Things to Know Before Buying Ethernet Cables

5 Factors to Consider When Buying Ethernet Cables

Usman Ghumman|April 24, 2025

A slow connection can turn simple online tasks into a frustrating experience. While many people blame their internet provider, the real issue is often the cable connecting their devices. Choosing the right Ethernet cable keeps your network stable and helps your equipment perform at its full potential.

From streaming movies to running business networks, selecting the right internet cable for your router or cord for router matters more than most people realize. There are many types of Ethernet cables, different shielding options, and several Ethernet cable categories available today. This guide focuses on the five most important factors that matter before buying your next cable.

5 Factors to Consider Before Buying Ethernet Cables

All Ethernet cables may look similar on the outside, but their construction can vary greatly. The conductor material, shielding, cable category, connector quality, and wire gauge all affect performance. Spending a few minutes comparing these features helps you avoid unnecessary costs while building a faster and more reliable network.

1. Cable Category (Speed & Bandwidth)

One of the first things to check is the Ethernet cable category. Cable categories determine the maximum speed and bandwidth your network can support. Buying the highest category isn't always necessary. The best option depends on your internet plan, networking equipment, and future upgrade plans.

There are several categories of Ethernet cables, and each one serves a different purpose. Knowing the difference between LAN cables makes it much easier to select the right cable instead of paying for features you may never use.

Common Ethernet Cable Categories

Cat5

Supports speeds up to 100 Mbps.
Maximum bandwidth of 100 MHz.
Suitable only for older networks.
Rarely recommended for new installations.

Cat5e

Supports speeds up to 1 Gbps.
Operates at 100 MHz.
Handles cable runs up to 100 meters.
Great for browsing, video streaming, home offices, and small businesses.

Cat6

Supports speeds up to 10 Gbps over shorter distances.
Operates at 250 MHz.
Offers better resistance to interference.
A popular choice for gaming, streaming, smart homes, and modern business networks.

Cat6a

Supports 10 Gbps across the full 100-meter distance.
Operates at 500 MHz.
Provides improved protection against electromagnetic interference.
Commonly installed in offices, schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings.

Cat7

Supports speeds up to 10 Gbps.
Operates at 600 MHz.
Uses additional shielding for environments with high electrical interference.
Less common because Cat6a already meets most networking needs.

Cat8

Supports speeds up to 40 Gbps.
Operates at 2000 MHz.
Designed mainly for enterprise environments and data centers.
Usually unnecessary for home users.

These network cable categories continue to evolve as networking technology advances. Although newer options sound appealing, matching your cable with your equipment remains the smartest approach. Most homes achieve excellent performance using Cat6 because it balances speed, durability, and cost.

Ethernet Cable Category Comparison

Category	Maximum Speed	Bandwidth	Maximum Distance	Best For
Cat5	100 Mbps	100 MHz	100 m	Legacy Networks
Cat5e	1 Gbps	100 MHz	100 m	Basic Home Networks
Cat6	10 Gbps (55 m)	250 MHz	100 m	Gaming & Streaming
Cat6a	10 Gbps	500 MHz	100 m	Business Networks
Cat7	10 Gbps	600 MHz	100 m	High EMI Environments
Cat8	40 Gbps	2000 MHz	30 m	Data Centers

Which Ethernet Cable Should You Buy?

If you're still unsure, these recommendations simplify the decision.

Use Case	Recommended Cable
Home Internet	Cat6 UTP
Gaming PC	Cat6 Pure Copper
Smart TV	Cat6
Streaming	Cat6
Ethernet powered access point	Cat6
IP Security Cameras	Cat6 Pure Copper
Office Network	Cat6a
Factory	Shielded Cat6a
Data Center	Cat8

For most people, Cat6 remains the best Ethernet cable type because it supports today's internet speeds while leaving room for future upgrades. It also works well across many Ethernet cable uses, including gaming, streaming, business networking, and smart home installations.

As you compare different kinds of Ethernet cables, you'll notice that paying extra for Cat8 rarely benefits a residential network. Instead, focus on selecting the right category for your equipment instead of chasing the newest specification.

2. Conductor Material (Pure Copper vs. Copper-Clad Aluminum)

The conductor carries every bit of data through your internet-connecting cable. Although two cables may look identical from the outside, the material inside makes a significant difference in performance.

The two most common conductor materials are pure copper and Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA). Choosing wisely improves signal quality, durability, and long-term reliability across every type of Ethernet cable.

Pure Copper

Professional installers almost always recommend pure copper because it offers excellent conductivity with very little electrical resistance. Networks built with pure copper cables stay reliable over long distances and perform much better in demanding environments. Pure copper is especially recommended for:

Home networks
Business installations
Structured Ethernet cabling in computer networks
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
High-speed internet connections
Long cable runs

Benefits include:

Better signal quality
Lower electrical resistance
Improved durability
Longer service life
Better support for PoE devices
Compliance with modern Ethernet standards

When selecting cable categories for Ethernet, combining the correct category with pure copper conductors provides the best long-term value.

Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA)

CCA cables use an aluminum core coated with copper. While they cost less, they introduce higher resistance, which reduces overall performance. They typically experience:

Greater signal loss
More heat buildup
Lower durability
Reduced PoE efficiency
Shorter service life

Although these cables may appear attractive because of their lower price, replacing them later often costs more than buying quality cables from the beginning.

Pure Copper vs. CCA

Feature	Pure Copper	Copper-Clad Aluminum
Conductivity	Excellent	Lower
Signal Quality	Excellent	Fair
Durability	High	Moderate
Heat Resistance	Excellent	Lower
PoE Support	Excellent	Limited
Industry Compliance	Yes	Often No

For most residential and commercial installations, pure copper remains the preferred choice. Regardless of the types of internet cables you purchase, selecting quality conductors ensures better reliability and fewer network issues over time.

3. Shielding Against Interference (UTP vs. STP)

Electrical interference can reduce network performance, especially when cables run near heavy machinery, power lines, or large electrical equipment. This is where choosing between shielded and unshielded cables becomes important. Comparing shielded vs unshielded Ethernet options helps you select the right cable without paying for features your network may never use.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

UTP is the most common Ethernet cable construction used in homes and offices. Instead of using metal shielding, it reduces interference through tightly twisted wire pairs. Benefits include:

Lightweight construction
Greater flexibility
Easy installation
Lower cost
Excellent performance for most residential and office networks

If your internet cable for router runs through a typical home or office without heavy electrical equipment nearby, UTP is usually the right choice. It delivers stable speeds while keeping installation simple.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

STP cables include additional shielding around the cable or individual wire pairs. This extra protection blocks electromagnetic interference and helps maintain signal quality in demanding environments. They are commonly installed in:

Manufacturing plants
Hospitals
Warehouses
Industrial facilities
Server rooms
Buildings with heavy electrical equipment

If you're comparing different Ethernet cables, remember that STP performs best when properly grounded. Without correct grounding, the shielding provides little benefit.

UTP vs. STP Comparison

Feature	UTP	STP
Cost	Lower	Higher
Flexibility	Excellent	Moderate
EMI Protection	Good	Excellent
Installation	Easy	More Complex
Grounding Required	No	Yes
Best For	Homes & Offices	Industrial Locations

For most residential users, UTP offers excellent value. STP becomes worthwhile only when electrical interference is likely to affect network performance. This simple network cable comparison chart makes choosing between the two much easier.

4. Cable Gauge (23 AWG vs. 24 AWG)

Cable gauge is another feature that buyers often overlook. Wire thickness is measured using the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system. Lower AWG numbers indicate thicker conductors, which reduce electrical resistance and improve performance over longer distances.

23 AWG

23 AWG conductors are commonly found in higher-quality Ethernet cable types such as Cat6 and Cat6a. Advantages include:

Lower resistance
Better Power over Ethernet performance
Reduced heat buildup
Improved durability
Stronger long-distance performance

These cables are an excellent option for business networks, smart homes, and installations where reliability matters.

24 AWG

24 AWG conductors are slightly thinner but still perform well for everyday networking. They offer:

Better flexibility
Reliable home networking performance
Easier cable routing
Lower installation costs

Many LAN wire types and patch cables use 24 AWG because they bend more easily while maintaining dependable performance for shorter connections.

AWG Comparison

Feature	23 AWG	24 AWG
Thickness	Thicker	Slightly Thinner
Electrical Resistance	Lower	Higher
PoE Performance	Better	Good
Heat Generation	Lower	Slightly Higher
Flexibility	Moderate	Better

If you're planning to install Ethernet wiring for Power over Ethernet devices or longer cable runs, 23 AWG provides better long-term performance. For standard home connections, 24 AWG remains a practical and affordable choice.

5. RJ45 Connector Quality

Even the best cable performs poorly if the connector is low quality. The RJ45 connector creates the physical connection between your cable and networking equipment. Weak connectors often cause unstable connections, packet loss, and unnecessary troubleshooting.

When buying Ethernet cables, pay attention to connector quality as carefully as you evaluate the cable itself. Look for features such as:

Gold-plated contacts for improved conductivity
Corrosion-resistant terminals
Snagless boots that protect the locking clip
Molded strain relief for added durability
Strong connector housing that withstands repeated plugging and unplugging

A quality connector extends the lifespan of your Ethernet cord categories while maintaining consistent network performance.

Poor connectors may loosen over time, especially if cables are frequently unplugged and reconnected. Investing in better-built connectors reduces maintenance and helps protect your networking equipment.

Build a Faster, More Reliable Network

Buying the right Ethernet cable doesn't have to be complicated. By focusing on cable category, conductor material, shielding, wire gauge, and connector quality, you can build a dependable network that performs well for years.

Every installation is different. Some users only need a basic cord for a router, while others require high-performance solutions for business equipment or an Ethernet-powered access point. Choosing the right cable today reduces future upgrades, improves network stability, and protects your investment.

TS Cables offers premium Ethernet cables built with high-quality materials for home users, businesses, and professional installers. Explore our complete range of networking products to build a faster, stronger, and more reliable wired network.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Ethernet cable is best for home internet?

For most homes, Cat6 is the best cable for internet. It supports high-speed broadband, online gaming, 4K streaming, and smart home devices while providing enough capacity for future upgrades without adding unnecessary cost.

2. What is the difference between shielded and unshielded Ethernet cables?

The main difference between LAN cables with shielding is protection against electromagnetic interference. Unshielded cables work well in most homes, while shielded cables are better suited for factories, hospitals, and other high-interference environments.

3. Which Ethernet cable category should I buy?

The ideal LAN cable category depends on your setup. Cat6 is suitable for most homes and offices, while Cat6a fits larger commercial installations. Cat8 is generally reserved for enterprise networks and data centers.

4. Can I use the same Ethernet cable for routers, switches, and access points?

Yes. Most modern types of internet cable work with routers, switches, computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and wireless access points. Just choose a cable category that matches the speed your equipment supports.

5. Why does conductor material matter when buying Ethernet cables?

Pure copper conductors deliver stronger signal quality, lower resistance, and better durability than Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA). They also perform better for Power over Ethernet installations and comply with recognized Ethernet standards.

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