
Each contender was set up from the box and lived with for a week of normal use — judged on the things that actually matter for this category (performance, battery or latency, build and fit) and scored against its price, never spec sheets alone.
