How to Choose the Best Ethernet Cable?

When you are choosing the best Ethernet cables, you'll find buying an Ethernet cable isn't as easy as it used to be. The network cables may look the same but have major differences from categories to categories, cables to cables, and don't forget, from vendors to vendors. Rather than Cat5e cable being top of the line, you now have more options like Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, and Cat8 Ethernet cables.

How to choose the right Ethernet network cable can be a confusing feat, that is why we are here to help you. This article will offer you an Ethernet cable buying guide. Now, let's focus on some considerations on how to choose the best Ethernet cable.

How to Choose the Best Ethernet Cables: What to Look for?

Appropriate Ethernet cables will help to realize better connections. Aspects like network cable types, quality, performance, Ethernet cable price, and more will all affect the choice. The following are the main aspects that should be considered before buying your Ethernet cables.

Consider Ethernet Cable Speed and Compatibility — First & Foremost

To find the best LAN cable, you have to know the specs of what the cable is intended for. The network cable types you need are mostly determined by the speed of the Internet you are using. It would be a waste to purchase a 10Gbps Cat6a cable if you are not gonna use 10Gbps speed of the Internet to match it and take advantage of its full potential.

Check the table below to know the performance of these different network cable categories from Cat5 to Cat8 at a glance. For detailed information, you can click: Cat5 vs Cat5e vs Cat6 Ethernet Cables Quick View.

After understanding the performance of different types of network cables, you may find that the Ethernet cables are interchangeable and backward compatible as well. You can plug a Cat5 cable into a router that has the latest 10G Ethernet interface, but the adoption of this type of cable will slow the data transfer down (partly depending on the type of transferred file). Similarly, you can also plug a Cat7 cable into an old router that does not support the latest speeds. Be clear about what speed and performance you want and what type of network gear you're using before buying an Ethernet network cable.

Good Ethernet Cable Craftsmanship Matters

Copper Conductor

Ethernet cable material, especially the copper conductor, will not only directly affect the Ethernet cable price, but also essentially influence the performance of the cable. Copper-clad aluminum wires & copper wires (including pure copper wire, oxygen-free copper wire, and bare copper wire) are available in the market.

Their biggest difference lies in the purity of copper, which determines the Ethernet cable quality. The purer the copper is, the less signal loss you will suffer. For less signal loss, you'd better choose oxygen-free copper wire with copper purity up to 99.95%. However, if you just wanna cost-saving wires, go with copper-clad aluminum wires.

The purity order of copper, also the order of the cable price, in descending is: oxygen-free copper wire > pure copper wire > bare copper wire > copper clad aluminum wire.

Figure1: Copper Clad Aluminum Wire vs Oxygen-Free Copper Wire

Cable Jacket Rate

Ethernet cable jackets can be made up of two kinds of materials, non-flame retardant & flame retardant jacket. Namely, flame retardant cables are typically designed to resist the spread of fire into a new area. For safety concerns, you'd better buy Ethernet cables that are flame retardant.

The flame retardant types and class are worthy of attention, such as CM, CMR, CMP, LSZH, etc. Normally, Ethernet cords with PVC CM and LSZH jackets are commonly used in patch cabling environments. For more related info, go check the Ethernet Cable Jacket Ratings.

Figure2: Ethernet Cable Jacket

Cable Connectors

The material of the connectors or contacts in a cable plug is vital for constant signal maintaining. For the conductivity: silver ＞ gold / copper ＞ aluminum＞nickel / iron

Silver and aluminum are extremely oxidizable, while gold is hardly oxidized in the natural environment. Thus, gold is the ideal material for achieving a strong and lasting Internet connection. You will be less likely to lose the signal and won't have to spend more money replacing cables constantly.

What's more, the thickness of gold plating (measured in microns) is also very important. Low-micron plating is easier to wear out in a short amount of time, while thicker plating normally lasts much longer. In most cases, the thickest gold-plating available is 50 microns, which is the optimal thickness for maintaining a fast and stable internet connection.

Figure3: Cable Connector

STP vs UTP

For STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cables, the shielding influences the crosstalk a lot. The more shielding layer a cable has, the less crosstalk it will suffer. Two common types are divided into FTP cable (Foil Twisted Pair Cable) & SFTP cable (Shielded and Foiled Twisted Pair Cable).

For UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cables, it's not the shielding to reduce interference, which is designed to limit electromagnetic interference by the way the pairs are twisted inside the cable. Typically, the tighter the twisted pair is, the lower the crosstalk is.

Figure4: Tigh Twisted Pair vs Loose Twisted Pair

STP cables are specifically suitable for environments where there is a high chance of electronic interference, such as radio stations and airports. Also, fit for security systems to provide protection from power frequency and radio frequency interference.

UTP cables are most suitable for LANs and similar network cabling systems. While offering less protection from interference, unshielded cables are popular because they are:

• Lightweight

• Versatile

• Flexible

• Inexpensive

• Easy to install

Industry-Certified Fluke Tests Guarantee High-Performance Network Cable

The Fluke Test issued by Fluke Networks is considered as the most authoritative criteria for judging the quality of an Ethernet cable, which tests the quality according to different cable standards, such as ANSI/TIA, ISO/IEC 11801, etc, covering patch cord testing and channel testing for Ethernet patch cables, and permanent link testing for bulk Ethernet cables. To avoid buying inferior cables, we suggest you buy Ethernet cables from vendors who can provide the Fluke test report to prove the Ethernet cable quality.

Figure5: Fluke Channel Test

Cables passing the patch cord testing will indicate higher performance due to the test being much stricter. For some small networks, passing the channel tests is fundamental. However, when deploying patch cables like Cat6 or category above in DCs, qualifying by the patch cord testing is a must. Note: As for bulk Ethernet cables, the whole length of the permanent link is generally no more than 90m.

Tips for Best Ethernet Cable Buy: What Else to Notice?

Length and color will be another two factors that you need to take into consideration when buying the best Ethernet cable for your networks.

• The Length — Ethernet copper cabling when used for 10/100/1000BASE-T, the maximum allowed length of a Cat5e or Cat6 cable is 100 meters (328 ft). Consider the proximity of the devices you wanna connect to get a cord with sufficient length.

• The Color — Not only for aesthetics. When there are many cables connecting to the Ethernet switches or routers, the color will help to track the cables and make sure the right cable is connected to the right position. Also, better for cable management.

Buy Your Best Ethernet Cable: Which Vendor to Trust?

After knowing what to consider when buying a good Ethernet cable according to quality & performance, you now face picking a trustworthy supplier from vendors to vendors. Network Advisor, a Youtube influencer in the IT infrastructure field, recommended FS Snagless Cat6 Ethernet Cable and noted "Worth a try" since FS snagless network patch cables have sleek and solid designs and constructions, cost less than most mid-priced network cables, and make cable management easier. Check out this review video now:

FS Ethernet Cable Best Sellers

Best-selling items can be chosen from the list. FOLLOW UP!

The portfolio of FS Ethernet Network Cables will continue to be completed, providing more choices in length, color, shielding type, cable jacket, and applications. COMING SOON!