Cat6 vs. Cat6e Ethernet Cables – Which one is more practical?

Both of these cables are excellent for supporting Gigabyte transmission, and they are quite similar. There are, however, a few differences that set them apart.

The Cat6 Ethernet cable was quite an upgrade from the Cat5e which was, and still is, quite commonly used. It came with faster transmission speeds, a broader bandwidth and even a better build that enhanced its longevity. However, it is significantly less flexible and proves difficult to install in places with sharp bends and corners.

The Cat6e Ethernet cable was developed as an enhanced version of the Cat6, hence the ‘e’. It boasts a broader bandwidth and more stable internet speeds over a longer distance than the Cat6. Their build is relatively the same, and they can be used in almost similar environments.

But it the Cat6 practical enough, and is the Cat6e worth the upgrade? Which circumstances suit each of the cables best, and would you notice any differences if you used either or? Let’s look at a few differences between the two to see which one of them would be a more practical cable.

Differences between the Cat6 and Cat6e Ethernet Cables

Category	Cat6 Ethernet Cable (Winner)	Cat6e Ethernet Cable
Shielding	UTP/ Shielded	Shielded
Maximum Transmission Speed	1000 Mbps /10 Gbps	10 Gbps
Maximum Bandwidth	250 Mhz	600 Mhz
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The Cat6 vs. Cat6e Ethernet Cables – How do they compare?

Shielding

Both of these cables have a great build that ensures their longevity. The Cat6 comes in two shielding formats; UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) or STP (Shielded Twisted Pair). Seeing as these cables mostly transmit electromagnetic impulses, they use copper wires. These wires cannot be left bare since contact would result in interference. Each one of them, usually 8 in number, is covered in thin pvc. They are then tightly twisted in twos to form 4 pairs. This twisting is essential for reducing the chances of crosstalk. The STP Cat6 cable usually has an extra foil lining between the twisted wire pairs and the outer jacket of the cable. This extra foil enhances structure and also reduces the chances of crosstalk. The UTP Cat6 comes without this extra shield, but also works just as well. This cable has a spline that runs the entire length of the cable to keep the twisted wire pairs apart and to maintain a sound cable structure.

The Cat6e boasts a similar build with pvc casing for the copper wires and tight twisting for reduced crosstalk. The main difference between these two is that all Cat6e Ethernet Cables come shielded.

Maximum Transmission Speed

Both these cables are excellent for supporting Gigabyte transmission. The Cat6 cable has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps, but within a limited distance. It is able to transmit at this speed at distances within 37 to 55 meters. If the cable extends farther than this, the speed is significantly reduced to 1000Mbps.

The Cat6e also supports high internets speeds of up to 10 Gbps. The main difference between the Cat6e and Cat6 is that the former is able to maintain high internet speeds over a longer distance. The 10 Gbps transmission speed remains consistent over a distance of up to 100 meters.

Maximum Bandwidth

The Cat6 Ethernet cable has a maximum bandwidth of 250 Mz. This makes it ideal for handling Gigabyte transmission. Some manufacturers, however, claim that their Cat6 cables can reach up to a 500 Mhz bandwidth. This cable s made to adhere to the 10 GBASE-T standards recommended by the industry.

The Cat6e has a broader bandwidth than the Cat6. It boasts a maximum bandwidth of 600 Mhz, which is likely the reason that this cable maintains steady transmission speed over longer distances than the Cat6 Ethernet cable.

The Cat6 vs. Cat6e Ethernet Cables Overview

The Cat6 Ethernet Cable

This cable is quite the upgrade from the Cat5e Ethernet cable. It has a transmission speed of 10 Gbps at distances within 37 and 55 meters but when this distance becomes longer, the transmission speed becomes 1000 Mbps which is much slower, but still considerably steady. This cable is ideal for home connection and even office settings. It delivers quite well, so long as the distance is not exceeded.

The Cat6 cable comes in two shielding styles; the UTP and STP shielding. For the UTP Cat6 cable, there is no foil seal between the twisted copper wires and the outer pvc jacket. The STP Cat6 cable, however, has this foil and it makes for a more stable cable with less likelihood of crosstalk. Both these variations have a splein running through for more structure and preventing crosstalk.

Pros

• It has a splein that reduces crosstalk
• It has a high transmission speed that makes it ideal for home and office use
• Some variations come with a foil shield between the copper wires and outer jacket that works to reduce crosstalk.

Cons

• The 10 Gbps speed is limited to a distance of 37-55 meters.

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The Cat6e Ethernet Cable

This cable is much like the Cat6e, especially structurally. It is built using the some material and also has tightly twisted copper wires. The main difference is that while the Cat6 comes in shielded and unshielded variations, the Cat6e cables are all shielded, reducing chances of crosstalk and improving the cable’s structure.

This cable also boasts more stable internet speeds. It has a maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps and can be able to deliver these speeds at distances of up to 100 meters. It also has a broader bandwidth of 600 MHz, which makes it suitable for use in offices and even data centers.

This cable also has a spline running its entire length. It works a separator for the twisted copper wire pairs to reduce crosstalk and improve cable structure.

Pros

• All Cat6e cables come shielded, making for more stability and reduced crosstalk
• It can transmit at a 10 Gbps speed at distances hat reach 100 meters
• The cable has a broader bandwidth

Cons

• The splein makes it stiff and difficult to bend
• It is more expensive than the Cat6 cable

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Conclusion

The Cat6 and Cat6e are great Ethernet cables if you wish to support Gigabyte transmission. They both present quality build, especially due to the tight wire twists and splein. They are both hardy and support fast transmission speeds. The Cat6 cable works well in home and office settings, while the Cat6e would b right at home in offices and data centers.

Verdict: So, which one is more practical – Cat6 or Cat6e?

Unless you run a data center, which is quite unlikely, the Cat6 cable will deliver quite well. With its high transmission speeds and bandwidth, it serves efficiently in both home and office settings. It is also a cheaper cable. The Cat6e would be a bit of overkill in these settings.

FAQs

1. Is the Cat6e Ethernet cable backward compatible?

Yes, the Cat6e is made to be backward compatible, meaning that it is possible to connect it to Cat5, cat5e and Cat6 networks without any issues.

2. Which connector do the Cat6 and Cat6e Ethernet cables use?

Both of these cables are deigned to work with the Rj45 connectors with an 8P8C (8 Positions and 8 Connection points) configuration.