Are expensive HDMI cables worth it?

If you see a Prop 65 warning, don’t fret. Here’s what you need to know. A Prop 65 Crash Course: What You Need to Know (2026).

Save this story Save this story My first encounter with a Prop 65 warning was on the back of my TV. I was selling it on Facebook Marketplace, and when the buyer arrived to pick it up, he spotted a warning I had never noticed. “California Proposition 65 Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or reproductive harm.” Neither of us had seen such a label before, and for a moment, he didn’t want the TV anymore.

We did what anyone would do in this situation: We Googled it. California’s Proposition 65, officially called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, applies to a dizzying range of products, from food and cosmetics to electronics and household goods. Passed in 1986, the law turns 40 this year, yet that ominous little label still confuses the average consumer.

You need the right HDMI cable for your setup, but that doesn't mean it has to cost $100. Here's when to spend a bit more and when a cheap cable will do.

Are expensive HDMI cables worth it? In most cases, a $100 HDMI cable won't be better than a $10 cable.

Fortunately, there isn't a secret tier of picture quality waiting inside a $100 cable. As long as a cable can reliably carry the signal your setup requires, spending more won't make the picture sharper or the sound better.

What can justify paying more is higher bandwidth or a longer run. A streaming box connected to a nearby 4K TV doesn't have the same demands as a PlayStation 5 running at 4K/120Hz.

Meanwhile, sending HDMI across a room to a projector is another setup entirely. The trick is buying the cable your setup actually needs, not just grabbing the fanciest one on the shelf.

So, should you steer clear of all products with a Prop 65 warning? Here’s what you need to know before you panic-buy a new TV.