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Quick verdict
Use compatible HDMI ARC or eARC when the TV and soundbar support it, especially for integrated control and advanced audio. Optical remains useful for older equipment and simpler setups. Buy a new cable only after checking the ports and formats on both devices.
Research-based buying guide. Product information checked October 16, 2026. We have not tested these products hands-on; recommendations distinguish published features from our buying judgments.
HDMI soundbar cables
optical audio cables
A soundbar may accept several connections, but they do not carry the same formats or offer the same control. The best choice depends on the exact TV and soundbar—not the price or appearance of the cable. Start with the labels beside their ports.
Compare the connections
| Connection | Main reason to use it | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ARC | TV audio return and compatible HDMI control | Format support depends on both devices |
| HDMI eARC | Higher-bandwidth audio return | Requires suitable equipment at both ends |
| Optical | Useful connection for older or simpler systems | Does not carry the high-bandwidth formats supported by eARC |
ARC and eARC are not interchangeable promises
ARC sends sound from the TV back to compatible audio equipment through a designated HDMI connection. Use the marked TV socket and the soundbar connection identified in its instructions. A spare ordinary HDMI port is not necessarily an audio-return port.
eARC provides capacity for higher-bandwidth formats, including Dolby TrueHD and supported object-based formats. That capability does not make every program produce those formats. The source, app, television’s pass-through behavior and soundbar decoding must also match. Some Dolby Atmos delivery uses compressed formats that compatible ARC setups can handle; the Atmos label alone does not tell you the entire signal path.
When optical makes sense
Optical is a reasonable fallback when one device lacks compatible ARC, or when you simply need dependable TV sound with the formats both products support. Check their manuals for supported stereo and surround modes. If you get silence, consult the recommended digital-audio output setting rather than assuming the cable is faulty.
Do not buy an optical cable expecting it to carry the high-bandwidth audio eARC supports. A source connected directly to a soundbar by HDMI is a different path: that source may deliver advanced audio even when a separate optical cable handles TV sound. Keep those two routes distinct when interpreting a manufacturer’s setup example.
Control convenience can justify HDMI
Compatible HDMI-CEC controls can let one remote handle volume and power. Names and settings vary by brand, and interoperability is not guaranteed merely by owning two HDMI devices. Check both manuals and enable the relevant features. Optical does not provide the same HDMI-CEC connection, although particular soundbars may offer separate remote-learning functions.
Test everyday sources before tidying the cables: broadcast TV, built-in streaming apps and any console or player. Confirm volume control, wake behavior, sound synchronization and the soundbar’s reported audio format. A cable replacement cannot add eARC circuitry or a missing decoder to older equipment.
Buy or keep?
Keep optical if your system does everything you want and the supported audio is sufficient. Choose HDMI for compatible control or formats you actually use. Pay for a cable meeting the equipment’s stated specification and required length; premium packaging alone does not unlock extra sound quality.
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HDMI soundbar cables
optical audio cables