Don’t make this mistake when buying an HDMI cable for your Apple TV

Picking up a new Apple TV 4K is exciting, but you’ll notice something’s missing from your box when you pick one up. You actually need to make an additional purchase and snag an HDMI cord before you can get it set up and ready to use.

While you might think it’s as simple as going to the store and grabbing a cord, you should do a little bit more research than that. The regular HDMI 2.0 cable that you probably have lying around will get the job done, but if you opt for that, you’ll be leaving some performance on the table. There are a lot of cables out there, and you should try to go for a 2.1 option if it’s available.

Get at least an HDMI 2.1 cable

Your Apple TV 4K will thank you

An HDMI 2.0 cable will work perfectly fine for most people, as it still supports Dolby Vision and Atmos along with 4K resolution, but Apple recommends you go for an HDMI 2.1 cable if you can. It also varies by your model. If you have a first-gen Apple TV 4K like me, then you won’t reap any additional benefits from a 2.1 cable. The same doesn’t apply to later models, as they both have ports for 2.1 cords.

The big bonus you get is speeds that are only offered with the 2.1 cables. The regular HDMI 2.0 cable boasts a bandwidth of 18 Gbps, while a 2.1 cable brings that number up to 48. That’s a big leap, and it’s something your Apple TV 4K will appreciate. You shouldn’t have to worry about any sort of audio delays or stutters with a high-quality cable. Of course, you’ll need to make sure your TV also supports 2.1 audio, as it’s not just a matter of the Apple TV utilizing it. If both your TV and Apple TV device can use 2.1, then grab a 2.1 cable.

If you want something that lasts, you’re best bet is to get a cable that is shorter. There’s no sense having extra footage on your cable if you can’t take advantage of all of it. Having something too long opens the door to more failure points, and you should avoid them when you can. You don’t want a pet to mess with it, and you can save some cash by getting something short anyway.

The brand of the cable matters more than you think

Don’t pick up the cheapest thing

Although you might think all cables are created equal, that’s not the case, and you’re better off spending a little bit more for something that’s known for its quality. This applies to just about anything, so don’t think that because it’s just a cord that you can get away with it.

You don’t have to go out and buy a $40 cable from Monster, but you should try to pick something up from a brand you’ve at least heard of. Anker or Monoprice are good choices, and those are some brands I haven’t had any issues with. I also haven’t been let down by Amazon Basics, but it’s just difficult to tell where Amazon is sourcing the product from. Oftentimes, something from Amazon Basics is rebranded from something else, so it’s hit or miss. If you’re only spending a few bucks, I’m sure it’s fine, but I’d draw the line at something around $50 because it’s tough to know where it came from. Yes, I would say it’s safe to skip the gold-plated HDMI cables. You may like yours, but I’m not sure if there are any benefits there other than buying something that looks cool.