KVM Cables Price Comparison
Compare 191 KVM cables from ATEN, Belkin and StarTech.com — find the best price across top UK retailers, from 0 £ to 0 £.
KVM Cables price comparison UK
KVM cables occupy a peculiar niche in the computer accessories market: they're rarely bought on impulse, yet getting the wrong one can bring an entire server room setup to a grinding halt. Our catalogue of 191 products spans everything from basic 2-in-1 USB/VGA leads to sophisticated Cat5e adapter cables with virtual media support — and the price spread is striking, running from 0 £ at the entry end to well over 0 £ for specialist rackmount and crash-cart solutions.
StarTech.com dominates the accessible end of the market, with an average price around £39 and a strong range of 2-in-1, 4-in-1 (video + USB + audio + microphone) and rackmount-specific cables. They're the go-to for IT managers who need reliable, no-fuss connectivity without a premium brand tax. ATEN, the largest brand by product count here, sits higher at roughly £79 average — their HDMI KVM cables and Cat5e adapter modules are genuinely well-engineered, particularly for use with their own switch ecosystem. Belkin rounds out the mainstream trio, offering solid mid-range options that work well in mixed-brand environments.
At the top of the market, Vertiv (averaging £165) and HPE (averaging £102) cater almost exclusively to data centre and enterprise deployments. These aren't cables you'd buy for a home office dual-PC setup — they're designed for high-density rackmount environments where signal integrity over longer runs and compatibility with specific KVM switch models is non-negotiable. If you're managing a server rack, it's worth cross-referencing with our Networking Cables section, as some Cat5e/6 KVM extender solutions blur the line between the two categories.
One thing worth flagging: the connector type is the single most common source of buyer error in this category. A 4-in-1 DisplayPort cable is useless if your KVM switch only has DVI ports, and vice versa. Always confirm your switch's port spec before ordering. For setups involving legacy equipment, the PS/2 Cables category is also worth a look, as older KVM switches often require PS/2 keyboard and mouse connectors rather than USB. Cable length matters too — beyond 5 metres, signal degradation on analogue VGA connections becomes noticeable, and you may need an active extender rather than a passive cable. Browse the full range and compare live prices across UK retailers including Amazon.co.uk, Scan, and Insight to find the best deal for your specific switch model.
How to Choose the Right KVM Cable
Most KVM cable purchases go wrong at the very first step: buying a cable that doesn't match the switch. With connectors ranging from VGA and DVI to HDMI and DisplayPort — and USB versions from 2.0 to 3.1 — the combinations are numerous enough to catch out even experienced IT buyers. Here's what actually matters when narrowing down your options.
Video connector: match your switch, not just your monitor
This is the non-negotiable starting point. Your KVM cable must match the video port on your switch, not simply the display you're connecting to. VGA (D-Sub 15-pin) remains common on older switches and is perfectly adequate for 1920×1200 resolutions. DVI-D steps up image quality and is still widely used in professional environments. HDMI and DisplayPort are the modern standards — HDMI 2.0 handles 4K@60Hz, DisplayPort 1.4 goes further still. Don't assume an adapter will solve a mismatch; for KVM use, native connections are always preferable to avoid latency or compatibility issues.
All-in-one or separate leads: the 2-in-1 vs 4-in-1 question
A 2-in-1 cable bundles video and USB only — fine if you don't need audio switching. A 4-in-1 adds a 3.5mm audio and microphone connection, which is essential for call-centre environments or any setup where headset audio needs to follow the KVM switch. The StarTech.com 4-in-1 USB DisplayPort and DVI variants are good examples of how this works in practice. The trade-off is slightly more bulk and a marginally higher price, but the reduction in cable clutter is worth it in most professional deployments.
Cable length and signal integrity
Standard passive KVM cables are typically available in 1.8 m (6 ft), 3 m (10 ft), 4.6 m (15 ft), and occasionally 7.6 m (25 ft) lengths. For analogue VGA signals, anything beyond 5 metres risks visible signal degradation — ghosting, colour fringing, or reduced sharpness. Digital connections (HDMI, DisplayPort) are more tolerant but still have practical limits for passive cables. If your switch is more than 5 metres from the host machine, consider a Cat5e/6 KVM extender solution (such as ATEN's adapter cable modules) rather than a longer passive lead. Rackmount console cables — like the StarTech.com 10 ft and 15 ft USB variants — are engineered specifically for the signal demands of 1U console drawers.
Switch brand compatibility: don't assume universal fit
Some KVM cables are genuinely universal; others are designed and certified for a specific switch manufacturer's ecosystem. ATEN cables, for instance, are optimised for ATEN switches and may not perform identically on a Belkin or Raritan unit. StarTech.com cables tend to be more broadly compatible, which is one reason they're popular in mixed-brand environments. Always check the compatibility list in the product specification — particularly for Cat5e adapter cables, where the virtual media and USB signalling protocols can vary significantly between manufacturers.
Build quality and shielding in demanding environments
In a data centre or server room, electromagnetic interference (EMI) is a real concern. Double-shielded cables with braided metal screening and gold-plated connectors are worth the premium if your rack is near UPS units, PDUs, or dense networking equipment. For a home office or small business setup, standard single-shielded cables are perfectly adequate. Ultra-thin cables (3–4 mm diameter vs the standard 6–8 mm) are worth considering when routing through cable management trays or tight conduit runs — StarTech.com's ultra-thin VGA 2-in-1 is a practical example of this.
- Budget picks (From 0 £ to 0 £) : Mostly StarTech.com 2-in-1 USB/VGA and USB/DVI cables at short lengths (1.8 m). Perfectly functional for basic KVM setups with a single monitor and no audio switching. Also where you'll find short ATEN USB KVM cables (1.2 m). Fine for home offices and light professional use — don't expect premium shielding or long-run performance.
- The practical sweet spot (From 0 £ to 0 £) : This is where most IT buyers land. StarTech.com 4-in-1 cables with audio and microphone, ATEN HDMI KVM cables (1.8 m), and Trendnet/Black Box options sit here. Good build quality, broader connector choice, and compatibility with the majority of mainstream KVM switches. The right range for small business server rooms and multi-PC workstation setups.
- Professional and longer-run cables (From 0 £ to 0 £) : StarTech.com rackmount console cables (10–15 ft), Lindy and Black Box mid-range options, and entry-level ATEN Cat5e adapter modules. Designed for more demanding environments: longer distances, rackmount consoles, or switches requiring specific signalling. Vertiv and HPE begin to appear at this level. Worth the investment if you're managing a proper server rack.
- Enterprise and specialist solutions (Over 0 £) : ATEN Cat5e/6 KVM adapter cables with virtual media support, Vertiv enterprise cables, HPE server-grade solutions, and StarTech.com crash-cart adapters. These are not general-purpose cables — they're engineered for specific enterprise KVM switch ecosystems, high-density data centres, or specialist field-service use. Overkill for anything below a mid-size IT infrastructure.
Top products
- StarTech.com 6 ft 2-in-1 USB KVM Cable (StarTech.com) : The most accessible entry point in the category — compact, reliable, and competitively priced. Ideal for basic single-monitor setups, but no audio support means it won't suit anyone needing headset switching.
- StarTech.com 6ft 4-in-1 USB DisplayPort KVM Switch Cable w/ Audio & Microphone (StarTech.com) : The standout value pick for modern setups. DisplayPort video, full USB, audio and microphone in a single cable at a very reasonable price. The obvious choice if your switch has DP ports — don't settle for a VGA cable when this exists.
- ATEN HDMI KVM Cable 1,8m (ATEN) : Well-built and reliable, particularly within the ATEN switch ecosystem. HDMI connectivity makes it future-proof for 4K displays. Slightly pricier than StarTech.com equivalents, but the build quality justifies it for professional deployments.
- StarTech.com 15 ft. (4.6 m) USB KVM Cable for Rackmount Consoles (StarTech.com) : The go-to for rackmount console installations requiring a longer run. Engineered specifically for 1U KVM drawers — don't substitute a desktop KVM cable here. The 4.6 m length covers most standard rack-to-server distances without signal compromise.
- ATEN USB - VGA to Cat5e/6 KVM Adapter Cable (CPU Module), with Virtual Media Support (ATEN) : A specialist product for ATEN IP KVM switch users — not a general-purpose cable. Virtual media support is a genuine differentiator for remote server management. Expensive and strictly ATEN-ecosystem only; overkill for anything outside an enterprise data centre.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a 2-in-1 and a 4-in-1 KVM cable?
A 2-in-1 KVM cable carries video and USB signals only, while a 4-in-1 adds 3.5mm audio and microphone connections. The 2-in-1 is sufficient for most basic setups where you only need to switch keyboard, mouse, and display between computers. The 4-in-1 is the better choice if your KVM switch supports audio switching and you use a headset or speakers that need to follow the active computer — common in call centres and multimedia workstations.
Can I use any KVM cable with any KVM switch?
Not always — compatibility depends on both the connector type and, in some cases, the switch manufacturer's signalling protocol. Standard USB + VGA or USB + HDMI cables are broadly interchangeable across brands. However, Cat5e/6 KVM adapter cables (such as ATEN's CPU modules) use proprietary signalling and must match the switch brand. Always check the switch's compatibility list before purchasing, particularly for anything beyond a basic passive cable.
How long a KVM cable can I use before signal quality degrades?
For analogue VGA connections, signal degradation becomes noticeable beyond 5 metres — expect ghosting or softness at longer runs. Digital connections (HDMI, DisplayPort) are more resilient but passive cables still have practical limits of around 5–7 metres before signal loss occurs. If you need a longer run, use a Cat5e/6 KVM extender solution rather than a longer passive cable. StarTech.com's rackmount console cables are engineered for their specific length ratings and should not be substituted with generic leads.
Are KVM cables from one brand compatible with switches from another brand?
For standard passive cables (USB + VGA, USB + DVI, USB + HDMI), cross-brand compatibility is generally good. StarTech.com cables in particular are widely used with ATEN, Belkin, and Raritan switches without issue. The exception is proprietary adapter cables — ATEN's Cat5e CPU modules, for example, are designed specifically for ATEN switches and will not function correctly on a competitor's unit. When in doubt, buy the cable recommended by your switch manufacturer.
Is it worth paying more for a shielded KVM cable?
In a data centre or server room environment, yes — double-shielded cables with braided screening are worth the premium. EMI from UPS units, dense networking equipment, and power distribution units can cause visible interference on unshielded VGA cables and data errors on USB connections. For a home office or small business setup with a single KVM switch, standard shielding is more than adequate and the extra cost is not justified.
What KVM cable do I need for a rackmount console (KVM drawer)?
Rackmount KVM consoles (1U drawer-style units) typically require dedicated console cables rather than standard desktop KVM leads. StarTech.com's USB KVM cables for rackmount consoles — available in 1.8 m, 3 m, and 4.6 m lengths — are specifically designed for this application and include the correct connector configuration for 1U console drawers. Check whether your console uses a proprietary connector or a standard USB + video combination before ordering.
Should I avoid cheap, unbranded KVM cables?
For basic VGA or DVI setups, a well-reviewed budget cable can work adequately — but we'd be cautious. Unbranded KVM cables frequently cut corners on shielding and connector quality, which leads to intermittent USB disconnections, image noise, or outright incompatibility with specific switch models. Given that the branded options from StarTech.com start from 0 £, the saving on a no-name alternative rarely justifies the risk, particularly in a professional environment where downtime has a real cost.