When you’re looking for Ethernet cables, LAN cables, Fastest Gigabit LAN Cables, and Cats can be confusing, and it’s probably why you’re here. This comprehensive guide will explain in detail the factors to consider when buying gaming Ethernet cables and define some of those confusing terms.
It’s 2021. Trust me; still, you can’t rely on Wi-Fi entirely. I was the one whose connection got interrupted mid-game because of Wi-Fi. Even though the Wi-Fi connection was super-fast, I had to face such problems. Since I am a competitive gamer, nothing should affect the quality of my Internet connection at any cost. Therefore, gaming without the best Ethernet cable might be the world’s biggest crime.
Why don’t I like Wi-Fi for Gaming?
If you’re a casual gamer, you’re fine with Wi-Fi. But, if you’re a serious gamer, this invisible thing will not work for you. I’ll let you know why. You didn’t know, but our Internet connection may interrupt because of very common items, such as walls, furniture, Wi-Fi-enabled smart gadgets, busy channels, and many others. That’s why I don’t like wireless Internet when it comes to gaming.
However, our struggle doesn’t over here. Since there are so many different types of Ethernet gaming cables, including Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 7, and even the recently launched Cat 8, how will you be able to find out which is to go for? Don’t worry! I have done it for you.
I am going to share with you the three best ethernet cables for gaming. Plus, a buying guide that includes a comparison of all types of ethernet gaming cables available on the market. To make this article more interesting, I’ve answered some of the common questions about Ethernet cables.
Let’s get started!
The top three Ethernet cables for gaming in 2021
- Jadaol White Flat Cable – Best overall Ethernet LAN cable
- UGREEN Black Flat Cable – Best Cat7 Ethernet Cable
- Dacrown Ultra-Fast Rounded Cable – Best Cat 8 Ethernet Cable
1. Jadaol Flat Ethernet Gaming Cable – Best Cat-7 Ethernet Cable
Overview:
The first Ethernet cable for gaming is Jadaol Cat-7. It is a solid flat type. Moreover, it is faster than the previous Ethernet cables, such as Cat5e and Cat6. With the capability of up to 600MHz, it can handle any Gigabit connection easily.
Since it is a flat cable, it is more reliable than those ordinary round cables. It contains four shielded pairs of copper wires. Each end with RJ45 connectors consists of 50-micron gold plated pins.
Pros & Cons:
What I like:
- Its solid unique flat design
- Backward compatibility with Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6
- Its length flexibility, available from 25ft to 100ft
- High-quality gold plated pins RJ45 connectors on each side
- It comes with free cable clips
What I don’t:
- I have no issue
Verdict:
It will be the perfect Ethernet Cable for your gaming. You won’t have any problem using it with a networking switch, ADSL modem, modem-router, laptop, coupler, and many others. If you haven’t used any flat shaped cable before, you’ll find it more durable.
Moreover, you have both black and white options with cable length availability from 25ft to 100ft.
2. UGREEN Cat 7 LAN Cable – Cheapest Ethernet Cable For Gaming
Overview:
With a maximum 600MHz bandwidth support, UGREEN deserves a second place on the list. It promises up to 10Gbps data transmission. Meaning, you can enjoy hassle-free gaming (ps4, Xbox one, ps5), streaming, listening, and Internet surfing.
The flat-shaped cable is made of pure copper conductor and containing ground wire, aluminum folie, and a PVC outlet jacket. It’s a four-layer high-quality cable with multiple shielding. Since its both side has a universal RJ-45 gold-plated connector, compatiblity with devices is a breeze.
Pros & Cons:
What I like:
- 24k gold-plated universal RJ-45 connectors
- Data transfer rate up to 10Gbps with 600MHz bandwidth
- Its solid flat shaped design
- Multiple shielding and high-quality 32AWG copper core
- From 3ft to 50ft cable length options available
I don’t like:
- It comes in only black color, no white option.
Verdict:
The cable is fantastic. For less than $5, you get a high-quality base-t cat-7 standard cable that can transmit data up to 10Gbps. It is ideal for everything, whether it is your home, office, or any other place. You won’t be disappointed with the performance and quallity.
3. DBILLIONDA CAT-8 Gaming – Fastest Ethernet Cable
Overview:
The third best LAN ethernet cable for you is from DBILLIOONDA. It is the latest standard Cat-8 cable offering impressive 2000MHz bandwidth with up to 40Gbps data transmission.
It comes in different lengths, from 3ft to 150ft. Its 24k gold-plated RJ45 connectors are made of high-quality material. Moreover, it is weatherproof & UV resistant; you can use it in your backyard, even in the cold and direct sunlight.
Pros & Cons:
What I like:
- The latest standard Cat-8 ethernet cable
- Waterproof, Weatherproof, and UV resistant
- Its different lengths from 3 feet to 150 feet
- Multiple layers (quadruple shielded) protection and gold-plated connectors
I don’t like:
- Round shape
Verdict:
This is the best and fastest Cat-8 ethernet gigabit cable on the market. If you’re planning to upgrade, you’ll see the real difference. Its heavy-duty material and quadruple shielding is making it more durable and flexible.
It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use as it is weatherproof and UV resistant.
Factors to consider while buying the best gaming Ethernet cables
1. Cable category
Ethernet cables are categorized differently. Cat 5e cables are perfect for basic users, while Cat 6 cables are usually used in professional settings. However, both these cables are suitable for gamers. Cat 5e Ethernet cables have a 100MHz rating while the Cat 6 cables have a 250MHz, so the latter provides higher speeds. There are also other categories like the Cat7, Cat 7a, and Cat 8.
The Cat7 cables can achieve up to 100GBps at a 15-meter range, while the Cat 8 can achieve up to 40GBps at a 30-meter range. If you’re a serious gamer, go for Cat 6, 7 or 8, if your devices are top-of-the-line.
2. Cable type
Ethernet cables come in two different types; flat and round cables.
Flat Ethernet cables
Initially, flat Ethernet cables were made for the IBM computers. They are typically utilized in aerospace, robotics, military, or other areas that require high-end computing. They offer effectiveness in packaging, agility in usage, and decreased electronic noise and vibration while connected.
Round Ethernet cable
This is an insulated cable that has several layers of filler substances. These layers maintain the initial round shape, which reduces heating in the Ethernet cables due to friction. Besides, the filler material also shields the cord from some exterior elements. Mostly, these cables are utilized in the manufacturing and industrial fields.
3. Length and frequency
The length of your Ethernet cable will directly affect the quality of the signal. The longer the cable, the lower the signal quality, which means slow transfer rates and moderated network performance. The shorter cables are better since they also have attached connectors. For longer cables, you have to purchase suitable connectors. When purchasing your Ethernet cable, the length limit recommended is 100 meters.
4. Materials
Go for pure copper cables; Ethernet cable manufacturers usually make them from Copper-Clad aluminum or pure Copper. For a better connection, choose pure Copper, or “TIA 568-C22,” which is normally indicated on the wrapping. Copper-Clad Aluminum is usually cheaper though it won’t offer you a quality connection.
5. Flat Vs. round Ethernet cable
Flat Ethernet cables are less durable compared to round ones. These cables are high maintenance and less viable than round cables, and they also don’t feature a protective filler.
However, the latest flat cables are designed to overcome the missing features of the old-fashioned flat cables. Therefore, it is better to buy the latest flat cables compared to round cables.
FAQs
1. Types of Ethernet cables: Cat 5e vs. Cat 6 vs. Cat 7 vs. Cat 8
1. Cat 5e
Cat stands for Category while “e” stands for enhanced. Physically, there is no difference between Cat 5 and Cat 5e. On the other hand, manufacturers designed Cat 5e Ethernet cables to exclude unnecessary signal transmissions between communication channels. Currently, it is the most commonly utilized cable due to its reduced production cost.
2. Cat 6
These cables support increased bandwidths compared to Cat 5e cables. They are usually fitted out with foil or interlaced shielding. This shielding protects the interweaved wires in the cable, which helps stop crosstalk and interference. Cat 6 Ethernet cables support speeds of a maximum of 10GBps for a range of up to 55 meters. However, they are a bit more expensive than Cat 5e cables.
3. Cat 7
Compared to Cat 6 cables, Cat 7 cables offer faster speeds and support increased bandwidths by using the latest Ethernet technology available. They can go to up to 100Gbps with a 15-meter cable, which makes Cat 7 cables among the most proficient Ethernet cable Categories. They are adequately shielded, and they have a GigaGate45 connector, which is compatible with RJ45 ports.
4. Cat 8
This is an upcoming technology, though they are in the market. They have a frequency of up to 2,000MHz and 40GBps speeds on 30-meter cables. This increased frequency needs high shielding; therefore, there are no unshielded Cat 8 cables in the market. What’s more, Cat 8 Ethernet cables offer two connectors, which means it permits three linked cables with a 30 meters overall length. They are pricier than Cat 7 cables.
2. Electromagnetic shielding
UTP
It stands for Unshielded Twisted pairs. UTP cables don’t feature either braided or foil shielding. Thus, they’re cheaper to manufacture, though the signal quality is not impressive, and they are more susceptible to crosswalk.
FTP or SFTP
The Foiled Twisted Pairs have a foil shield that guards the cables, moderates noise interference, and boosts the connection’s quality.
STP or SSTP
Shielded Twisted pairs feature braided protection typically made from a conductive polymer such as Copper. Braided shielding decreases noise and enhances connection quality.
3. Ethernet vs. Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is quite impressive, with fast speeds and convenience. If a gadget has to be moved around, or you don’t want to link a cable to it, Wi-Fi is the way to go. However, if you’re a gamer and you use a PC that you rarely move, Ethernet is the right choice if you want high-quality streaming while gaming. Once your plugin the cable, you’ll get a more reliable connection as compared to Wi-Fi.
4. How to hook up Ethernet cable to my PC
- Insert the cable into your PC’s Ethernet port
- Click on the windows icon on your PC
- Go to control panel
- Type network in the search panel and go to the “network and sharing center” in the main panel.
- Click the “unidentified network” icon.
- Move the cursor over the PC’s name and double-click to connect.
- If prompted, type the username and password to allow access to the PC
Ethernet comes with the benefits of faster speed, reduced latency, and it is more reliable in the long run. While Wi-Fi is convenient and is ideal for several uses, Ethernet is the best option for gamers. Well, there you have it, the ultimate guide for buying your gaming Ethernet cable!
Conclusion: How to choose the best LAN ethernet cable for your needs?
I’ve shared the three best Ethernet LAN cables for gaming, including two Cat-7 and one Cat-8, with the in-depth buying guide. Since these ethernet cables are universal, you won’t have to face any compatibility issues.
The first two ethernet cables are flat-shaped and offer a maximum data transfer rate of up to 10Gbps. However, I don’t recommend them for outdoor purposes.
For outdoor use, I highly recommend the third one for you. It is the latest cable standard you get on the market. With a promising 40Gbps data transfer speed, it supports a maximum bandwidth of up to 2000MHz.