Choosing an Ethernet cable is, for the most part, a simple task. However, if you want to get the most out of your internet and local network connection, there are a few things to keep in mind.


Ethernet Cables Aren't All Created Equal

In general, wired networks are fairly easy to use. Most of the time, you simply connect the cable into your computer's Ethernet port or adapter and you're ready to go. With so many different standards, speeds, and characteristics to consider, buying an Ethernet connection might seem significantly more confusing.


Network cables are classified into several kinds, with Cat-5 being the most basic. Differing Ethernet cable types are capable of different speeds, just as different Wi-Fi standards. The following are the several categories that are available:


  • Unshielded Cat-5 cable with a maximum speed of 100Mbps.

  • Cat-5e has a maximum speed of 1 Gigabit per second and is available in both shielded and unshielded versions.

  • Cat-6 has a maximum speed of 10Gbps and is available in both shielded and unshielded versions for distances under 55 meters (about 180 feet).

  • Shielded Cat-6a with a maximum speed of 10Gbps.

  • For 10Gbps shielded speeds, Cat-7 employs a special GG45 connection rather than the conventional RJ-45 connector seen on other lines.

  • Cat-8, insulated, with a maximum speed of 25 Gbps (Cat-8.1) or 40 Gbps (Cat-8.2) at a distance of 30 meters (about 100 feet).

These standards are normally certified at their given speeds for a distance of roughly 100 meters (around 330 feet) and utilize a conventional RJ-45 Ethernet connection, unless otherwise noted. Each generation of cable is designed to work with the generations preceding it, thus a Cat-6a cable may be used with a router that only supports 1Gbps.

Make sure your cable is compatible with your network and use.


Let's imagine you want to set up a simple wired networking configuration in your study, where your router and PC are already installed. You're doing this because you want to cross a short distance using the fastest and most efficient network possible. You don't utilize network drives or copy huge files from one system to another across the network.

The first thing to look at is the speed of your internet connection, as well as your router and the speeds it supports. If your router's maximum throughput is 1Gbps, there's no purpose in upgrading to a Cat-6 or faster connection because Cat-5e equals your router's maximum capacity.

However, if your router supports 10Gbps networking and your internet connection is faster than 1Gbps, you'll want to invest in a Cat-6 or better to get the most out of your hardware and connection. Your ISP should be able to tell you what your theoretical maximum internet speed is, and your router's maximum Ethernet throughput is likely listed on the box or the back of the unit.

Another possibility is that you're wiring your entire flat in the hopes of connecting many PCs and media devices. You want to use your network to stream high-bandwidth video locally, retrieve massive project files from a central network drive, or perform other network-intensive operations. Cat-6a or even Cat-8 cable should be considered in addition to investing in a heavy-duty router that can support 10Gbps (or greater) networking.

If you want to be future-proof and update your network equipment in the future, you should run the fastest network cable you can afford (or justify) at the moment, because upgrading the connection later will cost you more.