Cat6 vs. Cat6a Ethernet Cables – Which one performs best?
The Cat6 and Cat6a Ethernet cables have been used over time for device connections and internet delivery. Both being category 6 cables, are they anything alike? What sets them apart?
If you are anything like most people, Ethernet cables are not exactly one of those things that you generally know much about. It is human to find things like vehicles and architecture interesting, but it is rare to find Ethernet cable enthusiasts. For this reason, they are very much the same thing in most our opinions. But they are different, and they have varying capacities.
This is the case with the Cat6 and Cat6a Ethernet cables. Both are quite good for multiple device connections and internet transmission, but they differ in a number of ways. For instance, they have different bandwidths and are also ideal for different settings. Let’s assume you intend to buy an Ethernet cable and you need to choose between these two. Which one should you pick, and which one of the two would suit you best? Here is a brief breakdown of the main differences in performance and build between them.
Table of Contents
Differences between Cat6 and Cat6a Ethernet Cables
Category |
Cat6 |
Cat6a (Winner) |
Shielding |
UTP / Shielded |
Shielded |
Max Transmission Speed |
1000Mbps / 10Gbps |
10Gbps |
Max Bandwidth |
250 MHz |
500 Mhz. |
The Cat6 vs. Cat6a – How do they differ?
Shielding
Both of these cables are well shielded. All copper wires, ranging from 8 – 10 per cable, are tightly wound to ensure that the chances of crosstalk are reduced.
The Cat6 can come shielded in either of two ways. In all cables, each of the copper wires I covered with a thin pvc cover. After this, the wires are twisted in twos to make 4 or 5 pairs, depending on the number of copper wires. The winding in the Cat6 is tighter than those in the Cat5e, causing for significantly less crosstalk and allowing for more stability. From this point, a cable can have a foil cover for all these pairs, giving them extra support. A cable that comes without this cover s called a UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable. This kind of cable works just the same, the only difference is that it is not s sturdy as the one with the extra cover.
Shielding in the Cat6a is pretty much the same, and while there are also UTP Cat6a cables, it is quite unlikely that you will come across one. They are hard to come by.
Maximum Transition Speed
The Cat6 is built to handle Giga transmission. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps which is quite impressive. However, it can only sustain this kind of speed within the 37th to 55th meter of the cable. Anything beyond this length will result in distorted transmission and low internet speeds of 1000 Mbps. This makes it ideal for home and office use.
The Cat6a is better suited to handle a constant 10Gbps for distances of up to 100 meter without distortion. For this reason, the cable becomes suitable for use in offices and data centers.
Maximum Bandwidth
The Cat6 has a wider bandwidth than the more commonly used Cat5e. It has a bandwidth of up to 250Mhz. This is quite impressive, especially considering that it is mostly used in offices and home settings.
The Cat6a has a much broader bandwidth that reaches 500Mhz, making it well suited to handle high internet speeds and deliver sufficiently in office and data center settings.
The Cat6 vs. Cat6a Ethernet Cable Overview
The Cat6 Ethernet Cable
- High-precision, Cat 6, ANSI/TIA-568-C.2 compliant, ETL Verified, Ethernet LAN patch cable, pre-terminated...
- Premium quality, long-lasting materials, durable design, and a Lifetime Warranty for the price of a...
If you run a medium size office or use lots of internet from home, his cable would be ideal for you. It is able to handle internet speeds of up to 10Gbps at distances not exceeding 55m. If the cable is longer than that, the speed reduces to an average of 1000 Mbps, which for a medium office or home, is still not slow. The cable has a broad bandwidth of 250 Mhz which is quite impressive for the amount of data it handles.
This cable can come as UTP, where the inner twisted copper wires have no extra shield between them and the outer jacket, or it can come with this extra shield that enhances structure and support.
The cable also has a spline, a rigid pvc casing that runs the entire length of the cable, that enhances support and prevents crosstalk. This cable is also backward compatible, and it can be linked to Cat5e and Cat6 cables.
Pros
- It has high transmission speed and broad bandwidth for the setting in which it is used
- It is significantly cheaper than the Cat6a
- It has a spline that enhances structure and longevity
Cons
- The spline makes it quite rigid, and installing it in corners could prove difficult
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...
If you run an office that requires high internet speeds, this cable will be better suited for your needs. It has an impressive maximum transmission speed of up to 10 Gbps which remains constant even at 100 meters’ length. The broad bandwidth of 500 Mhz is also quite the upgrade when compared to the 250 Mhz bandwidth of the Cat6 Ethernet cable. This cable is able to serve well in data centers.
While it can also come as UTP shielded, this type is hard to come across. Most of the Cat6a cables come with an extra shield between the copper wire pairs and the outer jacket. There is also a spline that reduces crosstalk and enhances structure of the cable.
Pros
- It can handle use in a data center due to its high transmission speed and broad bandwidth
- It mainly comes with extra covering between the copper wires and outer jacket
- It can handle high transmission speed even at 100 meters
- It has a spline for better structure and reduced cross talk.
Cons
- It is more expensive than the Cat6a
- The spline that runs the entire length may make it difficult to install the cable in places with sharp turns and tight corners.
Conclusion
Both these cables have the capacity to handle high transmission speeds, and have impressive bandwidths. However, they are built to excel in different settings with the Cat6 supporting homes and medium size offices, and the Cat6a handling high data uses in offices and data centers. They both boast great build that ensures they can handle heavy crisscrossing and still maintain their structure.
Verdict: So, which one is better – Cat6 or Cat6a?
The Cat6a definitely stands out for its impressive transmission speed and broad bandwidth that make it better suited to handle intense data usage environments, including data centers.
FAQs
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How many connections can the Cat6 handle at a time?
While this cable is suited to handle high transmission speeds, it can only support a maximum of four connections at a time. Anything beyond this will result in distortion, and the cable’s quality could be compromised.
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Is the Cat6a Ethernet Cable Backward compatible?
Yes, this cable is backward compatible. You will be able to connect it with other Ethernet cables such as the Cat5e, Cat6 and even Cat7 cables.
