Cables in a musical environment have been around since they were first needed to plug things in to put it in basic terms. The patch cable though evolved at a much later time. We remember having a fuzz pedal and a wah pedal on stage at the same time and each being connected by twenty-foot cable and then even more cabling from guitar to the amps.
It was a wonder we didn’t get caught up in it all and fall and break our necks. Cables everywhere. Something had to be done and along came the patch cable that is now used on effects boards and recording studios everywhere to link effects together.
But are they all the same? Do different components produce better results, and how about any unwanted noise? Does the construction cause it or prevent it?
So let’s have a look for the best patch cables and find the answers…
Contents
- Top 10 Best Patch Cables For The Money 2023 Reviews
- 1 D’Addario PW-CGTP-305 Classic Series Patch Cable
- 2 Mogami GOLD INSTRUMENT-1.5RR Guitar Pedal Effects Instrument Cable
- 3 Donner 6″ Patch Black 3 Pack Guitar Effect Pedal Cables
- 4 Neewer® 3 Pack 1 Foot Guitar Patch Cable
- 5 Fender Professional 6″ Cable
- 6 Hosa CPE-118 Right Angle to Right Angle Guitar Patch Cable
- 7 MXR Patch Cable, Black, 6 Inch
- 8 Hosa CMM-830 3.5 mm TS to 3.5 mm TS Unbalanced Patch Cables
- 9 D’Addario DIY Solderless Pedalboard Kit
- 10 EBS Cables PCF-10 Flat Patch Cable
- Best Patch Cables Buyers Guide
- So What Are The Best Patch Cables?
Top 10 Best Patch Cables For The Money 2023 Reviews
1 D’Addario PW-CGTP-305 Classic Series Patch Cable
D’Addario’s Planet Waves range of cables bring you strength and the best components to ensure that you get a great signal.
They are just six inches long with conveniently angled plug ends. The jack plugs themselves are nickel-plated, and the wire is oxygen-free copper. The latter is supposed to give an extra-conductivity, but that is a bit of a fallacy. Nevertheless, it is widely used, and the belief is held that it improves the conductive process.
They carry a shielding process within the molded plug, and cable and plugs are strengthened to counteract any undue strain placed upon them and to remove any unwanted noise.
As an addition to your pedalboard, they are very functional. They feature in/out technology, and the six-inch length helps to reduce the amount of cabling to the minimum, and the right-angled plugs offer easy connections. They have a strong feeling about them, but they are also flexible, and the molded plugs give you a secure feeling that nothing is going to suddenly break.
D’Addario, of course, produces quality in whatever field they work in, and so we are not surprised that these patch cables are well-made. Poor quality cabling will have an effect on your sound, but that will not occur with these.
They come in packs of three at a great price. Certainly will be in line as the best patch cable.
(4.4 / 5)Pros
- Well made and durable.
- Efficient design for pedalboards.
Cons
- Pedalboard use only.
2 Mogami GOLD INSTRUMENT-1.5RR Guitar Pedal Effects Instrument Cable
One thing you will always need is cabling that will not let you down at the last minute. You also need quality of performance to ensure that any unwanted sound disturbances are removed. So whether it is for the studio or on stage, you want the best.
Mogami cabling is renowned for its quality and its consistency of performance, so a superior product is what you are going to get. For a long time, they have been the preferred choice in studios and for professional musicians, and that is no accident. They are chosen because of their clarity, the quality signal transfer without loss, and their low noise performance.
The plugs themselves are right-angled design and are gold plated. This plating is a high-quality process for any type of connection for three reasons. Firstly it ensures a very good transfer of signal, second, it reduces unwanted sound transference, and thirdly it is anti-corrosive, so you know it is going to last a long time.
They are built to include a number of internal shields including a UHD spiral and a polymer sub-shield and to further reduce the chances of any handling noise a PVC anti-static layer.
They are manufactured with high impedance interface cable of the highest quality for producing sound with a high definition. And are suitable for just about all instruments and effects pedals.
Absolute quality…
This particular cable is eighteen inches long and therefore might not be suitable for a pedalboard with more than a few pedals on. To connect two or three together, it is perfect and also for some studio requirements. It is also too short for plugging straight from instrument to amp. If you are looking for something longer, then please check out our review of the best guitar cables currently available.
Not a cheap cable at all but made with real quality throughout.
(4.9 / 5)Pros
- Made with quality components.
- Plenty of unwanted noise cancellation protection.
Cons
- Possibly too long for use with a pedalboard.
3 Donner 6″ Patch Black 3 Pack Guitar Effect Pedal Cables
Only formed in 2012, Donner has a committed policy of providing good quality equipment at a reasonable price. Certainly, the effects pedals they produce are exactly that. It was the next logical step for them to produce cabling to interconnect their pedals on any of the best guitar pedal boards.
These patch cables by Donner have been designed and manufactured with just one function in mind – to connect all the pedals on your pedalboard with the least amount of fuss. They include all the elements that are necessary to give you an easy to manage the board.
At six inches long they are the perfect length to connect the pedals together without too much cabling getting in the way, and the right-angled plugs let you group the pedals together in close proximity.
They are designed to be able to take an extra strain which inevitably comes when plugs are connected to stompboxes, and the molded jack plugs and style of cable design make them flexible whilst still being quite sturdy. However, touring Pro’s do punish these things a little more so maybe they are not suitable for them.
No interference…
Manufactured from high-quality cable at 21 AWG, American Wire Gauge, they have a low capacitance that will give a clean signal. And use oxygen-free copper conductors to further reduce any interference with the signal. A spiral shielding will reduce any handling noise.
Other than pedalboards they can be used in a variety of situations providing the six-inch length is long enough.
They are supplied in packs of three and are a good value for money. They are designed and built a bit like their effects pedals, no-frills, and they just do the job. Could be a choice for the best patch cable.
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- Simple but effective design to interconnect your pedals on a board.
- Flexible but sturdy build.
Cons
- Might not be for the touring pro.
4 Neewer® 3 Pack 1 Foot Guitar Patch Cable
Neewer have actually produced something quite rare with this cable. They have managed to give us a design that is worth a mention. Normally cables are cables, especially those for pedalboards that require shorter designs, but these are just a bit different, and they have done it at what is a budget price.
The plugs themselves are made from metal as are the connectors so there is a strong build and they have been given some built-in strain relief, so they are durable and are not going to let you down.
The wiring used inside the cables is ultra-low impedance, which will prevent any unwanted hum and gives pure signal transparency. The cables are 12 inches long, and the plugs are at the required 90-degree angle for easy connection.
The nice design element we referred to earlier, is the black and white tweed-like cable covering. A very attractive design and a nice idea, being a tweed material it will help to avoid coiling problems and definitely makes them more durable.
These are a very good budget patch cable — with no hum or crackle or tonal changes and are very cost-effective.
If there is one thing that may be a problem, it is the length of the cable. At twelve inches on a packed pedalboard, there will certainly be an excess of cable lying around. Six-inch cables are better for a packed board. For a player with maybe only two or three pedals though they are ideal, and they look great.
(4.3 / 5)Pros
- Great design and look.
- Very well made.
- Hum and crackle free performance.
Cons
- The twelve-inch length might cause problems for some.
5 Fender Professional 6″ Cable
When you talk about anything to do with electric guitars, the first name that always springs to our mind is Fender. Yes, we know… we can hear the comments from the ‘Gibson-fans,’ but for us, it has always been about Fender.
At six inches they are the right length, and the cables have a tough black PVC outer protection. This is the world’s third most popular polymer used in construction. It is tough and flexible, waterproof, and is perfect in every respect for cabling. PVC is an ideal material to avoid twisting or kinking.
The wiring is a high grade 22 AWG, American Wiring Gauge which indicates the level of quality. The internal wire itself has a copper shield to cut out and buzz or hum.
The jack plugs are nickel plated which gives them strength and they are set at right angles for easy use on pedalboards.
They are built to be reliable as well as flexible and will take the occasional knock and strain which comes with connecting pedals. The thick gauge of the cables means that they will retain your tone and not degrade it. While the absence of external noise or hum makes these connecting cables suitable not only for a live gig but also for the studio.
They come in packs of two and are not cheap, but they are a quality connector and are a contender for the best patch cable.
(4.4 / 5)Pros
- Well made and durable.
- Good performance with no tonal loss or excess hum.
Cons
- Quite expensive.
6 Hosa CPE-118 Right Angle to Right Angle Guitar Patch Cable
Hosa is based in California and has built, since their inception in 1984 a tradition of manufacturing quality cables and adapters. They service all aspects of the music industry, so they should be in a good position to deliver a quality patch cable.
When you are plowing through all the various patch cables that are available, you begin to think that most of them are exactly the same using similar components and designs. Not surprising to think like that. How creative can you get with a patch cable after all?
These Hoda cables though do have something a little different from most of the competition it is worth mentioning.
The build quality is good, and the cable is flexible and with right-angled jack plugs, will fit the board and your pedals effectively and easily and not waste space. They have conductors that are oxygen-free copper and a spiral shield for the reduction of any unwanted noise.
All the usual build qualities are included that will you will find on most cables.
Well, these have all-metal plugs, like some others, and they are not fixed and are fully serviceable. If something goes wrong you don’t throw the cable away you can fix it. Most others are either molded or not serviceable, so we see this as a big advantage in getting years and years of use out of your patch cables.
They are sold individually, and this product comes in lengths of 18 inches. Some might think that rather long for cable management purposes.
(4.4 / 5)Pros
- Serviceable metal jack plugs.
Cons
- Some might think 18 inches rather long for using with a pedalboard.
7 MXR Patch Cable, Black, 6 Inch
MXR knows effects pedals. And over the years they have produced many effects that have become standards on pedalboards. It, therefore, makes sense then that they would produce a patch cable to link them all together.
They have given us this patch cable which is sold in packs of 3. Each cable is what we think is the preferred length for using on a pedalboard, six inches. They are fitted with right angle connector jack plugs, but MXR has gone with the flattened, low-profile plug head variety rather than the round. This though is about the only thing that might separate them from the competition.
The usual oxygen-free conductors made from copper and the spiral shields are included to reduce any unwanted noise. The sound then, is clear, and there is no tonal loss through the cabling. The outer cable on the wire is a thick PVC which is ideal for this use as it is tough but flexible and isn’t prone to crack or kink when in use.
They are competitively priced and with the low-profile flattened plugs may give you a little extra if you have a packed pedalboard. If so, as you know, every centimeter can be important.
So why not go with the guys that designed and made your pedals when you buy patch cables. MXR knows a thing or two about pedals, so they will make good cables to go with them. One to look at to decide the best patch cable.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Good competitive price.
- Low-profile jack plugs may give you a fraction more space.
Cons
- There are some cables with a more rugged finish.
8 Hosa CMM-830 3.5 mm TS to 3.5 mm TS Unbalanced Patch Cables
Let’s make a bit of an apology here. Most of the cables we have looked at so far have been designed for guitarists and their beloved pedalboards using the standard ¼” size connector. But what about the other musicians on other instruments that need to ‘patch’?
Here is another cable option from Hosa. They are an important name in the world of connections in the music industry in both analog and digital environments and do a lot more than just provide ¼” cabling.
These 12” long cables are designed for connecting unbalanced ⅛” jacks with audio equipment. The cables have 3.5mm on each end and are built using 26 American wire gauge conductors. They have a spiral shield to reduce unwanted hum or other noise.
The plugs are nickel-plated for a sturdy build and to produce a transfer of the signal and carry oxygen-free copper conductors for a clear signal. The plug casings are molded and have a built-in strain relief. They are quite flexible for connections that may not be so straightforward.
They will work with any synthesizer that takes patch cables with a ⅛” size. And come in packets of eight and have some great colors for identification purposes which gives them a bit of a fun feeling.
They are great value for money and are a great product for the price.
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- Nicely-designed with vivid pastel coloring.
- Very good price.
Cons
- Maybe a little vulnerable in some environments so handle carefully.
9 D’Addario DIY Solderless Pedalboard Kit
Now here is a novel idea for those that enjoy a practical challenge. Something we might mention at this stage would not really be us, having more thumbs than fingers. Anyway, here is a kit that was designed to enable you to create your own cables to the exact lengths that suit your requirements.
Whilst this is not going to interest those of us that struggle to put a plug on anything, these will certainly be superb for those that can. How many patch cable options do you look at and think, “ I really like them, but the cables are too long or short’ Here is the answer? Make your own and without having to make sure you don’t burn a hole in the dog with a hot soldering iron.
You are supplied in this kit with ten feet of cable and also ten plugs with a right-angled build. The package also includes a cable cutter and a small screwdriver.
Ok, so the process isn’t similar to building the Large Hadron Collider, but if you have any dexterity, it is a great option. Just cut the cable to the length you need, twist on the plugs, and tighten a small screw. Sorted!
Stands up to the rigors of the road…
The plugs are gold plated for resistance to corrosion and give a good signal transfer. The plugs and connections have been tested to ensure they are stable and sturdy enough for the rigors of ‘pedalboard life.’
An affordable and if you are in any way practical, alternative solution to wiring up your pedalboard.
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- A good idea if you are in any way practical.
- Allows you to design your own configuration how you want it.
Cons
- Not going to suit those that struggle with a screwdriver.
10 EBS Cables PCF-10 Flat Patch Cable
There is only so much you can do with a patch cable to make it different, but the design of this cable from EBS is a little different, and that difference actually serves a function.
The interesting thing about the design is that they actually look a little flimsy and not sturdy at all. The makeup is fairly standard, Copper conductors giving a signal that is low voltage. Shields to reduce or eliminate hum and other unwanted noises and a cable housing that is reinforced to give it strength and allow it to bear some strain. Right-angled plug connections to make it easy to use.
All standard as we say… But then it changes a little.
Cables are usually round, but these are flat. Is there a benefit to that? We think so. It does allow the flat cable to flex a little more which will mean you could get the pedals a little closer together. If you have several pedals on a smaller pedalboard, then that extra few centimeters you gain might be important.
These cables are only 10cm or 3 inches long, and so they are designed for compact fittings. But more than that, you can fold these cables into tight spaces and not have to worry about crimping.
There has to be a downside to most things, and with this cable, it is the price. They quite expensive; in fact, there are options where you can buy three patch cables for about the same price. There is though something very unique and practical to the cable design which is worth considering.
(4.4 / 5)Pros
- The very clever design of the cable giving you extra room.
- Quite a robust design.
Cons
- Some are going to think they are expensive.
Best Patch Cables Buyers Guide
Let’s Patch Things Up
Going out to buy a set of patch cables is just not as interesting as deciding which Les Paul you are going to get. It just isn’t. But how important are they? Very. Get it wrong and buy a bad cable and you’ve walked into an external noise nightmare, so it’s worth taking your time and having a look at what’s around.
As we said a couple of times, there is only so much you can do to a patch cable. There are a few varying designs, a nice cable design color scheme or a different shape. The length of the cable is important. Having cables that are 12 inches long might not suit a packed pedalboard, whereas others have been designed to fit everything in as neatly as possible.
All of the cables we looked at had the same basic characteristics in terms of their build and what components they have used to make the cable as efficient as possible. Therefore, it really becomes a matter of what catches your eye and about the performance level.
All the cables we looked at are worth the look; they are the best patch cables currently available after all! Some are cost-effective, while some a little more expensive for which there may be a reason. But they all offer something.
How many pedals do you have? How big is your board? Will the cables have to link up tightly packed pedals or just a couple? These things will have an effect on what you consider are the best patch cables and what you buy, so choose wisely.
So What Are The Best Patch Cables?
This has been an interesting set of reviews in that nearly all of the products are just so similar. In fact, they all have the same fundamental necessities on board, and so it was a case of looking at the few options available. As we have already said in the review, there is only so much you can do to a patch cable.
We have nevertheless chosen as our best patch cable the…
Real quality in the build with a price that is very competitive.
Our choice for Best Patch cable.