- 9.60/10 1. Premium pick: Dacrown Cat 8 Ethernet Cable RJ45
- 9.60/10 2. Editors choice: Mukodi Nylon Braided Flat Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
- 9.40/10 3. Best value: UGREEN Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
- 9.60/10 4. Cable Matters Cat6 Ethernet Cable Combo Pack
- 9.60/10 5. Amazon Basics Snagless RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet Cable
- 9.60/10 6. Jadaol Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
- 9.60/10 7. Orbram Cat8 Ethernet Cable
Wi-Fi is incredibly convenient, considering your smartphone doesn’t have an ethernet port, nor would you typically carry an ethernet cable around. Despite how much progress Wi-Fi has made, gaming excels with a wired connection rather than a wireless one. And that’s done with a dedicated ethernet cable.
Everyone has different needs. Perhaps one person streams while another plays casually. Both would end up using different ethernet cables.
Here are the best ethernet cables for gaming available today.
If you're planning on doing some heavy data transferring, you can't go wrong with the Dacrown Cat 8 RJ45 Ethernet Cable. The main reasons are simple: 2GHz frequency with a 40Gbps transfer cap. Yes, it is a bit of an overkill for gaming, but picking the Dacrown Cat 8 RJ45 Ethernet Cable now means you will have future-proofed your device.
Internet speeds are only getting faster and this ensures you will be the first to surf those waves when it does. What’s also nice are the length options. For short distances, like your PC to the modem, you can pick up a small 1.5-foot cable. For long distances, the Dacrown Cat 8 RJ45 Ethernet Cable has a 150-foot length option.
Lastly, it has excellent durability. The RJ45 is gold-plated, with a resistance to oxidation. It’s even water-resistant. The wires themselves are covered in a PVC that’s UV-resistant.
- 40GB per second data transfer rate
- 2GHz frequency
- Gold-plated RJ45 connectors
- Brand: Dacrown
- Length: 1.5 feet-150 feet
- Cable Type: Ethernet
- Connector Type: RJ45
- Category: Cat 8
- Speed: 40Gbps
- Color: Black
- Excellent data transfer capabilities
- UV-resistant PVC outer covering
- Length options range between 1.5 feet-150 feet
- Very thick gauge
- A bit overkill for gaming
While not as fast as a Cat 8 ethernet cable, the Mukodi Nylon Braided Flat Cat 7 Ethernet Cable still performs well above what’s necessary for gaming. More importantly, it mixes performance, aesthetics, and durability to create an excellent package.
When it comes to performing, the Mukodi Nylon Braided Flat Cat 7 Ethernet Cable gives a one-two punch with its 10Gbps data transfer speed and a 600MHz frequency. That’s more than enough for casual and competitive gaming, even with top-tier internet providers.
As for durability, the Mukodi Nylon Braided Flat Cat 7 Ethernet Cable uses an aesthetically pleasing nylon braided covering. It isn’t just for looks though, since its braiding also adds durability by allowing the wire to bend without breaking. More importantly, it’s flat. It’s far easier to conceal in homes.
- 10GB per second data transfer speeds
- 600MHz frequency
- UV-resistance
- Weather-resistance
- Brand: Mukodi
- Length: 3 feet-100 feet
- Cable Type: Ethernet
- Connector Type: RJ45
- Category: Cat 7
- Speed: 10Gbps
- Color: Black
- Data transfer speeds cap at 10GB per second
- Flat design allows easier placement
- Wide compatibility
- A step down from Cat8 performance
- Could use a more positive connection feedback
For simplicity, performance, and a healthy number of features, the Ugreen Cat 7 Ethernet Cable is hard to debate against—especially for its price. The benefits start with its Cat 7 typing. It isn’t as performance-heavy as Cat 8 but excels past Cat 5, Cat 6, and Cat 6e. With the Ugreen Cat 7 Ethernet Cable, gaming will feel smooth and uninterrupted.
This is because it supports 10Gbps data transfer speeds and a 600MHz bandwidth limit. It’s solid in quality, too. Underneath the PVC jacket are four shielded twisted pairs of 32 AWG copper wires and a ground wire for safety in various conditions.
Additionally, its flat design makes it very easy to place under the rug without causing unnecessary damage.
- 10GB per second data transfer speed
- 600MHz frequency
- Gold-plated connectors
- Brand: Ugreen
- Length: 3 feet-50 feet
- Cable Type: Ethernet
- Connector Type: RJ45
- Category: Cat 7
- Speed: 10Gbps
- Color: Black
- Flat design makes it easier to hide
- Offers cord lengths as long as 50 feet
- Only PVC outer jacket for durability
- Poor packaging practices
For those looking to connect several devices at once, rather than buy separate ethernet cables, pick up the Cable Matters Cat6 Ethernet Cable Combo Pack. It comes with five ethernet cables, perfectly measured for personal use. And as a bonus, their performance is great, too.
This is because the Cable Matters Cat6 Ethernet Cable Combo Pack aren't just average ethernet cables, but Cat 6, which are a big step up from Cat 5 in terms of performance and well above what competitive gamers need. It can transfer data at 10Gbps, with a 550MHz bandwidth.
The gold-plated contacts are attached to five different colored ethernet cables, which makes it incredibly convenient for color-coding your devices. Speaking of which, Cable Matters did the right thing by adding a separator inside to reduce crosstalk and keep the connection as clean as possible.
- 550MHz frequency
- 10GB per second data transfer speeds
- Covered in a PVC jacket
- Brand: Cable Matters
- Length: 1 feet-14 feet
- Cable Type: Ethernet
- Connector Type: RJ45
- Category: Cat6
- Speed: 10Gbps
- Color: White, black, blue, green, red
- A 5-combo pack of ethernet cables
- Great for connecting multiple devices in one area
- Separator inside reduces crosstalk
- Longest length is only 14 feet
- Lacks shielding
Not everyone needs lightning-fast transfer speeds or wide bandwidth. Sometimes you need a quick solution, something valued-packed, and still does well. In that case, the Amazon Basics Snagless RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet Cable lines up perfectly within those parameters. It starts with its transmission speed of 10Gbps, a trait amongst Cat 6 ethernet cables.
The bandwidth is a bit on the thinner side—maxing out at 250MHz—it is still plenty on a good ISP. The gold-plated RJ45 connectors keep the signal strong and even resist corrosion. Aside from performance, the Amazon Basics Snagless RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet Cable Pack comes with five single or multi-colored ethernet cables.
It's a great choice if you need multiple devices plugged in as quickly as possible. And since they're multi-colored, one color can be assigned to one specific device.
- 10GB per second transfer rate
- 250MHz frequency
- 26 AWG conductor gauge
- Brand: Amazon Basics
- Length: 3 feet-15 feet
- Cable Type: Ethernet
- Connector Type: RJ45
- Category: Cat 6
- Speed: 10Gbps
- Color: Multi-color
- Multi-color options available
- 5-cable combo pack
- Good transfer speeds
- Longest length is only 15 feet
- Limited to 250MHz frequency
- Unshielded
Need to connect devices at opposite ends of the house? The Jadaol Cat 7 Ethernet Cable could be your next purchase. It isn't just the length of the ethernet cables, but also its mix of durability, design, and performance, wrapped into one perfect option. As far as performance is concerned, it performs as well as Cat 7 is expected to.
You'll get a maximum transfer speed of 10Gbps, with a 600MHz bandwidth. Its 50-micron gold-plated RJ45 connector then further helps keep the stream of data strong and secure. Its design then opens up a world of versatility and possibility.
For starters, there's a 100-foot option, which is especially helpful for routing a Jadaol Cat 7 Ethernet Cable from one part of the house to another. Additionally, the flat design helps hides away underneath rugs or run along with corners of the house.
- 10GB per second data transfer speed
- Flat cable design
- 600MHz frequency
- 50 micron gold-plated contact plating
- Brand: Jadaol
- Length: 25 feet-100 feet
- Cable Type: Ethernet
- Connector Type: RJ45
- Category: Cat 7
- Speed: 10Gbps
- Color: White or black
- Longest length is 100 feet
- Copper wires are shield
- Includes 20 cable clips
- Shortest length is 25 feet
- Only one layer of shielding
If you're looking for an incredibly long ethernet cable, one that also has impressive features, then you should have no problem picking up the Orbram Cat8 Ethernet Cable. Sure, it's a Cat 8 ethernet cable, but who doesn't like preparing for the future?
At 40Gbps and a 2GHz bandwidth, transferring data is effective and fantastically fast. There's a reason they're used in data centers. Additionally, its 50-micron gold-plated RJ45 connector ensures minimum data loss and anti-corrosion properties.
For durability, the STP shielded wires are wrapped in fancy-looking nylon braiding. Furthermore, the wire is flat in design to help to place under rugs or routing around corners.
- 2GHz frequency
- 40GB per second data transfer speed
- Nylon braided covering
- Brand: Orbram
- Length: 3 feet-200 feet
- Cable Type: Ethernet
- Connector Type: RJ45
- Category: Cat 8
- Speed: 40Gbps
- Color: Black
- Nylon braiding adds great durability
- Flat design makes it easy to conceal
- Awesome data transfer speeds
- Performance could be overkill for gaming
- Lacks a warranty
FAQ
Q: Do You Need Cat8 For Gaming?
The capabilities of a Cat8 ethernet cable is, by all accounts, superior to a Cat7 ethernet cable. One could make the connection that a Cat8 is the best option for gaming. However, it isn't that simple.
Even in competitive gaming, you wouldn't need anything more than a Cat7, provided your internet connection doesn't exceed its data transfer cap. Furthermore, Cat8 ethernet cables are, at the moment, typically used in datacenters. With that said, there is still merit in wanting to future-proof hardware.
Q: Wired VS Wi-Fi; which is better for gaming?
On the surface, there's nothing wrong with using Wi-Fi for gaming—even if you take your gaming seriously. However, it comes with more drawbacks than it does benefit.
Being able to go wireless adds a level of versatility as to where one can place devices. Not to mention having one less cable being routed from one room to another. You also save yourself some pocket change knowing you don't need an ethernet cable for a specific device.
Unfortunately, Wi-Fi simply doesn't offer the same stable connection. Hooking an ethernet cable from one device to the router gives that device access to your ISP's full bandwidth. With a Wi-Fi connection, you'd share bandwidth alongside every device connected to it.
Q: Is Shielding Necessary For Ethernet Cables?
Yes, absolutely. This is especially true when it comes to creating a stable, high-quality connection. In fact, ignoring shielding altogether could introduce interference that, in theory, could disrupt the flow of your game.
Ethernet cables can experience what's called "crosstalk." Imagine you're having a conversation with a friend. All of a sudden someone else standing next to you starts talking loudly. If enough people do that, you'd eventually lose out on what your friend said.
In the case of ethernet cables, crosstalk can cause the quality of your connection to dwindle. Enough contamination with your connection and it's goodbye to that perfect win.
