Everyone who has ever used Wi-Fi or any other type of wireless connection knows how this type of networking can be unreliable. For that reason, many people have turned to an Ethernet connection that guarantees great speeds and stable connection.

Of course, to create a great home or office LAN network, you have to acquire quality hardware that, other than the switches and routers, also includes the best Ethernet cables, which can be a real issue, if you are not that familiar with them.

For that reason, this guide will take you through a couple of steps, in order to explain the important aspects of the Ethernet cables and help you to be satisfied with your purchase.

Top Picks

How to Choose the Best Ethernet Cable

Although LAN cables are simple products by their definition and build, they still have a couple of characteristics that separate them among each other and play an important part in the proper decisioning process and include the following:

Frequency/Speed

The cable’s supported frequency/speed is something that should be chosen, depending on the nature of your network usage and characteristics of the connected devices. In other words, if your hardware and internet connection allows only for 1Gbps speeds, you won’t get many benefits if you purchase the cables with 600MHz of bandwidth that support speeds of up to 10Gbps, but you will surely spot the difference in the price.

On the other hand, if you want to soon upgrade your network hardware, or just want to build a future-proof network, go for higher frequencies It is a more expensive option but will pay off in the long run.

Have in mind that 100MHz and 250MHz cables usually allow for maximum speeds of up to 1Gbps, while 500MHz, 600MHz and 1000MHz cables allow for 10Gbps speeds.

Length

Great quality and performance are very important for every product, including Ethernet cables, but what is their point if the cable is too short. Therefore, carefully measure and choose the LAN cables in accordance with your needs.

Durability

Good durability of the LAN cable means you will be able to use it for a longer period. In other words, the more durable and sturdier the cable, the more money will be saved in the long run.

8 Best Ethernet Cables

Cable Matters 160021 Cat6 Snagless Ethernet Patch Cable

A Great-Quality Ethernet Cable with an Excellent Diversity

If you are looking for a multiple LAN connection cables that will provide a good performance and offer a variety of sizes (0.3m, 1m, 1.5m, 2m, 3m, 3.5m, 4m), Cable Matters 160021 Cat6 Snagless Ethernet Patch Cable, with its bundle of five cables, might be the right deal for you.

It is both flexible and durable and it complies with Cat6 standards. Also, its packages come with cables in five different colors (black, blue, white, red, and green), which can be pretty handy, especially if you own multiple network devices, such as printers, network media players, PoE devices and similar.

Cable Matters cables offer a bandwidth of up to 550MHz and allow for speeds of up to 10Gbps, which is a guarantee for a fast performance. This, together with its great build quality (it comes with gold-plated contacts and flexible PVC shielding), makes it one of the best Ethernet cable options on the market.

Pros:

• Excellent value for the money
• Available in 6 sizes
• Great performance

Cons:

• Not the ideal quality control

Check Prices


 

Mediabridge FBA_31-299-100B

A Highly Durable Ethernet Cable Ideal for a High-Bandwidth Networks

Mediabridge FBA_31-299-100B is a Cat6 LAN cable that will deliver superb performance, with 550MHz of bandwidth and 10Gbps speed, which make it a perfect solution even for the most demanding streamers.

This LAN cable comes only in gray and white color, but offers a great variety of lengths (1.5m, 3m, 4.5m, 7.5m, 15m, 30m) and highly durable build, which involves 24AWG stranded conductors and PVC shell with 5.8mm of diameter.

Fast, substantive, with a solid connection and support for Cat6/Cat5e/Cat5 standards, Mediabridge FBA_31-299-100B is, without a doubt, an ultimate option for everyone looking for the best Ethernet cable for streaming.

Pros:

• High speed
• Durable
• Copper wiring

Cons:

• Not that flexible

Check Prices


 

CableGeeker Cat 7 Shielded Ethernet Cable

An Ethernet Cable Built for Gamers

Quality performance and Cat7 speeds, followed by the reliability and the length of only 1.5m are some of the crucial aspects of the CableGeeker Cat 7 Shielded Ethernet Cable. More importantly, these characteristics make it a perfect fit for small area networks that include multiple bandwidth-hungry devices, such as PS4 or Xbox consoles, gaming routers, Smart TVs, etc.

It is available in bundles of six cables that come either in all-black color or combination of red, blue, green, yellow, black and white. With a solid construction that involves 32AWG conductor gauge, gold plated contacts and copper wiring, this LAN cable package is an ideal choice for even the most demanding users, including those prone to cable “torturing”.

Flat and durable, with 600MHz of bandwidth and support for 10Gbps speeds, CableGeeker Cat 7 Shielded Ethernet Cable is altogether a great multipurpose cable and definitely one of the best Ethernet cables for gaming available on the market.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Great performance
• Good looking
• Available in various colors

Cons:

• Cables a bit shorter than declared

Check Prices


 

AmazonBasics RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet Patch Internet Cable

An Affordable LAN Option for Those Looking for Functionality before Performance

Finding a LAN cable that is functional, with a satisfying performance that doesn’t cost too much, is the most important aspect for many users. Amazon has realized that and produced Basics RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet Patch Internet Cable that complies with every one of those requirements.

It comes in various lengths (1m, 1.5m, 3m, 4m, 7m and 15m) and bundles of one, five, 10 or 25 cables. Also, it offers a modest 259MHz bandwidth with only 1Gbps speed, but that is sufficient for most users anyway.

In other words, if you need a cheap connection LAN cable and you are not bothered by its limited performance that is nowhere near the best Ethernet cables, AmazonBasics RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet Patch Internet Cable might be exactly what you have been looking for.

Pros:

• Exceptional performance
• Stable connection
• Quality built
• Available in various sizes

Cons:

• Minor issues with quality control

Check Prices


 

MATEIN Cat7 Ethernet Cable

An Affordable Ethernet Cable that Will Satisfy Both Console and Streaming Users

If you are looking for a longer (15m) LAN cable that will deliver great performance, with Cat7 speeds, MATEIN network cable should be your choice.

This flat cable supports 600MHz of bandwidth that allows for 10Gbps speeds and is backwards compatible with Cat6/Cat5/Cat5e standards. Also, the package comes supplied with the 20 very handy cable clips, while the cable itself is available in white, black, blue or red color.

MATEIN LAN cable offers an easy installation process, both outdoor and indoor, and comes with a lifetime warranty. It offers great speeds and allows for easy creating of your own gaming heaven. In other words, the best Ethernet cable for ps4 or Xbox One is in front of you.

Pros:

• Great performance
• Good for both inside and outside use
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Not the best durability

Check Prices


 

Importer520 Cat6 RJ45 Network Ethernet Lan Cable

An Easy Solution for Your Lengthy Connectivity

Simplicity usually gives the best results, and Importer520 Cat6 RJ45 Network Ethernet LAN Cable is the clear evidence of that. Cheap, built out of some more affordable materials, but on the other hand, with gold plated connectors, this LAN cable offers everything that the regular, not too demanding user might need.

It is flexible, has 15m in length, comes only in blue color and altogether it doesn’t offer a great quality feeling. Nevertheless, it delivers a stable connection and offers decent Cat6 speeds.

In general, Importer520 Cat6 RJ45 Network Ethernet LAN Cable doesn’t offer the performance of the best Ethernet cable, but on the other hand, it allows trouble-free connectivity at a great price, which is more than enough for most people.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Decent quality data transfer

Cons:

• The not that great external casing
• Not the best quality control
• Questionable durability

Check Prices


 

Jadaol Cat 7 Ethernet Cable

LAN Cable that Guarantees for a Premium Performance

If you are searching for the Ethernet cable that can give you nothing less than super-fast Cat7 speeds, great durability and overall top-class build quality, Jadaol Cat 7 Ethernet Cable is the ideal solution for you.

Backwards compatible with Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6A standards and with 600MHz of bandwidth, this flat cable is a great option for home networks and connecting Ethernet switches, routers, modems and other network equipment.

Jadaol Cat 7 Ethernet Cable comes with a lifetime warranty and unfortunately only in white color and 7.5m length. Nevertheless, it offers a great build quality, which, among other things, involves copper wires, premium shielding and gold-plated contacts.

In other words, it has everything that the best Cat 7 Ethernet cable should.

Pros:

• Solid performance
• Nice shielding
• Affordable

Cons:

• The cable can become loose with continuous moving, plugging/unplugging, etc.

Check Prices


 

Ultra Clarity Cables CAT6 Ethernet Cable

One of the Best Cat6 Cables Available

A great mixture of excellent performance, durability and affordability is very hard to find, but luckily, it exists, and Ultra Clarity Cables CAT6 Ethernet Cable is the clear evidence of that.

This amazing Cat6 cable offers amazing build quality that includes 24AWG stranded bare copper conductors, gold-plated contacts and 5.8mm UL standard PVC shielding. More importantly, every cable has passed the rigorous testing, which makes them an ideal option for the more demanding users, who are asking for constant stability and reliability of their network.

Ultra Clarity Cables CAT6 Ethernet Cable supports for a nice 500MHz of bandwidth, which allows for 10Gbps speeds and comes in seven different lengths (1m, 2m, 3m, 3.5m, 4.5m, 6m, 7.5m), which makes it suitable for various uses. The package itself includes two cables of the same size, one in black and one in blue color and, more importantly, it comes at a fair price.

Altogether, if you are searching for the best Ethernet cable with a Cat 6 standard, it would be a smart idea to pay closer attention to this piece of equipment – you surely won’t be disappointed.

Pros:

• Good price
• Nice connection

Cons:

• Questionable durability
• Quality control isn’t at its best

Check Prices


 

Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide has helped you find the best Ethernet cable for your home or office network. If it managed that, its purpose is fulfilled.