10 Best Ethernet Cables For Gaming PC PS5 & Xbox 2023 – Fast Internet & Gaming

The world of connectivity is not as simple as it seems. The cables and the technologies that compose them have changed, and while the pre-2022 models sound familiar, there are many new things on the menu.

Finding the best Ethernet cable for your modem can then become quite a daunting task. And for good reason: the technical characteristics may seem confusing or superfluous. Yet they are not without importance.

An Ethernet cable provides a much better connection than Wi-Fi, and it is already commonly used in most professional installations to create reliable and efficient networks. But it is time for it to reclaim our daily life and become part of our internet tools. 

And using the free cable provided by your telecom company may prove insufficient or even disappointing.

We are going to present to you five models of slightly different categories which have been able to innovate on various levels. Ergonomics, flexibility, transmission quality, the technology used, CAT5 , 6 or 7… These terms will have no secrets for you thanks to our comparison and buying guide.

All the cables that we are going to present to you are compatible with RJ45 ports, which are the standard equipment in the field of Ethernet connectivity.

UGREEN CAT 7 – Best Ethernet Cable

A connector company from the other side of the Channel, UGREEN is a versatile brand that makes professional technologies affordable and offers ranges of products suitable for home use. The cable we are going to present stands out from the competition for several reasons. Let’s see what he has to offer

General presentation

The most surprising aspect of this UGREEN Ethernet cable is that it is flat. We will talk more about this feature in the buying guide. Let’s just remember that in addition to being more compact and discreet, it loses almost nothing of its technical characteristics. 

It is all the more efficient as it uses an STP model for copper fibers. This design limits radio or electromagnetic interference and therefore guarantees fluidity and consistency of the network.

It comes in 7 lengths to suit your needs. Versions of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 20 meters, for a drastically decreasing price, allow you to plan your wiring upstream according to its use.

In terms of ergonomics, there is a neat finish. The head is armored – that is to say, surrounded by metal – for better durability, and despite its thinness, the materials used inspire solidity. A small, rigid plastic tab protects the mouthpiece to prevent accidental disconnection.

A small flaw, however: it makes removing the plug a little tricky. However, we welcome the choice of a flat design, which allows it to be slipped behind desks, under carpets, and to ensure ultra-discreet connectivity.

Ethernet cable transmission quality

This cable is a CAT 7. We will talk a little about its characteristics in the buying guide, where we will present their specificity. It is the most recent technology in terms of Ethernet connectivity, and it offers excellent performance.

With no less than 600MHz of bandwidth (more than twice what CAT 6 cables offered), it offers a transmission speed of up to 10Gbps. In practice, this means minimal loss of information and download bandwidth that can exceed 1 Gb / second.

AmazonBasics CAT 5 – Reliable and Affordable

The AmazonBasics line is an initiative of the largest reseller in the world, which aims to offer the general public good quality products. Amazon is committed to durability, simplicity, and competitive pricing.

General presentation

Available in three sizes – 4.2, 7.6, and 15.2m – this classic white cable uses CAT 5 technology. Don’t let this distract you, the CAT generations do not exactly determine the quality of the product itself.

A CAT 5 is a model admittedly outdated by some newer Ethernet cables, but its UTP cabling system is one of the most effective for this type of model in terms of noise and interference reduction. It is, for example, the one that is most used in the fields of banking and construction.

In terms of ergonomics, we appreciate the small protective tab, flexible, which prevents unintentional actuation of the connector and keeps it in good condition longer.

Ethernet cable transmission quality

CAT 5 Ethernet cables offer 100MHz bandwidth and transmission up to 1Gb / s. In practice, this represents around 130M / s of actual download speed. 

This product is serious, and its technology is compliant: the quality and stability of the transmission are guaranteed. In the event of a malfunction, this Ethernet cable is guaranteed for 1 year.

Rankie 5-pack CAT 6 – Ethernet cable for Short connections

Range of connectors from the JETech brand, we know Rankie for the seriousness of their products. The design is simple but well made, and for fairly competitive prices.

General presentation

This product consists of a pack of 5 cables in different colors – black, red, blue, white and green. They are available in various sizes, 30cm, 90cm, 1.5m, 2.1m, 3m and 4.5m. We like the idea of ​​a color code to easily identify connections, in the case of a LAN for example or network connections.

CAT 6 is a good model, although choosing a straight-through cable makes it more susceptible to interference. We appreciate the sober design and good quality of the reinforced rubber tip.

For this price, the possibility of having 5 CAT 6 Ethernet cables is quite unprecedented, and it is one of the cheapest products on the market.

Ethernet cable transmission quality

Because it’s a CAT 6, we can expect around 250MHz of bandwidth. The raw transmission speed is 1Gb / s. We can therefore expect a comfortable 100Mb / s download.

CSL CAT 6 – Design and Well Thought

One of the major players in intelligent connectivity, CSL takes care of the design and conception of its products, even the most basic.

General presentation

With its aggressive red and black design and durable materials, this 5m cable has it all. It is available in several sizes ranging from 25cm to 30m – a limit beyond which the quality of transmission is no longer guaranteed with Ethernet technology. In terms of colors, we have the choice between white and black, but the tip keeps the distinctive red of the CSL range.

This Ethernet cable is flexible, with a rubber coating that allows a good grip and easy fixing. The anti-crease sleeve is thick enough to prevent the bit from being bent or damaged and therefore provides better durability.

Ethernet cable transmission quality

As for all CAT6, the performance displayed is 250MHz of bandwidth and 1GB / s of transmission speed. This represents 100Mb / s of actual download speed. Its intelligent design allows it to be flexible, but in return it is not very well equipped against interference. 

It is, however, unshielded – that is, it does not have a rigid coating to protect the copper fibers. Electromagnetic interference is therefore possible, without having too heavy an impact on the quality of the transmission.

Boomile CAT 6 – Best Cable for PS4

This CAT 6 cable measures 15.2m and is guaranteed for 1 year.

General presentation

If its length can be prohibitive, this type of cable can be useful for making a connection in a large house. Because it is flat – like the UGREEN – it is easy to ensure a discreet and efficient connection even over long distances.

With its ultra-simple design and competitive price for a product of this length, Boomile has bet on the quality of the network itself.

Ethernet cable transmission quality

A long flat cable (15m) is a risky choice if you want to limit data loss. While their design is practical and comfortable, it does not allow such an effective level of shielding on round cables. For occasional use, and if this problem does not concern you, this CAT6 cable offers sufficient performance.

Buying Guide

Before purchasing an Ethernet cable, there are several factors to keep in mind. As we have already pointed out, the technologies that compose it are more complex than they appear. Without going into overly technical details, we’ll help you navigate this market and make the right choice to optimize the stability and quality of your connection.

Wifi or Ethernet: Which is the best connection

There is no doubt that both connection methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Some factors like interference, latency, or bandwidth must be taken into account to make the best choice.

Ethernet offers virtually no latency. For gamers, this is an important point: if your internet connection at the source is of good quality, there is no reason for you to experience lag.

In addition, it is often more equipped against interference. In an era of saturation of radio and electromagnetic waves, this point is important: interference can reduce the quality and stability of your connection.

However, if some cables are provided with shields or designs designed to avoid this type of inconvenience, nothing is put in place to protect your WiFi connection. As a result, Ethernet cables often offer better performance from this point of view.

This is not to mention the issue of security: if methods – increasingly effective – exist to crack a WiFi code, it is virtually impossible to interfere in a physical connection.

Despite the advances in WiFi, cables are always evolving faster, and it is certain that they will always offer a more stable and efficient connection.

CAT 5, 6, or 7: Which Ethernet cable category to choose?

Visually, these three types of cables are identical. However, they are quite different, and knowing their specificities will allow you to make the right choice.

CAT 5s are often a little less expensive, and they are the oldest Ethernet cables still available on the market. Their main limitation is their bandwidth of 100MHz and the incompatibility with a connection power to the source of 10Gb / s. As a result, your connection will rarely exceed 100Mb / s at best.

The CAT 6 and 7 do much better, with 250 and 600 MHz of bandwidth respectively. It is thanks to new methods of insulation of the cables which ensures a better routing of the information, a limit of the losses, and, inevitably, a better quality of the transmission.

For a domestic connection, the difference will probably be relatively imperceptible; but if you are a gamer or need a lot of bandwidth, this factor is more important than it sounds.

How to limit interference with an Ethernet cable?

The world of connectivity is definitely more complex than it seems. To simplify, let’s say that there are two types of cables mainly accessible to the general public.

STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) has an insulator that protects the copper fibers from radio and electromagnetic interference. If you see STP, you will find that they are generally more expensive, and rarely flat.

UTPs (Unshielded Twisted Pair) is the most common. The sheath that surrounds the cables is rubber and does not protect the connection.

Factors to keep in mind are the length of your cable and sources of interference. The longer your cable, the more likely it is to lose data along the way. Likewise, proximity to an electricity pylon, high voltage lines, or extensive wiring will inevitably cause interference.

Flat cable or round cable?

It is easy to be tempted by a flat cable: they are design, ergonomic, and adapt ideally to angles. However, the sheaths of which they are made are inevitably thinner or more flexible and therefore protect the copper fibers less. Whether it is against interference or bending, flat cables are less protected.

If round cables pose all the problems that we know them – they are more difficult to store or to wind up efficiently, for example – they guarantee a better quality of connection and pave the way for more efficient insulation systems.

The Ethernet cable market has no more (too many) secrets for you. Always make sure you choose the correct length of cable for your needs so that you don’t end up with an unnecessary length. 

Do not hesitate to pay the price either: the budget gap between each product is not huge, but the durability and the quality of the insulation are two factors that will quickly make you forget the few extra euros you have invested.