Answin

The Answin bidirectional HDMI to DisplayPort cable handles 4K 60Hz and 2K 144Hz in both directions without drivers or external power. At $30 USD, it's priced competitively and includes a USB power cable for older devices. It's not for HDMI 2.1 setups or long cable runs, but for standard desk use it's a dependable pick backed by a 4.4 star rating from over a thousand buyers.

The headline spec here is 4K at 60Hz, which is the ceiling for HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.2 territory. That's fine for most productivity work, streaming, and console gaming on a 60Hz panel. The cable also claims 2K at 144Hz, which is a nice bonus if you're running a high refresh rate 1440p monitor. Just don't expect 4K at 120Hz or any of the HDMI 2.1 features like VRR or ALLM. This isn't that cable.

In our database, this thing lands in the 18th percentile for gaming and 13th for HDR. That sounds rough until you remember it's a cable, not a display. Those scores reflect the fact that it caps out at 60Hz for 4K and doesn't carry HDR metadata particularly well. For a secondary monitor or a console setup where 60Hz is the target, it's perfectly adequate. For a high-end gaming rig pushing 4K 144Hz, you'd be leaving performance on the table.

The TCL Q6-Series and Hisense QD6 are actual televisions, so comparing them to a cable is a bit apples to oranges. But in the broader accessory space, the real competitors are cables from Cable Matters, Uni, and JSAUX. Cable Matters makes a similar bidirectional cable that's often a few bucks cheaper but has more reports of handshake issues with certain monitors. Uni's version is pricier but adds a more robust braided jacket.

Where the Answin stands out is the included USB power cable and the AMD Eyefinity support, which matters if you're running a multi-monitor setup with an AMD card. The 3.3 foot length is shorter than some competitors, so if you need to route around a desk or through a cable management system, you might want to look at a 6 foot option instead. For a clean desk setup where the cable just bridges two adjacent ports, the length is fine.

At $30 USD, this cable is priced right in line with other bidirectional HDMI to DP adapters. You can find cheaper one-directional cables for $12 to $15, but the bidirectional capability is what you're paying for here. The CAD 40 listing in Canada tracks similarly once you account for the usual exchange rate markup on Amazon.ca.

Compared to buying two separate one-way adapters, which would run you $25 to $35 total anyway, this is actually a decent deal. The included USB power cable is a thoughtful touch for older devices that don't provide enough juice over the HDMI port. For a cable that'll likely live behind your desk for years, the price feels fair.

The Answin bidirectional HDMI to DisplayPort cable is one of those unglamorous accessories that solves a very specific problem. You've got a laptop with HDMI out and a monitor that only takes DisplayPort, or maybe a graphics card with DP outputs and a TV that only speaks HDMI. This 3.3 foot cable handles both directions without needing a separate adapter or external power. It's a utility player, not a showpiece.

At $30 USD, this sits in that sweet spot where you're not buying the cheapest no-name cable from a gas station, but you're also not paying the premium that brands like Cable Matters or Uni charge for similar functionality. The 4.4 star rating across 1,041 reviews suggests most people get exactly what they expected. And honestly, for a cable, that's the whole ballgame.

The target audience is pretty clear. Multi-monitor traders who need to mix and match display inputs, content creators juggling different machines, and home theater folks connecting consoles to monitors. If you've ever stood in front of your setup holding two incompatible cables and sighed, this is for you.

If you're running an HDMI 2.1 setup with a 4K 120Hz display, a PS5 or Xbox Series X pushing high frame rates, or a gaming PC with an RTX 40-series card, this cable will hold you back. The lack of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth means no 4K 120Hz, no VRR, and no ALLM. You'd be better off with a dedicated HDMI 2.1 to DisplayPort 1.4 adapter, though those cost significantly more.

Also skip this if you need a longer run. At 3.3 feet, it's really only suited for adjacent ports on a desk. Anyone routing cables through walls, across a room, or to a wall-mounted TV should look at 6 to 10 foot options. And if you need audio return channel support for a soundbar setup, this cable doesn't carry ARC, so you'll need a different solution.

If you need a bidirectional HDMI to DisplayPort cable and your setup tops out at 4K 60Hz or 2K 144Hz, this Answin cable does the job without fuss. The plug and play nature means no driver headaches, and the included power cable covers the edge cases where older hardware doesn't supply enough voltage. For multi-monitor traders and content creators mixing display types, it's a solid pick.

Gamers chasing 4K 120Hz or anyone with an HDMI 2.1 display should look elsewhere. This cable simply doesn't have the bandwidth for those features. And if you need more length than 3.3 feet, you'll want to shop for a longer alternative. But for the majority of desk setups where 60Hz is the target, this is a reliable, fairly priced option.