If you are wondering which HDMI cable to buy, start with the official cable name, not a version number. Find the name that matches what you connect. Check that the name is printed on the cable jacket. Then scan the QR certification label on the package. For most new 4K TVs, consoles and gaming PCs, that name is Ultra High Speed. Older 1080p gear only needs High Speed.
All facts below come from HDMI Licensing Administrator (HDMI LA) pages as they read in November 2026. Those pages carry no publication date.
Five official HDMI cable names cover home use
HDMI LA defines a short list of cable names, each tested to a bandwidth. Its cable overview describes them this way:
- Ultra96 HDMI Cable: up to 96Gbps. HDMI LA says it is designed for uncompressed full-chroma formats such as 8K@60 4:4:4 and 4K@240 4:4:4 at 10-bit and 12-bit color.
- Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable: up to 48Gbps maximum bandwidth, with 8K@60 and 4K@120 formats.
- Premium High Speed HDMI Cable: a special certification for High Speed cables, for 4K/UltraHD at up to 18Gbps. That includes 4K60, HDR and expanded color spaces such as BT.2020.
- High Speed HDMI Cable: tested for 1080p and beyond, up to 10.2Gbps. It handles 4K@30Hz, 3D and Deep Color.
- Standard HDMI Cable: tested for 1080i or 720p. HDMI LA says most have been replaced by High Speed and that they don't support later resolutions, refresh rates or bandwidth. Don't buy one.
Ultra96 is new; Ultra High Speed is the one you already know
The Ultra96 and Ultra High Speed page says the HDMI 2.2 Specification introduced the Ultra96 cable. The Ultra High Speed cable came with the HDMI 2.1 Specification and entered the market in 2020.
The extra bandwidth is mostly about where HDMI 2.2 is headed. HDMI LA's bandwidth and resolution page says resolutions up to 12K@120 and 16K@60 "will be supported". That is future tense, not a list of products you can buy. The same page names AR/VR/MR, spatial reality, light-field displays, digital signage, medical imaging and machine vision as uses for the added bandwidth. HDMI LA's pages describe Ultra96 as introduced but do not say how widely it is sold. Check the shelf before you plan around it.
Ignore 'HDMI 2.1 cable', '8K cable' and '4K cable'
Those phrases are marketing terms, not official cable names. HDMI LA warns that resellers may use marketing terms instead of the official designations. The same page also says many recommendation sites are driven by affiliate payments and that some cables on sale are counterfeit.
So when a listing says "HDMI 2.1 8K cable", ask one question: does it say Ultra High Speed (or Ultra96), and is there a certification label? If the official name is missing, the version number tells you nothing about what was tested.
How to check if an HDMI cable is certified
HDMI LA's rules give you three things to look for:
- The name on the cable. According to the cable overview, all HDMI cable products must carry their official cable name on the jacket. Packages must show the cable name logo and/or the certification label.
- The Certification Label on the box. For Ultra96 and Ultra High Speed, the Ultra cable page says a Certification Label must be on each package or unit of sale. Premium High Speed cables carry their own Premium certification label.
- A scan of the QR code. HDMI LA says any standard QR code app can scan the label to check that the model was tested and certified. On a phone, the built-in camera app is usually enough.
Buying online: look for the Verification Banner
You can't scan a box you haven't received. HDMI LA describes optional Verification Banners on manufacturer and reseller websites. You can click or scan them, and they show the brand name, model number and length, the same as the physical label. Compare those three details with the listing. If the banner says a different length or model, treat it as a warning.
When the cable arrives, scan the label on the package anyway and check that the jacket shows the same official name.
Why the label check means something
Both Ultra cables fall under what HDMI LA calls a mandatory Ultra HDMI Cable Certification Program. Its Ultra cable page says every model must pass testing at an HDMI Forum Authorized Testing Center. Both cables must also be certified for low EMI. HDMI LA says this reduces interference with wireless networks, streaming media players, Bluetooth devices and mobile phones.
Testing continues after launch. HDMI LA buys cables in stores and online marketplaces and sends them to test centers. If a cable fails, the maker can't order more labels until it fixes the cable. If it passes, the scan result confirms the audit pass. That is why a scannable label is worth more than a price tag or a spec sheet.
'With Ethernet' and automotive cables are niche
You will see names such as "High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet". HDMI LA says these add a dedicated HDMI Ethernet Channel for networking between devices. It only works if both linked devices support it. Don't pay extra for it unless your equipment says it uses it.
Automotive versions of Standard and High Speed cables are tested to a higher performance standard. They may use the Type E connector, which resists dust and vibration and has a locking tab. They are for cars, not living rooms.
Which HDMI cable to buy for your setup
| What you connect | Cable to buy | How to verify |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p source to 1080p display (e.g. Blu-ray player), or 4K@30 | High Speed | Official name on the jacket |
| 4K60 with HDR | Premium High Speed or Ultra High Speed | Premium or Ultra certification label; scan it |
| 4K@120, 8K@60, anything up to 48Gbps | Ultra High Speed | Scan the QR certification label |
| HDMI 2.2 gear needing up to 96Gbps | Ultra96 | Scan the QR certification label |
HDMI LA itself recommends High Speed for connecting a 1080p display to a 1080p source such as a Blu-ray player.
Buy Ultra High Speed unless you have a reason not to
For a new TV, console or gaming PC, buy a cable labeled Ultra High Speed with a certification label that scans correctly. It covers bandwidth up to 48Gbps, including 4K@120 and 8K@60. Stick with High Speed for 1080p equipment. Buy Ultra96 only when your source and display are HDMI 2.2 gear that needs more than 48Gbps.
Whichever you choose, skip any listing that leans on "HDMI 2.1" or "8K" without the official name, and scan the label before you open the box.
