Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat7 Ethernet Cables – Which one is best for home use?

Having an efficient smart home connection requires the right kind of cable. But with so many in the market, which one would make the best pick?

‘A good internet connection is the next best thing after sliced bread’ ~ Everyone.

There is no telling how frustrating and annoying an inconsistent and slow internet connection can be. Do you wish to test your limits of patience? Try using unresponsive internet. When installing Ethernet cables for home network transmission, it is imperative that you use cables that are going to support sufficient speed.

The Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat7 cables are all able to handle Gigabyte transmission. They, however, have varying characteristics that differentiate them right from transmission speed, build and bandwidth. So which one would be most ideal for your smart home connection? Let’s take a close look at each cable in detail to find out.   

Differences between the Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat7 Ethernet Cables

Category	Cat5e	Cat6 (Winner)	Cat7
Shielding	Unshielded	Unshielded / Shielded	Shielded
Max Transmission Speed	1000 Mbps	1000Mbps / 10 Gbps	10 Gbps
Max Bandwidth	100 MHz	250 MHz	600 MHz
	Check Price Here	Check Price Here	Check Price Here

Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat7 Ethernet Cables – How do they compare?

Shielding

The Cat5e cable is the most flexible of the three, but only because it has the weakest build. Having copper wires for electromagnetic transmission, it is important that they be covered to stop interference and crosstalk. The wires are covered in thin pvc and then they are twisted in twos to make 4 pairs. For the Cat5e cable, the twist is not so tight. However, it does help to reduce the possibility of crosstalk. This cable does not have any form of shield between the copper cables and the outer jacket, which allows for flexibility.

The Cat6 cable comes in two variations. The unshielded cable has its copper wires tightly twisted to reduce the possibility of interference and subsequent crosstalk. However, just like the Cat5e cable, it does not have a foil cover around the twisted copper wires. The Cat6 has a spline that runs through the whole length of the cable. It works to keep the twisted pairs apart and to reduce interference. The second variation has a foil casing wrapped around the twisted copper wires. This foil adds structure and also reduces crosstalk. This cable also has a splein that reduces interference between the copper wires and adds structure to the entire cable.

The Cat7’s shielding is more defined than the Cat5e’s and Cat6’s. The twisted copper wires have pvc casing around them, and in the place of a foil cover, there is a braided casing between the wires and the outer jacket of the cable. Though it is does not have a splein, this cable is more structurally sound than the Cat6 cable.

Maximum Transmission Speed

The Cat5e cable has a considerably low maximum transmission speed as compared to the rest. The 1000 Mbps transmission speed makes this cable ideal for home and small office use.

The Cat6 Ethernet cable has a maximum speed of 10 Gbps. However, this speed lessens considerably if the length of the cable exceeds 37-55 meters. At any length beyond this, the cable transmits at a speed of 1000 Mbps which is significantly lower.

The Cat7 cable boasts a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps. It can comfortably transmit this speed at a distance of 100 meters. This makes it ideal for office and data center use.

Maximum Bandwidth

Being a low speed transmission cable, the 100 MHz bandwidth works quite efficiently. It allows it sustain data transfer sufficiently. However, seeing that this particular cable is an upgrade of the Cat5 cable, it would have been expected that it would have a wider bandwidth than its predecessor.

The Cat6 Ethernet cable has a bandwidth of 250 MHz, which is significantly broader than that of the Cat5e. This places it in a better position to handle faster and heavier data transfer.

The Cat7 has a broader bandwidth than both the Cat5e and the Cat6. At 600 Mhz, this cable is able to handle intense and speedy data transfer. This makes it ideal for use in offices and data centers.

Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat7 Ethernet Cables Overview

Cat5e Ethernet Cable

This cable came as an upgrade of the Cat5 Ethernet cable. It is the most commonly used cable for home connections. Its 1000Mbps transmission speed is quite low as compared to the other cables, but with its 100 MHz bandwidth, it is able to deliver quite well.

This cable is the most flexible of the three, mainly because it does not have extra casing between the twisted copper wires and the outer jacket. This outer jacket allows for the cable to bend easily, making it ideal for installing in sharp corners and turns.

This cable is backward compatible and can be connected with Cat6 and Cat5 networks.

Pros

• It has a good transmission speed and bandwidth for home use
• It is bendable and easy to install in corners
• It is cheaper than the Cat6 cable

Cons

• Since it is not as durable as the Cat6, it is not ideal for intense crisscrossing

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Cat6 Ethernet Cable

This cable mainly comes in two variations pertaining to its shielding. One of the two variations does not have a foil shield wrapped around the twisted copper wires. The other has a foil casing around the twisted wires. It works to reduce the chance of crosstalk and add stability to the cable. It also has a spline for more stability.

This cable has a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps but this significantly reduces to 1000Mbps at distances that exceed 37-55 meters. Its 250MHz bandwidth gives it the ability to handle heavy data transfer.

Pros

• It has a spline that makes it more stable
• It has a high transmission speed
• It has a broad bandwidth

Cons

• The spline makes it hard to install I sharp corners

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Cat7 Ethernet Cable

This cable is mostly ideal for office and data center use. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10Gbps that remain constant even at a distance of up to 100 meters. It also has a broad bandwidth of 600 MHz which makes it able to handle massive data transfer over a short period of time.

It has a strong and sturdy build. Each pair of twisted copper wires has a pvc casing around it. In place of a foil cover around all the paired wires, there is a braided shield that adds more structure and reduces the chances of crosstalk.

Pros

• It has a high transmission speed
• It has a wide broadband
• It has a strong build that ensures longevity

Cons

• It is more expensive than the rest

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Conclusion

These three cables have the ability to handle Gigabyte transmission. They have different builds that affects their flexibility and durability, and they also have different capabilities, making them suitable for different environments.

Verdict- So, which is better – Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat7?

The Cat6 is the most ideal cable for home use for its ability to deliver at high transmission speeds. It also has a string build that will ensure durability.

FAQs

1. What is the most suitable operating temperature for Cat5e cables?

The most ideal operating temperature for this cable is between 10 degrees and 60 degrees Celsius.

2. How can I extend the length of my Cat6 cable?

A repeater is installed to add to the length of Ethernet cables.