Cat6 vs Cat6a vs Cat7: Which Network Cable Do You Need?
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Ethernet cables all look similar, but the category printed on the jacket makes a real difference to speed, distance and interference resistance. Here is how the most common categories compare.
Cat5e — the basic option
Cat5e supports 1 Gbps at up to 100 metres. It is fine for basic home connections, but most new installations now start at Cat6.
Cat6 — the everyday standard
Cat6 is rated to 250 MHz and handles 1 Gbps up to 100 metres. It can also carry 10 Gbps over shorter runs (up to about 55 metres in good conditions). For most homes and offices, Cat6 patch cables are the best value.
Cat6a — future-proof 10 Gigabit
Cat6a (augmented) is rated to 500 MHz and supports 10 Gbps over the full 100 metres. It has better protection against crosstalk, which makes it a smart choice for new office cabling, Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 access points and connections between switches. Cat6a cables are often thicker, so allow for a slightly larger bend radius.
Cat7 — fully shielded
Cat7 is rated to 600 MHz and uses individually shielded pairs plus an overall shield (S/FTP). It is not a TIA-recognised standard for RJ45 connections, so in most RJ45 networks a good Cat6a cable gives you the same 10 Gbps performance with wider compatibility.
Shielded or unshielded?
UTP (unshielded) cable is flexible, affordable and ideal for most offices. Choose shielded cable (F/UTP, S/FTP) near heavy electrical equipment, motors or in data centres with dense cable bundles.
Quick recommendation
- Home and small office: Cat6
- New business installations and 10 GbE: Cat6a
- High-interference environments: shielded Cat6a
Look for snagless boots to protect the clips, and choose the shortest length that reaches comfortably to keep your rack tidy.