Ethernet cable offers a hardwired connection for devices ranging from PCs and laptops to gaming consoles and much more. While it won’t replace Wi-Fi for smartphone connectivity or using tablet computers, it is vital for home and business networks. Ethernet connectivity offers better data security, reduces latency, and provides better reliability for critical connections.

However, not all ethernet options are equal. You’ll find a wide range of ethernet cable types on the market, including outdated choices like Cat5 and ultra-fast choices like Cat8 ethernet cable. How do you tell which is right for your needs?

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, Cat8 ethernet cable offers the ultra-fast speeds today’s users demand. From gamers and streamers to business needs, Cat 8 cable ensures you have the connectivity that you need. How does it differ from other options out there, though?

In this guide, we will explore what Cat8 ethernet cabling is, how it differs from other types in use, and what it might offer users. Then we’ll touch on the best Cat 8 ethernet cables on the market today, complete with ratings.

If you’re in a hurry, here’s our top 3 quick pick for the best Cat8 Ethernet Cables:

1. Best for Multiple Connections – GLANICS Cat8 Ethernet Cable 2 Pack
2. Best All-Around – Dacrown Cat8 Ethernet Cable
3. Great for Outdoor Applications – Dbillion Cat8 Ethernet Cable

Considerations When Shopping for Cat8 Ethernet Cable

In addition to considering the shielding and speed offered, it is also important to consider several other factors in your ultimate buying decision.

Connector Material: All ethernet cables use the same type of connector. However, they are not all the same. Plastic is the most common material on the market – it’s cost-effective and lightweight. However, it is not particularly durable, as anyone who has managed to crack a connector when routing cable knows. It also doesn’t support the best connectivity.

Instead of plastic, consider a material like gold-plated metal. Durable and strong, these connectors also offer better speeds and connectivity. The gold plating also helps prevent rust and corrosion from forming, which can be a problem with lower-quality metals like steel.

Length: All ethernet cable types of a length to speed capacity. For instance, with Cat6, users can enjoy up to 10 Gbps in terms of speed, but only with cable lengths under 55 meters. Now, that might be more than ample for situations where the console or other device is only a room away from the router or modem, but what if it is downstairs? The longer the cable, the more impedance and resistance, and the lower your actual speeds will be.

So, when shopping for ethernet cable, consider the length needed to reach from the switch, modem, or router to the device begin connected. Is it under 50 meters in a location where there’s little interference from other devices? If so, an older style of cable like Cat6 or Cat6e might suffice. However, that’s not going to be the case for most modern users.

High-speed connectivity is important today for gamers, business users, cryptocurrency miners, and many others. Even those who just want to ensure the highest quality streaming TV experience on an ultra-high-definition TV will want to make sure they have the best speed possible.

That means going with Cat8 ethernet cable, as it offers the highest speeds, is fully shielded, and maintains high speeds even over longer distances. With that being said, not all Cat8 ethernet cable options are the same and it is important to make an informed decision.

Cat8 Ethernet Cable Buy Guide

Ethernet Cable: Understanding “Cats”

A quick Internet search for “ethernet cable” will deliver a very wide range of results. The first thing you’ll notice is that there are different types, or “cats” (short for category). Once upon a time, the standard for both residential and business use was Cat5. Today, that’s not the case. This standard has long been outdated, although you’ll still find Cat5 ethernet cables on offer from some retailers.

In place of Cat5, newer options include:

• Cat5e
• Cat6
• Cat6ae
• Cat7
• Cat8

What Are the Differences?

Since all the cats touched on above are still ethernet cables and they all use the same standard connectors, it’s difficult to really understand how they differ from one another. What really sets a Cat5 ethernet cable apart from a Cat8 ethernet cable?

It’s all about speed and shielding.

The Speed Issue

When it comes to Internet connectivity, speed is everything. However, your connection speed (at the modem) may have nothing to do with the speed each device sees. For instance, it is possible that your smart TV might see a speed of 50 Mbps, while your smartphone could see 100 Mbps.

Many factors are responsible for those differences, including:

• Connection type (Wi-Fi, ethernet cable, type of ethernet cable, etc.)
• Distance from the modem
• Interference from other devices

The type of ethernet cable in use also has a role to play when it comes to speed. For instance, Cat5 ethernet cable was capable of delivering around 100 Mbps. That sounds substantial until you realize that modern Wi-Fi can manage around 3,000 Mbps (3 Gbps).

Contrast that with Cat5e cable, which could manage a full gigabit in terms of speed. Cat6 and Cat6e kicked that capability up to 10 Gbps (10x what Cat5e could deliver 100x what old Cat5 could manage). What about higher-end, new ethernet cable types? Cat8 ethernet cable can deliver up to 40 Gbps speeds, or 4x what users with Cat6e enjoyed.

Don’t Forget the Shielding

Newer ethernet cable designs don’t just offer higher speeds. They also deliver better shielding. Why does that matter?

It’s all about dealing with cross-talk and interference from other devices. From your microwave to your baby monitor and everything in between, signals crisscross our homes, our places of business, and the planet as a whole. Those signals affect cabling – signals from your baby monitor may create interference with your ethernet cable, for instance.

That interference creates something akin to turbulence within a river – it degrades signal, slows down the flow, and causes other problems. So, the heavier/fuller the shielding the more resistant to cross-talk and interference an ethernet cable will be. Better shielding equals better performance.

As you might imagine, older cable types (such as Cat5) have minimal shielding. Cat8 ethernet cable, on the other hand, has full shielding. Note that Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat7 ethernet cables have better shielding than Cat5 but poorer shielding than Cat8.