I need HDMI cables to connect my TV to the console and computer, but at the mall they offer all kinds of stuff and I never know which ones actually hold up. Is there a reliable store or brand you'd recommend? I don't want to spend a fortune but I also don't want the cable to break on me in two months.
The most reliable option is to buy from electronics stores with a good reputation (like Best Buy, Ripley, Carrefour, depending on your country) where at least there's a warranty if something fails, because counterfeit cables usually come with none. Brands like Belkin, AmazonBasics, or even the stores' own brands tend to be decent for casual use, and you don't need to spend a fortune on this stuff - a certified HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 cable will last you years without any problem. If you're buying online, Amazon or the manufacturer's official store are also safe bets. What you should definitely avoid is buying from street vendors or no-name shops: the cheapest cable in the world isn't worth it if it quits on you in three months.
Your best bet is to buy from big online stores with easy returns (Amazon, Mediamarkt, Fnac, or wherever you are) because if the cable fails or is counterfeit, you're guaranteed the right to claim a refund. In physical stores, shopping malls are a lottery because anyone sells there without real oversight.
As for brands, you don't need to go for the most expensive ones. Belkin, AmazonBasics, and even decent generic brands from big stores work fine if you buy them from a real place. What works is looking for certified HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 cables (check the description) and avoiding the ones that cost less than two euros, because those tend to be counterfeit. When you buy online, read the reviews and see if people complain about the connector loosening or it not working with certain devices.
If you insist on buying from a physical store, at least make it a big one with a reputation where you know there's actual warranty. HDMI cables are rare to fail if they're decent, so if you buy one at a mid-range price from a known store, it'll probably last you years without issues.
Avoid street vendors and generic mall shops where there's no way to file a complaint if something goes wrong. If you've already tried the places they mentioned and you think it's expensive, a cheaper option is to look for brands like Belkin or AmazonBasics directly on reliable online platforms - they're not the most premium but they have good reviews and if it arrives damaged or it's counterfeit, the return process is fast. The important thing is that you buy somewhere that has a transaction record and return policy, so you don't lose money if the cable doesn't work as it should.
Those people mentioned before have a point about the big stores, but honestly HDMI cables are pretty hard to mess up if you don't beat them around - most last for years without any issues. The trick is not to buy from sketchy street stalls downtown where there's no receipt or anything, because that's where they'll sell you anything.
If you want something reliable without spending much, check out known brands like Belkin or Cable Matters on decent online stores, or even Amazon/Mediamarkt generics if they have good reviews. The important thing is that it's a certified HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 cable depending on what you're using, and that you can return it if it fails. Honestly with a cable for 10-15 dollars that you buy somewhere with a warranty you're set for a while.
Known brands like Belkin, AmazonBasics, or Cable Matters are usually safe because they have enough reputation to lose if they sell something of poor quality. The trick is to look for the manufacturer's name clearly printed on the cable itself, not just on the box, because counterfeit ones often have blurry letters or spelling mistakes. Buy from places where you can return it without problems if you notice something off in the first few days: that'll put your mind at ease.
One thing nobody mentions is to check whether the cable has HDMI certification (it's usually written in small print). It's not that it's essential for what you're going to do, but it's an indicator that it went through some quality control. And honestly, modern HDMI cables are pretty tough if you don't twist them or step on them: most of them last you years even if they cost next to nothing. What you should definitely avoid is those five-cable packs for basically nothing - those are almost always junk.
I've fallen into the trap of cheap cables from the downtown shops and yeah, some of them didn't last at all, but then I realized the problem isn't so much the brand but where you buy it from. If you go to a store with a return policy (Ripley, Carrefour, Amazon depending on your country) at least you've got backup if it fails in the first month, which is when you can tell if it's fake. HDMI cables from known brands like Belkin or Anker in those big stores cost a bit more but the peace of mind is worth it, and honestly if you don't rough them up they last for years - the cable I've had for a while now is still in perfect condition. What I'd definitely avoid is any nameless stand in shopping galleries where there's no way to complain afterwards.
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