Cat6 vs. Cat6a vs. Cat6e Ethernet Cables – Is more always better?
These three cables are used mainly for Gigabyte transmission. They are good for use in homes, offices and also data centers. But are they the same?
It is normal for manufacturers to add little tweaks to commodities, usually as a marketing strategy rather than for the sake of improving their performance. Falling for these ‘changes’ and improvements is easy because the marketing language used is catch and enticing.
Could this be the case with the Cat6, Cat6a and Cat6e cables? They are known to work well in office settings and even data centers, and each new addition from the Cat6 seems to work better than the former.
This article will look into each cable’s characteristics to find out what environment suits it best and whether or not the improved versions are better.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between the Cat6, Cat6a and Cat6e Ethernet Cables?
Category |
Cat6 |
Cat6a (Winner) |
Cat6e |
Shielding |
Shielded / Unshielded |
Shielded |
Shielded |
Max Transmission Speed |
1000Mbps / 10 Gbps |
10 Gbps |
10 Gbps |
Max Bandwidth |
250 MHz |
500 MHz |
600 MHz |
The Cat6 vs. Cat6a vs. Cat6e Ethernet Cables – How do they compare?
Maximum Transmission Speed
The Cat6 Ethernet cable is an upgrade for the Cat5e and it boasts faster speeds. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps which makes it able to work comfortably in office settings. The cable is able to transmit at this speed at distances ranging between 37 and 55 meters. Beyond this length, this speed is significantly reduced to 1000 Mbps which is also quite fast.
The Cat6a also has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps and it is able to sustain this speed comfortably at distances of up to 100 meters. This makes it ideal for use in offices and even data centers.
The Cat6e Ethernet cable is also quite fast, and just like the Cat6a, it has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps. It can transmit this speed at a distance of up to 100 meters.
Maximum Bandwidth
The Cat6 has a bandwidth of 250 MHz. This is twice the bandwidth of the Cat5e, its predecessor. This bandwidth makes it able to handle massive data transfer within a short time.
The Cat6a Ethernet cable is an improvement of the Cat6a. It has a maximum bandwidth of 500 Mhz, twice as much as the Cat6’s. This, combined with its transmission speeds, enables it to handle transmission of heavy data, even in data centers.
The Cat6e cable has a maximum bandwidth of 600Mhz, placing it a bit higher than the Cat6a. However, it works just as well as the latter and there may not be a massive difference in terms of performance.
Shielding
These cables use copper wires for transmission of electromagnetic signals. If they come into contact, interference develops and it could lead to crosstalk. For this reason, the copper wires, which are usually 8 in number, have a pvc cover around them. They are then twisted in twos to make 4 pairs. This twisting helps to ensure that there is low likelihood of crosstalk.
The Cat6 cable has a foil shield around the copper wire pairs. This foil holds the pairs steadily in place to reduce the chances of crosstalk and also ensure stronger structure. The cable also has a spline running down the middle. It enhances structure and also prevents crosstalk. Some variations of this cable come without the foil shield and are referred to as the UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pairs).
The Cat6a is also made pretty much the same way. It also includes a foil between the copper wires and outer jacket and a splein for more strength.
The Cat6e is not any different and is made the same way as the Cat6 and Cat6a. It is just as strong and stable as the former two.
Cat6 vs. Cat6a vs. Cat6e Ethernet Cable Overview
Cat6 Ethernet Cable
- HIGH PERFORMANCE NETWORK CABLE. This plenum rated cat 6 lan cable is 23 AWG with 4 pairs (8C). Suitable...
- HASSLE FREE PACKAGING. 500 feet (152 meters) has been packaged on a tangle free, easy pull reel so you...
This cable has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps but when the distance goes beyond 55 meters, this speed reduces to 1000 Mbps. It also has a bandwidth of 250 Mhz, making it able to handle heavy data transfer over a short time.
This cable either comes shielded or unshielded. The shielded cable has a foil cover between the twisted copper wires and the outer jacket. This shield keeps the copper pairs in place and also reduces the chances of crosstalk. The unshielded cable comes without this foil, but it is stable none the less. This cable has a splein that makes it quite stable.
Pros
- It has a high transmission speed
- It has a strong build
- It has a road bandwidth for its transmission speed
Cons
- The splein makes it hard to bend and install in sharp corners
- The speed lessens at distances beyond 55 meters
The Cat6a Ethernet Cable
- At half the size of standard Cat6A patch cables (0.149" v 0.29"), SlimRun Cat6A helps reduce congestion...
- With SlimRun Cat6A, you can fit more cables in the same space, saving you the time and cost of expanding...
This cable has a transmission speed of 10 Gbps. It is able to hold this speed for a distance of up to 100 meters. It has a bandwidth of 500 MHz which makes it ideal to transfer heavy data over an incredibly short amount of time.
It comes shielded. It has a foil cover around the twisted copper pairs to keep them from developing interference. This cable also has a spline that runs the whole length through its center to keep away any chance of crosstalk.
Pros
- It has a high transmission speed
- It can sustain the transmission speed for up to 100 meters
- It has a broad bandwidth
- It is shielded
- It has a splein
Cons
- The splein makes it hard to bend
- It is more expensive than the Cat6 cable
The Cat6e Ethernet Cable
- CABLE: CAT6E Plenum (CMP) bulk cable in 1000ft, 4 Pair, Unshielded Twisted Pairs (U/UTP), 23AWG, Solid...
- INSTALLATION: Install Cat6e unshielded plenum cable in areas with air flow, in drop ceilings and between...
What you may not know is that this cable is not approved by the TIA. Manufacturers came up with it and continue to sell it under this label.
It has a maximum transmission of 10 Gbps and it can transmit this speed at a distance of up to 100 meters. It also has a bandwidth of 600 MHz and is good for use in offices and data centers.
It comes as a shielded cable, complete with a foil casing and a splein, making it quite strong and durable.
Pros
- High transmission speed and bandwidth
- It is shielded
- Has a splein
Cons
- It is not TIA approved
Conclusion
These cables have great transmission speeds and strong builds. They would make great cables for the office setting and also data centers, especially the Cat6a and Cat6e.
Verdict: So, which cable is the best – Cat6, Cat6a or Ca6e?
For the simple reasons that it has a high transmission speeds, a broad bandwidth, an incredibly strong build and is also TIA approved, the Cat6a would be the best choice of cable. It can transmit large amounts of information over a very short period of time. Its speed and bandwidth combination makes it a good fit for an office and a data center.
FAQs
-
Which connector do the Cat6, Cat6a and Cat6e Ethernet cables use?
These cables use the Rj45 connector that has an 8P8C (8 positions and 8 connection points) configuration.
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Do these three use the same connector?
Yes, they all use the Rj45 connector.
