Are you tired of audio dropouts and poor sound quality? Upgrading to the best optical cable can change your listening experience. These cables deliver clear, crisp audio directly to your ears. Optical cables, also called TOSLINK cables, use light to transmit digital audio signals. This offers a big improvement over traditional copper cables. While all optical cables offer significant advantages over copper, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure optimal performance for your setup:
- Length: Choose an optical cable with the right length to easily connect devices. Options include 6, 10, and 35 feet.
- Construction: Select durable optical cables. Standard rubber is common, but braided cables offer enhanced strength and longevity.
- Compatibility: For best performance, go for a cable with at least 9 Mbps bandwidth. It supports high-definition audio formats like Dolby Digital and DTS for great sound.
Despite these being key aspects of optical cables, there’s still more to consider. Each recommended optical cable here includes detailed features and specifications. Additionally, a complete “Buying Guide” is provided to help you choose the best optical cable by the end of this listicle.
Best Optical Cables: Table
| Optical Cables | Length | Construction | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Digital Optical Audio Toslink Cable | 6 feet | Rubber cable | Check On Amazon |
| KabelDirekt Optical Digital Audio Cable | 10 feet | Rubber cable | Check On Amazon |
| IvankyIDigital Optical Audio Cable | 10 feet | Braided cable | Check On Amazon |
| BlueRigger Digital Optical Audio Cable | 35 feet | Rubber cable | Check On Amazon |
| Syncwire SW-DO069 Optical Audio Cable | 5.9 feet | Rubber cable | Check On Amazon |
| WARRKY Fiber Optic Cable | 6 feet | Braided cable | Check On Amazon |
| FosPower Gold Plated Toslink Cable | 3 feet | Braided cable | Check On Amazon |
| CableCreation Toslink Cable | 12 feet | Rubber cable | Check On Amazon |
| Suplong Optical Audio Toslink Cable | 6 feet | Braided cable | Check On Amazon |
| EMK Digital Optical Audio Cable | 3 feet | Braided cable | Check On Amazon |
Best Optical Cable Reviews
1. Amazon Basics Optical Cable
Amazon Basics is Amazon’s own brand which is known for offering a wide range of handy products and accessories including an optical cable which is fairly affordable for most users.
Starting with its length, this is a 6-foot-long optical cable which makes it highly versatile for most kinds of applications and uses.
As for its construction, it is a rubber cable which makes it quite flexible and practical in tight spaces. Even though it only comes with a 1-year warranty, it is still better than nothing when you are talking about the reliability of this optical cable.
Best Features:
- Rated cable length of 6 ft
- Offers a rubber cable construction
- Easily connects a sound bar, CD player, Blu-Ray player, game console, or other device to an audio system or TV.
Pros:
- Entry-level optical cable
- The cable is very thick.
- Great sound quality
Cons:
- Not Fit for some devices.
2. KabelDirekt Optical Digital Audio Cable
When compared to most other options, KabelDirekt is a highly affordable brand of cables due to which it is highly popular since most of its offerings are perfect for those who are on a tight budget.
Even at its entry-level price tag, you still get a 10 feet cable length which is quite high for most.
While its given rubber cable is quite flexible and easy to work with, it is not the most durable one which reflects its entry-level price tag. Thankfully, you do get a 3-year warranty with this optical which is quite great for the given price.
Best Features:
- Rated cable length of 10 ft
- Offers a rubber cable construction
- 24K gold-plated connectors
Pros:
- Highly affordable and budget-friendly option
- Quite long for heavy-duty usage for the given price
- The Long warranty period for peace of mind
Cons:
- Build quality could have been better
3. IvankyI Digital Optical Audio Cable
Ivanky and its cable offerings can be a great option for many users especially for those who are looking for highly durable and well-built cables for connecting audio devices.
The Ivanky optical cable is one of the most durable and best-built options available out there. Not only that but since you also get a 10 feet length with this optical cable, it is pretty great for heavy-duty usage as well.
As for its construction, this optical cable is a braided cable which makes it one of the strongest at the expense of its flexibility and ease of use. Since this optical cable is supposed to be highly durable, it also offers a 4.5-year warranty which is always great to have.
Best Features:
- Rated cable length of 10 ft
- Offers a braided cable construction
- Comes with a 4.5-year warranty
Pros:
- Highly sturdy and strong optical cable
- Has clear sound and a good connection
- Good performance
Cons:
- Not the most flexible optical cable
4. BlueRigger Digital Optical Audio Cable
BlueRigger is a comparatively premium and high-end brand of optical cables which is known for its heavy-duty offerings that offer high-end specifications and construction.
To be exact, you get a length of 35 feet with this optical cable which is much higher than any other option out there making it perfect for heavy-duty usage.
To ensure that you can use such a long optical cable easily, it offers a rubber cable. And thanks to its included lifetime warranty, you do not have to worry about its longevity either since it can easily last for a long time.
Best Features:
- Rated cable length of 35 ft
- Offers a rubber cable construction
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
- Perfect for heavy-duty usage with a long length
- High-quality construction with proper flexibility
- Picture quality very nice 4K video support.
Cons:
- Quite an expensive optical cable
5. Syncwire SW-DO069 Optical Audio Cable
You can also consider Syncwire and its optical cables if you are looking for something premium that offers great audio as well as build quality.
Syncwire’s optical cable can be a great option if you do not have any budget restrictions. Since this is a premium optical cable for all kinds of usage, it offers a cable length of 5.9 feet which is pretty versatile for most users.
Being a high-end optical cable, you also get a rubber construction that is quite premium and highly flexible for all kinds of usage. However, even at its premium price tag, you only get a 1-year warranty with it.
Best Features:
- Rated cable length of 5.9 ft
- Offers a rubber cable construction
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
Pros:
- The Premium and high-quality construction
- Standard length for most users
- Good value for money
Cons:
- The plug barely sits inside the plug
6. WARRKY Fiber Optic Cable
The WARRKY Optic Cable excels in digital audio transmission, offering clear and precise sound. It uses high-quality fiber cores from TORAY, Japan, for an authentic, distortion-free experience. This cable supports uncompressed PCM audio and advanced surround sound formats like Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD, making it ideal for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.
A major advantage of this cable is its sturdy build. It has a durable nylon braided jacket that resists tangling and kinking. The aluminum casing and gold-plated connectors enhance its look and reliability.
User-friendly features like an anti-losing buckle and rubber caps to protect against dust. These additions ensure a secure connection and maintain the cable’s integrity, even with frequent use.
Best Features:
- Rated cable length of 6 ft
- Compatibility with TVs, PCs, Gaming Consoles
- Tangle-free, lightweight, flexible
- Aluminum casing, anti-losing buckle
Pros:
- Highly durable with nylon braiding
- Flexible, easy installation
- Compatible with a wide range of devices
Cons:
- May not fit some tightly spaced ports due to the robust design
7. FosPower Gold Plated Toslink Cable
FosPower is a highly reputable and popular brand of optical cables especially when you are talking about affordable and budget-friendly options that still offer great construction.
This FosPower optical cable is one of the smallest options given here making it perfect for tight spaces which is to be expected at its given price tag. To be exact, this is an optical cable rated for 3 feet long which is much smaller than others.
But the best thing about this optical cable is that you get a braided construction with it which is perfect for long-term usage. In fact, this optical cable also offers a lifetime warranty making it one of the most durable and reliable options out there.
Best Features:
- Rated cable length of 3 ft
- Offers a braided cable construction
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
- Fairly entry-level and budget-oriented option
- Perfect for connecting a sound bar to a TV
- High-quality gold plated connectors
Cons:
- Not the longest option for heavy-duty usage
8. CableCreation Toslink Cable
CableCreation is one of the most popular brands of cables since it offers a wide range of options and most of its offerings are great for heavy-duty usage in most cases.
For starters, this optical cable is rated for 12 feet in length which is one of the longest ones out there.
This CableCreation optical cable also features a rubber construction which is always great to have for ease of use. Although, if you are looking for something reliable, then this might not be the best option since it only offers a 2-year warranty.
Best Features:
- Rated cable length of 12 ft
- Offers a rubber cable construction
- High-quality PVC Jacket
Pros:
- One of the longest optical cables
- Quite a great build quality with proper flexibility
- Works excellently with the soundbar
Cons:
- Doesn’t fit properly
9. Suplong Optical Audio Toslink Cable
The Suplong Digital Optical Cable is perfect for those who want both durability and great sound. This cable delivers clear and accurate audio. Its heat-resistant fiber core prevents any signal loss, keeping the sound true to the original.
It’s very versatile and connects quickly to devices like sound bars, CD players, and gaming consoles. The premium nylon braid adds protection and makes the cable more resistant to wear and tear. The high-strength ABS material ensures the joints stay intact, even when bent.
The rust-proof gold-plated connectors improve audio transmission and add a touch of style. Raised buckles ensure a stable connection, and the removable rubber caps protect against dust when not in use.
Best Features:
- Rated cable length of 6 ft
- Heat-resistant fiber
- High-strength ABS material
Pros:
- Strong and durable design
- Compatible with a broad array of devices
- Good Performance
Cons:
- Slightly bulkier than other models, which may affect port fit
10. EMK Digital Optical Audio Cable
The EMK Digital Optical Audio Cable is great for those who want premium build quality and reliable performance. The cable has a strong cotton braided jacket, which protects the optical fiber lines and ensures a smooth signal flow. It is fully certified, so you know you’re getting top quality.
This cable works well with home theaters, sound bars, and gaming setups. It is compatible with standard and high-definition devices with Toslink ports. The PMMA fiber core improves signal transmission and prevents interference from electromagnetic and radio frequencies, which is vital for clear digital audio.
The design includes dustproof rubber caps to protect the connectors when not in use. It is also very flexible, which reduces stress on digital optical audio ports. These features make the cable durable and long-lasting.
Best Features:
- Compatibility with Home Theater, Sound Bar, TV, PS4, Xbox
- Audio Supports PCM, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD
- Dustproof, EMI/RFI resistance
Pros:
- Exceptional sound quality with no interference
- Premium materials and build for durability
- Flexible and easy to install
Cons:
- The stiffness of the cable might require careful handling
Buying Guide For The Best Optical Cables
If you are familiar with audio devices made for TVs, then you must know that most of them don’t use 3.5mm audio jacks anymore. Instead, they rely on optical connectors since you do not lose any audio quality while using one.
Thus, we have already given some of the best optical cables up above in this listicle. With these various optical cables, you can also find their important details and factors to help you pick the right one. But if you want to know even more, consider checking out this detailed buying guide for the best optical cables:
1. Length
Since an optical cable is used for connecting audio devices to your TV, it is highly likely that your speaker or soundbar is placed far away. Due to this, having a long enough cable that can connect your speaker or soundbar along with your TV is quite important. As a result, you can find various cable lengths while buying an optical cable.
This includes options like 3 feet long, 6 feet long, 10 feet long, 12 feet long, and even 35 feet long in some cases. You can go with any of these lengths depending on your requirements where a 6 feet long cable is generally considered to be the most versatile length.
2. Construction
Even though you do not reconnect your optical cable, again and again, having a strong and durable optical cable is always great to have. Because of the same, checking the construction and the materials used by your optical cables is quite important.
Starting with the most common design, you will generally find optical cables to have a rubber construction which is decent for most users. But if you want something much more durable and stronger, then you can also find a few optical cables that offer a braided construction that can easily last for much longer.
3. Connector Quality
Connectors are crucial for the performance of optical cables. High-quality connectors ensure a stable connection, reducing the risk of disconnection and signal loss. Look for connectors that fit snugly into the optical port. They shouldn’t be too tight or too loose. Gold-plated connectors are recommended because they resist corrosion and wear, ensuring the cable lasts longer and performs reliably. Also, check for a firm attachment method, such as a locking mechanism, to keep the cable secure during use.
4. Compatibility
Most modern audio gear uses standard Toslink connectors, but some portable devices may need mini-Toslink or other types. Also, ensure the cable supports all audio formats you plan to use, like LPCM, Dolby, and DTS. This will prevent compatibility issues. Checking the product specs and your device manuals for details can help avoid mismatches.
Best Optical Cables – FAQs
If you are getting an optical cable, then it is most likely going to be used along with your TV for connecting audio devices. This can include audio devices like speakers, soundbars, audio interfaces, and much more.
Unlike an RCA cable or an aux cable, optical cables use digital optical signals for transferring audio signals. Because of this, there is no difference in terms of the audio quality between two different optical cables.
Since optical cables use optical signals for transferring audio data, their signal strength or quality does not get affected easily even over a long distance. Due to this, you can easily use long optical cables made for heavy-duty usage.
Conclusion
An optical cable is one of the most important cables that you will need for use along with your TV if you want to connect any kind of audio device. Since it offers great audio quality at all times, it is quite common in soundbars and other audio devices made for TVs.
Hence, we have already discussed some of the best optical cables up above. Alongside these various optical cables, we have also given their major details and features. You can also find an extensive buying guide related to the best topical cables to easily pick the right one for you. But if you are still confused, consider checking out our favorite recommendations for the best optical cables:
- If you’re on a budget and need something affordable, the KabelDirekt optical cable is a great choice. It’s the cheapest option listed and offers a 10-foot length. KabelDirekt also includes a 3-year warranty, which is beneficial for most users.
- For heavy-duty use, consider the BlueRigger optical cable. It has a 35-foot length, much longer than others. Paired with its lifetime warranty, this premium cable is ideal for long-term use.
- The Suplong optical cable is a solid pick. It has a 6-foot length and braided construction, which is impressive. With a lifetime warranty, this cable is built to last.
One Response
Hi Bro,
Your cable creation optical cable is very gook quality. I use this product.