Cat5 vs. Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat7 Ethernet Cables – Which one is best?
All of these 4 cables have the capability to handle Gigabyte transmission. But some are old and obsolete while some are new advanced technology. But which one is best?
Manufacturers have the tendency to improve and upgrade commodities over time, and Ethernet cables are not left behind. They have been around for several generations, ranging from the Cat3 to the Cat8. But are these changes significant, and how do they affect the performance of the cables?
This article will review each of these cables in detail to find each cable’s characteristics and capacity out, and to decide the best for speed and durability.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat7 Ethernet Cables?
Category |
Cat5 |
Cat5e |
Cat6 |
Cat7 (Winner) |
Shielding |
Unshielded |
Unshielded |
Unshielded/ Shielded |
Shielded |
Max Transmission Speed |
10/100 Mbps |
1000 Mbps |
1000Mbps/ 10Gbps |
10 Gbps |
Max Bandwidth |
100MHz |
100/350 MHz |
250 MHz |
600MHz |
The Cat5 vs. Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat7 Ethernet Cables – How do they compare?
Maximum Transmission Speed
The Cat5 cable has been around a great deal of time, and it is considered an obsolete cable. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10/100 Mbps which is quite low. This makes it only good for home use and small offices.
The Cat5e came as an improvement to the Cat5 cable, and it came with a maximum transmission speed of 1000 Mbps, which made it a much better cable for Gigabyte transmission.
The Cat6 Ethernet cable came with a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps which is quite the upgrade from the Cat5e. It is able to sustain this speed at distances of up to 55 meters but the speed reduces significantly to 1000 Mbps beyond this distance.
The Cat7 Ethernet cable also has a 10 Gbps maximum transmission speed. It is able to transmit this speed at a distance of 100 meters and this speed remains constant even beyond this length.
Maximum Bandwidth
The Cat5 Ethernet cable has a narrowest bandwidth of the 4. It has a 100 MHz bandwidth that is quite low. This makes the cable unable to handle massive data transmission at a time,
The Cat5e, although an enhancement of the Cat5, has the same maximum bandwidth of 100MHz. There are, however, manufacturers that claim a 350MHz bandwidth for their Cat5e cables. This throughput test has indicated that the bandwidth can stretch between 100 MHz and 350 Mhz.
The Cat6 has a bandwidth of 250 MHz which is twice as much as the Cat5e. This bandwidth gives it the ability to transfer higher amounts of data over a short time. It is an ideal cable for both home and office use.
Shielding
Ethernet cables typically use copper wires for electromagnetic transmissions. They typically have 8 wires for his purpose. If these wires come into direct contact, there could be serious interference. For this reason, they are each covered with pvc casing. The wires are then twisted into 4 pairs.
The cat5 cable has no other form of reinforcement or shielding and only has a pvc jacket as a cover.
The Cat5e cable also has a pvc jacket, much like the one in the Cat5 Ethernet cable.
The Cat6 has two variations. One of the variations is the UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pairs). This cable has no shield between the copper wires and the outer jacket. The copper wire pairs are, however, twisted tighter to reduce the chances of crosstalk. The other variation, STP (Shielded Twisted Pairs) has a foil cover between the copper wires and the outer jacket. Both variations have a spline that runs through the cable and enhances the cable’s structure.
The Cat7 cable has more detailed shielding. The twisted copper wires have a pvc cover, and there is no foil cover between the wires and the outer jacket. There is a braided shield in its stead. This cable is the most structurally sound.
Cat5 vs. Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat7 Overview
Cat5 Ethernet Cable
- Belkin Cat5e Patch Cable - 1000ft - Blue
This cable has a maximum transmission speed of 10/100 Mbps and a bandwidth of 100 MHz. It also has a somewhat weak build. This cable is mostly suitable for use at home. It is however, very old technology and is considered obsolete.
Pros
- It is quite affordable
- It can handle transmission for home use
- It is easy to bend and install in corners and tight bends
Cons
- It is an old and obsolete cable
Cat5e Ethernet Cable
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This cable came as an enhancement of the Cat5 cable. It has a maximum transmission speed of 1000Mbps which is quite an upgrade. It also has a maximum bandwidth of 100MHz and is best suited for home and small office use.
It has no exceptional shielding, and though it is not too strong, it is flexible and bendable, making it easy to install in corners and sharp turns.
Pros
- It has a faster transmission speed than the Cat5
- It sufficiently supports home and small office transmission
- It is shielded and easy to bend
Cons
- It maintains the same bandwidth as the Cat5 cable
Cat6 Ethernet Cable
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This cable is an ideal fit for both home and office settings. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps and can sustain this speed for a distance of up to 55 meters. Beyond this, the speed is significantly reduced to 1000Mbps. It has a bandwidth of 250Mhz which is double that of the Cat5 cable.
The cable has two variations, the shielded and unshielded. The shielded cable has a foil between the twisted copper wires and the outer jacket. The unshielded cable comes without this extra foil. Both variations have a splein that runs through the cable. It ensures that the chances of crosstalk are significantly reduced. These cables are more structurally sound, but prove hard to install in corners.
Pros
- It is structurally sound
- It has high transmission speed
- It has a broad bandwidth
Cons
- It can only sustain the 10 Gbps speed at a distance of 55 meters.
Cat7 Ethernet Cable
- ⚡【Up to 40Gbps 2000MHz High Speed】Jadaol Hyper Speed Cat 8 / Cat 7 Ethernet cable supports...
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This cable has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps which it can sustain at a distance of more than 100 meter without any trouble. I also has a bandwidth of 600MHz which gives it the capacity to transfer heavy data within a short time. It has an exceptional build that makes it durable.
Pros
- It has a fast transmission rate
- It has a broad bandwidth
- It is durable
Cons
- It is expensive
Conclusion
The upgrades and changes that have occurred as the cables progress have definitely changed the way these cables function. They have become a lot more efficient.
Verdict: So, which one is best – Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat7?
The Cat7 Ethernet cable stands out with its high transmission speed, broad bandwidth and sturdy build. It will function exceptionally well in whichever environment you use it. It is highly preferred for offices and data centers.
FAQs
-
Is the Cat7 Ethernet Cable suitable for gaming?
The cat7 cable is ideally well suited for fast transmissions. You will not experience lag in its speed if you use it for gaming.
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What is the price difference between the Cat5 and Cat6 cables?
The Cat6 cable is about 30% more expensive than the Cat5 cable.
