Best CAT6 and CAT6A Ethernet Cables in 2023 (2023)

Our most exciting recommended article yet! What are the best CAT6 cables?

Last updated on February 10, 2023

fun right? Look, ethernet isn't the bestexcitingtopic in the world, but sometimes we have to find thatpreferablyCAT6 cable. While CAT5e was more than adequate for most homes by around...say, 2021, CAT6 and its higher-capacity version, CAT6A, can provide faster or more consistent connections over longer distances.

What is the difference?

Both CAT6 and CAT6A can carry a 10 gig signal, but the way they are made on the inside means that CAT6 is limited to 55m for a stable end-to-end connection. This is why this recommendation includes both, as some homes or offices simply don't need CAT6A and can get by with regular 6.

Need to see more about the differences betweenCAT5and CAT6?We've got you covered.

It's ugly, it's literally a bundle of wires, and it's here to get a job done. While there is nothing special to write about about this cable, a 300 foot (91 meter) cable in particular is absolutely more than enough for any full home connection.

Theoretically, you could route this through the house via carefully placed holes or along the baseboards and attach the cable to them with clips. This is pretty much the ideal length for large networks for a 1Gbps connection, as it's way too much cable for a stable 10Gb connection.

This cable is available in 25 or 50 feet, which is a maximum of 15.24 meters. While it's not the longest in the world, it's ideal for placing around the home where you might want to hide it, flush next to a media center, or under a desk. If you buy multiples of these and connect them via powerline adapters or switches, you can get a lot more distance than originally intended, but you still have to consider the placement of these in the house.

This is also just regular CAT6 cable, but it's relatively cheap to buy and will probably fit a really neat looking network. It also comes with cable clips to help you hold the cable and offers you either 1Gbps or 10Gbps.

Our pick of the best CAT6 and CAT6A Ethernet cables when flatness matters.

Quality cables abound if you look closely, but getting an Amazon listing with details like InstallerParts' cable goes a long way.

This is as easy as you can get for CAT6A and perfect for getting your connection out of the modem orRouterinto a switch or broader network that you have planned. The 50ft length isn't long enough for something too bulky, but the 15m length makes it a great endpoint or starting point, as the short length and 6A rating means you'll have a solid 10Gbps connection received if available.

Again, that isa bundle.It's cable only. The difference between this and the other big batches of cables is that it's designed for outdoor use. Not everyone has a remote office or converted shed, so there are specific reasons for that.

The plastic on the outside is waterproof so it can be stuck through the ground to get out of the way without worrying about it suddenly breaking or burning. Mainly used for security cameras, it's pretty much the ideal cable for outdoor use.

However, if you have a garden office of any type, you may find that your WiFi or WiFi extenders are not reaching or providing an adequate connection, limiting your outdoor options. That's where this cable comes in. Because the office may be on a separate circuit, some Power Link connections will not work properly and will not be able to see each other. Therefore, running a decent length cable through the garden may be the better option.

My recommendation would be to then route this inwards to a switch that you can distribute around the office.

5

Our verdict