Monoprice RG-59/U Cable Review
Our verdict
A very short RG-59 coaxial patch cable from Monoprice, a brand with a long track record in AV cables. At 1.5 ft and $10.99, it covers the narrow use case of close-range composite or baseband video connections.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Short composite video connections between devices sitting near each other, or patching two ports on a rack-mounted AV switch where minimal cable length is needed.
Skip if
You need RG6 quality for antenna or satellite signals, require more than a couple of feet of reach, or need a modern digital connection like HDMI or DisplayPort.
- Length 1.5 ft
- Priced 12% below the category median ($12.50 across 19 tracked models)
- Length of 1.5 ft - lower than 100% of the 19 models we track
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.4/5
4.4 average across 762 owner ratings
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Popularity2.4/5
762 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other LED, QLED and OLED TVs plus TV mounts, streaming media players, antennas, cables and satellite gear we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The Monoprice RG-59/U is a 1.5 ft coaxial cable using RG-59 spec, which is thinner and slightly lower shielding than the RG-6 used in most modern cable TV and satellite installs. RG-59 handles composite video, CCTV baseband signals, and short low-frequency coaxial runs well, though it is less suited for long antenna or cable TV runs compared to RG-6.
At $10.99, Monoprice pricing is straightforward. The brand has built its reputation on well-made cables at fair prices, and 762 reviews at 4.4 stars confirms the product satisfies buyers who know what RG-59 is for.
The 1.5 ft length is shorter than most coaxial cables on the market, making it a genuine specialty buy for patching close-together devices. Anyone who needs a clean, short connection between a security camera DVR and monitor, or between two AV components on a shelf, will find it fits the job.
Pros
- Monoprice brand reliability backed by 762 reviews
- 1.5 ft length eliminates cable clutter in tight setups
- RG-59 spec suits composite video and low-frequency coaxial use
- $10.99 is a fair price for a Monoprice cable
Cons
- RG-59 is not the right spec for antenna or satellite signal runs, use RG-6 for those
- 1.5 ft limits this to very close device arrangements
- 4.4-star rating is solid but slightly below the best performers in this category
- No connectivity type listed in product specs
Performance notes
Cable spec is RG-59/U. Length is 1.5 ft. No connectivity type, shielding detail, or frequency range is listed in the available product data. RG-59 is generally rated for use up to around 50 MHz for baseband signals but is not recommended for high-frequency satellite or antenna distribution.
What buyers say
762 reviews at 4.4 stars is a healthy sample with a positive lean. The rating suggests buyers are satisfied, though the slightly lower score compared to competitors may reflect that some buyers ordered expecting RG-6 performance and received RG-59.
Specifications
| Length | 1.5 ft |
|---|
Similar LED, QLED and OLED TVs plus TV mounts, streaming media players, antennas, cables and satellite gear to consider
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between RG-59 and RG-6 coaxial cable?
RG-6 has a larger conductor, thicker shielding, and handles higher frequencies better than RG-59. For cable TV, satellite signals, and over-the-air antenna runs, RG-6 is the standard choice. RG-59 works fine for composite video, CCTV, and short low-frequency signal runs but can lose signal quality on longer antenna runs compared to RG-6.
Can I use this cable for my TV antenna?
For a short run of 1.5 ft, the difference between RG-59 and RG-6 is minimal and unlikely to cause signal problems. For longer antenna cable runs, RG-6 is the better pick. If you only need to bridge a gap of a foot or two between your antenna and a splitter, this cable will generally do the job.