Best Ethernet Cables
Top ethernet cables ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Cable Matters Cat 8 Ethernet Cable
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 40Gbps speed with 2000MHz bandwidth
- S/FTP double shielding
- Gold-plated snagless connectors
Cons
- Thicker and stiffer than Cat 6
- Overkill for most home networks
Don't buy this if…
- Cat 8 speeds require 40GbE network equipment on both ends; standard home routers will not exceed 1Gbps regardless of cable category.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Flat design hides under carpets easily
- Available in long 100-foot runs
- Durable weatherproof jacket
Cons
- Flat cables more susceptible to crosstalk
- Harder to terminate with custom connectors
Don't buy this if…
- Flat ethernet cables may have higher crosstalk at long distances; for critical connections keep runs under 50 feet.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 10Gbps speed over full 100-meter runs
- CMR-rated for in-wall installation
- Pure copper conductors
Cons
- Thicker than standard Cat 6
- Less flexible for desktop cable management
Don't buy this if…
- CMR (riser) rating is required for in-wall runs in most building codes; CMR is not the same as CMP (plenum) for air-handling spaces.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Extremely affordable for Cat 6
- Wide range of lengths available
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not shielded against interference
- Limited to 1Gbps in practice
Don't buy this if…
- Cat 6 supports 10Gbps only up to 55 meters; for consistent 10Gbps over longer runs, upgrade to Cat 6A.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Ultra-flat profile with adhesive clips
- Clean wall installation included
- Available up to 100 feet
Cons
- 32AWG thinner conductors than standard
- Not suitable for PoE applications
Don't buy this if…
- The thin 32AWG conductors are not recommended for Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications as they may overheat.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Double-shielded for interference protection
- Flat cable design for clean routing
- 10Gbps with 600MHz bandwidth
Cons
- Cat 7 is not an officially recognized TIA standard
- Uses standard RJ45 instead of GG45 connectors
Don't buy this if…
- Cat 7 is not formally recognized by TIA/EIA standards and offers no practical benefit over Cat 6A for home use.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Weatherproof for outdoor installation
- Braided nylon outer jacket
- Triple-shielded construction
Cons
- Very thick and stiff cable
- Outdoor rating not equivalent to direct burial
Don't buy this if…
- Weatherproof is not the same as direct burial rated; for underground runs use a dedicated outdoor-rated cable or conduit.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Affordable Cat 8 with braided jacket
- Wide range of length options
- Anti-interference shielded design
Cons
- Performance claims exceed home equipment capability
- Stiffer than unshielded cables
Don't buy this if…
- Cat 8 performance requires compatible 25GbE or 40GbE network switches; home routers do not support these speeds.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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