In most cases, a $100 HDMI cable won't be better than a $10 cable. But there are some exceptions. 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.

The cleanest way to shop is by cable category, not version number. Under the HDMI Licensing Administrator's rules, version numbers aren't allowed by themselves in the labeling, packaging or promotion of cable products. The official categories are more useful: Premium High Speed HDMI cables are certified for up to 18Gbps, Ultra High Speed HDMI cables support up to 48Gbps and Ultra96 HDMI cables support up to 96Gbps.

You likely don't need the fastest one. If you're mainly streaming video, the 18Gbps supported by a Premium High Speed HDMI cable is already enough for most 4K streaming. Gaming can be more demanding, with 4K/120Hz falling within the capabilities of an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable connected to one of the best gaming TVs.

Cable length is the other big exception to the cheap-cable rule, and there isn't a universal 10- or 15-foot cutoff. The HDMI Licensing Administrator doesn't specify a maximum cable length because the workable distance depends on the cable's type and construction. At the higher demands of Ultra High Speed HDMI, however, it says cables longer than a few meters are likely to need powered active circuitry.