Cat6 vs. Cat7 Ethernet Cables – Which one of the two is the best?
Both the Cat6 and Cat7 Ethernet cables are able to handle high speed transmission and wide bandwidth. While this may be a common aspect between the two, there are characteristics that set them apart.
If you are a heavy internet user, you can agree with me that there probably isn’t anything that can test your level of patience quite like slow and unreliable internet. It can mean the difference between a happy and fruitful day and a frustrating day. These two Ethernet cables, the Cat6 and Cat7 are built to support high speed and wide bandwidth internet. It is possible to have a more than capable router, but your connection could be your greatest drawback.
Now that we have established that both these cables are good for fast internet, it would only be fair to find out which one of the two is better, and which one would suit you best. Here is a brief breakdown of the main differences between the two cables.
Table of Contents
Differences between the Cat6 and Cat7 Ethernet Cables
Category |
Cat 6 |
Cat 7 (Winner) |
Shielding |
UTP or Shielded |
Shielded |
Max Transmission Speed |
1000 Mbps/ 10 Gbps |
10 Gbps |
Max Bandwidth |
250 Mhz. |
600 MHz. |
The Cat6 and Cat7 Ethernet Cables – How do they compare?
Shielding
The Cat6 Ethernet cable comes in either of two ways. It can come shielded, or it can come as a UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable. The UTP Cat6 cable is a lot more popular than the shielded one, but the shielded Cat6 boast longevity over the UTP cable.
The cable uses copper wires for electromagnetic transmission, eight wires to be precise. To avoid any instances of interference, each of these 8 wires is covered with a thin pvc coating. The copper wires are then twisted in twos, resulting in 4 pairs. The pairs are then separated by a splein, a stiff pvc separator that runs the entire length of the cable. It adds longevity to the cable.
The Cat7 cable is also shielded, but the shielding is on a whole new level. Just as in the Cat6, the wires are paired. The difference is that each pair is also shielded with pvc, and more covering in the form of braided shielding is applied round all the 4 pairs. The whole cable is then encased with a heavy duty cable jacket
Transmission Speeds
The Cat6 Ethernet cable is ideal for both home and moderate office use. It has 2 maximum transmission speeds depending on the length of cable you choose to use. If your cable is less than 100 meter long, the cable will give you a good 10 Gbps, but anything longer than that will only give 1000 Mbps.
The Cat7 Ethernet cable has an impressive constant transmission speed of 10 Gbps, and the length of the cable does not affect the speed of transmission. This makes it ideal for four connections at a time, all using high speed internet.
Maximum Bandwidth
For the amount of speed it delivers, and the environment in which it is used, the Cat6 cable’s bandwidth is quite impressive. It has a bandwidth of up to 250 MHz which is a pretty high frequency when compared to cables such as the Cat5e.
The Cat7 has a much higher maximum bandwidth that stretches up to 600 MHz, making it ideal for multiple connections and heavy internet traffic.
Cat6 vs. Cat7 Ethernet Cable Overview
The Cat6 Ethernet Cable
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While this cable has a high bandwidth of 250 MHz and a high transmission speed of up to 10 Gbps, it does not make a good fit for a setup of more than 4 connections. However, the cable features a great build that involves two types of shielding; the UTP shield and complete shielding. The UTP shield cable is more commonly used, and the twisted pairs have no cover over them.
The latter ensures that each copper wire is well covered in pvc then twisted to reduce the chances of crosstalk. The entire cable is then shielded with a pvc cover. The cable also has a splein running its entire length for reinforcement. The main drawback to this cable is that it is a bit stiff as a result of the splein. You may find it difficult to fit it in tight corners.
Pros
- It has a high transmission speed
- The bandwidth is quite wide for its environment of use
- It is affordable
- It has a splein for reinforcement
Cons
- This cable works best at distances shorter than 100 meters
The Cat7 Ethernet Cable
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This cable is built to handle high internet speeds, a wide bandwidth and 4 connections. It has a maximum transmission speed of up to 10 Gbps which remains constant even at long distances and with many connections. The 600 Mhz bandwidth is quite impressive and it gives the cable the ability to transmit loads of information without experiencing strain.
The shielding is also quite impressive. Each pair of the 8 copper wires is covered in pvc casing, and the whole cable is then reinforced with braided shielding. The final cover is a flexible pvc cover that ensure both longevity and flexibility which is different from the Cat6 which has limited flexibility. This cable will have no problem going into tight corners and crisscrossing with other cables.
Pros
- It has a high transmission speed
- It has a wide bandwidth
- It is built to last
- It can support high speeds at longer distances
- It is built to last
Cons
- It is significantly more expensive than the Cat6
Conclusion
Both these cables have the capacity to transmit high internet speeds. They both have sturdy builds in their own right, but they are ideal for different settings. The Cat6 is, however, better suited to handle shorter distances, while the Cat7 has the capacity to handle long ones without straining.
Verdict: So, which one is better – Cat6 or Cat7?
The Cat7 Ethernet cable is definitely the better one of the two. The two cables support similar transmission speeds, but the Cat6 Ethernet cable’s transmission speed is reduced significantly at any distance longer than 100 meters.
The Cat7 Ethernet cable remains unaffected by distance, and its build also ensures that it is sturdy but easy to bend. This makes it easy to install even in tight corners that the Cat6 would have problems going into.
FAQs
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Is it possible to use the Cat7 Ethernet cable as a phone line?
Unlike the Cat6 Ethernet cable, the Cat7 cannot be used as a phone line. Its high quality build makes it ideal for use mainly in data centers that use high internet speeds and that need a wide bandwidth.
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Approximately how much time does it take the Cat6 Ethernet cable to transfer 1 terabyte of data?
The length of time may change depending on the length of cable since the Cat6 only has a transmission speed of 1000Mbps when the cable is longer than 100 meters. However, if the cable remains shorter than this length, it would take the Cat6 cable approximately 3 hours to transmit 1 terabyte of data.
