Best Ethernet Cables
best Ethernet cables
Ready to buy now? Shop the best:
- Best of the Best: Amazon Basics RJ45 Cat 6 Ethernet Patch Cable
- Best Bang for the Buck: DbillionDa Cat8 Ethernet Cable
- Best for Covering Long Distances: Cable Matters Snagless Long Cat 6 Ethernet Cable
- Simple Yet Solid: UGREEN Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
- Best for In-Wall Installation: Mediabridge CAT6 Ethernet Patch Cable
Wi-Fi is the most common way to access the internet since it allows you to do so without a wired connection. However, a wired connection is generally faster and more stable than a wireless signal and is always preferable if the logistics are in place.
The average internet user may not notice the difference between a wired and wireless connection, provided the wireless signal is strong, but those who use a lot of bandwidth will. A wired connection is the way to go if you’re a hardcore gamer, want to stream high-definition content or upload and download large files.
An Ethernet cable is necessary for a wired internet connection and plugs directly into a modem, router, or other internet access point. They’re relatively cheap, but there are several variations and crucial considerations, such as speed capabilities and length.
We researched Ethernet cables and found the Amazon Basics RJ45 Cat 6 Ethernet Patch Cable to be the best. It’s 15 feet long, durable and offers fast internet speeds for HD streaming and gaming. But there a many capable Ethernet cables out there to get the job done for users with varied needs.
Editors’ picks
Amazon Basics RJ45 Cat 6 Ethernet Patch Cable
Editors’ Favorite
Category: Cat-6 | Speed: 10 Gbps | Bandwidth: 600 MHz | Length: 15’ | Gold-plated: Yes
The Amazon Basics RJ45 Cat 6 Ethernet Patch Cable allows for blistering-fast transmission speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second and has RJ45 connectors for universal connectivity. The snagless design makes them easy to connect or disconnect without damaging the cable, and the gold-plated contacts help prevent corrosion. It’s a 15-foot cable, and it’s suitable for connecting various devices to your router, including computers, printers and gaming consoles. Plus, it has a durable braided nylon exterior for increased durability.
DBillionDa Cat 8 Ethernet Cable
Great Value
Category: Cat-8 | Speed: 40 Gbps | Bandwidth: 2 GHz | Length: 60’ | Gold-plated: Yes
The DBillionDa Cat 8 Ethernet Cable is a high-quality cable that’s affordable to boot. It’s built to last thanks to its dual-shielded gold-plated connectors on both ends. It has a water-resistant, heavy-duty construction for superior durability and supports speeds of up to 40 gigabits per second. Plus, should you have any issues, you get 18 months of customer support.
Cable Matters Snagless Long Cat 6 Ethernet Cable
Best for Covering Long Distances
Category: Cat-6 | Speed: 10 Gbps | Bandwidth: 550 MHz | Length: 100’ | Gold-plated: Yes
Sometimes you have to cover a lot of ground when it comes to hooking up your devices to your router with a wired connection. This 100-foot Cable Matters Snagless Long Cat 6 Ethernet Cable features gold-plated connectors for superior corrosion resistance, making it a must-buy for anyone looking to establish a wired connection across a broad area or throughout a multistory home. It can support data transmission speeds as high as 10 gigabits per second and a high bandwidth of up to 550 megahertz, offering stable connectivity for cloud computing, video surveillance and HD streaming.
UGreen Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
Simple Yet Solid
Category: Cat-7 | Speed: 10 Gbps | Bandwidth: 600 MHz | Length: 3’ | Gold-plated: Yes
The UGREEN Cat 7 Ethernet Cable is a solid mid-tier Ethernet cable and also one of the cheapest since you can get one for as little as $8. It supports speeds of up to 10 megabits per second and a bandwidth of up to 600 megahertz. The flat, flexible design makes it suitable for threading underneath doors, carpets or windows, and the shielding provides additional protection from signal noise and interference.
Mediabridge CAT6 Ethernet Patch Cable
Best for In-Wall Installation
Category: Cat-6 | Speed: 10 Gbps | Bandwidth: 250MHz | Length: 25’ | Gold-plated: Yes
The Mediabridge CAT6 Ethernet Patch Cable is adequate for everyday residential use, offering speed transmission rates as fast as 10 gigabits per second. Its 25-foot length makes it suitable for most households, and the 250-megahertz bandwidth lets you stream HD content, play online video games and upload files smoothly. The four twisted pairs are separated to prevent cross-interference, and the RJ45 connectors are compatible with all CAT5 jacks. The durable PVC jacket makes it safe for all in-wall installation, and the gold-plated connectors give the interior components increased protection against corrosion.
CableGeeker Cat 6 Ethernet Cable
Extra-Long Cable
Category: Cat-6 | Speed: 1 Gbps | Bandwidth: 250 MHz | Length: 100’ | Gold-plated: Yes
Those who need a long Ethernet cable won’t be disappointed with the durable CableGeeker Cat 6 Ethernet Cable. It’s 100 feet long, making it perfect for connecting a TV in your backyard or a device on another floor to a router, and it supports a bandwidth of up to 250 megahertz and speeds up to 1 gigabit per second. Plus, the flat design helps prevent tangling.
Orbram Cat 8 Ethernet Cable
Excellent Durability
Category: Cat-8 | Speed: 40 Gbps | Bandwidth: 2 GHz | Length: 6’ | Gold-plated: Yes
We love this 6-foot Orbram Cat 8 Ethernet Cable for its high-quality design, which features four shielded, foiled pairs of copper wires with gold-plated RJ45 connectors on each end. That gives it superior protection from external interference and makes it highly durable. It offers speeds of up to 40 gigabits per second and high bandwidth of up to 2,000 megahertz, and the braided nylon design prevents tangling.
SnowKids Cat 8 Ethernet Cable
Versatile Choice
Category: Cat-8 | Speed: 40 Gbps | Bandwidth: 600 MHz | Length: 15’ | Gold-plated: Yes
Those who want a cheap Cat 8 Ethernet cable with a durable construction will love this cable from SnowKids. You can get this cable for $10, and it’s an absolute steal considering that it supports ultra-high speeds of up to 40 gigabits per second and bandwidth of up to 2,000 megahertz. The braided nylon design gives it increased flexibility, and the 15-foot length makes it one of the most versatile Ethernet cables available.
How we analyzed
We analyzed more than a dozen Ethernet cables to compile our top picks. After carefully reading through customer reviews and considering specs, we decided to include models with the most reliable performance and durable build. The best cables are made to last and offer fast internet speeds between access points and connected devices.
What to consider before buying an Ethernet cable
Usage
Ethernet cables connect devices that handle many tasks, such as transferring data between servers in different locations. In the home, they’re most commonly used to connect Wi-Fi routers to internet routers or gateways, connect a PC to a printer and network multiple devices directly through a wired rather than wireless configuration.
Cat rating
A Cat rating shows the bandwidth and data transmission speed an Ethernet cable is capable of, with a higher number indicating support for faster speeds. It’s worth noting that Ethernet cables below Cat 6 have essentially been phased out.
- Cat 6 can handle data transmission up to 1 gigabit per second, with a bandwidth capacity of 250 megahertz.
- Cat 6a, the current workhorse for office networking, offers speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second and 500 megahertz.
- Cat 7 and 7a were developed with bandwidth in mind. While both 7 and 7a ratings have data transmission speeds of 10 gigabits per second, they boast bandwidth capacities of 600 megahertz and 1,000 megahertz, respectively.
- Cat 8 supports up to 40 gigabits per second and is best for hardcore gaming and streaming 4K content.
Internet speed
Most homes have access to internet speeds of 1 Gbps or less. Internet speed and bandwidth put the largest workload on Ethernet cables, so you want to ensure the cable connecting your gateway and router is equipped to support that speed.
Wired vs. wireless
Users who are reluctant to connect their devices via Wi-Fi can use an Ethernet cable to connect many of them. While USB connectors are rapidly replacing Ethernet cables in direct-connect scenarios, these cables still play a role when building a wired home network. That’s because they provide faster data transmission than USB cables over longer distances.
Cable length
Ethernet cables are available in many lengths, such as 2, 4, 6 and 8 feet. Measure the distance between the devices you plan to connect and choose a cable long enough to meet that distance plus a little slack. For example, if the measured length is 3.6 feet, a 4-foot cord is ideal. If you’re building a network for your home or office, longer cables are available. However, data speeds and performance drop dramatically in Ethernet cables longer than 100 feet.
Ethernet cable features
Backward compatibility
All Ethernet cables can be used interchangeably regardless of their Cat rating. If a Cat 6a cable fails and all you have on hand is a Cat 5e, that should be fine for short-term connectivity. The performance will drop, but you’ll still have a network connection.
Shielded vs. unshielded
Cat 6 and 6a can be found with unshielded or shielded options. For shorter connections, an unshielded Ethernet cable is okay, and it can save you money, but for longer cable runs, shielded or twisted pair cable is recommended because it reduces or prevents electromagnetic interference from affecting the cable’s performance.
RJ45 connectors
Ethernet cables have excellent backward compatibility because they almost all use the same connector at both ends. This RJ45 is an eight-pin plug, and all Ethernet-ready devices have an RJ45 port that the cable can be plugged into. The exceptions are Cat 7 and higher cables, which use a GG45 connector, but this plug is backward compatible with RJ45 jacks.
Tips
- Tuck cables out of sight. Not only does it prevent a tripping hazard, but it also protects the cable from damage from sunlight.
- Stick with the correct Cat rating. Ethernet cables with a rating of Cat 6 or higher can handle today’s gigabit data speeds.
- Replace older cables. When handling high-bandwidth rates, a Cat 5 cable could deteriorate faster due to heat issues.
- Don’t use a frayed Ethernet cable. While electric shock or fire probably isn’t an issue, performance degrades dramatically if the exterior insulation is damaged.
- Change the cable to fix connection issues. If you can’t surf even though the router is working, swap the Ethernet cable for a new one to see if that fixes the problem.
FAQ
Q. How much does an Ethernet cable cost?
A. The price of these cables varies depending on the Cat rating and length. Cat 6 cables are the most economical choice, running between $3 and $10 for sizes up to 8 feet. For $10 to $15, you can find Cat 6a and 7 cables in varying lengths from a few feet of shielded cable to several feet of unshielded. Heavy-duty, high-performance 7a and 8 shielded cables are in the $12 to $30 range.
Q. How do I shorten an Ethernet cable?
A. Crimping and splicing tools are available at electronics supply stores. They’re a good choice if you’re setting up a wired home network with various distances between connection points or devices. Measure the cable length you need, cut it, expose half an inch of internal wiring, and use the splicing tool to attach the wiring to an RJ45 Ethernet plug in the correct order.
Q. Do all Ethernet cables fit the same?
A. all Ethernet cables use RJ45 plugs that fit the corresponding Ethernet ports in devices with Ethernet capability. The distinctive square ports are easy to identify, and unlike USB plugs, you won’t waste time trying to figure out which end is up because there’s a small plastic clip on the bottom of each plug that helps hold the connector in the jack.
Q. How do I know what type of Ethernet cable I have?
A. If you’ve lost the packaging, look at the cable itself, as the Cat rating is printed along the exterior of the cable every few inches. It’s a standard feature on Ethernet cables so that network engineers can quickly identify the type of cable they’re using.
Q. Is Ethernet faster than Wi-Fi?
A. Yes. However, Ethernet cables plugged into a Wi-Fi router will only work at the same speed as the router. They can’t go any faster, but another option is to connect the cable to the internet gateway if it’s a separate component from the router, which might slightly increase the download and upload speeds. Essentially, your speed is limited by the bandwidth you subscribed to from your internet provider and the capabilities of the gateway and router setup you’re using, not the Ethernet cable.
Q. Do Ethernet cables go bad?
A. Yes. Ethernet cables can last several years but can fail for several reasons. Water damage, excessive exposure to sunlight, excessive heat and other extreme conditions will break down the insulation or cause a fault in the cabling.