The Best Brands of Cat 6 Cable

Cat6 cables have made Cat5 obsolete with their superior performance, and they’re not that expensive. If you need to install a new network or replace an old one, it’s definitely worth the few extra bucks to get Cat6 cables.

So if you’re still using Cat5 and don’t have any immediate plans to upgrade your network, it’s not worth upgrading just for the sake of higher speed. However, if you’re planning on replacing an existing network or installing a new one in the near future, then there’s no reason not to go with Cat6.

Here are the best brands of Cat6 cables out there right now:

9. GearIT Cat6 Outdoor Ethernet Cable

If you’re going to be installing wires outside, or even in a basement where moisture is an issue, then it’s worth getting Cat6 cables with better water and corrosion resistance. This GearIT cable comes with a heavy-duty PVC jacket that provides excellent protection from both moisture and the elements. It’s also got extra strength for big jobs like spanning long distances. You should definitely consider this product if you’ll be using your cables outdoors.

8. TBMax Cat6 Ethernet Cable

This TBMax Cat6 cable is a great value for the price, especially since it comes in such a long length. It’s made of 24 AWG stranded copper wire and has nice plastic shielding to prevent interference with your network signals. The connectors are gold plated for maximum conductivity and durability, and the cable jacket is PVC (which isn’t ideal but still better than typical cheapo cables). If you need 100 feet or more of Cat6 cabling, this is a great choice.

7. Maximm Cat 6 High Speed LAN Network Cable

This is a Cat6 cable from Maximm, which comes in lengths of 10, 25, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150 and 200 feet. The main selling point of this product is the fact that it has a polyvinyl chloride jacket, which makes it flame retardant. Polyvinyl chloride jackets are usually only found on cables for very high-speed applications like 10GBaseT or fiber optic Ethernet cables. It’s an expensive option but definitely worth considering if you want to make sure your network cable won’t ever catch fire.

6. UbiGear RJ45 CAT6 Ethernet LAN Network Wire

UbiGear is a pricier brand, but it’s well-known for its quality. This particular Cat6 cable features an “internal wiring” design that makes it resistant to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). It also comes with gold plating on the RJ45 clips for increased durability. These are more expensive than some of the other brands listed here, but they’re definitely worth checking out if you want your cables to last as long as possible.

5. Ultra Clarity Cables 75 ft. Cat6 Ethernet Cable

If you’re after a good quality Cat6 cable for your home network, Ultra Clarity’s 75-foot model is a great choice. It comes with a lifetime warranty and features gold connectors at both ends that provide maximum signal transfer and corrosion resistance.

This cable also has bare copper conductors as well as foil shielding to minimize interference from outside sources like electrical devices or fluorescent lights.

4. Monoprice Cat6 Ethernet Patch Cable

If you’re looking for a long Cat6 cable, this up to 100-foot option by Monoprice is worth checking out. They’ve got cheaper cables as well, but if your home has a good number of rooms that need to be connected to the router, then it may make sense to invest in something like this. This one will give you plenty of length and enough speed for any network setup. It’s also shielded so there won’t be any interference or other issues with the signal. Overall, it’s a good value considering the length that you get for the price.

3. Cable Matters Snagless Cat6 Ethernet Cable

This cable features a snagless boot that prevents fraying and increases durability, as well as molded strain relief for increased flexibility and reduced cable stress. The RJ45 connector includes a 50u gold-plated pin to prevent corrosion over time (which can cause data loss).

The cable itself is 24 AWG, which means that it’s thicker than most other options out there, which helps improve performance and reduce signal interference.

2. Jadaol High Speed Cat 6 Ethernet Cable

This is one of the most affordable Cat6 cables you’ll find, and it’s also great quality. It comes with a PVC jacket for durability, which adds considerable protection against damage (such as cuts or tears), especially in high-traffic areas. The cable itself features four pairs of twisted wires internally, all shielded to reduce interference from outside sources. Finally, this cable comes with color-coded pairs so that you can easily identify them when making connections on your network equipment.

1. Amazon Basics RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet Cable

The final Cat6 cable we’re looking at is from the budget line of networking products from Amazon, called Amazon Basics. They make everything from cables to power supplies and surge protectors, all with the same simple design as their product packaging. But when it comes to cables, they don’t skimp on quality—the RJ45 connectors are reliable and well-sealed against dust and moisture, which is key for outdoor installations. The cable itself is also thicker than that of a generic Cat6 cable, which makes it more durable and less susceptible to damage from staples or other sharp objects in your workspace.

Finally, this product comes in several different lengths. As far as I’m aware, Amazon’s prices tend to be very competitive with other brands of Cat6 cable in terms of length; so if you’re looking for something cheaper than the average price of $30 per 50-foot cable from a well-known brand like Monoprice, Amazon Basics is a good way to go.

Cat5 and Cat6 are both solid choices for home networks, but there’s no reason to stick with the older standard. It’s easy enough to upgrade your network down the line if you need to, so there really isn’t much of a downside in adopting Cat6 now. In some cases, it might even be required by local building codes or internet providers, so check before deciding which kind of cable you should use.

If you’re still on the fence about whether or not to upgrade, then just ask yourself this question: How much value do you place on speed and performance? If it’s a lot, then there’s no reason not to go with Cat6. It won’t break the bank and it will make a noticeable difference in your home network.

Have questions about Cat5 vs. Cat6 cables? Let us know in the comments below!