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Best Ethernet Cables for Gaming [Say Bye to High Ping!]

Best Ethernet Cables for Gaming
Written by Jeff Lampkin
Ethernet cables are quite faster than other untethered means of connectivity such as Bluetooth and WiFi, making the connection between different computers even faster. That’s the reason why a lot of professional gamers prefer having a network site that uses them for good connectivity. Ethernet Cables are useful for all purposes of network connectivity. Some are required for patching into the Local Area Network, while others are meant to create opportunities for communications between devices and in turn, create the Local Area Network itself. Whatever be the case, they are what facilitate the functioning of the LAN. As a gamer, you don’t want to buy the one which won’t have faster transfer rates (as that could lead to high-ping, which in turn can make your game play quite laggy or the player having a better ping than you can turn a good game into a bad by defeating you. Here’s the list of the ethernet cables that we consider the best for various purposes for different reasons. So you don’t have to think twice before buying one! Shall we now begin with the list?

1. Jadaol Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable

Jadaol Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable

Jadaol Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable

The Jadaol Cat6 Ethernet Cable is a simple, 25 feet long flat ethernet cable meant to connect separate computers or servers in a LAN. A Cat6 enabled cable, this can easily support speeds of up to up to 10 Gb per second. The Ethernet Cable comes with a gold plated RJ45 connector jack used to patch into different machines, be they servers or computers. The connector also has a rubber shield on top for comfortable insertion and removal. The cables themselves are flat, meaning that they are more flexible, take up less space, and don’t break as easily as round cables do. However, they tend to slip when unattached. The internal cable structure is comprised of 4 unshielded twisted pairs. While this would certainly increase the speed of communications, it can also cause interference and crosstalk in the communications. The flat structure fails to provide the necessary space for shielding the wires inside. The cable also comes with 10 cable clips to keep the wire securely in position.
Pros
  • Cat6 cables capable of supporting high speeds.
  • Gold Plated RJ45 connector Jack.
  • Shielded Jack for easier connection.
  • Flat Cables provide greater flexibility.
  • Comes with 10 cable clips.
Cons
  • Unshielded Twisted Pair can cause crosstalk and bleeding.
  • Flat cables more difficult to keep in place even while using cable clips and are less durable.

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2. Hexagon Network Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable

Hexagon Network Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable

Hexagon Network Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable

The Hexagon Network Cat6 Ethernet Cables are flat ethernet cables meant for CAT6 connections. They have pure copper wiring and differ in length. They come in primarily four variants: 3 feet, 15 feet, 25 feet, and 100 feet. The CAT6 cable architecture helps them support up to 10 Gigabits of information exchange per second. The cables are pure copper, reducing any interference. The RJ45 connectors are also gold plated, further reducing interference. The connector also has a rubber shield on top for a snaggle free connection. The best part about these is that they are offered at the same price as a Cat5 cable. The wires, however, are composed of four unshielded twisted pairs, making crosstalk and bleeding an eventual possibility.
Pros
  • Cat6 cable for high speeds.
  • Gold Plated RJ45 connector Jack.
  • Shielded Jack for easier connection.
  • Flat Cables provide greater flexibility.
  • Economically priced.
  • Available at different prices.
  • Pure copper wires.
Cons
  • Flat cables harder to manage and keep in place and are less durable.
  • Unshielded Twisted Pair can cause Crosstalk and Bleeding.

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3. DanYee Cat7 Nylon Ethernet Cable

DanYee Cat7 Nylon Ethernet Cable

DanYee Cat7 Nylon Ethernet Cable

The DanYee Cat7 Nylon Ethernet Cables take connectivity speeds to the next level by including a Cat7 architecture in their wires. These cables are available in 8 different lengths, 3ft, 10ft, 16ft, 26ft, 33ft, 50ft, 66ft, and 100ft. This facilitates most requirements including use as a patching cable as well as connecting different servers in a LAN. These cables have an RJ45 Universal Connector which is gold plated for minimal interference. The wires are solid copper which further reduces interference. The CAT7 architecture supports transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps at 750 Mhz, which is more than necessary for most LAN connections. The cables are made of Braided Nylon which not only adds to the durability but also keeps the wires flexible. However, the Nylon adds a lot of weight to the cables, making them heavier. The internal structure is composed of Shielded Twisted pairs which help protect against crosstalk and interference at the cost of additional weight. The product comes with a binding velcro to keep the cables organized and a one year warranty on the product in case anything goes wrong.
Pros
  • Cat7 architecture facilitates extremely high speeds.
  • Available in a variety of different lengths.
  • Gold Plated RJ45 connector.
  • Snaggle Free connector.
  • Braided Nylon makes the wires more durable and flexible.
  • Shielded Twisted Pair architecture helps prevent crosstalk and bleeding.
  • Wires made of copper.
  • Comes with a velcro.
  • Nylon Cables do not get dirty easily.
  • One year warranty.
Cons
  • Nylon braided cable gets quite heavy.
  • STP architecture further increases the weight of the cables.

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4. Monoprice SlimRun Cat6A Ethernet Cables

Monoprice SlimRun Cat6A Ethernet Cables

Monoprice SlimRun Cat6A Ethernet Cables

The Monoprice SlimRun Cat6A Ethernet Cables deliver the speeds of Cat6 cables in a slimmer and lighter design. The product comes in a pack of five cables and comes in 12 different length variants, 0.5ft, 1ft, 2ft, 3ft, 5ft, 7ft, 10ft, 14ft, 20ft, 25ft, 30ft, and 50ft. They’re usually colored similarly in order to be able to successfully bunch up patching cables for a similar station. They are also available in multiple color options for keeping a busy workplace better organized. It has a gold plated Snagless RJ45 connector for easier connections and copper wires for minimal interference. The slim design of the Cat6A wires greatly reduces the weight of the wires as well as the space occupied by them when in congested workspaces like Data Centres. This enables people to fit more cables into the same area, making more use of less space. The wires themselves are composed of four unshielded twisted pairs which can cause bleeding and crosstalk during communication. They come with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
  • Cat6 architecture enables fast connectivity.
  • 12 different length variants.
  • Available in different colors.
  • Gold plated Snagless RJ45 Universal connector.
  • Copper wires.
  • Slim wires are lighter and occupy less space.
  • Lifetime warranty.
Cons
  • Slimmer wires are less durable and can break easily.
  • Unshielded Twisted Pair can cause crosstalk and bleeding.

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5. Javex Cat7 Ethernet Cable

Javex Cat7 Ethernet Cable

Javex Cat7 Ethernet Cable

The Javex Cat7 Ethernet Cable is an Ethernet Cable which supports Cat7 architecture. It remains backward compatible with Cat5 and Cat6 architectures. It comes in two variants, flat and rounded. The flat variant is available in black and white color and six-length variants, 5 ft, 7ft, 10 ft, 25 ft, 50 ft, and 100 ft. The flat variant also has a Snagless RJ45 connector. The rounded variant is available in three different lengths, 3 ft, 7 ft, and 25 ft and does not have a Snagless connector. The cables themselves comprise of Cat7 architecture with copper wires and gold plated RJ45 universal connectors which can support up to 10 Gigabits of information exchange per second. The internal structure is composed of four pairs of Double Shielded Twisted Pairs of copper wires to ensure extra protection against crosstalk and bleeding at the cost of additional weight.
Pros
  • Cat7 architecture which supports Cat6 and lower for high-speed connectivity.
  • Gold Plated RJ45 connectors which are Snagless in case of flat cables.
  • Copper wires ensure minimal interference.
  • Available in various lengths and both flat and rounded shapes.
  • Double Shielded Twisted Pair for protection against Bleeding and Crosstalk.
Cons
  • Double STP architecture adds more weight to the cables.
  • Rounded cables are not snaggle-free.
  • Flat variants are difficult to keep in place.
  • Rounded variants are less flexible.

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6. Rankie Cat6 Ethernet Cable

Rankie Cat6 Ethernet Cable

Rankie Cat6 Ethernet Cable

The Rankie Cat6 Ethernet cables aren’t anything out of the ordinary, but they are a reliable and trusted brand with a good track record. Their product comes in a pack of five rounded Cat6 Ethernet Cables. These cables can be multicolored, or simply black and are available in six different lengths, 1 foot, 3 feet, 5 feet, 7 feet, 10 feet, and 15 feet. While most of these are used as patching cables, the longer ones can also be used as ethernet cables. The Cat6 architecture enables these cables to transfer data with speeds up to 10 Gbps at 600 Mhz. The connectors are gold plated RJ45 universal connectors while the wires are made of copper. The cables use an unshielded twisted pair for connection, which can be a major factor in introducing crosstalk and bleeding during communication.
Pros
  • The Cat6 architecture supports high speeds.
  • Copper wires and gold plated RJ45 universal connectors cause minimal interference.
  • Available in multiple lengths.
  • Available in multiple colours.
Cons
  • Only available in packs of five cables.
  • Rounded Cables are more inflexible and liable to breaking.
  • UTP architecture can cause bleeding and crosstalk.

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7. Mediabridge Cat6 Ethernet Cable

Mediabridge Cat6 Ethernet Cable

Mediabridge Cat6 Ethernet Cable

The Mediabridge Cat6 Ethernet cables are pretty simple. However, their cables have a reputation for performing well. These rounded cables are available in only a 50 feet length. The cables are made of copper wires with gold plated RJ45 connectors. They are capable of transferring data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps 500 MHz. The cables are rounded, meaning that they can break easier than other flatter cables, and must be handled with more care. These cables use an Unshielded Twisted Pair architecture which can introduce interference in the cable.
Pros
  • Cat6 cables enable higher speeds of connectivity.
  • Copper Wires and Gold Plated RJ45 universal connectors for minimal interference.
  • Snagless RJ45 connectors for easier connection.
  • Rounded cables are more durable.
Cons
  • Rounded Cables are more are more inflexible and can break easily.
  • UTP architecture can cause interference in communication.

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8. Cable Geeker Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable

Cable Geeker Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable

Cable Geeker Cat6 Flat Ethernet Cable

Essentially, a pack of six flat Cat6 ethernet cables, The Cable Geeker ethernet cables comes at a comparatively low price while providing Cat6 connectivity. The downside to this is the fact that not everyone might want six cables altogether. They are also available in only one length, 5 feet. While the wires are made of copper and have an eight-core Unshielded Twisted Pair architecture, they are limited by a speed of 10 Gbps at merely 250 Mhz. The connectors are universal 50-micron gold plated RJ45 jacks. They also come with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
  • Cat6 cable is capable of 10 Gigabits per second of transfer speed.
  • Flat cables are more flexible.
  • Eight core twisted pair provides faster transfer speeds.
  • Gold plated RJ45 jacks.
  • Come with a lifetime warranty.
Cons
  • Transfer speed is limited by the supported clock speed of only 250 MHz.
  • Flat cables are less durable and more difficult to keep in place.
  • UTP core with eight wires increases chances of interference while communication.
  • Only available in 5 feet of length.

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9. Cable Matters Cat5e Ethernet Cable

Cable Matters Cat5e Ethernet Cable

Cable Matters Cat5e Ethernet Cable

The Cable Matters Cat5 Ethernet Cables are among the slower variants of cables. However, they are cheaper and can easily complete the needs of most household and office applications. These cables are simple, rounded cables with Cat5 capabilities. They come in eight different colors and are available in five different lengths, 1 foot, 3 feet, 5 feet, 7 feet, and 10 feet. The wires are made of copper and are arranged in an Unshielded Twisted Pair fashion. They are equipped with Snagless gold plated RJ45 connectors good for reducing interference. However, being Cat5 cables, they can only provide speeds of up to 1Gbps at 350 MHz.
Pros
  • Available in multiple lengths and colors.
  • Copper Wires and Gold plated RJ45 connectors reduce interference.
  • Snagless connectors provide better experience connecting in and out of ports.
  • Rounded cables are quite durable.
Cons
  • Cat5 cables can be slower but provide for most household requirements.
  • Rounded cables break easily.
  • UTP arrangement allows for interference in communication.

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10. NDA Electronics Cat5e Ethernet Cable

The NDA Electronics Cat5 Ethernet Cables are slower than most Cat6 and Cat7 cables available these days. However, these cables provide for most household needs as well as the requirements for the LAN networks in most offices as well. They are simple rounded ethernet cables which are 1.5 feet in length and are best suited for patching
NDA Electronics Cat5e Ethernet Cable

NDA Electronics Cat5e Ethernet Cable

purposes. The cables are made of copper with Snagless RJ45 universal connectors. However, the cables have an Unshielded Twisted Pair arrangement which would introduce additional bleeding and crosstalk in the communications between two devices. Furthermore, being Cat5 enabled cables, they support speeds as high as 1 Gigabit per second at a bandwidth of 250 Megahertz. While this may not sound the most impressive, it is sufficient for most household and office applications.
Pros
  • Round cables which are more durable.
  • Snagless RJ45 connectors for easier connection.
  • Pure copper wires reduce interference.
  • Length is suitable for patching purposes.
Cons
  • Cat5 cables provide slower connectivity speeds.
  • Length might prove lesser for select scenarios.
  • Connectors are not gold plated. Might introduce interference from the ports.
  • UTP arrangement adds further interference.

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Those are our picks for the best Ethernet cables for gaming. All have their own advantages and drawbacks. Some simple offer much more than what is required. But all of them are sufficient for any gamer looking to play online games and most of them are durable enough provided they are handled with care. We hope you loved them. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Ethernet cables which we feel needs to be answered, that’s why after getting these answers voted by more than 65 professional gamers here are the answers to a few questions which might come across before or while buying an ethernet cable.

Do better Ethernet cables make a difference?

Yes, better Ethernet cables do make a lot of difference. Ethernet cables come in various speed capabilities. Faster Ethernet cables will allow broader bandwidths, which in turn allow greater speeds for data transfer. This enables people to communicate faster and transfer more data per second. Cat5e cables are faster than Cat5 cables. Cat6 cables are even faster. Cat7 cables are the fastest today.

Does an Ethernet cable help in gaming?

Yes, Ethernet cables have a huge impact on gaming, especially when playing online games or online multiplayer. WiFi has fast data transfer rates, but the slowest Ethernet Cables have faster rates of Data Transfer and support a broader bandwidth. This ensures a lower ping while gaming and lesser network lag. Most games are optimized for Cat6 cables, but Cat5e cables can easily work for the same purposes as well. Cat7 cables are more than necessary for gaming.

Do Ethernet cables affect internet speed?

No, Ethernet cables do not have a direct impact on your internet speed. That is governed primarily by other factors such as your Network Interface Card and your Internet Service Provider. However, Ethernet cables, be they connecting cables or patch cables ensure that there is no limitation or interference in the data that is being transmitted to and from your ISP, essentially allowing you to have a faster connection through a broader bandwidth as compared to other means such as WiFi.

What is the fastest Ethernet Cable?

The fastest Ethernet cable today belongs to the Category seven of Ethernet cables. These are enhanced versions of the cat six cables which are double shielded and have more twists per unit distance. This enables very high data transfer rates of 10Gbps and bandwidths of up to 750 Mhz. However, practical applications of such cables are limited by other factors and these cables are more than what is necessary for most cases.

Is a wired connection faster than a wireless connection?

Yes, a wired connection is much faster than a wireless connection as it can offer greater bandwidth for transfer of data. Consider it as extra channels through which data can be transferred. Lesser channels mean less data sent per unit time. More channels mean more data concurrently sent per unit time.

How long can Ethernet cables be without losing speed?

Ethernet cables are composed of wires on which electrical signals ride. This means that the wire also offers some amount of resistance, causing the signal to get weaker and the speed to slow down over longer distances. Currently, Ethernet cables can maintain their speed for a distance of around 100 metres.

What is the difference between UTP and STP?

The wires in Ethernet cables are arranged in two ways. Unshielded Twisted Pairs or UTP are naked wires twisted around each other. One of these wires is for sending data, while the other is for receiving it. In a Shielded Twisted Pair, the wires can have an aluminium braiding on top of them, or even another layer of insulation to protect the wires from touching each other.

How does shielding effect data transfer?

Shielding decreases the chances of any interferences such as crosstalk from occurring in your signals by insulating the wires in a twisted pair from each other. This results in clearer communication and data transfer. However, this also means that the cable is now less flexible and heavier because of the additional insulation.

What is a patching cable?

A patching cable is basically an Ethernet cable that is meant to connect your device to your LAN port. It is supposed to be shorter in length as compared to an Ethernet cable which is meant to connect to two separate devices in the same Local Area Network.

About the author

Jeff Lampkin

Jeff Lampkin was the first writer to have joined gamepolar.com. He has since then inculcated very effective writing and reviewing culture at GamePolar which rivals have found impossible to imitate. His approach has been to work on the basics while the whole world was focusing on the superstructures.