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You’re in the middle of watching your favorite tv show, and all of a sudden the picture on your television starts twisting and contorting. The sound from your speakers starts to cut out. You try everything you can to get it working properly again, but to no avail. So, what exactly is the problem? What can you do to get your picture and sound back to normal? The answer might be a new coaxial cable.
A coaxial cable is a wire that is designed to transfer radio signals from a source to a particular destination. These are the types of cables that are used to connect cable boxes to televisions, and televisions to satellite receivers.
The top 10 coaxial cables on the market for 2020
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mediabridge Coaxial Cable | Mediabridge | $$ | 4.9 |
 | KabelDirekt Coaxial Cable | KabelDirekt | $ | 4.9 |
 | C2G / Cables To Go Mini-Coax | C2G/Cables To Go | $$ | 4.9 |
 | Cable Matters Coaxial Cable | Cable Matters | $$ | 4.8 |
 | weBoost RG6 Low Loss Coax | weBoost | $$ | 4.7 |
 | Wilson Electronics Coax Cable | Wilson Electronics | $ | 4.5 |
 | GE 23210 Video Cable | GE | $ | 4.5 |
 | Monoprice Quad Shield CL2 | Monoprice | $ | 4.5 |
 | The Cimple Co Coax | The Cimple Co | $$ | 4.5 |
 | Belkin Thin Coax | Belkin | $ | 4.4 |
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
Introduction: What is a Coaxial Cable?
Contents
Coaxial cables are wires designed to transfer radio signals from a source to a destination with minimal interference. They are made up of a copper or aluminum wire that’s surrounded by several layers of rubber and plastic.
While the metal wire’s purpose is to transfer signals from one location to another, the purpose of the rubber and plastic is to insulate the wire, ensuring that it’s not disturbed by any exterior elements. This allows you to send strong, undisturbed radio signals indoors, outdoors, and through the walls of your house.
What are the Benefits of a Coax Cable?
While coaxial cables are probably most often used to connect cable boxes to televisions, they are also used to connect radio transmitters and receivers with antennas of all kinds. In other cases, coaxial cables are used to help connect to the internet.
Because they are insulated, and because they don’t allow much interference, they are the ideal cables to be used in conditions where external stimuli may affect the transfer of radio signals. These conditions include outdoor use, in-wall use, and inclimate weather-use.
How Can Coaxial Cable Be Made Less Visible?
Generally, coaxial cable doesn’t have any effective alternatives. It’s the best way to insulate the radio signals. But coaxial cables are thick and visible. They can be unsightly in your home.
Ideally, you can bundle excess cable behind your entertainment console. However, this isn’t always possible. If you have a wall-mounted TV, or if your TV is far away from your cable outlet, you’ll want to cover up the cable as much as possible.
For wall-mounted screens, you’ll probably want to thread the cable through the wall. If you need the cable to cross the room, consider threading it through the ceiling or floor. When that’s not possible, you might have to cover the cable with rugs as much as possible. The good news is coax cable is so durable you can place it through walls or even step on it each day without causing a problem.
Who are the Contenders for Best Coaxial Cable on the Market?
Mediabridge Coaxial Cable
Measuring in at 50 feet in length, this Mediabridge Coaxial Cable isn’t going to have any trouble reaching your device. Has an F-type connector that’s made out of nickel. It provides a strong signal and does so whilst being very durable. Made with tripled-shielded insulation, it’s perfect for uses of all kinds, whether those be indoor, outdoor, or through a wall.
KabelDirekt Coaxial Cable
Available in a number of sizes from 3 feet to 25 feet, this KabelDirekt coaxial cable can accommodate just about any purpose you need it for. Made with 24k gold-plated connectors and oxygen-free copper wiring, it provides a strong, and completely undisturbed signal. Equipped with a strong, flexible PVC exterior lining, it is both highly durable and easy to maneuver.
C2G / Cables To Go Mini-Coax
Made with 24k gold-plated connectors and strong, braided copper wiring, this C2G/Cables To Go coaxial cable provides as strong of a signal as you’re going to find in a coaxial cable. At 12 feet in length, it thrives in indoor situations. With a thin, flexible, durable design, it can be wrapped around, and put through different pieces of furniture in order to save space and reduce clutter.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Cable
In general, all coaxial cables are the same. They help to send a strong, undisturbed signal from a power source to a device. However, there are several slight differences in each cable that serve to make all the difference in the functionality of that cable itself. Everything from the way the cable is made, to the type of connector attachment it possesses, to its length, to the way it is designed assists in its overall performance and functionality. These factors determine whether or not a cable has a good signal or a great sigal.
Construction
In general, all coaxial cables are constructed in the same way. They possess a central conductor cable, surrounded by a thin layer of plastic insulation, which is surrounded by a wire mesh that provides further insulation and prevents interference, which is surrounded by a final piece of insulation that’s made of heavy-duty rubber.
Connector Type
Most coaxial cables make use of one of three different types of connectors. These three types of connectors are F-type, BNC, and RCA. While the F-type connector is the most common and is typically used for televisions and DVD players, BNC and RCA types serve their own particular purposes when needed.
Length
Coaxial cables come in a number of different lengths, from 3 feet to 100 feet, and sometimes even longer. It’s important that the cable you purchase suits your particular needs, both now and in the future.
Design
From different lining colors to different connector styles, coaxial cables can see quite a bit of variance in design. When choosing a cable, it’s best to look for one with a gold-plated connector attachment and oxygen-free copper, braided copper wires. This type of design will yield the best overall signal.
Construction
C2G / Cables To Go Mini-Coax
Equipped with flexible lining and enlarged rubber jack stems to further insulate the wire, this C2G/Cables To Go coaxial cable provides a well-protected signal to your tv and other devices. Made thin and flexible, it is easy to wrap around obstacles without getting in the way.
KabelDirekt Coaxial Cable
Constructed with oxygen-free copper wires and lined with double the amount of a coaxial cable’s typical insulation, this KabelDirekt coaxial cable does a great job of blocking interference. With lining made of PVC and a jack stem made out of hard plastic, this cable is highly durable, ensuring a long lifespan.
Mediabridge Coaxial Cable
In terms of construction, this MediaBridge coaxial cable is a step below the KabelDirekt and C2G/Cables to Go cables in our top 3. It is not quite as durable, however, it is specifically designed for in-wall use. This makes it perfect for connecting to devices that are not in the same room as the their power source.
Connector Type
Mediabridge Coaxial Cable
This MediaBridge coaxial cable makes use of an F-type connector, making it appropriate for connecting to televisions, cable boxes, satellite receivers, and any other device that possesses an F-type output jack. Its connectors are nickel-plated and are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use.
KabelDirekt Coaxial Cable
Like the Mediabridge coaxial cable reviewed above, this KabelDirekt cable makes use of an F-type connector. If you’re looking to connect to cable boxes, VCRs, DVD players, or satellite receivers, this cable does the job.
C2G / Cables To Go Mini-Coax
Like the MediaBridge and KabelDirekt coaxial cables in out top 3, this C2G/Cables To Go coaxial cable possesses an F-type connector. This makes it appropriate for attaching to anything from cable boxes, to DVD players, to anything else that possesses an F-type output jack.
Length
Mediabridge Coaxial Cable
Measuring in at a staggering 50 feet, this MediaBridge coaxial cable is ideal for cases where the source device is a long distance from the cable’s origin. This makes it great for in-wall use as well as outdoor use, though there’s no reason that you couldn’t also use it indoors.
C2G / Cables To Go Mini-Coax
Measuring in at 12 feet in length, this C2G/Cables To Go coaxial cable is just about the ideal size for any living room. It’s long enough to reach just about any cable box, while short enough that it won’t leave a great deal of excess cable lying around.
KabelDirekt Coaxial Cable
While it’s the shortest coaxial cable on our list at just 3 feet, this KabelDirekt coaxial cable can also be found in lengths of 6 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet, 20 feet, and 25 feet. So, regardless of what you’re trying to connect to, there is likely a KabelDirekt coaxial cable that can do the job.
Design
KabelDirekt Coaxial Cable
As far as design goes, this KabelDirekt cable is the gold-standard of coaxial cables. With a 24k gold-plated connector, strong, braided aluminum wiring, and copper-plated outer wall, it provides both a very strong signal and a very strong shield against interference. With a shiny, black aesthetic, it would look great in any room it’s placed in.
C2G / Cables To Go Mini-Coax
Made with a pure copper conductor and a 24k gold-plated connector, this C2G/Cables To Go coaxial cable delivers a very strong signal. With a dark blue lining, it will provide your house with a rather attractive modern touch, and not just an unsightly, plain, black wire.
Mediabridge Coaxial Cable
Made with braided, aluminum shielding, a copper clad center conductor, and two additional layers of insulation, this MediaBridge coaxial cable cuts down on interference while sending out a very strong signal. Equipped with connector covers, it’s simple to unscrew, allowing you to remove it with ease whenever needed.
Conclusion: Our Final Coax Cable Reviews
GE 23210 Video Cable 25-Ft RG59 Coax – Best Cheap
Perhaps you’re looking for a reliable coaxial cable but don’t want to spend a great deal of money on it. If so, you should consider this coaxial cable by GE. It’s the best coaxial cable at an affordable price. Measuring in at 25 feet in length, and possessing both a thin and flexible construction, it can easily be strung through furniture so that it can reach all the way across your room. Equipped with nickel-plated, F-type connectors and lined with heavy-duty rubber, it sends a strong, undisturbed signal at all times. If you’re looking for a very solid coaxial cable at a very affordable price, you must consider this one.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Excellent cable for long range purposes
- Strong, undisturbed signal
Cons:
- Connectors are a little flimsy
KabelDirekt Coaxial Cable – Best for the Money
For its price, this KabelDirekt coaxial cable is a very good buy. With gold-plated, F-type connectors and oxygen-free, braided copper wiring, it provides an extraordinarily strong signal with little to no interference. Insulated in a thin, flexible rubber exterior, you can wrap it around furniture so that it doesn’t cause any clutter. If you’re looking for the best coaxial cable at a very reasonable price, you should definitely check this out.
Pros:
- Superb signal strength
- Thin and flexible construction
- Durable PVC exterior lining
Cons:
- Not a great cable for outdoor use
Mediabridge Coaxial Cable – Best Overall
While there are a number of great coaxial cables on the market, in our opinion, this Mediabridge Coaxial Cable is the best coaxial cable around. Measuring in at a staggering 50 feet long, string it along indoors, outdoors, and through walls. With nickel-plated, F-type connectors, and a wire that is surrounded by triple-shielded insulation, it provides a strong, undisturbed signal at all times. If you’re looking for a high-quality coaxial cable that thrives in all sorts of different situations and conditions, this is the cable for you.
Pros:
- Very long
- Works exceedingly well in all situations and conditions
- Strong, undisturbed signal
Cons:
- A little stiff
All in All
Whether you’re connecting a cable box to a television, or any other receiver, a coaxial cable is a necessity. No other cable type will give you a stronger, and more consistent signal.
Long, durable, and well-constructed cables like the Mediabridge Coaxial Cable allow you to connect to a number of different devices, whether you have to string it along inside, outside, or through your wall. Want to ensure a perfect signal at all times? Invest in a high-quality coaxial cable.