About Best Ethernet Cables, Today, many devices we use in homes and offices have a wired option for internet connectivity. They include internet routers, desktops, laptops, gaming consoles, and smart TVs.
With a reliable ethernet cable, you can enjoy browsing, streaming, and gaming at optimum speeds from your device.
Choosing the best ethernet cable for your needs can be challenging. You will find ethernet cables with different features like CAT 6, differing speeds, and designs, which is daunting to know which one is best for you.
Therefore, this article will help you pick the best ethernet cables for a reliable data connection. We will also help you discover the tips for choosing an ethernet cable.
Table of Contents
- Factors to consider when choosing the best ethernet cable
- Best Ethernet Cables
- Best Ethernet Cable for 40 Gbps – DbillionDa CAT 8 Ethernet Cable
- Best Ethernet Cable for 10000 Mbps – Amazon Basics CAT 7 Ethernet Cable
- Best Ethernet Cable for 1000 Mbps Home Fiber – Amazon Basics CAT 6 Ethernet LAN Cable
- Best Ethernet Cable for Gaming – Metabridge Ethernet Cable
- Best Ethernet Cable to Run in House – Jadaol
- Best Braided Ethernet Cable – Orbram
- Best Multicolor Ethernet Cable – Amazon Basics Snagless
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Factors to consider when choosing the best ethernet cable
These are the main points to factor into when selecting an ethernet cable.
Speeds
Ethernet cables and fiber optics
The speed of the ethernet cable should be the topmost factor to consider. Depending on your internet plan, you should choose a model that offers reliable data speeds.
For example, when on a 400 Mbps internet plan, a 100 Mbps cable would not be advisable to purchase.
Also, that won’t mean buying the fastest ethernet cable transferring 40 Gbps, as that would be overkill.
However, a fast cable suits the purpose when transferring large files over a local area network. Using slow cables is impractical for a data center that handles bulky data files.
Durability
It is advisable to acquire a sturdy ethernet cable that is resistant to wear and tear.
It would be best to remember this because you will expose the cables to a busy workspace or home with pets.
The material should also last a long time while offering dependable services.
Shielding
ethernet cable with four pairs of shielded copper wires
Making sure that the ethernet cable has shielding is vital. Shielding material protects the cable from electromagnetic signal interference.
Electromagnetic interference may emerge from signals from bulbs, motors, and other appliances in the room.
If the ethernet cable lacks a shield, usually a foil material, it can suffer performance issues.
Connectors
The connectors are highly susceptible to corrosion. Therefore, you should ensure they have a coating material, mostly gold. It not only helps with corrosion resistance but also with better conductivity.
Design
Rainbow color ethernet cables plugged into a router.
The aesthetic construction of the cable should matter when choosing what product to pick for your needs. It matters if you run the cable over walls and partitioning.
Choose an ethernet cable that will camouflage and fit the room’s color well. Lay-flat designs are also vital to prevent tangling.
The type of CAT
The CAT means the category of cable generation and how it handles different crosstalks and bandwidths.
The Telecommunications Industry Association manages the category standards.
Every class is usually an improvement of the versions of the previous categories. For example, a CAT 7 ethernet cable performs better than a CAT 6 cable in transmitting data.
The standard categories of data cables are:
CAT 5
This ethernet category transmits data at a maximum of 100 Mbps at a bandwidth frequency of 100 Mhz.
CAT 5e is an improvement of the version offering speeds between 125 Mbps and 1000 Mbps at 100 Mhz.
These cables do not have shielding, hence, are vulnerable to electromagnetic interference.
CAT 6
Orange CAT 6 ethernet cable on a routing table background
These ethernet cables have a maximum data rate of 1000 Mbps at 250 Mhz.
Another version of CAT cable is the CAT 6a, which transmits data at speeds of 10000 Mbps at 500 Mhz. CAT 6 cables lack shielding, while CAT 6a cables are shielded.
CAT 7
It is the seventh category of ethernet cables, with speeds of up to 10 Gbps at 600 Mhz.
Its improved version is the CAT 7a which can transmit up to 10 Gbps with a higher bandwidth frequency of 1000 Mhz.
They both have aluminum foil shielding to protect against any interference.
CAT 8
It is the newest and fastest category of ethernet cable. CAT 8 cables can transfer data with speeds that reach 40 Gbps at 2000 Mhz.
Version 8.1 transmits data at 25 Gbps, while CAT 8.2 is the fastest at 40 Gbps.
They are also shielded with aluminum foil.
Best Ethernet Cables
Below are the best ethernet cables at home or in the office.
Best Ethernet Cable for 40 Gbps – DbillionDa CAT 8 Ethernet Cable
Best Ethernet Cable for 40 Gbps – DbillionDa CAT 8 Ethernet Cable
It is an excellent investment if you are looking for a high-speed ethernet cable that will last long indoors and outdoors.
It is a CAT 8 cable that delivers superfast speeds for streaming ultra-HD videos and online gaming at home.
Massive LAN networks and offices can benefit from transferring large data files with its 40 Gbps maximum data speed.
With its ability to withstand harsh weather, running the cables outdoors should not be a problem.
More features that make the construction of the DbillionDa cable durable include foil shielding and gold-plated connectors.
It ensures your cables provide a stable data connection while resisting wear and tear.
The ethernet cable is reliable with outstanding performance, but its drawback is that it is
available in black color.
Customer Review
“I have bought the cable twice. The build quality is amazing.”
Best Ethernet Cable for 10000 Mbps – Amazon Basics CAT 7 Ethernet Cable
Best Ethernet Cable for 10000 Mbps – Amazon Basics CAT 7 Ethernet Cable
This model is ideal if you are searching for a CAT 7 ethernet cable compatible with lower cable speed categories.
You can roll back its technology version with CAT 5e, CAT 6, and CAT 6e cable categories.
Whether at home or the office, the cable serves you reliably with its data transmission speed of up to 10000 Mbps at 600 MHz.
It also has a double-shielded twisted-pair copper wire; therefore, you are assured of electromagnetic interference protection.
It is suitable for connecting devices within a local area network, including printers, routers, computers, PlayStations, and other game boxes. However, its downside is that it is available in white color.
You will find many LAN network cables for internal devices having a wide range of color options.
Customer Review
“Amazing speeds, durable and great value for money.”
Best Ethernet Cable for 1000 Mbps Home Fiber – Amazon Basics CAT 6 Ethernet LAN Cable
Small networks and homes not needing high-speed data transfers can reap the benefits of this cable.
It is a budget-friendly CAT 6 LAN cable with a maximum data speed of 1000 Mbps.
It is compatible with most devices for less intensive use, including scanners, printers, and smart TVs.
The cable is also durable with its gold-plated connectors, providing essential corrosion resistance benefits.
However, server rooms with huge data transfer volumes may have better cable options. Its mono-color design, black, may also not sit well with most buyers.
Customer Review
“I replaced my old CAT 5 cable with this one and improved my internet speeds.”
Best Ethernet Cable for Gaming – Metabridge Ethernet Cable
Best Ethernet Cable for Gaming – Metabridge Ethernet Cable
This ethernet cable supports up to 10 Gbps which is reliable for fast internet connections and bulky data transfer loads. It supports CAT 5 and CAT 6e cable ports providing more versatility.
It works exceptionally well with online gaming, streaming, browsing, and CCTV surveillance.
Its gold-plated connectors and insulated pairs ensure long-lasting cables and optimal performance.
It also features velcro straps which allow for easy cable storage and organization.
The cable’s con includes tangling and comes with one cable color option: blue.
Customer review
“If you have a ps4 or any other gaming system, this is great to connect your game straight to the WiFi on campus! It’s also very long if you need it in a faraway place.”
Best Ethernet Cable to Run in House – Jadaol
Best Ethernet Cable to Run in House – Jadaol
The Jadaol CAT 6 Cable works well with small networks and most home ethernet connections. It can support a CAT 7 ethernet option.
With its maximum speed of 10 Gbps at a frequency of 250 Mhz, it is a versatile cable for indoors and outdoors.
It features gold-plated copper wire connectors to ensure minimal noise and network interference.
Moreover, its sturdy construction is weatherproof, with weather resistance and UV resistance advantages. It has a lay-flat cable design that avoids wire entanglements in a room.
You can hide it easily under a carpet without seeing or feeling it. Its design also allows you to line it up against a wall.
Customer Review
“I loved how easy it was to run under the carpet and under baseboards. I was even able to run it under a metal transition between carpet and tile floor.”
Best Braided Ethernet Cable – Orbram
Best Braided Ethernet Cable – Orbram
This CAT 8 cable achieves maximum data speeds of 40 Gbps. It is the best for high-speed data server rooms, cloud storage departments, ultra-HD streamers, and gamers looking for a unique cable design.
Its nylon braided material design is decorative, making the cable flexible and free from tangling. It is strong enough to withstand bending.
Its copper wire connectors are gold-plated to help handle corrosion resistance.
It is also shielded to allow better performance and electromagnetic interference.
Its downside is that most homes with average internet speeds of 100 Mbps may need more than 100 Mbps.
Customer Review
“The cat8 cable worked arrived quickly and worked great. It was packaged well and easy to unwind and set up.”
Best Multicolor Ethernet Cable – Amazon Basics Snagless
Best Multicolor Ethernet Cable – Amazon Basics Snagless
If the need for a wide color variety of ethernet cable is a challenge, this cable pack solves the problem.
The pack features a choice of blue, red, green, black, and white CAT 6 ethernet cables that support up to 10 Gbps.
It is suitable for wired connection in the home and office network-connected devices, including routers, printers, TV boxes, PlayStations, and computers.
It features protective elements such as gold-plated coatings, PVC jackets, and snagless plugs for durability and non-corrosion benefits.
However, their limited length only suits indoor wired set-ups, which is a disadvantage.
Customer Review
“These cables are well built and worked right out of the box. No issues with installing them in my Ubiquiti switch. Inexpensive and functions as I expected.
The various colors are a nice added touch to help me identify what device connects to the switch.”
FAQ
These are questions that most people ask about ethernet cables.
Do my ethernet ports support the max CAT 6a, CAT 7, and CAT 8 speeds?
Your ethernet ports may not support huge 10 Gbps and 40 Gbps speeds. Most devices like smart TVs, computers, laptops, and gaming consoles use 1000 Mbps ethernet ports.
Are longer ethernet cables slower?
Signals travel through cables quickly. The signal delays at a rate of 5 nanoseconds per meter for unshielded cables.
Therefore, for a signal traveling in a 100-meter length, the cable delay at 500 nanoseconds or 0.0000005 seconds.
Shielded cables, which you will find today, have no signal delay. Hence, longer ethernet cables will not affect internet speeds.
Conclusion
This guide provides the best ethernet cables you should buy. With the tips above, you should easily choose a reliable cable for optimal wired internet performance.
