Network Cables and Accessories – CAT5e, CAT6e, CAT7, CAT8

Which Ethernet Cable Should You Choose? – CAT5e vs CAT6e vs CAT7 vs CAT8

When building network systems, selecting the right Ethernet cable is key to ensuring stable, high-speed data transmission. Below, we explain the differences between CAT5e, CAT6e, CAT7, and CAT8 UTP cables to help you choose wisely.

✅ CAT5e – Reliable Basic Option

CAT5e UTP cable is the most common Ethernet cable type. Offers speeds up to 1 Gb/s over 100 meters. Recommended for home networks and small offices where cost matters most.

✅ CAT6e – For Modern Networks

CAT6e cables deliver higher frequency bandwidth (up to 250 MHz) and better noise suppression. Supports 10 Gb/s speeds up to 55 meters. Great for modern homes and small offices.

✅ CAT7 – Professional Solution

CAT7 cables offer full shielding and a bandwidth of 600 MHz. Maintain 10 Gb/s over 100 meters. Ideal for large office buildings, data centers, and industrial environments.

✅ CAT8 – Next Generation Performance

The latest CAT8 Ethernet cable delivers up to 2,000 MHz bandwidth and supports 25–40 Gb/s over short segments up to 30 meters. Designed for data centers and high-performance servers.

🔍 CAT5e, CAT6e, CAT7 and CAT8 Cable Comparison Table

Specification	CAT5e	CAT6e	CAT7	CAT8
Max Speed	1 Gb/s	10 Gb/s (up to 55 m)	10 Gb/s (up to 100 m)	40 Gb/s (up to 30 m)
Frequency Band	100 MHz	250 MHz	600 MHz	2,000 MHz
Shielding	UTP	UTP/STP	Fully shielded	Fully shielded
Cable Length	100 m	100 m	100 m	30 m
Recommended Use	Home, basic	Modern home, office	Office, data center	Server room, data center

CAT5e UTP Cable

Cable type: UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) – unshielded, twisted pair
Number of twisted pairs: 4 pairs
Conductor material and thickness: Copper conductor, 24 AWG (≈0.51 mm)
Frequency band: up to 100 MHz
Maximum data transfer speed:
- 1 Gb/s (Gigabit Ethernet) up to 100 m
- 100 Mb/s (Fast Ethernet) up to 100 m
Maximum cable length per segment: 100 m (including patch cables)

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CAT6 UTP Cable

Cable type: UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) – unshielded, twisted pair
Number of twisted pairs: 4 pairs
Conductor material and thickness: Copper conductor, 23–24 AWG (≈0.51–0.57 mm)
Frequency band: up to 250 MHz
Maximum data transfer speed:
- 1 Gb/s (Gigabit Ethernet) up to 100 m
- 10 Gb/s (10GBASE‑T) up to 55 m
Maximum cable length per segment: 100 m (including patch cables)

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CAT7 UTP Cable

Cable type: UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) – unshielded, 4 twisted pairs
Number of twisted pairs: 4 pairs
Conductor material and thickness: Copper conductor, 22 AWG (≈0.64 mm)
Frequency band: up to 600 MHz
Maximum data transfer speed:
- 10 Gb/s (10GBASE‑T) up to 100 m
- In laboratory conditions up to 40 Gb/s over shorter sections (~50 m)
Maximum cable length per segment: 100 m (including patch cables)

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CAT8 UTP Cable

Cable type: UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) – unshielded, 4 twisted pairs
Number of twisted pairs: 4 pairs
Conductor material and thickness: Copper conductor, 22 AWG (≈0.64 mm)
Frequency band: up to 2 000 MHz
Maximum data transfer speed:
- 25 Gb/s (25GBASE‑T) up to 30 m
- 40 Gb/s (40GBASE‑T) up to 30 m
Maximum cable length per segment: 30 m (including patch cables)