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The simple swap is to stop buying one long HDMI cable and buy a cable sized to each connection. Measure each route, allow about two extra feet for a single connection (roughly one foot at each end), and check that the cable suits the devices it joins. Short, correctly sized cables leave little visible slack, which matters most around an open-back entertainment center where coiled surplus wire is easy to see.
Why surplus cable shows up
Many people buy a spare-length HDMI cable so they never run short, then route the extra length in loops behind the TV stand or cabinet. On an open-back unit, those loops are exposed. BGR’s guide, published September 27, 2026 by Michael Bizzaco, frames the fix as cable-length management: match the cable to the connection rather than defaulting to a long one. The guide describes “20-foot-or-longer” HDMI cables as likely to add excess cabling when they are not run inside a wall. That is an editorial example, not a measured threshold that applies to every room.
Measure each connection before you buy
- List every HDMI connection in the setup, such as source to TV, or source to AV receiver and receiver to TV. Measure each one separately.
- Measure the route the cable will actually follow, including bends, the gap behind the cabinet, and any vertical drop. A straight-line distance between the two ports underestimates the cable you need.
- Add about two extra feet for a single point-to-point connection, roughly one foot at each end. This is BGR’s practical rule of thumb, not an industry standard, and no independent study backs the figure.
- Choose the shortest cable that still gives that slack. A cable that is too short can put strain on connector ends and device inputs, so do not cut the allowance to save a few inches.
Right-size the cable for each device pair
The table below shows how the rule plays out in common cases. The lengths are illustrative and depend on your own measurements.
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| Connection | What BGR’s guide says or shows | How to size it |
|---|---|---|
| 4K Blu-ray player to an AV receiver sitting right beside it | Bizzaco’s example: “This 4K Blu-ray player will do just fine with a three-foot HDMI, because it’s plugging into my AV receiver, which it’s sitting right next to.” | Measure the short route, add the slack allowance, and use a short cable rather than a spare long one. |
| Run of 20 feet or more that is not routed inside a wall | Described as likely to add excess cabling; an editorial example, not a measured threshold. | Measure the real run first. A long visible run may need a different routing plan rather than a longer cable. |
| Console with a cable included in the box | Examples cited include PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, which may come with an HDMI cable. | Check the included cable’s length against your route before buying a replacement. Suitability depends on the setup. |
Check capability before you choose a cable
Length is only half of the decision. The cable also has to support the signal your devices send and receive.
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Ultra High Speed HDMI cables
HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. describes Ultra High Speed HDMI cables as designed for systems that need up to 48Gbps, as stated on its HDMI 2.2 Specification Overview. The organization also states in its statement on Ultra High Speed HDMI cable certification that “The cables are backwards compatible and can be used with all existing HDMI devices.” Attribute that wording to HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc.; it is an official technical statement, not an independent test.
If bandwidth matters for your setup, look for the official Ultra High Speed certification label. According to HDMI Licensing Administrator, certified cables must pass testing before they carry the label. Check device requirements first, though. Not every setup needs a top-tier cable, and a cable that is well sized for a short route with a verified label is usually a better buy than a long, unlabeled one.
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Cables that came with your devices
Before purchasing, check whether the device already included an HDMI cable. If the included cable is long enough for the measured route and the setup works, there is no need to buy a second one. If it is too long for the route, a shorter replacement will reduce visible slack.
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Use a coupler only as a fallback
A coupler can join two cables to rescue a connection that is slightly short. BGR’s guide calls couplers potentially finicky, so treat them as a contingency rather than the main fix. If a cable is a few inches short, measure the route again and check whether a different layout or a correctly sized replacement solves the problem more reliably.
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What “hidden” means here
The goal is to reduce visible slack and excess wire, not to put every cable inside a wall. A short, neatly routed HDMI cable can remain visible and still look clean. In-wall routing is a separate project with its own requirements and is not the basis of this swap.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Checklist before you order
- One measured route per HDMI connection, including bends and cabinet gaps.
- About two extra feet per point-to-point connection (roughly one foot at each end), used as a rule of thumb.
- Included cables checked for length and suitability before buying a replacement.
- Cable capability matched to the devices’ requirements.
- Official Ultra High Speed certification label checked if your setup needs up to 48Gbps.
- Coupler considered only if a single cable is slightly short and a correctly sized cable is not practical.
The original guide is BGR’s “This Simple Swap Makes It Easy To Keep TV Cables Hidden” by Michael Bizzaco, published September 27, 2026.
Quick Recap
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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