Best Ethernet Cables of 2021: Best Picks

Sure, having all of your devices wirelessly connected to the internet is great, but if you’re looking to have a stable, reliable internet connection, especially for your PC, laptop, or gaming console, then you’re going to want a good Ethernet cable. They provide a direct line of connection from your router to your chosen device.

However, there are quite literally thousands of Ethernet cables to choose from these days, and saying that it’s difficult to find a good one would be an understatement. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of some of the best Ethernet cables out there. So if you’re looking for a good Ethernet cable, then you’ve come to the right place – just keep reading!

Comparison Chart

Jadaol Cat 6 Ethernet Cable

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Best Choice

AmazonBasics RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet Cable

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Best Price

DbillionDa Cat 8 Indoor & Outdoor Ethernet Cable

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Best Heavy Duty Ethernet Cable

Best Ethernet Cables Reviews

Jadaol Cat 6 Ethernet Cable

This is by far the longest Ethernet cable on this list, and it is perhaps one of the longest Ethernet cables available for sale anywhere. As the name suggests, this cable is 50 feet long, so you’ll certainly be able to extend it all the way from the router to your room or office no matter how far away it may be. The great thing is that it also comes with some wire clips to help you keep it secure and out of the way.

Review

This 50-foot white Ethernet cable from Cat 6 has a high-performance quality and can provide you with universal connectivity for LAN network components, such as your PC, printer, router, computer servers, network media players, switch boxes, and all manner of gaming consoles. In other words, this is an extremely comprehensive and versatile Ethernet cable that will be able to meet all of your internet-consuming needs.

If you live in a home where your router is somewhat far away from your office, gaming room, or bedroom, then this may just be the perfect Ethernet cable for you. It is extremely lengthy and is more than long enough to extend even the furthest distances between the router and your device.

The Cat 6 standard provides performance of up to 250MHz and is perfect for 10Base-T, 100BASE-TX (otherwise known as fast Ethernet), 1000BaseT/1000Base-TX (gigabit Ethernet), and 10GBASE-T (10 gigabit Ethernet).

Those are a lot of fancy words and numbers, but they essentially mean that you’ll be able to use this Ethernet cable to provide any LAN device with extremely quick and responsive internet without interruptions. This is great for people who do a lot of web-based work and tasks that require fast, stable internet speeds.

The Good

If you are someone who works in media and content creation, then you’ll love this Ethernet cable, as it can make your media uploads as quick as possible. It’s also a great Ethernet cable for gaming purposes, as it will provide you with stable, low latency, ensuring that you can react quickly in those heated online matches.

Additionally, the flat shape of the cable allows for an installation that is safer, cleaner, and with very little obtrusion. You can seamlessly and easily run the cable along walls, corners, and edges, or you could even slide it under the carpet to conceal it completely.

The Bad

Some consumers have reported that the pairs on this cable, which are meant to be twisted, are not. This can make them rather fragile. If this is the case for you, then you’ll want to be extra gentle when setting up this cable.

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DbillionDa Cat 8 Indoor & Outdoor Ethernet Cable

As you can tell from the name, this is one of the more sturdy Ethernet cables out there. It is great if you need to run the cable around the outside of your home. It is completely weatherproof and can withstand some of the harshest weather conditions mother nature can throw at it without experiencing even a slight drop in performance. If you need an outdoor Ethernet cable, this is the one!

Review

This Cat 8 Ethernet cable is made from 4 shielded, foiled twisted pairs (S/FTP), as well as single-strand OFC wires. This supports a bandwidth of up to 2,000 MHz and can boost the speed of your data transmission up to 40GB/s. There is shielding and improved quality in the twisting of the pairs, and this Cat 8 cable can completely eliminate signal interference to provide a smooth web-surfing experience.

This is one of the top Ethernet cables out there for streaming content in high definition, whether you’re listening to music, streaming your favorite show, watching YouTube videos in 1080p, or playing intense online multiplayer games where every millisecond counts. This Ethernet cable can do it all, even from the outside of your house.

The cable is quadruple shielded, making it incredibly efficient in reducing RFI and EMI interference while also providing the highest fidelity for transmitting data over long distances. With its upgraded PVC casing, the Cat 8 is resistant to corrosion and is waterproof, making it more flexible and durable for heavy-duty installations and applications.

The great thing is that it’s suitable for use both outdoors and indoors, making it quite versatile in comparison to many other Ethernet cables.

The Good

In comparison to other 32AWG Ethernet cables, the 26AWG Cat 8 is thicker and far more efficient when it comes to data transfer. This makes it ideal for AI smart devices, like Google Home and Amazon Alexa, as well as any other smart home devices that you may have that require a stable, fast connection to the internet and a high-performing network.

With its two shielded RJ45 connectors at both ends, this Ethernet cable is perfect to use with a networking switch, routers, IP camera, all manner of gaming consoles and devices, adapters, printers, and much, much more. You’d be reading for hours if we listed all of the things that this cable can be used for, so we’ll save you the time.

The Bad

While you can connect the Cat 8 Ethernet cable to your PC and gaming consoles for gaming purposes, a couple of customers have reported that the connection it provides is less than reliable when playing games. Because of this, you may be better off using it as a general, all-purpose streaming cable rather than a dedicated gaming one.

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AmazonBasics RJ45 Cat 6 10ft. Ethernet Cable

This is another fairly short Ethernet cable. It is the same length as the previous Cat 8, but unlike that cable, this one is not meant to be run outdoors. Instead, think of it as more of your standard Ethernet cable that is meant to connect you to your router. It is great for general purpose use and can provide you with internet speeds of up to 1GB/s, which is more than enough for streaming your favorite shows and movies or listening to music.

Review

This Ethernet cable from AmazonBasics combines high-quality performance with universal compatibility and connects computers to network components in a wired Local Area Network, otherwise known as LAN. It is available in a variety of lengths, but for the sake of this review, we’ll be focusing on the 6-foot option, which is generally long enough to connect most devices to the router.

The cable helps keep you connected to the internet safely and consistently, making it perfect for workplace productivity or for working from home. It’s also great for home entertainment systems, especially if you have a smart TV to stream your favorite shows and movies on, as you’ll never experience a dip in the performance of your connection, allowing you to binge-watch for as long as you want.

When compared to a wireless network, Ethernet cables are able to provide a wired connection that is much more stable and secure, as they do not suffer the interference that wireless radio waves do. Ethernet cables are able to connect computers and peripherals to the internet with ease. This cable from AmazonBasics comes equipped with RJ45 connectors, to provide you with universal connectivity for a range of devices, from PCs to Smart TVs to gaming consoles.

The Good

The quality and speed of your wired LAN connection will greatly depend on how fast data is being transmitted between network components and computers. This cable from AmazonBasics can transmit data at speeds of up to 1000Mb/s, or 1GB every second. That’s 10 times faster than Cat 5 cables.

This flexible Ethernet cable features a durable outer jacket that is made from sturdy PVC to protect it from damage and wear. The RJ45 connectors have gold plating, to ensure that data is transferred accurately, while also ensuring that they do not corrode.

The Bad

While this is an all-around great cable that provides a good, stable internet connection, the plastic cover on the connection ends is quite thick and may be too big to fit inside some devices. Just ensure that your ports are large enough to fit a relatively thick wire in before purchasing this cable.

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Mediabridge Cat 6 15ft. Ethernet Cable

If you’re looking for a dedicated Ethernet cable for your PC or laptop, then this may just be the one for you. This 15-foot Ethernet cable from Mediabridge was designed specifically for use on personal computers and offers an extremely stable and reliable connection to the internet with minimal interference and virtually no interruptions. This allows you to work and play without breaking your flow.

Review

While this may be an Ethernet cable that is designed to perform best on PCs and similar devices, it is compatible with any device that features an Ethernet port. It provides the best possible performance and speed for PCs, laptops, gaming consoles, Smart TVs, network printers, and basically all other Ethernet devices.

The Mediabridge Ethernet cable is able to provide you with 10 times the speed of a basic Cat 6 cable. It can support up to 10 gigabits every second, which is more than enough to exceed the performance of a regular Cat 6 Ethernet cable. The great thing about this cable is that you can safely install it in walls without any hassle, and it is flexible enough to fit around corners and in tight spaces with ease.

The construction of the Mediabridge Ethernet cable is premium, and the cable is designed to last for a very long time without showing any signs of wear and tear. It features 4 twisted pair stranded conductors, as well as an 8P8C RJ45 connector with gold-plated contacts. The PVC casing is CM grease, with a 5.8mm outer diameter to keep the cable safe and secure.

This is another great all-purpose Ethernet cable that can suit all of your streaming and workplace needs, and the wide range of support and compatibility means that you don’t have to go out and purchase multiple cables.

The Good

Interestingly enough, one of the major benefits of this Ethernet cable is that it is housed in frustration-free packaging. This means that the package that it comes in can be opened with ease, and you can go from unboxing the cable to setting it up around your house in a matter of minutes.

Like we mentioned previously, this is an all-purpose Ethernet cable. It is designed to connect to all manner of Ethernet-compatible devices to provide them with a stable and reliable connection to the internet. This makes it ideal for streaming shows and movies, listening to music, and playing intense online multiplayer games.

The Bad

Some customers have reported that, when they installed this cable and began using it, they ran into some confusing networking issues that they were unable to solve. Be sure to talk with your network provider about any issues that may arise.

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Cable Matters Snagless Cat 6 Ethernet Cable

Last but certainly not least, we have the Snagless Ethernet Cable from Cable Matters. This is one of the longest Ethernet cables on this list, second only to the 50-foot Cat 6 cable that we mentioned at the beginning of the review section. This makes it perfect for connecting devices that are some distance away from your network components. It is also great for those who live in larger homes!

Review

The Cable Matters Cat 6 snagless network patch cable offers you universal connectivity to network components and computers, like routers, network printers, switch boxes, network-attached storage (NAS) devices, PoE devices, and VoIP phones. It’s another great all-purpose Ethernet cable, but it is better suited to those living in larger homes with more space between their router and their devices.

This cable provides fantastic transmission performance and low losses of signal, to ensure that the internet connection you are receiving is both quick and stable so that you do not experience interruptions and hiccups. It is suitable for Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and 10-Gigabit Ethernet.

All of the cables that Cable Matters produces, including this one, are made from bare copper wire rather than copper-clad aluminum, or CCA, wire. This makes it fully compliant with Code 444 of the UL, which requires pure bare copper wire in cables used for communications and internet connections.

The great thing about this cable is that you are getting Cat 6 performance for the price of a Cat 5 Ethernet cable, making this one of the best cables in terms of value for money. It is also extremely affordable – one of the most affordable cables on this list. It is perfect for those who are on a budget but still want a high-quality Ethernet cable.

The Good

The price that you are paying for this cable is extremely low, especially when you consider the quality of the connection that it provides, as well as the amount of cable that you’re getting. For the asking price of this cable, 25 feet is extremely generous and is generally long enough for most people to work with comfortably.

This may seem trivial, but the color of the cable is also quite valuable. It makes it easy to distinguish from the other cables in your house thanks to the shocking blue finish on the casing. This is great for folks who like to stay organized.

The Bad

The ‘unlatch’ button on the connectors of this Ethernet cable can sometimes be difficult to reach and press down, which can make disconnecting the cable from some of your devices a challenge.

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Buyer’s Guide

Before buying an Ethernet cable, there are a few things you should consider. Here we look at the most important points.

Length

A single run of Ethernet cable is meant to work over a distance of up to 328 feet, or 100 meters. After that, their signal will start weakening and might reduce the overall reliability and speed of your internet connection. Note that the distance limitations on a Cat 7 cable are harsher than its predecessors.

Cable Type

The commonly used Ethernet cables are Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, and Cat 7, and they all have varying levels of performance. This is why it is necessary to choose the right Ethernet cable for your intended application.

Generally speaking, the higher the number after ‘Cat’, the faster the Ethernet cable will be able to transmit data, which results in a quicker connection speed and more reliable internet.

Transfer Speed / Bandwidth

Different Ethernet cables have different bandwidth speeds, which will influence how reliable and fast your internet connection is when using an Ethernet cable. If you want a faster internet connection, then choose a cable with a higher transfer speed.

Faster speeds are good for purposes like watching HD online content and gaming, where you want your latency to be as low as possible. If you are using your Ethernet cable mostly for work purposes, then a lower speed will do just fine.

Shielding / EMI Protection

The shielding on an Ethernet cable is usually made from braided wire mesh or a foil-like mylar, which is then individually wrapped around each twisted pair of wires. Alternatively, it may wrap around the entire group of four twisted pairs once inside the Ethernet cable.

Outer Diameter

The outer diameter of the Ethernet cable will essentially determine how thick it is. This can affect the devices that you can plug the cable into, as some cables will be too thin, while others will be too thick.

FAQs

What does an Ethernet cable do?

Generally, Ethernet cables are used to connect a device to the internet and to a local network. They connect to Ethernet ports on any device that has them, and the most common use for them is to connect an internet router to a computer.

How do I know which Ethernet cable I need?

You will need to check the speed of your internet connection, the size of your Ethernet ports, and the speed that you want your data to transfer at. Be sure to take these factors into consideration when purchasing an Ethernet cable.

How much does an Ethernet cable cost?

Most standard household Ethernet cables will cost you between $8 and $15, but the longer the cable is, the more money you’re going to pay per foot.

How far can an Ethernet cable run?

When run in a straight line, an Ethernet cable can run as long as its length specification. For instance, a 6-foot long cable can run 6 feet in a straight line. However, if you are running it around corners, you might get a slightly shorter length.

Can you make your own Ethernet cable?

Yes, making your own Ethernet cable is possible. This guide shows you exactly how to do it.

Wrapping Up

There you have it, folks, some of the best Ethernet cables on the market today. We hope that this review has been useful and that you’re a little more educated when it comes to Ethernet cables!