To help you find the best RCA cable for home theater setups, vintage stereos and more, we have researched a multitude of top designs, ensuring they provided a fantastic and reliable audio/video signal. We liked cables that were ultra-durable and those that offered plenty of length to suit a variety of different scenarios. Using these cables with the best home theater systems can really improve the quality of your sound system at home.
![JSAUX 2RCA to 2RCA Cable, [6.6ft/2M, Dual Shielded Gold-Plated] 2RCA Male...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Lj7KYZ4qL.jpg)
The best RCA cable we researched was easily the iMBAPrice Gold-plated Audio/Video cable. This high-quality RCA cable is available in a wide variety of length options, up to 100 feet, and features actual gold-plating along the connectors, making for a reliable and long-lasting audio/video feed. Keep reading to learn more about other high-quality RCA cables available for purchase.
Top 7 Best RCA Cable
#1 iMBAPrice Gold-plated RCA Cable
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Available in multiple length options, up to 100 feet, with each featuring gold contact cables for stability and colored tips for an easy installation.
- Wide variety of length options
- Gold contact cables for superior performance
- Colored for easy installation
- Not threaded or dual-shielded
- Can tangle if you aren’t careful
The iMBAPrice Gold-plated RCA Cable is one of the best RCA cables for turntables, thanks to a gold-plated contact cable that offers reliable and long-lasting performance, thanks to its rust-resistant properties. We also loved that these color-coded RCA cables are available in a large variety of length options, up to 100 feet, which suits nearly any setup in any home theater or vintage audio scenario.
Though the shielding is of a high-quality, these RCA cables do not feature dual-shielding, nor are they threaded. Additionally, these cables can tangle up behind the TV if you don’t have some type of cable management system in place.
#2 AmazonBasics 2-Male to 2-Male RCA Cable
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Great for cumbersome home stereo setups, thanks to availability in multipacks of up to 10, with each cable boasting corrosion-resistant gold-plated connectors that reduce interference and noise.
- Available in multipacks of up to 10
- Corrosion-resistant gold-plated connectors
- Colored red/white connectors make for an easy installation
- Maximum length of 15 feet
- Audio only
This AmazonBasics 2-Male to 2-Male RCA Cable is the best RCA cable for a vintage stereo, thanks to the simple left/right connections and the corrosion-resistant gold-plated tips. These high-quality cables are designed to reduce interference and external noise, resulting in a crisp and clear audio signal that is the perfect fit for hi-fi stereo systems. We also loved the colored red/white connectors, which made initial setup a breeze.
Though these RCA cables are excellent for audio, they do not contain a third cable intended for a video signal. Also, the maximum length here is 15 feet, which may not be adequate for some home audio systems.
#3 JSAux Home Theater RCA Cable
Award: BEST DURABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Double-shielded and threaded design, for durability, with a copper wire core and gold-plated connectors, helping to maintain a clear and noise-free audio signal.
- Tangle-free design
- Ultra-durable dual-shielding
- Copper wire core and gold-plated connectors
- 15 feet maximum length
- Not for video
This JSAux Home Theater RCA Cable is a fantastic choice as an audiophile RCA cable, thanks to several included features that enhance durability and sound quality, such as a dual-shielded and threaded design. We loved the gold-plated connectors and copper wire core, combining to create a stable and crisp audio signal, and the fact that these cables are built to resist tangling, so you won’t necessarily need a robust cable management system in place.
These RCA cables are only available in lengths up to 15 feet, with a minimum of four feet, which may impact individual stereo setups. These cables can also only carry an audio signal, so you’ll need a dedicated third party solution for a video signal.
#4 UGreen Hi-Fi RCA Cable
Award: EASIEST TO INSTALL
WHY WE LIKE IT: Incredibly easy to install, thanks to color-coded rubber rings that fasten securely and quickly, with gold-plated connectors and a double-shielded design.
- Flexible jacket for tight installations
- 24K gold-plated connectors to resist corrosion
- Rubber rings offer a firm and stable connection
- Max length 15 feet
- Cables can get tangled
The UGreen Hi-Fi RCA Cable is one of the best RCA cables for DJing, thanks to a design that features double shielding and 24K gold-plated connectors, which offer superior rust resistance and help to provide a stable and clear connection. We also loved the color-coded rubber rings, which easily fasten securely to an audio device. This is another feature that can ensure DJs won’t get interrupted during their set.
Though the PVC shell is durable and well-built, this RCA cable is not designed to resist tangling, so you may want to invest in a cable management system. Also, the maximum length available for purchase is 15 feet, which may not suit certain consumers.
#5 C2G 40465 Value Series RCA Stereo Audio Cable
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Budget-friendly price with plenty of high-end features, including a double-shielded design to prevent unwanted noise and a flexible PVC jacket, which makes it easier to install in tight locations.
- Flexible jacket for tight installations
- Length options up to 50 feet
- Double-shielded design prevents unwanted noise
- Not gold-plated, so rust could develop over time
- Easily tangles
This C2G 40465 Value Series RCA Stereo Audio Cable comes in at a budget-friendly price point while still offering features in line with more expensive competitors, such as a double-shielded design to enhance the audio quality and prevent unwanted background noise. We loved the flexible PVC jacket, which makes it easy to fasten it in tight areas such as the back of a TV as it is squeezed up against the wall. These RCA cables are also available in a wide variety of length options, maxing out at 50 feet.
Though these are generally well-designed cables that enhance audio quality, the connectors are not gold-plated, so rust could develop over time. Additionally, these cables can easily tangle if left unattended behind the television.
#6 FosPower RCA M/M Stereo Audio Cable
Award: BEST SIGNAL
WHY WE LIKE IT: Offers a crisp and clear signal, thanks to a polyethylene foam dielectric insulator and copper and aluminum braided shielding, in addition to featuring a tin-plated core for reduced oxidation and wire longevity.
- Copper and aluminum braided shielding
- Tin-plated core reduces oxidation
- Polyethylene foam (PF) dielectric insulator for minimal signal loss
- 3 feet length may not be right for all setups
- Connection can be loose with some audio devices
This FosPower RCA M/M Stereo Audio Cable creates a stunningly realistic audio signal that is free from noise due to RFI and EMI interference. The components are top notch, with a polyethylene foam (PF) dielectric insulator for minimal signal loss and copper and aluminum braided shielding. The tin-plated core and 24K gold-plated connectors also help with durability and wire longevity.
Though this is certainly a great choice for audiophiles, the maximum cable length here is short, at just three feet. Also, we found that the fitted connection could be somewhat loose with certain audio devices, though the signal was still pristine.
#7 KabelDirekt RCA Stereo Cable
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: High-quality cable with a double-shielded aluminum and mylar design that helps to prevent EMI and RFI signal interference, in addition to shipping with professional grade gold-plated connectors.
- Prevents EMI and RFI signal interference
- Professional quality 24K gold-plated connectors
- Double-shielded with aluminum and mylar
- Difficult to separate cables
- No tangle-free functionality
The KabelDirekt RCA Stereo Cable is an exceptionally durable and long-lasting item, with professional grade 24K gold-plated connectors and an aluminum/mylar double shielding along the exterior. The sound quality here is crisp and free of RFI and EMI interference, thanks to an oxygen-free copper core, and the premium plugs offer a secure and easy fit. The foil shielding also makes this a great candidate for being the best RCA cable for car audio and a fantastic choice for a car stereo.
Though this cable can technically be separated, to suit a variety of setups, we found the actual process to be somewhat difficult compared to other models. Additionally, there is nothing in the design that reduces or limits tangling, so you should adapt this cable to a management system of some kind.
See Also: Take a look at the best surge protectors if you are looking to protect your home theater system.
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How We Decided
To help narrow down to the above list, we preferred RCA cables that helped to produce crisp and gorgeous audio/video with minimal noise and interference, thanks to being built with high-grade components. We liked cables with connectors made with real gold, often 24K, which can help with both signal stability and rust resistance.
As far as installation, we preferred RCA cables with bendable PVC exteriors, allowing them to be plugged in to setups operating in tight spaces. We also appreciated cables that resisted tangling and those with double-shielded exteriors, for the purposes of signal strength and longevity.
We filled the above list with a nice mix of RCA cables that were intended for audio/video use, which ship with three connectors, and those that were for audio only. For the latter, we made sure the audio signal was pristine and free from interference and noise. Finally, we chose cables available in a wide variety of lengths, as long as 100 feet.
Best RCA Cable Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Audio or Audio/Video
Take a moment to consider what you need RCA cables for. Are you looking to send a signal from an older television set? In that case, you may want to make sure your chosen cable features three connectors, which allow for the presence of both audio and video signals. If you need to transmit a stereo audio signal, aux cables with 3.5mm connectors are a convenient option. Most RCA cables, however, are intended for use in home RCA audio setups. These feature two connectors, one for the left stereo field and one for the right stereo field. Another common option for audio/video is a coaxial cable. - Durability
RCA cables have several features designed to increase durability and extend the lifespan of the product. This includes shielding around the exterior of the cable, often aluminum or another metal, and gold-plated connectors. These gold connectors are especially resistant to rust, along with adding some stability in the signal. Other durability features include tin and copper-plating surrounding the core of the wire, reducing oxidation. You may be plugging and unplugging these cables regularly, so be sure to err on the side of durability. - Unwanted Noise and Interference
You are going to want to make sure your signal is clean and free of unwanted noise, whether you’re connecting a portable Bluetooth speaker or wiring up a home theater system with a center channel speaker. To that end, look for RCA cables that are designed from the ground up to eliminate interference due to RFI and EMI and other competitive signals. Some cables maximize signal strength via a number of other innovations, including double-shielding, copper wire cores, copper conductors, or the ability to go HDMI to RCA via a splitter cable.
ADDITIONAL Audio setup TIPS
Enhance your audio setup with these expert tips. Understand the benefits of HDMI ARC vs. Optical connections for superior audio transmission. Learn how to seamlessly integrate your Bluetooth speakers with gaming consoles using our guide on connecting Bluetooth speakers to Xbox One, and optimize your speaker’s performance with tips on using AUX mode in Bluetooth speaker and building a speaker amplifier. Explore unique setups such as installing Bluetooth speakers on a motorcycle and troubleshooting tips like fixing Bluetooth speaker connectivity issues. Discover top-rated AirPlay speakers and find the perfect center channel speaker to complement your home theater system.
