A lot of the times, when people are looking to get their hands on a good ethernet cable, there are a lot of options available.
So much so that even the most well-versed buyer can end up being confused and while that should not be a problem for the more initiated, it can become of the unsuspecting buyers who just want to have a good cable and be done with it.
Before anyone tells you that an ethernet cable does not make a lot of difference, do not believe that.
A bad ethernet cable can really downplay your whole experience and that is why we are looking at the best cat 6 ethernet cables available.
Learn about ethernet cable types.
1. Mediabridge Ethernet Cable – View on Amazon
The first cable on the list is from nonother than the Mediabridge Ethernet Cable, it is one of the finer options available in the market and after using it for some time and testing how it handles traffic and speed, I can wholeheartedly recommend this to you, in general.
Product Highlights
- Support for both CAT6 and CAT 5e applications.
- Support for up to 10 Gigabits per second transfer rate.
- In compliance with the TIA/EIA 568B.2 standard.
- Uses CM Grade PCV jacket for added durability.
If you are looking for a cable that gets the job done, the Mediabridge serves as a great option that you should be getting your hands on, simply because it works really well.
With that said, the overall speed capability of this cable is actually pretty good, and you are getting pretty good durability, as well.
One of the best things about this cable is that it comes with durable copper wiring, which does enhance the overall user experience for everyone.
Honestly, after using this cable for some time, I can tell you that the only downside to this cable is that it is not as flexible as you may want it to be.
Overall, the Mediabridge Ethernet Cable is a pretty great CAT6 capable cable that is perfectly backwards compatible with older standards and works without a hitch.
Pros
- Comes in a pretty high speed.
- Durable construction overall.
- The copper construction is great.
Cons
- The cable itself is not as flexible.
2. AmazonBasics RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet – View on Amazon
If you are looking for something that is absolutely no-nonsense and delivers exceptional performance in all conditions, then the AmazonBasics RJ45 Cat-6 Ethernet Patch Internet Cable is the one you should be going for. The cable just works and that is what makes it the choice for a lot of us.
Product Highlights
- Up to 250Mhz bandwidth.
- Can transfer data speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps or 1Gbps.
- Available in various lengths.
- Simple, black construction for discrete installation.
At first, I had some reservations regarding this cable but after spending some time using it, I realized that it is actually a pretty good offering.
Now, the performance is pretty exceptional for almost all-purpose. The connection remains stable through and through, and the build quality is great, too.
My favourite thing here is that you are getting the cable available in various sizes, so there is always a choice for you.
Honestly, given the price of the cable, it is hard to find any faults considering how great it performs overall. But I would let you know that there have been some QC issues based on the couple of cables that I received.
Overall, the AmazonBasics CAT6 cable is more than capable for anyone who is looking for an overall good experience.
You are not going to pay a lot of money for this cable, it is available in a number of sizes, and it will work just fine.
Pros
- Great performance for the price.
- Remains stable.
- Good build quality.
- Various sizes are available.
Cons
- There are some issues with quality control.
3. Ultra Clarity CAT6 Ethernet Cable – View on Amazon
The thing with ethernet cables is that they happen to be such generic options that you will never find something that does anything that is unique and to be fair, that is completely honest because we are not expecting them to od something they are not supposed to be doing.
Product Highlights
- Support frequencies of up to 500Mhz for a stable connection.
- CM Grade PVC jacket is compliant with every standard.
- Made out of durable 24 AWG copper cables.
- Can withstand the daily wear and tear.
Now normally, the standard of testing an ethernet cable is a simple one. You just plug it in and make sure that you run all the tests including the tests for streaming, gaming online, and a couple of speed tests to see if the cable is causing any jitters or not. Thankfully, none of the known issues was found in this cable.
Even after testing for a number of days on the same baseline, the results were the same, and the price of this cable is not even ridiculously high, to begin with.
Honestly, given the price you are paying for this cable, even if you sell it to me without any shielding, I would buy it.
The only gripe I could think of it is that the cable, in general, is unshielded, so you might have to keep it away from any interferences for the full potential.
Pros
- Ridiculously affordable.
- Works without a hitch.
- Great performance.
Cons
- Not shielded.
4. Jadaol Cat 6 Flat Ethernet Cable – View on Amazon
Now, under normal circumstances, I have never been a fan of flat cables. This applies to ethernet cables or other cables that are prevalent in the market, as well.
They just don’t bode well to my needs, and I am always wondering when and how they are going to give in. Since they cannot even be repaired if something goes wrong. Still, I gave the Jadaol CAT6 cable a try, and I am pleasantly surprised.
Product Highlights
- Uses heavy-duty 30 AWG cable.
- Up to 250MHz of performance.
- Flat cable for easier routing.
- Unshielded twisted pair patch cable with gold RJ45 connectors.
Now for anyone who is in search of an affordable cable that is going to work like a charm in every condition, this is the one that you should be going for, to begin with.
You are getting a cable that is capable of delivering higher speeds, and the overall durability is also great to have. Not just that, you are also getting a cable that is pretty easy to route thanks to how flexible and flat it is.
My only issue is that the cable is unshielded and could result in some sort of interference but aside from that there are not any major issues that you might run into.
Pros
- The performance remains excellent.
- The cable is affordable.
- Flat construction allows you to route it with ease.
- The 30 AWG copper wiring is as durable as it can get.
Cons
- Untwisted shielding can cause some interference.
5. Cable Matters Snagless Cat6 Ethernet Cable – View on Amazon
The last cable on our list is from a company called Cable Matters, and I honestly agree with the name of the company, itself.
Cables do matter and that is one thing that you cannot overlook. Even if you go all wireless, I would still suggest that you go for a good cable just in case.
Product Highlights
- Comes equipped with 24 AWG copper cable.
- Meets all the CAT6 standards.
- Gold plated contacts.
- Available in up to 150 ft lengths.
Now if you are looking for a cable that is one of the most affordable options available in the market and has great performance, as well.
Then you can get your hands on this with your eyes closed as you are buying a cable that delivers exceptional performance.
In addition to that, you are also getting the cable available in up to 150 ft lengths and a number of different colors.
Now I understand that these minor details do not mean a lot to everyone but for the sake of having a choice, it still is something.
The only thing that I didn’t like during my testing is that the when the cables are used on the longer lengths, the performance tends to degrade, and that is one thing that can be a problem for many people.
Pros
- The performance remains great overall.
- The cable is available in lengths of up to 150 ft.
- Different colors.
- Good build quality.
Cons
- The performance ends up degrading over time.
Conclusion
I have to be honest here. I never thought that buying a CAT6 ethernet cable or any ethernet cable, for that matter is going to be a confusing ordeal for me.
With so much to buy from, I really got confused as to what I should be choosing and what I should be ignoring.
The list is definitive as I only listed the cables that I have tried myself and never really ran into any issues with. These are all tried and rigorously tested, so you can buy them with your eyes closed knowing that they will work just fine.