Low Cost Cables

Last Updated: December 19, 2007

Save Some Money

There is a huge markup on computer, TV, and audio cables.  Buy the same quality for 1/5 the price at MonoPrice.com and Blue Jeans Cable.com.  I've never had a quality issue with the products and the companies are reputable with good service.

Here are some examples:

• HDMI cable for HDTV, 6 feet (2m): $19 at MonoPrice.com (includes $4 shipping), $60 at Best Buy.
• USB 2.0 cable for printers, 6 feet (2m): $3 at MonoPrice.com (includes $2 shipping), $34 at Best Buy.
• Cat6 network cable, 14 feet (4m): $6 at MonoPrice.com (includes $3 shipping), $26 at Best Buy.
• Dual link DVI-D for LCD monitors, 6 feet (2m): $19 at MonoPrice.com (includes $8 shipping), $22 at Best Buy.
• SATA cable for hard drive, 1.5 feet (0.5m): $4 at MonoPrice.com (includes $2 shipping), not sold at Best Buy.

Specialty cables:

• One foot (30cm) USB 2.0 cables - great for traveling with notebook computers: $10 at CyberGuys (includes $6 shipping).
• Retractable USB 2.0 cables - great for traveling with notebook computers: $13 at CyberGuys (includes $6 shipping).

While Monster Cables may have better quality than the generic brands above, Gizmodo argues the extra quality is unnecessary and the picture quality is the same.