People want to enjoy high-speed networks, which is why they prefer Ethernet over wireless connections.
But different Ethernet cables have different speeds, which in turn can affect your network.
In this article, I will help you figure out which is best for your internet connection.
What Should You Consider Before Buying An Ethernet Cable?
If you are buying an Ethernet cable for the first time, then you will have to take into account these four features before making a decision.
- Speed
- Shielding
- Cable Length
- Installation Location
What Are The Various Types of Ethernet Cables Categories?
The Ethernet Cables are divided into categories mainly depending upon the bandwidth and maximum data rate and shielding.
Cat5
This is the most basic Ethernet cable. It is very outdated and even hard to find. The households whose internet plans with speeds lower than 100Mbps use it.
Upgradation with CAT5e will be much easier and helpful in the future since it can support internet plans up to 1000Mbps.
It will also help you to get rid of the unwanted transfer of signals between the cables, which in turn will lead to a stronger connection.
Cat6
This is another cable that offers support of the same speed as CAT5e but your bandwidth will get doubled. Higher bandwidth will increase your upload and download speed.
Another benefit of CAT6 cable is its shielding which is actually a protective barrier that shields the wires inside the Ethernet cables from interference.
If your internet speeds are up to 10,000 Mbps, then you can go for a CAT6a cable since it will increase your speed and bandwidth.
Cat7
This is the newest Ethernet and offers much more apart from bandwidth. The higher bandwidth of CAT7 allows faster data transfer and supports speeds up to 10000 Mbps and 600 MHz of bandwidth.
Cat8
These cables can transmit up to 40 Gbps.
Cat8 ethernet cable is durable, flexible, and allows high data speed. It is best suited for data centers and server rooms.
What Are The Technical And Physical Differences?
The Ethernet cable speed and bandwidth increase as the category number increases.
CAT8 provides you with the highest speed.
Ethernet cables use different types of construction and isolation to allow faster speed.
For example, CAT6a, CAT7, and CAT8 use screen shields and aluminum foil shielding to reduce crosstalk, but CAT5e and CAT6 don’t use that.
CAT6a, CAT7, and CAT8 have better performance.
It is indeed challenging to determine which kind of ethernet cable will be best for you. I have put together a handy table below for your guidance.
| Category | Max Speed |
| CAT 3 | 10Mbps |
| CAT 5 | 100Mbps |
| CAT 5e | 1000Mbps |
| CAT 6 | 1000Mbps |
| CAT 6a | 10,000Mbps |
| CAT7 | 10,000-1,00,0000 Mbps |
| CAT 7a | 10,000 Mbps |
| CAT 8 | 25,000-40,000 Mbps |
Are Some Of The Ethernet Cables Faster Than Others?
A CAT8 cable is the fastest you can get right now, while a CAT5 is the slowest.
The type of Ethernet cable you are using makes a huge difference in the case of the speed.
The higher the category, the newer the design used for the cable and the faster speeds the cable’s designs support.
Ethernet is definitely faster than a Wi-Fi connection. Ethernet cables allow your devices to send and receive data instantly if you have a fiber optic internet connection.
The router’s placement doesn’t matter in this case and you will not have to worry about the slow speed.
The only way the Ethernet cable can get disrupted is if the cable breaks physically.
To be able to use the Ethernet connection, your device must be physically connected to the cable.
Ethernet is faster than Wi-Fi because you are hard-wired into the internet.
How To Choose The Right Ethernet Cable?
The higher the number will be the faster the speed and frequency will be, which will be, in turn, measured by megahertz (MHz).
The newer the cable the higher the bandwidth, which in turn will increase the download speed and faster connections.
This is what you need to know or do before choosing the suitable Ethernet cable for you.
- First, you will have to start with the speed of your home internet connection. If you have a slower connection of 10 or 20 megabits per second, then you can go with CAT5 or any other newer version.
- Second, by doing a speed test you will get an idea of what you need in wired connectivity. If your internet connection supports 50Mbps downloads, you can use a 1Gbps Ethernet cable.
- Third, you will have to take speed into consideration. A better Ethernet cable can make a huge difference while you are moving big files or streaming extremely high-bandwidth video. If you are not doing any of those and simply surfing the net, then you don’t need a faster network, to begin with.
- Finally, if you are looking for a cable replacement, then you can choose one of the recent versions so that you can get a higher speed.
You can easily opt for a CAT6a or CAT8 cable.
A good cable can work efficiently with other high-end network devices so that the connection becomes as strong as possible.
NOTE: Longer Ethernet cables have lower transmission speeds.
Why Is My Ethernet Slow?
The moment your Ethernet connection slows down the frustration rises.
An Ethernet cable can slow your connection if it’s the wrong type or damaged.
For instance, you should not use a CAT5 cable for an internet connection faster than 100kbps.
A damaged cable will also slow your Ethernet connection.
If your Ethernet cable is not plugged in correctly, it will result in slow speed.
Your device should have the latest version of the operating system along with the latest Ethernet drivers.
Even a virus or Malware can lower the Ethernet speed.
How Can I Make My Ethernet Speed faster?
To make the Ethernet speed faster, take into consideration the following things:
- Reset your network adaptor.
- Use the Network Adaptor Troubleshooter.
- Restart your Router.
- Try a different port on the Router.
- Scan For Malware.
- Change The Ethernet Cable.
- Disconnect VPN Software.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Are All Ethernet Cable The Same?
No, all Ethernet cables are not necessarily the same. They exist in different sizes and shapes with one single purpose of connecting devices to networks such as the internet.
- What Is The Fastest Ethernet Cable?
A CAT 8 cable is the fastest Ethernet cable.
- Does The Length Of the Ethernet Cable Matter?
No, the length of an Ethernet cable does not influence the network speed.
Final Words
So, by now, you should know about the different types of Ethernet cables available so far.
If you have any further doubts or queries, please feel free to reach out to us in the comment section below.
