10 Best Ethernet Cables 2024 in the US

Nowadays, almost everyone needs Internet access on their computer. You can get Internet access through a wireless network card and a wireless modem. But you can also use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to that modem or router. The cable connection can give faster and more reliable Internet access, even though people might not want to deal with more wires coming out of their computer. Ethernet cables can be employed also in servers, connecting printers, routers, network switch boxes, network media players, Network Attached Storage (=NAS) devices, and VoIP phones. Here is a guide to some of the best Ethernet cables on the market.

Ethernet cable is also known as “patch cable”, for sending signals from a computer to a router. Ethernet cables are distinguished by their category. They all contain 8 strands of wire. You'll typically see “Cat 6” cable—that's Category 6 cable. You might also see a letter suffix attached that indicates certain testing standards. Here, the “e” in Cat 5e stands for “enhanced”. The “a” in Cat 6a stands for “augmented”. You'll see what type of cable you have from the writing on the cable itself.

• Cat-5: This is capable of 100 Mbps speeds and signals of 100 MHz.

• Cat-5e: This is capable of 1 Gbps speeds and signals of 100 MHz.

• Cat-6: This is capable of 10 Gbps speeds and signals of 250 MHz.

• Cat-6a: This is capable of 10 Gbps speeds and signals of 500 MHz.

The differences between the Cat-5 and Cat-6 cables are achieved by:

Twisting the wires: It was already discovered in the 1800s that twisting the wires in a telephone signal will improve the signal strength over a longer length of cable. The CAT-6 cables have more twists than the CAT-5 cables—that is why CAT-6 can carry higher frequency signals.

Shielding: There is what is called a “spline” in many Ethernet cables. It is a layer of sheathing around each twisted pair of wires. This shields the wires, and reduces interference in the signal even more. Sometimes the spline is not used in cables, because it makes the cable thicker, less pliable, and more expensive.

Sheath Thickness: The sheath is the plastic cover that surrounds all eight wires in the Ethernet cable. The thicker the sheath usually means the more protection of the signal from interference.

Screening: Some Ethernet cables have a screen underneath the sheath, for added protection for the signal from electromagnetic interference. The screen is a type of metal foil or braid that surrounds all 4 pairs of wires.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Fast Internet requires fast cable: People have noticed that, if they want streaming video over Internet, or large file transfers, they'll need cables that support that. So going to CAT6 cables would be recommended.

• Different color cables: The color of the cable won't tell you the specifications of the cable. But it will help you distinguish which cable connects to which device. So maybe it'll be worth getting cables in various colors.

• Length: You of course want to buy a cable that is long enough for your purposes: to connect between your computer and your router. If the cable is very long, many companies also make cable clips that let you affix the cable to the wall. That makes it less of a tripping hazard in the house. If the cable is too short, you can also attach RJ45 couplers, that allow you to join several Ethernet cables end-to-end, to get the desired length.

• Speed: What interests you the most is the speed at which signals can travel over the Ethernet cable. If your Internet connection is fast, you want an Ethernet cable that can also transmit a fast signal between the router and the computer.

• AWG: This stands for American Wire Gauge. You'll occasionally see this number when you purchase an Ethernet cable—it tells you the thickness of the wires in the cable. The AWG number will be written on the cable as well. It can say, for example “24 AWG”--so it's gauge 24 wire.

• Eliminating crosstalk: Crosstalk is interference between parallel wires. This can be either within the cable (abbreviated “XT”-crosstalk) and from alien, outside sources (abbreviated “AXT”--alien crosstalk). The greater the frequency of the signal, the more cross talk is experienced. Twisting and adding a sheath around each of the four pairs of wires in the cable is what eliminates this crosstalk. 

Cable Matters—was established in Southborough, Massachusetts in 2009. They make a number of technological supplies and products, such as cables and adapters for video, audio, and computing.

Media Bridge—has been making cabling and connectivity products since 1988, but in 2008 they started marketing their own brand of cables. They are located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. They make cables and equipment for audio, video, mobile phones, and computers.

Jadaol—are makers of electronic and computer supplies. They make a variety of Ethernet cables and accessories, as well as headphones.

Amazon Basics—is one of a number of private product lines that are sold by Amazon.com, the electronic commerce company that is based in Seattle, Washington. Amazon Basics is the product line of consumer electronics and home/office accessories that are available through Amazon. The product line was started in 2009.

Lowrance-- is a manufacturer of marine electronics since 1957, when they marketed the first consumer sonar device. Their headquarters are presently located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They are owned by Navico, Inc., which is the largest marine electronics company. They also make ethernet cables for their fishfinding and GPS electronics.