When on the quest to improve your tone, you might look to a new pedal, amp or even guitar. However, one of the easiest ways to clean up your signal is to invest in one of the best guitar cables.
It might not be the most exciting purchase you make, but the best guitar cables really can help improve your tone and get rid of any unwanted background noise or interference. Like fresh strings and a decent set-up, a quality cable should be an inherent part of your rig – forgoing it could lead to tone degradation, or even an on-stage disaster.
For around $40-50, you can pick up a good quality guitar cable that’s going to keep your tone intact, and likely last you a good few years. We’ve tested countless cables and scoured the market to bring you the best guitar cables currently for a range of players and budgets.
The quick list
The Mogami Gold Series is widely regarded as the best guitar cable on the market for good reason, thanks to high-quality construction, excellent sound transfer and lifetime warranty. It features a heavy gauge, oxygen-free copper core with an ultra-high density spiral shield, which means minimum interference in your guitar signal.
Fender Professional Series cables provide players with a cost-effective option for all their cabling needs. The wide gauge of this cable offers a reassuring feel, despite its low price compared to some of the other cables on this list. The outer PVC jacket also has a ‘physical memory’ to prevent it from getting tangled, no matter how badly you wrap it up after rehearsal.
The Ernie Ball Braided Cables eschew the tired old black cable aesthetic for something far edgier with a hige range of vibrant color options. Braided cables are also far more resistant to tangling than their PVC-covered cousins while also offering a reliability upgrade due to the hardy exterior – ideal for life on stage.
The best feature of the American Stage cable is its connectors. Neutrik is widely acknowledged as producing the best in the business. The Geo Tip connectors on offer ensure a rock-steady connection, no matter what kind of guitar you play. The connectors use HelioFused soldering to connect the inner cabling for added reliability.
When you’ve got endorsements from Dave Gilmour, Jeff Beck and Guthrie Govan, you know you’re doing something right. Evidence Audio’s Lyric HG guitar cable is a premium offering for guitarists that take their tone seriously. The dual solid core is made of refined IGL copper which is what gives this cable its incredibly transparent tone transfer.
Low capacitance is the name of the game here, giving you probably the best value per meter on the market today. This means you get an incredibly clear guitar tone, and when switching from higher capacitance cables you’ll feel like a veil has been taken off your amp speaker. The gauge of the cable is also very thin, which makes it particularly lightweight but still incredibly durable.
Aside from the vintage aesthetic, these cables feature everything you’d want from a modern cable – they’re fully shielded to prevent unwanted electrical interference. They’re manufactured by Switchcraft too, which is known for creating high-quality parts.
Best overall
Hailing from Nagano, Japan, Mogami swiftly earned its reputation as the preferred option for seasoned musicians in search of the utmost reliability and precision in signal transfer. The Mogami Gold Series cable is widely regarded as the best guitar cable on the market for good reason, regularly topping best-of lists thanks to its high-quality construction and excellent sound transfer.
It features a heavy gauge, oxygen-free copper core with an ultra-high density spiral shield, which means a minimum of interference in your guitar signal. To help with noise reduction, the outer cable construction is conductive carbon-impregnated PVC.
The quality doesn’t stop there and Mogami’s gold jack connectors ensure optimal signal integrity, so you won’t have any issues with frustrating breakup. It comes in an array of lengths to meet the needs of everyone from bedroom warriors to the regularly touring musician, and when something comes with a lifetime warranty, you know it means business.
Best on a budget
Manufactured to the same exacting standards as the company's guitars and iconic tube amps, Fender Professional Series cables provide players with a cost-effective option for all their cabling needs. Whether you need to wire up a pedalboard or plug in on a large stage, the Professional Series will do so with budget-friendly convenience.
The wide gauge of this cable offers a reassuring feel, despite its low price compared to some of the other cables on this list. The outer PVC jacket also has a ‘physical memory’ to prevent it from getting tangled, no matter how badly you wrap it up after rehearsal.
Featuring 95% OFC spiral shielding, it reduces unwanted noise and interference to a minimum, transparently delivering your guitar tone. Available in a huge number of lengths, you won’t have to look far to find one of these to meet your needs. Although the connectors aren’t gold plated, that's perhaps no surprise given the wallet-friendly cost.
Best for style
The Ernie Ball Braided Cables eschew the tired old black cable aesthetic for something far edgier. Ensuring excellent sonic transfer, these high-quality cables offer excellent durability and look great whilst doing it.
Braided cables are far more resistant to tangling than their PVC-covered cousins while also offering a reliability upgrade due to the hardy exterior. This means these cables will be more than adequate to stand up to the use and abuse of life on the road.
Dual conductors reliably transfer your guitar tone clearly with crisp highs, tight mids and rich harmonics. It’s a very well-shielded cable that delivers a minimum of interference and susceptibility to extraneous noise. Although there is plenty of color choice, the limited cable length options may not make them applicable for every situation, particularly pedalboards.
Best for connections
Planet Waves by D’Addario has been manufacturing guitar cables for a long time now, so it knows a thing or two about making a cable that can put up with the rigors we guitar players like to put them through. The American Stage guitar cable upholds D’Addario’s fantastic reputation, and for the quality it delivers, it comes at a very reasonable price.
Perhaps the best feature of the American Stage cable is its connectors. Neutrik is widely acknowledged as producing the best connectors in the business. It's a comforting sight knowing that their exceptional components are part of the package. The Geo Tip connectors on offer ensure a rock-steady connection, no matter what kind of guitar you play. The connectors use HelioFused soldering to connect the inner cabling for added reliability.
This is a low-capacitance, audiophile-grade cable for transparent tone transfer, with an oxygen-free copper conductor for exceptional signal transfer. It utilizes 95% tinned copper braiding, virtually eliminating noise and interference.
Best for recording
When you’ve got endorsements from Dave Gilmour, Jeff Beck and Guthrie Govan, you know you’re doing something right. Evidence Audio’s Lyric HG guitar cable is a premium offering for guitarists that take their tone seriously.
The dual solid core is made of refined IGL copper which is what gives this cable its incredibly transparent tone transfer, as well as its stiff construction. This cable features Neutrik connectors and TRT Wonder Solder so it will put up with plenty of strain.
It’s hard to fathom the effect a guitar cable can have on your sound, but we saw a noticeable difference using these cables. There was more body and definition in our guitar tone with plenty of bite and attack once the break-in period was through.
However, this Evidence cable may be best left in the studio. Not only is it super expensive and cables often mysteriously go missing at venues, but its stiffness can make it a little awkward to move about on stage, being rather restrictive. On the other hand, if you’re in the studio, accept no substitutes.
Best lightweight cable
George Lewis made his name selling cable in bulk, allowing guitar players to custom spec lengths for their particular needs. This ready-made version of George L’s cable means you can get that renowned sound instantly.
Low capacitance is the name of the game here, giving you probably the best value per meter on the market today. This means you get an incredibly clear guitar tone, and when switching from higher capacitance cables you’ll feel like a veil has been taken off your amp speaker.
The gauge of the cable is very thin, which makes it particularly lightweight but still incredibly durable. It is somewhat susceptible to tangling when longer lengths are used, but the quality of tone transfer more than makes up for it. Although there’s nothing too fancy about the connectors, they are adequately durable and give you a comforting ‘click’ when slotted into your output jack. No complaints here.
Best vintage
Taking inspiration from cables of the 1950s and 1960s, this offering from Gibson is perfect for lovers of all things vintage. With authentic connectors and a distinctive grey finish, it’s ideal for pairing with your Golden Era Gibson.
Aside from the vintage aesthetic, these cables feature everything you’d want from a modern cable – they’re fully shielded to prevent unwanted electrical interference. They’re manufactured by Switchcraft too, which is known for creating high-quality parts. It’s made using very low capacitance conductors to ensure that your tone remains untouched.
All in all, this is a fantastic, functional guitar cable with plenty of old-school character.
More we've tested
We test a lot of cables here at Guitar Player. While we would point you to the top 7 highlighted above first, these are more cables we've also loved recently.
Renowned for its world-famous, indestructible effects pedals, Boss also has a range of fantastic guitar accessories. Boss Instrument Cables offer outstanding value for money, giving you a cable that’s reliable and durable without costing the earth.
A studio-grade, oxygen-free copper core delivers transparent tone transfer, whether you’re going straight to your guitar amp or wiring up a pedalboard. The 24K gold-plated contacts have been custom-designed for maximum sound reproduction.
The braided exterior prevents any unwanted tangling whilst further enhancing the reliability of this cable. Boosting longevity is another key perk; if you're tired of swapping cables after every gig, snag one of these. Boss' woven jacket is one of the most durable in the business and considering its price, this is seriously impressive.
Available in a wide variety of lengths, including patch cables as well as the solderless pack for wiring your pedalboard, this is one of the best value guitar cables you can buy today.
When a cable carries a lifetime warranty and the Fender brand name, you know it means business. Despite not being the first name that comes to mind when you think of cables, these are extremely high quality.
Custom-molded 24-karat gold-plated connectors deliver a solid and reliable connection, strong enough to put up with plenty of abuse. It’s a thick-gauge cable too, which feels nice and solid, working in tandem with the braided jacket to prevent any unwanted tangling. Unlike other braided cables, this one isn’t overly stiff, so if you’re looking for a stage cable, this is a brilliant choice.
Excellent shielding prevents interference from clouding your pristine guitar tone, while there are various size options, from pedalboard-friendly sizes to 25-foot length, that will cover the biggest stages. Moreover, if the yellow tweed isn’t to your taste, Fender also produces it in black for those after something a little more discreet.
As well as making high-quality guitars, PRS also offers a premium guitar cable that’s handmade in London. Made in tandem with Van Damme Cabling, you’re getting a serious guitar cable here, one that’s used by the Foo Fighters, Radiohead, and many more.
This cable features Neutrik connectors, which are probably the most reliable on the planet, so you know it’s going to put up with plenty of abuse. The cable is lightweight thanks to the small diameter but still retains a premium feel to match its price.
A carefully tuned capacitance value means your guitar tone remains bright and crystal clear. It’s available in various lengths with right angle and straight jack options, plus you can upgrade to silent connectors for additional investment.
MXR’s Pro Series guitar cable offers the outstanding build quality you’d expect from any subsidiary of Jim Dunlop, one of the great guitar accessory manufacturers. This means this cable comes with a guarantee of long life and reliable performance.
A high-quality, 24 AWG oxygen-free copper center conductor delivers your tone reliably and transparently, whilst the 19-strand spiral shielding prevents any unwanted noise from entering your signal chain. While the connectors may not exude luxury, they provide everything you need – they are well-sealed, sturdy, and provide a reliable connection.
The PVC jacket is flexible, yet still firm enough to assist in preventing any unwanted tangling or kinks. It’s extra thick so will put up with you standing on it repeatedly just as easily as it will with frequent coiling and uncoiling. Since this cable is a winner in our books, it’s unfortunate that MXR doesn't offer it in more lengths. That aside, there’s not much to complain about and this MXR cable delivers on all fronts.
The second coiled cable offering on this list, this time from vintage leviathans Vox, certainly inspires a classic rock aura. Modeled after a classic design, this cable has featured in many iconic moments in rock history.
To get around the dreaded ‘tone suck’ coiled cables allegedly have on your tone, Vox uses a 99.9% purity, oxygen-free copper conductor to help prevent the loss of high end associated with these cables.
This cable also features a unique multi-gauge design. Individual conductor types are optimized for particular frequency ranges, which means you get a natural and organic-sounding electric guitar tone, great for vintage-lovers and modern players alike.
Vox keeps it simple with just one cable length at 29.5ft. It might not be the best fit for larger stages, but hey, for under $30, you're getting that sweet retro vibe. Plus, they've got a rainbow of color options – Black, Blue, Red, Silver, or White – so no matter what your guitar looks like, there's a cable that vibes with it.
Buying advice
How to buy the best guitar cable for you
You can trust Guitar Player. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
When buying the best guitar cable, you’d be forgiven for just grabbing the first one you see and being done with it. We get it, it’s not the most exciting thing in the world. The more you understand about how cables are constructed, however, the more you’ll understand the potentially unwanted effects cheap cables can have on your guitar tone. Budget guitar cables can introduce unwanted noise into your signal chain and their connectors often fail, usually at a most inopportune moment such as when you’re mid-way through your set. Save yourself the faff, and add a high-quality guitar cable to your rig.
The first thing you’ll want to look at is the connector. This is where a guitar cable is most likely to fail, so having a high-quality connector is a must if you want the best reliability and tone transfer. Neutrik connectors are amongst the best in the world, so keep an eye out for cables with these kinds of connectors as you know you’ll be getting a quality product. Your connector is subject to the highest stresses out of all the components in your guitar cable. Constant plugging and unplugging as well as the potential for pressure to be applied by accidentally stepping on your cable or catching it in something means that a top-quality connector is key.
Does cable length matter?
The length of a cable is important for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you need to consider how long you physically need it – do you need the length for playing on big stages, or do you just need something short for home use?
The longer a cable, the larger its effect on your tone. When your signal passes along the length of a cable, some is inevitably lost along the way, which results in some high-end sound loss when long cable lengths are used.
This isn’t necessarily a negative, however – Jimi Hendrix swore by the longer length of coiled cables as he liked the slight cut of top-end from his signal, so if you’ve got a guitar that is particularly treble-heavy, a longer cable might actually help your guitar tone.
What is capacitance in a guitar cable?
Lastly, another buzzword you’ll hear in relation to the best guitar cables is capacitance. Capacitance refers to how much electrical charge a cable carries. Generally, we don’t really want a guitar cable to carry too much charge – the higher the capacitance, the more signal degradation you’ll experience, starting with the higher frequencies. As a result, lower capacitance cables are generally preferred by most players.
Typically more expensive guitar cables use better materials and shielding, and thus have a lower capacitance, meaning less of an effect on your guitar tone.
Do more expensive guitar cables make a difference?
Like with most things, the more you pay, the better quality product you’ll get. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent cable, but it’s usually worth spending as much as you can afford, and it’s definitely not something to cheap out on.
More expensive cables will feature higher quality materials and better construction. This will give you a cable that retains a purer signal and one that lasts a lot longer. The last thing you need is a cable quitting on you whilst playing live, or halfway through a perfect take in the studio.
Better cables will also feature better shielding. This helps reduce the unwanted noise caused by things like neon lights and other electrical equipment.
What do I need to know about connectors?
The metal connectors are the part of the cable that undergo the most stress. Any time you move whilst your guitar is plugged in, the cable moves slightly and the plug remains in place, causing tiny amounts of stress. Good quality connectors, like Neutrik, can withstand this stress and keep going for years and years.
Conversely, cheap connectors are often the first thing to break on lesser quality cables and will mean you get a horrible crackly sound, or it will cut out completely.
Do gold-plated connectors make a difference?
If you’ve been on the hunt for the best guitar cables you’ve probably noticed one thing, gold-plated connectors. However, do gold-plated connectors make a difference or is it just a marketing trick? Well, the former is true, especially if you look at cable performance under a microscope. Gold connectors are much more conductive and, therefore, offer you better performance and a truer signal transfer. Gold is also less prone to corrosion, so if you take care of your cables and have them for years, gold connectors will hold up better over time.
However, noticing the sonic differences between gold and nickel connectors is a little harder to do in the real world – if you do a blind test, you’ll struggle to notice the sound difference. Also, rusty connectors aren't exactly a widespread problem with most cables – unless you're dealing with serious budget options. So, chances are, this won't be much of a headache for you.
How we choose the best guitar cables
Here at Guitar Player, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best guitar cables available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best guitar cables on the market right now.
Read more on how we test gear and services at Guitar Player.
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