Wi-Fi might appear to have taken over from wired networking, but even now in 2024 there are plenty of devices that still use Ethernet. In some cases you might have a choice of using Wi-Fi or a network cable: TVs, set-top boxes, games consoles and PCs to name just a few.
And in some cases a wired connection is preferable as it offers a few key advantages. It’s almost always faster than Wi-Fi and more reliable to boot.
Buying a Ethernet cable sounds like a very simple task, but since you’re reading this, you’ve probably discovered that not all Ethernet cables are created equal. Category and cable length are two important factors to consider, but there are others as well. If you need to run network cable outdoors, perhaps even underground, then you shouldn’t buy standard indoor cable. See our buying advice at the bottom of the page for more detailed information.
A very brief word on ‘Cat’ markings though: most people should buy Cat6 or Cat7 cables now. Both support up to 10Gbps, but while a Cat7 cable can handle those speeds over 100m, a Cat6 cable will drop down to 1Gbps when used at lengths over around 50m.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best cables here, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the top few will be right for you. Each is the best for something.
And if you’re looking speed up your whole network, it’s probably a good idea to upgrade your old broadband router with a mesh Wi-Fi system. That will improve coverage and, if you go for the right kit, it should significantly increase speed as well.
Best Ethernet cables 2024
Amazon Basics Cat6 Cable – Best for most people
If you don’t need the extra performance of Cat7 because you only need 1Gbps, then go for this Amazon Basics Cat6 cable, which is fast enough for most people’s needs.
It’s available in lengths ranging from 0.9m/3ft up to 15m/50ft. You can even buy some of the sizes in multipacks, perfect if you know you have a few different things to network together.
However, if you don’t mind spending a bit more in order to future-proof your home network then read on.
Amazon Basics Cat7 Cable – Best for speed on a budget
The Amazon Basics range tends to be a good choice for simple tech accessories and peripherals, and it’s no different with ethernet cables.
This is a Cat7 cable, so it’ll be plenty fast (10Gbps to be precise), and you can buy it in lengths ranging from 0.9m/3ft up to 15.2m/50ft. If you need longer Cat7 cables, you’ll need to keep reading.
Note that there are also flat and braided (snagless) options in the Basics range.
Veetop Flat Cat7 Cable – Best high-speed option with length diversity
These cables from Veetop have a few things going for them. For one, they’re Cat7, which means they offer about the fastest speeds you can get from ethernet.
They’re also flat, so ideal for wiring through the house, and they come in varying lengths including a very short 0.5m/1.6ft option.
There’s also a white option which is perfect for running along the top of your skirting boards without being noticed.
UGreen Flat Cat7 Cable – Best for under-carpet use
This UGreen cable is flat and designed to support Cat7 speeds.
Being flat it’s ideal when you need to route a network cable under a carpet, or through a doorway or any other situation where a standard round wire won’t work.
It comes in lengths from 1 to 20m but only in black, so not ideal if you want to stick it to skirting board. Unless you happen to have black skirting. As mentioned, Amazon offers flat white cables in its Basics range.
Rhinocables Cat5e Cable – Best budget Ethernet cable
If 1Gbps is enough for you (and it will be for a lot of people, because it’s still faster than most broadband plans) then a Cat5e ethernet cable will get the job done.
In fact, it’s worth remembering that most broadband routers still don’t deliver 1Gbps Wi-Fi, so a Cat5e cable still isn’t a bottleneck.
These Rhinocables come in a variety of colours and lengths, from 12cm to 10m. We’ve picked the 5m cable here, but you can choose the colour and length when purchasing.
Mediabridge Cat6 Cable – Best for long lengths
A cheap ethernet cable can be prone to breaking, but Mediabridge’s feel well made and durable, and have a ‘snagless’ design.
They’re far from the only cables to have protection for the brittle RJ-45 clip, but it means the clips don’t snag (and snap) when removing the cable from a tangle of others.
This one is Cat6 enabling speeds of up to 10Gbps, and it’s available in a wide range of lengths available, from 3 feet to 100 feet.
There’s a variety of colours, which could be helpful if you need to see at a glance which is which, but not all are readily available in all lengths.
UGreen Extension Cable – Best for trip hazard risks
At first an ethernet extension cable might seem like an unnecessary bother – surely you can just buy a longer cable for about the same price – but there’s an extra benefit you might not think of.
If you’re going to run Ethernet cable anywhere in your home it could be a trip hazard, this extension could protect your computer or router’s ethernet port in case the cable gets yanked out unexpectedly. Instead of risking damaging the hard-to-replace port on your device, the extension lead could take the brunt of it, leaving you with a much cheaper replacement to worry about.
This version is also Cat6, but make sure you pair it with a similarly speedy Ethernet cable if you need 10Gbps. It’ll work with slower standards, though.
It you already have several short ethernet cables lying around, search for RJ45 couplers on eBay or Amazon as they let you join leads together and usually cost very little.
Kenable Outdoor Cat6 Unshielded, 50m – Best for outdoor use
Some outdoor ethernet cables come with RJ-45 connectors fitted at each end, but if you’re routing the cable through a wall, you’ll have to cut those off anyway – or drill unnecessarily large holes.
The best way is to buy a reel as long as you need, and cut it to length. Kenable’s unshielded outdoor cable has solid copper cores and a PE sheath which is weather resistant and can be buried underground. For wall mounting, use 7mm cable clips.
It only comes in black, but as it’s Cat6 it’s capable of gigabit speeds. As we’ve said already, only go for Cat7 if you want to future-proof your network for when multi-gigabit fibre broadband becomes the norm.
Finally, if you do use this stuff, you’ll want to terminate it not with RJ-45 connectors, but Ethernet wall plates.
FAQ
What category of ethernet cable should I buy?
This is the most important thing to consider, as different ethernet categories can carry wildly varying speeds and levels of interference. The options you’re mostly likely to see are Cat5e (the ‘e’ stands for enhanced), Cat6 and Cat7.
As you might have guessed, higher numbers tend to mean faster speeds. Cat5e is rated for 1Gbps and bandwidths of 100MHz, Cat6 offers up to 10Gbps at up to 250MHz bandwidth, and Cat7 can go as high as 100Gbps with bandwidths up to 600MHz.
The other major difference is that Cat7 cables are always shielded, which helps reduce interference and crosstalk. Cat6 cables are sometimes shielded, though retailers often aren’t clear when they are and aren’t, and Cat5e cables never have shielding.
Since most ethernet cables are fairly cheap, there’s an argument for buying Cat7 cables – especially for shorter (and thus cheaper) cables. However, most users won’t see any real speed benefits from Cat7 for a number of years yet, so Cat6 is probably the sweet spot for most – unless you want to be certain you’re future-proofing your cabling.
How long does an ethernet cable need to be?
After category, length is the next most important element of an ethernet cable. Partly that’s obviously just a question of how far you need the cable to reach, but it also relates to speed and performance.
Speeds can drop off over longer distances, especially with the more modern cables – for example, Cat7 supports 100Gbps is only up to a range of 15m, while a Cat5e maintains its highest speed for up to 100m. Similarly Cat 6 can run at 10Gbps at lengths of up to 50m or so, otherwise it’s 1Gbps.
Still, the average consumer isn’t likely to be running cables anywhere near 100m, and even 15m is probably longer than many people will need inside their home. Just try to avoid buying a 50m cable when you only need it to stretch across one 5m room.
Should I buy a flat ethernet cable?
Rather than the traditional round cables, some ethernet cables are available in a flat design.
This may bump up the price ever so slightly, but could be well worth it if you expect to thread the cable under any doors or lay it under a rug or carpet. It’ll make a big difference to how much you notice it.
What type of ethernet cable is suitable for outdoor use?
The advice above applies mainly to cables for indoors. However, if you’re going to run cables externally, it’s not a great idea to buy standard indoor Cat5, 6 or 7.
Outdoor cable should have a PE coating which won’t degrade and turn brittle as standard PVC coatings will. Also, outdoor Ethernet cables have solid copper wires, not the multi-strand wires that indoor cables have.
This means outdoor network cabling isn’t as flexible, but it’s designed to be tougher and for those solid cores to be installed into Ethernet faceplates. And it’s a good idea to use faceplates instead of just attaching RJ-45 connectors to the ends. Faceplates are inexpensive and lend a much more professional finish.
If you’re going to run the cable in the ground, then you’ll need ‘direct burial’ cable which is designed to withstand moisture. It’s also possible to buy shielded outdoor Ethernet cable which prevents interference.
Outdoor cable generally comes on reels from 20m up to 305m, and you’ll need a special ‘punch-down’ tool to push the wires into the connectors on the faceplates. When choosing, watch out for cheaper ‘CCA’ cable – copper-coated aluminium. This will not carry power, so it’s no use for connecting CCTV or PoE (power-over-ethernet) devices.
Author: Jim Martin, Executive Editor
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.