Audio & Video Cables

How to Choose the Best Audio & Video Cables in the UK: Top Stores, Brands and Buying Tips

Why good cables still matter for modern AV setups

Ever wondered if swapping a cheap cable for a better one will actually make your sound or picture better? Short answer: sometimes. While flashy marketing can overpromise, the right cable reliably delivers signal with minimal loss, avoids interference, and saves you head scratches when troubleshooting. Think of cables as the plumbing of your entertainment system — you may not always notice them, but they determine whether the flow is clean and steady or full of leaks and noise.

Where to shop: specialist and mainstream stores in the UK

If you’re hunting for HDMI leads, braided speaker cable, or soldered input cables for LED Downlights, you’ll want a mix of specialist and mainstream retailers on your shortlist. Below I walk through trusted options available across the UK, covering pros, the kinds of stock they carry, and when to choose each one.

Expert Electrical

Expert Electrical is a solid first port of call for electrical and cabling needs, especially if you’re looking for trade-grade products. They stock everything from heavy-duty Lapp Cable variants to branded consumer lines and often list long runs suitable for home theatre installs. If you need braided speaker cable or hard-wearing mains wiring, this is the kind of place that stocks it in bulk and trade lengths.

Currys

Currys is handy when you want consumer-friendly cables — HDMI, optical (Toslink), and typical AV interconnects — with easy returns and nationwide reach. It’s a good choice for quick replacements or when you prefer the convenience of click-and-collect. Currys focuses on plug-and-play items for TVs, soundbars and consoles rather than bulk electrical cabling.

Richer Sounds

If sound quality is your top priority, Richer Sounds is the specialist retailer to browse. Their staff are typically enthusiasts and can advise on speaker cable gauge, connector types, and whether a higher-priced cable is justified for your setup. They lean towards premium AV accessories and can help with auditioning gear if you want to hear the difference in person.

RS Components and Screwfix

RS Components and Screwfix are trade-focused outlets that stock a wide array of technical cables — multi-core control cable, mains cores for fixtures, and bulk lengths sold on reels. These are great if you’re installing Downlights or need professional-grade soldered input cables at longer lengths. Expect industrial specification sheets rather than glossy lifestyle shots.

Maplin and Ebuyer

Maplin (online) and Ebuyer cater to hobbyists, home installers and small businesses. They bridge the gap between consumer and pro lines: you’ll find everything from braided 3.3 ft leads for neat living-room runs to larger reels for in-wall installation. They’re useful when you want a balance of price and selection.

Amazon UK and specialist online shops

Amazon is unbeatable for selection and fast delivery, but quality varies by seller. Always check reviews and look for seller-rated products when buying premium braided or shielded cables. Specialist online shops (audio/video boutiques, lighting suppliers) are often the best bet for obscure connectors and branded items such as Lapp Cable or Luxuria Glorelle ranges.

Brands and products worth knowing about

There’s a difference between brand hype and real engineering. In the HTML data you’ll find references to Lapp Cable and Luxuria Glorelle — both names point to different market segments. Lapp Cable is known for robust, industrial-rated cable used by installers and trades. Luxuria Glorelle appears as a consumer-facing braided range, great for visible runs where looks matter as much as function. Knowing which brand fits your need saves time and money.

Lapp Cable (industrial and trade-grade)

Lapp Cable models are aimed at installers who need consistent electrical characteristics and endurance. If a product spec mentions multi-core and thicker cores like “2.5 mm” in metric terms, treat that as a thicker conductor suitable for power distribution or long speaker runs — in imperial, that’s roughly 0.098 inches in diameter for the conductor. Such cables handle heavier loads and longer runs without voltage drop.

Luxuria Glorelle (braided, consumer-friendly)

Luxuria Glorelle cables are the kind you choose when the cable is on display — braided jackets, bright colours, and flexible cores. They come in short lengths like the 3.3 ft option (1 metre) and long reels around 82 ft (25 metres), so you can match the length to the run and avoid excess tangles. These are great for speaker leads behind a media unit or visible TV runs where appearance matters.

Understanding cable types: what to use and when

Let’s simplify the alphabet soup of cable types. HDMI handles high-bandwidth audio and video over a single lead and is the default for modern gear. Optical (Toslink) carries digital audio and avoids electrical interference. RCA and component are older but still useful for legacy kit. Speaker cable is designed to carry power from an amplifier to speakers, and Ethernet can be used for modern AV control and even certain audio-over-IP setups.

HDMI — the modern all-in-one

HDMI is the go-to for Blu-ray players, consoles and most set-top boxes. For home installations, passive HDMI runs usually work well up to about 50 ft; beyond that you might need an active cable, a booster or a fibre HDMI solution. When buying, check for bandwidth ratings (e.g., support for 4K/120Hz or HDR) and gold-plated connectors for corrosion resistance.

Speaker cable — gauge matters more than glam

Speaker cable performance depends mostly on gauge and length. For typical living-room distances up to 25–50 ft, 16 AWG is generally fine; for runs around 50–100 ft step up to 14 AWG or 12 AWG. Don’t be distracted by exotic sheathing — focus on sufficient conductor size to reduce resistance, especially for passive speakers driven by modest amplifiers.

Optical and coaxial digital audio

Optical (Toslink) is immune to ground loops and electrical noise because it’s light-based, so it’s handy in electrically noisy setups. Coaxial digital audio uses a single RCA connector; it can carry the same digital signal but is susceptible to interference in messy cable environments. Both are fine for connecting older sound systems and soundbars.

Length and measurement — measure twice, buy once

Buying the right length saves time and frustration. Measure the run in feet rather than guessing: 1 metre equals about 3.3 ft, 3 metres is roughly 9.8 ft, 5 metres is about 16.4 ft, 25 metres converts to about 82 ft, and a 100-metre reel is roughly 328 ft. When a product listing in the shop mentions 1 m or 25 m, convert that to feet and buy the nearest size that avoids slack or tension.

Practical tip: add slack for routing

Always add a bit of slack — around 10–20% extra — to allow for routing behind skirting, around corners, or for future reconfiguration. A 16 ft measured run might actually need a 20 ft cable once you account for routing and neat coiling.

Shielding, conductors and jacket types

Shielding prevents radio frequency interference, which is crucial for unbalanced connections and long digital runs. Braided shields and foil shields are common; premium cables often combine both. Jackets come in PVC, rubber, and braided textile — choose based on visibility and wear: braided jackets look smart when visible, while PVC is fine for in-wall or hidden runs.

Braided jackets and aesthetic choices

Brands like Luxuria Glorelle make braided cables in varied colours — useful for colour-coding runs or complementing room décor. Braided jackets also reduce kinks, which is handy when you need to coil or uncoil frequently. Just be sure the cable’s electrical spec, not just the jacket, suits the job.

Installing AV cables and downlight inputs

Installing audiovisual cables and input leads for Downlights requires planning. For soldered input cables commonly used with RGBW or RGB downlights, typical short lengths available are around 3.3 ft (1 m) or around 9.8 ft (3 m) for easier connection in ceiling voids. If your downlight run calls for a 16 ft or longer series of connections, consider buying longer multi-core cable on a reel and cutting to size to maintain continuity and neatness.

Safety and compliance

For fixed wiring and ceiling installations, always check that cable is rated for in-wall use and meets electrical safety regulations. Use the right cable types for mains circuits versus low-voltage control wiring. If you’re unsure, a professional electrician is worth the investment to avoid hazards.

Budget vs premium cables — where to spend your money

Not every cable benefits from being expensive. For most people, spending a bit extra on well-made HDMI or a properly gauged speaker cable is enough. Save big-ticket spending for long runs, complex installs, or where the cable is subject to physical wear. In short: expensive doesn’t always equal audible or visible improvement, but build quality, correct gauge and proper shielding are worth paying for.

When premium is justified

Choose premium when you need longer runs, superior shielding in electrically noisy environments, or when connectors are handled often. If the cable will be visible and you want it to look the part, braided and colour-matched options can be worth the extra cost.

Comparing prices and finding the best deals

Comparison sites and price trackers make it easier to spot bargains, but be careful to compare like-for-like specs: gauge, shielding, connector plating and length. Trade shops will beat consumer shops on bulk prices, while specialist retailers may offer superior customer advice and audition opportunities. Use reviews and spec sheets to guide you rather than just the price tag.

Pro tip: buy by the metre/foot for custom installs

If you’re fitting a system with several unusual lengths, reels sold by the foot are often best value. Buying an 82 ft reel (25 m equivalent) and cutting to size lets you tailor runs precisely and avoid waste. Remember to add a little extra to each cut for routing and termination.

Final checklist before you buy

Here’s a quick checklist: measure the run in feet, decide gauge based on distance and power needs, choose shielded cables for digital or noisy environments, pick the right connectors for your devices (HDMI version, Toslink, RCA), and consider jacket type for appearance and durability. If you’re buying for a visible set-up, treat aesthetics and flexibility as part of the spec.

When to call in a pro

If your installation involves mains wiring, in-ceiling Downlights, or long in-wall runs, it’s smart to consult a qualified electrician or AV installer. They’ll ensure code compliance and help you choose the right materials, which often saves money and stress in the long run.

Conclusion

Cables may not be the most thrilling part of a home cinema, but choosing the right ones makes your whole system sing — literally and visually. Whether you shop at trade suppliers like Expert Electrical, mainstream retailers like Currys, or specialist stores and brands such as Lapp Cable and Luxuria Glorelle, focus on correct length in feet, appropriate conductor gauge, and shielding for the environment. Measure carefully, buy slightly long rather than short, and match cable quality to the importance of the run. Do that, and you’ll enjoy a hassle-free setup with clean signal transfer and fewer late-night troubleshooting sessions.