Let’s be honest, we all hate cables! That’s why we talk about cabling in all of our server and gaming PC guides. But given the speed of our internet connection, we need the highest possible speed.
While Wi-Fi connections offer more convenience than wired Ethernet cables, they lag behind in terms of speed. When we think about how our online gaming and streaming is changing, our connection speed needs to be as fast as possible. They also need to be consistent and have low latency.
For these reasons, Ethernet cables aren’t going away anytime soon. Keep in mind that new Wi-Fi standards such as 802.11ac offer a top speed of 866.7 Mbps, which is more than enough for most of our daily tasks. Just because of the high latency they are unreliable.
Because cables come in different categories with features for different needs, we’ve put together a detailed guide to help you find the best Ethernet cables for gaming and streaming. Do you play online games that require fast reaction. Or connect devices that stream from media servers like Kodi or share large files on your local network, you should find the perfect cable right here.
Everything narrows down to the scope and performance needs you want to meet. But there is another rope that catches the eye.
You may need a wired connection for the best internet speed. However, first you need to know the speed of your home internet connection or ISP router.
If you have gigabit internet (more than 1 Gbps), old network cables will get in your way. Similarly, if you have a slow connection, say 15 Mbps, it will become a bottleneck on new cable models. Examples of such models are Cat 5e, Cat 6 and Cat 7.
There are about 8 categories (Cat) of Ethernet cables that represent different Ethernet technologies. The new categories have better speed and bandwidth. For the purposes of this guide, we will focus on the 5 categories that make the most sense today. They include Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat7 and Cat 7a.
Other types include Cat 3 and Cat 5 which are outdated in terms of power. They have lower speed and bandwidth. Therefore, we do not recommend buying them! At the time of writing, there is no widely used Cat 8 cable on the market.
They are unshielded and provide speeds up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) at a distance of 100 meters at a maximum frequency of 100 MHz. “e” stands for Enhanced – from Category 5 type. Cat 5e cables are not only affordable, but also reliable for everyday Internet tasks. Such as browsing, video streaming and productivity.
Both shielded and unshielded are available, with speeds up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) at 100 meters and a maximum frequency of 250 MHz. The shield provides protection for the twisted pairs in the cable, preventing noise interference and crosstalk. Their higher bandwidth makes them ideal for game consoles like Xbox and PS4.
They are shielded and provide speeds up to 10 Gbps (10,000 Mbps) at a distance of 100 meters at a maximum frequency of 500 MHz. “a” means extended. They support twice the maximum throughput of Cat 6, enabling faster transmission rates over longer cable lengths. Their thick shielding makes them denser and less flexible than Cat 6, but completely eliminates crosstalk.
They are shielded and provide speeds up to 10 Gbps (10,000 Mbps) at a distance of 100 meters at a maximum frequency of 600 MHz. These cables are equipped with the latest Ethernet technology which supports higher bandwidth and higher transmission speed. However, you will be able to get 10Gbps in the real world, not just on paper. Some reach 100Gbps at 15 meters, but we don’t think you’ll need that much speed. We may be wrong! The fact that Cat 7 cables use a modified GigaGate45 connector makes them backward compatible with legacy Ethernet ports.
They are shielded and provide speeds up to 10 Gbps (10,000 Mbps) at a distance of 100 meters at a maximum frequency of 1000 MHz. We can safely say that Cat 7a Ethernet cables are overkill! While they offer the same transmission speeds as Cat 7, they are much more expensive. They just give you some bandwidth improvements that you don’t need!
Cat 6 and Cat 7 cables are backward compatible. However, if you’re using an ISP (or router) with a slow connection, they won’t give you the advertised speed. In short, if your router’s maximum internet speed is 100 Mbps, a Cat 6 ethernet cable won’t give you speeds up to 1000 Mbps.
Such a cable is likely to provide you with low ping and lag-free connection when playing internet-intensive online games. It will also reduce the interference caused by signal loss due to objects blocking the connection around your home. This is when using a Wi-Fi connection.
When purchasing cables, make sure they are compatible with the device in question. You also want to make sure they don’t become a speed bottleneck or become redundant. Just like buying a Cat 7 Ethernet cable for your Facebook laptop can be a wise investment!
Once you’ve tested speed, bandwidth, and compatibility, it’s time to think about scale. How far do you want to run the cable? To connect the router to an office PC, a 10-foot cable is fine. But you may need a 100-foot cable to connect outdoors or from room to room in a large house.
Vandesail CAT7 has copper-plated RJ-45 connectors to ensure a stable and noise-free connection. Its flat shape makes it easy to place in tight spaces such as corners and under rugs. As one of the best ethernet cables, it works with PS4, PC, laptops, routers and most devices.
The package contains 2 cables from 3 feet (1 meter) to 164 feet (50 meters). It is lightweight and easy to wrap thanks to its flat design. These properties make it an ideal travel cable as it rolls up compactly. Vandesail CAT7 will be the ideal cable for high-intensity online gaming or 4K streaming from media servers like Kodi and Plex.
If your home internet can go from 1Gbps to 10Gbps, Cat 6 cables will let you get the most out of it. AmazonBasics Cat 6 Ethernet cables provide a maximum speed of 10 Gbps at distances up to 55 meters.
It has RJ45 connector for universal connection. This cable is affordable, safe and reliable. The fact that it is shielded and has a bandwidth of 250MHz makes it ideal for streaming.
AmazonBasics RJ45 is available in lengths from 3 to 50 feet. However, its main drawback is that the round design makes it difficult to route cables. The design can also be bulky for longer cords.
Mediabridge CAT5e is a universal cable. Thanks to the Rj45 connector, you can use it in most standard ports. It provides speeds up to 10 Gbps and is 3 to 100 feet long.
Mediabridge CAT5e supports CAT6, CAT5 and CAT5e applications. With a bandwidth of 550 MHz, you can confidently transfer data at high speeds. As icing on the cake for these great features, Mediabridge includes reusable Velcro straps to help keep your cables organized.
This is the cable you can rely on for HD video streaming or playing esports. It will still handle most of your day-to-day Internet needs at home and in the office.
XINCA Ethernet cables are flat design and 0.06 inch thick. The slim design makes it ideal for hiding under carpets and furniture. Its RJ45 connector provides a versatile connection, making it one of the most affordable and best ethernet cables for PS4 gaming.
It provides data transfer rates up to 1 Gbps at 250 MHz. With its design and superior functionality, this cable will meet your performance and aesthetic requirements. The length can vary from 6 to 100 feet.
XINCA CAT6 is made of 100% pure copper. Make it RoHS compliant. Like most of the cables on our list, you can use it to connect devices like routers, Xbox, Gigabit Ethernet switches, and PCs.
TNP CAT7 Ethernet cables have all the standard features of Category 7 Ethernet cables. But that’s not its selling point. Its flexible design and durability sets it apart from the competition.
The cable provides connection speeds up to 10 Gbps and 600 MHz bandwidth. It is designed by famous brand which promises error-free signal transmission. This cable is backward compatible with CAT6, CAT5e and CAT5.
Cable Matters 160021 CAT6 is an affordable alternative for those looking for a short Ethernet cable with transfer rates up to 10 Gbps. It comes in lengths from 1 foot to 14 feet and comes in packs of 5 cables.
Cable Matters understands that you may want to use color options to make cable management/identification easier. That’s why the cables come in 5 different colors per pack – black, blue, green, red and white.
This is probably the best ethernet cable for those who want to connect multiple devices. Perhaps installing an office server at home or connecting PoE devices, VoIP phones, printers and PCs. Latchless design makes it easy to detach.
Zoison Cat 8 has a copper-plated RJ 45 connector for better stability and durability. The STP is round in shape for better protection against crosstalk, noise and interference. The environmentally friendly PVC outer layer of the cable provides durability, flexibility and aging protection. The cable works equally well with all devices and is backwards compatible with older wires such as Cat 7/Cat 6/Cat 6a etc.
This cable is best for users who have 100Mbps data packets at home. This cable transmits data at high speeds and is more reliable than Category 7 cables. Cable lengths from 1.5 to 100 feet are included. The Zoison is roomy and even includes 5 clips and 5 cable ties for cable storage.
A 30 foot ethernet cable sounds like the average length of cable we need to extend our internet connection. It is enough to connect our modem/router to PCs, laptops and game consoles.
Direct Online CAT5e cables are cable with 30 feet (10 meters) of wire. It is capable of speeds up to 1 Gbps with a bandwidth of up to 350 MHz. For $5, you can get a quality cable without spending a lot of money.
Another best ethernet cable from Cables Direct Online. The CAT6 replacement comes with a 50ft cord. Long enough to extend the Internet connection in the office and at home.
The cable will support transfer rates up to 1Gbps and a maximum bandwidth of 550MHz. At a very affordable price of $6.95, this is an inexpensive alternative for gamers on a budget.
We have released two more cables that are perfect for PlayStation games. But Ugreen CAT7 ethernet cable not only has the performance characteristics, but also has a black design, which perfectly matches with the PS4 game console.
It has a maximum transmission rate of 10 Gbps and a bandwidth of about 600 MHz. This makes it the ideal Ethernet cable for high-end gaming at high speeds. What’s more, the safety clip prevents the RJ45 connector from being unnecessarily squeezed when plugged in.
Cables are supplied with wire lengths from 3 feet to 100 feet. It is made of 4 STP copper wires for better anti-interference and crosstalk protection. These features provide the best signal quality even when streaming 4K video.
Finding the best Ethernet cable can narrow down your internet speed needs. and how far you want to extend the connection. In most cases, a CAT5e Ethernet cable will give you all the performance you need for your daily Internet needs.
But having a CAT7 cable ensures that you are using the latest Ethernet technology, which supports high data rates up to 10Gbps. These speeds will give you peace of mind when streaming 4K video and gaming.
I basically recommend the Amazon Basics RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet Cable to anyone who wants to set up their own LAN. The amazing composition of this product makes it an excellent all-round rope.
While I think the girth is thin and feels fragile, overall it’s still a great product.
Post time: Dec-15-2022