Expert Advice

Cables play a vital role in almost every piece of modern technology we use. Whether you’re charging a smartphone, connecting a laptop to a monitor, setting up a home cinema or wiring a home office, choosing the right cable ensures your devices perform reliably and efficiently.

At Maplin, we offer a wide selection of cables, adapters and connectivity solutions designed for everyday home use, professional environments and specialist setups. In this comprehensive guide, we answer some of the most common questions about cables, helping you make informed choices and get the best performance from your equipment.

A clear guide to HDMI ARC and the Maplin HDMI cables that support it, helping you upgrade your home-theatre sound easily.

Troubleshoot USB hub issues with easy fixes. Find out why your hub isn’t working and how to solve common problems with tips from Maplin.

HDMI cables are essential for connecting your TV, gaming console, laptop, or streaming device to displays and monitors. But when your HDMI cable isn't working, it can be incredibly frustrating — especially when your screen suddenly says “No Signal” or you’re getting no picture or sound.

In this guide, we’ll explore the most common HDMI cable issues, explain how to fix them, and help you determine if the problem lies with the cable, the port, or your device settings.

Whether it’s your phone not charging, your screen flickering, or your internet dropping, a faulty cable is often the hidden culprit. Knowing how to diagnose and replace a cable can save you time, frustration, and even prevent hardware damage.

Whether you're working from home, gaming, travelling, or simply charging your devices, having the right cables on hand is essential. The modern home is full of tech devices—from laptops and smartphones to smart TVs and security cameras—and each one depends on reliable cable connections to function properly.

In this post, we’ll break down the top 10 most useful cables everyone should own, why they matter, and how they help you stay connected. Whether you're setting up a home office or just want to be prepared for everyday tech needs, this list will help you stay powered, synced, and ready.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables are essential for transmitting high-quality audio and video signals between devices such as TVs, monitors, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and home cinema systems. While most users have no issue with standard cable lengths, some scenarios — such as home theatre setups, office conference rooms, or digital signage installations — require significantly longer cables. This leads to a common and important question: What is the longest HDMI cable length you can use without compromising signal quality?

When setting up a wired internet connection, one question often pops up: Does the length of an Ethernet cable affect internet speed? It’s a fair concern, especially if your modem is far from your workstation. Let’s break down the facts and clear up any confusion about cable length, speed, and performance.

All you need to know about USB-A hubs, from their functionality to their various applications.

This article explains how to use USB-A and USB-C extension cables effectively, and what to watch out for to maintain optimal performance.

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about Ethernet cables, including their types, benefits, how to choose the right cable, installation process, and their various applications.

In this guide, we will explore DisplayPort technology. We will compare it with HDMI, delve into connectors and cables, setting up multiple displays, and more.

In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about HDMI, from its basic functionality, to its future potential.

Jack cables and plugs are used to connect various devices together. Whether you're a musician, audio engineer, or an enthusiast, understanding the basics of jack cables is crucial. In this guide, we will explore jack cables and plugs, from the different types available to how to choose the right one for your needs.

While USB-A and USBC-C may look rather similar, they have several important differences in terms of physical connectors, data transfer speeds, power delivery capabilities, and future prospects. In this article, we will explore these differences and discuss the benefits of each type of connector.

Tired of untangling cables only to find they’re damaged or don’t work anymore? If you know how to look after your cables, you’ll find that they can last for far longer than you expect. So read on to learn some techniques to reduce wear and tear for your essential cables.